This is a second sighting for Colin..... he last saw these beasts near Bordeaux some twenty five years ago... need I say more?
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Wild Boar
This is the sight I've always wanted to see.....
We were lucky enough to spot these elusive creatures en route to Le Grand Pressigny, on the Allée de Dangé, Leugny.
This is a second sighting for Colin..... he last saw these beasts near Bordeaux some twenty five years ago... need I say more?
This is a second sighting for Colin..... he last saw these beasts near Bordeaux some twenty five years ago... need I say more?
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Servicing the Autoportee
Yes; grass cutting will be on us in the blink of an eye.
As I was rained off today cutting back a couple of half dead pampas grasses, one of the inside jobs was to start the annual service on our Autoportee.
First job was clean underneath and check the cutters. This is where the right tool for the job comes in... In my lack of knowledge about such matters I brought over my car ramps from England thinking they would suffice to raise the machine high enough in order to gain access. Wrong... however I tried they got in the way. A specialist lift had to be purchased...
It looks nothing but it certainly does the job...
and gives easy access to the cutters.
Both sets of cutters were removed, cleaned and the cutting edge sharpened... Interestingly, and it must be to do with blade rotation, the nearest one was LH thread and the back one normal RH thread.
Now all that remains to be done is an oil and filter change and for her to have her nipples greased... Good job I didn't throw away my grease gun...
Well, I think that is all. I'd better get the service book out and check!!!
As I was rained off today cutting back a couple of half dead pampas grasses, one of the inside jobs was to start the annual service on our Autoportee.
First job was clean underneath and check the cutters. This is where the right tool for the job comes in... In my lack of knowledge about such matters I brought over my car ramps from England thinking they would suffice to raise the machine high enough in order to gain access. Wrong... however I tried they got in the way. A specialist lift had to be purchased...
Now all that remains to be done is an oil and filter change and for her to have her nipples greased... Good job I didn't throw away my grease gun...
Well, I think that is all. I'd better get the service book out and check!!!
Friday, 17 February 2012
Survivors
After over two weeks covered in snow the garden is looking a little ragged round the edges, to say the least!
However all is not as bad as it at first seemed. It is surprising just what has survived not just the snow but also the extremely low temperatures, at times dipping just under -20c.
Yesterday we spotted these intrepid creatures, proving that there's life out there still....
And there are some survivors among the flower beds as well...
plus one or two spots of colour in the "lawn" (pelouse is a much better description!)
Some of these are more welcome than others!
However all is not as bad as it at first seemed. It is surprising just what has survived not just the snow but also the extremely low temperatures, at times dipping just under -20c.
Yesterday we spotted these intrepid creatures, proving that there's life out there still....
 |
| Take a closer look at the pollen on the bees legs! |
And there are some survivors among the flower beds as well...
plus one or two spots of colour in the "lawn" (pelouse is a much better description!)
Some of these are more welcome than others!
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Cats and Dogs
I am a dog person, love dogs and have owned a dog for most of my life. The last one was a pedigree Labrador who died a few years ago, since then I have been dogless!! When circumstances are right I would love to own another. In the meantime I have to make do with visitors like Lulu and a new arrival up the road who I recently made friends with. (In time he will probably become a bilingual).
I am not really a cat person so I would like a comment or two from you cat lovers about the following advertisement I came across on Leboncoin.fr yesterday. I must say it is a cute cat BUT
900 euros, FOR A CAT!!!
I have translated the advert with the contact information because I know you will be rushing out to buy it. (Tim, whose cat has his own blog so must be as posh as this one)
"Sell cute little kitten born on 16/12/2012 loof of a litter of 5 kittens. Loof Mom and Dad also identification of the mother: 250269602343981 I live in a small family kennel: From Framboisine, I'm used to noise, the dog, totally sociabilisée, I will be microchipped, vaccinated, dewormed, with a certificate of good health from my vet, of course I am a kitten Loof. I am available around the first week of March. Terms of payment in installments, not serious refrain. Price 900 euros tel: 0618784593 or 0549859931"
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Saumur
Yesterday we visited Saumur for a very special reason...
(Incidentally, those of you who were kind enough to leave comments on yesterday's post may wish to check out Colin's reply to your comments!)
We've always loved the town for its architectural interest, its pleasant atmosphere, its mix of old and new, and of course, the location of its magnificent chateau.
We couldn't help but notice this man up in the trees wielding a chainsaw with a certain flair and style, whilst us pedestrians below could only stand and stare...
We made our way past the scene negotiating the cones put out to protect the public from being hit by huge hunks of tree hurtling to the ground....
Looking back towards the building which houses the Office de Tourisme (which must surely be one of the most opulently housed tourist offices in the country) the trimming of one tree was nearing completion.
Leaving the centre of town, mission accomplished (!), we headed out to good old Intermarché.. Nothing like a trip to Intermarché to bring one down to earth.
Here again we encountered a man up in the dizzy heights. This time temporary traffic lights were in operation and an impressive row of cones kept everyone safe... Health and Safety at its best!
On our way back we stopped at another great place, Candes Saint Martin at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers.
It is such an amazing sight to see the two rivers converge and it's one we have photographed many times, but it never ceases to impress. For much of its length the Loire enjoys the status of World Heritage Site. It is not called 'The mighty Loire' for nothing!
(Incidentally, those of you who were kind enough to leave comments on yesterday's post may wish to check out Colin's reply to your comments!)
We've always loved the town for its architectural interest, its pleasant atmosphere, its mix of old and new, and of course, the location of its magnificent chateau.
We couldn't help but notice this man up in the trees wielding a chainsaw with a certain flair and style, whilst us pedestrians below could only stand and stare...
We made our way past the scene negotiating the cones put out to protect the public from being hit by huge hunks of tree hurtling to the ground....
Looking back towards the building which houses the Office de Tourisme (which must surely be one of the most opulently housed tourist offices in the country) the trimming of one tree was nearing completion.
Leaving the centre of town, mission accomplished (!), we headed out to good old Intermarché.. Nothing like a trip to Intermarché to bring one down to earth.
Here again we encountered a man up in the dizzy heights. This time temporary traffic lights were in operation and an impressive row of cones kept everyone safe... Health and Safety at its best!
On our way back we stopped at another great place, Candes Saint Martin at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers.
It is such an amazing sight to see the two rivers converge and it's one we have photographed many times, but it never ceases to impress. For much of its length the Loire enjoys the status of World Heritage Site. It is not called 'The mighty Loire' for nothing!
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Valentines Day
This morning Elizabeth gave me not one but two Valentines cards.
The first one, a M&S card, I thought was a good likeness except the hair is the wrong colour, I've not been that blond since I was a baby! Not sure about the Vauxhall Astra but the 17 year old texan sounds good.... Still looking for that web site... The second was an Elizabeth creation.
NO; I am not sharing the contents of the cards with you...
In return I bought Elizabeth a very special and personal gift... More about that in the future.
Our regular readers will remember our new bird food, out of date Lentil and Bacon soup, at the time I thought there was not much interest in it. How wrong can you be, the cold weather and hunger must have changed the birds minds. Today a great deal of it has been eaten and looking at the contents its been well pecked. The bowl was full when we put it out.
Its a good job because today in a visit to both Supermarket and Garden Centre most of the shelves with bird food were empty...
In return I bought Elizabeth a very special and personal gift... More about that in the future.
Our regular readers will remember our new bird food, out of date Lentil and Bacon soup, at the time I thought there was not much interest in it. How wrong can you be, the cold weather and hunger must have changed the birds minds. Today a great deal of it has been eaten and looking at the contents its been well pecked. The bowl was full when we put it out.
Its a good job because today in a visit to both Supermarket and Garden Centre most of the shelves with bird food were empty...
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Blackbird on a string...
With food at a premium in this cold weather some of our garden birds have taken to trying to be like other species in order to get at the food. Last month we had the goldfinch who thought she was a Blue-tit now its the turn of the blackbirds...
The blackbirds have developed a love of the apples we have been putting out. It appears to be generally the females who do all the eating. The poor males never get a look in. I am sure it must be where the term Hen-Pecked came from: if the male goes anywhere near the food he gets ruthlessly attacked and pecked. In a show of male support I even put some halved apples in a separate place but she soon had these covered to. (Note; Don't want to come back as a male blackbird)
I digress: despite putting plenty of halved apples out on the ground one female has insisted throughout the day that she will perform aerobatics, typical female showing off... Absolutely fabulous... So enjoy aerobatics on the branch and string...
Remarkably she managed to eat most of the apples; the poor blue-tits didn't.
As for the male, in the heat of the battle he grabbed half an apple in his beak, flew to the corner of the garden and managed to enjoy it in peace.
The blackbirds have developed a love of the apples we have been putting out. It appears to be generally the females who do all the eating. The poor males never get a look in. I am sure it must be where the term Hen-Pecked came from: if the male goes anywhere near the food he gets ruthlessly attacked and pecked. In a show of male support I even put some halved apples in a separate place but she soon had these covered to. (Note; Don't want to come back as a male blackbird)
I digress: despite putting plenty of halved apples out on the ground one female has insisted throughout the day that she will perform aerobatics, typical female showing off... Absolutely fabulous... So enjoy aerobatics on the branch and string...
Remarkably she managed to eat most of the apples; the poor blue-tits didn't.
As for the male, in the heat of the battle he grabbed half an apple in his beak, flew to the corner of the garden and managed to enjoy it in peace.
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