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 ...