The last post of 2013

Another year is nearly over, the animals have had their last feed, the dogs their last walk where we came face to face with a lone deer we were on the road it was in the woods walking parallel to us before it decided to run in our direction. Not sure who was more startled him or the dogs as they all looked at each other for a split second before he shot of down the field, only hope he doesn't run into the hunt who will probably be out tomorrow being a Wednesday and holiday.

Our New years Eve meal is prepared, snails in garlic, fillet of beef with fondant potato, mushrooms and spinach with citrus pannacotta with blackberries frozen from the Autumn for dessert. Oh, and of course a nice bottle of wine with champagne in the fridge to toast 2014 in. We are staying in, just the two of us with smelly dogs who seem to be suffering with over indulgence of tip bits - they finished the turkey up and the TV in front of the wood burner.

I wont be making any New Year resolutions, instead goals these being:

* Using my time more wisely.
* Having a productive well kept veggie patch.
* Moving on from crochet squares to other bits of crocheted items (not sure what yet)
* Learning to weave
* Be a bit more crafty in the textile way felting, knitting and spinning (and crochet & weaving)
* Make my textile crafts useful (something i can wear outside the house??)
* Be tidier
* Rediscover my Delia Smith cookery books and maybe get rid of the ones collecting dust.

Happy New Year, may it bring you a healthy one.

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Happy cattle

For five months the cattle have been eating hay twice a day but today was their time to go back to pasture, they were more than ready. With two loads in the trailer going to La Contie the rest, the naughty but nice ones stayed at La Singlarie. Calves are on green grass for the first time following the herds around. Now for Spring time jobs to get started - so much free time for farmer J. Fencing, tidying around the farm, getting machines ready for hay cutting, getting the gites gardens ready for Summer and a new bathroom to fit, his feet won't be touching the ground.

Rabbit proof fence

In the hope of not loosing anymore greenery in the veggie patch today was spent today taking down an old fence which was put up around eight years ago. As it had a few holes in it this could be where the rabbits are getting through. On the other side of the fence a chicken run was constructed were table chickens grew to a really good weight until we got a batch that had been, what we think were contagious with Mareks disease. Subsequently we stopped using it for chickens putting a litter of pigs in the area to get them use to electric fencing (which they did). It has been left empty for around 18months now with Gorgon and the girls have made break trough's through it last year gaining access into the veggie patch but now there's a lot of weeds. On the other side of the veggie patch is another old holey fence which has now got the recycled one that was taken down put in front of it, new posts and a trench dug to lower the wire in, earthed up and stones put on top

Parisot lake

As it is a holiday today here in France (Bastille Day) we took the afternoon off an popped over to Parisot lake for a walk with Sorrel. It has all changed, since the lake was emptied and cleaned up this year you can now swim in it, as well as inflatable toys to play on, a life guard, bikes to hire, a new fenced in play area for small people and a total spruce up. But there is a price we were charged! 3 euros an adult, which I guess is OK if you are using the facilities but Sorrel didn't fancy a dip. The cafe is still open but that would of been too much for Sorrel to cope with being so close to people and music so we opted for a bench to sit on in the shade before walking around the lake. Sorrel opted for being Billy no mates and laying by herself, if be it for a short period of time before bikes and people went by. We are now waiting for the free firework celebrations over the chateau tonight - if we can stay up that late.😃

The English Paysanne

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