Wed 30 Apr 2008
Over the past couple of weeks I have noticed the number of eggs produced by the chickens has decreased. At first I thought the chickens had worms but before I had a chance to give them some medication I found broken eggs shells in the centre barn.
Hrmm …
Tue 29 Apr 2008
After a few glorious days of sunshine the weather has changed to cold winds and scattered heavy showers.
During a break in the rain I took the opportunity to go and harvest our first asparagus spears of 2008.
Some had grown quite long and were just going over, while others were just showing their first new fresh growth through the soil. There were some long very fine spears and others which were like short stumpy thumbs.
After cleaning and chopping off the woody bits from the older spears, I made a delicious asparagus soup. The whole house was perfumed with the smell of fresh asparagus.
The younger spears I will steam tonight, smother them in melting butter with a twist of black pepper.
Delicious - although it does bring to mind a certain fountain scene from Austin Powers !!!
Sat 26 Apr 2008
Well this weekend was the warmest it has been all year - around 21 degrees.
After a hot morning working in the garden and another 2 hours spent cleaning the bbq, which had been sat in the garage all winter. The bbq was stoked up and a dozen sardine fillets cooked for lunch with a plate of crisp salad. Now, what to drink with them.
Of course, a bottle of white wine.
Happy days ahead !!!
Wed 2 Apr 2008
This little fellow was basking in the sun on our doorstep this morning.
At first I thought it was a lizard but after researching on the internet and coming up with a blank, I posted a photo onto a french forum. A few hours later and one helpful member (Steve01) informed me it is a marbled newt.
He must have overwintered in a hole by the front door and was waiting for the sun to hit the doorstep when I stuck a camera up his nose !!
Tue 25 Mar 2008
It seems to have dragged on forever but at long last its over - SPRING is here.
I heard and saw my first swallow this afternoon and it totally lifted my spirits. The first buds of blossom are erupting on the peach, apple and plum trees. Daffodils, tulips and crocuses are adding splashes of colour to a rather drab garden at the moment. There are plenty of weeds to keep me occupied for a week or so.
Winter seemed to be holding on in a cold vice like grip and wasn’t letting go. We have had rain, hail, winds and frosts over the last few months but now sunshine, blue skies and “sundowners” are all a step closer.
I have tiny tomato seedlings growing on the windowsill and my courgette seeds have just erupted with signs of green peeking through the soil. It won’t be long before we are enjoying a bumper harvest of fresh produce.
HURRAY
Sun 23 Mar 2008
I rarely write up slices of my geek-life, but for this I’ll make an exception.
Download the small preview application here http://www.kloonigames.com/crayon/
After a delightful Easter* with my nephews (”almost six” and “four and a bit”) they all of a sudden were constructing things and thinking about dynamics, balance, inertia, gravity, acceleration.
Thinking back (”36 and a half years”)… If I’d have seen this at that age what might I have made of it?
I suspect it might have been a portal to a whole new world. Full marks to Petri Purho and your “Crayon Physics” application.
- Adrian
* a Couple of days enforced residence spent in the UK due to an unfortunate confluence of passport and sixty degree jeans wash!
Sat 15 Mar 2008
We were exploring the area, trying to locate a windmill which had a restaurant nearby that had been recommended to us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the windmill - until after we had eaten here - so missed out on what I would assume was a much better meal!!
Sat 8 Mar 2008
After having a rather bland meal previously in Nantes we decided to go for a quick meal in one of the many creperies in the restaurant quarter.
Wed 5 Mar 2008
In November 2006 we had a kind offer, from a friend, for a mountain of wood for burning in our woodburner. One catch - the wood had to be chopped first. The trees had already been felled, but were now dumped in 6 or more huge stacks across our friend’s land.
Sat 1 Mar 2008
This is a Tunisian restaurant in the heart of Parthenay. We arrived around 8.30pm and managed to get the last table without a reservation. A few other groups of people were turned away during the night. The whole place was bustling and had a vibrancy about it.