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Well, we have had a little 'teaser' of colder weather during November, but in the main it has been unseasonably warm (some days have been mid-20's degrees), and the leaves have been slow to fall, and the grass stays growing (and is remarkably green and lush after being a miniature desert at the end of August) , and some plants have remained flowering.
Although those frosty, chill mornings have been few and far between it remains the case that Nature manages to provide decorations that are infinitely more delicate and refined than anything we can produce:
Although those frosty, chill mornings have been few and far between it remains the case that Nature manages to provide decorations that are infinitely more delicate and refined than anything we can produce:
So, the continuing warm weather has meant that some of the fruit trees have been 'delivering' quite late - notably the quinces and in our last Post we mentioned how laden the trees were. The quinces have now been gathered and, as we thought, there were 50+ fruits .... which have now been made into quince jelly, which we use so much in cooking, for sauces and for marinades:
And the production of quince jelly and chutneys has spurred us to get cracking on the Christmas cake production. It has to be said that the position on COVID and BREXIT etc etc has also meant that we have been unsure whether La Poste will be able to seamlessly perform with the UK Post Office's systems .... and, as we traditionally send (or sometimes accompany) Christmas cakes for our family, we have made the cakes quite early (in fact, more or less on the traditional 'stir-up Sunday'). Two cakes have been baked and decorated, each weighing in at about 3.5 kg - and they are currantly (get it ...?) winging their way to London:
The cake behind the decorated cakes is in reserve for 'home consumption'!
As the weather has still enabled us to venture outdoors, there have been some interesting things to observe: for example, we have seen some mantises ... which we do see from time to time in the summer, but rarely so late in the year: here's one by the swimming pool, rather out of his/her' comfort zone:
As the weather has still enabled us to venture outdoors, there have been some interesting things to observe: for example, we have seen some mantises ... which we do see from time to time in the summer, but rarely so late in the year: here's one by the swimming pool, rather out of his/her' comfort zone:
The Praying Mantis in France is usually one of the smaller varieties (Mantis religiosa), and is known as the European Mantis. It is usually less than 8cm long (in some countries, but other varieties of Praying Mantis can be 30cm long and can eat birds!).
Colour is typically bright green although, like this one, browner varieties can also be found. In fact they are often really hard to spot, being very well camouflaged with the long grass / undergrowth in which they stalk their prey - which is usually insects. With this one we made sure it did not tumble into the pool and, after a while, we just picked her/him up and took to some nice, long grass.
Actually, we did think of training the mantis to sort out moles .... which are starting to 'invade' the garden again. Contrary to what some people think (and some fictional literature supports - you know which book I'm referring to ...) moles do not hibernate; they are active all year round. Indeed, there is more visible mole activity during the winter and spring due to their working nearer the surface as wetter conditions usually move their prey to the ground's surface:
Colour is typically bright green although, like this one, browner varieties can also be found. In fact they are often really hard to spot, being very well camouflaged with the long grass / undergrowth in which they stalk their prey - which is usually insects. With this one we made sure it did not tumble into the pool and, after a while, we just picked her/him up and took to some nice, long grass.
Actually, we did think of training the mantis to sort out moles .... which are starting to 'invade' the garden again. Contrary to what some people think (and some fictional literature supports - you know which book I'm referring to ...) moles do not hibernate; they are active all year round. Indeed, there is more visible mole activity during the winter and spring due to their working nearer the surface as wetter conditions usually move their prey to the ground's surface:
In fact, as our soil is heavy clay, we often collect the mole hills' more friable earth to mix with compost for our raised vegetable beds and when we plant trees and bushes .... so, there is some 'accord' with the moles, but we just don't want a mole surburbia! We'll just have to have a meeting with them to sort out an 'accord'!!
And we have been doing some tree planting - some oak trees in amongst our 'wildflower area' and also starting a new, small coppice of trees in an area of open grass, where we'll put together a mix of trees that are particularly attractive to bees, starting with some 'tulip trees':
And we have been doing some tree planting - some oak trees in amongst our 'wildflower area' and also starting a new, small coppice of trees in an area of open grass, where we'll put together a mix of trees that are particularly attractive to bees, starting with some 'tulip trees':
- and here's one, ready for planting:
So, some more of those, plus some Japanese cherry trees .... and we'll have the little collection of trees to celebrate the births of our grandchildren that we planned some 18 months ago now, but that has been held back by all the 'events' that have occurred.
Speaking of eucalyptus trees - we have those that we planted six years ago and they have grown very high ... they must be at least 15 metres and are flourishing, with foliage and flowers. This Autumn we have noticed just how many bees, particularly bumble bees, have been attracted by the blossoms:
Speaking of eucalyptus trees - we have those that we planted six years ago and they have grown very high ... they must be at least 15 metres and are flourishing, with foliage and flowers. This Autumn we have noticed just how many bees, particularly bumble bees, have been attracted by the blossoms:
When we planted the eucalyptus trees we had no idea how prolific they are in producing nectar-rich flowers. In California they were planted to support the production of the fruit orchards and the vineyards and recently have been under threat, cut down because of their size but in ignorance of the abundant supply of nectar for hives at the time of their most critical need for the fruit and vine crops. Decades ago, when the Californian state population was around 1 million people and agriculture consisted of wheat, barley, cattle and sheep, all of which could easily survive without honeybees, the importance of bee-supporting planting was not recognised or required. But nowadays California grows much of the fruits, nuts and vegetables for the U.S., and the honeybee is an intricate part of the continuation of agriculture. With the current problem of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder the fate of the honeybee is already precarious but there has been a policy of actually cutting down Eucalyptus trees, endangering thousands of hives of bees, and endangering the pollination of now crucial fruit and vegetable production. We have no idea whether people in Europe realise the value of the Eucalyptus to the survival of bees - but we have just 'twigged' .... so, if you can, plant some Eucalyptus!
When doing a bit of reading-up on all this we came across this lovely painting by the Californian artist Brian Stewart of bees feeding on the nectar of a Eucalyptus:
When doing a bit of reading-up on all this we came across this lovely painting by the Californian artist Brian Stewart of bees feeding on the nectar of a Eucalyptus:
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So, life of course continues: 'lockdown conditions' here remain strict, but there will be some relaxation in mid-December if the pandemic data allows, enabling some degree of families and friends meeting indoors. But travel restrictions on travel between countries, particularly between France and the UK, remain very complex and restrictive. So, we will have to be patient and await what we hope will be the efficient and effective distribution and application of the vaccines. What has been inspirational has certainly not been the politics, but the extraordinary scientific developments and co-operation.
We are in the process of 're-working' our Chambres D'Hotes/Gites, ready for 2021 and we look forward to welcoming established guests, friends and new visitors to 'Nichoir', to share some peace, calm and quiet, good conversation and ideas.
So, in the meantime, we wish readers of the Blog a safe and convivial Christmas!
So, life of course continues: 'lockdown conditions' here remain strict, but there will be some relaxation in mid-December if the pandemic data allows, enabling some degree of families and friends meeting indoors. But travel restrictions on travel between countries, particularly between France and the UK, remain very complex and restrictive. So, we will have to be patient and await what we hope will be the efficient and effective distribution and application of the vaccines. What has been inspirational has certainly not been the politics, but the extraordinary scientific developments and co-operation.
We are in the process of 're-working' our Chambres D'Hotes/Gites, ready for 2021 and we look forward to welcoming established guests, friends and new visitors to 'Nichoir', to share some peace, calm and quiet, good conversation and ideas.
So, in the meantime, we wish readers of the Blog a safe and convivial Christmas!
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