Autumn colour

I’ve got a beautiful Japanese anemone growing between the lavender in front of our house. It’s a beautiful pale pink with a dusty yellow centre, and makes a fabulous contrast against the lavender. I hadn’t planted it, it must have just rooted maybe from a seed that a bird had carried.

The autumn colour around the garden is way more vivid, with some beautiful vivid pinks, and mauves. My mum had given me the two bright pink plants, so I love the fact that they are flourishing in the garden.

I cut some mint flowers to help add some interest to a little posy I’d picked for the table. I like using herbs in flower arrangements as they add a very subtle aroma to the display.

Banana pancakes

It has been a wonderful few days sharing time with my niece and getting to know her boyfriend. They enjoyed learning about Champagne, the process, the region and, of course, the tasting. Although it has been harvest this week, which means the vignerons are often too busy to offer tastings, we were able to make a visit to Richardot, which was excellent. Always a delight.

We enjoyed some lovely relaxed meals of roasted cauliflower with a tahini and pistachio dressing, spiced baked rice with roasted tomatoes, classic French tomato tart, lentil salad with a mustard dressing and coconut chia pudding with fresh mango. Brian matched some delicious wines, and shared his knowledge on how to taste wines, to help develop your taste buds, and enjoyment.

Before they left today we had a delicious breakfast of banana pancakes, which I served with lemon and sugar and maple syrup or homemade jam. They went down very well, especially as they were gluten free, so we could all enjoy them.

As they were leaving we spotted a little praying mantis near the gate. Such an intriguing little creature, who was already wearing his autumn colours.

Sans gluten

We woke to a bright blue sky, with a slightly cool breeze. Despite the freshness, the courtyard made for an excellent sunny spot to enjoy our breakfast.

Our niece is arriving today with her boyfriend. They are exploring France, so decided to pop in and see us on their travels, which is fabulous. We are looking forward to spending a few days with them catching up on all their news, and plans for their adventures.

I’m preparing a few things to enjoy whilst they are here. I’ve baked some biscuits and a French apple cake, a bit of a favourite of mine at the moment, although this one is gluten free, so a little more challenging.

I’m very pleased with how it’s all come out, and actually can’t wait to try them.

A memorable year

Usually Harvest has a clear beginning and end, with a busy and exciting middle, but this year it’s been different. For some it’s already over, for others it hasn’t begun yet, whilst for too many the cost of picking what grapes they have outweighs the benefits of picking them, so they will be left on the vines.

So this morning it was so good to see them picking at the end of our valley. It’s quite slow work, as care needs to be taken to ensure that only the best grapes are picked.

It will not be a big harvest, but it will be a memorable one. For some, the last time their family had a year like this was 1985, and that year is etched in their memories.

We will learn more over the coming weeks on the impact of this sadly memorable year.

Little things

It’s those small, little things I often find real joy in.

We headed into Troyes today as we had a few things we needed to do. There was a chill in the air but the sky was was bright blue, and the sun was refreshingly warm. The change in season was definitely upon us and it was the first day when I needed to slip on a jumper. I chose something bright and joyful.

We first visited the framers where we were dropping off a painting to be framed, one that is very dear to us, as it was painted by a very special friend. After some consultation with the framer, Brian was happy that he understood what we wanted, and we chose a rather spectacular frame, which we cannot wait now to collect and see just how it’s going to look.

We found a lovely little café down a side street, for coffee and a hot chocolate, and had a quiet moment; Brian reading through my daily blog before posting. We decided it would be nice to return here one day for brunch.

Before heading back to the car, I had wanted to try some boots I’d seen earlier in a shop window. I loved the boots, but also loved the free bag they put them in. It makes the purchase so much more special.

It’s massive!

Through the summer we’ve been watching a new ‘pressoir’ being built in Landreville, the village next to ours.

It all really started when we saw some massively long beams being delivered. They were parked just off the main road to the entrance of the village for a few days, I think whilst they worked out how to get them up the narrow, winding road.

Once there, they then needed to install a crane to position them. Another amazing feat.

Over the weeks, then months, we’ve seen the building progress. Before it was totally sealed, they needed to fit in some of the larger equipment needed for a pressoir.

A few weeks ago, they had the tanks delivered. Huge stainless steel containers for the jus to be stored in.

We will keep watching it develop over the coming weeks. For now though I think they are having a short break, whilst the old press next door is used for the harvest.

Avions, voitures et motos Anciennes

The annual ‘rassemblement’ at Celles-sur-Ource airfield returned on Sunday. It was an absolutely brilliant day out. The weather was perfect, with puffy white clouds in a blue sky, providing a perfect backdrop for the antics of the pilots.

We arrived just after lunch, had a little wander around looking at, and ‘ooh-ing’ over, some of the classic and historic cars. I am particularly partial to a bright red car, of which there were a few, along with a host of 2CV’s, and a gorgeous light blue open top Mercedes. Pretty much a car for all occasions.

The airfield itself was a hive of activity, with local and visiting aircraft lined up along the runway, and a number of visitors taking up the offer of a flight over the vineyards for just €55. I have to admit though, it’s not something I am too interested in, maybe due to my dislike of heights.

What we hadn’t expected though was the ‘air show’ of the older aircraft that peppered the sky during the afternoon. It was fantastic being so up close to the planes, seeing them take off and land and perform amazing loop-the-loops, low level flying and at one point even upside down flying. I definitely would not have wanted to get into the wrong plane! I hope you enjoy the short video Brian has made of the show.

Medieval Fayre

Last weekend we visited the Commanderie of Avalleur, for its annual medieval festival. They have various events during the season, and it’s open to the public throughout the year, free of charge. This event is particularly good, as it’s two days of themed displays and activities, with tours of the commanderie and chapel and plenty of refreshments.

The scene is definitely set as you arrive. We were greeted by some very realistic looking knights, and an encampment that had been designed to reflect the period. There were lots of people dressed in period costumes, seemingly going about their business, bringing the whole scene to life. The public are also invited to come along dressed in similar period attire, however we passed on that this time.

It’s a fun day, where you learn lots about the period of the Templars from the people demonstrating the way of life they had. One lady was exhibiting an early version of a ‘Winchester’ rifle, and mixing up gunpowder in an iron bowl to show how it would flare inside the barrel. At another tent a man explained how they would make their bows and arrows, selecting different arrow heads depending on what they were used for. For example, when catching fish they needed arrows that would stay in and float. It was fascinating.

There was also a demonstration of sword fighting, which looked extremely difficult in their cumbersome layers of armour.

It all felt very authentic, and made for a great day out.

A prickly load

The plan today was to tidy up the garden, as the sun wasn’t too strong so it was a nice day to spend pottering around.

We’d bought a garden shredder on our trip to Dijon last week, and decided to test it out. We have so much garden waste from the roses, which is prickly to load into the trailer and take to the déchetterie, that we thought a shredder could work better, and I can either use the chippings on the garden, if they are suitable, or dispose of them more easily at the déchetterie.

Brian had set the shredder up, and I made a start on some pruning of the roses. It wasn’t long before we were really making a difference

We’re loving the shredder it seems to be working really well, especially with the green branches, which we were thinking may prove to be more difficult, but it just gobbles them up.

Another little job that Brian wanted to do was to replace a protective cover for a cable near the front door, which had faded and broken in the intense sun. He soon had it tidied up, and protected again. I think we will look for a better solution for it, something more aesthetically pleasing , but for now it is safe.

Beautiful finish

It was such a lovely evening, we couldn’t resist enjoying a chilled glass of white wine from one of our favourite burgundy villages, Saint Romain. We enjoyed it with some Moelleux du Revard Cheese, and a spot of my homemade apple and rosemary jelly.

What a beautiful finish to our day.

Excusez-moi

There was a bit of a chill in the air this morning, we’d woken early as I was keen to get to the market to buy some flowers. The lady sells out so quickly, as they are always so spectacular and inexpensive. I bought these two bouquets for just €8. So as not to have to carry them around with me, whilst I did my other shopping, she popped the daises and sunflowers behind her stall, and the dahlias she fitted under the stall. ‘Tout à l'heure’ she piped, as we walked away.

I was heading to get some mushrooms, when Brian briefly looked back, and noticed another lady handing over my bunch of dahlias, and our stallholder about to take the money for them…again! “Excusez-moi, Madame, ma femme vient d'acheter ces fleurs il y a un instant”. The stallholder apologised to us, and the lady, and placed them behind her stall for safe keeping. The other lady looked quite put out though, so we made a hasty retreat.

The market was full of beautiful fresh late summer produce, I couldn’t resist getting a selection. We have a guest dinner this week, so it’s lovely to use local ingredients. We returned for our bouquets and then headed home.

I set myself up to arrange my flowers outside in the sun, choosing from my collection of vases I’ve put together.

The house is full of colour and sunshine now.

Renewal

It was a little cooler today, an ideal day to go for a little walk. We decided to head up through the forest, then across the fields and down back towards the point de vue, I just love this walk.

The fields near us have been filled with sunflowers this year, which has been delightful. They are now starting to dry out, getting ready for harvesting, although I think it’s still a few weeks off. I can’t believe how huge they are.

As we headed along the track to the point de vue, we could see that the old waypoint cross has been renewed. The old one had fallen into a pretty sorry state, but one of the villagers had built a New Cross out of oak, exactly like the original, and fitted it into a concrete plinth. I think this will be standing there for many more years.

CHU-chew

Earlier in the year I noticed a small lump on my top gum. I didn’t think too much of it, but mentioned it to my dentist to be on the safe side. He prescribed a gel to help reduce it. However, within a few weeks it had started to get bigger not smaller, which did start to unsettle me. I went back to the dentist and he took an x-ray and booked me into a consultant in Dijon, who couldn’t see me for 6 weeks. Within a week it had doubled in size again.

A good friend, who speaks French, went to see my dentist to understand what my options were, and his suggestion was to visit the emergency ‘Odontology’ department at Dijon hospital, or CHU as it’s known. We had a break in guests of about a week, so we decided to go the following day.

After a tense wait in a quiet, but fidgety, waiting room of people, my name was called. I’d asked Brian to come with me, as by now my anxiety levels were high. I’ve only ever had two small fillings in my whole life, and the thought of some kind of operation was nerve wracking.

The two women who saw me explained that they would be taking a biopsy. I assumed from this that they would take a tiny piece of the lump out to test before they did anything further. But no, within minutes a third dentist came to take a look and they discussed removing it. I think I’d switched off at this point. The two women performed the procedure. First numbing my gum, then slicing out the lump. I closed my eyes the entire time, trying to meditate, whilst Brian watched the whole thing with curiousity.

They were finished after what seemed an age, but was actually quite quick, Brian tells me. They proceeded with filling my gum area with some sort of ‘plasticine’ and then wadding to pack the wound. I was given a prescription to get more antiseptic and padding if I needed it.

I have to say I was a bit shell shocked, everything seemed to happen so suddenly, and now I was walking out of the theatre with a mouth stuffed with bloody wadding. I think I may have traumatised the waiting room also, as I peered in to see how many people were left waiting, my cheek puffed out with blood stained padding.

When we got back to the car Brian explained to me what had happened, and why I looked the way I did, and that we could expect results in 2–4 weeks, all of which I had completely missed in my mini stunned state.

I sat for a while to absorb it all. The advice was nothing acidic or sugary or too hot, and definitely no alcohol for at least a week. My diet, I realised, was going to consist of very soft food.

For the next few days I took things very easy. I had a daily diet of a brioche roll with cream cheese and chopped up smoked salmon. Water and warm tea were my go to drinks.

We were both amazed at how quickly my gum started to heal and, within about 6 days, I was using a very soft tooth brush to clean around the area.

So this week we traveled to Dijon for my appointment and results. They were very kind and efficient at the hospital, and wasted no time in telling me that all was well, that the area had healed and there was nothing untoward in the results. Phew!

The whole experience had been a bit scary for me, but I have to say that in my experience the French health system was incredible, and I’m very grateful for their care.

We both came away feeling today was a good day. Now I can chew again without fear.

Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow

We see lots of wildlife in France, such as wild boar, deer, badgers and stoats, but this was our first slippery slow worm.

At first we thought it was a snake, but he was too smooth and his head too rounded. Despite his name he was a quick little thing, and Brian was lucky to get this shot of him before he slithered into the undergrowth. Whoosh!

Bucket list

LinkedIn reminded me this week that it’s been three years already since we first opened our B&B. We’ve achieved so much, and learnt so much since those early days, and one of the thing that’s been really good for us is our presence on LinkedIn. It’s been a great way to stay in contact and also spread our philosophy behind La Maison en Champagne.

Last month Brian posted an article on LinkedIn about being on someone’s bucket list. Since then, we have been totally blown away by the long list of people who say we are also on their bucket list. Which is simply fantastic.

Below is a snapshot of the post. The original comment came from a customer who needed to cancel his booking, saying “I hope that we will still be welcome in the near future, because your place is on our bucket list”. It amazed us so much that Brian had to write about it:

So only three years into our Champagne guest house adventure and we are on the ‘Bucket list’. That’s a massive positive we take away from our guest’s cancellation.

Cancellations happen, and when they do it’s usually because life has thrown a curve ball. When you’re planning a holiday it’s because you need it, so it takes a lot to make you cancel when it gets close. That’s one of the reasons we don’t ask for a deposit, because life throws you curve balls, and they’re often tied to your emotional and mental health. We believe it would be unfair to take someones money for something they cannot control, or that they need to do instead of taking their much-needed holiday. All we ask is that they tell us as soon as possible if their plans need to change.

So the answer is ‘Yes’, if you have to cancel, you are always welcome in the future.

The post received over 5500 views, which is a great way to engage with people and increase the awareness of our offering. Thank you all you LinkedIn-ers.

Circuit Mélusine

Yesterday we met up with some friends in Vendeuvre-sur-Barse. They’d suggested a walk around the delightful old town of Vendeuvre, followed by dinner in a local restaurant.

The circuit Mélusine, which is a story of a local mermaid, is clearly marked by little metal plaques inserted into the pathways.

You start in the centre of town by the mediatheque, and head out towards the hotel de ville, the site where the vignerons marched in 1911 to campaign against being excluded from the Champagne AOC.

There are information boards at each of the points of interest, explaining a little bit about them. You learn about Mélusine, the Champagne riots, and how the Montgolfier brothers designed a compressor to move water from one of the many rivers up to the castle. All the boards are available as text on their website, where they have both French and English versions.

It was a really delightful walk in the early evening sunshine, finishing with dinner at the charming little Crêperie in Thieffrain.

Workaway

I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of ‘Workaway’, it’s a cultural exchange community, which offers a way to connect with people who want to experience different cultures and different parts of the world. ln exchange for providing them with a base for their cultural exploration they will help you on your work projects. That could be charitable projects, language exchanges, building, gardening, diy, care, a whole range of options. The key thing though is that they get to experience the culture.

We live in an area rich in culture and history, from the Templars to the resistance this small part of France has seen a lot. Anyone who follows my blog will also have seen the rich tapestry of arts, religion and community that frame our little department. So we thought it would be a good base for anyone keen to experience the culture of the Champagne region. In return, we have a number of building and garden projects that could do with a helping hand or two over the autumn and early spring periods.

Initially I’d thought it would be easy enough to find someone, but it seems that’s not the case. Many are already booked into trips well in advance, or maybe looking for something different. I am persevering though, and we do now have some interest as we can be pretty flexible on timings. However, as a lot of the jobs are weather permitting we can’t take anyone for the middle of winter. I’m just waiting to see if the timings work for a couple of couples that have been in touch.

One thing I do know though is that it’s going to be a great experience for whoever gets to join us.

Picnic by the pool

We both spent a couple of hours tidying up the garden. We are finding that, in the hotter weather, if we just do a couple of hours to keep the grass and weeds cut back it tends to look good for around a week before it needs cutting again.

I’ve got a bit of pruning to do, which I can do later this week.

After we’d got all hot and tired from the garden we headed to the pool for a picnic lunch and a well deserved swim.

Recharged

On Friday we needed to drop our car off for its 2 year ‘control technique’, It’s MOT or road worthiness certificate. We’d organised to borrow a car from the garage until the check over was complete later that day, but what we hadn’t thought about is what happens if our car fails, for any reason.

The loan car, with its cracked windscreen and somewhat shabby interior, was not the sort of car to be driving to the airport in on Sunday!

We didn’t mention our worries to our friend, as we didn’t want her thinking about it. Of course there was nothing wrong with the car that we were aware of, but this old loan car made us realise how much we depend on it.

We got the phone call mid afternoon on Friday telling us all was well. Micro panic averted.

So when Sunday came we were able to drive back to CDG airport in our car. A friend had suggested we leave early-ish, as it was the end of the French holidays, and there may be a lot of cars on the roads, especially later in the day. So we set off at 9am, and enjoyed clear roads all the way there. It was a quick, final cheerio at the ‘10 minute free’ drop off zone and soon we were back on the road heading home, and Robyn was comfortable in the thought she was at the airport, ready for her early afternoon flight back to Edinburgh.

It had been a fabulous week together. Time to relax, enjoy our memories together, have some fun and laughter, discover new drinks and of course make some jam. I think, by the end of the week, we all felt a little bit recharged by our time spent together.

Chutney

Having already made the Apple and plum jam, we then set about making the caramelised onion and spiced apple chutney. I took on the task of peeling and chopping the onions, whilst Robyn and Brian prepared the apples. Brian had bought us an apple corer and peeler, which proved to be invaluable. It saved us so much time. Brian peeled and cored and Robyn chopped. Before long I was caramelising the onions, adding in the apples with a bunch of spices - curry powder, cinnamon, Dijon mustard, then some cider vinegar, all really quite simple. It cooked through for about 20 minutes before we poured it into some sterilised jars.

A tasty treat to enjoy with some pork chops or mature cheese. I’m looking forward to trying this.