We had a tree chopped down in the sheep field as it was worrying a neighbour who has a house near to it. The logs cut into lengths are great to put around the potage I have. I was imagining rustic raised beds. Doubly good is when you roll them over the slugs have hidden there and then the enthusiastic duck forage them with gusto.

 My searches at the Brocantes have turned towards these plates recently. Digoin as they are known as here. The name comes from the place of production in the North East. Very simply decorated by stencils. The one's below date to the last quarter of the 19th Century. You can check online by the marks underneath. They can be bought very cheaply and I think they are charming.
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Digoin Sarreguemines

 They are growing so fast now nearly outgrown there pretend pond and I shall be showing them the actual pond soon. I can't wait to see their reaction.

I am really in love with this cottage. It is on a road and there is a neighbour opposite but otherwise the cuteness of it is too much.

The countryside here is incredibly beautiful and the roads are empty.

I spotted this desk out in the rain the other day outside the old school where I was taking part in an exhibition. I now have it in my study. It's even better in situ. The Mairie was also throwing away another 'bureau' so I am going out this afternoon to collect that too. Free. 

This is the time of year we are out and about looking for Vides Greniers or Brocantes. The lovely old properties are all for sale. I love them all. It plays in my mind all these abandoned places.The one below is a farm and above a village house.

We have all these Ducklings 9 Muscovies. Not sure what gender they might be  and curious to see how they develop. I weighed one today, 150gs. Last week they were 100 gms and the tails are beginning to point upwards as they grow in confidence. 

They are either yellow or yellow and brown at the moment all like these.

 Love a swim

 The garden is changing so fast. This area of my garden, used to be for vegetables and salad but now the Raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants gooseberries etc are taking centre stage I need to find new places to put my vegetables. So far this has involved a large black plastic sheet I found in the Poubelle spread on a normally grassy area.

 I do like comfrey and nectar rich plants too so it's looking like an English cottage garden. 

I went to a little flea market and spotted a lovely van. I bought a small silver pot but because the cat had to go to the vet and the car needed to be insured this month I was reserved.

Forget me Nots in evening light and gooseberries somewhere.

These Bugle have been lovely this year and the bees are happy.

Constant work to upkeep the old buildings. The ladders have provided the cats with extra play grounds. Hunting for lizards who are quick and small and thankfully lose their tails when captured. I need to re point fast now the paintings are in for the exhibition. I feel like life is on hold while I prepare paintings for dead lines.