Tongue Tied – La langue fourchue

We wondered why this nuthatch was not frightered away by our presence until we realised it had caught its tongue in the fatball mesh. Jean Michel carefully cut the mesh and the bird flew away. We hope it managed to get its tongue out of the remaining mesh. Nous étions surpris de voir que cette sitelle n’avait pas …

Swans on the Loire – Cygnes sur la Loire

This year, we have noticed a very large number of swans on the Loire. We don’t know why so many have suddenly appeared but it would seem a good sign naturewise.. Cette année, nous avons remarqué un nombre important de signes sur la Loire. Nous ne savons pas à quoi c’est dû mais il semble …

A tribute to Marion and Anna – En hommage à Marion et Anna

I was devasted to learn today that Mr and Mrs Pétard, who have a butcher shop in Chailles, the town across the river from us in Blois, lost both of their daughters, Marion and Anna, aged 30 and 24, in the killings in Paris on Friday 13th November. While I stood in silence in front of the …

They died for their country – Morts pour la France

As we walked past our local war memorial today, still decorated from the ceremony on 11th November commemorating the end of World War I, I couldn’t help but think once again of all those that died for their country in Paris on Friday 13th November. En passant devant le monument aux morts de notre quartier …

A Sad Day for France – Une journée triste pour la France

We no longer live in Paris but still have many connections; The killings today took place in the neighbourhood where my daughter used to live. At the market this morning, the lady on the vegetable stalls answered her cell phone while serving me at about 11 am. She apologised, saying “Excuse-moi, but it was my …

Shades of Grey at Chambord – Camaieu de gris à Chambord

There are four or five restaurants one after the other at Chambord and they now all have the same grey tables and chairs and white parasols to match the slate roofs and white stone façade of the château! Il y a quatre ou cinq restaurants l’un à côté de l’autre à Chambord et désormais ils …