Friends.............................

Enjoying a day on the river, good company (French & English), good food (of course), good wine (without a doubt) and good weather.  What more does one need?

Anyone know what I should do with this?

Huge extremely old c1880 wine barrel/vat - it is around 5 feet tall - it took two grown men (BH included) to roll it into the garden from down the road.  Given to me by a neighbour that's moving house.  I just couldn't say "No".  It didn't have a lid on it although BH has made one for it.................................

Now what should I do with it?  Any ideas?  Anyone?

And no, you can't help...........................caught this morning "ruffling up" a chicken that then consequently died of fright.   The guilty look says it all............................................

The Look.........................and it's not love!

No mistaking this look!   This typical French dealer complete with black beret and impossibly hot jumper was selling at a brocante on the way back from the one we had been to for the day for 5 hours.  He is standing in the shade in what can only be described as his "Christmas Jumper" - it is 70 degrees outside of the shade................................ "why is this red faced, red shouldered person with a pink trolley taking photographs of me"?

It was a good day............................. we found this

Four of these....................................

and her above....................(although is this picture she looks like a he) Jeanne D'Arc

8 of these that are all different.................................
Plus the most exquisite wooden surround from a church pulpit, cafe au lait bowls, mirrors, more linen (that needs ironing).  Some things are listed in my shop on ebay.com under frenchfanciesinfrance but I have a busy week putting the rest on...........................

A few things................

No even scraping the surface.....................................................................
I HAVE TO START LISTING IT!  MY GIRLS WANT A PONY......................................ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Big brocante tomorrow 2.1/2 hrs away

Don't throw your heart away

NGBF's duckling was beginning to stink - I started moaning a couple of days ago, for a little animal it sure makes a huge mess.  BH couldn't stand the moaning any more and gave in.  He came in from work and started making a lot of noise outside and voila! half an hour later a new place for baby Theo to sleep in (outside).  The best bit though is the heart shaped window (and complicated Jack Russell anti entering devise) - gotta love BH!

Couldn't throw away my heart

So it's here for the moment - is this "chippy paint" enough for you Leslie?! (ABF)

Congratulations to Kate & William & NGBF's latest purchase!

La Poste lost our invite so we decided to make an effort at home!

Every home needs a door mat like this one!  Thanks to S & L x

Can you see what this is yet?

Yep you guessed it - introducing Theo the baby duckling!  I left NGBF for 10 minutes in our local market last week with my two girls (warning them to watch him as I could see where he was heading) and returned to find his latest purchase.  "He was only 2 euro's babes"!!!   Hmmm.......... who gets lumbered with him whilst he gets back for "The Wedding"?  Theo is now ensconced in our spare room (of all places) as he is too small to join our duck and hens  (and Jack Russells in particular) at the moment.  His Daddy returns in a couple of weeks when he will be building him a chateau of his own to live in - or paying someone else to do it!

Being taken for a walk

Youngest daughter being taken for a walk by ........... Louis Phillipe, Lola Ferrari (Jack Russells) and Barley Mo (errant house eating Labrador).

Past the old water pump that still works but no-one washes their clothes here or collects their water - great for washing the car though!.......................................

Past the numerous sweet smelling lilac bushes that are all in full bloom ...........................................

Past our house.................................................................I wish(!) I couldn't possibly afford the heating bills for this monster!   Taken at the weekend whilst out brocanting - the brocante was in the grounds of this beautiful chateau (not the one I am waiting for Leslie)!

Wouldn't fancy being Rupunzel for this tower!

The start of the brocante - I couldn't get across this bridge quick enough!

And back home again to chill in the garden........................Barley, Lola and Louis - too bad they are screwing their eyes up in this lovely sunshine we are having. 
Red necks, dry lips, dusty feet, a tank and a half of diesel, a lighter purse, a hungry BH (no cooking on brocante days ;) and a full shopping trolley - a good day at the brocante..................