Fete du chataigne - chestnut eating day

Today was the chestnut fair at Laguepie, the day of eating chestnuts. Amazing weather brought everyone out as it was very lively. Restaurants have set menus with chestnuts in each course,rows of sellers sell chestnuts to take home or you can buy chestnuts roasted in big wire cages. Wire baskets are sold for home roasting along with chestnut products of flour, cakes, breads and conserves.

As well as chestnuts there was market stalls selling the regional specialities of saucisson, honey, cheese, wine and walnuts, we brought ours 5 kilo bag from the old guy in the photo which Freya was made to carry around after Farmer J chainsawed our small walnut tree down by accident (it did only have four nuts so wouldn't of lasted long) at least they were lighter than the bags of chestnuts and apples we scrumped yesterday afternoon on our dog walk.

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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

Getting excited

Vanille and Bambou were moved this morning back into Gorgons field, a little excited with the prospect of a Summer full of gite guests bringing carrots and attention.

The English Paysanne

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