France

Blossom

Our long established cherry trees have burst into flower this week. The warmer weather has arrived and the garden is returning to life.

The texture of the snake gave it away. The light reflecting off the skin seemed out of place, somehow unnatural and unnerving. It took a moment to figure out what had caught me off guard. Once found, my only thought was getting the camera.

Easter Baking and Brambles

After too many years without, this is our first Easter with a proper oven. What better time than to bake some hot cross buns?

Charroux

We visited Charroux with visiting family. The small hilltop village had been recommended to us. Certainly pretty but maybe better in the summer months, than the winter. The small village was quiet with the few other tourists rugged up.

Medieval Moulins

Moulins is the administrative centre of our region. The city is home to the Préfecture de l’Allier and thus a city we have had to visit a few times.

Christmas at Home

This will be our first year celebrating Christmas in our new home. The transition from city to country continues to be the most dramatic lifestyle shift I have known.

Snow and Warmth

For the first time in years, we watched snow falling while feeling warm.

Welcoming Our First Guests

We enjoyed having our first visitors to stay. It was an opportunity to see if the house design worked with guests, it did, and to take numerous photos, I did.

Malevolence

On Monday, two men attempted to burgle our apartment while I was home.

Frozen Once Again

The biggest city park in Lyon is called parc de la tête d’or and within the park is a sizeable lake. This winter the lake froze from edge to edge.