Hornets.

I rather stupidly left some grapes on the vines, over the entrance to our covered terrace, simply because I couldn't easily reach them.

Of course the Hornets have recently found them, and we've been inundated by hundreds of the wretched things.

I always hang these simple traps for them; some beer, some jam, and maybe some wine, and they can't resist.

I had quickly filled the first two large jars with them, and this morning tipped the victims away. I refilled with beer and jam, and by about mid-day, I had already caught the dozens above.

I must have killed hundreds of them; more than usual. Their nest (I haven't found it yet) must be completely empty.

Even though I respect all 'wildlife', I don't regret my actions; but I do feel some guilt.

Happy Birthday.

Prince Charles is 70 today.

Charles and I have grown up together. Ever since my mother first bought me National Savings stamps featuring his portrait, I have lived in parallel to him; without us ever meeting.

To me he has simply been the 'heir to the throne'; a role adopted by accident of birth, that cannot have been his natural choice.

He, along with his sister, are possibly the hardest working members of the royal family. He has several appointments every day, several changes of dress, and often works well into the night on official matters.

He has managed to avoid repeating the unfortunate gaffs of his father, yet has inherited the regal bearing of his mother. He has learnt the job without complaining; at least, not in public.

His legendary love of nature, and tireless campaigning against all things polluting, brought him much criticism and ridicule from his urban detractors, but most now understand the importance of his life-long concern, and even campaign alongside. 

I like Charles. A friend of mine who was at school with him always described him as 'charming', as do those I know, who have met him briefly on official duties. I don't think there is any question that he will make an excellent head of state.

So, I wish you a very Happy Birthday Your Royal Highness, and may you enjoy many more. Cro x

Winter Sun.

At this time of year one expects to be cold, so sunny days are even more welcome than waking up to the hot and sunny days of high Summer. Eating outdoors at mid-day in November is a real bonus.

I was putting away my 'evening' shorts recently, and, when emptying the back pocket, came across €170 in banknotes that I'd totally forgotten about. The pleasure I received was very similar to experiencing our warm sunshine at the moment. It is the unexpected which gives far more pleasure than the expected.

On so many occasions I've been invited out specially to meet someone who I would 'love and find totally fascinating', only to be bored to bloody death. On other evenings, that I've dreaded, I've discovered someone genuinely fascinating, who was the saviour of the day.

I've been to numerous hyped-up restaurants, and eaten badly, and to greasy-spoon dives where I've eaten like a king.

I've also been to fancy expensive concerts of all sorts, and been disappointed; yet listened to street buskers who were magnificent.

So, I'm enjoying our Indian Summer, and am taking full advantage. My Vitamin D tank is slowly filling for 'slow-release' over Winter.

To buy bread.

The house just behind my baker.

The road on the way home.

The bread.

My regular Sunday morning activity; to buy bread for the week.

Remembrance Day: Lest we forget.

Today is Remembrance Sunday. Exactly 100 years since the end of WW1, and at 11 am we shall remember the dead by holding a two minute silence. Of course there now remain no more ex-combatants. 

Now we tend to remember the 'old soldiers' from World War 11, where there were so many outrages committed, that it is difficult to highlight just one.

However, one that is very little known is that of Budapest, where Jewish women were taken by the Germans to the edge of the Danube, told to remove their shoes, and were callously shot. Their bodies falling into the river below. Around 20,000 women were murdered this way.

Artists Can Togay and Gyula Pauer have created this memorial (above), consisting of 60 pairs of cast-iron shoes, so that those poor tragic Hungarian women are never forgotten.

On 'Remembrance Day' we tend to think mostly of the British and Commonwealth soldiers who died during the two world wars, but there were countless more victims from other nations who also deserve to be in our thoughts.

Those poor innocent women are just one such group; victims of appalling, and senseless, German barbarity. 

Let those victims (and their perpetrators) never be forgotten. RIP.

Favourite clothes.

We were discussing our choice of clothes last night.

I've never really had favourite clothes, but I did remember a favourite 'designer' shirt (Rocha) that I'd bought way back in the 1980's.

I loved that shirt. It had cost me a small fortune, and it was admired by all (ahem).

I named it my 'Nosebleed Shirt', but I have no idea what happened to it. The well known designer commands considerable respect these days, and I'm sorry it's not still hanging in my wardrobe.

Lady Magnon seems to think it was worn until threadbare, and probably became a designer duster.

It was quite similar to the shirt above, but with a BIGGER pattern.

Oh my lovely Nosebleed Shirt!

All in a day's work..

Having finished writing this, eaten a simple breakfast of Parasol mushrooms on toast, and taken the dog for a long walk, I shall take my trusty Husqvarna to the wood pile, and cut a wheelbarrow load of logs for the evening fire. Luckily it's not raining.

I shall then head for the woods; not to look for mushrooms this time, but to try to re-find a spot where I'd noticed a superb landscape just crying out to be painted. I'm pretty sure I can find it again. If successful, I'll return with my kit in a few days time, to complete the actual job.

I'm still extracting those tiny bloody pink Oxalis bulbs from Haddock's. They really are the most annoying and persistent of all my garden weeds. I do a small patch each day, and try to find every single bit (some hope). This will employ me for about 15 mins; I become very easily bored with the task.

I shall then make Vermicelli soup for lunch.

A friend has no Walnuts, so I shall go to gather a couple of Kilos for her. There are loads about. I'll probably gather a few Apples for us at the same time; Lady M has promised a Tatin.

'George', our kitchen wood-fired cooker hasn't been used for about 8 months, We'll probably want to fire him up again before long, so I'll take it to bits for a thorough cleaning. It doesn't take long, but it's a dirty old job; the chimney pipe is the worst bit! 

I have a small paint job to do on the 'tower' ceiling; that will take a max of 10 mins.

By then it'll be time to think about supper. I'm thinking either Italy or India.... not sure yet, but more likely Italy.

Fred is purring like a steam train.... how am I supposed to think!!!