Beginning to get the benefits...

We are beginning to see our wintered geraniums coming into bloom just a shame we cannot allow guests to enjoy them here at the cottage.

Creeping back to 'normality'

It was good to see the village had been out cutting the grass along the river  here in Barrou on our 'freedom walk', getting things a little like 'back to normal'. 

  

In spite of our current situation it is always good to return to our  'place of confinement'.

Things that make confinement a little easier - nature

My favourite rose at the moment in the courtyard of the cottage

Things that make confinement a little easier

The wall rose at the Old Walnut Mill

A better day...

I had to do the 'big shop' yesterday which meant going over to Intermarche in Yzeures-sur-Creuse. Thanks to advice from a friend we had done our shopping on-line so I was just going to pick up, which made for a slightly less stressful experience. There was one little hiccup however, you had to pay by cheque or cash which I thought they were discouraging - a bit confused, I had to go along to the bank and lift cash before returning to the store and a very helpful store lady. As suspected we did not get all we asked for and there was a little confusion over one item but was so much better than trailing around the store. What made the experience even better was the fact that Bricomarche was open...joy of joys! Managed to pick up some items to allow for the progress of more little projects!

Later we took our 'freedom walk' around the village and as we passed one of our neighbour's garden we caught the scent of this beautiful rose bush. I had to go back and take a pic...can you smell it?

Ah now I hear you asking how did they get in the vase? When I returned to take the photo my neighbour was in the garden so I asked if it was ok to do so. Not only did she say yes but insisted that I should cut a bunch for Pauline and promptly produced a set of secateurs to allow me to do it - how kind ! 

We had spent the afternoon tidying the courtyard of the cottage so ended the day having aperos and dinner alfresco 

So all in all a better day - oh and by the way did I say Brico had re-opened? 😁

From a single rose to this...

From our first rose in the courtyard of the cottage on the 10th of April to this display last night with the setting sun having its effect makes you appreciate what a wonderful thing nature is!

Bon dimanche...

The muguet is out in force in the courtyard of our cottage

What a difference a week makes...

From the first rose last Saturday to this and after last evenings much needed rain will soon be a mass of colour!

Seeing the light...

We brought our geraniums out of hibernation on Sunday and gave them a tidy up and their first glance of sunshine for a long time. We will watch the weather in case of frost but left them out on Sunday night in anticipation of  yesterday's rain. Here in France you will most likely not see pot plants out until around the 15th of May as this is when,as their calendar dictates, there should be little or no chance of frost. We tend to be a bit more flexible and just keep our eyes on the weather. Last year at this time we had them out for our first guests of the season at the cottage and they survived 

Courtyard colour collage...

Colours in our courtyard at the Old Walnut Mill

Everyday's like Sunday...even Saturday

Yesterday in the courtyard of the Old Walnut Mill - only me and the bees

Wind of change...

With the wind picking up here in Southern Touraine our beautiful cherry blossom in the courtyard of our cottage will soon fall like snow and sadly will only have been  seen by us and in images here. 

Blossoming courtyard...

Mock orange and cherry tree blooming in the courtyard at the Old Walnut Mill but no guests to share with...sad times.

More spring colours from our courtyard...

Spring at the Old Walnut Mill

Spring offering us hope for the future..

Spring showing up at the Old Walnut Mill.

Tough year ahead methinks...

Our first three early season bookings for our holiday cottage have all, understandably, cancelled - two from USA and one from Australia...it is going to be a tough old year!

Looking forward to spring and what it will bring - at Chateau de Cheverny

Early guests at our holiday cottage can enjoy a stroll among the beautiful tulip display at Chateau de Cheverny.

November at the Old Walnut Mill

Autumn colours at the 'Old Walnut Mill'

And with Autumn comes the leaves...

Spent yesterday clearing the first batch of leaves from the courtyard of our holiday cottage and putting the courtyard furniture to bed. 

This is always a time of mixed emotions as it means no more guests but also means less work - although we still have plenty of project work to be getting on with, starting with our garden at the rear of the property which has been work-in-progress since we bought the place! Pauline made a good start to cleaning out the potager yesterday but its abig job keeping on top of it.

That said...Autumn does dress bring its dressings.

All the way from Jackson Hole...

Welcomed returning guests from Jackson Hole in Wyoming USA yesterday. They had previously stayed in Le Bourg back in 2107 but as its for sale and they wanted to return to Barrou they chose to stay in the Old Walnut Mill which they remembered from their last visit. Great to see them again.