June 2008

What have we been up to? ‘Lots of busy jobs to do’, as Oliver, Josh and Joe would say.  We’ve spread 6 tons of gravel around the courtyard and Chestnut Walk, planted loads of hydrangea, summer bulbs and, of course, veg in the kitchen garden.  We’ve arranged potted plants, tables, chairs and parasols around the swimming pool and  Tom has begun construction of the henhouse using old timbers from the Piggery which is itself undergoing renovation!  Our French builders obviously think Les Anglais are going completely over the top for hens, and suggested it would be sturdy enough for an elephants house. It has been named ‘Poultry Towers’ and Tom says he will do his best to ensure that the finished project lives up to the name. Watch this space………

April saw the first ‘Sounds of Spring’ music course, a week packed full of rehearsing, one on one tuition and listening workshops, all working towards the goal of the end of course concert.  We worked hard and the players really felt that they improved over the course of the week.  Their performances in the concert were very impressive! We took time to visit Locronon, a beautiful village with lovely old buildings and quirky shops, including a grown up ‘pic and mix’ chocolate shop. We then went on to Quimper, a medieval city about 40 minutes south east of Le Rhun. The trip out was a welcome break and gave our visiting musicians chance to see some of the area.

The week was topped off with a very successful musical soiree on the final evening. The soiree was held in the farmhouse salon, which we set up in a candle lit-jazz club setting.  It was attended by an audience of 20, a mix of English and French including the mayor of Argol and the feedback we received was really positive.

Even more pleasing is that we have agreed with the mayor that we can hold our December music course concert in the local 15^th century church on Saturday the 13 December, the same weekend as the Christmas Market. It promises to be a very atmospheric occasion!

This month brought two quite severe frosts – here’s hoping last year’s new garden plantings have withstood the weather – time will tell!

We had a succession of friends and family visiting from warmer climes.  Huw, an avid twitcher recorded 18 species of bird in his walk round the farm and woodland and inspired my New Year’s resolution – to start a log of the flora and fauna at Le Rhun.

Dec 2007

It was great to have time to sit back and take stock as we approached the end of the year.

We went along to the annual Argol Christmas market on the first cold day of winter with Pere Noel looking very at home amongst the frosty roofs and children in woolly hats and mittens. He gave any children who were willing a ride on his horse and cart and dispensed sweets and bonhomie to all who passed by.  The firework display at night in the churchyard was quite a spectacular sight with red smoke rising up through the gravestones!

We are all on a steep learning curve about the free food on offer in the woods and hedgerows.  Just look at what an hour’s foraging in the woods yielded!  We have invested in a rolling barrel device which sits on top of the firepit and helps us make maximum use of the annual glut of sweet chestnuts without the threat of burnt knees from the odd explosion!  There’s a feeling of pure childish delight on peeling back the prickles  to find those glossy brown nuts – it’s like finding treasure!

October 2007

Time to draw breath after the very busy summer and take a closer look at some of the corners of Le Rhun’s 40 acres.  The tractors and combines have now cleared the fields which are bathed in a golden glow when the autumn sun shines. If you look closely you will spot Tom trying out the cycling track potential of the furrows in the field!

The wildlife is much more visible now the fields and trees are shedding their summer finery and at supper time last week we were treated to the sight of three deer strolling past the dining room window on their way to the woods at sunset

June 2007

The magnificent tree at the entrance to Le Rhun, long overdue for a haircut, was visited by our friendly tree surgeon who trimmed enough branches to keep Tom and Roger busy chopping logs for three days! It seems that the tree could be 200 years old.  After its session of TLC we hope it may be there for a good many years to come.

Solar slates have been installed on the Vielle Maison extension, we are in the process of connecting them into the system.

April 2007