Mas Saint Antoine

EUROPE’S largest lift bridge has been opened in Bordeaux, with the Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas spanning the River Garonne.The central lift span is 117m long and can be lifted vertically up to 53m to let tall ships pass underneath. One of the first ships to pass under it was the historic three-masted schooner Belem.President Hollande inaugurated the €160 million bridge, which connects the Bastide district near the city’s wharves with Bacalan. He named it after the late Jacques Chaban-Delmas, who was mayor of Bordeaux for 48 years.The bridge is 575m long with the central lift span weighing around 2,600 tonnes. Its width varies from 32 to 45m and it will be used by cars, trams, cyclists and pedestrians. It can handle 43,000 vehicles a day and will reduce traffic congestion in Bordeaux.

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Our Carte Vitale (healthcare cards) have finally arrived after a year of paperwork, going backwards and forwards.  Now I might be allowed to learn how to use the chainsaw but I doubt it.  Thats another thing ticked off the list and now we are in the system its time to visit the dentist and Dr for those all important check ups etc.

The pool has a new liner, filter and long overdue summer cover....now all we need is some decent weather to be able to make good use of it all.  K2 is busy redoing all the solar heating pipes which is looking pretty impressive.  Have no idea how he is planning to get it all onto the Pool Studio roof but I guess he has the figured out in his head.  At least if we drop it trying to get it up there and injure ourselves we are covered for medical care....ha

The 66th Cannes Film Festival is fast approaching.  It starts on the 15 May and runs until the 26th and it totally takes over the town.  This year around 200,000 people are expected but all the screenings and parties are for industry insiders only.  But don´t despair there are a few things open to the public around town so if you are in the area make sure you check it out.  You never know who you might come across.

Theres nightly outdoor screenings of movies at Cinema de la Plage at Mace Beach starting at 9.30pm.  No tickets are required and you can just turn up on the night. They even supply cushions and blankets at a cost I suspect.  You´ll find whats showing on each night on the website below.

Then the American Club of the Riviera will be hosting their annual Film Festival Lunch in Cannes.  Its on May 18 at the Belle Plage Restaurant and I would think you would need to make a reservation for this.

The film Festival will open with The Great Gatsby which will be shown in 3D.  Steven Spielberg will chair the festival jury while French actress Audrey Tautou will preside over the opening and closing ceremonies.  You can find out more information on the festival at www.festival-cannes.com

And if you can´t make it why not come to Avignon to see the Rose festival at the Palais des papes running from 9-12 May. This year they will also be featuring Orchids.  Theres something for adults and the children.  More information available at  www.alterarosa.com.  We still have some accommodation available.  Minimum stay 4 nights so why not make it a long weekend.  

Always something for everyone in Provence.

 

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and nothing but sunshine - thats our weather forecast for the next 5 days.  Still some room available if you want to drop by for a few days soaking up the rays.  The pool is open and the best spot for getting a tan.  Its a bit cool to be swimming but dipping the feet in is just as lovely.  We have not started to heat it yet as we are getting a new liner, summer cover and filter box which is all supposed to be done during the week commencing 25 April.  This is France so we have fingers and toes crossed it happens.  Its local and they are pretty good so I've got no reason to panic just yet

Lots happening in our village during May.  For a tiny village with a population of just over 4,000 they do provide a lot.  Theres a couple of very good restaurants, a couple of pizza restaurants also offering take outs, a good chemist, post office, excellent Doctors surgery, a very local but fun bar and even a dentist that speaks some english if you find yourself on holiday with tooth ache.

On Satuday 18 May the new football sports ground will be having an opening ceremony.  New turf and grandstand and its looking very posh.

Then not far behind that will be 3 new shops opening in Place du Marche - Boutique De Verseau - offering natural healing products, medicinal plants, essentail oils, soaps, candles etc

Dansons La Capucine - for your ladies wanting to do a bit of extra shopping then you may want to visit for handbags, accesoiries, clothing etc.

and even more exciting Com@ La Maison - an ice cream and creperie - a  10 min walk from us for an afternoon delight of ice cream or a sugary crepe.

For those of you interested Mas Saint Antoine has a Facebook and Twitter page now.  Feel free to visit and send a request to become a friend so you can keep updated with all our news and photos of new and old.

 

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We have just spent a lovely few days in the UK and on departure back to Provence we got caught in one of the biggest snow storms to hit Europe.

An unusual late winter snowstorm dumped several inches of snow across northwestern Europe earlier this week, stranding drivers in their cars and severely disrupting air and rail traffic from northern France into Belgium and Germany.

High snowfall rates and poorly treated roads in southern England caused more than 300 collisions in 24 hours, and left many drivers stranded in their cars overnight,

Hardest hit was Northern France, where heavy, wind-driven snow off the English Channel blocked roads and trapped drivers in their cars in Normandy and Brittany. Up to 20 inches of snow fell in parts of the region overnight into Tuesday, prompting France's meteorological service to issue its highest-level weather warning for the first time ever due to snow and ice. At last report, some 80,000 homes in northern France remained without power.

For us it meant a much delayed trip and a night without sleep.  We left the middle of the UK at 10.30am on Monday morning at -1 to finally make it home at 4pm Tuesday at 17 degrees and warm.  Our adventure truly only started when we were in the queue for our 6.20pm Chunnel crossing.  After sitting in line in heavy snow for 2 hours they finally boarded us onto the train only to find we would be sitting for another 4 hours before they decided that we were not going anywhere.  We then camped out in the terminal waiting for some indication on when we could leave.  All local hotels were fully booked and there was no way of getting anywhere.  At 2am we finally boarded again and arrived into France around 3.30am.  Again no hotels so we decided to start our trek home.  Luckily for us we had filled the car with fuel and food as once we were on the autoroute there was no way of getting off into any of the services or villages.  It was a long slow trip home and in the worst snow conditions we have ever travelled in.  For us the drive was slow but with very little traffic so no hold ups.  For those heading north they were less lucky.  At various points along they way we came across many trucks just stopped, at one count there were 258 not moving an inch as the first one had jack knifed and even the graders and salt trucks were caught up and not able to move.  What normally is a 8-9 hour trip took us over 12 hours.  While the top of france was -4 we arrived to 17 and sunshine.

Oh to be back in our beloved Provence where the sun shines nearly every day.  It was pretty coming up the driveway as all the surrounding orchards are in blossom - lines of pink and white blossoms.  The spring is just so picturesque.  All my daffidils are out so but I am hoping my tulips will hold off a bit until mid April when we start to get busy.

 

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If you ever travel to Provence during Feburary or March then you must spend some time at the Nice carnival or at the Lemon Festival in Menton.  Last Saturday we jumped on the train at Avignon to Nice.  We arrived around midday and in sunshine.  After a quick drop off of our luggage we started a Rick Steves self guided walking tour of the Promenade and Castle Hill.  Thanks to Canadian guests we are big fans of Rick Steves.  The information and the humour is just brilliant and his self guided walks are so easy to follow and very informative.  We would highly recommend his books if you are thinking of purchasing before travelling.  Luckily for our future guests we have a few doted around the gites kindly left behind by those who have already stayed with us.  We can't always guarantee they are the latest version but apart from the odd restaurant or hotel no longer existing the history never changes. 

The carnival was on with an afternoon parade so it meant we had to take quite a few detours but we did get to see some of the parade.  To get the best few you need to buy a ticket but we would say its well worth the price.  We had a lovely walk around and ended up late afternoon at the Port stopping for one of the best hot chocolates we have had in a while.

It was back to watch the 6 nations rugby at the hotel - we couldn't miss it - France was playing England and sad to say the french lost.  Indian is one of our favourite meals and we were fortunate enough to have an Indian restaurant right across from the hotel so that was dinner that evening.  Its sad that there is not a proper Indian restaurant in Avignon - well - not that we have been able to find. If you ever do let us know - we'll be forever grateful.

Sunday we got up early and caught the train from Nice to Menton.  Its a really lovely half hour trip as you go right along the famous Riviera.  We spent the day looking at the exhibitions all done in lemons and oranges and watching the parade.  It was unlucky that 10 mins into the parade it started to pelt down with rain so most of it was seen from poking our faces out behind unbrellas.  Still worth every minute.  This year was the 80th anniversary.  They used 120 tonnes of lemons/oranges and 1 million rubber bands to attach them to the metal structures they build. Being the 80th anniversary the theme was around the world in 80 days.  If you want to see more then check it out on

http://www.fete-du-citron.com/

Monday we did another lovely walk around old Nice taking in the flea market and all the history.   It turned out to be a sunny afternoon so we had lunch at a very quaint little restaurant on the promenade.  Feeling rather full and with a couple of hours until our train left we jumped on the city bikes that are doted around the place that you hire for next to nothing and rode from one side of nice right out to the airport.  It was an easy ride out but coming back was a struggle thanks to the head wind but we made it and under an hour and all for a E1.  Nice airport has just made it into the top ten of the worlds most scenic airplane landings with stunning views along the coast as you come into land.  If you are coming to Nice do make sure you pop up to see us and stay a few nights.  While we had a great time along the Cote d'Azur Provence is still our favourite place to be.

Finally congratulations to us - 25 years of marriage on the 20th Feb.....I know....we look so young.....met and married at nursery - was legal way back then !

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MARSEILLE is just €10 from Paris with the launch of SNCF’s new high-speed, low-cost Ouigo TGV services which go on sale tomorrow.  Using Ryanair’s (UK low cost airline) budget model of taking passengers to out-of-town locations near big cities, the new service travels from the Paris suburb of Marne-la-Vallée to Marseille and Montpellier via Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport in a service that undercuts Ryanair itself.

But SNCF exploded pre-launch expectations of tickets at €25 by revealing it would sell 400,000 tickets at just €10 with another one million for sale at €25. Fares would range up to €85 but it is targeting families with under-12s costing just €5.Groups of more than four can get tickets at €20, bookable two weeks before travel.

Just weeks ago SNCF hailed its two billionth TGV passenger since it launched in 1981 but company president Guillaume Pepy said it carried just 300,000 TGV passengers a day compared to 10 million passengers round the world. He said SNCF needed “to make travel cheaper for people”.Part of his answer lies in the remodelled and stripped-down sky-blue and mauve Ouigo TGV carriages. They have no bar (to fit in extra passengers) and have 1,268 seats - up from 1,000 in a classic double-decker TGV.

However, from April 1 the low-cost service makes travel to Marseille much cheaper than car, plane ... or train as it is one seventh the cost of a normal TGV.Add in the cost of the €7-€8 fare of the minimum 45-minute journey from Paris to Marne-la-Vallée and the €10 Ouigo compares to a TGV Loisir journey costing €72, Ryanair €40 and car-share €50. SNCF also has the TGV Prem's ticket at €25 and the idTGV at €19 but these have restrictions

Its nice to see things coming down in price rather than increasing.  We think it will have success but maybe more for the locals as the desitantions are not always where the tourists want to go but saying that always worth checking it out.

Bon weekend everyone

Keryn

 

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But along with the sun came the Mistral.  We've been busy in the gardens getting them ready to plant in the spring.  I spent a couple of days cleaning and sorting out the grass garden. I finally got it all planted and then had to unload two trailer loads of gravel- I certainly deserved my glass of wine that night.  Its a very simple looking but very effective  garden and you''ll just have to come visit to see it.  Theres still a bit of colour to be added but basically its finished.  We had a day off for Valentines yesterday and enjoyed a stroll around Avignon before going to see the movie Lincoln.  There is always some changes going on in Avignon and we found a cute little cupcake cafe that also serves bagels, one of my favourite lunch time meals.  We had already eaten so its on the list for next time.  If you are a Nespresso fan like us then you'll be pleased to hear that Avignon has a new Nespresso shop that opens on the 23 Feb.  It looks really big so we can't wait to pop back for a visit.  We were surprised to see how big it was as they have down sized all the ones in Marseille to self service like many shops or large departmet stores are doing now.

For those of you taking note of the horsemeat Tesco scandel there was an article in one of the papers today that I get on line.  The french meat processing company Spanghero has had its license suspended pending further investigation.  The government believe that 750 tonnes of horsemeat was labelled as beef over a period of 6 months.   Its reported that Spanghero import it from Romania and have been relabelling before selling it on.  Apparently they have made over a half of a million Euro in profit to date. I guess further information will come out soon.  Horse meat is one of the things I do refuse to buy here and I can't even stand looking at the horse butchers vans in the markets.  I know meats meat and I guess if someone served it up without me knowing then I would eat it but just the thought after having horses during my childhood.  I've only just go used to eating Thumper so it will be a while before Neddy is on my menu !

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It was estimated that 100,000 people watched the opening evening. The city has invested about a billion euros in preparations,largely in the city centre infrastructure -sprucing up the old port area, renovations to museums and new facilties. The city and surrounding area of Provence will host more than 400 cultural events this year, including sixty art exhibtions. It is hoped there will be around 12 million visitors - double the usual amount. And what a grand job they have done. We braved the 100km knot gusts of the mistral on Saturday to have a walk around the Port area. The museums due to be open next month are quite spectacular and the whole port area leading back into the city is so much cleaner and a lovely attraction to Marseille. They have really done a fantastic job and it will benefit the area in years to come. On the Sunday we went for a look around the oldest and largest tobacco factory in France which is no longer used. its been turned into a restaurant(where we had lunch - lovely food), theatres, studios, book shop and a skate rink for the children. Obviously a popular place as it was heaving with families on Sunday.

 If you are reading this and thinking about coming to France but want to have someone to show you around etc we highly recommend Corinne Thomson of VM Travel Adventures. Corinne has been bringing groups here for the past 12 years as well as touring other countries and you are always guaranteed of a great time. This year she is planning a trip in the fall  "Along the Impressionist Path" including taking in Paris and Provence. We start at Renoir’s Les Collettes near Nice on the Cotes d’Azur. We then nestle into Mas Saint Antoine,a 300 year old country home just south of Avignon to experience the brilliant colours of Provence. Enjoy the market of St. Remy before visiting Van Gogh’s “Hotel Dieu”and follow his footsteps through Arles and Stes. Maries de la Mer. Cézanne’s studio in Aix and Mte. Ste Victoire are a short drive away. Roman ruins and cliff top village are in abundance as Corinne leads you down the “impressionist path” in Provence. Ahh Paris! Spending time in the cafes of Montmartre where these renegade artists got their start; the Musée d’ Orsay and Musée Marmottan as well as breathtaking Monet’s Garden in Giverny. If this is of interest then do contact her through www.customwinetours.com - you won't be dissapointed.

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Its no wonder our bulbs are so confused but we are thankful we are not getting the same weather patterns as the UK.  This week has been lovely and sunny with temps around 16-19 but the mistral is set to show its ugly face tomorrow and we will get a few days around 6-8 but still sunny.  It was good while it lasted and we made the most of it by doing some serious pruning out in the gardens today.  Still a ot to do but we've made a start.  Its been nice working outside in the fresh warm air.  We are heading to Marseille tomorrow to the big city for a couple of days to check out all the changes.  It is the city of cultural this year and they have made lots of changes around the port area to move the traffic out.  We shall see.

Exciting news ahead for us - Air France joins the budget flights battle.  Its launching a series of low cost fares in Europe and around the Mediterranen but not to the UK as yet.  So far only 3 airports offer the international mini rates being Marseille, Nice and Toulouse with most desitantions at E80 one way, Moscow E110 and Te Aviv E140.  Lets hope the look into the UK airports soon as we're struggling to find any flights out of Provence at this time of year that we don't have to take out a mortgage to pay for.  Watch this space or watch Air France's space !

 

 

 

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Actually they are what I would call Chooks - thats kiwi slang for you.  We got four of them last Saturday and they are just wonderful and so easy to train.  It can often take them a while to settle in and start laying but so far we are getting 2 eggs a day so at least two of them are pretty relaxed.  The eggs are small but an eggs an egg - right !.  I've managed so far to keep them at their end of the property and they are starting to understand that the gites are for guests and not to be used for them to party at.  We've named them after our parents which we're not sure whether they are happy about or not.  Each has their own personality and will come running or flying when I call for them - of course I think it has something to do with the food in my hand and boy do they like their food.  I think I am now going to be known as the crazy chicken lady as I walk around calling our chook chook chook in the mornings and afternoons.

Come vist us to meet them !

 

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A YEAR OF vastly reduced rainfall means France is already feeling the effects of drought with water restrictions in eight departments.Hopes for increased rain during the past autumn and winter came to nothing and, nationally, France is now 25% below normal rainfall levels - with the Hérault hardest hit at 90% down and the prefecture reporting water courses at low levels normally only seen in June or July. Only the region Provence-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur saw normal rains.Water and weather experts have met industry groups in the Commission de Suivi Hydrologique at the Ecology Ministry to look into the problem as the rain deficit hit levels not seen since 2005.The déficit pluviométrique in 2005 reached 26%, which was, however, still short of 1973 when it reached 28% and 1989 when it hit 29%. Farming groups are worried that the lack of rain will hit this year's grain harvest, with a reduced wheat crop in what is Europe's leading wheat-growing country.The rural life group Confédération Paysanne has called on the government to take urgent measures to help.Ecology Ministry officials - there has been no Ecology Minister since Nathalie Koscuisko-Morizet quit to become spokesman for President Sarkozy's election campaign - said the west of the country was hardest hit and the situation was "worrying" without being "alarming". Even recent heavy rains across the country will do little to help as they will not soak down into the depleted aquifers and will be taken up by surface crops.The Commission de Suivi Hydrologique said the lack of rain in the south-west was near the lowest on record for the past 50 years, hitting 35% in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is also badly hit with rain levels reduced by 60%.In Hérault and Loire-Atlantique water usage has been restricted but there are restrictions on taking water from rivers, streams and aquifers in eight departments. Departments affected by restrictions are: Charente, Charente-Maritime, Eure-et-Loir, Gard, Hérault, Seine-et-Marne, Deux-Sèvres, Tarn, Vienne and Essonne.The departments of Ardèche, Ile-et-Vilaine, Lozère and Pyrénées-Orientales have been put on alert.Details of the precise areas with restrictions are available on the Propluvia website available through this link.

 

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In between days of rain & wind we managed to have a fabulous day for our first pizza night.  It was straight into it with a group of 23 mainly students.  A lot of fun but a lot of pizzas !  Luckily for me they all wanted to have a go at making their own so we let them loose and there were some great creations and then some just plain weird ones.  They all had a great time as did we. 

Our 2nd pizza night is happening tonight with another group of 21, again mainly students.  Hopefully they will take over the preparing to give me a chance to sit down and put my feet up. 

Its been great having them all around over easter and we've prepared  breakfast each morning in our Mas.  Its given us a chance to catch up with them all and have a chat.

All from Canada and a very nice and polite group !  We'd have them back anyday.

Back to the kitchen now to start preparation.

PS.  For those who read my blog the moles are no longer.  One caught by Poodle the cat who didn't eat it but let it go in a drain pipe never to be seen again and one caught by us one morning to be sent packing into one of the fields down the road ! 

 

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Its still windy and we still have no rain.  The blossoms are starting to come out and rather than talk about the moles that refuse to leave our gardens I thought I would give you some info about a new law just out on driving in France.  Don't panic yet as it does not take affect until 1 July but they are giving us a period of grace until 1 November - plenty of time to get organised.

DRIVERS and motorcyclists will be obliged to carry a breath test in their vehicles from July 1 after the publication of the new law in the Journal Officiel.

Foreign visitors and tourists also come under the new law - If you are hiring a car I would check with your hire company to see whether they are included and if if they provide them in vehicles .

Anyone found not carrying a breath test kit will face a fine of €11 and only cyclomoteurs - two-wheelers of under 50cc - will be exempt. A period of grace will mean it will not be enforced until November 1.

Alcohol is the major cause of road deaths - one-third of the 1,150 deaths in 2010 were linked to alcohol, with that rising to 58.7% in weekend night-time accidents.

The move is a bid to make road-users more aware of their responsibility to ensure they are legally able to drive. Advice from the Sécurité Routière is to carry two kits - to cover any eventual usage.

Costs for the simple balloon-type are no more than €1.50. They should carry the NF (Norme Française) logo and should be changed every two years.  If you are driving from the UK then they are available at the ferry and Chunnel crossing depots for £2.

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We've now got nice little mounds of dirt around the garden where the moles or a mole is digging and sleeping.  I've tried to send Poodle our cat out at night on Reconnaissance but shes not having any of it - what cat whats to get up from a nice warm throne (thats what her pillow is named) and head out into the cold of the night.....not our Poodle !  I really don't want to kill them but if they keep digging then it could be me camped out over night to catch them.

Its been a lovely warm week and the fruit trees are starting to bud.  It won't be long before we get blossoms.  All of the bulbs have poked up their heads but it will be a while before we see any flowers.  Looking at the long term forecast we are expecting cold weather again next week so that will slow them down a little.

Its spring cleaning time, oh the joy of it all.  While I feel Sadie the cleaning lady K2 (kerrin) is busy renovating a couple of bathrooms.  Hopefully all will be done before our first guests arrive shortly.  I've also been quite handy with a paint brush but came to halt today as the paint I was going to use had frozen solid from the big freeze we had a couple of weeks back.  Even thawing it didn't turn it back into useable paint.  Down to the paint shop I go.

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How exciting, our little village is getting an ice cream parlour......it could take them a couple of years to build it (nothing happens very quickly around here) but I am sure if it is like Isabellas in Isle Sur la Sourge it will be fantastic.  We walked past where its going to be today and the building signs are already up....Fingers crossed it won't take to long.....

Can you tell we're excited !

 

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After complaining last week of horrid weather this week we are back where we should be, in the positives.  Its been a busy week as the pipes start to defrost.  We've had a few leaks to contend with and luckily only one of those inside a gite.  We managed to catch it before to much damage was done.  While K2 has been busy fixing all the pipes I've spent the past 4 days in the gardens taking apart and making new ones.  I must say its felt like going 10 rounds in a boxing ring but the outcome has been most pleasing.  I decided after last years hot weather to try and minimise having so many pots around so I have three new gardens now.  They are all ready for spring planting for summer colour. 

The long term forecast is for the weather to continue to improve so hopefully it won't be long until we see the blossoms on the fruit trees.  The evenings are getting longer and we had a beautiful sunset at 6.30 tonight, a very bright orange.

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We've just spent a glorious 2 months down under in our home country of New Zealand with stop overs in Perth and Singapore.  We had a wonderful time and although it was not a hot summer like we experience here in the South of France it was still nice to see the sun and enjoy the warmth. 

I never make New Years resolutions as I am one for breaking them but I have made a list of must do's this year and one of them is to write to our blog more often than not.  So do check back here now and then to see whats happening at Mas Saint Antoine.

Our wonderful guardians, ex guests, now good friends left a couple of days ago after looking after the Mas and our cat Poodle whislt we were away.  Over the whole two months they were here they had only 1 day of rain.  We arrived back to what felt more like spring than winter but that soon changed.

Today we woke up to rain and then it was snowing although it was to wet for it to settle and make the place look white.  We are expecting very cold temps over the coming days, around -10 due to the mistral arriving.  But we hope to still see the sun.  Theres much work to be done in the gardens before we open up.

Hope you all had a happy Xmas and New Year as we did and WATCH THIS SPACE or should I say WATCH THIS BLOG

 

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We've got a busy couple of weeks ahead with guests comig and going, some new and some repeats.  Always lovely to see people returning.  We decided to open the pool today as the weather is so nice and its much prettier sitting out there without the old winter cover on.  No frogs or any other creepy crawlys in the bottom of the pool.  Got the pool robot R3D3 working overtime cleaning the bottom and sides, he does such a good job .  Probably a little on the cool side to be swimming but its looks so lovely.  Have some children arriving in a weeks time and if the weather keeps up I am sure they will be taking a dip.  They don't feel the cold like us oldies...ha ha

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I know I was bragging a couple of weeks back about spring being here, well, someone then sent us 4 solid days of rain !  Just what the gardens needed but not quite that much.  We are back into sunshine and warm temps again but have the mistral which is doing a good job of drying everything out.  Our season has started and we have some lovely guests staying at present, even our first dog, Hanna - a 6 mnth old newfoundland and such a darling.  All the bulbs are starting to flower and look lovely although the wind is knocking them about a bit.  The tree frogs are showing themselves, the fish have come to the top of the pond and are now wanting food and I counted over 12 frogs this morning, there was only 2 a week back.  They have laid plenty of eggs so it won't be long before the fish are sharing their home with tadpoles.  We've started planting and have some potatoes, strawberries, lettuces, garlic, ginger, basil and an avocado all in the ground and pots.  The ginger, garlic and avocado are a first but will give them a go. 

Tags: holiday gite rental Provence | self-catering provence | gites for holidays provence | Provence holidays | self-catering holiday homes.

We've got blossoms on the fruit trees in the orchards.  Makes from some wonderful photos.  My bulbs have all poked their heads up and the first daffidil is just about out.  I can see the yellow but its yet to show its face fully.  The weather is lovely and sunny but again next week it will drop down to around 10 for a few days.  You get a nice week of 14-17 then it drops back to 10.

We are off to Cannes tomorrow for a couple of days R&R before the season kicks in.  Our first guests who have been here for a week will leave tomorrow.

Tags: holiday gite rental Provence | self-catering provence | gites for holidays provence | Provence holidays | self-catering holiday homes.