Garden visit and a birthday friend.

Went to see a garden today which had some interesting features.
It was such a hot day that the colours of the roses were singing against the foliage.
I really liked the water fountain.

I met Jill and John there, friends I've known for twenty years who like us live in France now.
They gave me such lovely birthday presents, one of them being the little rabbit who now is sitting with some of the thyme on the front path.
I won't need to worry that he will eat my vegetables !!!

Birthday outing to Suscinio.

I had my birthday on Saturday and we went off to Suscinio, a medieval hunting lodge near the Golfe de Morbihan.
We stopped in a small village called Penvins.
We walked down to the sea and as is normal for me I collected sea shells to bring home. I have never seen so many oyster shells in one place.
In Penvins we found a wonderful restaurant called " La Pergola " - our lunch there was superb.

Then off to Suscinio where I've wanted to go for a long time.
The castle was first built in the 14th century as a hunting lodge by the Dukes of Britany at a time when it was independent of France.
Displayed in the castle are some wonderful 14 and 15 th century tiled floors that were originally in a church adjoining the castle.
The church was destroyed in the 15 th century by fire and the tiles were lay undiscovered until the 1800's.
They are just amazing and I can see that they will be an influence in some new art work.

We had a lovely day with hot sunshine, good food and wonderful things to see.
Also, of course, more seashells and stones which are my reminders of special times.

New treasures.

A busy weekend, singing at concerts on Saturday and Sunday .
This weekend there are music festivals everywhere and our choir sang at our neighbouring villages.

Today I was up early and watering my vegetables at 8.30 am.
Then it was off to a huge troc at Lanvallon, over 600 stalls.
I bought some linen for my bags and two paintings by an artist who comes from Finistere.

Texture and colour.

Working outside today I found this old slate with the lichen.
Like a little painting that nature had made it had to be displayed !

My special door.

On the old door in my kitchen I have put postcards from friends, invitation for private views and small posters from exhibitions.
Especially from one of my favourite places, Ruthin Craft Centre.
They delight me every time I look up from the kitchen table.
New cards come and replace ones that have been up for awhile.
All are then put away safely.

Gill Curry, my dearest friend in the UK, is a regular sender of cards and wonderful letters.
I have them saved in a special bag from all the years we've known each other, quite a collection now.
Friendships and favourite places are special and my door celebrates that every day.

Birthday flowers.

Saturday was a very busy day.

Gardening, baking , singing and finally a party.

I enjoyed walking around the garden and along the lane collecting flowers for a birthday bouquet for a close friend.
I also gave her one of my bags as I knew she really wanted one, it was admired by everyone.

Sunday was sewing more vegetables and then putting in the long bamboo canes for the runner beans. We had lots of lovely sunshine so it was an enjoyable peaceful day.

Today we've had heavy rain which was wonderful for the garden especially the vegetables.

This morning I was working on another bag and Pie decided that one of my baskets was better for her than for my fabrics !!

A quiet day.

Today is a quiet day.

We have had the sad news that Malcolm's mother died in the early hours of this morning.

It is a release for her as she was really not at all well but it's hard for him and his sisters.

I will continue my sewing today, do all that I can to help at this sad time and my darling cats will be here to keep me company and make me smile.

Plant sale and supper at Manoir de Kerledan.

The plant sale went well yesterday and we were very lucky with the weather.

On Saturday night we had the most terrible thunderstorm, I was convinced we'd lost the roof of our old house !!!

It was enjoyable telling people about my plants and explaining were they'd grow best.

I certainly came home with a lot less boxes and a lot less plants.

I will save my earnings for something special.

Last night we went for supper to Manoir de Kerledan.

Penny and Peter, great friends of ours, run the manoir as a chambre d'hote.

It is just such a magical place and Penny certainly has such style with the decor and cooking.

All is a delight.

We enjoyed the company of guests from Lille who were enchanted with Manoir de Kerledan I'm sure they will be back again one day.

A very enjoyable end to a successful day.

Foxgloves.

A wonderful sunny day but last night I could feel my laryngitis making a return so it will be off again to the doctor tomorrow.
Yesterday I worked in the garden and today will be the same.
I have to get all ready for the plant fair on Sunday whilst trying also to keep on top of everything here.
The flowers are just wonderful and I love to have some of my old salt glazed jugs filled with them.
The foxgloves are everywhere, I remember as a child putting the long tube flowers onto my fingers and dancing around the garden.
So today will be a very quiet busy day for me. No singing or dancing around the garden but plenty of small rests to regain energy.

Linen, buttons and bags.

Today we have rain.
Everywhere is very green and the ground is so enjoying the refreshing drink it is having.
All is quiet in the house, the cats are curled up asleep and I have Radio 4 keeping me company.
I enjoy the peace.

Today I am working on my bags.
I have collected fabric for as long as I can remember and wonderful buttons. They are treasures to me.
Two bags made so far, all sewn by hand and now I will start another smaller one.
I have been using old linen torchons that I've picked up at brocantes since living in France, I love their texture and colour.