Well, summer has arrived! After an unseasonably cold, damp May we’re now enjoying the heat and sunshine of the Charente. The pool is getting daily use ( was there ever I time I didn’t want one ??!😂) and the garden keeps on giving.
After an abundance of roses (all perfumed) the veggie patch is going into production, strawberries ripening, zucchini (yellow and green) getting larger by the day, tomatoes appearing and the celeriac, chillies and pepper have just gone in.
Colour pops up in every corner I just love this garden, anyone know what this is ???


Covid regulations are easing a little more so we took the opportunity to have a few days away, heading north to Normandy. It was great to catch up once again with John and Steev and to see the massive amount of work they have done on their place in the last few months and to hear their plans for the work ahead. In the words of Sir Humphrey Appleby “very courageous Minister “!
We also wanted to check out a few of the stages for this year’s Tour de France due to begin on the 26th of this month. We covered some familiar routes and look forward to hopefully following some of Le Tour again this year, all dependent on motor home registration!!!




June 6th in Normandy saw the annual D-Day commemorations, although we didn’t travel to The Beaches it was great to get a glimpse of these girls heading a convoy of old army vehicles.



As you can see we are still taking precautions with masks over here although not compulsory outside, they must be worn in shops.
The other high spot of this month so far was the arrival of my brother Dave! He made it out of Jersey within 24hours of travel restrictions changing once again. The “political game “ that appears to be going on between Britain and France over Covid travel regulations is getting beyond a joke.


Finally with Summer here we’re now able to enjoy some regular al fresco dining.

That along with the choice of ingredients when shopping easily makes up for the fact that eating out has been “banned” for so many months.

A small selection at the cheese counter 😂
What a lovely selection of photos. Can’t wait to get to visit whenever that might be.. great to see that Dave finally made it, as pool boy or otherwise… enjoy your new life and hopefully we’ll get to visit before too long.
Hi Paula, don’t know if the situation is the same for Ireland, but if you’ve had both vaccinations then you can move freely within the EU (certainly France & Spain) without any checks, tests or quranteening. Just a flash of my Irish passport got me into both countries. I know its more difficult if you’re coming via the UK but I guess Aer Lingus have direct flights to France, and of course there’s the Cork to Roscoff ferry.
Look forward to that day🤞
Oh Sue and Chris. Just looks so good as we are now going into a very cold spell. I just love your updates so please keep them up even if I do not respond all the time! Take good care of yourselves and we do so miss being able to see you. Liz and Jim.
Hi Sue and Chris, bit tardy checking out your blog this month. If you are meaning the orange flowers, they are tiger lilies. (have no idea of their botanical name.) I have always loved them and had some in Kilmore. Looks like you are having a wonderful time. Hi to Dave. Can’t wait for the day when we can lounge by the pool with you and wander around your fragrant garden. Like Liz, we also love catching up on your activities and seeing the wonderful photographs. Take care, love to you both Robyn and Bill xxx
Hi Robby thanks for the info on the tiger lilies,I’m so ignorant when it comes to gardening! It’s like a magical mystery tour discovering what pops up in the garden.
It was good having Dave over with us – the first of many visits and visitors we hope.
I do feel that there is not much info to put in the blog as we’re unable to do the travelling that we had planned, firstly because of Covid lockdowns and now the issues with trying to get the motor home French registered! But will update monthly with local, daily life.