We have clay soil which makes this slope a challenge. We are in that period when there are still flowering perennials such as Japanese anemones that lose their leaves in winter while those that flower in winter such as Christmas roses (hellebore) are just starting to bloom. Last year the deer ate them all but …
Author Archives: avril
Lockdown #2 Day 5 – Reconfinement Jour 5
It was a lovely bright sunny day today – we even ate outside under our outdoor heater at 12 degrees and then went for our one hour walk before spending the rest of the afternoon gardening. There were 52,518 new cases and 418 new deaths in 24 hours. Aujourd’hui était une belle journée ensoleillée . …
Lockdown #2 Day 4 – Reconfinement Jour 4
This is in the dog cemetery at Chateau de Chaumont. As Covid19 figures rise in France – 46,290 new positive cases in 24 hours with a positivity rate of 20% and 231 hospital deaths – local non-essential businesses are pushing for re-opening on the grounds that they are safer than busy supermarkets. I would say …
Lockdown #2 Day 3 – Reconfinement Jour 3
Today was so dismal we decided to treat it like a workday and take tomorrow off to garden instead. It rained non-stop all day. This is another photo from our last walk at Chaumont. Aujourd’hui était tellement maussade que nous avons décidé de le traiter comme un jour ouvré et travailler dans le jardin demain …
Lockdown #2 Day 2 – Reconfinement Jour 2
Judging from the long queue at the market today, we are not the only ones pleased to be able to buy fresh organic fruit and vegetables directly from the producers! The markets were closed during the spring lockdown after one week but very few people were wearing masks at the time. Étant donnée la longue …
Lockdown #2 Day 1 – Reconfinement Jour 1
These are the cosmos flowers I waited for all summer. They are in a part of the garden we don’t see much now that summer is over. Today was our first day of lockdown #2 and I had to go out three times! Everyone is complaining about the new restrictions. I think we need some …
Last Long Walk – Dernière longue promenade
Today was our last chance to take a long walk at Château de Chaumont before lockdown tonight at midnight (and to buy some Anistead sage plants before the garden festival section closes until next April). The Prime Minister announced the details of the lockdown this evening. As far as we are concerned it’s better than …
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Pink Tips – Pointes roses
On Friday France goes into a second lockdown for one month. We’ll know the details tomorrow. Let’s just hope it’s effective. With the number of deaths already up to 35 785, the future is bleak if we don’t act now. Ce vendredi la France commencera un deuxième confinement pendant un mois. Nous saurons les détails …
Autumn Pastels – Pastels d’automne
It was a good thing we went to Chaumont yesterday because it rained all day today. The Covid19 situation is becoming quite alarming with a total of 35,541 deaths in France, up 523 since yesterday. Our area is still fairly safe with only 2 people in intensive care but 27 in hospital. Tomorrow evening we …
The Black Pool – Le bassin noir
In just a few days, the garden festival at Château de Chaumont will be closed for the winter. We managed a visit late afternoon just after a shower of rain. Dans quelques jours, le festival des jardins à Chaumont-sur-Loire va fermer pour l’hiver. Nous sommes arrivés en fin d’après-midi juste après la pluie.