...a little while later.....

The first of May is a public holiday in France, so we downed-tools today in the tradition of May Day and went in search of lunch at Domaine la Boissiere, Soumensac.......unfortunately so did everyone else! It is another of this area's 'best kept secrets', no English voices to be heard, the rules unclear, but there were definitely no seats to be had, all tables were claimed with cloths and baskets, everyone brings their own 'couverts' then queues up for their bottles of wine, oysters, duck breasts etc - it smelt delicious. No chance of waiting for a table to finish, everyone is there for the duration. Next year......we'll go armed!
We did manage a glass plastic cup of wine from the fountain before we left.

So, no long lunch for us today, I may as well finally update this blog!
We started the year with a break in beautiful Valencia

 Signs of spring followed shortly afterwards, the cranes making way their way back north, painting recommencing and the grass needing to be cut!

Followed by a visit from Nicole and Tom and one of the first vide-greniers of the year.

We tried to increase our exercise with a couple of walks and using out bikes (it didn't last long!)

We had a day or two playing golf...

resulting in broken club for Hugh. It was NOT sabotage, I won fairly!
..before getting down to some preparation for our summer season.

With some help from our lovely friends we have painted the eaves and constructed a pergola to give us some shade and shelter.....

 ..having first repaired the table....

We can't wait ro get a bit more use from the newly shaded terrace.
We have done a spot of wine tasting at the Maison des Vignerons

The next lesson....

 Hugh continues in his quest for the perfect 'Vue de Duras'..

We have been to a couple of music events arranged by 

First a soiree New Orleans with Dale Blade

then Texas Martha and the House of Twang

 While I had a quick trip back to the UK, Hugh went bargain hunting in the rain at a vide-grenier, and found these coffee cups - of which I approve!

Our usual round-up of wildlife

Our new chickens...Lemon Cuckoo Orpintons, Welsummers (which lay the greeny-brown eggs below) and a little brown hen. 

Family news next - Alex (standing next to Noel Gallagher at a recent football match, pictured in the Daily Mirror) announced his engagement to the lovely Sarah. Congratulations, can't wait to buy a new hat! 

..and finally.... our new postcards have arrived....

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June 2012

Another busy month has passed at Vue de Duras. Hugh has settled into his role as Marketing and Infrastructure manager, although the shutters are still not painted! Apparently you can't paint outside when it is raining or too hot, and for the last month there has been no in-between.
Still, the pool is looking great, and has had some use, and it now has some lovely decking down one side.

Our new decking

We have had visits from some more of Hugh's colleagues-

Karen and Gav

One of whom stayed in the 'annexe'....

Vue de Duras 'annexe'

...and following an intensive ladder training course trimmed the dead fronds from our palm trees!

Mark up the palm tree

Guests who are willing to climb ladders and cook delicious meals are always welcome!
We have also had a visit from Alex and the lovely Sarah....

If arriving a couple of weeks before the rest of the family was a ploy to get the best room, it didn't work, as they ended up on the bed settee, as we were full of paying guests. It was lovely to see you both, and we hope you will be back before too long - good luck with the exam Alex.
We have also had a visit from Hugh's long-lost uni friend, Dave, now living in California.

He also had to sleep on the bed settee, but still provided plenty of wine to go with the reminiscences and cooked us a lovely meal! We look forward to seeing him again - next time with wife Beth.
We have been noticing visitors of a different kind in the garden too....

A very large cricket

A dragonfly

A Hummingbird Hawk moth

 We have an abundance of birds nesting. The Black Redstarts featured in the last blog fledged successfully and there are magpies and goldfinches nesting in the tilleul tree as well as the doves.

Fledgeling Black Redstart

We had a fleeting visit from Elodie on Peter, and her friend out for an evening ride.

Despite Hugh's onerous duties, he is still finding time to pursue his photography hobby - although he is keen to point out that he was on his way to the Boulangerie for the breakfast croissants and baguettes when he stopped to take advantage of this lovely sight. 

A view of the Chateau across the hay field.