...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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Weather

In January I had a visit from my three lovely offspring - much anticipated and quickly over! The weather was lovely, just perfect for walking - on one day of the three they were here! The other days were wet or foggy - oh well, you can't have it all - it was lovely to have them all here together.

Ellen, David and Nicole

A beautiful January sunrise.

 Apart from seeing Ellen, David and Nicki, January was long and dull.

February on the other hand has started with the most amazing weather (and frozen pipes and cold draughts!)

I'm told that this sort of weather is very rare, so please excuse all the photos. How beautiful is this place - in any weather! 

Unfortunately the chickens don't agree. They are really disgruntled! They hate putting their feet on the snow, and refused to come out until I had cleared a patch for them. But, they are still laying.

No way!

We're not coming down - and you can't make us...........I did, eventually they had to be lifted off.

You want us to do what?....

We're not stepping on that!

Three days later, and no further snowfall and it still looks like this....

 Temperature hasn't risen above freezing since Saturday, and not forecast to do so for the rest of the week.

Swim anyone?!

 Lovely as it looks......roll on summer!

Whatever happened to August?!

Another month has whizzed by, sorry to those of you who have been badgering me for an update.
So ....what has happened over the past month...? Well, we've had visits from friends...

Phil and Liz

The little Jacksons

Enjoying pony rides in Savignac.

Visits from family....

Susie and .....

Rob....enjoying the pool and the sunshine.....

...together.

Hugh was here for half of August....

..master of all he surveys (he thinks!)

He was very busy......

Trimming the palm trees...

and sticking loose tiles back in the pool.

Some jobs are trickier than others - securing umbrellas for instance!

We have also enjoyed the night markets in Duras, Monsegur and other local villages.

Hugh and Rob....

and Nicole, enjoying Duras night market.

Other visitors have included plenty of paying guests - thank you to everyone who spent a little time with us over the summer. I'm pleased to say that all our guests have been delightful, and we look forward to meeting many of them again.

Other guests, uninvited, but mostly welcome have included...

a heath bee fly - friendlier than it looks, I believe

Hoopoes, that I thought were long gone, but are just not calling any more.

 A partidge, one of a large group that roam through the garden, orchards and vines.

One of the toads enjoying his daytime retreat. They spend their evenings roaming the terrace eating all sorts of bugs.

The roses have been flowering all summer.

The grapes have been ripening.

These are merlot grapes, in the vineyard at the bottom of our garden.

Some pictures of the vendange at Domaine Gourdon. OK, so mostly pictures of everyone having a lovely  lunch provided by Lesley, for everyone who had helped pick, firstly the Sauvignon and then the merlot grapes. 

Just to prove that some work was done!

Coffee time!

This area of France is in the middle of the vendange now, the harvesting of the grapes that make the wonderful wine of the Duras appellation - come and try some!

So, a very busy month and a fantastic first season for the Vue de Duras chambres d'hotes and gite. 

We couldn't have done it - certainly in the style we managed - without Nicole, who has now returned to the UK ready to start her new job next week. So thank you Nicki, for all your hard work, your inspiration, for keeping me going, for feeding me when I didn't want to cook (often!) and just for the unexpected pleasure of your company for the best part of a year. Thank you!

Thank you.

Finally, good luck to both my lovely daughters, who are starting new jobs this week, Nicole, for an interior design company in Worcestershire and Ellen, for the National Trust in Gloucestershire. Enjoy!