En route from Chinon to Braye yesterday we stopped at a roadside picnic spot just south of the junction of the D749 and D760 at Anché. It attracted our attention because of the glorious display of flowers growing  in swathes across the grass, making the most colourful carpet of blooms.

We noticed the land being prepared but we were not sure if it was going to be sown with grass or with les jachère fleuries, a wild flower mix. Strictly speaking the term 'jachère' refers to agricultural land left free from agricultural crops for one year and planted instead with the wild flower mix. When the plants flower they do not need watering or fertilising. The idea is that those flowers which flourish are the right ones for the environment. They will attract and provide cover for pollinating insects, small vertebrates and invertebrates.

The scheme is expanding and many communes sow les jachères fleuries on land such as that above. What an attractive and environmentally sound way to enhance a picnic area!

Whilst I was taking the pictures a French lady stopped to speak and I mentioned the blog.... I hope she has taken a look??!

Signs of spring

Out in the garden today Phil, one of our guests, thought there was a bees nest close by. The humming came from by the walnut tree and when you stood under it the sound was quite loud.

Looking up, we saw dozens of bees pollinating the walnut catkins.

Of course this called for a quick trip inside to get the camera.......

Two of the bees in flight above our heads

 

The two of them settled on the same catkin,

Then it was off to visit the daffodils...

A sure sign that spring is on it's way!