goose sitting in January

larroque church from the walk down to the lac

Wednesday, my de-brief for the next five days, and my second post as rural house sitter. This time it is at a small holding in Larroque, some ten minutes down the road. Liz has kept pigs, geese, ducks and hens, but these days it is just the geese and hens. There are two pens of geese, six of the twelve are last years youngsters and are kept separate. There are also two cats, one rather elderly called Smudge the other a younger cat called Carime. Last but not least is a very friendly lab type dog called Alice, whom  Milou and i have met many times on our walks around the lac.

We walked around the house inside showing me where various things are housed. After that, around the pens outside, seemed easy enough. 

hen bunks!

On my Thursday arrival in the afternoon, i settled in, looked around tried to figure out how to work various things as the instructions did not seem to be working? including the Internet which took some time to resolve, and a  telly i could not resolve. Not a problem as we do not watch much at home. Only videos and some chosen documentaries to try and improve on our french. I fed the geese with a brew of food that had been soaking in water during the day plus a few old brussels sprouts that i found and then locked both broods in for the night. She has an elderly cat that is trying to acquaint herself with her main house cat Carime but they are not on purring terms. So at the moment Smudge eats her food in the attic and the other one eats in the utility room with Alice. After this i light the log burning fire (the only source of heat) in the lounge, other than a parrafin heater or an oil burning rad. Then i fed myself roast chicken leg and salad, feeling slightly guilty even though the leg did not belong to any of my charges outside.

a few of my brood

However much later that evening, even though the day had been bright and relatively warm the big chicken in me, got the better of me. For a variety of reasons, i called on Marc for rescue and a warm bed. I would get up very early for the next five days, to let the geese and the dog out, and would care for them all throughout the day...but at night ...just too cold.. sadly to stay.

In the morning we left early, i let the young geese who are separated at the back out first and then the older ones at the front...the hens are free to roam. 

morning release for the geese

I let Alice out to caper with Milou whilst i made goose porridge for the evening feed and a cup of tea for Marc and I before bundling both Alice with Milou (a first) into our boot. Alice has adopted parents who like to walk her most days around the lake at three, so today she was getting two walks, but as Marc had to drop me off, and walk Milou it made sense for us too both do it together, i don't think Alice was complaining.

the lake, looking misty and mysterious

pom pom and milou in full flight

quick conversation between the three of them

When we got to the lake that misty morning, all was calm until Pom pom a boisterous and very lovely collie joined us. He loves both the girls so that was not a problem. Halfway round the lake we met somebody with two dogs straining on the leash...pom pom does not like dogs on leads, along with people running, people on bikes, sometimes cars and the odd motorbike. So he decided he did not like what was going on and Alice and Milou joined suit. Five minutes later all under control but the lady with the two dogs on the leash, was not happy.

Later on after Marc had left and well into midday it was warm enough in the sunshine to sit outside with my lunch of smoked salmon and egg salade. This was the pattern for the next few days, but it still turned cold by early evening.

In the afternoon i went for a wander with my camera with Alice in the grounds that surround the house, mountain views superb today, and again a very bright afternoon.

bright beautiful January day, bathed in sunshine as the day went on

here is carime and one of the hens enjoying the same sunny spot 

Later this evening Laura came around for a chat bringing a rather nice Spanish red with her, it was great to see her as always and a nice interlude in an otherwise fairly solitude existence. Marc as always, rescued me at about nine-thirty pm.

i just want to tell you something....

all wandering down for a morning swim

I have observed...that geese have impressive alarm clocks as well as alarm calls, they seem to like routine and know as well being fed and locked up in the evening when the should be let out in the morning. They are already waiting and a tad impatient if i am ten or fifteen minutes late. I was even a little scared of them in the beginning as they would hiss and spit at me when i went into their enclosures to feed them. One of the hens is laying me a daily egg which i have been enjoying with a piece of  smoked salmon and salad for lunch, very kind of them.

This morning when Marc drops me off there is magnificent light on both the landscape and mountains, it can only happen in winter and different every time. This morning i tripped over a dead weasel in the hallway and discovered a dead rat in the swimming pool...not so lovely, disposed of both.

The geese were let out and we went for a walk with Milou, Alice and Pom Pom, the afternoon was foggy and cold. Alice and i decide to venture out on in the afternoon because Klaus and Elvira are not coming today. The fields were covered with hunters with guns and as it was fairly grey and miserable we did not get far before turning back. I had a fire lit for most of the afternoon and well into the evening, still very cold. Even Carime was staring at the fire as if she could not get close enough!

god, is that the best she can manage....not much of a fire?

This evening i hand-scripted a recipe and played around on the computer until Marc rescued me at nine.

I got into a routine, which in a strange house can take a few days, and all of my charge i became very fond of...even the geese

alice and carime bidding a fond farewell

bon fete?

 Happy Christmas to everyone and peace and happiness for 2015

bon fête literally translated from french means good feast.

We hope you have all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the new year ahead. For us we have had another fun filled year in the Pyrenees.

Sadly lots of people we know on both sides of the channel seemed to have developed a Christmas lurgy, but spirits are mountain high and we for one look forward to another exciting adventure in 2015.

I will leave you with some empty plates and a window to our Christmas 2014 in no particular order.

any Christmas packaging keeps her busy, invisible to the dog as well?

gets crowded whilst the missus is making the bed

'i'm still standing, bigger than i ever was' spot the lyrics. Hugo and Orlando protect the tree

and considering all the paws...festive and intact!

master skills in the kitchen for mastery on the plate, moose leg steaks with vegetables

beautiful fresh oysters on boxing day

a beautiful raspberry layered cake from lidls, perfected by Marc

milou in the mountains, nice profile

dreadful traffic on the way to Bagneres??

posing outside our favourite chapel....

....and again, one man and his dog

a beautiful boxing day walk in Puntous

the gru's have arrived

This is early December the cranes whom have always caused much interest, not least by there very loud and almost raucous pre-historic calls, are returning to southern France to over winter by a lake not far from where we live. They can travel in groups of hundreds of birds, given their size, as well as the noise they are bound to attract lots of attention. They travel from Eastern Europe, and enter north eastern France down to the Pyrenees orientales, in south-west France. Often flying further south to Spain, Portugal and Africa and as far down as Thailand and India. In May they make there way back to Sweden and eastern Europe to breed.

The common crane or Eurasian crane (Grus grus) is one of two cranes that preside in Europe, the other being the Demoiselle.

They can actually cover the distance of France corner to corner in a day, that's some energy, bearing in mind that they have quite a body weight to keep up, they are a good deal bigger than our average grey heron.

the flight paths across france

the lake is portioned off, at least a third is for the birds only and a designated nature reserve

after a hot summer the lake is looking somewhat dry, but this is only one small tip

a small gathering of gru's

landing gear on, they are very graceful birds

We now have several new observation points that they have made this summer, in terms of hides and a pretty track from the nearest observation point to the other side of the lake...about a fifteen minute walk and for those that can't or don't want to there is now a brand new car park by the original hide. They attract some serious twitchers for the next few months because they have chosen this lake to overwinter. Probably the least migratory distance and obviously not quite as warm as the tips of Africa.

map showing the where in the world they fly to and from

they are often seen flying in very large groups, or several groups of tight v formations

some aerial displays as they get ready to land

there wingspan can cover 75ins- 96ins wingspan?!

dad's eightieth birthday

I am a little late with my latest entry, so apologies, in fact i have been slipping on the diary front full stop.

I used to wonder where the time disappeared when i worked full time, now my work is occasional 

and very much part time...i still do not know where it goes?

Anyway enough of my meandering, the most important event that happened in November and my first return to the UK for eighteen months, was my father turning eighty and my brother who hit the big five O in September.

Returning to the UK....hmmm, a bit sceptical, looking forward to seeing friends and family, but not looking forward to flying back on my own and leaving Marc and our brood behind.

Marc kindly dropped me at the airport, we put the baggage in hold and then tried to combine computer and case with handbag...no easy task. It is a while since i have flown, then we parted and i was left to my own devices. I wandered around taking in the scenes, maybe not so bad if you have not done it for a while, time went and soon i was on a plane. My little brother (though not is stature) was there to pick me up. He had just arrived after a very torturous journey to get there, i was extremely grateful though the driving did not get any better on the way to Henley.

On arrival, thinking that we would be earlier than we were, dad had booked us into the Maltsters for an evening meal, so we had time to bag drop and dash! the maltsters, rotherfield greys

Later after a very nice meal, we collapsed at home and opened a bottle of red that i had bought with me sat by the fire and chatted, it was way after midnight before the three of us went to bed.

The next morning heralded my dad's big day, although not officially until the eleventh. Mark and i having discussed the night before were dispatched to pick up 'high command' my aunt and my dad's special lady friend, hopefully arriving on the same train at Reading although from different destinations.

All went according to plan, even though we are unable to get hold of them and at this time separate they were ringing each other from the same carriage. Next stop the quince tree in the very pretty village of Stonor. check out their restaurant, cafe and shop 

We were greeted with a glass of prossecco and many faces, most of whom i had grown up with and one or two new ones.

The food was superb and beautifully presented, the staff were also excellent,  attentive but not pushy, and remembered everyone's choices. ie fussy pots like me that do not entertain potatoes!

I was sat next to Bob on my left who moved to the close to the end of years in Henley, but a very good friend of my youngest brother and on my right my home economics teacher from secondary school.

Despite my angst with school, we had a great chat about who she still kept in touch with since retirement and memories of these people came flooding back. 

Below some pics of the venue and party.....

head of the table and of course chief sommelier! 

there were three starters, this is dad's and my favourite......very tasty

After this beautiful scallop starter, i opted for sea bass, also on the menu was steak and a vegetarian option. This i followed a bit skeptically with cheese, this is only because i love all cheese, but i find the cheese of our region ie the Pyrenees hard to beat, indeed other beautiful cheeses throughout France. There was a good and generous choice of cheese with handmade biscuits. The dessert to my left looked very delicious and sure not to disappoint.

the decor was striking, as is the pose struck by my brother Mark and dad's neighbour Chris

at least five different cheese to choose from plus a sumptuous chutney

Mum's sister, Rosemary with dad in con flab!

Jonathan my other brother in heavy collusion with Carol, always a dangerous combo!

....listening to Dad's speech.

I think a good afternoon was had by all and Shona and Rosemary came back to Henley for tea. Mark and i made an exit to meet the rest of his family who had come down to Reading for the weekend.

Joel, my nephew had cunningly landed a room of his own in the premier inn where they were staying

so as a young teen...this was cool. Mark went out with Joel after some banter to get a snack that we could eat in the hotel room, they came back armed with supplies and enough to feed an army.

After conjuring up a plan for Saturday including a meal for dad that we would cook, Mark took me back to dads and returned to Reading.

One of the redeeming features for me, about living in the close is that the house backed onto fields, miles of them. As a keen naturalist inspired by dad it was essential to me..so opening the curtains in the morning to pheasant, field fare, woodpeckers, jays and roe deer ten feet from the house was lovely. However that was my brothers room when i was young, i looked onto the close, but it did not stop me escaping into the fields at every given chance.

I spent an enjoyable next day with dad, joined by Mark and his family, we walked and chatted down by Marsh lock and then after a run round tescos and a snack lunch Beccy and i prepared supper for six.

It was great to spend the day with them, something I probably have not done for a very long time.

Dad enjoyed deep and meaningful conversations with Joel. 

Later they returned to their hotel.

a bit of a grey day, but a pretty part of the Thames

my brother and his daughter Anna, being mischievous?

Anna and Joel looking on...at mark being stupid

 On Sunday, i got to meet up with my gardening mates. Lonn, Kenny and Pauline travelled down to share a pub lunch at the Maltsters, it was really lovely to see them, they also had a torturous drive down!

But it was brilliant to catch up share some gossip, good company and a good laugh. Good food again

the staff were very friendly, especially the landlord...good repartee, could even sort Pauline out!!?

They came back to meet my brother and my dad, and stayed for a cup of tea. While Kenny strutted 

round the garden giving dad some free gardening advice.

I was sorry to see them go....at this point, especially as i had not caught up with Jonathan it made me think that i should have stayed a bit longer.

On Monday dad and i had decided on a walk in the chilterns, Red Kite country (made me feel at home)

we parked up on the edge of Aston Rowant national nature reserve for a walk. Dad wanted to make me back to the quince tree restaurant too look at the shop, to identify some small goodies that we would like to put under the Christmas tree. That really was not too difficult, i settled on some gourmet popping corn and truffle and porcini infused olive oil....thanks dad. After that we had lunch in the adjoining cafe.

Later i cooked us some supper, before retiring relatively early for bed, must have been the fresh chiltern air.

wild juniper bushes are common, here

a mild bright day for the time of year and place

with some pretty good views over the oxford plains

why have i got a red spot on my bum?

all wrapped up and ready to Rumba

On the actual day of Dad's eightieth, he had a hot date for lunch and i was not invited...but i said it was up to him it was his big day. So i thought about how i could make it work for me and after considering a country walk, i thought actually it has been a long time since i perused the shops of Henley. So after acquiring Dad's front door key, i set about a walk down memory lane, or rather valley road up past George Harrisons house and into town. Called into the gallery ex fire station because i saw some pretty 

mountain paintings and it reminded me of home. Anyway i shopped until i dropped, suddenly the entire British contingent, family anyway were covered for Christmas and even Anna bears birthday mid December. I was like the cheshire cat that had swallowed the cream, back home to wrap. Dad and Susan came back from a lovely lunch...we chatted for a while.

Later Mark came to say goodbye as he needed to get back up to Cambridge so i offloaded him with various presents.

Wednesday was a fleeting visit and a very nice lunch with Rosemary, mum's sister. I say fleeting because the journey was long and fraught, what should have been journey of three hours to three and a half hours max there and back, took over six. I was driving dad's car, which was very easy ....but the sheer volume of traffic was not, coupled with bad weather conditions on the way back. sadly for me

made an enjoyable meeting, not so good.

Thursday was my journey home...luckily the taxi to gatwick did not encounter either my mine or my brothers earlier problems. I was sad to leave dad and friends...but could not help the excitement i felt about returning to my new home.

Taxi driver was into dogs and had a very unusual Turkish sheepdog, so we were chatting cheerily all the way. In fact the journey both ways flight wise was pretty painless....maybe because i have not done it for about four years. Before i knew it even the two hours at the airport had flown by, and i was walking down the aisle in the plane. When a person covered his face, he was five rows down same aisle same seat no. "what you doing here' "i might ask the same, quick text Marc not to pick you up" found my seat and duely did as i was told. Geoff is a friend of ours and lives less than ten minutes out of Castelnau. Alas Marc did not get the text, he had his own panics that day, flat tyre no less. So he was there to greet both of us.

happy to be home with my family, as for my quick sojourn to Angleterre i enjoyed catching up with dad, family and friends.

Marc on my return rustling up something for our anniversary, on my return home...in his food lab

eye's on stalks

Milou checking out the bird

Everyday here is beautiful... but today was exceptional for a variety of reasons. Top of the list was because we were joining Chris and Roisin for a walk at Bagneres de Bigorre along a tree-lined stream in the autumnal sunshine, a trip that had been promised for the last month for the four of us.

It is about a twenty minute walk to the marble museum, which is absolutely fantastic, but it opens in the summer season April to September, so sadly it was shut, i would highly recommend a visit, it has many marbles on display from the french Pyrenees and nearby Europe. Staggering amounts of different colours and individual beauty. The museum itself is an old spa and has the original marble baths featured in it's treatment rooms.
The museum features other smaller exhibitions, this time a french naturalist and some beautiful black and white photography of the area as well as a mini exhibit about the bats in the museum and some that you may find locally.

http://www.museesbagneres.fr/index_1111.htm

Meanwhile along the way we were captivated by a stray visitor, or perhaps just a young visitor, on his/her way to much warmer climbs. Either way the stork caused quite a lot of stir that afternoon, i had never seen a black one and the gathering public may not have not seen one either, at least not in France.

They are a protected species as due to de- forestation they have disappeared from many countries in Europe, however it is a migratory bird.

this bird on it's way south caused a lot of excitement

it's a youngster...a black stork wading down the stream

landing on the museum roof

What a marvellous inspiration nature is, from helix to staircase, features and leaves..fabrics of life we look at and other fabrics we weave. William Morris one of billions drew his creativity from what was there in front of him, mostly from natures ornate patterns. Look at the bird and then look at the tiles

are they not interlaced perfectly together...tiles and feathers alike?

posing for the excite onlookers

blase by now?