FRANCE - October / November 2005

As can be guessed from the pumpkins in the market picture below, this visit lasted up to Halloween. Because the weather was very warm and sunny, despite the occasional shower and one heavy downpour, most of my time was spent working outside. I continued repointing the west face and tidying up the front door ... complete with new letter box, as well as working in the garden pruning shrubs, vine and trees, and cutting grass .

The massive rose, which had several late blooms, was also heavily pruned. But looking at the holly tree are we due for a cold winter?!

The reclaimed strip of land ( on the left of the picture ) was grass seeded the day after I arrived ... it had grown to 3 or 4 cms, and was given a first cut just before I left. Sara's fig tree was also thriving in the warm weather.

Below ... Sunrise in Ambrieres ..... and the new Blythin camping car

The nearby terrace of houses at the top of the ruelle, plus a double ( or more ) garage just out of site to the left, are for sale. There is a very wide terrace in front, and views past the Mairie right down the valley. The attractive little house on the righthand end of the terrace ( pictured by itself below ) is a separate unit and was used mainly as a store: the other two houses have been made into one. There is a fair amount of land with the sale.

The price ...130,000 Euros... sadly the owner is not ( at present ) prepared to split the lot.

And something I had not noticed before ... the weaver's shuttle/bobbin on the wall above the entrance to the Musee des Tisserands. The weather on the day of departure ...1st of November... was again bright and warm.