...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!

We've been on the tv - it's all over!

Such a long time since the last blog - I always seem to start a blog like a confession - forgive me, it has been six weeks since my last blog!
I have been busy - of course - some guests, some decorating, some gardening, much cleaning/tidying/stacking and moving of logs/lighting and cleaning fires etc etc. I've spent a week back in the UK, visiting family and friends and getting my M&S fix!
But mostly it's been a time of waiting and watching the tv to see how we would be portrayed on ITV's 'Little England'.
Well, its over, we've been on the telly, and it wasn't too bad! So, here are some pictures of our film 'crew', back in the early summer. We'd like to say thank you to them for making us look good, for being kind and gentle, for the lovely photography of this very beautiful area of France that we have made our home.
So, Kate and Suzi, Simon and Ashley, and everyone involved in the editing,...Thank you from all of us.

Filming Morgan - the 'chicken whisperer'!

Right....what next?!

Off to the Marie with my dictionary. Note Tom in the background, pretending he's not there!

The chicks are in a box in the car, and we are at Domaine Gourdon!

Ssh!...quick they haven't seen us......!

'Dutch Courage'

Take a break!

'Cheers!'

Nearly done.

After the rain..

Photographing the photographer!

You want me to do what...?!

What did she say?!

Ash in the gite......

and outside.

All finished and ready for guests - and not raining yet!

So. What next at Vue de Duras?

The January edition of Living France (out later this month) has an article about us, just in time for Christmas reading.

Our bookings for the gite are going very well, just one week left in the whole of July and August next summer, how fantastic is that? So if you are thinking of booking a week, do it soon! Go to www.vuededuras.com for availability. 

Christmas is coming, and Hugh will be here for a couple of weeks - I may even let him have a bit of a holiday!
March will see Hugh finally giving up the day job and taking up his new job as full time pool maintenance man/marketing and accounts manager.....
and I may even do a bit of teaching!