04/11/2017 A walk in the garden seeing what is still there before tomorrow's chilly temperatures arrive!

Maximum temperature 16C, minimum 10C.  6km/h NW winds, 24km/h gusts. Dry

Bergenia Cordifolia, 

Bumblebee on the lavender which I have never seen flowering so late in the year!

As above.

Catkins still on the hazel nut tree, note the fluff from the pampas.

Coriander flower.

Cotoneaster berries.

Lawn daisy plus fly...

As above but note the little bug as well!

Marigolds.

Climbing rose.

Viburnum - I have never noticed the perfume from this before but it was remarkably strong today.

Viola.

Zinnia with traces of the pampas as well.

Sparrow love at first sight.

Fish pie before going in the oven.  Sorry I wanted to finish the blog before dinner!!

Fish Pie recipe here it is delicious.

31/10/2017 Very chilly outside today and photos not easy. Not an insect in sight!

Maximum temperature 16C, minimum 2C.  11km/h SE winds, 22km/h gusts. Dry

The blackbird came to my rescue with photos, I missed the bath but caught up with his toiletries and preening afterwards...

As above...

As above...

As above...

As above...

That feels much better.  European blackbird (Turdus merula).

The cotoneaster looking quite Christmassy.

Viburnam

Zinnia with pampas fluff which is all over the garden!!

First fire this winter today :-)

A pale sunset...

and looking over my shoulder the moon was just over the neighbour's barn.  Taken with my little pocket Samsung camera.

29/10/2017 Horrible day, chilly with light drizzle.

Maximum temperature 14C, minimum 6C.  8 km/h NW winds, 20km/h gusts. Very misty and drizzly.

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

As above... taking a drink.

As above... having something to say.

Still some figs around.

Autumn colours.

Zinnia

Unusual zinnia it looks like one is growing on another one but there is only one stem!

House sparrow male (Passer domesticus)

As above - female ...

Common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus)

Great tit (Parus major) on the windowsill. 

P.S. Just a note to tell you that we discovered a great vegetarian recipe - we did not notice that it was missing meat - low calories -  see Here

26/10/2017 Some of yesterday's photos as promised, and some from the garden.

Maximum temperature 24C, minimum 13C.  7 km/h SW winds, 14 km/h gusts. Dry.

Arrival at Domaine des Etangs...

The largest 5 star resort in mainland France, with a a fully renovated 11th century château.

If you want to read more about it see here....

 it expands over 1000 hectares of protected natural surroundings, a mixture of forests, grassland and ponds....

I presume this is meant to represent a family looking across the lake at the cattle beyond...

Looking upwards at one of the wonderful old trees...

A different view of the lake and grounds....

and what appears to be a religious cross.

If you would like to stay here, and you have to ask the price, then you can't afford it!

We went there to book for a special dinner coming up next month.

Back home, toadstools in the garden, maybe where the faeries live 😉

Zinnias still opening but it looks like the cold arrives tomorrow so......

Another zinnia well past its best, but the bumblebee seems happy enough.

23/10/2017 The birds are back.

Maximum temperature 16C, minimum 10C.  7 km/h SW winds, 17 km/h gusts. 2 mm rain measured.

Last nights sunset.

Mr Sparrow having splashed all the water out!

(Passer domesticus)

Mr Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Mrs Blackbird not happy there is no water left...

so she moves to the ashtray....

Ah more water here... 

but not big enough... 

I then went out and filled all the water up but of course they did not come back till I gave up on them!

Bumblebee

as above.

Unknown beetle on the wall.

Climbing rose.

What I think is just a fly on the zinnia.