After a slow start to the morning, and watching the weather like a couple of hawks, we dressed for a downpour, to go walking.
Just as well we brought our waterproof boots, over-trousers and raincoats with us! With a folding umbrella stuck in my left pocket, and my camera in my right pocket and Waz carrying the recyclables in a bag, we were intent on emptying the contents into one of the bins at the top of the road.
Taking the long way (of course), we explored our surroundings. I warn you that I have played with the photos so that you can see our surroundings, so dull was the sky. There are also beaucoup (many) photos.
We dont mind the winter-scapes, and were delighted to find new buds and leaves on the rose bushes, showing promise in these slightly warmer temperatures. The warmth was nice out of the wind, but when we crested the hill, I put my hat back on.
The rain let up for the duration which was much appreciated, as it gave us time to look around rather than just rush to get out of the wet.
Looking back at the house, behind our rental car. That's the one with the brown shutters. It is SO hard to even imagine what is on the inside of these houses. It is as if they hide a secret. Mostly they do, I might add. There is often a WOW factor involved, especially if they have been renovated. This is absolutely true of the home we are inhabiting. Without knowing it's actual history, I would think it was part of the original Longere (long zhaire), or Farmhouse. The animals may even have been housed here. This is all speculation on my part, however. Judging by the low beam in the kitchen ceiling though...which is making a war zone on Waz's forehead...I imagine farm animals enjoying their winter indoors, down there. A slightly romantic notion perhaps? lol.
That puddle of water in the foreground has grown in the last day. We want to know where the road goes. A couple of cars have zoomed past the house on this skinny road, so we will be careful when we exit the driveway in the future.
This is part of the next door house that we understand is being renovated. We haven't had the opportunity (rain) to knock on their door and introduce ourselves yet.
Fields all around. Some wetter than others, some had their crops removed, and nothing replaces them. Anything new planted would simply rot in the ground.
We stopped at the corner where the road forked, to look back at the Hamlet. It is deceiving, the size of the Hamlet, and the quality of the homes here. Pretty typical homes in repair and disrepair and renovation, if that makes sense.
At the fork the road went off to the right and then up a hill. One day we will follow the road. It is a bit wet through there right now.
The yards of some of the neighbors are large...about an acre, I imagine.
We moved aside for a couple of cars, and we imagined that the drivers thought we were a bit crazy! They cheerfully waved back.
It makes good sense, when buying property here, and you have a wood stove or heater, that you also have a copse of trees to whittle away at to provide your own firewood. To buy a cord of wood is around 250 euros, currently, and you then have to cut your own kindling and get a chainsaw to the large pieces they deliver....and stack it somewhere dry. An expensive operation, but less so that full on electric heating.
It looked liked this field once grew maize. The maize processing plant is at the end of the road.
Kindling? We were tempted to go and pick through some of the skinny branches for our own fire.
Those are black plastic covered firewood piles. They felled the timber and just left it there until they need it.
The Hamlet is a bit spread out...more than is initially obvious.
This was a rather creative solution for a felled tree:)
As you can see, we have turned the corner. This loop will become a good walking track for us, but we will have to watch out for the traffic. Yes, it is one car width.
These are turnips, we assume. The land is stony and seems to have a high clay content. Good for all that wine!
This poor tree looks to be almost strangled by Mistletoe, which is an invasive vine. I might have the wrong vine here though.
This is a modern-styled home. The younger French tend to favor new homes, and more contemporary. We dont find them highly attractive, however the outside is often no indication of what is on the inside.
Mouton! Sheep! They are large sheep and look somewhat like the British Border Leicester breed, but I cannot find these black faced ones on the internet.
On the left, opposite the sheep field.
The same house. These lean-to's are necessary in the summer. The pebble/gravel chip driveways in light colored stones are common everywhere.
Love the light fixture.
This Longere has been renovated. We favor this type of property, and love the gates and courtyard in front. Very practical!
This home had been beautifully renovated...at least on the outside.
This was the first part of a building that is for sale, that requires TOTAL renovation. We could probably buy it for a song, but it would require beaucoup bucks to make it habitable. It needs EVERYTHING doing.
oops...photo out of order, lol. This is the house we occupy.
Back to the house that is for sale or A Vendre. Love those front stairs.
This house is also for sale, and looks in better condition...however...there are some major cracks on the outside walls. It is a Moulin, or Mill. There is a water race alongside.
This is the back entry to the Moulin. That Rose bush on the right of the door had lots of new leaves appearing, and plenty of leaf buds.
Another way to get to our house, around the back of another house which exists in a kind of island between the two roads.
To the right of the Moulin, and on the road out of the Hamlet. That is the water race on the right of the bridge.
I turned around to look at the back side of the For Sale mess. Love this view!
This is part of the back side of the same house, overlooking the water race/river.
The road out, and the bins where we will offload our recycling paper, cardboard and plastic. We will need to take our empty wine bottles to the town Decheterie ( Day shet airy - tip/recycling)
Again, the back side of the For Sale property.
The long line of Farm buildings, mostly Longere, backing onto the River/water race.
The water race alongside the Moulin
Waz has a romantic idea about restoring a Moulin, but I am dubious of so much water in the close proximity, especially in winter, when everything is damp. I have other ideas!
This longere has been nicely restored, at the beginning of the Hamlet, but removed from the other houses.
This is a nearby Etang, a small lake, but not a lake. Ok, dont ask!
Not at first obvious which one we needed to empty our bag into, but it was the grey one at right.
Now walking back. This is so pretty in winter, it must be lovely in summer/Fall.
This garden has been quite well formed, at the back of an end longere.
Ahh...here we are again...Our house, as it were. That window opens into the formal dining room. It is amazing how much light actually comes through these apparently small windows.
Im always curious to know what was on the outside of the building to causes those 'scars'. The windows under the little deck are the Kitchen dining windows. The Master bedroom opens onto that deck.
The gate into the pool area and back yard.
One of many piles of firewood we are discovering, under the stairs. It is a bit of a problem to stash it where it will stay dry.
The back yard is easy care, and the pool covered for winter. Low shrubs complete the area which must be gorgeous in summer.
The back yard, and deck off the second living room.
The perfect lock up and leave property. You would never know it was this nice, from the outside of the property. You cant see in, anyway.
The house with the blue shutters is the one that exists in the island with the roads going around it, as I mentioned earlier. They have a lovely front yard which you CAN see into:)
The back deck off the 2nd lounge. Bar-b-qing off here in summer would be wonderful. The under cover area is necessary in the heat of summer. Those doors open wide. Fantastic!
You would never know what was behind that wall on the right.
The top window is in the living room we are currently in. There is one other window in this room, but we dont feel 'shut in', interestingly. The ceilings are tall and interesting with dark beams against white. This 'Pierre' (stone) wall has been nicely restored.
You can see through the gap in the neighbors wall, their hand pump well.
The pretty front door. We are about to take our boots and rainwear off.
Lunch was put on the boil...Veg/chicken soup, with the last of the Pain cereal and some of the fresher Parisienne loaf...toasted! With Cheese and pate...of course!
Waz found my Sugar Daddy!
Dinner! All fresh veg and local pork chops with a quick squeeze of Hollandaise. Yum! So simple and so healthy, along with a small glass of white wine...Bordeaux, of course.
A cup of coffee and a Petit Ecolier cookie or two, and we are set for the night.
Watching UK TV! Lots of wonderful programs.
Night, night.
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