Drappier

Earlier this week we visited Drappier, a local producer to us. It’s probably one of the biggest names from our region, as it was the preferred champagne of president Charles de Gaulle. Their production is situated in the small village of Urville.

I had seen that they were having an afternoon of music, performed by a local cellist, and that they would serve pastries from a well known patisserie in Troyes. There would also be a visit to the cellars, and the opportunity to taste some of their champagnes. Delightful, I thought, so I booked us a couple of places.

We were welcomed into a large stone barn area, filled with wooden tables and chairs. In the centre they had set out the patisserie, and prepared the glasses to serve us the champagne.

We relaxed for an hour, listening to the delights of the cellist, sipping champagne, and eating cake. I had imagined that, as they were serving cake, we would have a sweeter champagne, but the cake was actually not too sweet, and the champagne matched it perfectly.

We were then split into two groups, French speaking and English speaking, for the cellar visit. We have been before, but it was still extremely informative, and we always learn something new. Samuel was our guide, and he was quite excellent.

After the visit we then got to try more champagne, a total of 9 cuvées. I was driving, so limited my tasting, but Brian knows what I like, so got me to try the ones he was interested in buying.

It was a fabulous event.

Cherry on the top

There was an abundance of fresh seasonal fruit at the market this week: strawberries, raspberries, lemons, melons, and a favourite of mine, cherries.

The cherry stall had two types, which he let me try, to help me decide which ones I wanted to buy. I went for the sweeter ones.

I bought a kilogram, they were simply too delicious.

Parsley

I can never resist a plant stall, and there was one on market day in Bar-sur-Seine. I say ‘stall’, but it was actually just a scattering of plants in the road.

I wanted a couple of new lavender plants, to plant in the front of our drive way. They were a little small, but I’m sure they will fill out in no time. I also got a parsley plant, I use so much through the summer in salads, I think I may put this in a pot on the windowsill.

A pleasant day

We woke to gorgeous sunshine and blue skies, perfect for enjoying a day lazing around the pool with friends. The water temperature was perfect, a delightful 25°c.

I’d made us a simple lunch of ham salad, new potatoes, and a french apple cake with ice cream for dessert. A very pleasant day, that turned into early evening.

Levelling up the medicine

Last year we’d bought a couple of old medicine bottles from a vide grenier. We loved the old labels on them, and thought they’d look nice in one of the bathrooms. What I needed though was a shelf to put them on.

Then, on Monday in Sens, we found the perfect little shelf.

Out with the laser again, as we needed to decide where my new little acquisition was going to go?

We found the perfect spot in the magnum bathroom.

What a fun little collection.

Porcelain shelf

I’d bought the little porcelain shelf from the market in Sens to go in the kitchen, next to my cold water sink. It has a couple of chips on it, but I really didn’t mind that. The sink is stone, and over 80 years old, so it has a few chips of its own. A bit of a clean and it would fit in nicely.

Brian started by finding the right height, and fixing one side in, then he was able to use his laser to level it up, and fix the 2nd screw in. He used a couple of plastic washers to protect the porcelain and cover over the screws.

Excellent, just what I’ve been looking for.

Bee bright

Laden with nectar. Watching the little bee go about his business is such a beautiful sight.

I’m finding so much joy and happiness pottering around our beautiful garden, choosing tucked away areas to develop into a new planting scheme, or a little place to sit and relax for a while.

Brian helped me plant up one of the borders. It will be mainly blues and yellows, a favourite colour scheme of mine, but I’ve also included some potted pink geraniums along the front to give it a pop of colour.

In the far corner of the walled garden, which had recently been chauxed, I’ve planted a mix of hostas. This area gets the sun early on in the day, but provides a light relief of shade later on. I will put my two white cane chairs there for a quiet little reading spot, somewhere to enjoy a cup of tea in the afternoon.

I don’t think I realised how healthy it would be for my mind and body in having a garden, a quiet space to reflect on the day, and to plan what’s next. It’s also a great way to get fit.

We’ve got some fabulous little adventures ahead of us. I’m so looking forward to seeing more of France, more of our wider local area, welcoming family and friends, and celebrating some delightful and delicious moments. Lots to think of and plan in those tucked away areas.

Sens, marché des puces

I love a visit to the marché des puces in Sens. It happens every year, on the last May public holiday, and attracts 100’s of stall holders, as well as 100’s of buyers.

We arrived early this year, as it was forecast to be a scorcher of a day, well into the 30’s. The nice thing, though, is it’s situated under the trees, so plenty of shade.

There is always such an eclectic collection of items on sale, it’s just fascinating looking at what is available to buy.

After a long morning of searching, we were very excited about our little haul.

A perfect treat

Brian has now officially started his Birthday celebrations. This week we went to Le Garde Champetre in Gye sur Seine for a rather delicious and fabulous meal.

They offer a tasting menu in the evening, which is full of lots of little dishes, often with many of their ingredients grown in their organic potager, which is situated next to the restaurant.

I particularly liked the fermented rice dish to start. It was called ‘amazake mousse’ and was served with a sweet and sour dried damson plum. It really got the taste buds working.

Everything looks like a picture on a plate, and It is so seasonal, and so fresh. An absolute delight to eat.

A beautiful memory.

Essoyes Wine festival

It was another scorcher of a day, with temperatures touching on 30°c. We were heading into Essoyes for their annual wine festival. It’s always a great little event, normally the third weekend in May, but this year it slipped to the public holiday weekend.

The local marching band was playing a mix of popular songs, including film tracks and musical pieces. Some of the titles on the tip of my tongue, but not quite able to name them. I love a marching band, they are always so joyful, and this one, from Bar-sur-Seine, had players of all ages.

We were focused on tasting white wines, as our cellar was looking a little depleted; or so I was told. We did try a few Chablis to start, but as it’s a region so close to us that we enjoy visiting the cellars of, we were instead tempted by some rather nice Burgundies from a little further south. We also purchased some rather nice Provence wines, which we hadn’t really tried before.

Wine festivals are great places to try something different, and not feel obliged to buy. All you do is purchase a glass for €4, and then taste your way around all the producers. That said, we always seem to find something we want to purchase.

Needing help from one of the porters, we headed back to the car with our purchases.

Top and tile

The cement ridge that Brian had created to hold the tiles had dried, so he was keen to see the first layer of tiles going up.

We both think they look great. From the front they really help to frame and finish off the wall. Now we just need to find enough tiles for the second row, to complete it off from the top as well.

Ironwork

The next little job I wanted to do was clean up and paint some iron panels I’d bought from a vide grenier. I have two different pieces of ironwork, and have asked Brian if he can fix them to the wall for me once they are painted. I would like to try and train my rose to grow up around them.

He’s currently thinking about how he is going to fix them.

I think they will definitely need a couple of coats.

Little rusty

Brian is keen to finish off the garden wall. I think it’s a job he’s been avoiding, probably as he wasn’t quite sure how to approach it.

He has a plan now though. He is building up a straight line of cement on top of the wall, which he will then lay the tiles on to, using it to hold them in place.

He was on a roll then, and decided to mix up some chaux to finish off grouting the wall.

Whilst he did this my friend Sharon & I painted the railings and iron gate.

They’d got a little chipped, so it’s good to keep them touched up before any rust sets in.

Voila!

Plantes troc

Last year I learnt about the ‘plantes troc’, and this year I’m back.

It’s a sort of ‘bring and buy’ sale, where you bring plants you’ve taken out of your garden—maybe they’ve spread and you don’t need them all—and you take some of the plants that other people have brought with them.

I hadn’t organised myself enough to bring any plants this year, because I haven’t been as active in the garden splitting them off, but they didnt mind at all, they had more than enough. The morning is all very convivial, with everyone trying to share a bit of knowledge about their gardens, and share their plants, it’s all quite lovely.

It’s such a great little event, I really need to organise myself more for next year.

Along with the plants I bought in Bergère, I now have a lot of work to do planting them all. I know Brian will be helping, I just need to tell him where they are all going.

Family time

We had some family visiting this weekend. It was so good for us to all be together, catching up on what’s been happening, reminiscing on family get togethers, playing games, sharing stories, and just enjoying some quality time.

On Saturday morning we headed off to the lake for a walk through the forest. I am loving that area at the moment, so peaceful, and the walking is good for me as it’s mainly flat.

The forest has lots of history to it, as it was once home to the knights templar, who lived there and created areas which they flooded with water to store fish as a food source. A lot of these ponds remain, although are now just wonderful habitats for frogs and tadpoles, which you can hear chirping away as you pass them by.

We then drove around to the little pebble beach where we skimmed stones and enjoyed ice creams, before heading home.

Waiting room

We woke early this morning, as Brian had a doctors appointment. Just a regular checkup, but a bit of a drive away.

It was a beautiful misty start over the village, and we could just make out the outline of the church from our bathroom window.

A 50 minute drive later the mist had lifted, and we were sat in a grey waiting room.

I strangely find comfort in these old, creaky spaces, they remind me of the village life of my childhood.

Checkup over, time for a cheery cup of coffee.

Flower power

My most favourite event of the year has to be the flower festival in the small village of Bergères. Through rain or shine, it makes for such a beautiful day out.

This year we had a few rain clouds to dodge, but it didn’t dampen our spirits, and certainly didn’t stop me from purchasing some beautiful plants.

It was made even more enjoyable as we caught up with some friends for a coffee and catch up, and compared what plants we’d bought.

I also couldn’t resist buying some locally grown strawberries and white asparagus. They are both so fresh, and I can already say the strawberries are very sweet and delicious.

Even the local ‘punk’ band showed up. Not sure they played any punk songs I could remember. They were very upbeat though, which was popular.

Breaking ground

Brian spent some time today levelling the ground under the plum tree. We’d previously dumped some of the earth there that we’d removed when Lauren and Max had helped us with the base for the shed. I’ve bought a couple of shade loving plants, which I think could work well if I plant them around the tree. Obviously mindful I need to get to it to pick the plums, but they should look good.

I was also working on my shrubbery, with help from Brian, who dug out some of the grass.

It’s definitely starting to look more considered. The new blackcurrant bush will form part of it.

Festival flowers

We headed to the flower festival in Rumilly les Vaudes on Sunday. Despite it being a bit cool, a lot of people had made it out, and were enjoying buying some new plants.

There was also a really good selection of other stalls selling all sorts of items. Brian bought me a little pottery bird that was sat on a metal stick, I think I will pop it up on the hill, with my metal flowers he got me last year.

I also came home with a nice selection of plants, some geraniums for my pots, some marigolds, which I may also put into pots, a couple of shade loving plants for under the plum tree, a blackcurrant bush, and two rose bushes.

It was an excellent little village festival.

Les Fleurs

With the sunshine, a bit of rain, and a little bit of feeding, the garden is really starting to fill out and burst into bloom.

The wisteria, is looking and smelling gorgeous. The light mauve blossoms are beautiful, like little waterfalls.

Some of the wildflowers are also coming out where I’ve left some grassy areas on the slope.

Up by the pool the irises are flourishing, I will probably need to thin them out a bit later this year.

Mauves, yellows, creams, pinks, and reds are all favourite colours of mine. The vibrancy brings real joy to me.

This rose is like velvet and every year makes me smile, the bush must have loved its pruning this year as it’s full of flowers. I think I have Sara to thank for that.

Having a garden brings me so much joy, I’ve had a lot of help in it these last months, which has been really appreciated by both me and Brian. We are both now working to stay on top of the jobs so that it can be enjoyed all summer long and well into autumn.

It’s all just delightful.