Thursday 27 July 2017

New blog

I have now added a blog section to my website. If you click on more you will see it! If you have any problems finding it please let me know.

Wednesday 5 July 2017

New Website Link!

Here it is:

CLICK HERE

(http://thelittlegreensmallholder.weebly.com)

A slight change.....

For some time I have been unhappy with the format of my blog! I can no longer post pictures which are important to demonstrate what I am doing. Makes it boring for those reading too.
I have started building a website to which I plan to add a forum. It will grow slowly as I have never done anything like this before. A lot of googling has gone on!
The website is   'The little green smallholder ' which I hope you will easily find. The blog will continue on there .
I write on several different websites/forums and the plan is to keep it all in one place. I hope this will improve the quality of my writing to have it all in one place.
It is not my plan to earn anything from this as this would not fit with my principles. It is likely to cost me a small amount each year to run but that is ok.
I do not know if this will succeed but hope it does.

Sunday 2 July 2017

More about home made stuff! πŸ‘—

Many years ago when I married I made my going away outfit! It was a pink and white floral skirt and a hand knitted pink cardigan. I bought a plain white T shirt to complete the outfit. My shoes were the white platform wedges I wore for my wedding! The shoes were necessary as I am 5' 3" and Him indoors is 6'2". He has never stopped saying 'you are very short'.
Throughout the early years of marriage and as the children arrived I continued to make clothes for myself and the children. Fabric and wool was much cheaper than a shop bought item and I enjoyed making things. My mother in law was an accomplished seamstress! She made some beautiful smocked dresses for my first daughter and turned the into romper suits for my son. Then back to dresses for my second daughter. I still have them. In the hem on the inside can be seen little hand sewn button holes from when they were worn by my son! I find it sad this sort of thing never happens now.
The day came when the children no longer wanted handknitted jumpers and cardigans for school. They did not want to be different. For a while I continued making things for me but it soon fell by the wayside as work and a busy family life took over. Clothes were now much cheaper that the fabric too!
Over the years I have made the odd thing but my old treadle sewing machine I loved took up too much space and went. I regret that so much. A few years ago I bought a new electric machine and started sewing again.
Today I have gone back to wanting to make my own clothes again. I find it hard to buy ready made clothes I like. Apart from basic jeans and T shirts.
A couple of days ago I dug out some knitting needles and found in my stash enough navy double knit to knit a cardigan pattern I found. I am now half way up the back. This will go with a white linen skirt I have had for years. I kept my navy Mary Jane shoes too. And the red, pink and black!
I have some pink gingham that I will make into a skirt and enough bubble gum pink wool to make the cardigan! This is what made me think of the outfit I made so long ago.
I am pleased to discover there is still a bit of Doris Day lurking and I like a co ordinated outfit! The only thing now missing is a red bag but I have an idea to make one! My wardrobe will be created around my shoes! When we go out for a drink with friends or to eat I will do my Doris Day bit! It will surprise people who have been used to me always in jeans!
I might live on a farm and have very little money but I will really enjoy making my own clothes once more! Who needs high fashion?

Sunday 25 June 2017

More bee talk🐝

So, with my new found lack of fear of bees......heard a buzzing outside the bedroom window. After a couple of days I investigated. In the top of the dormer window in the space of the cheek were some bees. I watched them moving in the furniture, lots of activity. They are mostly black with a white rump and look like bumble bees. I was able to google them and discovered they are tree bumble bees. Not aggressive unless challenged.
Him indoors was worried about having bumble bees sharing our space but once he realised they will mostly be outside he was ok. They will only be there for the summer as once we go into Autumn the queen will emerge and bury herself in the earth to stay warm and safe over winter. The rest of the colony will die off. She will emerge next Spring and start a new colony. I find this rather sad as they are such beautiful creatures. They have a pale ginger saddle that can only be seen close up and are fluffy in that bumble bee way!
It is a measure of how far I have come that I feel hugely privileged to have these bumble bees living so close. One was on the lounge floor yesterday looking in a bad way. I put it outside on the water butt and gave it sugar syrup. This it ate and after a while flew back to the nest! It had run out of fuel!
I say good morning and good night to them each day.
I do the same with my honey bees as they like to know what is going on?
The world outside seems very agitated just now but here in the first and last house in Normandy all is peaceful.
It turns out I have just one broody hen and she has around ten eggs. She is now separated in a protected house and run ready for when the eggs hatch. This also stops other hens laying their eggs in the house which would confuse the hatch times! I do so love seeing the chicks hatch and watching them grow. I know it means increasing the cockerels but that is ok.
Work on the second Gite is going well. So close to finishing it!
Our bookings on Le Tertre Rouge have gone well this year. 15 weeks! It seems people prefer to book last minute now so we must remember this next January when we begin to worry! Flexible booking is also preferred. People do not want to arrive just on Saturdays! It creates more work keeping calendars up to date but is the way things are now!
Still busy making crochet blankets,  a new one is in progress! I have a couple more waiting in the wings that are granny squares, something I have not tried before. I am excited to try this having found how much I enjoy learning new things.
I never know what is around the next corner which is good really!

Sunday 18 June 2017

When worlds collide 🌻🌾🏎

this was a special weekend for me!
Most of my days are spent quietly making things and growing things, tending to my animals and learning to be self sufficient. Just occasionally my other self comes to the fore.
This weekend was the 24hour race at Le Mans. On Friday we went to the classic British welcome at a town near Le Mans. Hundreds of amazing cars arrive and park around the leisure area. Each year a different car is featured and has pride of place in the exhibition centre. This year it was Marcos, quite a rare car. Loads of Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, and other sports cars. There are English, French, German, Dutch and American. Many people come to view the cars.
Later that day we drove down to the circuit in Le Mans to meet up with a friend who is part of the Corvette pit crew. He gave us a pit tour which was fantastic. We then had a lovely drive home through the French countryside.

On Saturday we drove back down to Le Mans to see the start of the race. Home again for the night and back down again today to see the finish.

I absolutely love this weekend! It does not fit at all with my green side but the atmosphere, the noise of the cars, the car fanatics and the friends we meet up with each year is amazing.
Each evening I have come home and picked the ripe raspberries for that day, watered the veg and pottered about! It has been lovely to come home to the peace. I do know how fortunate I am.
Lost another chicken this week. I have left them locked in whilst I have been out. It makes me sad to lose birds. This year I have lost four chickens and four ducks to the fox. I know it is part of nature but I cannot accept it. It is my choice to free range them and I know it is a risk!

Tomorrow life returns to normal

Monday 12 June 2017

C'est la vie

Last week I lost a much loved cockerel. Yes I am very attached to all my birds! I am sure it was a fox. He was out in the field with some hens and I know he would have died protecting the girls. The girls came home ok. He was a very big chicken so I am surprised he was caught. It must have been a big fox!

Today I was sitting quietly at home doing some crochet when I heard the other boys alarm call. I rushed into the garden and realizing they were in the field below I headed for the bank in time to see a fox run from the higher field down to where my chickens were grabbing a girl en route! I slid down the bank under the barbed wire shouting and clapping ( foxes think it is gunshot). The fox dropped my chicken and ran into the woods. I rounded everyone up and did a headcount. All were there but the chicken who was caught has awful wounds on her back. She has been eating ok and moving around but I am concerned I will lose her.

On a positive note I have two broody hens. They have six eggs between them! I have put them in the omlet house on top of the puppy cage. I have put wire around the house and tiles across the door. This enables me to check them and give them food and water. I will turf them out once each day. The issue is to stop other girls going in to lay eggs. I need them to hatch at the same time. Hopefully in three weeks I will see some fluffy chicks! There is something really lovely about seeing them hatch and watching them grow! I currently have three boys but could gain more when these hatch! I will keep them all as I cannot bear to think they could be killed and eaten!

Yesterday I met an English lady who shares my passion for ditching chemicals and all things green. She has a B&B in the next village. I feel we will become friends! Most people who know me just smile at my principles! This does not bother me but it will be good to compare notes with someone who understands what I am trying to achieve!

Tomorrow my brother in law and his wife arrive and will stay just over a week. This is always difficult as they are materialistic, the complete opposite from us. This will be the first year though that I do not feel stressed about my building site. I have made it look as good as I can and that will have to do!

The honey extractor arrived today so at some point this week I hope to collect the first of this years honey.

Saturday 10 June 2017

🌼πŸ₯‚

I now have five bottles of Elder Flower cordial in the pantry. Along with fourteen jars of cherry jam.
I love filling the pantry shelves with home made things. I am slowly using up the kilner jars I was given.  I have kept some ready for the chutney I will make when the courgettes start arriving. My plants have flowers on them so I hope we get loads!
The raspberry canes are laden so more jam will be made later this year.

My sock adventure is going well. I am just about ready to start on the toe part. I need a block of time so that I can complete it in one. It uses something called the Kitchener stitch...this creates a seamless sock which is more comfortable. Having never done this before I will need to concentrate on what I am doing. I have to confess to ordering more sock wool. I will do the second one for this pair before starting on another pair. My plan is to have four pairs for winter. I think the second pair I will make a bit smaller as the current ones are a bit too big. This is something I hope to perfect before too long.

The days are long now, it is still light at 10pm. I am very aware though that we are getting close to the longest day after which the days start shortening again. It enables me to get so much more done. I am often in the garden until almost dark! This means less knitting and crochet which is why I save that mostly for autumn and winter.

We are due a heatwave which is not welcome. It makes it hard to keep the veg garden watered and the water butts go dry quickly. Our old stone farmhouse stays fairly cool due to the thick walls so we hide indoors at the hottest part of the day. I cannot use the Esse now which makes meals a challenge. I have the halogen oven and a gas hob. We have more salad just now which makes it easier. Over the next winter I plan to make meals for the freezer that I will just reheat as needed. I do use the slow cooker when we have a heavy work day but it will be vegan and him indoors does like his meat! He is very good about it though.

We seem to be in a good routine now with seasonal work. It will be so much easier when the building work is finished and all our energy and money can go on being as self sufficient as possible.

Wednesday 31 May 2017

Eyes down...a new project on the horizon

just when you think there's nothing new left.....I am working on getting some raw fleeces straight from the sheeps back! I will process it myself and knit it up! I can lay them out in the sun to dry out the lanolin. I will then put them in the washing machine inside a pillowcase to clean them up. I will then card them and spin them into usable wool. I may try natural dye too to give me some colour!
I am very excited with this one. I missed out on some Alpaca fleeces that were being given away so am really pleased about this. It seems the commercial value of fleece is rock bottom. Most sheep farmers almost give them away to big business. Also smaller farmers do not get any financial aid from government they have to have a minimum of 50 sheep. I find this very sad as I feel small farms are better for animals and the community.
I have worked at getting away from big business as much as possible. Mostly this is achieved by making things myself and growing what I can! If I can buy direct from someone I am happy to do so. Like with the fleece. Who knows where this will lead!

Sunday 28 May 2017

πŸ’ 🐦

Today we have harvested the lovely cherries that the Starlings usually beat us to! Him indoors set up the scaffolding tower under the enormous tree a week ago. We checked every day to see how ripe the cherries were. The birds were taking the odd one that had ripened early but we timed it right. I have spent the last hour or so de stoning two buckets of cherries. They are now in my maslin  pan cooking before being made into a loose cherry jam. Proper jam I have in abundance from all the raspberries and blackcurrants. The cherry is used as a sauce for a good vanilla ice cream ( once my kitchen is done I will make my own) and for the plain yogurt I make every week. We regard it as a real treat.
I feel very privileged to be able to produce our own things and love the whole process.
The veg patch is doing well, loads of peas this year which makes me happy. I hope to fill the freezer!
The courgettes are doing well too so hoping for plenty of pickle in the Autumn.

My sock knitting has slowed due to Bruno dog eating my stitch markers. Him indoors has ordered me some pretty metal bees in assorted sizes. Hopefully Bruno will not be so attracted! I have managed to turn the heel, amazingly and now have to get to grips with knitting the gusset. I will get there I just need a bit of quiet to get my head around it. Once I have done one and know how it works I feel sure I will be fine.

There always seems to be something new to learn! I do not always plan what to tackle next sometimes projects find me. If it feels right I go for it!

I have this week started using instagram as a way of sharing my photos. Still a steep learning curve but already some people who know me have found me! Sometimes it feels weird embracing the modern world alongside so many old fashioned ideals I have! Having said that most of my projects started with google. How did we manage without the internet?

Saturday 20 May 2017

Never too old to learn

Watched an episode of gardeners world last night, such a perfect garden Monty Don has, I can but dream!
For some time I have been looking into organic ways of weed control. The programme showed the no dig method. I have been aware of this but not looked at how it works. This was brilliant and introduced in a simple way. He put a wooden frame on the lawn, filled it with compost and planted veg plugs! Basically you just keep covering the weeds around the growing veg with compost. Cutting the light kills them and they become compost as they rot. By continually doing this you eventually eradicate the weeds. By not digging you maintain the quality of the soil. This flies in the face of all I have believed about growing your own. I have even done double digging which is hard work.
I plan to start using this method. As I get older digging is harder and this method will mean I can keep growing my veg. It will be wonderful to move away from the weed patch!

My sock knitting, I managed to turn the heel but when looking at the sock realised I had dropped a stitch further back. It was not possible to recover it so I had to undo all my work and start again. I now know about the lifeline. You thread a piece of wool into a row which means you can undo back to that point. I will be using this before I turn the heel this time! Still enjoying this latest venture though.

My second bee hive has settled in and the bees are busy collecting pollen. The first hive is still strong too. Hoping for a good crop of honey this year. The next few sunny days I will open both hives to see how the honey production is going.

Tuesday 16 May 2017

And for the next project.......

firstly sorry still no pictures, just cannot figure out how to do it. I follow the instructions but cannot get to my album. One day maybe.
Meanwhile I started a new venture this last week. I have my first ever knitted sock underway! I have never knitted on a circular needle before and it took a bit of getting used to. I found a great facebook group that has been so helpful! Lots of newbie questions. I am really enjoying knitting the sock. A little concerned about turning the heel but know where to go for help. The other tricky bit will be knitting the second sock to match. There is a natural stripe in the wool I am using and I bought two balls so I can do one sock from each hoping it matches! There are some wonderful colours out there and I am longing to have hand knitted socks! No more cheap socks made by three year olds in China! It might be that I start a trend in unmatched socks!
I have also started another of Lucy's blankets. This is a ripple pattern and the colour way is called seaspray! Another beautiful combination of colours, blues, greens and silver. Him indoors just raises his eyes heavenwards! So I am now dividing my time between sock knitting and crochet. A happy place to be!
This afternoon we are off to spend time with a lovely French lady who helps us English with all things official! To fill in our tax forms. Normally him indoors does them but we have the complication of having sold our English house. It is too easy when dealing with a foreign language to do something wrong. We manage most of the paperwork but feel happier handing this one over!
Early summer is here with the days now much warmer. We no longer need the wood burner in the evenings and it is light until nearly ten pm. I love the softness of this time of year. Beginning to think of getting the shorts out!
We have an egg mountain just now! The chickens are doing well. We are not raising any chicks this year as need to reduce the number. We currently have eleven girls and four boys! The ducks are not doing so well as we have lost most of the girls this year and are left with various breeds of boys. Again I am not doing anything about this as need to restart with a small group. My pair of geese have failed to sit again but that is fine too. We are never going to eat any of the birds, they are here because I enjoy having them around.
The bees are doing well. The swarm I caught are happily settled in the new hive. The two hives are side by side  but the bees go to the right one. Even though the swarm came from hive one! Amazing little creatures. When I last checked the honey was not capped off so am leaving it a few more weeks.
The Elders are just coming into flower so I have stocked up on lemons to make the cordial. I need to make more as it did not last all year.
The Raspberries look like giving a bumper crop as do the blackcurrant. Hoping for lots of fruit for jam and bottling. It will be a busy Autumn!

Monday 8 May 2017

Big sigh of relief!

The French elections are done and the Front National did not win. Phew! It would have made life very difficult for us if they had. As we are not French citizens we are not allowed to vote. The manifesto of the new president looks good but politicians have a habit of promising the moon then forgetting they ever did so. The new president speaks English!
We still do not know what challenges Brexit will bring us but we are feeling more settled already.
Sadly I lost another duck this week. A female again. It is time to sort out the ducks. I need to find more females. Or maybe a new group. The boys seem happy and stay in a tight group.
Tomorrow I will extract some honey from the hive. The original hive has 7 full frames of honey. I have to take it now as there is a risk it is from the rape flowers. This will crystallize if not removed. I do not have an extractor so googled it. I will use my colander to do this. I will heat the carving knife to remove the wax caps then drag off the comb into the colander. I will place this over my stewpot to drain. I will then warm the pot and the honey and pour it into a large bowl. Any remaining wax will rise to the top and can then be removed. I can then pot up the honey. I will let you know if this is successful. At some point I need to invest in an extractor.
In September I hope to take more honey from both hives that should give us enough to last until next year. I plan to use the honey to replace most of the sugar I buy in. It is my only non vegan thing and I am comfortable having it as the bees do not die and are not exploited.
Meanwhile the Gite bookings are increasing. We took the decision the change to flexible arrival and departures and set a minimum 4 night stay. This has resulted in more bookings. We are now on 11 weeks. The trend now seems to be to book nearer the arrival date. We are hoping to sell more weeks nearer the time this season.
Gite number two is almost ready. A couple more weeks will see it done. Then onto the final one which has already had a lot completed.
A friend came over last week with his mini digger and did the groundwork for our pΓ©tanque court. Work is now progressing on that. It is another area of the garden that has been cleared of brambles. The idea is for guests and us to have games. In September all three Gites are booked for three couples. I am sure they will enjoy a game. Eventually when the bread oven barn is renovated into a little pub it will be a social area.
It really feels like our dream is coming together now.

Tuesday 2 May 2017

Life 🌈🌨🌞

Sometimes the sun shines sometimes it rains and sometimes we have rainbows when the two come together. Bit like life really.
We had a last minute booking for a week and they arrived this evening. This flexible booking seems to be the answer for now.
I managed to break a tooth which I know will have to be removed. Being someone who has a fear of the dentist and as it did not hurt I shelved it! This bank holiday weekend I paid the price. Today after much chasing around I have started on a strong dose of Amoxicillin for an abscess. It also brought to light that my carte vitale does not work! This is the healthcare card that holds all your details and allows you to be treated for minimal cost. It also allows for reimbursements. The doctor joked that it is because I have not used it for nearly two years. We now have to start the battle to get a new one! The doctor did mention that because I have two siblings with type 1 diabetes I should be having regular blood tests. I have kept away from this but think maybe I should have it done to stop my carte vitale being blocked again! I now have to make an appointment with the dentist.
Yesterday my little Mrs Mallard went missing. A fox was seen in the area so I am sure that is where she went. The three boys are rather lost, the four of them have been together from eggs. There is not much chance of finding any female Mallards.
I have lost a lot of my veg plants to unexpected frost. I mentioned this on a forum I belong to and a complete stranger has offered me replacements. How lovely is that? Just need to arrange when I pick them up.
Hopefully the Frosty weather is behind us and I can really get going with the veg.
A few days ago a friend with a holiday home nearby came over with a mini digger and prepared the pentanque court. We now have the basis to create the court. We took him round a case of wine!
We are getting there slowly.
The bee hives seem happy. Busy coming and going. Next sunny day I need to have another look. Make sure eggs are being laid. We are going to have to take some honey off soon there is so much already. I will have to get the help of my mentor for that as I do not have the gear yet.
Summer is just around the corner!

Monday 24 April 2017

🐝

First my apologies, for some reason the add a photo is not working. Probably due to me!
This morning I checked the hive. 6 of the 10 frames in the super are filled with honey with a seventh frame started. I tried to check the brood box for signs of a new queen but it was so busy I could not lift a frame out. There were signs of a swarm starting but they did a practice run yesterday so I thought it was the same thing. I have never dealt with a swarm before!
A couple of hours later my son in law called me out. The bees had swarmed and were hanging in a cone shape in the holly tree. This was too good to be true! So many people told me that bees always swarm to inaccessible places, never play ball! Mine are within easy reach! I assembled all I needed and suited up. I asked him indoors to suit up too as knew I could not do this alone.
I put some frames from the new hive brood box into the nuc box ready to take the swarm. Then him indoors held the branch while I cut it and we tried to get the bees in the box. Quite a few went in but the majority headed back up to the tree so I knew I had not caught the queen. Second attempt most of the bees went in the box. The queen was in there! I have kept an eye on things and a few bees are buzzing about but most are in the box. They are already working on the foundation wax and I guess the queen is already laying eggs. They seem happy. Once the sun lessens I will check for any stragglers then close the box. My plan is that as it becomes dusk I will move the frames into the brood box of the new hive. Then I will seal the door for the night. In the morning I hope it will be business as usual with two hives!
The original hive is happy, with normal behavior of bees gathering pollen. I would guess that they had already raised a new queen which is why they swarmed.
I cannot believe it was so easy but am grateful it was as this is my first time dealing with a swarm.
As with most things it was nothing like I had read being in fact much easier.
I love bee keeping!

Saturday 22 April 2017

πŸ“πŸ₯’πŸ†πŸ…πŸŒΆπŸ

Whew! Marathon effort this week! Polytunnel is up and planted and three raised beds have been thoroughly weeded and planted. It is major effort to do the daily watering as I have  to get from the kitchen and carry it to the veg garden. The watering is very important in the early days whilst everything is growing roots and shoots. I have a big greenhouse frame that we found free in England years ago. Some of the glass was broken brining it over and is nigh on impossible to find here. We put down a concrete slab for it to stand on and there is where it has say for years! The plan now is to turn it into a large shed. I will put a potting bench in and store the tools in it needed to care for the veg patch. We need to decide what we will use for the roof and walls. I favor a tin roof but not sure what to use for the walls. I need to do some research. It would be good if we could upcycle something but it needs to be inexpensive if we buy something. It need to be strong enough to take guttering as I want to put a water butt on each corner. This will mean I have access to water on site added to which it is good to collect free rain water! Talking of which we have had nothing for weeks. Just when I most need help with watering the veg
I am keeping a close eye on the bees expecting them to swarm any day. The second hive is ready and waiting. I think this next week one sunny day I will check the current hive again as I think they may need another super putting on. It is possible we could take an early crop of honey.
All the roses I have planted are growing fast! My rambler round the front door already needs tying up! The wisteria across the front of our house is in flower and looks beautiful. The Virginia creeper across the front of the Gites is growing well and the grape vine has lots of tiny grapes!
We put the flea and tick collars on the dogs yesterday. They stay on until autumn. Little Frank had yet another tick which I know hurt when I removed it. Hopefully now with the collars no more will survive. He is small and long haired so picks them up easily and they are difficult to find. I regularly check the outdoor cats too. There are so many different aspects to being self sufficient!
I am working on getting to a cheese making course. It will mean going back to England for it but that is fine. I really want to add this to our make it yourself list but feel I would benefit from a course.  We can source a ready supply of raw cows milk and I still plan to one day have goats. The less I have to buy from the supermarket the better!
As ever lots of plans and ideas.

Tuesday 18 April 2017

In the garden πŸ’£

One of the problems with going organic is weeds! Hence the bomb in my title! I have five raised beds in my potager garden and now have three under control! I am still raking them over daily to remove hidden weeds but feel I am winning. Tomorrow I will dig in the well rotted horse muck I have been given and then the planting can begin.
Today I have planted up my strawberry pot so now have five strawberry plants in situ. They all have some flowers so I was keen to get them out for the bees to do their job. My potatoes and red onions are in and seem to be going well. The blackcurrant cuttings I was given have all taken and have leaves and blossoms already.
I have butternut squash, courgettes, cabbage, cucumbers, peas, runner beans and tomatoes to go out. I hope for good crops this year. For the peas and beans I will make a wire fence that they can climb up. This will be easier to remove in the Autumn and can be reused next year. It is an idea I saw on the internet and have decided to adopt. I will have to stake the tomatoes as they grow to give them support. The squash I plan to put in the tractor tyre planter I have created. This will contain them and enable them to hang over the sides so they will be safe from insects! The courgettes will fill a bed! I use lots of these for chutney and now my daughter lives here have to make enough for two households! Our long term plan is to fit out a barn with shelving and put a chest freezer in. This will become our store.  When all the produce comes in I have so many jars of jams, chutneys and bottled things I cannot get them all in the pantry! The freezer will be good for fruit and veg.
I have today finally sorted out the water butt. It has been leaning! Due to a severe lack of rain it was empty enough for me to move. I have dug out the ground under the stand so it now sits straight! It has been annoying me for a while! I would like to increase the water butts, putting guttering on the chicken barn that feeds into a butt and the same on our shed which is up by the veg patch. It is hard work lugging up water daily.
I have planted my new rambling rose against a barn near the bee hives. I would like it to turn the corner around the hives. Another long term project.
I have treated myself to a new book! I know it is all on the web but I rather like to curl up with a book too. This is the one acre garden. I have the Seymour self sufficiency book that is well thumbed but that deals with a minimum of five acres. I only have one. It is made easier as I will not be needing meat. My birds are not for eating! Maybe one day this will have to change but for now I cannot think of eating them! I want more ideas for becoming self sufficient in fruit and veg! I like to have plans laid out.
It has taken a long time but I now feel like I am winning with my productive garden.

Friday 14 April 2017

A reason to celebrate 🍸

Youngest daughter had her second son this morning. At home delivered by his dad! Have been for a cuddle and he is very laid back probably due to the relaxed birth. So pleased all is well.
It always seems to work out as one in and one out. Auntie Elsie died in January ,we now have our new grandson. She knew about this baby and was happy to know. Sadly she didn't get to meet him.
New babies bring such joy and a sense of hope in this awful world. My bigger grandson gave me a lovely hug when I told him I love him. I do not want him to feel left out when there is so much attention on his new brother.
It does not seem so long ago that I was having the babies, the time has gone so fast. I can remember trying to imagine a time like this when my babies would be grown up and it seemed so far away then. All of a sudden I am a grandmother!
I am very fortunate to have my girls living close despite the fact I moved to another country. It is a sad time for my eldest as she cannot have babies. Whilst she has accepted the fact it is still painful. It was lovely she was with her sister when the baby came.
I hope I will be around to see my great grandchildren.

Tuesday 11 April 2017

More 🐝 Talk

Had a road trip today to go to a bee shop! Our bee mentor told us about it!
Had a bit of trouble finding it but that was down to how Him indoors programmed the sat nav. Once we found it we logged it as a favourite. We will be going back.
It was fun sorting out what we wanted in French but the young man was very patient and not bothered by us being English! Always helps.
It was just as well I am now very familiar with a bee hive. We have come away with a complete hive! We also stopped on the way home to buy two blocks to stand it on. It is now all set up and I have sprayed the inside with bee charm! I have to repeat this for eight days to try and attract some of my bees to take up residence. Should they decide to swarm the idea is it encourages them to go in the new house. Time will tell.
We have come away with the catalogue so we can browse at our leisure.
We need to build a heat box for melting the wax so that it can be cleaned for use. This shop also hires out honey extraction kits at a sensible daily rate but it is very far away. There is a chance we may buy a cheaper one ourselves.
The long term plan is we will stay with the two hives as that will give us more than enough honey. We want to use it more in cooking and make mead! When we get to swarming season next year if we manage to collect the swarm we will sell it. That money will then be used to buy more bee keeping things.
I really love having my bees! They are fascinating to watch. They are so busy just now with all the fruit blossom. The trees are buzzing! They often land on me when I am working in the garden but do not sting me.
We have a good friend who first got us interested in bees. He has still not started and is envious of how far we have come. He has a house over here too but has not made the move to live here permanently. In England they live in an apartment. Hopefully we can encourage him now.  I would encourage others to keep 🐝

Monday 10 April 2017

Renewed energy for self sufficiency

Yesterday I had my monthly smallholders meeting. A wonderful talk by a couple we know who are self sufficient in just about everything! Their food bill from supermarkets is very low. They also barter with local farmers for things like wheat.
This has really fired me up! They do have five acres where I only have one but I can do lots more to make my land work! I am almost self sufficient in fruit only buying in bananas and oranges. My plan this year is to be self sufficient in veg! It will mean lots of work preparing the ground because I am determined to stay chemical free.
I will also prepare for taking on two goats. This will give me a supply of milk and cheese. It removes plastic bottles too as milk is the only thing we buy that comes in plastic bottles.
When we first bought this place the plan was to be self sufficient! That has been a bit lost with the Gite business taking the priority. I am moving him indoors away from meat, quietly so he does not notice!
Over the next few months I will plan out what to grow next year and start building up my seed stocks. It is the only way to be sure food is clean. Some of the plug plants bought in have had diseased veg! My window sills are laden with sprouting seeds just now. I very much need the polytunnel so will have to push him indoors to finish it!
Off now to start putting my plan into action!

Saturday 8 April 2017

The new season begins

we have spent the last couple of days scrubbing the Gite to within an inch of its life as the saying goes. First guests of the new season arrive later today and the Gite looks lovely. We made the decision to up our game and now provide miniature toiletries like hotels do. They have a wooden stand that sits on the sink table with a small wrapped soap in a ceramic soap dish. We have also put the paper seal on the toilet to say it has been cleaned. The welcome pack now includes a small pot of jam and a bottle of wine. As this couple have a dog we have put a pot of dog treats in too. We have put together a welcome note to go in the basket that we put the guests names on.
To comply with new government rules we have to ask guests to fill in an extra form giving date and place of birth! This we have to file and keep for six months! It is do with anti terrorism measures. Seems to me this should be gathered at passport control!
Him indoors has just gone to get a baguette for the guests then we are done. All the grass has been cut  and areas tidied up. We try to ensure the first impression is good.
We had another booking for a week in June yesterday so are hopeful things will pick up. Since we moved to flexible dates we have had more bookings. People no longer want to come Saturday to Saturday. Makes it tricky for us to keep tabs but once we have three Gites it will be easier. The aim is to always have at least one Gite occupied.
Heard the first cuckoo this morning so the Swallows should be back soon.
Since we cleared the brambles from our perimeter and discovered a line of trees...they are full of blossom now. I think they are wild cherry. The garden is looking really good. The wisteria is about to bloom and the roses are growing well. The Virginia creeper changes daily and will soon look great.
Things are good just now

Sunday 2 April 2017

The decluttering bug

.....has bitten. I am well and truly hooked! In my previous life, when I worked full time and was climbing the corporate ladder ( how long ago that seems), I had black tie company dinners. Each event I would buy a new outfit, money was abundant then! Over the years I accumulated many posh frocks, fancy shoes and evening bags. All matching of course. Most I only wore once! The shoes were kept in a box with the bag to match. A box for each set! Yesterday I put in the charity bin 17 boxes of almost new shoes and bags and my posh frocks! I have thought about this for ages having spent a lot of money on it all! I had a little go at selling some of it but no takers! Being deep in rural France no one else has need of such things! So they have gone and I feel happy. My previous life was all about shopping and owning! No matter where I live I will never need such fancy outfits again. I have two dresses with jackets that will sit in my wardrobe for any weddings I go to and have kept the shoes that go with them! I have come to the conclusion that I do not need constant new clothes. With my slimmed down wardrobe my new policy is that I will only replace what wears out. I no longer have the money for clothes shopping like I used to do and I no longer need that many clothes! When the time comes to fit out my walk in wardrobe it will be easy to remove what is in there! For now the shelf unit and clothes rail easily hold my stuff!
I will apply this new found skill to other areas of my building site that badly need it!
My remaining challenge is to get him indoors on board as he always thinks things may be needed one day!
It seems to me our modern world encourages us to buy things we do not need. Maybe it is my age but I do not need so many things now! I read on a decluttering blog that if it is not useful, beautiful or loved we should not own it! That is what I am trying to apply now! If I ever have to move house again I will only need a small lorry!

Wednesday 29 March 2017

Into the unknown

So we now start the process of not knowing what is coming. It is fair to say we never know what is around the corner but I had felt living in the first and last house in Normandy would be a permanent thing. We have no mortgage and no debts so had thought it is ours. A few people have talked of Cyprus and how owners were pushed out and the houses given to the Turks. I guess it is a case of anything is possible.
It also depends on who is voted in to run France in June. We could have heavy taxes imposed, it could be difficult for us to go back to the UK to visit. It could also be a lot harder for people to visit us which would impact our business and could render life not viable here. No hard facts just ideas put forward by news papers and news programmes.  So it really is the big unknown!
Today we are having the micro station emptied! Ready for the holiday season....! It is always a challenge for the chap to get his lorry in the right place, it just fits between the big barn and our garden fence! That will generate a pile of paperwork that we have to file against the day someone comes to inspect! I find French paperwork exhausting!
Today, if the sun shines I will do a hive inspection. I need to check the brood box and see if the bees are filling the super yet. I saw a brilliant video on Facebook done by English bee keepers and talking through a hive inspection. It has given me the confidence to go for it. This is not something I will do often as my approach is very hands off. The priority is the bees and their welfare.
My veg seeds are growing well, another month and they can go outside. With all the bramble clearance we uncovered three young plum trees which now have blossom on them. It would be good to add plums to our store! The row of cherry trees are in blossom too! The bees have so much choice.
Did I mention I have been given 36 kilner/parfait jars? Real treasure! I am gradually putting them into use. Just 14 to use now. They are in my pantry ( I am giving them crochet jackets to cheer things up) in my fridge and I use them to freeze things in! Once the elder flowers arrive I will fill several with elder flower cordial to give us cold drinks until the black currants are ready. I still have some rosehip syrup bridging the gap until the elder flowers! This week my shopping bill was €28! Not bad going! The dog kibble I buy every other month due to the amount of homemade food they have. We have masses of eggs at the moment so three times a week they have scrambled eggs for breakfast. They sit watching me whilst I prepare it and wait for it to cool! Today I will make a batch of treat biscuits for them. I am doing quite well at reducing costs. It means more work for me but that is ok! It is also removing chemicals from our lives!
We have come a long way with self sufficiency and I have learned many new skills. I am sure that if we did have to go back to the U.K. I would continue in this way. Even with a small garden I would keep bees and a couple of chickens. Veg can be grown in small places.
For now I will keep improving what we do and enjoy caring for my animals. It is still peaceful at the first and last house in Normandy.

Friday 24 March 2017

The busy time begins

We have recovered from the shock of the fire and everyone is fine so will say no more about it!
Gardening has begun! All the barrels are now planted and we have put flower pots in the old hay cart with trailing lobelia that will hang over the edges. Should look lovely. I have started digging over the veg plot and have planted seeds in old cardboard egg boxes that are on the window sill of the cloakroom. The cabbage seeds I planted a week ago have sprouted! Today I have planted courgettes, cucumber and butter nut squash. I plan to buy plug plants of leeks, lettuce and tomatoes.
If my polytunnel ever gets finished I will put chilies and aubergines in there!
The black currant cuttings I was given have all taken and are starting to leaf. My second damson tree is just coming into blossom and with the bees in the garden now we should get a bumper crop! This year I want to bottle and freeze enough to get us through winter. If I have space I will also plant peas but this year I will soak them first as this will stop the mice eating them before they can grow!
We are all busy planting flowers too as we want colour! As this place started life as a farm few flowers have ever been planted. I have loads of snow drops and violets that have self seeded. The orchard soon will be covered in clover which is great for the bees. They are so busy now bringing in loads of pollen!
Tomorrow the clocks go forward an hour so it will be lighter in the evenings. This is good as it means more can be done. I will get some time in after dinner which is the only way to get on top of things!
In a few weeks our first guests of the year arrive. Bookings are still light but we hope to get a few more soon!
The second Gite is nearly ready then it will be finish off the third one and on to our house! The end is in sight!

Monday 20 March 2017

Did not see this one coming!

last Friday we had the chimney in our lounge swept. We are waiting for the certificate to arrive.
We have just had a chimney fire!
I was washing up in the kitchen and heard a roaring. We knew immediately what it was so I phoned the pompiers ( French πŸš’)  the lady I spoke to was very calm and coped with my French! As it happened one of the pompiers was our neighbours son from the next farm! The house was full of smoke upstairs and down. The muck had fallen onto the plate in the flue and ignited.
The pompiers were great and very efficient.
I put the three cats in my mini and the two dogs in the Rav to keep them safely out of the way.
Tomorrow we have to find someone to repair our wood burner. We probably need a new liner and flue.
I hope to never experience that again!
Makes a change from calling an ambulance for him indoors!

Sunday 19 March 2017

Our Gite business will grow this year

Thought I would tell a bit about our Gite business and our future plans.
When we bought this place we had no thought of running a Gite business. Our plan was to renovate our house and be retired. When we first moved here England covered our health care as we had paid into the system right up until we left. They gave us two years after which the plan was to enter the French health system. Unfortunately the French government decided to change the rules and we had to work to get the cover. Without a good command of the language we had no hope of gaining employment here other than in the chicken factory....that was never going to happen! So we looked at one of our barns and decided to turn it into Gites! We had the pot of money to renovate our house so used it to build the Gites. After lots of research we came to the conclusion that three two person Gites was the way to go. We signed up for a business regime which gave us health cover and had two years to start earning money and pay into the system. And so Le Tertre Rouge was born!
La Jonquille is almost ready and will be on board for the summer season. Le Beau Champs will come on board hopefully by August.
With the Gites just about there we are now looking at developing our business further. In particular we are doing lots of research on marketing. We have decided to upgrade and will provide a better welcome pack and good toiletries in the bathroom. We will also raise our prices a bit. We think we are priced too low and that couples are willing to pay a bit more for a quality product!
We have other ideas for making this a place to choose but it will take time to put things in place. 
The hardest part of this had been regarding this as a business not just our home! We are learning!

Monday 13 March 2017

Buzz buzz 🐝

We have had a few much warmer days and my bees have been very busy. They are out and about again and coming home with very full pockets. I needed to check the situation with the fondant I put on in January so one warm afternoon I togged up and opened the hive. Loads of bees I'm pleased to report so they have survived the winter. The fondant had almost gone but the bag was full of bees so I  left it on top of the hive. I did not open the brood box as it is obvious the queen is ok by the behavior of the bees. I have now put the first super on ready to be loaded with honey. We are now starting to look for a second hive in preparation for the swarming season.
As part of developing my wildlife area I am going to construct a bug hotel. I have a large wooden container the roof tiles came in which I will put near the pond. I will then gradually build all the different habitats inside this. It will interesting to see who moves in!
I have treated myself to two rambling roses. I have bought David Austin scented white roses. This is my favourite brand. I now need to construct an arch over our front gate for them to scramble up. I then plan to buy some pots of heather, purple and white to line the fence at the back of my house. I very much want to get some colour into our garden and also help the bees. It has to be done in stages due to the cost.
I was given loads of blackcurrant cuttings that I planted. They all seem to have taken and are budding. I am very pleased about this as I want to make blackcurrant cordial to go with the elder flower cordial I make each year. Soon I will go to the garden center and look for more soft fruit. I would love to find some gooseberries. Also red currants. I hope my quince tree comes good this year. We also have some new plum trees we hope will fruit. The big damson tree in the corner of my veg plot is thick with blossom. With my bees in place I hope for a good lot of fruit from that too. That will be jam....mmmmm damson jam! I plan to grow loads of tomatoes this year too as I make it into passata which I freeze. This is used for pasta sauces and soups through winter. I am hoping to get a couple of old tractor tyres to plant potatoes in. They can sit in the veg patch. I have not been able to change around the veg patch so will have another year of the potager garden. I will be out there soon digging over the beds. I need to get the onion sets in soon.
The warmer weather brings work but I enjoy doing this. It reduces my shopping bill and gives us a taste of summer during the long winter months. My veg garden is organic as is my land. No chemicals are allowed! Means a lot of weeding but better that than use chemicals. The only weed killer I use is white vinegar.
Life feels much better today. Him indoors is over the worst although still not sleeping properly. He is off all medication now. Next session of Physio is booked as is another appointment with the surgeon, hopefully the last one.
Tomorrow we are sorting out a mini digger to create the petang court! We are all excited about finally getting this done. Next year our little pub will be created and we will start making beer and mead!
Everything is back on track again and with the arrival of spring we are all much happier.

Thursday 9 March 2017

Had to put my nurses hat back on

We made the horrific discovery last weekend that what I thought was a cold was actually withdrawal from tramadol. Him indoors is very bad, like a drug addict going cold turkey. His sleep patterns are disrupted and he has had several emotional crises.
When he went to the doctor because he was not sleeping post op I can only think it was a misunderstanding due to the language. He was given tramadol which I now know to be an opiate. At no point were we warned about how addictive it is. I have been out of nursing for around 15 years now so did not know the drug. With hindsight I should have asked questions and looked it up. No good going there now as I have my work cut out trying to help him through this. I am currently sleeping in the spare room so he does not have to worry about waking me up. After one all night vigil I am happy to do this.
I have spent years removing chemicals from our lives, firmly believing they are bad. This drug has undone all I have achieved by poisoning him indoors. I am very angry about it.
We are taking things very slowly. He has no appetite and no energy. I am managing to get him to have small amounts and do a short daily walk. I have removed all the tramadol from our house and tomorrow will take it to the chemist for disposal,
This will take a long time and yet again puts a big burden on me!
Thank goodness Spring is not far away which improves everyone's mood.
Yet again big business profits come before what is best for people. What it has done for me is to make me with draw even more from all big business. If I don't make it we don't have it!

Sunday 5 March 2017

A week of hospital visits

not an easy week this last one.
Last Tuesday we had to go to a poly clinic an hour away for him indoors to have a scintigraph...bone scan in English. We found it easily enough! We arrived in the department 1/4 of hour early and checked in. Within minutes him indoors was called. First an interview with the doctor who amazingly spoke English and even more amazingly was happy to use it. Then he went into the scanning room. I settled down with my crochet. There was no one else in the waiting room and it was very quiet. I could along the corridor to the waiting area for cardiology. An older couple were sat facing me and just sat and stared. No smile! Maybe they had never seen crochet before. After an hour Him indoors came back and we were told we could go but be back for 2.50. He had been injected with a nuclear substance and had had the soft tissue scanned. It would take a couple of hours for the radium to get to his bones. We went to a big DIY place to get some bits we needed then found some lunch. Before going back to the clinic. Again no waiting. After the second scan we waited about ten minutes then him indoors went to see the doctor again. It was confirmed him indoors has algodystrophy from his left elbow up to his left shoulder. This has been caused by the injury, surgery and being in plaster so long. It will take up to a year to recover and for a minority it never gets better. All that can be done is Physio and pain killers. It has caused decalcification of the bone which causes chronic pain. We left with the scans on a disc and a diagnosis.
Then on Friday we had to go to another hospital, an hour away in the opposite direction for an X-ray. We were to go back on Saturday morning at 9am for an MRI to the same place so were  told the X-rays would be given to the MRI department. Again I took my crochet to do whilst he was being scanned! He found this one uncomfortable as he had to have his left arm above his head and The MRI scanner is a tunnel with little room for someone just over six foot! This just confirmed the diagnosis we were given on a Tuesday. Again we left with the films and a diagnosis. The health service here is fantastic!
Tomorrow he sees our GP with all the pictures, letters and other paperwork. Then we have to go back to see the surgeon again with all the pictures, letters and paperwork. Here we keep all the X-rays. It is all held on the health service computer system but you are expected to bring them to any future appointments to do with this problem!
Yesterday him indoors went down with a cold. I reckon it is because he had to get his kit off so many times! I have dosed him up with lemon and honey.
It is hard keeping his moral up, he is suddenly feeling old!
I finished my moorland blanket and gave to my eldest daughter. She had admired it as it was growing! I have now started the cupcake blanket which is very different...the colours are cloud blue, fondant, sherbet.. 15 different lovely colours.
I have finished one of the mug cosies from my little box of crochet, but it was too big for a mug. It is on a parfait jar and looks great. I will make more to go on the other jars that are on a shelf.
The baby blanket is growing but I must get on with that as grandson arrives in about five weeks. I have been gathering a few bits to go in a basket as a gift. My current grandson loves all things orange so I want to make him an orange and white snuggle blanket. I will make him a little basket of things too so he does not feel left out.

Friday 24 February 2017

Things that make me smile...

Mrs Goose has three eggs in her nest. I am hoping yet again that she will hatch some goslings this year. She carefully covers them up each morning before leaving the nest and they are both very protective. I will keep you informed. Only one duck egg so far and no sign of a broody hen. I always hope for fluffy balls but will leave it to them!
My crochet along blanket is almost finished. All 115 stripes are done. Today the final edging part will be published and I will finish the blanket over the next few days. I think I will give it to a friend who needs a hug just now! The next blanket is waiting to be started!
I must get the sewing machine out again soon and finish the cotton skirt. The fabric for my petticoats should arrive today and I want to get those made too. I am beginning to think about warmer weather and cotton skirts and t-shirts! I am trying to reduce my possessions and have decided four skirts and tops , two pairs of shorts and two pairs of jeans will be enough. The jeans will do for all the seasons. As far as possible I will make my clothes. I would prefer to have natural fabrics as part of my bid to ditch plastic.
All the bulbs are showing now..just waiting for some flowers. The snow drops are everywhere and I love to see the white flowers poking through.
Using the weekends for doing our house is working well. My utility room is now framed out and most of the insulation is in. Tomorrow the first fix plumbing and electrics will go in. That really does make me smile. Before long we will start on my kitchen. Exciting times!
I have been given a bundle of blackcurrant sticks. Hopefully they will take as it will top up my jam store and also enable me to make cordial. We all love blackcurrant. I want to increase the fruit we grow so that I can bottle more for winter.
Very soon I will get going on the veg! My wild flower seeds have arrived so I want my mini meadow sorted by the end of March. Lots to look forward to.

Friday 17 February 2017

Spring has sprung

The last few days have begun as thick fog and by lunchtime has turned into blue sky and sunshine. There has been warmth in the sun too. The bees are out and about again and have returned laden with something.  I love meeting them for a chat whilst Inwork in the garden.Lots of snowdrops are coming up which are a joy to see. The flowering cherry has blossom starting. The trees are budding. My camellia trees look ready to burst into colour.
Winter is hard here and always makes us feel we should go back to England and rejoin life. But when the sun shines like today I do not want to go anywhere. We live in such a beautiful area, rolling green fields and small woods where deer and wild boar hide. The birds are singing again, such a lovely sound. Before long I will start planting seeds. Flowers and vegetables. I also think about chicks, ducklings and goslings. The ducks and geese have not started laying eggs yet but should start soon. As always I hope they will all hatch some young this year. They are such a joy to have around, watching them grow.
Today we have almost finished doing the electrics for the other two Gites. It had fought us but apart from the final connection is now there. We also finally took apart the old duck house. A bit more cleaning up to do and then I can prepare the area to become a mini wild flower meadow. This is next to the pond. I am going to make it a wild life area. My bees will love it!
I love this time of year, all fresh and new. It is a feeling to hold onto through the depths of winter.
Gite bookings are still down but we live in hope! We have to make a bigger effort to motivate ourselves to get the remaining  Gites finished. As bookings are virtually non existent we ask ourselves why bother. But we will plod on and eventually all the work will be done!

Monday 13 February 2017

Zero waste

Beginning to think it is impossible whilst living here! I do not create very much rubbish myself having a green Johanna and two compost bins. I upcyle and recycle and do not buy unnecessary things. I have reduced greatly factory made food but cannot remove it altogether. This is where the problem lies. Manufactured food has too much packaging that ends in land fill. I am always searching the Internet for ways to reduce further what I throw away. Most of the ideas come from America who have embraced this concept far more than France has. We have good recycling facilities but no such thing as zero waste shops where you take your own containers for filling. I live in hope it will come but given my rural part has only just started stocking a small range of vegetarian and vegan products, I do not think it will come any time soon.
Work is coming on well. My shell of a utility room is almost framed out. This coming weekend should see that finished. It has been agreed that work will be done on our house at weekends. It means it moves very slowly but at least it is going forward.
I am on a mission to simplify further and thin out possessions. We have far too much. I read a very good piece about decluttering that stated ' you do not need to keep grandmas thimble to remember when she mended your trousers '. I am applying that to many things now. It concerns me that if I were  to keel over I would leave a lot for my children to sort through. I do not want that to happen. I will try selling some things to add to my savings, some will go in the charity bins and some will be thrown. I do not want to put things in land fill but may have to for the last time. In future I will think carefully about what I buy. The rule will be if something comes in something will have to go out!
I have done a lot of soul searching about becoming vegan. I have listened to all that others think on both sides of the arguement and have decided it is important to me to be vegan. I will not use weird ingredients like liquid smoke but will make things myself using real ingredients. I know I will settle into it making it easier as time goes on.

Tuesday 7 February 2017

Green and bling are compatible

Well in my life they are! As you know I have been working for some time trying to be 'green'. I have come a long way over the last few years and have totally changed how I live. I have greatly reduced what I buy and what I throw away. Some of it has been easy some difficult but I will not go back to the materialistic life style of a decade ago!
But.......a girl has to have a bit of bling! Starting later this month I will have delivered a small but pretty box each month. It might have a bit of a shine to it but there will be no precious metal or gem stones........I have signed up to a thing called 'Little box of crochet.' Each month the box will contain all I need for a small crochet project. All the wool is ethically sourced which suits me. Included each month is a crochet related free gift. Free is always good. This will be something that is completely frivolous and just for me. It is my version of bling!
I have felt for sometime that I needed something happy in my life. Don't get me wrong, the way of life I have chosen does mostly make me very happy but it involves a great deal of giving. Sometimes the tank needs refilling. This little box will be my fuel that keeps me going. I have not told him indoors yet but I somehow think he will understand. I have a small pension that is for me and I have chosen to use part of it for this new venture.
I will let you know what is in the box when it arrives.
Spring is in the air at last, a few more weeks and it will start properly. The bees are venturing out again but I am not sure what they are finding. I must check soon how much fondant is left. That may need replacing as there is not much around for them now!
My crochet along is coming on but I have not felt the love for this one. I have realized it is because the colours are too sombre. It is based on the Yorkshire moors and starts with lots of brown and green, I am currently on the heather which has more purple and violet. The last stage is the sky which I long to be as there are some lovely blues involved! I am currently behind with it, being on stripe 58 when this week I should be doing 81-100. I will get there though as I do not like to abandon a project.

Friday 3 February 2017

Just sometimes....πŸ€”

Just before it was light this morning a tractor pulled up at the top of our drive with head lights on shining into our house. Morning all! Hadn't planned on such an early start today but no choice. The dogs were barking and him indoors was still asleep. As soon as the sun started rising and a bit of light was evident the tractor was joined by a digger. They have spent the day digging out new ditches by the side of our access road, and digging up the road itself. This is just one section. We hope this means our access road is going to be resurfaced at last. We have had no notification! It has been difficult getting in and out today especially in my mini as there are large pot holes! As it is Saturday tomorrow I do not know if the road will be repaired before next week. We will probably have a weekend of trying to get in and out without damaging any of our cars.
Then we have been trying to sort out the insurance on the Corvette which runs out this month. We were given a price that is double what it was last year even though is has been off the road all winter and no claims have been made. We started trying to deal with it two weeks ago but the chap who runs the insurance company has declined to respond to any emails, phone calls or visits to the shop. The secretary tells us each time he will call us but he never does. We have now started investigating changing company but to do this, even just for a quote we have to provide full documentation. Copy of driving licence, ownership document, current contract and probably a blood sample too. All we want is a quote! No wonder the French never shop around.
It is always officialdom that makes me want to head for the ferry port. Why does everything have to be so complicated?
When we went for the X-ray yesterday of him indoors painful shoulder they asked for our phone number as they wanted us to complete a questionnaire. Fine, but could we not have it writing as we know we will have no chance understanding it over the phone. It was difficult enough making the appointment for the X-ray! Once home there was a message on the phone, spoken at speed about the questionnaire. We have not bothered returning the call. I really think I do not belong here. I have tried  the Very French shrug but that is not me. I challenge officialdom which they do not like. I ask questions about my options so I can make informed decisions. Apparently I am just meant to accept the 'experts' opinion.
Just as I think maybe I can make it work living here officialdom gets in the way.

Wednesday 1 February 2017

Not a normal sort of day

The yellow blob in the back of this photo is an enormous digger type of machine. It has a giant claw with a big blade at the base. It grips onto trees and cuts and lifts them. Am amazing thing to watch. Today the two fields at the back of us has been cleared. This is all part of land management by the farmer. The stumps are always left so the trees regrow. It will probably take 10 years for them to get to full size again. This is how the wood store is replenished. Most of us around here have wood burners to heat our homes. We buy our wood from the farmer who has had the trees cut down!
We can now see right across the fields which will be lovely when spring and summer are here. From my lounge I can see much more sky. I love watching the big machinery working. There is now a lot of work for our neighbour to get the trees cut up and stacked. One very good thing about this is it is now not possible for a fox to sneak in!
This morning I went shopping. First to a clothes shop I like as I needed new jeans. Apart from being tatty mine were too big. I have gone back down to a size 12 (UK) which makes me happy. I bought three pairs for €23, pretty good! Then we did the food shopping and found some vegetarian burgers and mince! In over seven years of living here I have never found such things! They are soya based! I have now stocked up my freezer and am feeling very happy. I had heard that quorn was now being sold over here but so far have not found any. Sometimes things work out well here!
Operation my house begins on Saturday when him indoors will start framing out the shell of our untility room. With that done he can put in the electrics and plumbing and I can move the washing machine in there. Closer to getting my kitchen done. Another happy thought!

Saturday 28 January 2017

My positive hat is back in place

This photo was taken last summer just before the bees arrived.they loved the big lavender bushes.
When I look at this picture it reminds why I chose to live here. I have regained control and tied on my positive hat.
The house looks lovely in summer and I really do have roses around the door which cannot be seen here. The roses are white. I also have a beautiful white wisteria that grows across the front.  The main house looks very different from the farmhouse we originally bought. Later this year we will build an open sided porch on the front, a place to leave muddy boots.
Today I have cleared out the shell of the utility room ready for him indoors to frame out and put in the plumbing and electrics. Then we will move the washing machine and dishwasher in there along with my battered old butler sink. Once that is done we can start on my kitchen. The agreement is that one day a week work will be done on our house. It will be slow progress but at least it will be progress.
Our second Gite, la Jonquille is almost done! The downstairs floor tiles are done and grouted. Yesterday we went to Ikea and bought the complete kitchen..and came in under budget which makes me happy. Today him indoors is finishing off the stairs, filling gaps and putting the oak on the steps. Next week the upstairs floors will be finished and the bathroom suite fitted. Exciting times.
In the dead of winter it can be hard to keep the dream alive. Today there is no frost and the frozen ponds and buckets are starting to melt. The ice was so thick on them. There is some blue sky and sun that makes the heart sing. A good to be alive day. It is possible that we are done with the freezing weather! I do hope so.
Lambs are starting to appear in the fields, always a joy to watch! There a few new calves around too.
Before long I will be back in the veg patch where I love to be.
Just need a few more bookings for the Gites!

Friday 27 January 2017

😒

sadly Auntie Elsie died yesterday. She was 101 and 4 months. Amazing to think she was born during world war 1. She saw so many changes in her lifetime but was never phased by anything the modern world brought. Up until she was went into hospital in December she lived at home alone. She did the crossword in the Telegraph every day and was always up to date with the news. I am very sad she has gone but she died peacefully, with no illness. She was just very old! When I last saw her in December she asked me to forgive her if she had ever upset me. She never has and I loved her dearly. I knew she was saying goodbye.
Today her children have started clearing the house ready for selling. It seems indecently quick but I am not surprised given the way they have behaved in her final weeks. It really is the end of an era!
I know I will feel sad for a while and am not sure I can get to the funeral.
Meanwhile I will keep plodding on trying to make my life the way I want it...as green and sustainable  as it can be.

Thursday 26 January 2017

Where did January go?

cannot say I am sorry we are nearly in February. January is an awful month here. Very cold and everyone hibernates. The cows are in the barns and the trees are bare. It is very hard to keep warm just now but I really hope this is our last winter living in a renovation project. I have said it the last six winters so feel I have earned a finished house now.
Back to the doctor with him indoors today. Our new English speaking one which was wonderful. She has asked for our notes from our former GP who has retired. Problem is the new one has not arrived yet and the surgery is shut up!  Him indoors has to have his shoulder xrayed and scanned as he is getting lots of pain. He has been given some strong pain killers that should help him sleep too. I asked the chemist about the new doctor and explained we need our notes ( my French is improving). He said the new chap should arrive in a month or so but if not the retired doctor has to return to give us our notes! Will leave it a few more weeks then ask in the Mairie. They must have access to the surgery. I have told him indoors I want a refund as he seems to have broken too soon!
Changing doctor means we have to inform others...our top insurance company, our Governmental health provider. The details then need changing on our carte vitale ( a card that has details of what we are entitled to for health care). This always get done at the pharmacy. Lots of paperwork in πŸ‡«πŸ‡·             ( France)
I still have wobbles about living here but the longer it goes the more used I am to things. I am no longer scared going into official situations. We saw a bad car crash this week, caused by black ice and were first on the scene. The people were French. We called the emergency services and I stayed with the driver who was unconscious, talking to her constantly. When she came to a bit I apologized for my French which made her smile. We coped with the emergency team managing to explain what had happened. It shook us seeing a car ploughing into a tree but we coped. A few times I have been mistaken for French which makes me smile. I do not think it is ever easy moving to a new country, when the language is different too it is harder.
Once February is over the world will be a better place with slightly longer days and warmer weather. Then it will be full steam ahead in the veg patch! That is what I will focus on to help me through this difficult time of year.

Wednesday 18 January 2017

My name is Aly and I am addicted......

to crochet! It is official so I thought it best to own up! I have long been addicted to knitting which will continue but have now added crochet. It is something I have dabbled in over the years. I perefected a lovely baby shawl that I made many times. Shawls are no longer used so I make baby blankets now. I had often looked at patterns but they never made sense. Since finding the blog attic24 I have discovered a world of colour and beauty.  I have finished so far 8 throws, some of which are in my lounge and some have been given as gifts to friends. I have another oddments throw underway, a blanket for my new grandson due in April and of course the crochet along I am doing with Lucy at attic24. I also have a pack of wool and a pattern for another of Lucy's throws whose colours I could not resist! Whilst browsing her site earlier I found a link to a lady who shows how to make socks! Hand knitted socks! Such joy! I am trying to resist the temptation to order sock wool as I have enough to be getting on with. The world is falling apart around me but I am so happy in my world of all things woolen! I have come to realize there is just about nothing I cannot make myself.
I try never to regret things but oh how I wish I had discovered all this when younger. Although I guess I would have had little time for all this whilst bringing up three children and working.
I often curse the internet and the time it uses but it has brought so much too. I have recently done a cull of all I have been involved with, including iPad games. I would rather be making things.
This morning I have done some crochet, made a fruit cake, started the wood burner ( I have now added fire lighting to my list ) and done a quick wash of my beloved mini. A bit difficult in this freezing weather but managed with a mop and bucket! The long term plan is to put guttering on the garage that will feed into a large water butt. We can then attach the Archer to that to hose down our cars. This will control the worst of the mud and can be used by us all.
Since we removed the ducks and geese from the big pond it has settled down nicely and the water is clear. I hope the frogs and toads will return this spring. I want to get it planted out too to attract wildlife. The ducks and geese are happy with the tractor tyre pond and bowls of water to drink.
Life will always be busy here but that is a good thing. It stops me worrying about anything else!

Sunday 15 January 2017

Mud mud glorious (or not) mud

The cold snap has given way to constant rain. The chicken and duck runs are a sea of mud. Another reason to let them out in the hope the runs can recover.
The farmers now have the cows in the barns which means tractors are out daily dumping the much from the barns in the fields. Very good manure I know but it means the local roads are coated in mud. Every time I go out I get muddy! It also means it is walked into the house by both us and the dogs. Long term the plan is to build a porch front and back to house muddy boots.
We lost one of our disabled ducks recently but the more severely disabled one is still going. I have just moved her back with the ducks but do not think she can manage. She can barely walk. The kindest thing to do would be to dispatch her but I cannot do it. Him indoors has said he will deal with it when I am out. We have friends who regularly process birds for the table and have always said they will help if needed. I guess it is time to call on one of them. I cannot bear for any creature to die but know I am not being fair to her. So much for being self sufficient!
The coming week is said to be much colder which will at least harden the mud. The wood burner will be blazing non stop I think. Hopefully it will also kill off the bird flu. Still nothing near me so all the gang are out and about. They need to forage.
Life is always hard in winter and I guess has ever been so! At least we still have plenty of food! A few bees have been venturing out despite the weather. They have the fondant to feed on so not sure what they are doing. Possibly getting water. Before long I will have to think about getting a second hive, ready for the swarming season! I do not want to lose my bees, they are so gentle.
Having a lazy Sunday, nice to do sometimes. I am happy sat by the fire doing my crochet. Sharing the sofa with two dogs and a cat! Think I may have a glass of wine with Sunday dinner!

Wednesday 11 January 2017

Rebel in the camp!

It is now six weeks since my chickens were locked in. During that time I have read lots about bird flu and obeyed the orders. I have also been out and about and have seen no end of chickens, ducks and geese out in fields. I have checked with my vet who confirmed there are no cases of bird flu anywhere near. Meanwhile my poor chickens are miserable. The ducks, in the time they shared the space have reduced the run to a mud bath with no grass left. So after much thought I took the decision ten minutes ago to let the chickens out. They are now happily foraging the way they are meant to. I will not do this every day but just now and then whilst the lockdown continues. Obviously if any bird flu is found within 20 miles they will stay in!
The ducks and geese seem happy with their enclosure and as they tend to fly over the fences into the fields they are staying put! They are also happy in mud!
Work is continuing here slowly. It is very hard to be motivated at this time of year and we are surrounded by a sea of mud! The farmers are daily emptying the cow barns now and dumping the muck on nearby fields. This means endless muddy tractors on the roads that leave a trail of mud behind. Life in rural France is not all roses.
January seems to be passing fairly quickly and we are focusing very much on the end of February when the weather usually improves. I have so much I want to do in the garden but due to rain, fog and freezing temperatures cannot get out there.
The good news is though that I am getting on well with the crochet along. The first week I have to do 20  rows and I am on row 14. The next lot of instructions come on Friday. I do not usually follow patterns so this is a challenge. It is a wave pattern and there are definetly waves there! I have so much wool to make into throws it will keep me busy for months!
I am sorry to say I have drifted a bit from my vegan eating. The cookery books I bought use a lot of weird ingredients I am not happy using. My main focus is to ditch chemicals and it has rather felt like I have increased them! I am mostly sticking to it but am not being strict! I feel no chemicals is more important.
I have recently bought online some organic vegetable, chemical free shampoo and conditioner. It was not very cheap but fits in with what I am trying to achieve. As my makeup is finished I am doing the same with that. I am curently using an organic eye liner! I am still trying to make as much as I can myself. My ideal is to only buy basics from shops, nothing ready made.
I am also sticking to a tight budget in order to be able to save. It is rainy day money but I feel happier knowing I have a bit put by. I will never save as much as I did when working but am happy with this. A simple life all the way!

Saturday 7 January 2017

Life is beginning to return to normal

Saw the surgeon this week who said that him indoors can start gently getting back to work. Another 20 sessions of physio ordered and see him again mid February. Him indoors is now fully driving again which has made a huge difference.
Last Thursday the four of us went to Laval ( a big town an hour away) to see the new Star Wars film in English. They call it version original here. When we bought the tickets the cashier delighted in telling us ( in French) that is was American not English! I bit my tongue and refrained from saying that although it was an American film the language is English. Fortunetly people like him are rare.
Beside the four of us there were four others in the cinema! Daughter took a photo and sent it to friends in England! We then went and found a KFC for dinner. I had a box of chips as there was nothing for me! The others enjoyed it though. Funny thing happened..whilst we were sitting eating, a mouse ran across the floor! I seem to have developed the famous French shrug! We all enjoyed the entire evening, it felt like dipping our toes in the world briefly.
Back at the ranch we have started laying the floor tiles in La Jonquille, the other end Gite. A couple of days should see that floor finished. Then we can go and buy the kitchen...I love trips to Ikea! Will have to make sure I save a bit of money for that. With him indoors driving again he took the trailer to the dump and emptied it. A much needed job. I can now break up the old duck house and get rid of it.
The weather is still very cold and often foggy. Due to no rain though there are no problems with icy roads.
Yesterday I started the crochet along, I have to do twenty rows this week and have done five already. The project is a throw done in the colours of the Yorkshire moors. Very different for me as I usually choose brighter colours. I am enjoying it so far and the more I do the easier it is to remember where I am! I do have rather a pile of unfinished projects just now. They will all be finished at some point!
I have been thinking about our soon to be lounge. The walls will be white and the beams stained dark oak. We will probably put down dark floor tiles as it is more practical living on a farm. We plan to build on porches back and front of the house to deal with muddy welly boots. I now think that I do not want set colours in the lounge. I have several multi coloured throws that give colour. I will have to give some thought to the curtains. I am excited to be finally thinking about a finished room. Not so far away now.
The chickens, ducks and geese are still confined sadly. We lost a duck this week, due I think to stress. I miss having them around the garden. It is much better now we have seperate areas. We now have Cluckingham Palace and Duckingham Palace !
This week we have revamped our website and sent out a mailshot to all previous visitors. We need more bookings this year.
Lots of positive stuff to keep us motivated during winter which is always hard here.

Monday 2 January 2017

Here's hoping all that is good happens in 2017

A quiet start here which is normal for this corner of the world. We are in a frozen wonderland at the moment. Lots of freezing fog which is not good but the trees look amazing. Like Narnia!
The ducks and geese have settled into their new home and seem happy. The white ones still look very muddy though. I am hoping the grass gets to regrow.
So, what will this year bring? Part of me is excited and part nervous. We still have the issues of Brexit  to deal with which is difficult as we have no idea of what to expect. So far bookings on the Gites is slow but we hope that will improve. At least now daughter has a job they are viable. We have our small private pensions that we can manage on if we are very careful. We budget just about everything but in planned for things do come up.
This week I need to sort out my glasses as I am not coping too well without my varifocals. I am hoping our top up insurance will pay for a replacement lens and specsavers will send it!
Plans for this year are big but then they always are. I know we will not achieve it all but will give it a go....
1. Finish Gites
2. Finish our house
3. Build duck and goose house
4. Build garden shed
5. Build/finish polytunnel
6. Re design veg patch to increase production.
I will keep you posted as to how we do!
It is always good to plan but important to not view as a failure if not all is completed. Life often gets in the way.
This week we have the hospital appointment with the surgeon regarding the arm of him indoors, phoned this morning to book the translator as know now the surgeon will not help.
Also have to take Bruno back to the vet to see how the infection is...I think it has cleared. Then physio restarts for him indoors and suddenly the first week of this year is over. So it goes!