Summer

In summer the shade of the trees creates a wonderful contrast here to the heat of the sun. As our summers get very hot, we are making certain to have lots of shaded areas in our garden. We also practise shutter shutting to keep cool air in the house.

what is the weather like in France? Is it all sunny days? We have a delve at PumpjackPiddlewick

Let’s talk about the weather. France’s weather is truly, truly varied – north to south, east to west, and even within areas the same can be applied. After all, it is a big country, with an ocean to the left, mountains to the right, flat plains to the top andRead More →

Summer night thunderstorms at PumpjackPiddlewick

Last night was a late night (11pm!), and one of those happy moments to treasure. It was hot, too hot. That hot summer night you get before a thunderstorm, with the odd quiet flash of lightening to punctuate the dark. The windows were flung open and at last the coolerRead More →

Harvesting champagne currants at PumpjackPiddlewick

This year we are awash in strawberries and raspberries from our garden. But sandwiched in between along one of our crumbling garden stone walls are two bushes of currants. One is red currants, the other Champagne currants. I had heard of red currants, and of course red currant jelly. ARead More →

summer in the vineyard at Pumpjack Piddlewick

Summer in the vines means they are all tucked in. Ready to bask like a tanning guru on a beach towel in the summer sun. Job done. (Hoooo-Ray!!) The next couple months the currently tiny grapes will grow and grow (hopefully) and by late August or September reach their fruitionRead More →