November a quiet month

Virginia creeper on the barn

November is normally quiet, however this year I'm trying to get ahead of the garden duties for the new season.  I have cut back the lavender, taken out a few trees and pruned the grape vine.  I am started to rack up the leaves for a bonfire and I'll mulch the really wet ones with the chicken coop straw, but there's lots more to do.  All the hedges need cutting back and there are quite a few!

I also have to prepare the swimming pool for winter, this means a chlorine shock, anti-algae and Chlor long for five months plus installing the winter leaf cover.

Weekends are normally taken up with rugby, horse riding, drawing class and ping pong.  The kids enjoy all these even if they say they don't want to go. Excuses like " It's raining or it's cold"  They would rather play in the house in front of the log burning fire.  However, when they get to each activity they enjoy them immensely.

The weather is changing with the first frost of the year, time to bring in the gite plants and my citrus bushes.  This year we had no citrus fruit, but I think that was down to fleecing them, rather than moving them inside into the boot room.

I have arranged a Christmas visit to see friends and family in the U.K.   This means organising the animals while away, plus the usual kids presents and cards. Lots to do, Xmas will be here before you know it!  The best thing for me is not having to cook for everyone, I can just offer help in the kitchen, so I'm looking forward to some time with the grand parents!

I have purchased a Xmas tree (sapin de noel) from the rugby club so the kids will have two this year to decorate.  Charlie delivered the order and cheque to the club, and we will collect on the 7th December.

Café plum bar

Café Plum menu

This month included a visit to Café Plum for a drink with friends, lunch at Les Glycines in St Paul Cap de Joux with Ian and the local Le Cochon Qui Rit (Happy Pig) restaurant in Cuq with my French friend JP.

I also visited friends in Mazamet for lunch and then went to a local exhibition of pencil drawings by my friend Camille Messager.  It was good to see an exhibition of local art being shown.

Below is a photograph of my favourite piece which I bought.  It will be framed once the exhibition is over.

Les oiseux, le pouvoir

November has also been an expensive month with a problem with the fosse (septic tank) and pipework sorted by my local plumber.  A leak in the farmhouse roof which means tiles off,  new water barrier and flashing around two chimneys, a lot of money, but has to be done.  There is also pipework from the farmhouse kitchen and shower that will be installed through the three foot thick wall then underground to the fosse septique.  I'm also completing all the tiling in the apartment to allow the plumber to install all the sinks, wcs, shower and bath.  The kitchen install starts soon.

Boy, so much for a quiet November!

Autumn arrives