Animals & Wildlife..in our French Countryside...

We saw some lovely animals and wildlife while out on our countryside drive. I never tire of taking photos of them. Here are a few we were lucky to see this afternoon.

Look away, looking for Dinner

Bonjour

Such elegance

Turned to look at me

Handsome chap

Little Billy Goats Gruff

Missed the deer in the background

Having a rest

A drive in the French Countryside..

Had a drive out this afternoon as I was going stir crazy and wanted some fresh air, so we decided to have a drive around beautiful French countryside. The sun came out and blue skies appeared. We came across some lovely rivers, churches, a Chateau and lovely monument in St Claud. French cemeteries have always fascinated me (strange I know) but they do, another day I will do the rounds of the cemeteries. Amazing skies transformed the sky as the afternoon went on, and the sun dappled through the trees, giving the impression that Spring is just around the corner.

Chateau at St Goursan

                                                 

                                         

Church at Beaulieu

 

                                     
                                       

Monument at St Claud

                                         

 Cemetery in Parzac

Cute Cherub

Love the peacefulness this photo gives you

                     

 Love the sky the sun just behind the cloud..

Another small stream

Sun dappling through the trees

   

                                     

  Another lovely skyline

Love the moss on the tree

                             

 Love the reflection of the trees in the water

Burns Supper...

Out with friends having a lovely Burns evening in our local restaurant, Cafe Portebleue in Verteuil sur Charente. It was lovely to see the Haggis being addressed by a Scotsman in all his regalia. Our Haggis supper didn't fail to impress, the Haggis was excellent, in fact the best I have ever tasted. The atmosphere was buzzing as we had a Scottish quiz, of past and present Scottish men & woman. To our amazement we won the quiz, we are not competitive :-)  we were presented with a lovely bottle of 12yr old Malt Whisky The Glenlivet........very nice.


Burns night is in memory of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns.

                                        
                                               

Robert Burns

Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25th January, sometimes also known as Robert Burns day or Burns Night.
This is always a haggis on a large dish. It is usually brought in by the cook, generally while a piper plays bagpipes and lead the way to the host's table, where the haggis is laid down. He/she might play 'A man's a man for a'that', 'Robert Burns Medley' or 'The Star O' Robbie Burns'. The host, or perhaps a guest with a talent, then recites the Adress to a Haggis. Scotch whisky toast will be proposed to the haggis, then the company will sit down to the meal. The haggis is traditionally served with mashed potatoes (tatties) and mashed turnip (neeps). A dessert course  cheese courses, coffee, etc. may also be part of the meal. The courses normally use traditional Scottish recipes  Fot instance, dessert may be cranachan or Tipsy Laird (whisky trifle) followed bu oatcakes and cheese, all washed down with the "water of life"(uisage beatha) - Scotch whisky.



We had a lovely evening...... Slainte Mhath..

Our Winning prize

Spring is around the corner....

Out walking yesterday felt like Spring is just around the corner, it was dry, the birds singing, and the buds on the trees just beginning to bud. Wildlife is stirring... Sun was out and catching the leaves and trees. Lovely splashes of colour, russet tones to red shades... with fungi and moss adding texture.. We passed a Sunflower field looking very sorry for itself, but I am sure the seeds were enjoyed by the birds. A vine waiting to be pruned ready for a crop of grapes, possibly for making the local Pineau.

Just walking in the snow.......and then Deer

A lovely surprise to be waking up to snow this morning...we got woken up by our cat Evie, she was on our roof and was wiping the snow of the skylight right above our heads...we did wonder what it was, her way of saying get up I want feeding... :-)

After breakfast, we got wrapped up and ventured out into the snow, there is nothing nicer than walking on snow when no one else has been on it...all ours...

Clicking away with my camera, when I saw in the distance a Doe with Fawn....I had my camera at the ready and snapped away...they were quite a way away, so was hoping the photos would be ok....

I love seeing Deer when out walking, it really makes it all worth while, and makes living in Rural France, such an advantage if you want to see wildlife.

Maisie (the dog) was enjoying the snow, although we could see she was picking up on the Deer scent... but distracted her quite well..  It was so quiet, and peaceful, it was if a part of France belonged to us and us only....

Home now, hubby cutting more wood, and Croissants in the oven for a late brunch..the aroma is making me really hungry..

Wood being chopped for more snowy weather...

I tried to capture the walk in photos, I hope you enjoy seeing them..