Cemetery Crosses – croix de cimetière

I posted a photo of an unusual vine cross a couple of weeks ago. Today I visited the cemetery next door and found several crosses of the same type. The weather has got much warmer so we will be able to spend more time outdoors. J’ai publié une photo d’une croix inhabituelle récemment. Aujourd’hui j’ai …

The Deserted Market – Le marché désert

The market in Blois has remained busy despite Covid but today’s temperature of 5 degrees below zero left a lot of empty spaces. Regrettably the oysters were frozen and our regular organic market gardener wasn’t there. The vendor we bought our vegetables from had left his lettuces in his truck and fetched them on demand. …

Firewood Delivery – Livraison de bois de chauffe

We had six stères (cubic mètres) of oak and hornbeam firewood delivered today in 50 cm lengths. It took the two of us 2 1/2 hours to stack it all under the new staircase. I hope I will be able to walk tomorrow! On nous a livré six stères de chêne et de charme en …

Blois Skyline in Winter – L’horizon à Blois en hiver

This was taken at the same time as the photo of the cathedral on Sunday. Today was grey with rain and light snow. It was also very cold so I stayed inside and made chocolate-chip cookies. J’ai pris cette photo dimanche en même temps que celle de la cathédrale. Aujourd’hui le ciel était gris avec …

Brief Ray of Sunshine – L’eclaircie

Another day of rain but I sowed my eggplant and capsicum seeds indoors and we went to my favourite store – the plant nursery Truffaut – to order more Japanese stepping stones so that we can continue to feed the birds in the back garden without slipping in the slushy clay that was once grass. …

Snowdrops but no snow – Perce-neige sans neige

When the ground is covered in snowdrops, you know that spring is a possibility! I’m getting ready to sow my first seeds of the year particularly since another lockdown is perhaps on the cards. Lorsque le sol est couvert de perce-neige, vous savez que le printemps est possible! Je prépare à semer mes premières graines …

Wisteria in Winter – Glycine en hiver

January is when we prune our wisteria and grape vine so we made the most of the higher temperatures this week to do so. I also cut back the raspberry canes. They are my favourite European fruit. If you’d like to see the wisteria in full bloom, click here. C’est au mois de janvier que …