Friends, Food, Fine Wine and Fun...

Friends Sally and Chris were hosting a walk and a meal yesterday and Gaynor and Tim had offered us a lift there and back and a bed for the night. What more could we want?

We had a fabulous time and if we ache today, it's with laughing so much, not the exercise!

Gaynor. Sally and I soon took the lead on the walk. The men made a desperate effort to keep up at first...

But it soon became clear that they were just not in our league....

In fact at the first sign of a short cut they were off!!

We, of course, continued and as the last of the sun's rays came through the clouds we arrived back chez Chris and Sally to find the men.... relaxing..

Our host and hostess had worked very hard to lay on such a delicious meal

and we passed an entertaining evening in good spirits and even better company.

Thank you Sally and Chris for a great time and thanks to Gaynor and Tim for our lift and accommodation.

Sadly Jean wasn't there to share it but we took good care of Nick in her absence...

He was just a little tired, Jean, that's all...... honestly....!!

A Valentine Picture from Nature

On Valentine's Day 2012 we went up to Saumur on a special shopping trip, to choose an engagement ring.

Then on February 14th 2013, we posted a valentine from the nature....

I'd intended to do much the same thing last Valentines Day, but for various reasons I missed the opportunity. However with posts about our wedding in September 2014 I think we more than made up for it!

But back to the "natural" valentine theme! This is a photo taken quite by chance....

Wishing you all a Very Happy Valentine's Day!

A Walk on the Wild Side

When we're out walking we're always on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary: the Peacock Butterfly we spotted flying in early February, or the cowslips in autumn.

Yesterday's walk was more out of the ordinary than usual and we were glad to have Gaynor and Tim with us to confirm our story....

Our walk was one we have done several times, through the forest at Guesnes...  but never before had we seen one of these by the forest path..

We couldn't believe our eyes...

Colin was the first to go for a closer look...

 Tim noticed the foaming at the mouth stage prior to spitting???

Of course, Gaynor and I were more sensible and detoured past this typical woodland creature...

We went on to enjoy the sculpture trail...

 

It was at this point I noticed Tim's posture had changed somewhat..

Could it be that the camel had "turned" him in some way??!

We admired the incredible height of the Pines...

and took a look in the hunting lodge, where I tried my hand at the sling-shot. Suffice it to say that Colin's coat was sufficiently tough to withstand the force of the stone as it rebounded off the wall with surprising speed.

Then there were more surprises in store..

And as we approached the end of the walk the whole thing became clear..

The circus must be using the area to overwinter...

Whilst we found this little goat rather endearing..

we were mighty thankful we'd not met with the occupant of this cage..

Not your usual walk through a forest in rural France; but then again.......

The points...

Today has been 2CV service day (1), it is usually done in November, the anniversary of its purchase, so it is a tad overdue...

Oil and filter change was no problem, especially now I own a €5 oil filter wrench...

We have had the 2CV for over two years now and I have never checked the points!!! I am used to just taking off the distribution cap... Not with the 2CV: it's a full dismantle job!

The exposed points!!

To rebuild... First the points box cover...

Then the waterproof rubber thingy...

Then it's replace the fan and fan guard...

and finally re-tighten the alternator belt...

Yes, they did require adjustment from 12 thou to 16 thou...

And now for something completely different... How many times have you thought 'A hook would be very useful for that, if only I had one'

Well get yourselves to Lidl...

One of this weeks offers, at €2.99 well worth keeping on the shelf... The biggest problem will be remembering I bought them!!!

We're Back!

We arrived back in Braye this afternoon and the first job was to light the fire, have a cup of tea and then unload the car.

It was such a lovely afternoon we decided we'd be better off going for a walk in the sunshine whilst the house warmed up a little...

Our usual route through the local woods was of even more interest than usual as we've been away for a couple of months. The snowdrops looked just as they should - in a natural setting..

We were surprised to see Celandine out and in some cases, past their best..

These bright hazel catkins stood out against the muted shades of the tree branches...

Monsieur Bourreau has been at it again.. Just before we left he had started to clear another area of dense woodland. Today there was not a log out of place. This truly is the work of an expert, who has most likely been doing this job for many of his eighty plus years..Nobody stacks wood like Monsieur Bourreau!

In an untouched area a fallen tree had split in two. It was obvious from looking at it that the woodpecker had been at work. The centre of the log  had been hollowed out and very neatly too. This first photograph shows the two halves of the log, with the hollowed out centre...

Here you can see the "entrance" to the hollowed out section..

 And finallly a close up of the entrance..

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed the animal droppings on the second photo. So as a special treat, here's a close-up..

Any ideas, folks??

In an English Country Garden...

Although we are not strictly in the countryside we've had quite a few visitors to the bird feeders here in Fulwood.

The nuthatch comes on a daily basis and takes over the peanut feeder...

This bluetit held on for grim death in a strong wind...

The lovely long-tailed tits arrive in groups and quickly feed before flying on..

I can't help thinking that they have an uncanny resemblance to a small mammal. I think it's the small beak which does it!

The Jay sneaks onto the bird table when it thinks no one is looking..

This male Bull finch was fine having his photo taken - as long as it was either blurred...

.... or hiding his head!

And, of course, the robin fiercely defends his territory....

We feel so lucky to have a wealth of bird life to watch whether in France or England and long may it stay that way. It certainly cuts down the time spent on house work!