27/09/2017 Another day in the kitchen so low on photos.

Maximum temperature 22C,  minimum 12C.  6 km/h SE wind with 13 km/h gusts. 3mm of rain  measured this morning. 

I was waiting for Nigel to return from a quick trip to town and I saw this beetle on the barn wall, possibly a leaf beetle but I do not know which one.

While I was waiting I thought I would have a look at the neighbour's garden (they are away) a pretty rose...

and a yellow daisy but not an insect anywhere in sight!

Back home a wasp in the laurel hedge...

A small heath in the greenhouse (Coenonympha pamphilus)

this little lizard with a mouthful, goodness know what it had, but I only had one shot at it and it vanished into the wood stumps.

Calendula

So many medlars, very tasty but a pain to work with, they need to rot first!!!

Also lots of quinces...

Today was more quince jelly and bottled fruit.

We are out at sparrow tomorrow morning and I do not know what time we will be home.  If I miss a day I will catch up on Friday.

For those that are interested Part four of our trip to Botswana and Southern Africa is HERE

22/09/2017 Busy day - in the kitchen - The Pest controller - La Rochefoucauld.

Maximum temperature 21C,  minimum 10C.  9 km/h NE wind with 19 km/h gusts. Dry and another reasonable day despite fog this morning.

Nine bottles of quince jelly bottled this morning.

Then the pest controller came to sort out the hornets which were becoming a huge problem...

As above.  After spraying he broke up the nest and managed to put a small hole through the ceiling in our bathroom which is the other side of the wall.  We must have swept up over 100 hornets in the bathroom and in our bedroom!

The back roads of La Rochefoucauld...

as above...

Rue des Tanneurs ( Street of the tanners)...

Until the 19th century tanning played an important part of the economy in La Rochefoucauld.  As a lot of water is required in tanning the establishment was set up close to La Tardoire river.

I am hoping that my French speaking followers will be able to read this sign but the writing is not very big.

The above road...

La Tardoire looking towards La Rochefoucauld chateau,

and looking in the opposite direction.

The wall around the town was built to protest the inhabitants during the 100 years war from 1397 onwards. The wall was 1 metre 70 thick (5 ft 6ins) with 6 gateways and 5 towers. apart from a section of the Coquille gate (above) the wall was demolished in 1850.

Info for the above.

La Rochefoucald with the church St Cybard in the distance...

The town hall.  The Police station is on the left of this photo, you can see two policeman on their bikes...

I took  a drive by shot of this a couple of weeks back and said I had never seen it before and did not know what was there....

now I know :-)

and to finish the day off after a fish meal we had quince and apple crumble.   So many quinces still on the tree!!

11/09/2017 Busy in the kitchen ! A few garden shots.

Maximum temperature 19C, minimum 13C. 16 km/h NW wind with 41 km/h gusts. 4mm of rain overnight.  More rain forecast for the rest of the week.

Rosemary beetle.

Small white (Pieris rapae) on the lavender.

As above.

Caterpillar of the small white butterfly on the radish leaves!!

As above

Bombylius species also on the lavender.

As above.

Speckled Wood.

The first flower on the Christmas cactus.

Figs.

Quince jam...

Quince jelly.  This is the darkest I have ever made it - very concentrated but tastes great.

If you are interested Part 3 of our holiday in South Africa is up and running on my other blog.

09/10/2015 Busy in the kitchen and in the garden.

Maximum temperature 20C, minimum 4C. 25 km/h E wind. Dry.