Dry Stone Wall

With a pile of stone left over from the building work  and making space for the windows and doors we were left with the challenge of what to do with it all.  We used some to lay a  pathway to the back of the garden shed, but that only made a small dent in the pile.

I eventual decided to attempt to build a dry stone wall, but quickly realised that  I needed some help and lessons.  Having searched Utube I found one particular video that was really good and explained the process very well, and as a result I also found The Dry Stone Wall Association http://www.dswa.org.uk/ and enrolled on a training course in early November 2010.

The course was a 2 day session and was well worth the fee, teaching me a lot and how to approach the task properly.  Easier said than done!!  Over a long weekend visit at the end of November I managed to complete my first 1 metre long wall, but my stone proved not to be quite as well shaped as the stone on the training course, but nevertheless I was pleased with the outcome.

Without the course, I am not sure that I would have had the confident to attempt the build or to persevere when it got tough, so I would recommend taking proper advise and have a go.

Planting Time

Well, the early Bank Holiday Weekend arrived and I was able to make a weekend visit to Colondannes and the sun came out, through the rain showers.  The previous week had been very warm, with temperatures in the mid 20's and apparently there had been little rain in the previous few weeks.

I was able to tidy up the garden and cut the grass, which had not grown too much although my weed feed in April had done its job and made the dandelions grow tall, but hopefully will die.  A shrub bed was enlarged and involved more work than I had thought, but I managed to plant some new shrubs and cover with membrane and bark to keep the weeds at bay.

The really good news is that the Moles do not seem to be active at the moment , or rather they are not active in our garden at least!

We will bring some more shrubs at the end of the month to complete the new bed and let is flourish.

Horse Riding and Sales

If you are visiting the Creuse or La Souterraine area and are interested in Horseriding and learinng to ride, or even in buying a horse then visit Mazeriat Centre Equestre and Lisa Criddle, who is a great teacher.

Joshua has enjoyed many hours with her lovely horses, riding in the menage and trekking through the woodland she owns.

Take a look and give her a call.

Spring 2010

Well, the snow has gone and spring has arrived in Colondannes. The winter has been very cold and long, as it has over most of Europe and the UK, but at long last the garden is alive and during our Easter visit the grass needed to be cut and we gave it a feed to try to kill as many of the weeds as possible, with Verdone. It really does seem to work. We did the normal bit of weeding, which really seems to be diminishing and maybe all of the hard work is taking effect

The Moles have been active, but only a little and we saw no new mole holes during the recent visit. I am sure they will return so we bought some explosions to put down the new holes, when they return.

We were again invited by our french neighbour for dinner again and had a lovely evening. She made good use the chicken she killed in the Autumn and they made a lovely meal.

Our visit past by all too quickly yet again and we look forward to the planned visits in May.

Summer 2009 Hot and Dry

Well, it has been a while since updating the blog but I am pleased to report that the Mole(s) have stayed away. We are amazed!!

Perhaps it has had something to do with the hot and very dry summer the area has experienced. Our family has just returned after a 5 week stay and during that time there has been very little rain, only 2 or 3 short showers and lots of hot sunshire, with temperatures reaching aorund 38 degrees and regulary being in the 28 - 32 range.

This has meant that the grass has not needed cutting and has been left parched & straw like. We are not complaining, everyone enjoyed a great summer and returned to the UK refreshed and relaxed.

Joshua had a great summer using his new camera and having some horse riding lessons every 2 or 3 days. He even set up a website for Mazeirat Centre Equestre for Lisa and has been thrilled by the response and number of hits it has produced.