A little visitor

No lie in for us today - Smokey needs his breafast as usual. Gary was busy opening up the shutters when he spotted this little chap running very nimbly horizontally along the top wall of our covered terrace. As bold as brass! We thought at first he was a young squirel, but having checked our book he is a garden dormouse. I wonder if he's the one who's being nibbling my figs just when they ripen?

Fête nationale fireworks

The fireworks were spectacular againt the clear sky.

The dancing resumed afterwards and was still going strong when we left around 12.30am.

The meal this year was cooked by the Café de la Paix (just out of sight on the back right of this picture. They did us proud and it was much nicer being served at the tables instead of having to queue up for food, as we have done the past few years. The aperitif was Sargria (in honour of Spain's success in the Worls Cup), with a starter od Salade Perigourdine, followed by confit de canard with pommes Sarlandaise, grilled goat's cheese on toast and ice cream. A veritable feast indeed!

Fête Nationale Gensac

The weather forecast was not good for the party - thunderstorms and then showers. But we we lucky, and despite it becoming very dark and threatening in the afternoon it didn't rain (although lots fell in Paris....). In the evening is was pleasantly warm and sunny for our 'Repas Republican', set under our canopy of flowers.

The fruits - no, flowers - of our labour

The flowers are up, looking great and we're all ready for the party on the 14th July. The four months of work forgotten, new friends made and 6000 flowers later here they are.

My second party this week

Yesterday we had our French class end of term party. In fact, all the the classes at 'Par Chemins' in Castillon were represented, the organisation gives classes in French for 'etrangers' and also basic literacy classes for all nationalities.

All the pupils brought something to eat and drink; there were sausage rolls, quiche and mini spanakopitas [greek spinach pies ] , savoury crepes, apple tart, cakes, mint tea, and the teachers brought a selection of drinks including cider and champagne.

Despite the terrific heat in the room we had exhibitions of dance from Morocco, India, Scotland and Greece.

Bonnes vacances!

Flower makers celebration lunch

I think we started making the plastic flowers to decorate the village square in March. It has been a pretty hard task; at times undertaken by only 5 or so hardy souls. However, last week we had 6000 completed and the 'boys' got busy stringing them up and putting them in place. Norma suggested we all go out for lunch to celebrate and negotiated preferential terms from Mr Robert at L'Oree Mance. We had a superb lunch and a good time was had by all.

The Last Knit

Knitters beware....................this video should come with a health warning!

Sunshine, knitting and cupcakes!

The sun shone and our small select band of dedicated knitters arrived and quickly got busy with the needles and there was lots of chat. Everyone was especially impressed when Norma, started her Chinese Waves dishcloth, as this was the first time she had knitted in 50 years! As the pattern was in English, she was expaining the pattern to our French knitters as she went along. We learned about 'point de riz' (moss stitch) and 'point de ble' (double moss stitch) from Renée and Francette. Rosemary started a dress for Barbie for her grandaughter.
Sadly missing from the photo, we also had Liz visiting, and checking on progress and Anna, who popped in to say hello and much to Rosemary's delight, volunteer to help with the flower making next week.
A special thank you to Margaret, who came with a lovely tray of freshly baked and decorated cupcakes. As it quickly became a bit hot for knitting outside, we reteated into the hall for for some cool drinks and cakes. Everyone is keen to set up a more regular knitting/craft get together for the autumn and winter too.

World Wide Knit in Public Event Gensac 12 June 2010

Pentecôte concours de petanque

This is the one day a year that there is a petanque competion in the village held in the school playground. Gary found a partner and took part. He didn't win - the 30 degree heat and very stange terrain could be to blame!

They did beat this team of very talented little players, who contested every point.

It was very useful for me as one of my friends from the flower making was there along with our new Maire and we got permision to hold a 'World wide knit in public day' on the 12th June in the gardens at the back of the Mairie.

ecobaby

The last few colours of Debbie Bliss ecobaby fairtrade cotton arrived today (there were a few missing colours in the original order). I love the muted colours. My cousin's daughter is expecting a little girl in September, and I will need to decide what to knit for her. If I make a larger size in the cotton, it will be useful for next summer. I may do the teddy bear jacket from the Baby Cashmerino book one, but use ecobaby, which knits to the same tension.

Back to work

After our away day, we returned to find we had missed my delivery of Debbie Bliss yarns. However, I managed to get them to return the next day. All the new stock needed re-photographing and putting on the website. However, it lovely to have the cupboards all full again, and the range of colours of Baby Cashmerino is impressive. The new range of ecobaby fairtrade cotton and book has also arrived.

I also managed one afternoon helping the ladies with the flower making and hope to get along again this afternoon.

Marie Antoinette's farm

This pretty little cottage formed part of Marie Antoinette's

'play farm'; it reminded me of the Cotswolds.

Yes, it was a bit cold!

Versailles gardens

This vista gives some idea of the scale of the gardens - they extend as far as the eye can see.

Nearly there!

Versailles

This time last week, we were whizzing to Paris on the TGV and then on to Versailles. The rain was lashing down when we left Libourne, but things gradually brightened up as we sped northwards, and the sun came out, although the wind was still cold.

The queue to get in the Chateau was quite astounding, but it is well worth the wait. Although we were surprised how little protection is given to the fabric of the building from the thousands of visitors. The gardens too, were on a scale hard to describe, and we would have loved more time to explore further.

Already it seems a bit like a dream...

Some progress on the ultimate challenge!

Since starting this project, it has been up and down like a yo-yo. I have discovered a further reason for my troubles with the pattern. I was working from the single pattern, which has the pattern chart printed in black and white, whereas in the magazine the chart is printed in colour - quite a bit of the code, printed in colour has disappeared when reprinted in black and white. So it has turned out to be a bit like doing a crossword puzzle while knitting.

Determination has set in and this picture shows one complete pattern repeat. Not for the faint hearted this one! Although it is gorgeous and the yarn is lovely to work with.

Cari finished picture

I am very pleased with this one! The Sirdar Flirt is lovely to work with, and the bamboo/wool mix gives a lovely sheen and drape. It was 'launched' on an an outing to our Notaire on Thursday.

Three strawberries!

Wow! Went out to do some watering and found three delighful little strawberries (apologies - no pic) they're gone....

What would my Dad think, I wonder? Having been brought up on a fruit farm in Angus; the last week in June or first week in July was the norm for the first fruit (pre-polytunnel).

New project Bergere 184.41

After planting out the geraniums (the water retaining granules arrived from the UK - impossible to find here!!)I spent the rest of the afternoon 'alfresco' knitting, trying to set the pattern row on my latest projcect and get the hang of it. I tried three times and it still wouldn't work out; and discovered there was an error in the pattern. I will contact Bergere and have put a note on the Ravelry database.

I know pattern errors are inevitable, but sadly Bergere seem to make more than most. Maybe the translating doesn't help?

So got it to work finally and we're off!

Peas and beans

I have a mixture of peas, sugar snaps, mangetout and dwarf green and purple beans coming on in the other bed. The pumpkins, squash, cucumbers and courgette are round the south side of the house this year.

The nursery

Still waiting to go out are some bedding and the remaining tomatoes, which need good homes.

Tomato plot

This year we have Moneymaker, Gardener's Delight, a pink Italian variety (we saved the seeds ourselves; but no name), Gold Nugget and Yellow Pear, all grown from seed. Apart form the Italian one, all the others are new to us in France, although we used to have success with Moneymaker and Gardener's Delight in Scotland. However, we are still thrilled to be able to grow them outdoors - sometimes, even with a greenhouse it was tricky.

Gardening mode

Everything is looking lovely in the garden. These are the pansies Liz bought for my birthday; they are a superb splash of colour. Today G Planted out his tomatoes. The risk of frost is not officially past until 15th May, but everyone is planting them out, so we just need to watch out for cold nights. A bigger issue is drought. Things are so dry and a regular watering round up is needed.

Summer is here (for this week anyway)

This is the finished white summer cardi; which G photographed today as it is such a lovely day. Actually a bit hot at 25 degrees I'm not quite used to that yet...

So I've retreated inside for a bit of cool.

Pleased with this cardi though, and it will be a very useful addition to the summer wardrobe. (I know it will spent a lot of time in the washing machine :) )!

The Sirdar Luxury Soft Cotton lives up to it's name and is gorgeous next to your skin.

Sale of chicks

Robbie and Shirley, you would have loved this! Last Sunday we had lots of specialist breeders selling chickens and ducks in the village hall. This lovely hen was a surrogate mum to a family of ducklings.

During the week I have been working on an upgrade to Alba Yarns website, which has tested my grey matter considerably and I spent most of the week on the phone to the software helpline or on the Actinic forum. I have made progress, but the very latest vesrion of the Actinic software is due out within a couple of weeks, so I'm not doing a lot more 'til then. With apologies to anyone who tried to access the site during the week, as there was a bit of inevitable down time.

Banana cake

I don't make cakes very often; but had a special request for a banana cake from G, and we had a few over ripe bananas needing used up. I found this recipe on the internet and added a bit of cinnamon and some pecan nuts for interest. It has turned out well and was tested at lunchtime. As a bonus, it forced me into cleaning out my kitchen cupboards when I was searching for the flour at the back of the cupboards.

So I feel quite self righteous this afternoon and am off to indulge in a little alfresco knitting while G at the petanque!

Flower making

We have started working on the flowers for this year's summer events in the village. 9,300 are needed to cover the Place de Mairie. I have been two afternoons this week to work with the ladies and will be back again on Tuesday after the Easter holiday.

In the evenings, I am still busy with the needles and have started a pattern that I have liked for some time; Cari from the Rowan Lenpur Linen collection. I have substituted Sirdar Flirt and this is working well, as it has a lovely drape to it.

Spring knitting

My thoughts have turned to knitting for warmer times ahead and this lacy cardigan from Sirdar fits the bill perfectly. It is now finished and will add a picture later .

Baby alpaca hat

While Tracy was here In early March, she fancied this pretty little hat cum beret in Baby Alpaca. There hhas been pleanty of Cold weather this year in Scotland to get use out of it!

The secret project

This is the finished result of the secret project for Tracy's birthday. Worked in Bergere de Fance Origin' cachemire (origin' #1 cachemire), it was a pleasure to work with such gorgeous yarn and we were both delighted with the result.

et

A taste of summer

The sun is still shining today and a lovely delivery of summer yarn arrived from Sirdar. The colours are so lovely and fresh. They looked great all spread out on the table and ready to be checked off. Lots of new patterns arrived too and we will be busy getting everything put on the website over the next week or so.

Farewell to a good man

The heavens opened for Mr Farrés funeral.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects;the church was full and the the street in front was also crowded with people, all with umbrellas. The bells tolled long and loud and the huge procession followed the cortege to the cemetary. It took some time for everyone to file past the family tomb and throw in a flower. There were so many floral tributes it took the undertakers nearly an hour to unload and arrange them.

In stark contast, it has been a beautiful day today, almost springlike and we paid a visit to the tomb to look at the flowers.

Sad day in Gensac

The Maire (Mayor) of Gensac died at the weekend and a sad cloud has fallen over the village. He had been Maire for 15 years and was really well liked and respected. Sadly, he was only 66 years old. The funeral is today and the weather is suitably sombre, with low cloud and heavy showers.

Paris trip

On Sunday we went off on the TGV to Paris. This had been planned for some time as I wanted to visit L'aigulle en fete, the French trade show for leisure crafts and G intended to do some sights and take photos.

This was our first experience of the TGV, and we were very impressed; 3 hours to the centre of Paris - it beats flying anyday. The show was on a small scale compared to Birmingham and heavily weighted towards sewing/needlework. I was very interested in the 'extreme knitting' specialist, Rachel John and look forward to hearing from her.

When we met up again later in the afternoon, we took in some sights together (hence the photo of me at the Louvre pyramide), and enjoyed a fantastic bowl of French onion soup (at a matching fantastic price) on Bd Montparnasse, before heading home First class. It was a long day but great fun and I will be keeping an eye out for more bargain fares on the TGV.

Petanque presentation

We were invited to a little celebration this morning for three long serving members of the petanque club this morning. Christian, who attends every day and opens the bar, Josette (nice to see a woman featuring) and Pierre Vincent from Pessac were all honoured with a certificate and a medal. These events are always a bit difficult but good for our French. The presentation was followed by the serving of aperitifs, which may still be going on..

A bonus was that we picked up a baguette for luch from my all time favourite boulangerie, Le Fournil in Post Ste Foy. The queues are always something to behold! It was still hot and the smell in the car was just fantastic - some days they don't make it home.....