We used to arrive at our home with the grass about a metre high; it was a nightmare. It took days with a small mower to tackle it.
These days, we have found someone who is prepared to look after things for us, and we now arrive to nicely mowed lawn and paddock, even Haddock's is given a trim. The battery on 'Rory', our mower, isn't too reliable, but otherwise our man has no problems. Below is a photo he recently sent; all looks OK.
I'm looking forward to being in the countryside again. As much as I love Brighton, I'm a country boy at heart, and I like nothing more than the peace and quiet of open fields and woodland.
My fingers are crossed that there will also be some mushrooms about, but it's never guaranteed. I shall be keeping an eye on the weather forecast over the next few weeks. Rain means mushrooms.
I have just one project for this year, and that is to put a handrail on the stairs. Two years ago, I came a cropper on the lower steps, which wasn't pleasant. Both of us now need something to hold onto.
Otherwise I shall be sowing some Bok Choi and a few Salads, and hopefully planting a few Peach trees. I also hope to make plenty of JAM. Our supplies ran out too early last year, and we probably need double the amount. We make Plum, Apricot, and Greengage jams. I shall NOT be making more Blackberry jam.... it wasn't good.
The BBQ will be dusted down, Oysters will be bought by the 'box-full', Snails will be eaten, Restaurants will be visited (They're getting better again), and favourite Charcuterie will be devoured in abundance.
We are also thinking of buying a big green 'Garden Bell-Tent' to accommodate excess Gen-Z'ers. Not too sure about it yet!
Life in paradise. Now the weather is warming you must be more than ready to make the change.
ReplyDeleteGet that handrail up first.
Or, no, mushrooms first.
And planting those salads and Bok choi. So many pleasant activities.
You must have a long list
No, quite a short list this year, I'm leaving things to others! I think the mushrooms will be No 1 on the list; I can't stop myself.
DeleteBy relying on your own adaptability you have the best of both worlds. Snug winters in the heart of a friendly neighbourhood, and room to roam during the summer. It's a pity that your time at each can't be split into 50/50. That big open space certainly looks appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteThey are talking about extending our stay to 6 months; but we wait to see if it actually happens.
DeleteFingers crossed 🤞
ReplyDeleteNot far off now.
DeleteI can imagine how you are looking forward to getting back there and a bonus having the grass cut for you.
ReplyDeleteIt makes such a difference. And my oldest is going out before us, so everything will be opened-up and aired. He might even leave a few bottles of Dom Perignon in the fridge.
DeleteIt all sounds marvellous. I hope your time in France does get extended to six months that sounds a perfect balance. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteEven if we didn't use the whole 6 months, it would be nice to know that we could without having to get extended visas, etc.
DeleteI hope your "man" doffs his cap when you return and shouts ""Bienvenue de retour!" before you toss him a handful of centimes. Are you planning to rent out the bell tent on AirBnB?
ReplyDeleteI gave him a .22 rifle last year, so I have to be nice to him. The tent would be for grandsons and their friends. They need to be kept well away from the house.
DeleteI had no idea that your grandsons and their friends are carriers of infectious diseases. Is there any known cure?
DeleteHandcuffs!
DeleteDad found that two handrails made the steep stairs safer. Enjoy your summer.
ReplyDeleteI'll be lucky if I can do just one side. It's old stone on one side, and wood on the other. I shall try fixing something to the wood side.
DeleteLooks like you have a wonderful summer ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. Everything is there, it just needs the family to be together.
DeleteCro, you mentioned plum jam, so do you have a plum tree out there? We once had a Victorian plum tree, but now with barely any fruit on it. And at it's base are lots of wild strawberries.
ReplyDeleteWe make our Plum Jam from a type of Wild Plum; I think they're called Bird Plums. They're small, and red, and never fail. We have several trees and they are always full of Plums. I must bring some pips back. Victoria Plums are by far the best for eating.
DeleteSounds like heaven on earth. I vote for 6 months also. Perfect balance. Bon Voyage!
ReplyDeleteYes, me too. We could apply for a longer visa, but it is just too much bother.
DeleteCro, you need this for your little mowabout....
ReplyDeleteA trickle charger.... this is the one I use... one for the ride-on mower and one for the two-wheeled Ferrari tractor.... they work nicely and give me the reassurance that turning the key will start tyhe machine... and I am not sitting there hearing it go "click,click,click"
The two-wheeled tractor is by Ferrari Agricultural and you can't get stickers for it.... so when it gets cleaned down later this year it will become a real Ferrari Sports Mower, because I can get sets of car stickers... it is currently in its Allen Scythe mode because, unlike you, I don't have a man to mow.... so the ride-on has to be preceeded by a cut with the powered set of teeth.
https://www.amazon.fr/Solar-Panel-100A-Charge-Controller/dp/B0CLRNQ2NV/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_pd_sbs_rvi_d_sccl_1_6/523-5295490-5206965?pd_rd_w=JHbTM&content-id=amzn1.sym.be9bed83-67ee-4372-ab45-33731bdebce9&pf_rd_p=be9bed83-67ee-4372-ab45-33731bdebce9&pf_rd_r=REYY8BYNEC12NBVKWHS0&pd_rd_wg=aeWiA&pd_rd_r=4e68ad59-d309-40a4-80f4-9a0ec8ba4964&pd_rd_i=B0CLRNQ2NV&psc=1
{They are not much cheaper on Temu...}
That does sound perfect, but the reviews weren't too encouraging. It might be better for a mower than for a caravan. I shall look into it further. Thanks.
DeleteHave you removed any trees lately? Our oldest son took out an apple tree and used one of the long branches as his stair railing. Sanded and polished. It's lovely and he's very proud of it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds nice. We did remove the upper branches of a Greengage tree, but it's all in fire-sized logs now. I shall have to think about it.
Delete