Well, we've been here three years now, how did that happen?!
We've come a long way with many changes to the fabric of the building, the business and ourselves along the way. For a round up of those changes - they're all documented on this blog somewhere, have a trawl back through, I can't pick out highlights because that's what I think I publish here anyway - I save you from the mundane and the boring bits (I hope!).
Right then, what's happened in the life of Vue de Duras since the beginning of August......
We've had all sorts of weather..
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| Calm and clear, perfect for hot air balloon |
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| Stormy and beautiful |
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| The beginning of misty mornings |
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| Incredible - but short-lived rain |
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| and more rain! |
Then a late summer heatwave which coincided with Tom's visit along with his friends
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| Sorry Adam and Genevieve, you'd already gone! |
We ate and drank well....
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| Simple chilli for night one - the evening was a bit 'chilli' too |
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| Table for 14 at Famille Moutier - 6 courses, with a different wine for each one, all for 35 euros |
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| The cheese board at Moutier's |
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| Mmmm...lovely barbeque |
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| Sunday dinner, slow cooked lamb and all the trimmings |
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| Wine tasting by moonlight! |
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| More wine tasting this time at the Fete de Vignerons at the Chateau in Duras in August |
All this eating and drinking has to be balanced by exercise!
Tom and friends...
.....other guests.....
Diemut's, before breakfast yoga
and Paul's kettle ball
Even Hugh and I, on a short 'almost end of season' break in Arcachon
..whatever the weather..
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| obviously not as cold as it looks! |
With winter coming on we were grateful for help with stacking the first log delivery - thank you chaps!
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| excellent job! |
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| some are built for hard work....... |
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| the team, job done! |
Over the summer we enjoyed nights out at the night markets and the medieval fairs - this one at Monteton
We managed a couple of days out, this one down on the Canal de Garonne at Lagruère
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| Lovely spot for lunch |
We've had visits from friends,
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| Sue, Sean, Kate and Emma, passing through going south, then heading north again! |
Barbara and Jonathan and Nick Berg came for a short break - the Vue de Duras 'campsite' sprang into action again
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| At the night market in Duras with Jonathan |
Mark, on his annual trip to trim the palm trees
and camp..
And family too. David and Nicki came for a week, not so lucky with the weather this time and David managed to avoid the camera completely! Nicki did a quick reupholstery job on the furniture on the gite terrace (I've almost finished Nic!)
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| before and after |
More photo's from a relaxing break in Arcachon
Coffee with a view...
and mussels for lunch..
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| Time to sit and think |
We have just returned from Paris, another short break to see Fleetwood Mac, who were just brilliant!
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| The best photo I could manage on my old style phone! |
A bit damp, but lovely nonetheless..
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| bridge of locks |
and then in Versailles..
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| the hall of mirrors |
The wine harvest is now in....
although apparently not a good vintage, the spring was too cold.
The logs are stacked ready for the cold weather (see above for the help in stacking them so beautifully).
And as usual a little round-up of the wildlife spotted...
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| Rhinoceros Beetle |
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| glow worm in the dark |
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| and with a light shining on it |
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| Gatekeeper butterfly |
A busy couple of months when you look at it like that! And back to the day three years ago that started it all....
