September and school

Late summer weather

Autumn is threatening, summer bird visitors are leaving and migration has started. On a recent trip to Cambournet-sur-le-Sor we noted Snipe (around 6), Teal, Great white egret and a Kingfisher.  On the way back we witnessed a Red kite flying south.

The start of September brought a change in the weather, slightly cooler only 32 degrees in the shade. 

Ducks growing up

The odd summer thunderstorm and some much needed rain, about 2.5cm.  I spent the weeks picking and eating figs, damsons and apples from the orchard.  We have twelve trees, mainly apple and pear, a few plums and a nectarine.  The chickens like the fallen apples once crushed.  It's good to see the four ducks out, foraging for insects, snails and slugs, along with the chickens. The ducks have settled in with the chickens and walk around in a huddle that makes me laugh as they are very comical. We had another double yolk egg, which are 1.5x bigger than the normal egg....ouch. I have attempted to sex the duck by sound (quacks) I think we have two ducks, one drake and one undecided.

School and the kids are back.  Charlie seems to enjoy college and is making friends, let's hope he works as well.  Tom is doing super well and his grades reflect a mature approach.  He has great feedback apart from during lock-down, where he did all the work, but forgot to send it in!.  Evie seems very happy in Moulayrès, now she is with her best friend Anna. She is also doing well with her French school work.

Lautrec

I have spent a few hours clearing out the écurie (barn below the Grange) and throwing away things, we brought with us six years ago!  I feel there will be many trips to the dump. I am moving tools to the garden shed and vice versa. The garden shed is larger and this will become my workshop.  I have also moved all the bicycles (lots) to a new shed (an old stable) and will make a door, out of the oak floor taken up from the play-barn.

The big news is that it looks like we need a new pool liner, I am guessing the existing one is around 18 years old.  We have a quote and we will get the liner replaced in November ready for the new season,  but with 35 degree warm days I can see us using the 28 degree pool well into October.

The old clock tower

Le Jardin du Clocher

It has been a quiet month spent with a friend Neil, swimming, drinking beer, walking the dog and cooking interesting food. Laksa a favourite. Today, we had lunch outside at Le Jardin du Clocher in Lautrec. We started with salade gésiers, a local dish, followed by a fabulous volaille (chicken) stew cooked with mushroom and pilaf rice. We concluded the meal with Crème brûlée and baked apple with ice-cream. The weather was hot, we sat in a chilled out courtyard and washed the meal down with a cold beer. Recommended!

For the remainder of the month we plan to visit a bar, have an apéro with friends, visit Réalmont market to buy Lautrec garlic and try the V&B bar in Castres. Great beer and charcuterie.

Below are photos taken at Réalmont, where we sat in the town square and soaked up the atmosphere over a coffee or two.

Thanks to all the guests who came in July and August, a short but sweet season.