Well, the fibre is close, as they are completing the pole installation, after starting four weeks ago! They did however roll the mini-pelle off the bank. The workers tried to right it using their lorry crane, but it was not up to the job, so my friendly farmers came with a huge tractor and got it up-right. Last time it was me that rolled a mini pelle (digger). Due to some damage it stayed in my top meadow for a week before being collected by a seriously large lorry with onboard crane! We have three poles in our part of the lane for WIFI access. Hopefully faster WIFI throughout La Bastide. Just need to wait for the cable and the deluge of offers to connect!
Video below.
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| Laundry garden |
Visitors arrive this month and the season will get underway. It looks like a strong season with over sixteen bookings and enquiries are still coming in. The weather should be warmer and drier, as we have had a very wet April and May, (lots of thunderstorms) after a dry February and March. This is not good for filling reservoirs, however the late rain is mainly taken up by crops, so the farmers are happy.
The weather in the last few weeks has promised thunderstorms, but they have all passed us by and the weeks have been hot and sunny.
I have spent a few days demolishing the dog compound. It was thirty years old and falling down, Jean-Philippe and I removed a few trees, (mainly acacia) to provide a view to the wood at the top and over the valley. Much more light so grass may grow under the huge field maple tree, as it's just leaf mulch at the moment! . We have left the fence on three sides, in case I wish to turn it back into a dog compound at some point. Clementine, who is working with me for the season, will move her campervan up there now as it has power and outdoor lighting.
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| Great starter |
This week a friend who owns the Puycalvel chateau arrived from Australia (via Holland and the UK). We enjoyed a few apéros and a fantastic meal at Le Jardin du Clocher in Lautrec. We started with salmon gravlax, then I had ballotine of chicken and Nigel tried the steak (with pepper sauce) both with asparagus and artichoke which are in season, dessert was cheese for me (excellent) and rhubarb tart with strawberries in pastry and cream for Nigel. The food was great as always, washed down with a super cold rosé wine. He flew back to Amsterdam, Thursday and from there to Sydney.
Friday morning I often go to the morning market in Lautrec. Great fish, cheese, charcuterie and vegetables. Today I tried the new cafe, "Suzalia" where the second bakery used to be. Excellent coffee, very good and buttery croissant and pain au chocolat for breakfast. Recommended!
Guests arrive at the weekend, which promises to be very hot, 30 degree. The pool has a new robot pump and is 24 degrees and crystal clear. I will now provide a new service of fresh eggs upon arrival from my ducks and chickens. I also will offer massage through ZenErgy which is 25 minutes away. Once booked Pierre Sirven the owner provides the best massage in the area. He has done wonders for my back and hips, which get very tight due to my Ataxia.
Website:- ZenErgy
Today, the meadows were mown and after a warm day the grass will be dry, Sylvian baled on Saturday before an overnight downpour. Everywhere are rounds of hay, a bumper harvest due to the later than normal rain. Due to this, the sunflowers are already flowering, normally they flower in July and August.
A Monday visit to collect a new Bosch dryer for the laundry, meant I was close to Camournet-sur-le-Sor Nature reserve, so I dropped in and watched five hoopoe, saw a golden oriole and great spotted woodpecker. However the reeds were so tall I could hardly see the lake! On the way back I saw a weasel run across the road (my first in France) and visited a friend who is anaemic and has a hiatus hernia, frail but on the mend, with support from his children. I went to the pharmacy for his medication and had a long chat. I will visit again tomorrow to see if he needs anything. Continuing on the nature front, I also watched another five hoopoe on the road, down to La Bastide. I have also seen a black winged kite a few times, which means they are probably breeding again this year. This morning over the bird song, a male Roe deer barked.
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| Moularès |
Over one weekend I attended two auberge espagnole, both great, the first by a lake with 20 friends and almost as many dogs, great food from the BBQ and homemade pate and smoked saucisson. Thanks Olivier! The second in Moularès a village nearby, great fun dancing around a fire and beer, (you pay what you want) about a euro a glass. Late night, good discussions and I met an old friend, Patrice, whom I used to play football with in Vielmur when we first arrived in France. He still does at 61!
This month I am planning a visit to Le Mans via Limoges, the children and I will see their grandfather who will be there for the weekend. It will be a leisurely affair with lunches, supper and of course wine. The kids already want to visit the zoo.
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