Is this goodbye to another of Richelieu's Shops

For some time now we have noticed a listing on Leboncoin.fr for a shop in the main square at Richelieu which Elizabeth uses for some of her sewing and knitting needs. It also carried a large range of adult and children's clothing although we have to say much of the that was not to our English taste. We understand that the lady who owns it is going to retire.

The shop is now destined to close down with all the stock being sold with large reductions.

It will be such a shame to loose such a useful shop and we are sure it will be missed by many of Richelieu residents who do not have easy access to the larger town shops.

It was relisted on Leboncoin.fr this morning so hopefully someone will take it on, all be it in a different form.

A Mole of a different variety.

This week saw the arrival of Saur, our local water company, to make the connection for the new house being built across the road from us.

After an hour of deliberation and a test dig to find my shut off valve cover (as shown below) the two workmen marked a blue 'dig here' line adjacent to our garden wall directly opposite the new house and proceeded to dig with a small mini digger.

and what a hole it was, the water main is nearly 2 metres deep (No danger of that freezing then)

We were impressed for two reasons, firstly they made the connection to the high pressure main without turning off the supply and secondly rather than dig up the road they moled in the new pipe. The mole is circled below.

Once the connection was made, the hole was backfilled, a new self levelling valve access installed and everything was replaced and made good.

The only exception is the test hole exposing our self levelling valve access. I am hoping they will be back to re-level it to ground level... Time will tell.

"Gentlemen Prefer Blonds"

It is an age-old saying that is regularly contested.

But unfortunately for all the glossy brunettes out there, it seems that men really do prefer blondes when choosing a date.

The latest survey revealed that men are 3 per cent more likely to opt for a blonde over a brunette. (Daily Mail Aug 2012)

Continuing on yesterdays theme.

Whilst shopping I wanted to buy this

For some reason totally unknown to myself Elizabeth again would not let me...

Perhaps I should start shopping alone!

Hanging around...

At this time of year you start to see these and many will stay up well into May.

I like this one....

And I like this one much more...

This morning Elizabeth stopped me buying either of them... "Sense Prevailed" she said...

BUT now I know WHERE to buy one or even two...  There is plenty of time yet...

Late Visitor to the Garden

Out in the garden this morning Colin spotted this bright Clouded Yellow (Coleas crocia) enjoying the sunshine. It was in tip top condition even though, according to the book, it should be flying only from May to October, with the chance of earlier sightings in Mediterranean areas....

This one obviously hasn't read the book!

Lac du Verdon

We had cause yesterday to "go West" to Maulevrier and so whilst in the area we decided to take a look at Le Lac du Verdon, a man made lake supplying water to Cholet.

The weather was glorious though the conditions underfoot were not quite so good, reflecting the extraordinary amount of rainfall the region has seen in recent weeks... However, my socks have now dried out and there's not much sign of swamp foot....

We parked up near the eastern end of the lake and walked along the shoreline for a couple of kilometres. This may sound a short walk until you take into account the photo stops en route!

Hope you enjoy our snapshot view of the walk.. 

Studies in Blue..

The lakeside path - a dry bit!

A photo in the making..

Glorious autumn shades

Part of the lake was covered with the brightest of green algae..

And on of my favourite shots...

Spindleberry in full bloom

For an afternoon's walk with photo time, it was just right! We could of course have gone all the way round the lake. But 20km is a bit much when you've a camera to keep happy!

Name that Jaw...

What would you expect to find on a peaceful afternoon's walk around the Lac de Verdon? Wild flowers, fungi, the odd dragonfly and a variety of birds?

Well we saw all of those and will be posting about these in more detail in a day or two.

But what was it that really caught Elizabeth's eye?? A lower jaw of some now deceased animal...

Judging by the length and colour of the incisors and the number and pattern of the molars, we believe this to be a coypu (see here)

First roe deer droppings and now a coypu's lower jawbone; goodness knows what she'll find next!

But one thing's for sure... she'll have the camera at the ready!