It's fig season and Moray has been hard at it, making our very own fig jam!!! Nothing better than a lovely warm croissant and some home-made jam for breakfast.... hoping to give some away to the final guests of the season. Soon the sweet chestnuts will be ready too, we will be saving those for Christmas.

....just coming up for air... we have had so many wonderful guests, I think I might need to invest in a new iron due to all the laundry. I think one of the most pleasurable things about living in France is the sense of community, created by so many well-attended events. The other week we found ourselves watching a young British Band at our local 'ampitheatre'. Hats off to Carsick, yes, that was the name of the band... they whipped the Navarrenx community into a bobbing frenzy late into the summer's night... we then had to cycle home, I think I may have fallen off my bike, which was of course, due to the large incline in the hill and not the several glasses of wine and inability to work the gears effectively. It amazes me, how enthusiastically, events, large and small are attended and enjoyed. P.S Moray and I never cycle at home,,,, or raft or attend strong men competitions. Read more!

In our village by the Mairie's office there is a tree where Pilgrims often take shelter from the sun... it is scorching. Personally, I cannot think of anything more challenging than walking for hours a day in the burning sun with a 20 kilo back-pack.

.... a lifelong dream is to swim with my horse. Laddie is 23 and recently arrived in France. Whilst we have a lovely paddock here at Maison Maisy, I prefer to keep him with the lovely Marie at a livery stables in Gurs. The girls are so kind and friendly and have included the crazy English girl in all that they do. We have attempted Equitation de travail with some success. A particularly proud moment was reversing along a channel in a straight line. Its like old fashioned British Handy pony, with dressage; very cool and so much fun. Considering Laddie is very spooky, he excelled in all exercises only to be let down by the rider who could not comprehend the exercise trèfle à trois feuilles!! We also completed the route of the Musketeers from Navarrenx to Gurs... about 25 horses and a substantial amount of walkers... Laddie did not behave well, cantering down the road... I think he thought he was going into battle. Needless to say we did not make the return journey back... my nerves were in tatters and everyone else was very grateful we retired.

Today I am baking brownies... and banana bread... all ready for our lovely guests arriving at the weekend. July is super busy, so batch cooking is a great way to get ahead. Of course, I had to sample and they are delicious. My gratitude to Mary Berry! Strangely its 33 degrees here, I'm baking hot! 

Time to start Treasure hunting.... local Vide Grenier this weekend in Charre (Sunday 22nd June) .... grab yourself a bargain or just have a noisy, great way to kill a few hours at the weekend.  Starts around 9:00am I think.