FRANCE - Late May - June 2011

Most of May was spent at home in the UK, cutting grass and hedges. A day visit was also made to see Terry and Pam, with a quick visit to Hythe in the afternoon.

Just before the Bank Holiday, and after an exceptionally rough crossing on the fastcraft from Portsmouth, I arrived in France on 26th May.

As with England the warm, dry weather had brought everything on by a couple of weeks or so. The local cherry trees had been stripped by the birds, and many cherries were dropping off the trees due to lack of water. However, the peaches and pears were developing, and the grapes looked fine. A couple of days were spent cutting grass and tidying up the garden.

The roadworks were still proceeding, and whilst I was there much progress was made.

The four foot excavation for drains etc. was soon filled in, kerbstones laid, and a first tar and grit applied to the lower part of the hill down to the bridge. Another 6 inches or so of surfacing has yet to be applied, pavements surfaced and street lighting restored.

On the first weekend the Batucada band was playing at Les Jardins des Renaudies. It lead the visitors around the Gardens, stopping at various groups who were playing. Carys was playing saxophone in one of the groups. The visit was rounded off with a Caribbean steel band, Les Allumés du Bidon.

Videoclips of both will shortly be on the patrickclips channel.

Tennis ( Paris Open ) and Formula 1 provided entertainment, and later Queen's Club for more tennis.

Apart from visits to Le Chat Noir for Sunday lunch, and Fish and Chips on a Wednesday evening, two other local eating places were explored. Le Moulin de Beslay, Cigné ( pictured right ) and Le Briccius, Brecé. Both have been added to my list of local eateries ! Later the Creperie du Menhir in Gorron was explored.

During my stay both English neighbours arrived, which provided the opportunity for a catch up, and a glass or two.

The large bootsale at Ceaucé was held on 13th June, and I spent a couple of hours there with one of my neighbours. After a glorious start to the trip the weather became showery, though warm, for the last week, which certainly helped the garden and the fruit.

The visit ended after the Gorron saltimbanque weekend. A good meal was had with other neighbours at the Creperie du Menhir, in Gorron, ( also added to the list ) , whilst we awaited the start of activities. This was the first time they had been in France when the saltimbanque was on, and they were looking forward to seeing the street music, etc..

Sadly the Musicfest was called off, in the main because of the thundery showers, although it cleared later. The line dancing group, and a couple of other groups, put on a show when they could, but it was really a non event. Thus no videoclip.

The cats at La Petite Reigniere had produced and were now introducing the kittens to the great outdoors. A videoclip of both the kittens and pigs will shortly be uploaded to patrickclips.

A humming bird moth.

...

Some more finishing off was done in the upstairs toilet.

The opening day at Wimbledon, June 20th, rounded off my visit ... with a final cut of the grass due to the warm showery weather. It was good to hear that the proposal to charge non residents a tax on second homes in France had been dropped by the French Government.

I hope to return in July to check on the peaches, etc. .... and cut the grass again !!

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