This is so Stupid...but I thought I would put it on anyway.

Just in case you are 'lost in France', remember someone out there does speak English...probably.

The Hidden Dangers of mixing French Rural life with too Much OOH LA LA!

It's important to remember that although life seems idealic here in the French Countryside - there are dangers - especially if you let your guard down!

French Garden Chic!

For the French woman fashion must seem effortless - and this goes for fashion in the garden too...... Makeup is worn to a minimum - perhaps a dash of lipstick - but that is all. Their hair is either cut very short or tied in a chignon.

For clothing the emphasis is on the whole look : a bright traditional apron with wide pockets is usually worn. But remember a French woman has her own individual style and does not like to follow "trends."





She might team a scarf with this ensemble, along with a pair of reliable wellington boots in order to take out the guesswork and compliment the outfit!

Walking in the Charente

Although this blogger's Charente garden lies bang in the middle of the countryside, it is far from boring or lacking in stimulation. Apart from the fantastic views, there are many footpaths meandering through the woods, between tended cognac vineyards and rolling sunflower-covered hillsides.

Having more time on our hands during the winter months we decided to write our own little guide to walking in the Charente, accompanied with many illustrations and hand-drawn maps.

Much history abounds and our researches began 100 million years ago, when a sea covered the Charentes, as evidenced by fossils in the form of shells which are found everywhere. Not far from us, archeologists discovered important finds dating to the Neanderthal period. Footpaths cross routes which were once important Roman roads and cut down into valleys where isolated Romanesque churches stand, for the most part, abandoned.



Amongst the many medieval churches is the Knight's Templar chapel at Cressac, with its world renowned unique frescoes which depict scenes from the crusades as well as St George.


Our book, "Walks & Drives", sets about to reveal some of these hidden charms and history of the countryside and towns of the ancient regions of the Charentes : the Angoumois and Saintonge, including the towns and cities of Aubeterre, Angouleme, Cognac and Saintes. Illustrated with more than 150 pen and ink drawings, it offers a choice of twenty-one different mostly circular walks...all of varying length. Each itinery includes directions along with hand-drawn maps and comment in both FRENCH and ENGLISH.




If you are interested in purchasing a copy you can buy one on Amazon, linked here. Or, if you have any problems, contact me.

Red Red Rose!

As you may have guessed from a previous blog - I just LOVE roses! So here is a rose garden I have knitted onto a tea cosy to enjoy before the real blooms emerge. (The pattern is taken from "Wild Tea Cosies" by Loani Prior)

Seven New Roses for the Garden!

The roses which we ordered in the winter for delivery in the spring arrived yesterday. Subsequently I have been busy getting them in.....not to mention rushing round for more planting compost and manure!

They were delivered by Guillot , a firm which specialises in old roses or 'roses anciennes'. Amongst a huge variety, I chose the rose bush, Hugh Dickson (image source) and



'Queen of Bourbons' :




Other roses ordered included 3 more climbers, and one contemporary rose which they sent as a gift which is highly scented - so I placed it near the house.

I can't believe it, but in total I have THIRTY roses!!!!

Frog Spawn

Okay, here is how the frog spawn looked 3 weeks ago!


And this is how it looks now:




And these are my new summer shoes!