Oh Christmas tree

Today was the last day for us delivery our Christmas pork and beef, last stop was Saint Antonin market where we swapped a box of beef for a turkey, a free range turkey that has been foraging on grapes at a winery while it has been growing, we also got a couple of bottles of wine as well in the exchange which are now in the fridge.

So now its time to take a breather, with big jobs now done we can start to enjoy the lead up to the festive period (cows and chickens still need to be cleaned out tomorrow and four enclosures of pigs moved) but things can slow down a little (the moving of pigs will be very slow i fear). Master C returned home this afternoon, just in time for beans on toast and hunt the Christmas tree.

You see Farmer J, still in humbug mood (he will chill out very soon) was not prepared to pay for a tree this year so a trip over the woods was on the cards this afternoon (a treat for Connor, he doesn't know about the other jobs lined up for him!) Last time we found a tree over the woods we also found Tyser the dog who followed us home and is still here five years later.

No stray dogs this year, although the hunt were out with guns and dogs. We found some very small trees and some very large ones, others a bit spindly until one was spotted far back off the path through a bramble patch and up a cliffy bit. Farmer J and master C had to be the 'men' as I held the dogs. Even miss F seemed impressed as I sent her a photo (trees have been known to be a bit spindly over the woods so not a lot of decorations can adorn them).

Tomorrow it will be decorated* (once deep cleaning of house is done) along with green foliage collected. I made the base for the wreath today, being caught with useful wire that has been change into dodgy lengths of pipes covered in a pair of tights. I think it will work - we will see tomorrow.

* Franklin was very impressed with this years tree, its propped up outside where it will be wee'd up to help give it that authentic smell.

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2ENJ093 - FRANKLIN

Eight years ago today Franklin came into our family, a rescue dog from the SPA in Rodez we drove to see if they had a dog to re home. He had been there a month after being left tied to a bin in the town centre, chosen because he didn't bark, he came to us to say hello and was completely different from the dog we had lost days before Christmas. 120 Euros he cost, a young boy still a pup, very thin but with a look of take me home please. A collar put round his neck, forms completed, cheque handed over and a kiss from the manager and he was ours. Five minutes down the road in the car he threw up. Five minutes in the house and he had weed up the settee and collected an assortment of treasures including socks, toilet roll inner tubes, tissues and soft toys all placed in a pile under the table and garded. He ate at an amazing speed, fearing he would loose it to our other dogs. Then he started to bark, he has a fine bark on him. He barks for his tea, when a visitor arrives, the ...

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.😃

Lavender

One plant that does grow well around the gites and garden and that I don't seem to be able to kill is lavender. In the summer the bushes are swarming with bees, hummingbird moths, butterflies and other flying insects, lot of holiday photos have been taken by keen photographers, some setting up chairs and waiting for ages with big cameras and lenses waiting for the right moment and right insect to land. It does give a lovely show and smell as well, its picked and placed in vases in the gites by guests. Its very tactile and difficult to pass without a rub of a flower that's if you like the smell. I think its very much like marmite you either love it or hate it, a smell of memories of grans and old aunts who use to get given Yardley's old lavender smellies for presents. I like the smell but it can be quiet overpowering, especially when this year I have finally been able to save the dried flowers. Previous years other things have got in the way and its bee...

The English Paysanne

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