Mardi 21 Juillet

Thought I would post a few of my country photos...... enjoy! Today, the Japanese wine berries are finished, blueberries are here, the corn is in abundance, and the flies are everywhere! Seriously, they are driving us all crazy. Orlando sits at his desk, and sprays them directly if they fly anywhere near. I laugh watching him, but I would be doing the same thing if I had an extra can of spray! If you close a door to keep them out, someone comes right after you and leaves it open. They come up to you and just rest on your arm, or your computer screen. And this isn't even a third world country! The roses have started their second bloom, and the lizards scurry along the bricks and gravel, too scared to come inside. The wind is blowing, and the VAT return for 2Q is done! Yesterday, a great workout at the gym with Orlando and the cute rugby boys. This morning, berry picking and cutting and arranging flowers for the house. This afternoon, mostly office work and email. Busy phones today. Tonight, dinner for two. Salad of Raynaudes tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and basil, breast of cornfed chicken, sweetcorn, sage and potato gratin, cheese, wine berry streusel, and creme fraiche sorbet. It's been an easy, relaxing day, and a good catch up office day. Peter has pushed the Ille of Monique off the banks of the pond so it can float again, Adam has fixed the wifi (yeah!) after a week or more of being down, Orlando has picked a huge bunch of sweet peas, the local farmers have finished baling the straw, and the nights of the combine harvester are done.... Laura has made chocolate banana bread, and me? Well, I am hoping to share just some of the magic in these short blog notes from this special place I've been so lucky to live and work at this season. As I type this, waiting for 7:15 p.m. to begin aperitifs, I hear the strains of piano music from the sitting room from Orlando, Peter is humming on the phone, and Laura preps canapes for dinner. Time for me to go pour the wine for aperitifs, and today, the star of the serving tray will be a single pink Ming Dynasty rose from the garden. Gorgeous. The everyday lives of four friends brought together for a season of memories.......