Here we are in August, the French holiday season and the season of sunflowers đ»
Our regular round the block cycle ride is a sea of yellow with some of the flowers bigger than dinner plates!
Talking of âdinnerâ, just down the road is our local snail farmer – snails being a specialty of the area.
Having thoroughly enjoyed our 14th July get together with new friends, it was decided that we should get together again for a pĂ©tanque picnic. Donât honestly know the difference between boules and pĂ©tanque, anyone out there able to enlighten me?! The chosen venue was a parking lot and picnic site in our little hamlet of Germeville. Food and wine was consumed and a few balls thrown around with varied expertise amongst the group đGood fun and to be repeated again soon.
In between fun and games we have been doing a bit more to the house with yours truly changing the bright blue doors into something a little less startling.
Whilst Chris patched up another hole in the wall that he had discovered in the âwoodland â section of the garden.
Great excitement this weekend (to coincide with sitting up all night watching the tv coverage of the Olympic eventing,) we discovered a local show jumping event! Held less than 10 kms away at a lovely treed park – similar to Lancefield Park for those Victorians. It was a delight to wander around and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. We were delighted when a head popped out of the commentary tent and we were greeted with a big âhelloâ and a smile from Elise, the secretary in our local Mairie! Also a rider, coach and organiser of this three day annual event.
A lovely big grass arena and temporary stabling for those competing all weekend.
Not forgetting the bar!
We were fascinated by the plastic caps on the end of the show jump rails, presumably to prevent rotting of the wooden poles?
Next stop Haras Le Pin 3DE!!!! Tickets booked for this International 2*-4* event being held in Normandy in 10 days time. For the huge sum of 17 euros we get entry to all days of the competition and on-site parking for the motorhome, youâve gotta love France đ«đ·Â Keeping everything crossed that thereâs no change to Covid restrictions between now and then.
Finally, another splash of colour in the garden and another plant we donât know!
Hello Sue and Chris. Great to see these photos and you look so happy. Also, how good is that to get involved in the eventing locally. How I envy you. We have just got back from three weeks on a farming trip with 15 others staying on cattle stations starting in Mount Isa, via Alice Springs and then to Uluru. We saw some amazing cattle set ups where horses are still used quite a bit. Have also been watching the Olympics – particularly the horse events although I think the coverage was very poor here. Did eventually see the showjumping this morning and how well France went. However, the Swedish winners were amazing. All well here but very wet. Archer, our new dog, is settling in well. We miss being able to catch up with you so take good care of yourselves. Not sure when we will all be able to travel again. Can you send me your email and I will then send you some photos as not sure if we can add them to this post.
Hi Liz and Jim, that sounds like a brilliant trip! We were lucky enough to have all the Olympic equestrian streaming on French TV, stayed up for the eventing even if it was into the early hours – didnât think Iâd be having to do that again now weâre on this side of the world!đWould be great if you came over for the Paris Olympics, unfortunately weâre about a 6 hour drive away so not âidealâ as Olympic âdigsâ! Pleased to hear that Archer has settled in well. Not keen to put my email address on a public blog Liz and I donât seem to have yours??! Perhaps Robby can help out?đ
Hello Sue and Chris again. I think I need to book a provisional place with you for the next equestrian Olympics at Versailles. How good will that be!!!
Hi Sue, Chris (and Liz and Jim), Well sadly we have just gone back into lockdown again in rural NSW to join Sydney and Melbourne. All the family are now locked down somewhere. Read rude expletives. We are however, still living the life of luxury with beautiful walks, garden to grow (pick and cook) and plenty of people to chat to on their way past our place out on their daily exercise. Our list of to do’s is still long so plenty to keep us busy. Liz, your trip sounds amazing. It is so important to squeeze in whatever presents itself whenever we can. Our renovations are coming along with the scaffolding now off the front section. We are pretty chuffed with how it looks. I will email some photos Sue. We love catching up with your monthly diaries. Keep it up. Stay safe, look forward to hearing about Haras Le Pin 3DE. Love from sunny Dalmeny xx
Hi Robby and Bill, sorry to hear that youâre all locked down again. But great news that the renos are progressing well, look forward to those photos đ
Haras Le Pin was brilliant! Only just arrived home and will put some photos on the blog tomorrow. Take care xx