Nature continues to give hope

We are looking forward to the easing of restrictions and see in the burgeoning of nature in the garden the definite sign that where there is life there is hope. The irises are wonderful, the birds are singing and the meadows bursting with wild flowers.

Walks around the fields

With yet another ‘le confinement’ here in France the fact that it is Spring and we can enjoy walking around our fields is something that makes us extra pleased, if that is possible, that we chose Les Faures as our home. A stroll down to the pond to inspect burgeoning flora and fauna is an absolute delight. We continue to hope that we will be able to share this beautiful place with guests planning on arriving this summer.

Easter Greetings

We send Easter greetings to all our past and future guests wishing you all a very happy weekend.

Here at Domaine des Faures the sun shines, the birds sing and the flowers bloom so despite another lockdown it is a perfect place to reside.

Tulip time

With the arrival of the spring equinox and now officially ‘springtime the tulips in the courtyard have sprung into action and are giving a wonderfully colourful display. Outdoor living can begin again.

A secret cache

We are busy renovating an attic area and in the process have come upon an old secret cache of maize hidden by the pine martin who once called it home. These delightful creatures can be a pest in buildings as they will use any material available from plastic to rubber to insulation to create warm nests. Martin proofing buildings is the only way forward as a law in 2008 made it illegal to mutilate, trap, transport or sell pine martins or ‘martre de pin’ as they are called in French. In any case we think they are wonderful and enhance our organic farm and woodlands so martin proofing is the only way to proceed.

The beauty of Blackthorn

With the lengthening days and warmer weather the blackthorn has really blossomed. A plant that survives well here the flowers are a feast for bees and a delight for the eye.

Les Gendarmes

The warmer weather has brought forth ‘Les Gendarmes’! These wonderful little creatures are crowding onto the buxus by the house and procreating like crazy which is all to the good as they eat aphid larva and mealybugs so providing excellent organic pest control. Their name allegedly comes from the uniform worn by Louis XVI ‘s guards but I’m not convinced believing it is more likely that it is because they resemble little armies as they are so prolific.

Spring has sprung

On Thursday we heard the first pass over of the cranes on their way back to their summer feeding grounds. They left late and are coming back early so they must be thinking along the lines of…’we no sooner got there than we have to go back’. However a very welcome sign for us.

We are busy gardening as everything is showing signs of life and so pruning and tidying is being done in earnest. A newly cleared area of the garden where we are rebuilding a stone wall has revealed some beautiful daffodils.

A visiting hare

The other morning, standing in the kitchen, we were given the most wonderful view of a hare quietly sitting on the path down to the pool garden. Initially we wondered if it was unwell as it is rare to see one so close to the house. Fortunately it allowed us time to take a photo before casually hopping off. A great way to start the day.