The maximum temperature here today is 13⁰C, minimum 5⁰C. We seem to be catching up with the rain that we missed earlier in the year!! As I type this, it is pouring down and rain is forecast daily. South-Westerly winds of 27km/h with gusts up to 61 km/h.
Nigel's birthday earlier in the month at L'Intemporal in La Rochefoucauld
On the plate is the Amuse Bouche, but because it is white on white it impossible to see!
Starter of boiled egg with creamed parsnip.
The main course of what we think was Nile Perch with vegetables.
Dessert - Apple pie and ice cream.
The view from our table in the restaurant - La Rochefoucauld Chateau.
A reflection of part of the chateau in the Tardoire river that runs under the bridge.
Further reflections on the Tardoire.
Part of the old Convent...
As above.
Walking down the main street of la Rochefoucauld.
The Church in the background dates from the 13th century.
Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus) flying South on the 12 November - they are so noisy!
A Great Tit (Parus major) can look at an elephant.
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) female checking the skies.
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) male.
Last but not least is our Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) that always flowers too early!!
My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 02/6/2022).
Belated best wishes, Nigel. Looking good you two! Reflections are some of my favourite shots. You took some great ones!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie and birthday greetings forwarded to Nigel. I also love reflections, not a lot of water around us so not often I can get them! Cheers Diane
DeleteAs I glance at the two of you, (Happy birthday, Nigel) it is clear that we are all aging with dignity, finesse, charm, panache and a clear head, all the while retaining our timeless beauty! A glass of wine or two, as you demonstrate, does nothing to diminish this perception. We should celebrate more frequently it seems to me. We could have the seventy-ninth and a third birthday, and so on, even fête National Worm Day or some other auspicious event. We shall cruise to the end in style and go out with a bang! Bonne santé Diane et Nigel et bonne soirée. David.
ReplyDeleteHi David, I am sure my next Birthday will be great celebrations if I get there. It will certainly be champagne for us on my eightieth. Nigel still has 5 years to catch up with me 😊 Bonne journée to you both. Diane
DeleteMy next will be my eightieth too, but since we are not given to celebrating birthdays I suspect the day will come and go much as any other.
DeleteBirthdays are about all we celebrate, as Christmas with no family is not worth the effort. We do not buy presents for any occasion any more just go out for a meal. We have one nephew in Australia who we send money to for his birthday and Christmas, that is it!!
DeleteHappy belated Birthday, Nigel! That looks like a fabulous meal with an awesome view. That male sparrow looks very handsome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the birthday greetings Angie, forwarded on. The restaurant is almost worth going to just for the view but the food is excellent anyway. Take care Cheers.
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ReplyDeleteMersad, Please note that I do not allow comments with links, if you should comment again please remove any links or your comment will be deleted
DeleteYou found a lovely restaurant there Diane. What great views and unusual food courses too. I think I would have enjoyed the apple pie more than the Nile perch! The cranes seem late but I imagine that they would be about right in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteHi Phil the Nile perch was excellent. It is a fish if we see it at the fishmonger we will always buy, one of our favourites. The restaurant is very good and the view is superb. Yes, I guess the cranes would be flying over here a bit later than with you, but that photo was taken12 November.
DeleteKeep warm and keep ringing. Cheers Diane
A belated Happy Birthday to Nigel. It is apparent that you still have wonderful places in France where you can dine out in style, and probably at a very reasonable price? As I'm sure you are aware, such places in UK tend to only come at a price that is unaffordable to us mere mortals. I don't think that I have ever been to la Rochefoucauld - it looks splendid and interesting. I'm delighted to see you both looking so happy and healthy.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - stay safe - - - Richard
Thanks Richard and wishes conveyed to Nigel. Yes prices here are much lower in restaurants than in the UK in general, though this one is a little more expensive. Market menu (starter/main course/dessert) available only for lunch during the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) at €25 plus extra for wine. The place we go to more often is a 4 course meal including wine for €15.
DeleteVery best wishes to you both, take care Diane
What a nice view to go with a birthday dinner. My mother grew Christmas Cactus as a houseplant, and it was a lovely sight when blooming. Yours looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is a stunning view and one we never get tired of Yvonne. Thanks for the visit and the comment, keep well and have a good day, Diane
DeleteHi Diane - that looks a very delicious birthday lunch ... making me very jealous! What a gorgeous looking castle to see - lots of history through that family throughout Charente (I note) ... your elephant sculpture is delightful and fun to see the birds with it ... here's to many more happy times - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary and thanks for the lovely comment,. Yes, the Rochefoucauld family have a number of places in France, The family still lives in part of our local chateau. I do love our soap stone carvings, I wish when I had the chance I had of bought more, they were so cheap 40 odd years ago!!
DeleteSo looking forward to our 2 months back in RSA and avoiding some of the European winter!
Take care, cheers Diane
Happy belated birthday Nigel. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gaelyn, hard to keep warm, as I type this it is 6C !! Cheers Diane
DeleteOh how I envy your restaurants and French food. It looks amazing. We do have some restaurants that serve French food but they are expensive and few and far between. Happy Birthday Nigel.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky with restaurants, there are some really good ones close by, and not at all expensive compared with most certainly in the UK. Cheers t'other Diane
DeleteI'm so happy to see you and Nigel! Happy belated birthday, Nigel. You two look wonderful! The food looks delish! And, as always I love your photography, Diane. Take care, be well. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Sally and birthday greetings forwarded. You take care as well and have a good week. Cheers Diane oxo
DeleteThanks for the vote Diane. Good work with the House Sparrowpics. We don't get any in the garden now that the species has become so scarce.
ReplyDeleteIt was only a pleasure Phil, wish I could vote more than once. We have so many sparrows and i am more than happy to see them. Keep well Diane
DeleteI remember leaving a comment here but it has disappeared. Happy belated birthday to Nigel. Both of you are looking good. Food looks delicious. Great shots of the scenery and birds. It is now raining cats and dogs outside.
ReplyDeleteI often write a comment and forget to click on publish then wonder what has happened to it!! Thanks for the very kind comment. Keep well and have a good weekend. Diane
DeleteHappy Birthday, Nigel! What a lovely place to be surrounded by greenery.
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica, it is such a lovely place to enjoy a meal. Cheers Diane
ReplyDelete