Saturday sunrise a La Cote

Spring is sprung de grass is riz

fruit trees with blossom looking towards Ropion

Well, after some rather interesting climatic happenings, very late winter snow etc, we now definitely have arrived at our first spring at La Cote.  The cuckoos have been singing in the woods now since at least Wednesday and the lizards are busy scuttling around the walls outside when the sun shines brightly.  The buzzards, as usual, circle high above the house with their slightly unearthly cries having fun on playing on the thermal currents or chasing away the kestrel who normally lives in the hedge surrounding the "Clos" - the field below the house.  The messanges (blue tits and coal tits) continue to enjoy the use of the new bird feeder and are getting used to the changes in the vegetation in front of the dovecote (coloumbier).

The daffodils are out and lots of little blue flowers which we haven't identified yet are also making a lovely carpet on the ground especially in areas which we have cleared recently.  Various fig bushes are showing the signs of new leaves starting and even a few little bulbs of figs are now growing.  Most of the hedgerows have got lovely white blossom growing on them and the cherry and plum trees have their blossom coming out too.  We have been watching carefully for the first signs of buds on the apple trees which we spent a long time pruning last autumn as they had been quite overgrown.

 On Sunday morning we started work on clearing back the vegetation from the edge of the top field, trying to recover the line of the fence.  We were joined by our neighbours who are going to use the field for their two horses later in the spring.  Between us we had quite a collection of weapons for dealing with the invading scrub and trees: three strimmers, two pairs of land-handled snips, two bow saws, two pruning saws and two chainsaws.  The trees etc didn't stand a chance!  It was also a good opportunity to try out our new heavier duty chainsaw - really makes such a difference using the right tools and ones which are properly sharp!

Still lots to do, but it was quite impressive what we managed to achieve between the five of us in the space of a couple of hours and finish before the rain started.  Also a couple of gates need to be constructed.  In any case it is good to see the field being put to good use and it's a great way to meet the neighbours...

Hotter than July (or not quite)...

Amazing temperatures - over 32 degrees in the garden the other day - makes a change from the snow in February.