Having trouble getting it up.... Not the French...

This afternoon there was alot of activity on our road up towards the main road. We had seen a long concrete 'electric' post by the roadside for a couple of days. Today was the day for getting it up... Heres how its done!!!

Move the pole into position

Attach a small drill

Drill the hole

Deeper and deeper

Drop the pole into your hole

Well!! it should fit!!

A bit of backfill

and voila its up!!!

Now you  are probably asking "What is it for?" We have no idea. 

My best guess is it could be a mast for the radio internet. We went to the meeting here. It is the same type of concrete pole that is  used for main electrical overhead cables but it is long way from the village power supply... and looks higher but that may be an optical illusion. We will let you know...

Fete de la Musique. Ste Catherine de Fierbois

Last night we had a night on the town, well picturesque village actually, Ste Catherine de Fierbois. What a great night it was... and no admission charges!!! even car parking was provided and free!!!

The three bands we saw were excellent and as always in France the local turnout was amazing with all generations young and old alike enjoying the music.

Enjoying the Music. (and the drink)

The Bands.....

Plutot Blues

The Paper Plane

PPFC

The first two bands sang many English songs and were, to say the least lively, with many of the audience dancing, some even got on the stage. The third group was totally french blues, which was not to our taste, but the performance was good if a bit flat following the first two. It was a thoroughly 'good do' and to be recommended next year...

Bee-wildered!

Can any apiarists out there help solve the mystery of the bees who appear to be foraging on seed compost out on the potting table?

At first we thought they were coming for water but, as they ignore any pools of water on the surface of the table, we've ruled that out.

It's a mystery to us! Any offers???

Footnote. They are probably rolling around laughing at my pathetic attempt to grow Aubergines!! Col

Weather forecasts..

Weather forecasts, eh? All week we've been promised rain. Yesterday, as we gardened in shorts and t-shirts, the forecast claimed we were having a (much needed) shower.

The wheat fields around us are lovely and golden ...

....but the grains are small because there has been no rain to swell them.

Today the forecast was for rain at 2pm, so in anticipation of the non-event I pegged out two lines of washing.

And it rained!! Not much; but rain nevertheless; enough to leave raindrops on the flower petals.

We watched it falling for ten minutes or so and came to the conclusion that it is a different beast altogether to Lancashire rain. Lancashire rain is wet, persistent, cold and long lasting. This was gentle, mild and did little to alleviate the drought conditions.

So do we miss Lancashire rain???? What a daft question!

Cherry Pickers !!!!

After the hard work of the last few days.... I thought it was time to relax for a short while and see what our feathered friends were up to. The garden has been full of youngsters for some time now.. waiting to be fed, pecking around on there own. However I think the parents must have given them all instructions " Those red things taste good, go and try them"! Our sour cherry tree was full of young birds enjoying what is left of the fruit.

If only I could reach it

Someone bring me one to try

Which one should I go for?

You nicked mine you little ****

Too many big birds in that tree for me and those red things are gigantic

Every bird was at the Cherry party except for one. Our Niger Seed guzzler, the Goldfinch. He prefered seeds to cherries.

We are so lucky to have such a variety.....

Footnote.
It is nature but we think the Magpie destroyed the Goldfinch nest in our vines. I checked on day and the nest was sideways and torn apart.. Better luck next time...

Leylandii Lopped

Look at the header photo and then this one!!

Yes we have been busy with the chainsaw again!!!
Last year when we bought the house our first job was to cut down the 6 metre + high leylandii hedge that fronted the property. Details Here. At the time we managed 56 of the 86 trees before the weather turned against us.

As the trees have been used as nest sites for many of our garden birds we have delayed starting again until early this week. Elizabeth had previously pushed herself off the wall a few times during the first cutting so we  developed a new technique.... Pulling rather than pushing.

 A rope is secured at the top. Elizabeth takes the strain and I cut the appropriate V in the tree trunk....

We then both pull together.....

And down each one comes.... 12 more in total. We are now happy with the results, having left a few at each end as a reminder of what was there...

Fruits (and veg) of our labours..

This is what we've been waiting for...

We've tended the potager since planting the first seed potatoes in March and now it's a very different scene.

Last night's evening meal went from potager to plate in under an hour

All our own work (nearly)

I'd like to claim we'd farmed our own salmon....but that would be going a step too far!!