Nature watch in France

French wildlife - we were just sitting out on our new veranda last night enjoying a wonderfully warm evening with a bit of food on the barbeque and a nice drop of wine when all of a sudden we spotted a little bundle making its way across the lawn. The bundle turned out to be a baby hedgehog coming out for a few juicy insects. How cute is this:

Look at those little tiny legs and snout!!!
Spot the Dog also spotted the bundle and was with a few sharp words made to stay in his basket. He was a quivering wreck with excitment but stayed put.
I had to get close to the baby hedgehog to take the photo and he just sat there and looked at me. Nature is truly a wonderful thing!

Here is our new veranda - it is just a fantastic place for outdoor living...

A bientot!

Spot the Dog's Life in France

It's me again!

Sorry it has been so long but I have been very busy. I assist with the gardening at La Maison Verte and as you can imagine this is a busy time of year.

I have also just recently been on my holidays in Cornwall. I spent lots of time running around on the beach.

You can spot me there in my blue holiday neckershief...this action shot is quite pleasing.










Here I am in front of St. Michaels Mount...you can see the neckershief better here I think.

















I am very partial to a Cornish Pasty...Berryman's are the best. Lovely juicy chunks of steak...here is a little pasty moment in Marazion...mmmmmmm

I managed to snaffle a squeaky chicken. Here is a good tip to all dogs: if you see a basket on the pavement outside a shop then look inside that basket. If it has rubber chickens in it then grab one quickly before anyone notices. I made the mistake of chewing it and it made an intriguing squaking noise so I was discovered and the fowl had to be paid for. Worked out well! It lasted about 20 minutes before it made its last squak and was ready for the pot! Happy days!

That's it from my Cornish holiday - it was very nice but I am looking forwards to get back to Franze - the sun shines there and I am a sun-bug!!

Woof, woof!!

Producers Markets in Le Dorat

Local Producers Markets in Le Dorat - dates confirmed for 2012!

La Maison Verte is located a few kilometers from a lovely little town called Le Dorat. Every summer they organise a number of evening markets for the local producers to sell their "goodies". It is a great event as everyone seems to flock there and the atmosphere is fantastic! The really nice thing is that you go there not just to shop but also to eat what is on offer. The town sets up a huge bbq area, lots of tables and chairs in the church square (in the sun, of course) and a huge bar selling bottles of local wine at ridiculously low prices. So you simply go and buy what you fancy eating and take it to the bbq area where a lovely Frenchman will cook it to your liking! How great is that? There are lots of stalls selling all sorts of meats, local Limousan beef - sirloin, rump, veal - there are stalls selling marinated magret du canard (duck breast)  - they are huge and delicious! We tried them last summer and we can highly recommend it! Then there is the french fries stall - lovely crispy "frites" cooked in duck fat of course (all part of a calorie controlled diet), salad bars, crepes stalls, ice cream, cheese stalls not to be forgotten.
There is live music to accompany everything and it is a thoroughly nice evening out!
Just what France is all about! Outdoor living, food, families, wine, accordion music - yep, it has it all...

The dates for 2012 are as follows: 28th June, 12th and 26th July and 9th and 23rd August.

Perfect start to a long weekend...

A bientot!

Microlight flights in France

Yet another activity close to La Maison Verte - Microlight flights!

Not so long ago we met up with another English couple here, Dave & Amanda Lord, who run microlight courses from their lovely property about 10 minutes drive from La Maison Verte. They are a super couple and you can look at their website www.wanafly.co.uk and see all the details. They also do leisure flights if you just want to have a lovely experience of going up in a microlight. The birdseye view of the Vienne will be quite spectacular!
Why not plan a surprise weekend for your "other half" - a weekend stay at La Maison Verte where you will be looked after like royalty (how about a romantic supper by the campfire under the oak trees... candles...a bit of bubbly...highly recommended!) and a surprise microlight flight?
We can arrange everything for you - just get yourself here and let the fun begin! (-:
                                                       www.lamaisonvertefrance.com