The English Paysanne

This week we were back at the vets with Franklin to have his stitches removed and find out the results of his biopsy of which are not clear so we are still none the wiser. He still is wearing his collar until one last stitch heals. Its been hard work these past days feeding the pigs with frozen water pipes there has been lots of water lugging and heavy food buckets carried up the hill to them. Although the pigs enjoy eating the ice from the water troughs they are not too sure about walking on frozen mud so have spent most of their days in their cabins. I finished my jumper, with the help of Fizz pressing the back its now sewn up, the neck band knitted, unpicked and re knitted as it was rather tight. It's now waiting to be blocked, although there are a few mistakes overall I'm quiet happy to finish a cable jumper. Miss F and Master C came back this weekend to celebrate C's 22nd Birthday, We even got them working on collecting the offc...

Anyone who has done a search for putting in cables I'm afraid this wont help you, unless you wish to par take in putting cables in your knitting! For I have set myself a challenge this January (i may set myself a new each month we shall see). This months challenge is to move on from the knit and pearl of stocking stitch to progress on to a cable jumper, not only a hand knitted cable one but a hand spun and plied aran weight one, as yet still trying to get to a double knit weight - more practise needed there. So I've been spinning like a mad woman, Ashford corridale fleece, a one off colour called heather which has shades of  maroon and purple with a bit of dark green thrown in. As soon as it comes off the niddy noddy (used for putting wool in hanks) it has had its ply set by leaving in to soak for a while, a quick spin in the machine and hung to dry and put on the ball winder its then ready to be knitted. Now with plain knitting its possible to do other things a...

Last weekend was Najac's fete, being too tired after work on the farm and with cooking and cleaning for the gites we just manged to stay up to watch the firework which are lit from the chateau. Previous years we have walked up the very steep path to the village to get a good view staying on to see Motel, a french covers band that has played for the past nine years - our fellow french folk love them. If were lucky and the wind is blowing in the right direction we can her them as we lay in bed all night till dawn. As we knew we were going to have a busy week processing beef and pork we took a picnic to La Fouillade, the next village along from Najac, sitting by the lake we were the only soles there, apart from a fisherman who had so many lines dangling from the bridge he was continuously checking them, don't think he caught anything though.  Being busy packing our beef that came back from the butchers and butchering a pig there has been no time left for seeing to the...

A small spinning project using the Ashford silk merino sliver  in cinnamon, colours of warm earth tones which I received from a secret Santa we had at the spinning and weaving group I belong to.  A easy pattern to follow (could even watch tellie at the same time) from Botanical knits book by Alana Dakos. It is lovely and soft but my photos didn't make it look great, a model was needed he may of found his use on the farm, not sure how a jumper may look on him though.

  New Years day we had blue skies and it kept dry, a walk round Parisot lake with the dogs we were only passed a couple walking their dogs.  Farmer J celebrated a Birthday on the 2nd, ginger cake recipe by Delia - he normally doesn't 'do' cakes or sweet things good job were around to help him out eating it. Miss F and Master C came back from Toulouse leaving on the 3rd. We went out for a meal in the evening in Villefranche de Rouergue, the first time I have seen the Christmas lights illuminated, the blue is the church lite up. The square has had a face lift with many euros spent on cobbling and putting a fountain in ( the white bit in the photo). This totally disrupted the market during the summer with the square being a building site all throughout the summer and Autumn. We couldn't believe it when we saw the end result, probably the same thoughts of many Villefranchoise as the money could of gone to some really good projects. Perhaps it may get more ...

Back in November I signed up to big knit for vet kit run by SPANA to raise money for veterinary aid for animals working abroad. Well I have nearly finished,  7 donkeys (3 more to go) 1 horse and a crocheted camel. Seven have gone to homes in France and one in the UK with the last two and hopefully  unknitted ones leaving this weekend. I must get my needles clicking double time as i must finish a couple of Christmas presents before the young people return at the weekend (otherwise i will be keeping farmer J up knitting in bed). Thank you to every one who sponsored me I raised 170 Euros which once all the money is in a cheque will be sent along with a photo to SPANA. Hope those knitted donkeys don't eat as many carrots as these two.

Were starting to get in the Christmas mood. All cards have been written AND posted (Its only the 8th Dec, a record for me to be that organised) Christmas cakes are being force feed brandy, mincemeat made and the first batch of mince pies eaten. this year we are swapping 5kg of beef for a a turkey and wine - the turkeys have been raised on a vineyard where they go for a walk each day - yes more bonkers English around other than us. Even most of the presents have been brought (and wrapping started) or ordered, keeping our post lady busy delivering those Amazon parcels to us. She will stop soon with the annual post office calender which I never know how much to give her for one. So much easier with the fire brigade who get 20 Euros (I want to be able to know they will come out to us should we need them!) Can't believe farmer J suggested going into Albi for a Christmas shop, a bit of a quick dash with lunch. It was as bleak as the photo of the cathedral looks. The F...

                                               The new piglets are settling in well. Sandy's piglets are growing well and nearly ready to leave her, especially as they are now after her food. The weather has turned the first frost arrived this week with chillier mornings and evenings means it is time for the wood burner to be lit. Rain has made for muddy pig pens and slippery feeding time. Vanille has broken yet another head bridal. She May be wishing for a purple one next. Time has been spent in the butchery processing a pig. Sausages made and bacon curing. I have started to knit this  in a colour different from what I normally would choose, must be the autumnal colour influence. And continued to knit my Spana  animals                           ...