Free-bees!

 A nice problem to have after all the news about bees and their reported decline recently, ever since we purchased Les Granges there's been a bees nest in the main house chimney but  a couple of days ago something must have upset them and they swarmed out of the chimney and relocated themselves to a tree branch at the front of the property. After a bit of research this was a sign that they were on the look out for a new 'home' so were a bit concerned, we called a local bee keeper from Montignac who came and cleared them to add to his collection of 30 hives. He told us in the small picture above there was at least 10,000 bees and it was very rare for this to happen so late in the year. At least they will be looked after now and will carry on producing the ever popular honey from this area.

Autumn watch!

Just watched autumnwatch on BBC this evening and want to let all interested know that this evening we had the first 'fly-over' of geese migrating south for winter, hundreds of geese in one 'v' formation, no picture captured as it was about 7pm our time but an amazing sight especially as it's very much earlier this year than last....pictures hopefully tomorrow if more waves come over.

UPDATE Sunday 16/10/11 - apparently they were Cranes not geese that flew over!

Autumn is here!

All of a sudden, the mornings have changed, fresh (another word for cold!), mist covering the valley, followed by clear blue skys during the day which is warm enough to still sit outside for meals. we went for a walk a few days ago and the footpaths were covered with sweet chestnuts, collecting half a carrier bag full of the nuts they're now drying with the walnuts in the daytime sun ready for the first open fire that can't be that far away!

A couple of very nice knockers...

 ....door knockers that is, photographed during our last trip to Sarlat a few days ago. As you can see from the wood of the doors that they are mounted on they are very old and both very heavy, cast iron moulded pieces, i'll have to keep my eyes open for any more unusual examples on my future trips!

Local insects!

Spotted yesterday, this little (ok, not so little) preying mantis on the wood gazebo next to the gite swimming pool, about 4 inches long he (or she) posed very well. Must do a bit more research on the internet to see exactly what they feed on!