Wednesday 27 October 2010

Up the road, afternoon.

We venture further afield looking for sloes, but I've left it late, and many are withered and finished.  Then, when nearly home, we find a bush of fat glossy ones.

Monday 25 October 2010

Up the road, afternoon.

A very tiny old lady, unknown to me, buttonholes me on the corner.  She's staying with her daughter, but homesick for Paris; here, she says, it is like a desert.

Thursday 21 October 2010

Approach to Bogard, afternoon.

I know the silky plates and domes of these mushrooms are edible, but not worth the bother.  Leave them to be beautiful among the heart-shaped leaf litter of the poplars.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Up the road, afternoon.

Whilst enjoying the scenery, I'm thinking about making things: Christmas cards from photos, sloe gin, chicken fricassee and rice with some of the jar of chestnut puree mixed into it...

Sunday 17 October 2010

Up the road, afternoon.

In an explosion of noise and colour, a cock pheasant bursts up out of Marcelle's orange marigold bed.  I am sorry to have driven it from its place of safety.

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Up the road, afternoon.

The wind from the north which blows my hair out sideways, also carries a late, hasty swallow, flying low and lonely across the track, over the fields and far away.

Sunday 10 October 2010

Tredaniel plan d'eau, afternoon.

The tapping of a small ball hammer on a plank, close.  Wait, and I'm right, the woodpecker flaps away, like a black and white chequerboard with a red backing.

Saturday 2 October 2010

Tredaniel plan d'eau, morning.

Molly suddenly leaps into the car with uncharacteristic haste, then leaps out again.  I'm puzzled, then see a bumblebee crawling where she has just been. She is terrified but unstung.

Road back from Henon, evening, Friday (not really a walk, but out with Mol anyway)

The streaming wet road is alive with amphibians: frogs, toads, and salamanders of all shapes and sizes.  For Tom, trying to avoid them whilst driving is a rather fraught business.