Happy days!

We've had a lovely week of weather which consequently has made everything spring (sorry for the pun) into life. Temperatures touching 20 degrees has meant not just the appearance of seasonal flowers but the early return of birds to our area. A few Crag Martins, Bullfinches and Black Kites are back plus many of our favourite Black Redstarts are here jostling for territory! All we're waiting for now is our Swallows to return which I'm sure won't be too long.
Following the mass fly over by the Cranes last week we have only seen one more group fly over and that was only a group of 8 or 9, so it looks like that display is over until they fly south in the autumn.

New gates have arrived!

Yesterday saw the arrival of our latest purchase in our continued programme of refurbishment. The old gates that separate the house and gite areas had finally had their day and were consequently burned on a bonfire in the afternoon!  

Made in chestnut wood by the same carpenter, Gerald Delpit of Montignac, who also hand made the superb house front door, they are also made in the traditional local perigordine style. Time now to get on with the next project.....!

Early return of the Cranes.

Yesterday afternoon was amazing, after putting on my last post about our first sighting of Cranes, hundreds if not thousands flew over us on their journey north. Wave after wave kept appearing over Le Roque St Christophe, the noise was incredible. Click on the picture below and you can see them.    

Every now and then, for whatever reason, the formations would break up and circle (picture below) as if no one could decide which way they should be going, until 4 or 5 set off and all the rest followed!

Who's that knocking!

 After hearing a loud knocking noise outside, we discovered the reason why after spotting a Nuthatch on the nest box next to the Roque Terrace gite, hammering away at the entrance to what is normally the box the blue tits nest in. In fact it's even rounded the corners of the dark top lid as you can see on the picture above.
Finally, after many days of work, it has managed to squeeze itself into the box only then to continue its work from inside of the box!

Yesterday we spotted our first mass formation of Cranes heading north after their winter break, which shows spring is definitely very nearly here at last, no picture I'm afraid as I was too late finding the camera!

Business opportunity!

On a very cold misty morning last week on the way to Perigueux I had to stop and take this picture. At this time of year without any leaves on the trees you can always see the masses of mistletoe clumps. Now I seem to remember hearing that last Christmas or maybe even the one before, there was a shortage in the UK of this very festive decoration, maybe this could be a new business opportunity for us, mistletoe&wine.com!

What a view!

As it was a lovely day and we needed a break from current work, we went on a lovely walk yesterday afternoon, from our house along the river and up the valley from Le Ruth, from the footpath (you can see at the bottom of the above picture) we could see a nest in a new clearing so clambered up the steep hillside to get nearer, a mass of sticks & grass made a huge nest so we're guessing it must have been last years base for a pair of buzzards or black kites that we often see in the area. Having got to the nest viewing point we then realised that we could see Les Granges in the distance, a view we've never seen until this clearing had been made.
Only an hour and a half round trip so will be recommending the walk to our customers this year if they're up for it!

For that 'special' day!

We received a very nice letter yesterday from our local Brico (DIY shop), addressed to Philippa, telling us of a special valentines promotion. A very generous offer of 10 euros off if we spend 60 in store during the week before the romantic day. The picture on the letter depicting a loving couple doing some work on that special day, happily drilling with the one you love, lets face it, is certainly different to a gift of flowers or chocolates and possibly a surprise romantic meal out together!
Romance is certainly still alive and kicking here in France.