During our period of restricted travel, due to Covid, some changes have occurred here in Montmorillon. We are no longer the only intrepid Australians in our little town, there is now a little posse of 8! We haven’t met everyone yet, but we will in time, I’m sure. Andrew and Peter, who had been living in Paris for several years, moved here just at the start of Covid. Originally from Sydney, they also lived in Brisbane for several years, and Peter still has family there. They are delightful, both people we would choose as our friends, wherever we met them, rather than just because they are Australian and live in our little town in France. Deb and Steve are also lovely, all round nice people, really friendly and so easy to get along with. They are from Canberra, and are still trying to determine whether they will live here permanently or, like us, just on a part time basis. Andrew, Deb, Steve, Jeff and I went to dinner last week, at La Grillade, a casual, riverside restaurant in town. It was quite a warm day, so we sat out on the terrace, which has a spectacular view of the old bridge and our medieval church. We did not stop talking and laughing, the entire night. Peter arrived home from Australia the next day, so Jeff and I were invited for hot cross buns and coffee, in the garden of their beautiful home. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I LOVE a hot cross bun, and these were particularly delicious, home made by Andrew, who is a chef. YUM!! We’ve been invited to Deb and Steve’s for afternoon tea next week and are really looking forward to it. Deb too, loves all things cuisine, and intends to run some cooking classes at her home, once their renovations are finalized. I don’t consider myself anything other than a reasonably competent home cook, so when we invite everyone to our house (which we plan on doing very soon), it’ll have to be my sparkling repartee and winning personality (not to mention regularly refilled wine glasses) that will need to save the day. Oh, and a takeaway pizza!

How lovely is the silence of growing things..

Jeff and I have been working very hard in our garden which, while we’ve had people looking after it for us while we weren’t able to be here, still needed some serious attention. Things grow like a weed here in Springtime, particularly, weeds! Having so much time on my hands while we were at home and unable to travel, I decided to take a leaf out of Paul Bangay’s considerable number of garden design books, and become a garden designer. Well, in my mind that’s what I became but, the reality is, I have absolutely no qualifications whatsoever in the horticultural field. What I do have, however, is an abundance of enthusiasm for anything garden related and in particular, our garden here in France. It offers me the opportunity to grow plants, trees and shrubs that do not grow well, or at all, in Brisbane so, during our restricted Covid years, I drew up plans to change to flow of our garden here in France, as I want to meander from the house to our river terrace, rather than to take the straight path. Sort of how I tell a story really, since it’s never a quick route from A to B for me! And so we weed and prune, move some plants and add others, with my garden plan in mind. It’s very early days and it’ll be a work in progress for quite some time to come, but the end result will, I hope, be worth it.

For those who have been following my blog for a while now, you may recall that in the past I have mentioned the fascination that french moustiques have, with me. To be fair, I might be giving mosquitos a bad rap, since I’m not entirely sure exactly what is biting me, as I’ve never seen them! Whatever they are though, it seems that absence certainly does make the heart grow fonder. Even after having had considerable time apart, their unbridled attraction for me has not lessened as I am now sporting, yet again, a considerable number of big, red, itchy spots. Dousing myself in Tropical Strength Rid from top to toe, before bravely stepping out into our garden, has reduced the opportunity for them to show their affection, but nothing it seems, can deter them in their quest to impart their devotion. Paris is known as the City Of Love but, in my opinion at least, it’s a misnomer. It’s not Paris at all, it’s Montmorillon! Always a Girl Guide though, I came prepared, with two tubes of my trusty Stop Itch. Next time, though, I’ll pack three….

The renovation of the Maison Dieu (monastery) is underway. High on the hill, behind our little house, there will be a cooking school, Michelin starred restaurant and wine cellar. Initially planned by chef Joël Robuchon, who passed away in 2018, his vision is being upheld by his daughter Sophie, and triple Michelin starred chef, Régis Marcon. Renovation of the ancient buildings will take considerable time yet, but we were thrilled to see that the extensive grounds were not being neglected during the construction phase, either. No, a flock of sheep (les moutons) has been put on the payroll and are doing an admirable job of keeping the grass and weeds at bay. We can see them from our bedroom window, and often hear them at night, along with the frogs (les grenouilles), in the river at the bottom of the garden. Who needs a sleeping tablet, when we have baa-ing and croaking lulling us to sleep….

Our friends, Anna and Thierry, came for dinner last week. Quite adventurous in their outlook and tastes, I decided to make a tajine, which was very well received. Seconds, anyone? It was a ‘Oui’ all round! A lemon cake followed, cooked in our new oven and served with strawberries and ice-cream. But it was the company of these two wonderful friends, that made our evening..

Our friend, Martine, called in unexpectedly this week. Martine is really friendly and we immediately warmed to her when we first met, a few years ago. She does not speak any English, it’s rapid fire French from the minute she arrives, so there’s nothing for it but for me to jump right in, and match the speed (although certainly not the fluency). It’s the only way, errors and all, and I love it! We’re having a birthday afternoon tea here for her, on the 10th May, which will be a lot of fun, not to mention being another fast paced advanced French class for me, but with the added bonus of cake!

Our days here in rural France, start in a leisurely fashion. With daylight until nearly 10pm, we consider there really is no need to rush. A trip to the boulangerie to buy our fresh baguette for a breakfast at home, followed by a coffee with Petra, at one of the bars here in town. Very often, Sylviane will come along, as well. None of the bar/cafes are far away, just a 5 or 10 minute stroll from our home, at most. At other times, we take the french approach, and en route, buy a croissant for Jeff and, my favorite, ‘un pain aux raisins, s’il vous plaît’ and eat them, along with our coffee. Dipping viennoiseries in coffee is very common, but it’s not a practice that I have adopted. Not yet, anyway. Something about pastry flakes floating in my coffee, perhaps? Afterwards, we amble home again, whilst making our plans for the day. We recently remarked, while sipping our grand crème, that while it was quite busy, there were no other women in the cafe. Just Petra and I, on that particular day. It was the first time we’d really taken notice, but realized that, actually, it’s quite a regular occurrence. Where are they all? Turns out, they’re at home, cooking lunch, that holy grail of French life. No hastily prepared ham sandwich for them, it’s a 3 course affair, so taking time out for social chat and a coffee cannot often be squeezed into their morning agenda. I can’t help but feel somewhat lacking, but my need for caffeine is greater!

Partout où nous regardons, il y a de beaux endroits pour flâner….

Each day almost always includes a walk around our beautiful town or, very often, we drive elsewhere, either a place that’s been recommended to us, or a name that we just choose from the map, with no knowledge of what it might offer. We’ve never yet been disappointed, and it’s lovely to just mosey about, checking out gardens, admiring houses or just strolling along the riverside or throughout the rues and ruelles.

It’s not a bad life we’re living here…

Bisous