Short break.

I'm having a little break for a few days, to catch up with a lot of things in the house and garden.

See you soon!

I've been talking to this rose for some days now, encouraging it to open its tight little buds. It didnt seem to want to, until the sun came out on Sunday.
Then all of a sudden the buds unfurled and the flowers appeared.
Her name is 'Domaine de Courson', and this particular plant was grown from a cutting that I took three years ago. she is now at the top of the archway, and looks like going on upwards!
My roses do get lots of attention. They get fed with a special rose feed, they get watered in very dry weather, and yes, they get conversation. I firmly believe that plants respond to attention!

Here are her flowers. they open from a tight bud into a flattish flower. There is a little perfume, but it is the form of the rose on the trellis which I love. It always reminds me of one of those lovely Vistorian cottage garden paintings, not complete without a climbing rose.

More roses later, as they start to look their best.

Coffee anyone?

Join me in a cup of Coffee this morning, why not?

We have a stop round about mid morning, much to the amazement of the French, who consider that coffee is only for drinking after lunch. They prefer a small, wickedly strong demi-tasse of coffee.

I like mine with cream!

The first one!

Brought to me this morning, with great ceremony by my husband.........the first strawberry of the season.

With equally great ceremony I cut it into two pieces, and we shared it. The taste was unbelievable, all the sweetness of Summer, the warmth of the sun melting in the mouth.

This is the beginning. Over the next few days we shall be picking and picking, freezing, jam making, and best of all, eating. Just a slight dusting of sugar, not that they really need it, maybe a spoonful of cream? Or, my favourite, nothing added. Just the taste of strawberry.

And last, but not least.......

My favourite place, the Sacristan's Garden in the grounds of the Abbey. It's small, but very perfectly formed.

Here is everything that is scented. Arches of Wisteria rise above the paths. Climbing roses trail up the arches. I recognised my favourite Zephirine Drouhin, a scented rose like no other.

In the beds are Lavenders, pinks, lemon balm, scented geraniums, lily of the valley...so much more. A basket work edging gives shape to the flower beds. Everything is natural, organic. Plant labels are of slate, names written in careful handwriting.

I had a momentary picture of the Sacristan, taking a moment or two from his busy life, to come out here, maybe in search of a medicinal herb, maybe to meditate or say a quiet prayer, but also to spend a little time just breathing in the beauty.

More houses in Normandy.

Many of these lovely private houses are hidden behind stone walls. I was fortunate to catch this one through the open gateway. Round to the side there were stables and barns, all built in the 'Colombage' of the area.

This little cottage was very old. I love the eyebrow windows. Can you see the Iris growing in the thatch? They were in full flower and looked so very different!

I wanted to see more of this house, but the wall was too high and the gates were tightly closed. But the Iris were beautiful anyway!

There are so many bends in the River Seine in this area, and it is often quicker to go across the water rather than drive around. this is one of the many little ferries that take cars, only 4 or 5 at a time, across the river. And it's all free!

An english garden giveaway.

Just a little note to link with Ramblings from an English Garden, which is such a lovely blog. Barbara takes us on so many scenic journeys, but this time she is having a giveaway.
Do take a look.

Norman wanderings.

In a small village, about twenty minutes from Rouen, stands this lovely Manor house. It has been lived in by the same family for three generations, and the now-owner's grandfather used to own farmlands around the house. The farms are still there, but the house has kept only two hectares.

Madame told us that when her daughters left home to have their own homes, she felt lonely, and when a friend suggested that she make a 'guest house' she leapt at the idea.

In fact it is not the normal B/B, as there is only one apartment for two people. This is where we stayed for the last week. We had our own large bedroom, a small sitting room, a kitchenette, and the usual bathroom/shower, etc. Totally private, with our own front door. Madame served a very comprehensive breakfast in her beautiful dining room..'I know that English people like eggs', she said, ladling two enormous boiled eggs into eggcups for us. What with the eggs, the cheese, the croissants and home made jams, yoghurts, fruit....we didnt really need another meal at lunch time.

The village lies in the shadow of this lovely Abbey, which we visited, but it was the gardens that entranced me. Laid out as they would have been in the time of the Benedictine ownership, they are exquisitely tended by a fleet of gardeners. There is a hidden Sacristan's garden planted with scented plants, climbing roses, herbs, honeysuckles, a place in which I could have stayed all day.

The people having the most fun that day was a class of reception age children, who arrived, collected little plastic baskets, and went on a treasure hunt. My husband had wondered why he kept seeing plastic vegetables in the potager, but when the children showed us their pictures we realised that they had to hunt out a pepper, a carrot or something vegetably. They had such a good time, and reminded me of mice as they scuttled around squeaking over their finds. (Click to enlarge and you will see them, gathered ready to start.)

More pictures of some of the local houses in another post.

Back home.

Suitcases spread all over the floor.

Bags of this and that still sitting in the car.

Odd bottles of water, apples etc, rescued from depths of car.

Yes, we're home again, after a good week in Normandy, if you discount the fact that it rained every day. But not discouraged, we climbed in the car and bowled around, exploring Abbeys, little villages, beautiful Gardens, and generally getting to know Normandy again.

When I've unpacked, washed everything in sight and done all those things you do, I'll post some photos of pretty half timbered houses.

Suitcase ready.

House sitters and plant waterers arranged.

Seedlings watered

And all those other things that you have to do before going away.

We're off to Normandy for a few days, in the Rouen region.

Many years ago our first holidays were spent here, crossing from Weymouth to Le Havre, and rambling through the lanes discovering. I'll never forget beech woods carpeted with fragile Wood anemones, Cowslips growing by the edges of the road, little rivers to walk by. It's one of the loveliest regions, with spectacular architecture.

This style is known as Colombage in France. It is very common throughout Normandy, and years ago we were so tempted to buy a country house with beautiful blackened timbers. We didn't, however.

Normandy is the region of Dairy farming, of cider making, of apple orchards. One

of the most famous alcoholic drinks is Calvados, an apple based Brandy......very strong!

The cheeses here are world renowned, Camembert, Pont l'Eveque, Livarot. the salt marshes near Mont St Michel raise lamb, known as 'Pre-Sale' (pre salted), which is delicious.

But Normandy is also the region where many people go to revisit the Wartime beaches, memories of D Day landings, visits to the many War time cemeteries. Normandy has its sad memories for so many people.

See you next week!

Memories

2007, the year of the sunflowers in our garden. We back onto a local farmer's field , and most years he grows Maize, used for cattle feed. The maize can grow up to 6 feet or more, which means that we are very private for a couple of months.

This year he is growing wheat, so we still keep our view.

In 2007 we scattered a few Sunflower seeds on the edge of our garden jsut to see if they would grow. As you can see, they did, and we have saved seeds from the heads.

Having lived in the Gironde region of France, where every other field is full of the most beautiful sunflowers, we felt we had our own patch of the South!

The dreaded me-me

This isnt something that I enjoy doing..so why am I doing it? Goodness knows! I guess I am a very private person, I dont reveal much about myself, but through gritted teeth decided to 'join in'. I wont be tagging anyone to follow on.

1. What are your current obsessions?

Fortunately I'm not an obsessive person. I have interests, which have lasted all my life, such as sewing, cross stitch, patchwork. I am passionate about my garden, and love it to look as I want it to, but wouldnt say that I obsess about it. There are far too many more important things in life.

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

When you live in a rural French village you live in jeans and fleeces. That's it!

3. Last dream you had?

Perhaps boringly I dont seem to dream, just sleep well.

4. Last thing you bought?

A large box of Rose fertiliser!

5. What are you listening to?

Right now? the birds singing in the birch tree nearby. The gentle hum of a motor mower. My husband saying he'd like a cup of tea.
6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be?

Wouldnt mind being a fairy godmother, granting wishes and sending people to the Ball.

7. Favourite holiday spots?

I love Austria, have visited in Summer and Winter. It never loses its charm for me.

8. Reading right now?

'Room for a Single Lady', by Clare Boylan.

9. Four words to describe yourself.

Tall, blonde, caring, worrier.

10. Guilty pleasure

Chocolate.

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?

My lovely husband, we laugh at silly memories together.

12. Favourite spring thing to do?

Start planting.

13. Planning to travel to next?

England for a family party.

14. Best thing you ate or drank lately?

Huge salad most of which came from the greenhouse.....except for the smoked salmon.

15. When did you last get tipsy?

When I was around 18.

16. Favourite ever film?

Anything with Grace Kelly.

17. Care to share some wisdom?

Trust in God.

18. Song you can't get out of your head?

Time to say Goodbye.

19. Thing you are looking forward to?

Friends visiting from England this week.

20 If money were no object, where would you choose to live?

In Cornwall.

1st May

Happy Spring! Happy 1st May!

In France we have a delightful custom of presenting our friends with a bunch, or even just a stem, of Lilies of the Valley.

It's a custom that dates back to 1561, when the then King, Charles 1x received some lilies as a lucky charm. Each year he offered a bunch to the ladies of his court. So the tradition grew, and by 20th Century it was well established.

The flowers are given as a symbol of Spring. I think it is the one and only time that something is allowed to be sold without tax applying. Scouts and Guides will be in our town today, raising a little money by selling these beautifully perfumed flowers.

and mine are blooming in the garden, so I shall go and pick a few for our neighbour.