that old chestnut

I've called this post that old chestnut because this isn't the first time that I've shared images of our garden in the fall and chestnuts always seem to feature in those autumn posts.

After a particularly heavy downpour yesterday the sun came out from behind the grey clouds bringing beautiful blue skies and the perfect photo op for a Kodak moment.

I also found the grass littered with horse chestnuts which we call conkers

and mushrooms which may or may not be edible but we're not about to find out.

Linking this post to Mosaic Monday

hosted as always by

Mary @ the little red house

Hippocrates and the Knights Castle, Kos.

I wouldn't want you to think that all we did on vacation was lounge around in the sun, oh no.

On two occasions we took the ramshackle local bus down into Kos Town to wander the twisty streets and squares and admire the boats moored in the marina and harbour. 

The two main things to see when visiting Kos town, the island capital, 

are the Tree of Hippocrates and the Knights Castle.

The ancient plane tree that one sees today is about 500 years old, 

believed to be the oldest tree in Europe 

and possibly descended from the Tree of Hippocrates 

under which the father of medicine instructed his students.

Sadly, the tree is now a hollow shell and has to be supported by scaffolding. 

Surrounding the tree are tumbled down marble columns and broken fountains, 

they are cordoned off from the public but still gloriously magnificent.

The Tree of Hippocrates can be found in the square outside the entrance to the Knight Castle, a fortification built in the 14th century by the medieval Knights of St John in order to defend the town of Kos from the Ottomans.

The castle was originally built on an island separated from the mainland by a moat, with a drawbridge over. Later the moat became a road and a permanent bridge was built to link the castle to the mainland. I wonder how many feet have trodden these cobbled stones?

Ancient statues and columns everywhere you look.

 A not so ancient relic!

 Ancient cannons and cannonballs.

  We spotted this church which is undergoing restoration close to the harbour.

The site of yet another archaeological dig, close to the Tree of Hippocrates.

Joining the Tablescaper this week for

Shadow shots - poolside

As Mother Goose once said - "Home again, home again jiggity jig!!"

and it is lovely to be home again after our wonderful stay at the amazing Michelangelo Resort in Kos, but oh! that infinity pool.........

Early mornings were the best times to capture shadows.

It's going to take a while to readjust to home life and also to sort through the many photographs that we both took.

I know that it is hard to believe but the hotel was almost at full capacity.

There was always a quiet spot to enjoy the sun, read a book or enjoy a leisurely cocktail at the pool bar.

Sit back, relax, it's the weekend.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Mosaic Monday
with Mary

Autumn days

Autumn has arrived in Normandy bringing chilly mornings, stunning sunrises, falling leaves and the last of the potager's bounty. 

Hedgerows along the lanes are laden with blackberries just waiting for me to transform them into bramble jelly.

That is if we don't eat them all as we pick, risking scratched hands and staining our mouths and fingers with the rich red juice to savor their sweetness.
If I do manage to bring some home then I have found the perfect recipe to try on BBC Food website.
Click here if you'd like to try it yourself.

Later on this week the Senior Partner and I will be leaving on a trip to the fabled Greek Island of Kos, where according to Greek mythology  Hercules, son of Zeus, took refuge after losing most of his fleet on the journey back from Troy.
We have anticipated returning to Greece for many years, a vacation to celebrate the SP's well earned retirement.

When not communing with the Gods on Mount Olympus we'll spend our days lazing by the infinity pool, being pampered in the Spa and enjoying delicious Greek specialties in one of three of the Michelangelo Hotel's restaurants.

I've heard that wifi at the hotel is very hit and miss, I'll try and post some photographs of the stunning scenery and the blue Aegean sea but in case I can't this is what it looks like!

infinity pool - Michelangelo Hotel & Spa, Kos, from the hotel's website.

Joining Mary @thelittleredhouse for Mosaic Monday 

click on the link to see who else is sharing a collage this week

2013 SPSH - Item # 9

It's been a week since I shared a scavenger hunt photograph with you, the reason being that we have been socializing a little more than usual these past few days.
As August is the month that most of la belle France takes a vacation, our little village has had an influx of holiday makers and we have been visiting with some of them.
But that is by the by.
What have you got for us today I hear you ask?
Item # 9 on Rina's list @ Gallo Organico is: a photo of someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong.

Spotted in the corner of a local field
an abandoned milk canister and a garden gnome!
I wonder what the rest of the story is?

2013 SPSH - Item # 6 - someone napping.

Item # 6 , on Rinda's 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt list @ Gallo Organico, requires a photograph of someone or something napping.
During the past couple of weeks the house has been having a face lift, the windows and doors have been repainted inside and out and soon the window shutters will be transported away to the painter's workshop to receive the same treatment.
We have employed a local artisan to do the work, he arrives promptly at 8.00 a.m, takes exactly one hour for lunch and leaves at 5.30 p.m.
This means that we, too, have an early start to our day and afternoon naps are a thing of the past, for now.
But not for Fleur.............................................

M'selle Fleur caught napping
on her favourite chair in the library!

This is my 500th post on Normandy Life and I couldn't think of a more fitting photograph

 to share with all my friends and followers and celebrate life in Normandy.

2013 SPSH - Item # 7 - a sign.

A 2 minute drive in the car will bring you to our local "mom & pop" store
Like most m & p stores they seem to be always open, even on Holidays & Saint's Days.
They work hard.
They sell almost everything you could wish for in a general store, the SP likes to say "everything from 6 inch nails to fillet steak".
Freshly baked bread and croissants are delivered every day around 8.20 and are usually sold out by 10.00.
Gasoil and benzine for your car, gas canisters for your cooker and logs for your wood burning stoves are all available, too.
At the side of the store is a small Bar where locals often drop in for a cafe & calv.
Strong black coffee with a glass of Calvados (apple brandy) on the side.

As we like to say in the UK "it does what it says on the tin"

or in this case on the sign which always makes me smile.

2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt 

Item #7. A sign that is either intentionally, or unintentionally, funny.