Prunes | ourlittlehouseinfrance

We’re here again, in our favourite place, South West France. Long trip again, with no stopping. Hubby and I sharing the driving and with a it much better plan this time as each of us only doing 2 hour stints. Still exhausted by the time we reached the house. My nephew and family set off at the same time and only missed each other by 30 minutes at Le Tunnel. We actually like our epic journey to be honest as it feels like the start if a big adventure.

Actual time of arrival was just about 9am and it was straight to Leclerc, to pick up some provisions for lunch and tea. Arrived at the house to find an even bigger nest of House Martins. Poo all over the tiles outside the front door. Bella leapt out of the car straight into the garden for some well needed exercise. As I surveyed the garden it was pleasing to see all the plants doing so well, many thriving.

We also have produce, so there will be plumb crumble and fig jam, all being well.

Then once we’d gathered our thoughts it was off to Bricorama in Marmande to change the shower thermostat, which was only allowing us to have scalding hot water coming from the shower.

Back to house, replace thermostat and relax. Not doing anything else today.

Sunday it was up early to go to a couple of vide greniers close by. Thought my son would like to join us but he was spark out. Hubby and I spent a pleasant morning mooching around vides at Les Lèves et Thourmeyragues and Ste Foy la Grande.

Chines du jour (antiques of the day)

So no wonder we were exhausted by Monday. The tales of Monday and beyond to come.

So how does your garden grow? It always seems such a wait until we are back in France and can take stock of our jardin français en cours. And even though Callum was reluctant to travel surrounded by plants, I brought these little babies with us. At the front of the picture are three little cat mint cuttings (Nepeta). These cuttings were taken at home about three weeks ago but seem to have rooted nicely. Then to the left and right of these are two small Jerusalem fig trees that I purchased from Holland via the internet. These are very young and look very delicate. To the left and at the back is a Brown Turkey fig cutting from a colleague at work who has this tree in her garden in Knaresborough. When we took this out of the pot it had lots of roots and looked very healthy. Finally to the right at the back of the shot is a Rouge de Bordeaux fig tree, purchased from Primrose online garden shop.

And as for the French garden! Although it is a work in progress, it certainly has been growing. Lots of wet weather in May, June and July has helped. Gorgeous prunes that are so sweet. I’ll certainly be making a plum crumble this holiday.

And the self seeded prune trees that we transplanted from underneath the conifers are doing really well. No fruit yet though.

In fact all the plants we have put in are beginning to show promise. The Viburnum hedging.

The Brown Turkey fig tree.The Phormium that I originally got from Grandmas neighbour, Joan.The Buddleia.This is the new Rouge de Bordeaux, that we’ve planted at the edge of the pebbled seating area.These are the tiny fig cuttings from Zena.This is a Brown Turkey fig tree from Morrison’s. Only a twig when I bought it last year.And, oh look!, my Buddha has found a new home.

The Cypress tree in front of the house is now so big it is starting to lean over and we have had to stake it.The pebble garden was full of weeds but Paul spent three hours weeding it.Some beautiful plants were already established like this stunning Trumpet Vine.View across our vines.Sad to say that this tall Cypress has been a casuality.And I found this lovely image on Pinterest of all the tools needed to create the perfect garden.