We set off to try and find a washing Machine. Our present one has died. It's actually quite difficult finding one. We had to drive to Nevers and although a very pleasant journey across the countryside it was a bit disapointing. We found the shop and walked around a bit. The electromenagement department has shrunk and there was only one machine suitable. We waited around a bit and then had to go back to the front desk the lady phoned back to the washing machine dept. We walked back and waited for Vincent. He arrived and when we said we wanted the machine he said we'd have to order it and return to take it away ourselves in a few days time. No deliveries to our village or any village. We drove home and I stopped to take photographs in Tamnay en Bazois. I love the way this Lilac is being wrestled by a splendid Wisteria. I also like things in pots at the moment. You can just see someone has hooked long plant filled containers on ladders.

Washing Machine ad on a wall. 

Reposes vos Roues

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018wfrn


Here is a link to the garden on display at The RHS Malvern Spring Garden show in my home town Malvern also famous for Elgar, Morgan cars, bottled water and Hills.

For those of you who missed this program, not sure if it's possible to watch in all countries.

Do let me know if not. It's a very short clip.

The greenhouse brought back from my travels. Funny how I have photographed it sitting upright while the reality of this image is that only the greenhouse is lop sided.

I saw Gardener's World last night filmed from The Malverns', my hometown.I recognised the pub The King's Arms at Hanley Castle and the designer of the garden Boathouse N09. Mark Eveleigh. He used an old boathouse from Cleveloade as his central theme and had a decaying boat hull. Planting included stinging nettles among other things with a view to gentle reclamtion by nature. I haven't been able to find any really good images yet but I'm sure they will be appearing. Otherwise there is another sweet garden on display, Deposes vos Roues. It includes café tables and old cycles again, spot mine above. Then old buckets and the like for herbs, lavender. Again I am there. The other thing the French styled garden had was a knarled Olive. I'm a bit high up for one of these in the mountains. The company Vilaggio Verde, based again within a cycle ride to my childhood home, Martley buys trees destined for the fire as the land owners are offered newer, more productive trees. Again the trees can be kept in a big pot. I suggested my sister might like one in her little Bristol garden.

Not exactly a boat shed but still. I have been trying to organise my new shed arriving, it is taking some time. It has wheels.

These Gogets were hung from the belt with water in. The water was used to dip a grinding stone in to sharpen the sickle. 

Goget Coffin


I have been wondering what this object might be for quite a while now. I have discovered what it was used for so I wondered if any body else wonders too. I will give you the answer shortly.

May 1st Fete. They have these Green iridescent black Indian Running Ducks each year. 

Unfortunately it was very stormy here and after an hour or so there was a big storm that concluded the fete early. I bought a few plants including a Chaenomales in vibrant pink/orange. They are everywhere here so I know they are hardy. 

Permaculture open garden above Autun. I bought a few tomato plants for my new greenhouse, Aubergines and courgettes and squash. 

Comfrey

The view towards Autun.

 I 've been away back to see my family in the UK. While there I bought a little Peugeot Diesel car to drive back.  I was able to stock up on Patak's Brinjal pickle, poppadoms, plants and I even bought a small greenhouse. I had car parts to pick up for our van too. I arrived in London the day before the funeral of Madame Thatcher. I had a wander around Covent Garden and Neal's yard before catching a bus to Birmingham. I caught a Euro Star train in Dijon and arrived in London at around 12.30. An early start from here and 2 hours drive to Dijon.

I got a bit lost in Arras and I asked 2 girls with a child if they knew of a F1 hotel. They knew it and directed me there. Then they offered to go that way anyway so I could follow them. They sped off in a tiny car and I following them, just. They were so sweet and gave me a little toot and a wave goodbye. Then I arrived in Auxerre and started out off following the free Route National, prettier but too many traffic lights and you have to slow right down for the villages so it's a bit slow. I used a small road to get to the big toll Autoroute and I went through 2 amazing stone villages. One was
Lucy sur Cure and the other Sacy. Stone villages with very little evidence of modern life at all.

I spent the night in Arras in a cheap and cheerful Formula 1. They are normally near the motorways and are everywhere in France. You get a TV, shower and Wifi and of course a bed.