New arrival – and has summer ended?

Biggest news for us recently was the arrival of new grandson Finlay, to my daughter Jennie and her husband Ian, and big brother Dylan. He’s my third grandson and Jeanne and my sixth grandchild. 7 lb, 11 oz when born and all doing well. We were lucky enough to be at their house on the day. 

Finlay on the day he was born with his big brother Dylan.

Also while we were in England we were delighted to go to the wedding reception of dear friend Michelle to Simon at a rather wet Cheshire farm. The weather didn’t dampen the spirits though and it was a great do. We wish Michelle, Simon and their boys much happiness.

At home, we were both doing reasonably health-wise and trying to make sure it continues that way. Unfortunately though, Jeanne has been diagnosed with bronchiectasis following a cold and cough she caught following our UK visit in late July. The excellent French health service arranged for a CT scan very quickly which identified it and we’re hoping the problem won’t be so serious as to cause much trouble.  It’s been too hot for us to do much serious exercise for some months but this week there was a huge line of storms that brought the temperatures down by 10 degrees C, with lots of much-needed rain, and it did a bit of damage in both France and the UK. Hopefully it will pick up a bit before autumn properly sets in, but at least it’s now cool enough to get on with some jobs – and maybe a bit of exercise!

The harvest has been mixed hereabouts this year. Last autumn’s sowing of canola / oil seed rape flowered very early this spring; most of it was harvested some time ago and hay was taken off very early. Most cereal crops have finished harvesting now, while the lanes were full of combine harvesters and tractors with huge trailers buzzing about taking the massive crops of grain to the co-operative – there were mountains of wheat and rye there for several weeks until they could get enough transport to take it away. Sunflowers were planted very late because of the late spring rain but are just finishing flowering and starting to be harvested, and maize is also fully grown. Maize is always watered heavily but this year a lot of the sunflowers have been watered as well. Lots of new plantings of grape vines have been made again this year, for the cognac distillers, so there must still be plenty of money in that business. Our own vines are fruiting but the low summer rainfall will keep the crop size down. We’re still harvesting tomatoes and main-crop potatoes but have lost several fruit bushes because of lack of rain. The local vineyards don’t seem too happy – the dry summer reduced volume into the vines and the current rain will dilute the content of the grapes. But the vendange – the grape harvest – is still a few weeks away; then we’ll have more harvesting machines all around us again.

We’re looking forward to welcoming our currently final booked visitors of the year, in a week or two’s time. Unfortunately the best of the weather may have deserted us but it should still be reasonable and we intend to give them a happy experience in our bit of France.  From then for the rest of the year we’ll most likely just settle into social events with neighbours and local friends, plus get on with a blitz of work on the property. However, Ryanair have go a very special offer on for October – seats from £9.99 – if anyone would like a late visit.  But need to book by this weekend for the best prices. Working holiday-makers specially welcome!