Living and Gardening in Brittany

Even though we've had many grey days and most plants look dull and sad the warmer than usual Winter weather means that there are a few flowers which are still blooming. Many of the plants which don't usually flower until Jan or Feb are flowering now. The Japonica hasn't lost it leaves but it is flowering now as is the Camellia.  The toadstools have added colour and interest. There are so many different kinds. I have no idea what they are called. I can recognise the common mushroom which I pick and eat but there haven't been many of those this year.

I know my 'greenhouse' would not be out of place in Steptoes's yard but it serves a purpose.  It is quite well hidden and sheltered but does get sun. I built it from rubbish and plastic sheeting to protect the many cuttings I hope to plant out in the Spring. When it is emptied I shall take down the plastic and finish weaving the roof with willow to make a summer pergola. one day it will also be dripping with flowers.

All the planning was in vein as I have been unable to go in the garden for three weeks due to a virus but today was the first day out. What a real pleasure. I have put the two posts in now for the pergola and replanted two hazel trees. The leaves are six inches deep still so I managed to rake up a few more. There are so many acorns it seems a shame not to use them for something. I have never seen a squirrel in the garden. They don't know what they are missing.

 Garden in Falling Snow http: //youtu.be/c9HHW2RF45s Finally did it. It took ages to do this. I think it was worth it.

As I am confined to the house I am discovering videos and learning how to up load/download them. http://youtu.be/deCUL63Y3ho

I built a greenhouse from rubbish and plastic sheeting. I have put lots of cuttings in it and know that they are protected from the frost and wind. I was afraid that it would blow away in the storms of the past two days but hurray it is still standing.

Success at last. I have found a way to publish my videos on my blog. I can put them on utube then add a link to the blog.  Click on the link below to view the River Rance in Flood viewed from my house after a night of storms. http://youtu.be/wmKfS2XTqR8

I have managed to insert one metal 'thingy' into the ground for the pergola and begun to dig the other hole. Yesterday I bought two posts to fit and now I need to find some blue paint. I went out to lunch at the house of some French friends. Claudie plays keyboard and sings jazz. She used to be a professional singer in London. She has a great voice. Her sister loves gardening and painting. We had a super time walking round the garden, playing music and looking at Genvievre's paintings. The food was plentiful and delicious as was the wine as usual in a French home.

I have just planted 4 trees in the wood. One oak, one willow and the two others I have no idea what they are. All four have been sitting in a bucket of water for months so I thought it was time I planted them. This is the centre of the wood. The way I get the large jobs done in the garden is to do a little everyday. The current jobs are:- 1. Digging holes to erect a pergola to make an entrance. I hope to plant clematis and an ivy to grow over it. The ground is very hard and I am digging through gravel which has been pressed down by cars. 2. Clearing the weeds and grass from around the trees in the wood so that I can mow round the trees more easily. There are more than a hundred trees so I do three a day. 3. I am still gathering leaves and putting them in the chicken wire cage. I hope the leaves will eventually turn into leaf mould. Early days in the wood 4. I like to plant one tree every day. There are lots of trees which have set themselves so I don't have to buy ...

 After 2 weeks in UK I returned to find that I had missed so much good weather which meant that the grass had grown and the leaves were 3 inches deep. My first job was to be to use the lawn mower to collect them. It wouldn't start. I took it to be repaired and was told for the second time that the petrol was old and the carburetter needed cleaning. So the grass is still growing and the lawnmower is still being repaired. The good news was that my home-made green house was still standing. Most of the cuttings are doing well. I can't wait 'til spring to plant them out. I have been digging to widen the flower beds and to make room for the new shrubs.

One of the things I have missed here is badminton. Recently I joined  a local club. I had to have a medical certificate from the Dr. I made an appointment and had the consultation but had to return for an ECG. The Dr. said I should have a blood test really but she understood that English people were struggling financially. Oh how right she was Everything is so different here. I arrived at 8.50 for a 9.00 appointment. The surgery was not open. The receptionist had not even arrived. She came at 9.00 on the dot and the Dr. ten minutes later. So different from UK.

One year old Jacob next to Granddad's Bedding plants Not my garden but cheerful for the winter Bridge hidden by nasturtiums but they have been removed and I hope next spring the irises will enhance it.

I have finally resigned as vice-chair of  JUBBIL. I hope I shall have more time to write my second novel and to keep developing my garden. I have begun to construct a greenhouse/shelter for my cuttings. I am also creating a raised dividing bed. I visited a brilliant nursery which is very close to my house. They have thousands of plants and specialise in roses. I bought a black bamboo and a Paul's Hymalayan Musk which should grow to 30 feet. I have replanted my tulips and enlarged all my flower beds to make room for the monbretia given to me by a friend.  I have also moved the iris from under an old oak because they didn't flower in the shade. Now they have a lovely sunny place next to my tiny puddle of a pond and Monet's Bridge.

After 3 weeks in the UK I came back to lots of gardening and library duties and committee meetings. So no time for blogging. I have taken some photos of my neighbours. New born calf Mother and Baby Umbilical Cord

People often ask me what do I do living alone in the country and why have I come to live in Brittany. I can answer honestly by just describing the last few days no matter when I am asked. For example the reason I haven't written anything in this blog lately is because I have been so busy. I could describe the whole of last week but not wanting to bore I will relate events of last weekend. It was jam packed. Friday morning I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours of gardening as well as freezing beans that I had been given and stewing apples also given. The afternoon saw me visiting the farm to help out a neighbour who wanted me to translate in the negotiation of a purchase. She wanted to buy some oak beams and also a huge root for her garden.  I then grabbed an hours rest because it was baking hot and I had to find enough energy to attend diner at a friend's house. I knew it would be difficult to leave the table before midnight as French meals usually take five hours. And th...

Modern Day Hay Stook Living here certainly is different from town life. I am aware of the seasons more and the rhythm of farm life. Driving up to the coast recently I noticed that every other field had been harvested. Of course haymaking doesn't involve so many workers these days. One often finds oneself behind an enormous monster of farm equipment. I find this rather sad. Sunrise behind the Church in late June One of the things I have observed since living here that I never noticed when living in town is the movement of the sun. I suppose it's really the earth's movement  but one sees it as the changing position of the sun's rising and setting. In mid summer it rises to the left of the church which is North East and sets almost 360 degrees round on the far side of the house which is North West. In midwinter it rises about 45 degrees round to the side of the house which is South East and only moves about 45 degrees throughout t...

We had a heat wave last week end which was perfect for Blues at the Chateau in La Cheze. The first free concert on Friday was on the island in the middle of the river. We sat under the trees drinking cider and eating crepes filled with rhubarb jam. La Cheze is a perfect town to stage a music festival as it has so many ideal venues. On Saturday the free concert was at the manoir. With a backdrop of the old mansion house. The band played as we sat in the shade of the chestnut trees. The Sunday session was at the chateau itself which is in fact a ruin but is a great setting to sit in the sun, drinking cider and listening to dexterous guitarists. This was in the Paper in 2006 This year's photos to are still in the camera

It was like a girl's night out except we were six women. We all piled into Anne- Marie's car. First, we went to the apero concert at the Jazz Festival. It was free and included wine and nibbles. Then we went to the Church Fitter's concert. They are a folk band and were fantastic. The band is made up of French, English and Irish musicians. This was a classic Breton event. It took place in the middle of the country next to a chapel. There was a buvette (bar) and galette - saucisse and crepes were on sale. The people of the commune supported the event in great numbers. The music was lively, and the musicians were skilful. It was a wonderful atmosphere. The weather was warm, and a full moon shone brightly to make a perfect evening. 

It was the day I flew to the UK but as my flight was in the evening I was able to go. The weather was kind and we found a spot under some trees. The commune organised the BBQ and provided music. The usual Sausage Gallette was available and tables and chairs were arranged under cover from the sun. If you preferred you could take your own food to cook on the BBQ. Our Group JUBBIL French and English The setting by the lake was ideal. We sat in the shade and shared a banquet of a picnic and as usual the wine flowed. I have taken to drinking elder flower cordial at these events for two reasons. Firstly I am usually driving and secondly I always feel sleepy after drinking and I prefer to enjoy myself with a clear head. Anicette brought a new game which was similar to skittles. It was great fun and everyone joined in. Me about to throw the rolling pin at the skittles

My Two Grandsons Richard 28 and Jacob 1 year old

I spent most of it worrying about my garden and wishing I was in it. I had some time off from baby minding (I was there looking after my one-year-old grandson). I had a meal with my 28-year-old grandson, and we walked by the canal which brought back memories of my childhood. My grandmother lived by the same canal and my Saturdays were spent playing around the lock, running under and over the nearby bridges of which there are many as it sits at the junction of the Trent and Mersey and the Cauldon. It was near to the Harecastle Tunnel built by Brindley and one of the longest canal tunnel in Europe. I had two special meals (produce from the garden) at the home of my gardening Guru. We toured the garden both times and I noted the Latin names and the cultivars of some of the flowers he grows. Will my garden ever be anywhere near as amazing as his? I watched the sunset one evening from Mow Cop ridge with a friend who is so generous that she lends me her house and car whenever ...

Last week I went to Becherel which is a book town reputed to be as  good as Hay-on-Wye. It isn't but it is very different. We began with lunch of course and we had the classic Breton gallettes and crêpes. We ate here which is the only restaurant in the town. Then we visited as many shops as we could. I had no intention of buying any books but of course did. I bought two brilliant books. One was a detailed book on flowers and the other was a gardening book with a different slant. It linked plants to chakras and spirituality. It is a classical Breton Town. I had to take lots of photos Some of the many bookshops After buying it was teatime and we found a really exceptional shop with a Salon de Thé which had extraordinary views and a lucky black cat.

Me in Last Year's Coif Every Summer we have a picnic to celebrate the end of year Breton Dance Class. We all make 'coifs' which is a traditional head dress made in lace or cotton. Each commune had their own design in the past but we find our local one a bit plain so we go to town and design fantastic creations. Isabel's coif which wouldn't look amiss on a wedding cake We begin in the morning with a visit to the local 'Maison de la Retraite'. After dancing for the residents we take aperitifs and a chat with them. Then we leave for the picnic location. This is right in the middle of the country next to an old chapel. There is a newly built three-sided wooden structure which has a kitchen and toilets and a store-room with tables and chairs. The latter are quickly set up and out come more aperitifs provided this time by the club.        Then everybody finds a place to unpack their picnic baskets. The first time I attended one of these ga...

I forgot to report on the last quiz. Partly I suppose because they have become routine for us. This one was in a new venue and was very successful. Mandy came with her fish and chip van and people ate their fish and chips before the quiz began. Our President who is French but reads the English Questions This time we changed the format a little since we are getting quite experienced now. The questions were organised into categories and each team had a joker which they could play in their chosen category to earn double points. Committee members supplied cakes (because French people have to have dessert apparently) which were sold to help funds. There were more French players than English, so we had teams made up of 4 French people and 2 English. There were 6 teams which meant the jackpot was worth winning. The winning team enjoying their fish and chips before the quiz For me it was a very late night but then I think I am getting too old for evening events. ...

Hydrangeas in our new Community Park  There are lots more , Madam le Maire said 200 varieties.