Living and Gardening in Brittany

Today was the second meeting of our 'conversation group'. Ten people came and I think everybody learned something. At least it gives members an opportunity to speak French and to be listened to patiently and to receive help in a supportive atmosphere.

Yesterday was the second meeting of the group in the library in St Vran. Although only two people came,  it was very successful. I received one apology.The group will function well with only a few people, in fact it is good because everyone has time to read and we have time for discussion.

Every year at this time in Brittany the silence is broken by the sound of the chainsaw. The trees are massacred. I have asked many times why?  I received various replies. 1) Years ago farm workers were allowed to cut of the branches to use for firewood but allowed the tree to continue to grow. 2) The branches were cut from oak trees so that the trunk would grow straight so that it could be used for beams in house building. 3) Trees at the side of roads and at the edge of cultivated fields had to be controlled, not allowed to overhang and should be kept under a maximum height.  Since more and more houses have central heating logs for burning are less needed. Many new houses are being built which do not use oak beams in their construction. I can understand that trees near roads and at the edge of fields need to be trimmed but not massacred and sometimes completely uprooted. I see so much felling of trees but I have yet to see any planting. My theory is...

Thanx for comment on blog I plant things that remind me of people or of times in my life. I started the garden 7 years ago but still feel like a beginner. I just plant and hope and never expect anything to grow and am always amazed when it does and if I get flowers then wow. 10 minutes outside is better than 0 minutes and sometimes I do nothing but just stand and stare and enjoy the fresh air.

The garden needs the rain and so do I. It means that I can rest and I don't over do it.

I have lost my face book connexion so i am trying this method.

I have always wanted a bridge in my garden. I have seen them in garden centres but they were so expensive. I toyed with the idea of making one but wasn't sure where to put it because I don't have a stream or a lake.   I have made a new flower bed with a tiny pond in the middle. Last week I spotted an affordable bridge kit in a local shop and I couldn't resist it. So I now have a 'bridge over the shower tray pond'. I can't tell you how much pleasure it has given me.

I have almost caught up with the jobs in the garden that I have been putting off because of other commitments. What a joy it is to be outside in the spring sunshine among the daffodils and tulips. I have finally managed to succeed with the forget-me-knots ; I know everyone says that they grow like weeds, but I don't care, and I have plenty of room for them to grow in. Also, I have people I do not want to forget, and the for-get-me-knots bring back special memories. Why didn't I take a photo of the for-get-me-knots! Next time.  Rampant Honeysuckle Yesterday I had Guy to help me in the garden. We did jobs that I had wanted to do since last Autumn. We pruned the Wisteria which was growing into the roof, and he planted a Rhododendron and a climbing rose that I was given last November for my birthday. Also, a cotoneaster that I brought back from UK last autumn and I planted a rose that I bought last week from Lidl. Although I was absolutely kn---ered I look out at the s...

Thalassotherapy. What a mouthful! Yesterday I went on the monthly coach to St Malo. It is always sunny when we go so it is a wrench from the garden but gives me a much needed time out. I go alone and I find the time and space restores my body and head  to an equilibrium. There is a big pool which is divided into areas of different temperatures. Each area has strong water jets which are placed at different heights so that each and every part of the body gets massaged. I like to study peoples faces. They all have a far away expression of bliss. A look which says 'I am inside myself. I am being me. I am.' I spend an hour or so in the pool and then another 30 minutes in and out of the steam room and showers as cold as I can bear. It feels as though I am losing pounds and I tell myself that this is the beginning of my new regime (diet). Next comes the best part. I go to the restaurant and take tea. It is posh and expensive but this is a mini-break for ...

My spring garden is a delight. It is the best year yet. The daffodils are really blooming and the forsythia too. Yellow is such a cheerful colour after the dull Winter. I transplanted some grape hyacinths which looked quite pathetic at first but they have all blossomed too giving a lovely contrast to the daffs. On GQT on Friday one of the panel (I should find his name was it Chris. Beardmore?) said something really encouraging and simple, 'Plants will grow no matter what because that is their job, their purpose. We can help by planting them in the most appropriate spot but they will grow in spite of us because that's what they do - grow.' Wonderful! so simple. I am always amazed when anything I plant grows. I never expect things to grow but am surprised and delighted when they do.

After two weeks of students my life is back to normal. I find cooking three meals a day difficult and I resent not being able to do the garden.  I also had a committment to do two workshops in the library. So I was very tired. The workshops were enjoyable all the same. We used watercolours to make an under water scene. My second student was a delightful young man of 20. He was very motivated and had a lovely sense of humour. We had a good time - going to the cinema to see Rien à Declarer and eating out and playing scrabble. I have to say that I beat him in French. He was ashamed but I said I was just lucky.  Now I can get out in the garden.  My conscientious student Jean Emmanuel