Just finished our dinner of beef in beer casserole with creamy mash and broccoli, followed by chocolate tart. Washed down with a nice glass of the red stuff. Mmmmmm, belly very happy!
So, as promised, an update on le poulailler (or hen house) - Carpenter Henderson is doing a mighty fine job and it is actually beginning to resemble something! Here is a little photo to wet your appetite before it is completed....
While Mark was doing that I was in the basement where the domestic staff belong - duly sweeping up what we believe is the remains of rat poison. We are not sure how long it has been there, or even if it is still harmful, but with two nosey cats we thought it better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, between us we have managed to get as much of it up as possible and we are hoping it is now safe to let the cats in there. Its not that they are interested in eating it, but I guess the worry is if they get a bit in their paws and then lick it. Will still be very worried every time they come out there. Sigh.
The previous owners also left a few boxes of wall tiles in the basement, and I was thinking of trying to make a mosaic mirror frame from them. My lovely friend Ruth also sent me a link to a website which gave me some more ideas - here it is - Crafty ideas!. Certainly a little bit more interesting, better looking, and a darn sight cheaper than what you find in the shops anyway. Maybe I will give it a go.....who knows! I don't know what on earth is coming over me - I am becoming all creative in my old age!
After a lovely lunch on the terrace, with my freshly baked baguette (as sustinence, not company!), Carpenter Henderson carried on with his poulailler duties, while I did a quick scout around the grounds, just for the hell of it really. Considering we have 5.1 hectares, it is something I hope to be doing plenty of! Found a beautiful patch of purple flowers along one of the banks - here they are..
Vinca Minor is what it is called (or periwinkle) - meant to be a bit of an invasive species apparently, but I think it is beautiful, so will let it be. Also found my first blooming daffodils which always cheer me up - couldn't resist picking them and bringing them home....here is one of them. :o)
How can you not smile when you look at that? :o)
Mark and I also went and looked at the piece of land that has come up for sale - it is quite simply perfect, so I guess we have to decide what we do from here. As I said it is 3000m², but quite honesly we would only need 500m², if that - please keep your fingers crossed for us that they let us buy it.
Anyway, not much else to report, other than the fact I have attempted to make my own granola for breakfast - it tastes ok and look ok. I am hoping it is a little healthier than the stuff you get in the supermarkets which contains loads of sugar. Anyway, we will see - at the moment it seems like it was quite expensive to make, as the only oats I could get were in a little bag in the organic section. I just need to find somewhere I can buy such things in bulk, and then maybe it will seem worthwhile. Anyway, here is the finished result.
And you will be glad to know that is all I have to talk about today! Sorry, a bit boring I know, but maybe the visit from the surveyor tomorrow will bring more exciting times!
A toute à l'heure!
Alison
xx
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