Tuesday 13 April 2010

Aaaah, France........


How I miss being there already, and we only left three days ago. So we are already planning when to go next, lol.

The ten days we spent there on this trip went by far too quickly. Sarah will be most disappointed to hear that I didn't do any crocheting, I just didn't have time. We were far too busy visiting and being visited. You wouldn't think that living in the middle of nowhere with neighbours and friends spread out all over the place, one could have such a busy social life. But thats what I love about our little community out there so much, the sense of belonging, the getting together over "apero" and a few bottles of wine, and yes, the gossiping as well of course. Things tend to get very international as well. One evening there were ten of us grown ups plus two kids, 4 French, 2 Dutch, 3 English and 1 German (me), talking away in all 4 languages at times.

The weather turned out to be a rather mixed bunch, a few rainy days, a few grey days and a few gorgeously sunny days. This is the cottage on a sunny day -

It was warm enough to sit out in short sleeves. What a relief after such a long, hard winter!

One of the first things I do when we get to the cottage, after unpacking, is cutting a few bits and pieces of greenery or flowers to put on the table in the cottage. Because we are not there all the time, I can't have real house plants, and the fake ones are just not enough, I have to have some real life ones around me. On this trip the timing was good, the daffodils were in full bloom and the forsythias were covered in bright yellow flowers. So off I went to snip snip snip. Gosh, how those shiny yellow flowers brightened up the interior straight away!

Then, if its not too late on the first day, I take a womble down the lane, to see whats growing. I love wild flowers, those tiny little gems that carpet the ground under the hedges, or proudly raise their little heads amidst the dead winter leaves -

And there seem to be masses of wild strawberry plants growing under our pine trees, both inside the garden and along the lane. Fingers crossed, if they all produce those delicious tiny fruits, I'll be very very happy -

The doggies love love love being there, they get lots of walks -

and lots of racing round the garden. Errmm, well, it will be a garden one day, when we live there permanently, now its more field than garden and also moletropolis. The doggies' favourite game has to be dogball, played like this -

closely followed indoors by toy tug-o-war -


and then of course they finish off with a marathon, a marathon snooze that is, lol -

We are so lucky to live on top of a hill, because we get 360degree views from our top field. In the morning we get the lovely sunrises over the valley seen from the garden or lower field, and in the evening we get gorgeous sunsets which we can see from our top field on the opposite side.

Sunrise -

Sunset -

Well, I think thats enough for today. There are loads more photos to share with you, bits and pieces in the cottage, photos of the guest bedrooms, garden stuff etc. Oh, and I have photographed some of the Brocante finds this morning, so they will appear sometime this week as well.

Have a wonderful day/evening wherever you are, xx

19 comments:

Catje said...

Hi

I really enjoy your blog, not only for the great pictures and the ideas, but also because your way of writing is great fun to read!

Looking forward to see your brocate finds!! That's one of the reasons I would want to get a house in France, too, to be able to go to brocantes and buy stuff! Saw a good one in Narbonne a few years back, almost cried with all the lovely furniture we had to leave behind. Difficult to bring an armoir back on the plane...

Catrine

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

How wonderful to have your cottage in France...your photos are just beautiful...what a view...love all your wild flowers...just took pictures yesterday of the few violets out back. It sounds as if you had a wonderful time ....only you need an American friend to join your international party! I look forward to seeing more photos of your time spent in France!
Take care,
Laura :)

Kissed by an Angel said...

Your cottage looks beautiful!! I love all the wild flowers too!!
xxxx

Rebecca said...

Gorgeous pictures, it looks so peaceful there!

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Oh My Gosh - that looks like heaven!!! I would never want to leave!!! It seems your pups enjoy it just as much as you - how sweet!

Elizabethd said...

I remember well the sense of anticipation I used to feel when we visited our holiday cottage...and always picked flowers for my kitchen too!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you're back but can understand that it must be very hard to drag yourseld away. It honestly looks idyllic.xx

LiLi M. said...

Your photos of France are amazing! I can imagine that you long to go back before you left hehehe!
Do you know Hermine of the dutch blog 'La maison'? She blogs about her home in France too, very lovely blog: http://madamevicq.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I don't think you went to France at all, Liz! It looks more like heaven! I think the dogs agree!

So nice to have you back.

diane

Debby said...

Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pics with us, beautiful.
Debby

Serenata said...

No wonder you were reluctant to come back - from what I've seen so far and the pictures of the dogs enjoying themselves say it all, it looks a lovely place! Looking forward to seeing more pictures.

The playing cards are rather sweet aren't they? ;-)

Kelly said...

Your french hideaway looks gorgeous! Such pretty wildlife! I'm talking about Poppy and Hector of course! The flowers are pretty too :)

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oh no I'm not the least bit disappointed about the lack of crochet. This way I now have extra time without being hassled by you. But actually I've just completed my first 51 grannies!!!! Can you hear my excitement from over there?

Oh yes, nice photos! Really nice actually, so nice I think I'd like to live in France on top of your hill as well. Pretty little hints of spring. Those babies of yours sure look like they enjoy their days over there.

Dorthe said...

Dear Liz, what a joyable trip, to make with you here, so many beautifull photoes, and no doubt that the whole family ,have had happy dayes together.You have a wonderfull place in France, fantastic.
Thanks for showing,sweet.
Hugs,Dorthe

Createology said...

What a wonderful cottage to go to and relax and enjoy the flowers, countryside, fur-children and just some time away. Happy chillaxin...

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Oh my gosh, you are living my dream. A sweet little cottage in the country, on a hill top, ahhhhh!

I love your flower arrangement. Nothing like fresh flowers to make you feel at home.

Your doggies sure love it there.
What a sweet photo of them all tuckered out from their romp.

Lovely post.

hugs
Sissie

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

HI LIZ, I AM GREEN WITH ENVY! WHAT A WONDERFUL FRENCH HOME YOU HAVE! (I WANT THE OLD LADDER THAT'S HANGING ON THE BUILDING!) CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE OTHER PICTURES OF EVERY THING, ESPECIALLY THE GUEST ROOM! LOL! I AGREE WITH LAURA. YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME AMERICAN FRIENDS THERE TO ROUND OUT THE GROUP! (AHEMM!)

I LOVED THE PICTURES OF YOUR DOGGIES. THEY LOOK SO HAPPY AND IT'S OBVIOUS THEY HAVE A GOOD HOME.

KEEP THOSE PHOTOS COMING, HUGS, JUDY

Gerry said...

I love your French country retreat and its surroundings. The rolling hills and mountain view is outstanding! I can certainly see why you came home to England "looking back"...LOL.
Gerry

Unknown said...

Oh My Goodness....what a beautiful place on this earth! That cottage

What a lucky girl you are to spend time in such a charming spot.

beautiful flowers...beautiful sunset...tired doggies : )

Cori