Trees for all seasons

Over the months, as we travel in back and forth between Braye and Chatellerault, one particular row of trees  has caught my eye for no other reason than that they 'look nice'!

I have now photographed this row in all seasons (and more), albeit through the windscreen of the car, and here's are those shots

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Pity there are not more seasons in the year..... I'll just have to think of another excuse to keep photographing them!
How is it the saying goes?? Simple things.........

What a brilliant idea!

When driving around in France you see many things but I must say this has to be the best..

Yes it's traffic lights that count down how long you have to wait... OK they are temporary on road works in St Maure.

I say ALL traffic lights should be this way Bravo!!!!

Potato nests!

Whilst digging potatoes I unearthed a mouse which promptly went to ground in another hole further along the row of potatoes.

 

Excitement over my next dig produced a baby mouse... and then a second.. 

We tried our best to reunite the family and hoped they would find another place to nest. When we realised they'd been eating our potatoes, we hoped that other place would be far away from the potager!

Could these little creatures be responsible for the cache of cones and nuts found under the pear tree?

The pear tree is on the right of the photo and the hazelnut on the left.. The cones come from the front of the garden quite a distance away....

Who knows???

Bee Orchids

Some interesting facts...

• Bee orchids produce a scent which is similar to the pheromones produced by certain female bees to attract a mate. Male bees attracted by this scent then attempt to mate with the bee orchid flower and, in moving from flower to flower, transfer pollen and fertilise the bee orchids. 
• Bee orchids only flower once.
• The single flower spike is the culmination of up to eight years growth 
• The top flower is the last to open.

• Bee orchids take 5-8 years to develop from seed to flower. This development depends on an association between the orchid and fungi in the soil.
• Seed capsules develop as the flowers die off. Each capsule contains 6,000 - 10,000 tiny seeds.

• Below ground only those seeds which are successful in gaining nutrients from fungal hyphae will begin their 5-8 years of development before flowering.

We were so lucky to have had 4 or 5 of these lovely orchids in our garden. Will we get any next year??

Big brother is watching you....

Ever felt you're being watched??

As I gardened the other day I had just that feeling and there, peeping out of one of the holes Colin made for the bluetits to nest in, was a little lizard.

He retreated into the breeze block once he knew his cover had been blown.

Still, good to know that Colin's experiment at social housing paid off and that the 'apartments' are fully occupied. The new tenant obviously likes to keep an eye on us gardeners whilst enjoying the view!

Bambi in the bullrushes....

Whilst watering the potager the other night we spotted a young deer in the field at the back of the house.

By the time I'd gone for the camera it was busy grazing in the reeds and bullrushes growing along the dyke.

It was happy enough to feed there for quite some time until a sudden noise spooked it...
 

When I stood on a dead branch, it was off like a shot into the woods...

Will it come back again? I've no i 'deer'

Le Tour

Today we went to see the seventh stage of most famous cycle event in the world, Le Tour de France. Le Mans to Chataeuroux distance 218kms.  All the details are here

Our friends, in their blog Days on the Claise, had mentioned the village of Faverolles sur Cher, just south of Montrichard, was to hold a fete to celebrate the event.

After looking around the fete we located ourselves just outside the village, with a good vantage point looking towards Montrichard.

First to arrive was the 'caravan', a procession of floats of the various sponsors. They went on and on and on....

 

Then some time later came the main event, the riders. When they arrived there were four out in front.

These were followed by the Peloton, the main group of riders. How do they ride so close together?? 

The helicopters following amazed me, ALL eight of them. How they don't crash must be one of life's mysteries.

It was a great day out and to be recommended.

The stage was won by Mark Cavendish.