Autumn update

Well any thought of winter is certainly not in our minds today as it's a lovely 26c in the cottage garden, beautiful blue skies and it looks like this weather is staying for a week at least. Our recent guests also enjoyed some glorious September weather so as we have said many times before there is no reason to just opt for high season at Les Deux Platanes.

In August the annual 'meshoui' went off well and as usual we were in the thick of it putting up tables and generally helping out. 

The two sheep were roasting nicely to feed nearly 100 people.

Maureen assists with the washing up

It's free so everyone attends!

The summer of 2017 will forever be remembered as 'The year of the fruit'. We have been inundated with tomatoes, courgettes and a vast quantity of plums from our trees. The jam supply has been well replenished.

A tiny selection of fruit from our garden

John has managed to collect nearly 300 litres of plums!!!! These are busy fermenting in 3 large plastic dustbins. After adding a little sugar and stored over the winter these will be taken to the distiller when he arrives in May 2018 and converted into alcohol, maybe 40 litres. 

Woodpecker visit: Our local green woodpecker has been visiting the cottage garden, we managed to snap a picture before he left for more wood pecking duties

The annual 2CV gathering took place during August. Visitors were welcome and as usual food and drink was on hand at all times!

The cottage garden has once again been entered into the regional flower competition. It's been a bit of an art this year, keeping them watered during the  hot weather we had in the middle of the year. Luckily John was able to move the tubs under the plane trees to take advantage of their shade. The well provides us with a very useful supply of free water which helps too.

The tubs and baskets were just starting to fill out when these pictures were taken.

Can we thank May and Mike who were guests all through August for their recent review on Cheznous:

A really lovely gite with an attention to detail and quality which we have never seen before - and we've stayed in 50 gites across France over the past 35 years.
The owners, Maureen & John, are helpful, friendly yet discreet.
The crowning glory is the garden which would be the envy of most English gardeners.

Lets hope the garden has an impression on the secret judges when they visit.

Well that's all for now, better go and stir the fermenting plums!

Strange goings on!

Apparently its that time of year again when we spot all manner of strangely dressed folks tending the fields....what more can be said?

Maybe its some ancient fertility celebration but no one appears to know - yes you have guessed it they are all men. Still non the wiser.

The flowers in late July

You can believe me when I tell you its been a mammoth task ensuring the flowers in the cottage garden have survived the hot weather early this month. With temperatures on some days in the mid to high 30's it was necessary to move some flower tubs and baskets under the trees to prevent them being 'cooked'. However they have survived and with ample use of 'Miracle Grow' they are all looking just fine. Those guests who are still to visit this year can look forward to a nice flowery garden to wind away your days with a glass of your favorite tipple. In 2016 we were awarded 2nd Prize in the regional flower garden competition, with some stiff competition and a large number of entrants what will we do in 2017 - all will be revealed in December.

July 21st 2017 - managing to keep the grass green

The second terrace is lovely in the evening

The small shutter to the blue bedroom

growing vines around the barrel this year

Hanging baskets and tubs have survived the heat

Your private enclosed garden - a lovely place to relax

A right Highland Fling!

Last week our guests here at Les Deux Platanes had an unexpected treat. They arrived in time to participate in a medieval banquet that was part of a major two day Franco - Scottish fete in our nearest town, Chatillon sur Indre.

In addition to an excellent meal we were provided with a range of entertainment during the evening. The French need little excuse to organise a fete and this one was outstanding. 

Looking back to the 100 years war it appears the town of Chatillon had some links with Scotland - so they formed a Franco - Scottish society and the rest is history as they say.  

Nearly 600 attended the meal

The roast boars were displayed for all to see

The serving ladies were all local volunteers

Plus dancing of course!

In addition to the meal the town was transformed into medieval magnificence with stalls selling food, craft displays and all manner of activity.
 

June is bursting out all over!

On some land near to the cottage is what we 'Brits' would describe as a small holding and this is maintained by Madam Monique with military precision. In addition to the magnificent vegetable garden she also has ducks, 2 geese, 6 sheep and around 80 chickens. Everything except the sheep will be 'dispatched' for the table at some point during the year and our freezer currently contains a duck and chicken. This week the new ducks and geese arrived - see picture:

This was only the second day and already they were in the pond.

The cottage garden is now all set up with flowers all appear to be growing well and since we have has a very warm and dry spring they have needed regular attention especially with watering.

Living in central France you enjoy a slow and peaceful life, neighbours passing with their latest vehicle:

Oh yes, its like yesteryear.....is Maureen asking about the mpg?

Barbecue information:

What can be better on holiday than a good barbecue on a warm evening, starlit sky above and only birds and our local owl for company - not forgetting a nice bottle of wine. At the cottage you have access to a good charcoal barbecue, everything except the charcoal is provided although in many cases previous guests may have left charcoal.

The trolley barbecue has two grills, you can use one or both, it has all the tools, sticks for lighting and normally some newspaper. 

All the tools, glove and an apron for the chef!

Plus a vegetable roaster if required.

Where can you use the barbecue?

Anywhere in your garden, you have a choice of two terraces both with tables or you may wish to move the smaller lighter table under the trees. The large terrace directly in front of the cottage has a large table, outside lights etc . Last week we had four French guests and the two men were barbecue experts and they used the terrace in front of the cottage. The second terrace is at the bottom of the garden and has a smaller table, retractable sun blind, electric light PLUS a socket for the portable hot plate. So all you aspiring  chefs can rustle up a real gourmet dinner.

The smaller wood terrace at the bottom of your garden area.

The hotplate can be used to keep dishes warm or for some gourmet delights!

That's all for now, also remember that if you have booked the cottage directly with Maureen their will be a small  'arrival' pack of provisions here when you arrive :Bread, home made jam, local ham, cheese, milk, tea / coffee and some butter. The local supermarket is open on a Sunday morning if required.

What's not to like about spring?

The bird box's are full and birds are working 24/7 feeding young, the flowers are starting to grow very well and the sun is shining, what's not to like about spring?

Maureen has been working hard (not 24/7 I may add) moving all 400 plus plants from the greenhouse to tubs, baskets and borders. This year we ordered 30 bags of compost from the local gardening association and it looks like we will use them all.

The potting up area

3 of many tubs ready to go into the cottage garden

yes, more tubs!

However this year Maureen has also been developing the vegetable garden so a few photo's is worth a thousand words.

The soft fruit area is developing well

We picked out first Strawberry on the 13th May.

I have been installing edging for some of the flower borders to make them easier to maintain during the season when we have guests in the cottage.

I bought and cut corrugated galvanized sheets to make the border edge.  

Outside the cottage rose room window the spring flowers are out in force and looking great.

We have our first guests arriving next week, all the flowers will be in place although it will take some time for them all to come out and bloom.

The cottage website is constantly updated with news, this week I gave the 'cafes. bistro's and restaurants' page a major update.

Its a food world in May

Well May has been a great 'food' month so far. We made a visit to the 'new' 'Paddock' Bistro / cafe in Chatillon on Saturday evening to test it out before recommending it or not to our guests and we are very pleased to say it was GREAT! Its a simple small place that used to be a bar serving drinks and coffee but closed some time ago. The new owners have injected some individuality and opened it as small Bistro/cafe. They offer a range of draft and bottled beers, wine, etc and simple food but place an emphasis on quality.  The menu is small, a range of home made burgers, small variety of steaks and other items all served with salad or chips. I had a 140g burger at 8 euro (you can choose the size) and Maureen had a entrecote steak both served with home made chips. It came with nice fresh bread and a jug of cold water. We were delighted with everything, we were the only ones eating that evening but it varies. It can sometimes be difficult in France to find a place that offers simple quality food other than the standard 'menu' so we are pleased this new place is open and the proprietors are delightful.

On Monday the 8th May we attended the remembrance event in town before attending the 'vin' d'honour and then the lunch arranged by the town's ancient combatants association. Of course I was never an ancient combatant or a combatant of any sort but we attend the event so as one of the few 'English' in the area we are invited along with another couple we know. I wear my fathers medals on the right as he fought in ww2 in North Africa and Italy. The 'lunch' of course is a typical full on French lunch that always lasts at least 4 hours. This years menu was:

• Kir petillant (sparkling white wine with blackcurrant liqueur)
• Oeuf en meurette ( Half a boiled egg in a red wine reduced sauce with lardons and mushrooms)
• Filet de cabillaud - creme au chorizo ( Fillet of Cod in a lovely mild chorizo sauce)
• Trou Berrichon a la poire ( Sorbet with pear eau de vie alcohol)
• Magret de canard aux quatre - epices ( Sliced duck breast with potatoes dauphinoise)
• Assiete de fromage et salade vert (Cheese selection with a dressed green salad)
• Profiteroles au chocolat (Profiteroles filled with ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream
• Coffee

Served with as much Muscadet, red Bordeaux, sparkling white wine as you could drink or wanted all for a total of 32 euro's per person....Bargain!

Needless to say it was well after 5pm before we left what was a superb meal.

Maureen has been busy potting up plants today but I think that needs another BLOG post.