21/01/2023 A few more photos from January.

The maximum temperature here today is 4⁰C, minimum -2⁰C.  Dry now, but 70% rain is forecast for today!  The remainder of the week it is just very cloudy and it gets colder!!  South-Westerly winds of 24km/h with gusts up to 49 km/h. 

Catkins on the Hazelnut tree.  We also had catkins in November so it seems to be confused.

Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), just before the chill set in again...

and the return of the Hoverfly (Platycheirus scutatus)...

As above.

Greenfinch (Chloris chloris).

A Chaffinch in the rain (Fringilla coelebs).

A European Starling, taken from a distance, but a visitor not often seen in the garden. (Sturnus vulgaris).

Collard Doves ( Streptopelia decaocto) and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).

 I can find very little info on this church in Massignac other than it is the Church of Saint Paul, it is built in a neo-gothic style, and the parish register dates back to 1658.  It is a catholic church.

Playing around with peacock feathers!

My pair of wooden ducks, bought on eBay about 20 years ago.  Love them.

19 January 17h00

20 January 10h30

As above.

Late on the 19th, it was very dark and snowing, the photos are taken through the window, not great photos but worth recording. Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus).

As above.

This will be my last blip probably until we return in April, but if I get a chance, and we have a WiFi connection when the electricity does work in South Africa I will try to get an odd post done!!

Take care everyone and stay safe.

My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 13/12/2022).

Joining up with My Corner of the World.

 

11/01/2023 The first week of January.

The maximum temperature here today is 13⁰C, minimum 7⁰C.  Dry now, but 90% rain is forecast for the next 7 days! South-Westerly winds of 20km/h with gusts up to 40 km/h. 

European robin (Erithacus rubecula) I just missed it while in the bath!

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).

Great tit (Parus major).

Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

Hoverfly on the Viburnum tinus.  I am still determining which hoverfly it is!   I think Richard has it right and it is Platycheirus scutatus.  Thank you.

I think this is a Weevil but again not sure which one.  It was inside the house and the light was terrible.

Prickly stuff! A cactus that we bought in Holland.

Seed head of a Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).

(Bergenia Cordifolia) is sometimes called Pigsqueak or Elephant ears - don't ask me why!

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis).

Western Honey Bee I think - as above.

Gendarme beetle or Fire bug. (Pyrrhocoris apterus).

I will try to get another blog done before we go on holiday, and maybe while we are away, but I am not promising anything.  If I disappear do not be surprised, we will, if all goes to plan, be home 1 April 2023 and that is not an April Fool!!

My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 13/12/2022).

Joining up with My Corner of the World.

02/01/2023 - Wishing you a Happy 2023 with the last photos of 2022.

The maximum temperature here today is 15⁰C, minimum 7⁰C.  Dry now, but rain is forecast on and off for the remainder of the week. South-Westerly winds of 17km/h with gusts up to 44 km/h. 

Wishing you health, wealth, peace, and happiness in the New Year ahead.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) male.

Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) female.

Great Tit (Parus major) probably a male.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) female.

As above, male.

European robin (Erithacus rubecula).

As above.

Rosemary flower (Salvia rosmarinus).

The flower of English holly (Ilex aquifolium) .

The last rose hanging in there. Just before Christmas.

European robin (Erithacus rubecula).

Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum).

Moss on a rainy day.

We saw this mural in a local supermarket the other day, so very lifelike.

My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 13/12/2022).

Joining up with My Corner of the World.

19/12/2022 Happy Christmas and wishing you all the best over the holidays.

The maximum temperature here today is 15⁰C, minimum 6⁰C. (Freak weather for December!) Dry now, but rain is forecast for the remainder of the week. South-Westerly winds of 24km/h with gusts up to 48 km/h.

Sunset 04/12/2022

Autumn Walk 01/12/2022

A very late field of sunflowers 01/12/2022

Mum and calf 03/12/2022

Mistletoe 03/12/2022 Sadly too high for me to pick any!

03/12/2022 Possibly Conocybe apala.

03/12/2022 Slime Mould Cauliflower. (Reticularia lycoperdon or Enteridium lycoperdon). Confusing!

03/12/2022 Vitrac Saint Vincent

Vitrac Saint Vincent - Église Saint-Maixent.

The first stone was laid in the year 1080 under the supervision of the powerful lord of Chabanais. The church of Vitrac in the 12th century was as important as its sister in Chasseneuil.

Also at Vitrac St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).

 

Vitrac - Wax Begonias ( Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum).

06/12/2022 Back home in the garden Choisya ternata

Hydrangea.

A climbing rose still in flower and surviving a couple of frosts.

Hot stuff was brought in from the greenhouse (Capsicum chinense Habanero.)

10/12/2022 A survivor picked from my walk on the 1st.

11/12/2022 Our first heavy frost brought the heart-shaped Ginkgo biloba leaves all to the ground

Moon over the rooftops, not quite full.

07/12/2022 very late Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus) flying South.

Christmas deco in Leclerc supermarket.

The berries of the cotoneaster.

Wishing you all the very best over the holidays and I hope that 2023 is a good year for all of us.

My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 13/12/2022).

Joining up with My Corner of the World.