November 2025

 
We started the month with a trip to England to see the family, then back home to continue tidying the garden, along with a bike ride or two and a few social events. We have had a few days of rain in between the sunny ones, which has fallen as snow on the mountains. It is one of the most picturesque times of year here with the autumn colours, clear air and snowy peaks.

Here are our photos

Lesley's album

Dave's album

October 2025

October has been mostly warm and sunny - a real treat!. We have enjoyed several bike rides and a walk in the mountains. Dave has been lake fishing and we have continued to use the BBQ.

We (mostly I !!) have also started decorating the house....lots of fun and good to have a change.
I must add that Dave does most of the brush and roller washing for me - not so much fun!!

The garden needs a lot of attention as well - the tomato plants are still producing fruit - it's been a good year for them, as well as the butternut squash's in particular. Everything needs tidying up and cutting back now. 
The farmers have been busy as well. All the maize and sun flowers have been harvested, fields prepared and winter planting has begun.

All change this weekend though - I am writing this on Sunday 26th as we are off to England next week to see the family. 

We are still enjoying music of course - singing and guitar, which is especially fun when we can share this with friends.

A few more photos this month, here below

Dave's photos

Lesley's photos 

September 2025

 
We enjoyed a trip back to England to see the family in September. Here at La Maire the grass is green and growing again. We have had a fair bit of rain, but are now enjoying some warm sunny days again. The tomato plants are still producing, so it has been a good crop this year.

Dave has been repairing another wooden deck - and I have been doing some interior decorating.....so busy as usual!!

Here are a few photos from September

August 2025

The blog is late this month....we have been very busy!!
We loved having Lucy and Andy here to stay for just over a week with little Cameron. Luckily they missed the heatwave at the beginning of the month, but still enjoyed a fair bit of sunshine and some pool time. 
The other highlight of the month was Veronique and Atlantis's wedding day.
Photos are in the album here below
We had a few days of rain last week and the garden in springing into life again - more green than brown!
The tomatoes are doing well though - and we enjoyed one very delicious homegrown water melon!
Cucumbers, green beans and butternut squash's have also done well

Our photos are here

July 2025

 This month has seen, as usual, the village fete, all the wheat being harvested - and Dave's vegetable garden beginning to produce. Tomatoes, green beans, courgettes!!

We have been eating most meals outside which has been lovely. We visited friends Melanie and Steve at their lovely house in the Lot and Garonne and have enjoyed dinners with friends here as well. 

We celebrated our 42nd Wedding Anniversary with another delicious meal at Restaurant Bassas in Pamiers and then finally loved having Dan and Jess here with the children for a week - with Quya their family dog as well this year

As usual, some of our photos here tell the story

June 2025

 

A late blog post this month as I went to England for a week at the end of June, then have been non stop busy since coming home!!

We have been enjoying electric our electric bikes this month. The first photo above is from a local ride, then the next 2 from our day out on the coast.

More photos of the month here

May 2025

 This month we enjoyed having Dad and friend Jenny here to stay, along with Clive and Sue, over from Australia on a trip to Europe, catching up with friends and family but also exploring new places.
We very much enjoyed spending some days out with them as well as a couple of delicious meals and many coffee stops.

The photos all look bright and sunny but we have had our fair share of rain as well. Dave has planted out the tomato and green bean plants, and its another bumper season for strawberries and cherries.
The beetroot was pretty good as well!

Here are some photos from this month