February 2026

 A very mixed month of very wet, windy and cold days, followed by some warm sunshine this last week. Up to 25 deg, so warm enough for a few lunches outside - and a few bike rides. Needless to say, we took our photos here on sunny days!!

Our photos

January 2026

 We have had some very mixed weather in January - cold and icy, sunny, rain, rain and more rain!!
Our photos mostly show the sunny days, but it hasn't always been like that! The fields are waterlogged and the ditches running full. There is a good covering of snow on the mountains though, so a good year for winter sports

Our photos

December 2025

 Happy New Year everyone!

We are home again now after spending two very enjoyable weeks with the family in England.

The drive up was interesting, with long sections of the motorway between home and Limoges closed by farmers who have been demonstrating - they are not happy with the government (European) policy on 'lumpy skin disease' in cattle. There have been several cases recently and the policy is to slaughter the whole herd. We needed to take some lengthy diversions across country which wasn't very easy in the early morning darkness, but we made good time after that .

Our drive home on Friday was also interesting, with quite heavy snow falling between Calais and Paris. We arrived home late evening to a very cold house!

Here are a few photos of December
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PEJvSZBiYKeUe7bM9

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