Beautiful find!

We had a visit from a neighbour who was walking along the track at the side of our property telling us that she'd spotted a rare orchid in all the long grass to the side of the track. Having cut back the grass to reveal 6 or 7 of the plants, from a distance they don't look very special but take a closer look (picture below) and it is amazing the detail in the decoration. Looking on the internet we're pretty sure it's a Lizard Orchid.
Nice pic by the way Philippa! 

Summer on the way!

Where is the time going?! Two months has passed since my last post and look at the difference, we're into spring in a big way now, the wisteria is in full bloom, the daffodils have been and gone plus the swallows returned to their nesting positions in the barn right on cue nearly 2 weeks ago!
We've been very busy in the garden, spring cleaning the gites, still plenty to do plus guests are already coming to stay with us....must get on!

A little cold!

Woke up to a beautiful cold crisp morning yesterday so had to put on the thick coat and get out to take the above view looking from the front of our property toward the Moustier bridge and Le Ruth behind. At -3 degrees it was a bit 'parky' but well worth the effort!

This morning it's all changed back to cloud and rain, getting better by the weekend thankfully.

Ancient window display.

Wandering around the little back streets and alley ways last week in Sarlat I spotted this very nice window in one of the shops built into the ancient buildings that date back to the 14th century. Of particular interest to me as it was displaying many of the artisan beers made in and around the town, most of which I've sampled, current favourite being the Perigord 24 brewery that make at least 5 different styles of beer.

Also found this pic of the truffles on sale (see previous post) which will give you a good idea of the cost of each unit of the delicacy, click on the image for a bigger view of the pic, they're very expensive!!

2019 Fete de la Truffe

We went to Sarlat yesterday to experience for the first time the annual weekend festival of the Truffle The main square of the town was full of people selling the delicacy as well as many other stalls preparing and cooking many different dishes to buy and try!

Example below, a sliver of truffle on a slice of foie gras on a small piece of toasted baguette, it was very nice but must say the taste of the truffle is extremely subtle but well worth the try!

Another tasting in the pot below was best described as very runny scrambled egg served in a small cup with truffle shavings added on top, very nice!

Think we shall return next year and do as the french do, buy a bottle of nice red wine and go from stall to stall and sample a lot more in a longer period of time.

Better late than never!

A very happy new year to all our blog followers!
We're back in France at Les Granges now after a 3 week tour of the UK visiting our families over the festive and new year period and not a flake of snow to be seen at any point of our journey!
Fortunately enough for us, there's no sign here in the Dordogne (at the moment) of the incredible snow falls that have hit europe over the last few days to the east of us, although there has been snow forecast for us in the next few days, camera at the ready if it does!!
We're really looking forward to 2019 and once again greeting new and returning guests to our little part of this beautiful area of France.
Cheers!

Guardian squirrel

Spotted from our kitchen window on a very wet and misty morning last week, our resident red squirrels have been busy gathering as many walnuts as they can find and hiding them all over the place.
One of them, seen above on the Roque Terrace gite roof, was observing for over 5 minutes it's partner on the ground almost looking as though he or she was overseeing the work in progress!
Below, yet another spectacular sunset as the nights really are getting on cold side now, well it is nearly Christmas!