July the sunflower month

Sunflower field

Our old Volvo finally died, but it did manage 410,000 kms and was a bargain at 500 euros. We now have a more modern VW Passat 2008 which I have to say is a joy to drive, it's LHD  and currently has completed only 210,000 kms.

July we see the harvest of the famous Lautrec rose garlic and the start of the incredible sunflowers. Field's are turning golden as the flowers bloom, there are lots of varieties, small to large headed.

La Bastide orchids

In La Bastide, the orchids have finishing flowering and are being replaced by the Trumpets of Jerusalem, Hibiscus and Olive tree flowers.

We have had a few very hot weeks with temperatures reaching 39 degrees, too hot ,even for me.  We also had hail when a freak weather front moved across Europe.    Spain was the most affected with severe flooding.

East coast Yorkshire

This month I travelled KLM to Humberside to stay with an old friend for ten days.  I bought my first house with my mate Neil, 30 years ago!

View back to the village

On the way,  I met a contractor who specialised in installing oil pipelines and a teacher who teaches autistic kids in Abu Dhabi.  It was a relaxing time with friends who made the trip north.   I spent time gardening, birdwatching, drinking tea and lots of beer!  Our pub crawl in Scarborough consisted of a 20 kilometre walk and only three pubs.  I must say Scarborough was well worth the visit, with beautiful Victorian architecture, the sea and impressive spa.  Having only been in winter to visit a nearby bird sanctuary, it surprised me.

Scarborough

Delayed on the way to Humberside, my flight home was cancelled.  KLM kept me informed throughout and the return flight went without a hitch.  They even paid compensation as I was not able to travel the same day.

I left the kids to feed the dog, cats and chickens.  My daughter also watered the various pot plants scattered around the gites and the tomatoes and peppers in the potager.

Frencham Little Pond

Zippy and Luna

I had a few days back at La Bastide before taking Evie for a holiday with  friends in Frencham common.  It is her birthday this month and she is very excited to be eight, she had a party at a friend's house at the beginning of the month, so her birthday seems to last for weeks.  We were made very welcome and had a great time.  We are already planning a return visit for New Year.

It's also my eldest, Toms birthday this month, he is now twelve and had a party the week after school broke up with laser quest, table tennis and swimming with his mates.  Wish I was twelve again!

Evie with Mantis

The season is in full swing and we are very busy.  The pool is fantastic and apart from having to get a new two horsepower pump, the pool has been no problem for five years.  It is getting plenty of use in the hot weather.

I have completed the work in the gites (each time I complete a gite, it becomes my firm favourite).  I am now concentrating on finishing the apartment and enjoying retirement.  The apartment will be painted in September and then we can have the kitchen that arrived a few months ago, fitted.

This month the producers markets (Marché de producteurs) are held each week in Castres and Albi.    Our kids love it as they get eat what they like from the various outdoor food stalls and sit in the warm evening air on benches eating al fresco.  Our wine supplier (Les Vignes de Garbasses) are always there supplying fantastic cold rosé, just the drink for a warm evening.

Well, I said this month the blog would be late as its well into August, we have full gites with French, English and Spanish guests, they are enjoying local visits, great food, cold wine and our beautiful pool.

La Bastide pool