Conkers.

The horse chestnuts are starting to tumble down, anyone for a game of conkers?

How to play Conkers.

Linking to

Our World Tuesday

 

Sunday Walk - Happy Birthday Mr Ben!

Yesterday, 15th September, Mr Ben celebrated his 12th birthday, that makes him 64 human years old according to the Pedigree Dog Age Calculator, and a Senior Citizen!
If you'd like to know how old your pampered pooch is, in human years, click here.
So, today we went for a fairly long amble through the countryside and I stopped to take photographs, along the way, to remember this special weekend by.
He kept up very well despite being somewhat deaf and with restricted eyesight, although a couple of times he did get turned around and started heading back to the car.

The bramble bushes are quite heavily laden with blackberries but it will be a few weeks yet until they are ripe enough to pick, making bramble jelly is a lovely way to spend an afternoon in the kitchen.
The maize which around here is grown as cattle fodder will be harvested soon, many of the fields around our house have already been done.
In the corner of the maize field I spotted an abandoned piece of ancient farm equipment rusting and moldering away quietly.
Hunting season is in full swing and we encountered a group during the walk, without mishap.
When we arrived home I was surprised to see another group stalking the field next door where the cows graze, shortly afterwards whilst preparing lunch I heard a single shot which seemed to come from field behind the house.
Not sure who was in the group and I thought the field had a sign like the one pictured below, but maybe they had permission from our neighbour to be in there?

Private - no hunting

It's always a good feeling to know that Fleur is on guard on days like these!

Joining Mary @ thelittleredhouse for Mosaic Monday after many months of being awol

 Click on the link below to see who else is taking part this week.

and Our World Tuesday

Last of the summer vide - greniers

On our way home from the Sunday walk we stopped in a local village to check out what was probably the last vide grenier of the year.
I wish that I could show you the beautiful vintage linens and antique pottery which I found there.
I know of several bloggers living in France who always find the most wonderful decorative pieces for their homes and on line shops.
You may know them too.

Hélas, I found nothing at all that spoke to me or demanded to be taken home to live with us!

Was I wrong?

Perhaps it was a mistake to leave this Vallauris leaf shaped platter behind?

Now that I think about it, maybe it would look good in the centre of a Fall tablescape?

Vallauris pottery is produced in south eastern France and is quite popular with collectors, although it's not really to my taste.
I remember that many years ago I found a set of 8 oyster plates, at a brocante fair in Paris, which I listed for sale on ebay as "the ugliest oyster plates I have ever seen".
That turned out to be a battle of an auction and although I can't remember the end price I do know that they fetched a lot more than I paid for them.
Have a great week!

Pink Saturday

This morning I popped into my local village for a few groceries

 and was blown away by the florist shop's new "do".

Luckily I had my trusty Lumix in the car and was able to snap a few photos 

to share with all you Pink Ladies today.

I think you'll agree that this outrageously pink makeover certainly brightens up the High street!
It even "out pinks" Beverly's button!

Click on the button below to join Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound for another deliciously Pink Saturday!

Bon Weekend!

j'adore Dior.

A few days ago we took a trip down the coast to the pretty seaside town of Granville to visit the childhood home of Christian Dior, Les Rhumbs, which is now a museum dedicated to him and his life's work.

This summer they are holding a special exhibition entitled "Stars en Dior" and many wonderful dresses and costumes, created by the House of Dior, are on display.

There are also film clips to enjoy of old black and white films from the forties, blockbuster movies from Hollywood and France and even tv commercials promoting Dior fragrances.

Sadly we were not able to photograph the frocks (!) but we took many photo's of the outside of the house and surrounding gardens.

 

the great man himself

 

 

 

Joining Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound

for Pink Saturday.

 

Click on the link below to see who else is in the pink this week.

Assumption day walk along the riverbank

It's Wordless Wednesday

Écrammeville, Basse-Normandie.

Take a short walk with me around the tiny village of
Écrammeville

 for Wordless Wednesday.