Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Feeling good to be back…

We’re busy sorting everything out after a long winter. As I type Tim is power washing the terrace and balcony areas. When this vital posting work is finished I shall go outside to assume the equally important role of directing operations, and, of course, to point out any small areas he might have missed!! As you can imagine, as retirement for both of us becomes a reality, he is really looking forward to having me on hand to assume this role permanently!!  ;o)

A welcome sight…

IMG_8326

IMG_8327 The clematis is blooming.

IMG_8334 Plenty of blossom on the quince tree.

IMG_8337 The palm tree, which we thought we’d lost, in the cold winter a couple of years ago.

Less welcome…

IMG_8328  

IMG_8329 The moles have certainly taken advantage of our absence to take up residence.

Any ideas?

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11 comments:

  1. Jane and Lance Hattatt15 April 2014 at 13:45

    Hello Gaynor:

    We have missed your posts but are delighted to know that all is well and that you are in readiness for your retirement which, we imagine, will come at the end of the Summer Term.

    Moles? Little really to be done but moth balls in the run are said to discourage them. They tend to go elsewhere if you are out and about and probably have become established in the quiet of your absence.

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    1. GaynorB16 April 2014 at 06:28

      Thanks, Jane and Lance.
      Browsing the books on my bookshelf in the UK I came across one by... Lance Hattat! Now I remember why the name seemed familiar.
      Retirement for us both. There is a lot of the world, and life after work waiting for us to enjoy while we can, so we intend to make the most of it!
      I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Rufus Wainright. Was it the music, the performance or both?

      Delete
  2. Tim15 April 2014 at 15:01

    Welcome home...
    would you like half a pumpkin?
    Half a LARGE pumpkin....
    please?

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    1. Tim15 April 2014 at 15:08

      And... as for moles...
      As the Hatatatatts said above, they will probably vanish while you are there...
      but Amelia of "A French Garden" has an answer in her latest blog post...
      "Slow down April"....
      second picture down....

      The other alternative is the Carrott approach...
      dead of night...
      revolving chair...
      middle of lawn...
      torch gaffertaped to the barrel of a shotgun...
      when you hear the scritch-scratch of him working....
      KABOOOOOM!!

      Delete
    2. GaynorB16 April 2014 at 06:29

      Yes please to the pumpkin. We'll pop in with your provisions on the way to the dechetterie.

      Delete
  3. Colin and Elizabeth15 April 2014 at 16:28

    Total rubbish... They do not go when you are around... I speak from experience and more experience... I have concluded that you have to live with them and use the soil they dig up to level the land... HOWEVER, I did buy a sonic machine recently in our favourite shop Lidl... Will do a blog about it later in the week!! Col

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    1. Tim15 April 2014 at 17:16

      Colin...
      they do go...
      but you have to make loud and persistant bangings and hammerings...
      by doing clog dances and the like....
      or invite a team of Morris Dancers in....
      and invite the French neighbours around to watch...
      they might learn that "Country" isn't line dancing!

      I'm sure Braye would enjoy the entertainment....
      the Morris Dancers a good holiday...
      but tell them to bring their own beer....
      and it would be less embarrasing than you and Elizabeth being spotted doing strange things on the lawn!

      Delete
    2. GaynorB16 April 2014 at 06:31

      Colin, we await your post with bated breath... ;o)

      Delete
  4. Janice16 April 2014 at 10:29

    What's a few moles when the world and retirement await ?
    The clematis looks great.....I cant wait to see how our house and garden look after this last 6 months absence. For us, the trip to Caunes in just 12 days time will be the first time we will have planned to be there for a whole 6 months( except for a trip back to the Uk for hospital trip and to see le grand depart in Yorkshire)... we'll actually be there from May to the end of October..... hope our garden looks as good as yours when we get there. I think moles would have problems in our garden, les sangliers would probably frighten them off !
    Enjoy your stay this time.....not long now ! Jx

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  5. GaynorB17 April 2014 at 06:08

    You're right about the moles!
    We were away for five and a half months so are enjoying our break. I bet you can't wait to get back. Do you have a gardener to look after things when you aren't in residence?

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  6. ArtyZen18 April 2014 at 09:41

    I think it all looks to be in pretty good shape, Gaynor! Won't be quite so long before you come back again....those moles will soon get the message. Axxx

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