Friday, 7 February 2014

A Day in the Garden - at last!

A night of storm force winds dried up the garden sufficiently for us to get some work done on it today. We were in for a few surprises, too..

Several daffodils are already showing their colour, though not fully open yet...

There were a couple of flowers on the Astrantia and the Scabious and on the potager the Artichoke is already quite a size!

there are some developing flowers on the strawberry plants...

Both rhubarb varieties are growing at a phenomenal pace...

And Colin found one left over radish from last season which looked more like a turnip! Here it is photographed against a 12cm plant marker...

So it looks as if we're not going to get much rest out there if only the weather will stay reasonable for long enough...

At least we had some helpers on the potager...

Well, if the vineyards at Bourgeuil can do it so can we!!

Thursday, 6 February 2014

Swingers...

It has been windy here recently... You have to give this Blue Tit 10/10 for tenacity...


and Diggers...


It's a hard life being a bird!

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

L'Ile Bouchard - Anyone for Camping??

After a fabulous walk in the Forêt Domaniale de Chinon on Sunday we stopped to take a look at the Vienne at L'Ile Bouchard, where, as you can see, the river divides as it flows round the Ile.....

We have never seen the river so swollen with flood water. The photo below is taken on the north bank of the river looking east towards the bridge....

The following shot is looking from the bridge in a westerly direction....
The row of willows should follow the river bank, but not at the moment!

Below is the view from the bridge looking east....
In the middle distance on the left of the photo and in the close up below you would normally be able to see the municipal camp site, Camping les Bords de Vienne....
Were you to turn up with your tent today you'd be needing a bit more than waterproofing to keep out the floods!

Crossing to the south bank of the river we got a view back to the section of river which usually carries little water. Again, the vegetation which follows the river bank is clearly well into the river...


As daylight began to fade, this watery landscape took on an altogether eerie look...

But one reminder that the seasons are changing came from this Lesser Celandine...

What a delightful sight at this time of year!

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Baps...

Or Soft Morning Bread Rolls.

Yes; I have been increasing my bread making skills! This time with the help of my mum who dictated the recipe over the phone. She can bake most things but has never had any success with bread. I really had no option but give it a try.

You need...
1/2 ounce fresh yeast (I used dried yeast)
1 teaspoon sugar, for creaming the yeast
1/2 pint milk, and
water, mixed and warmed to blood heat
1 lb strong white bread flour (sieved)
1 teaspoon salt
2 ounces butter
flour, for dusting

Sorry for all you young readers its in imperial measure.

Mix the salt and the flour
Rub the butter into the flour.
Cream the yeast with the sugar and then add the liquid, leave 10 minutes to work well. (I just mixed the dried yeast with the sugar and added the liquid)
Pour into the flour mix. Mix to a slack dough, adding extra warm liquid if required.
Allow to rise until the dough has doubled in bulk, for about an hour or two according to temperature.

Knead, and divide in eight even pieces. Knead each into a ball about the size of a fist, and flatten with the hand.

Then lightly roll to a round with a rolling-pin.
Place the ball doughs on a well-floured baking tray/s, lightly pressing your thumb in to the middle of the baps. Brush with milk and sprinkle flour all over the top of the baps. Prove for 15 to 20 minutes until well risen.

Bake in the oven at 200°C (400°F) mark 6 for 10 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden brown, but still soft - tap them underneath and they should sound hollow when they are cooked. .

Cool on a wire rack. (Dust with more flour if you like).


Eat...

I can honestly say they were delicious made into ham sandwiches with some of our home made plum chutney.

The remainder have been frozen, so we will see what they are like defrosted.


Monday, 3 February 2014

The Paddy Fields of Richelieu??


Our walk through the Parc de Richelieu the other day made us wonder if the recent twinning of the town with Wuzhen in China, isn't such a bad idea after all....

Perhaps the people of Wuzhen could give us some advice on establishing paddy fields in the water logged parc!

To read more about the twinning see here and here on the blog of our friend 'The Éminence Rouge'


Sunday, 2 February 2014

Stunning Sky

Who needs television when you can look out of the window and see sights like these?


Captured on camera yesterday evening from the garden at La Croix Blanche.

Saturday, 1 February 2014

A Winter Walk in the Parc de Richelieu

Last night we caught the tail end of the swirling low pressure which the UK took the brunt of. This afternoon, though, the heavy rain was replaced by a mix of sun and showers. The ground everywhere was sodden so we decided to take a stroll  along the hard paths in Parc de Richelieu.

We will let the photographs take you around our route.

As you can see it was a little wet underfoot but a pleasant afternoon walk through a park which is attractive at any time of year.