Not Forgotten.

Your resting place may not have been weeded as often as it once was, and your hastily written name plaque is fading slightly, but dear boy you're not forgotten.

When I visit Haddock's either to tend or harvest, there you are, and I always kneel by your side to have a quiet word.

I tell you how things are going, I tell you about Bok and Freddie, and I tell you about all the other local dogs that you knew so well. Nothing much has changed (well, it's only been a few months). 

With our present weather you would have already been down to the lake for some swimming; it'll be a little quieter down there this year, and the fishermen can cast their lines in relative peace. Not that we really cared, did we!

Before too long you'll be covered in Pumpkins and Squashes, and I'll plant some more interesting flowers for you.

You rest now, I'll be back in a while. xxx

Périgord Oysters?

You never know what'll turn-up in the fields around here, yesterday I found this small 5 by 4 cm oyster on my early morning walk. I'm not sure if it's an actual Oyster, or a fossilised Oyster; it looks to be half and half.

In either case, what was it doing in a field sowed with Maize?

In the past I've found other fossilised bi-valves nearby; one of which was quite a large Clam-type crustacean. I suppose the whole area must have been below water at some time, so one shouldn't be too surprised to find such things.

Séchoir; now and then.

     

As we acquired it, in its raw state; and what a state! Earth floor, asbestos roof, cobwebs, and plenty of wood munching insects.

                                  

Wills and Kellogg contemplating what needs to be done. Long hard thoughts. These two photos above were taken in August 2011.

                                 

Now, 4 years on and we're slowly getting there. The bedroom divisions are being plaster-boarded as I write, the downstairs bathroom will go in quite soon, and everything is ready for the kitchen (probably Ikea) to be bought and fitted.

Wills, Kellogg, and Bunny arrive at the beginning of July. It should be liveable-in, but not finished. They can then have fun stamping their own mark on the place.

My yesterday's job, which you might just see, was tiling the two downstairs windowsills. I used ancient-looking quarry tiles (the ones we had made for the 'tower') which when waxed will look wonderful. Very satisfying job.

Itching for Scratchings?

Anyone reluctant to leave British shores on account of their fear of being deprived of their favourite bar snack can now think again.

English Pork Scratchings have been a favourite of mine for years; I'm talking of those fatty ones which usually come with a few errant bristles. The ideal accompaniment to a pint of bitter.

These may not be the perfect alternative, but they're pretty good; and (for purists) they do come with the occasional tiny feather.

                            .

Duck Scratchings are a relative newcomer to French gastronomy. As far as I'm aware they first appeared about 5 years ago.

I notice on the very bottom of the label it says that they should be eaten rapidement after opening; what else would they expect? The above have now gone.

Not everyone's cup of tea; I know.

Favourite smells.

                               

Anosmia must be one of the most frustrating of afflictions. Luckily I am blessed with a finely honed sense of smell, and enjoy my good luck enormously.

I had to think hard about my favourite smells, it's easy to plump for the classics (new mown grass, Chanel No 5, etc), but being honest with myself was more tricky. Anyway..... in no particular order.

1. Ozone in the air from a rough sea.

2. Well made silage.

3. Expensive Patchouli.

4. Roasting Chicken.

5. Ambre Solaire (only on a beach).

6. Tomato plant leaves.

7. Mock Orange flowers.

8. Bacon frying.

9. Ripe Bananas.

10. Lady M's egg shampoo.

11. Gariguette Strawberries.

12. Oil paint and Turps.

13. The 'public bar' of a traditional English pub'.

14. Marmite.

15. Most things that contain Lemon.

16. Bok.

18. The Coconut oil that I use to pamper my feet.

19. Freshly ground Cumin.

20. And, of course, just like the gentleman above; Truffles (preferably Périgord Truffles).

I shall now spend the next few days trying to remember all the things I've forgotten; no doubt you'll remind me. Tant pis!

A nice day, Bok, and Zara.

When the hay has been cut and taken away, it's almost as if we have an infinity lawn.

And here is one of Bok's very favourite people. Bok used to live with little Zara's family; it was her mother who eventually decided that he should come to live with Monty (and us).

Zara comes to see him quite often; she only lives about 300 metres away. Bok is always so happy to see her that he becomes overcome with excitement.

She's one of those lovely children who is completely without 'hang-ups'. She comes to the house, says hello, sits down, has a chat, plays with Bok for a while, then says goodbye and moves on.

If only all children were thus.

Another village, another church.

It's Boot Sale season, so yesterday we went to one in a village not far from our baker; killing two birds with one stone.

The village is called Goujounac (46), and possesses yet another beautiful medieval church; one where I had yet to visit the interior.

The front doorstep appears to be a re-cycled sarcophagus cover; I can't imagine it was intended to be used as a stepping stone.

This ancient cupboard door, by the altar, probably hides all the priest's magic potions; I didn't like to look inside. I think it says a lot about the church's interior; it looks as if it ought to be outside..

There are interesting things everywhere, amongst which was this floor flagstone half way up the aisle. Too little left of the inscription to know what it originally said.

Outdoors again, and another piece of medieval carving; beautiful.

The Boot Sale was rubbish. Luckily the church wasn't. The amazing thing is that almost every village has a fantastic medieval church.... sometime I'll show you some of the others.