Spring well under way

La Bastide Farmhouse and Grange

It's April, and at the weekend we have the Easter walk, here its called the "Omelette de Pâques."  There is a three hour village walk, with normally around 100 people, kids and dogs.  Followed by an apéro, most of the village, 300 plus, for  lunch or repas.  This will be salade composée (layered salad), omelettes made with garlic, cheese and fruit.  Washed down with plenty of red and rosé wine.  This followed by skittles and an Easter egg hunt for the kids.

Big orchid season

The roe deer have been grazing the fields of grass, and I see hares and red legged partridge who have now paired up, while out driving.  I saw my first swallow arrive on the 4th, and they are now building nests at the farm down the road.  The nightingales arrived 11th, territories being defended with song (around six pairs at La Bastide) and I heard my first cuckoo on the 12th.  I have heard a Hoopoe a few times, with friends seeing one on the 17th, I have since seen a few while out driving.  The forest opposite the kitchen is all green as trees start to leaf, today I heard my first Golden Oriole (23rd) as a male whistled across the valley,  melodious warbler arrived 28th and took up singing outside, near the terrace and a Turtle dove purring is a sure sign of the summer to come.  

Bobby and white duck

The fruit trees are laden with flowers and I think there should be an abundance of apricot, plums, cherries, apples and pears.  Even the single nectarine has more flowers than normal.  Blackthorn is flowering everywhere and as I write a blackcap is singing.  The sad news is I lost my favorite comic white duck to a fox, it managed to fly over the high fence of the orchard, my guess early evening and by the morning all I found was a circle of feathers.  The fields are full of winter wheat and the garlic is nearly two feet high, and the first cut of the meadows has begun.

Getting ready for the season is a daily job.  I will Kärcher the terraces and pool area this month.  Paint the wooden pool furniture, add a new slide and swing to the play tower (it has been coated with linseed oil).  Weed all the paths and parking area in front of the Grange and Farmhouse.  The in-ground trampoline has a new safety mat and safety net and is ready for the kids to play on.  The play barn has been painted and we are in the process of cleaning the barn and all the toys.  All the gites are being spring cleaned and checked, smoke alarms, electrical switches that have batteries, services, Wi-Fi etc.  We have eleven bookings so far into August and a number of enquiries, with the cottage being very popular.

Agricultural fair Bull and cows

Le Percharon tractor
 circa 1951

I attended the Réalmont tractor fair with my mate Ian, the 1st weekend in April, arriving about 8:30 to find a parking space close to the town centre.  We did not find any parts for our Farmall Cub tractor, but enjoyed seeing the sights and looking at all the stalls.  The fair sprawled over the whole town, so we eventually had coffee at the Swing bar.   I bought asparagus for breakfast, Ian a few oil cans for his ever growing collection (over 200).  The tractors collection was impressive, as were the livestock, horses, sheep, goats, cows and bulls.  Here are a few photos from the visit.  I also went to the Cuq vide grenier (outdoor jumble sale)  I bought a Cat Stevens LP "Teaser and the firecat" and a few buddleia for the garden.  Towards the end of the month we have a Vide in Damiatte and Montdragon, both were good last year with Montdragon having a great selection of old tractors.

   

Porsche and Lanz

Farmall cub

Fiber coming soon

The good news is the optical fiber rollout is well underway, with pole sites marked by pegs and road paint all the way to the start of La Bastide.  They have installed twenty poles so far!  Not bad, as they seem to have worked three days in the last ten.  We have been promised fast internet this year.  Let's see if they deliver.

Lamb perfectly cooked

A visit with friends to Le Jardin du Clocher in Lautrec, for the first time this year.  They served outside, also for the first time of the year!  It was a glorious day with great food, wine, friends and the kids, who behaved well.  The temperature this week has been up to 25 degrees, which has been very comfortable for outside work.  I have heard it may rain next week, so I am completing as many jobs as I can now.

The pool has been uncovered and is in the process of being cleaned (leaves).  The children have been in a few times and the temperature is climbing, a balmy 17 degrees, which is good for April.

Badger at La Bastide

Evie and I discovered a badger latrine on the hill near Evie's cabin, we will attempt to photograph with the help of the Ape cam.  So far we have seen a female roe deer and a badger!

Lioness

We plan a visit to the safari zoo near Toulouse and beach weather permitting.  I have a visit next week by Michelle who teaches Yoga, to discuss a retreat this summer for around eight people.  This will be in August or September.  Clementine who has rented the cottage for five months, leaves in a camper van at the end of April with her cat.  She will eventually drive to Toulon for her parents' anniversary and sister's new baby.  April ends today and the season starts.  We have May day Bank holiday, then the kids go back to school.  Charlie is in a play in July and his Grandfather and wife, Sandra are coming over to go to the theatre. I'm already looking forward to it. Then it's the summer holidays, (our season)  then a real holiday away in October.

Spring walk