TWELVE MONTHS IN TWELVE DAYS - DECEMBER

 

Sunny days were few but we made the most of them.

Our garden was looking very wintry.

My birthday treat was a day out at Azay-le-Rideau.

Nick made the Christmas cake and decorated the tree.

In fact it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

And so, until next year..........

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

TWELVE MONTHS IN TWELVE DAYS - NOVEMBER

There was no mistaking that autumn was here.

We lit the log fire most evenings.

Hugo and Yvonne were getting along better.

There was no doubt who was boss.

We enjoyed Nick's birthday treat.

TWELVE MONTHS IN TWELVE DAYS - OCTOBER

  

A quick visit to the UK for me and a very early morning start for the return flight.

It was daylight when I arrived at Limoges airport.

The park at Neuil looked rather different from just a month earlier.

It was the annual art and food festival at Le Petit-Pressigny.

I made several cakes for the tea rooms at the event.

The caramel apple cake and the Victoria sponge were the better sellers.

We finally, all in a rush, lost our beloved cat, Daisy.

To our surprise, less than a week later, Yvonne came into our lives.

The mouse population is on the run!

TWELVE MONTHS IN TWELVE DAYS - SEPTEMBER

 

Nick's sister came to stay.

On the way to the airport we pass the château at Neuil.

We took her to the château at L'Islette.

She loved it, as we knew she would.

We went for a pizza at our favourite troglodyte restaurant.

Against all odds, Daisy was still with us.

The trees were just beginning to look a little autumnal.

We took shelter from huge winds and rain.

Our supply of logs for the winter arrived.

TWELVE MONTHS IN TWELVE DAYS - AUGUST

The brocante season was in full swing.

The weather was very mixed but the sunny days were hot.

Our new garden furniture and umbrellas proved to be a good purchase.

The veg patch was on overdrive.

It was clear to us that Daisy was not going to be with us for much longer. 

She was in her twilight but in many ways living her best life too.

We spoiled her rotten.

It was the month for grand village events.

Also for visitors and more picnics.

 The fields of sunflowers seemed to go on for ever.

TWELVE MONTHS IN TWELVE DAYS - JULY

 

It was a fantastic year for sunflowers.

I don't think I have ever seen so many before.

It's the season for events.

A moules et frites evening in Ferrière Larçon.

Long summer evenings chez nous.

The first tomatoes appeared early in the month.

We were soon well supplied with cucumbers.

(The bananas are there just for scale!)

There was a huge thunderstorm and a bolt of lightening set fire to the beautiful church in Descartes.

It did a huge amount of damage.

A quick trip back to the UK at the end of the month.

The garden was in good shape but the weather was very English!

TWELVE MONTHS IN TWELVE DAYS - JUNE

The garden was in full bloom.

The days were often very hot.

The roof terrace was finally finished.

We made good use of it.

Long summer days meant long summer walks.

 And more picnics.