03/12/2018 The daily diary has almost become the weekly diary, but there is not a lot to take daily photos of!!

Maximum temperature today 15C, minimum 11C.  36mm rain measured this morning and it is still raining; 27km/h North-westerly winds gusting up to 61 km/h.   

In the last two days, we have had 51 mm of rain, and a total so far this year of 935mm despite having had one of our driest ever summers.  Last years total rain for the year was 739 mm!

Christmas in France only arrives in December, not like so many places that seem to start decorating in October - Our local supermarket with animated bears.

I saw this in a shop window in our local town...

This was in the next door window, inverted coffee and tea plastic mugs, very clever I thought.

The Mairie (Mayor's office) in Chasseneuil.

Choisya ternata, taken through the window in the rain...

Hydrangea in the rain

This morning's drive to the Physio for my back in the rain and mist, trying to get a shot of autumn colours...

As above.  Sadly this is my last visit, she is returning to the UK at the end of this month and there is nobody else in France who does the same spinal work as she does 😒. 

Peekaboo, I see you... Red-legged Partridge (Electorus rufa)...

The Owl and the Pussycat Partridge. 

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Female.

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula).

European robin (Erithacus rubecula).

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Male.

I have updated my bird blog HERE.

07/09/2019 A few photos from the garden and elsewhere.

Maximum temperature today 25C, minimum 13C.  Rain that was not forecast yesterday but very welcome, 9mm; 10km/h North-westerly winds with up to 27 km/h gusts. 

Looking down one of the roads in Rochechouart....

and I just liked this old gate in the same town.

A road crossing in Chassenon.

Six sparrows all trying to take a bath!

and a loner.

Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa violacea)

Colorado beetle the big pest! (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), 

House centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata).

Cosmos and bug...

Cosmas and crab spider.

Autumn daffodil/crocus (Sternbergia lutea) and bug.

Californian Poppy.

Rose buds.

Sweet Potato flower.

Violas, these have been amazing, flowering all year from early spring and they are now reseeding.

We are away from tomorrow for the next week and as Penny from 'SnapThat' so aptly said, we will be unplugged.  No computer, and almost no phone contact.

Bonne semaine. À bientot.

My bird blog

has been updated HERE

03/09/2018 Join me on a walk around the garden.

Maximum temperature today 27C, minimum 12C.  Dry; 13 km/h North-easterly winds with up to 35 km/h gusts. 

We seem to be constantly on the go and I am taking photos when I can.  This week there is something on every day, and nothing which is going to be photogenic, but I will see what I can find at home when I have the chance.  At the weekend we are taking a break for a week and I will be out of contact, no computer and no WiFi, but I hope to bring back some good photos if the weather holds.

Splish, splash, splosh Sparrows having fun. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Peek-a-boo, common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis).

Bumblebee heading straight for me...

and enjoying the lavender.

A not very cooperative red admiral butterfly, (Vanessa atalanta).

and another one that was camera shy, Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Cosmos and what might be a small bee of some kind.

The first Sternbergia lutea, the winter daffodil, autumn daffodil, autumn crocus (it seems to have many names) - not a good sign so early in the year!!

Trying so hard to keep up with the figs.......

Green bell peppers.

Asiatic hornet (Vespa velutina), a nasty piece of work....

As above.

Nasturtiums.

Sweet potatoes are looking healthy with lots of watering; spring onions bottom right...

 winter broccoli on the left, carrots centre and haricot beans on the right, potatoes at the back.

I hopefully saved a little sparrow today that was being chased by something and it hit the window 3 times.  I went out and picked it up and brought it in to stay warm in my hands for a short while. We were going out soon after, so I gently put it in a tea towel to protect it, but so it was able to get out which I then put into a small container.  When we came home it had apparently flown the nest so I hope all is well.  I tried to take a photo with the phone, but realised holding a bird in one hand and trying to take a photo with the other did not work very well!!

My bird blog

has been updated HERE