Gentlemen prefer Blondes.

With so many farmers going out of milk production, the countryside is beginning to look so much more interesting.

I've never liked either Holsteins or Friesians (the bog-standard black-n-white milkers), I much prefer to see regional cattle, living where they belong.

Now that my neighbour Claude has stopped milking, he too has gone native and now has a small herd of my favourite cow, the Blonde d'Aquitaine. Here they are just beyond my garden.

However, I did spot a couple of foreigners in amongst them. There's one Montbeliard, and one Holstein.

The Blondes are all youngsters, so maybe the two adult cows are there to give them a thick-ear if they misbehave.

Aren't they beautiful!

Birthday Boy.

                               

A very Happy Birthday to little Prince George. He's ONE today.

I believe that other more lowly born citizens also have birthdays today; but of significantly less importance.

Holiday friendships.

                               

Kids love dogs, and dogs love kids. The two were made for each other.

Both Monty and Bok adore all 'people' (and 99% of all other dogs). There is nothing they like more than making new friends or re-aquainting themselves with old ones. Excitement totally takes over.

Very occasionally the mix doesn't work. I recently mentioned about the dogs (who were on their leads) meeting with two small German girls who, along with their rather stupid 'towny' mother, totally panicked at seeing them approach at a distance of about 50 metres.

My advice is this. If you should meet a dog that doesn't like children, avoid it like the plague; it's probably a baddun. If you meet children who don't like dogs; send them directly to the psychiatrist.

With my two UK grandsons (above) coming to stay, Monty and Bok definitely have a lot of fun times ahead. A boys/dogs mix made in heaven.

                             

And this picture of Finn-n-Monty is my favourite.

Haddock's update. July 2014.

Everything is over-performing. We now have such a selection of different things to eat each day, that it's tricky knowing quite where to begin.

And look; we even have July Sprouts. Love em'.

These Chillies are superb. Medium hot with a beautiful flavour. We had our first one in a simple chicken curry a couple of nights ago. 

The Tomatoes are just beginning to ripen, and, oh dear, we're going to be inundated. Almost time to start my preserving programme.

It's also going to be a very good fruit year. The Apples, Pears, and Plums are all looking very healthy (except my Granny Smith, which I think has Canker). The Peaches, which I thought earlier would do well, have proved a little disappointing. The Figs and Quinces always produce well, so I won't even mention them.

And underneath all those big fat leaves our Butternuts are slowly swelling. Can't have winter without a good quantity of Butternuts in storage.

My 4 self-sown, rescued, Tomato plants (remember them?) are looking very promising. They seem to be producing big Marmande style fruits; I'll keep you posted.

Looks like we'll survive.

Utterly Philately.

Yesterday I received a parcel; it was covered with 17 different stamps.

15 of the stamps were valued at €2.80, and 2 at €3.00. The total cost of the postage being €48.00.

Each stamp was different, and only one (of Fernandel) was stuck on upside-down.

Most of the stamps dated from 1994, with one or two from 1995 and 1998.

There are pictures of Coluche, Josephine Baker, and Yves Montand; plus there are birds, flowers, and even Vikings.

One can only assume that the sender had become disillusioned with stamp collecting, and decided to use them for their originally intended purpose.

How very strange! 

Post-rain lunch.

With the foul weather we've been having recently, Girolles have been thick on the ground. Our favourite use for these delicious mushrooms is a lunchtime omelet.

Unfortunately Richard is on strike, so shop bought 'plein air' eggs had to be used instead.

Girolles don't freeze well, but when washed, they do keep for over a week in the fridge. Maybe Richard will oblige before the current season is over.

I'm not sure if my omelet photo looks particularly appetising, but I can assure you that it tasted bloody marvelous.

Summer returns.

After just a couple of days of warm sunshine the pool temperature has risen to 27 C, my spirits have been lifted, and all talk of a ghastly July have been banished.

Pretty summer dresses are again being worn (by the girlies), smiles have replaced scowls, and early evening drinks are being taken to the sound of running (pumped) water. 

Horse Flies now return by the million, Flying Ants coat the surface of the pool, and we shall be covered in little red spots for the duration.

37 C forecast for today. I love it; ice creams anyone?