I cannot believe it, 3 wins in 3 weeks!!!! That must be my share for the rest of time LOL. I am really thrilled to have now won Dolly Dimple as the third win. Take a look at Diane's (yes another one) blog at Heart Shaped. She has some lovely crafts and some amazing tours around the English countryside. I will show you a picture of Dolly Dimple when she arrives.
I loved this carved bear that I saw in a private garden in the Charente. It looked so real as I drove past, I just had to stop and take a picture!.
Interesting barn at Cognac La Foret
Selection of cheese at our favourite restaurant in La Rochefoucauld. It's help yourself!! :))
These two Citroën Ami 6 were seen parked together in Chasseneuil. I had never see this model before, so I was quite intrigued.
Looking forward to next years crop of maize.....
Colour at the local market
When my friends from Ireland visited me last year, we saw a huge Sanglier (wild boar) cross the road in front of the car and race across an adjoining field. All far too fast to even think of the camera! I did this small sketch so you can see 'sort of' what they look like
Sparrows bathing in a pot stand; photo taken through the lounge window. In the warm weather, I fill this up with water several times a day!
If you don't like bugs and snakes stop here!!!
"Un serpent", seen while out cycling. I did identify this when I got home, but my book is in France and I now forget what it was, but it was non venomous.
Seen on my verandah; I guess his mother may call this chap beautiful!!!
Beautiful sketch and post, that sketch look so real.
ReplyDeleteThank Sonia, I was just catching up with a few odd photos! Diane
ReplyDeleteIve also routed out some pattern pieces for her so I will send these this week! Well done xxxxx
ReplyDeleteAnd an artist as well! I'm a sucker for barns. That is beautiful. Is it right in the village?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen those cars either... they are adorable. I am used to the tin can versions and the space cars that are so sleek and low slung... these look like little cute toys! Bears, bugs and boars.. you were having fun today, Diane. Congrats on all the prizes and your sketch is GREAT!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane that is wonderful. I am really looking forward to receiving Dolly Dimple and seeing what I can make. I have masses of scraps of material so..... Thanks so much Diane xx
ReplyDeleteLovely pics and I LOVE the header of the snowdrops - Spring is on its way at last!! (if only on your blog!!)
ReplyDeleteDelana, I wish I was an artist, I am OK with animals but useless at anything else including backgrounds. I wish I had of gone to art school when I was younger but now in retirement I cannot afford it :(
ReplyDeleteYes the barn is right in the town. If you look at http://lifeincharente.blogspot.com/2011/01/round-and-about-cognac-la-foret.html it is right opposite the water pump. Diane
lostpastremembered, yes it was a fun day today catching up with odd photos that really did not belong in a category. Or not one that I had enough photos to do a complete blog on. I have a few UK photos that should be good, so the last few weeks before I leave you will be in the UK for a bit! So much for my original idea of all French blogs!!!! Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks Roz, today is cold and wet and very miserable, but yes spring is on its way, the snowdrops and crocus are all coming out. Diane
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your wins!! Very nice. Love the photos. Would you be interested in submitting your cheese plate photo for my Wordless Wednesday post? I would love to host the photo-the photo wold link back to you.
ReplyDeleteThe birds are too cute. Spring is almost here. I am counting the days.
Velva
Velva you can use the photo with pleasure. If you click on it you will get a larger version which would be easier to save.
ReplyDeleteYep spring really has to be just around the corner :) Diane
Wow Diane .. 3 wins in a row .. Brilliant ... Congratulations xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a good job we had not arranged for Oxford .. Cold ,wet , windy and miserable!!
What a beautiful sketch of the boar! You're quite artsy Diane!
ReplyDeleteAnne I am amazed, I just do not win things, I wonder what heppened???? I am very happy though :)
ReplyDeleteYes as you say a good job we did not plan Oxford, let us hope next week is better. Diane
Thanks Peggy but as I said earlier I can only draw animals and even then I have to be in the mood. Everything else I do is complete rubbish! Diane
ReplyDeleteDoes this latest win mean the lottery is out of the question :-). I ask only because you spoke of the rule of three in an earlier post. Your rendering of the boar is really quite good and if they are as mean as I've been led to believe, it was best you were in the car.
ReplyDeleteAre you getting anxious for your return to France? I hope all is well. Blessings...Mary
hello Diane!!
ReplyDeleteAccording to your comment on my blog, you definitely need a (or several) cat!!
You drawing of the wild board is impressive by its right proportions! You got so perfect!!
Love the bear too!
And your Longhorn beetle is fantastic!
I'm not his mother but I think he's beautiful!! LOL!!!
Have a great evening!!!
That last photo is creepy! I would love that plate full of beautiful and delicious cheese.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 3rd win!!!
Yes Mary that is the lottery out of the window I think, never mind I still won 3 things :) How lucky can I get?
ReplyDeleteYep those boars can be very mean if you get in the way but they will steer clear of you if possible. France cannot arrive quickly enough.... Take care Diane
Thanks for your kind comments Noushka. As for cats we have a neighbour with one but I think he overfeeds it!!! I can't have tham around as Nigel is allergic :(
ReplyDeleteGlad you think the Longhorn is beautiful as well!! You also have a good evening, Diane xx
Thanks Pam, I cannot say I never win anything anymore!!! The cheese plate in that place is always superb and very yummy. Diane
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you won again. It's because you're most generous yourself. Just look at these fantastic pictures you spread out for our enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteA great selection of photos,another win and I discover you are also an artist.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics and I adore your header! Congratulations on the wins, you're one lucky lady! The boar sketch is great, good job! All that cheese leaves me salivating!
ReplyDeleterosaria thank you for you very kind comments. I just do blogs on what i enjoy myself LOL. Diane
ReplyDeleteLindy I would give a lot to be an artist, I am VERY limited on what I can draw or paint. Animals are within reason but backgrounds are hopeless! Diane
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Diane! You've covered so much I hardly know where to begin so I will simply say "lovely photos". You did a great job of sketching the wild boar too.
ReplyDeleteWhen will you be going back to Charente? That is a mean looking bug. Yuk. The birds are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 3rd win, you are very lucky at the moment! Really looking forward to Friday. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove those two citroen cars - so quaint - I'd like to take one of them for a spin. Oh! and the cheese platter - just delish....
ReplyDelete"All Things French"
I love all your photos but the bird bath picture is the best for me! I think I'll carve one to put in my garden, made of vegetables of course! I am getting a lot of inspiration from your post lately Diane!
ReplyDeleteDiane， thanks again for sharing such lovely photo. Those cars are antiques! Looking forward for more from your files. Hope you're having a great day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Kristy
p/s Happy Belated Valentine's Day to you!
Diane, Enjoy browsing through your photos as always. Wow, you are quite an artist. I wish I can draw half as good as you. I am sending out my gifts to you this afternoon. Will let you know when to expect the mail. Hope you like them all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joyful, it was a fun blog for me as I used up odd photos that I had 'hanging' around. Diane
ReplyDeleteBecca it was a very photogenic bug and posed beautifully for me !!! Yes the spaarrows are cute I get masses of them in the garden, think they have adopted me! I return to the Charente 27 March :))))) Diane
ReplyDeleteHappy Frog, I am also looking forward to Friday. I am amazed that I have had three wins, things like that never normally happen to me!! See you, Diane
ReplyDeleteDianne you are right about the cheese platter it is very yummy :-) Yes I also liked those citroens. I had to go and have a good look as I did not recognise them. Don't think there are that many around as I had not seen them before. Diane
ReplyDeletemichelangelo I get a lot of inspiration from your blog but I still need to learn how to carve! Thanks for the kind comments. Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristy for the valentine good wishes. They were very interesting cars to me as I did not know the model. Take care, Diane
ReplyDeleteQuay Po Cooks, I am really looking forward to your gifts arriving and doing a post on them. I cannot believe how lucky I have been. Artist I am not but wish I was, I am very limited to what I can do:( Diane
ReplyDeletePam thanks for the comment on the header, it was the first snowdrops that I had seen this year. They were fighting their way through a mass of gravel. That cheese is amazing, there is always a fantastic choice. Take Care. Diane
ReplyDeleteWe have a few Ami 6 in Australia.
ReplyDeleteSue and I have had many Citroens over the years. In my younger days I may have had as many as 5 Traction Avants, a DS and of course our Xantia which has been passed down to our son now.
On our trips to France we lease thru Citroen Australia C3s and C4s.
How pathetic are we. Love the Citroen Dyane, the cutest of the 2CV variations.
Leon and Sue, not pathetic at all we loved our old cars though sadly sold them when we moved to the UK. Nigel would love a 2CV but it is not practical and we have not got the money to spare going towards retirement. In S.Africa though our pride and joy was a Porsche 356 convertable, and an old 911. Diane
ReplyDeleteYou're very lucky to have seen a wild boar (porc senglar in Catalan, so very similar to the French), and we've only seen them twice in three years!
ReplyDeleteJan this is the third time I have seen wild boar. The first time was during the hunting season and a huge one ran straight in front of my car. I was not only lucky to have missed hitting it and messing up the car but I was probably lucky not to have got shot as well!!! I also do not like those centipedes but I am inclined to let them be as they eat other insects. Diane
ReplyDeleteYour sketch is fantastic, Diane! You are very talented. Great pictures too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Faith for the complement, but I wish I could draw better! Diane
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog, I loved. I will follow you. Kisses. If you want to visit will be very welcome. Marta.
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteWhat beutiful photos and indersting
tour !!!
Thank you !
Greetings
Marta Benicá Obrigado pela sua visita. I am glad that you enjoyed my blog. I have enjoyed visiting your blog as well. Diane
ReplyDeleteMagda thank you so much for your very kind comments. Take care. Diane
ReplyDeleteYou're here to help us all catch a massive case of spring fever, aren't you? Congrats on three big wins in a row!
ReplyDeleteMarjie thanks for the congrats, not sure how I came to be so lucky!. Hope you have caught the spring fever bug LOL. Diane
ReplyDeletei just LOVE those cars!
ReplyDeleteand the streets
and the cheese
and...
lovely blog!
Rosa
Bikim thank you so much for your visit and your lovely comments. I have visited your blog and I just love your craft work it is beautiful. I would have left a comment but I could not see anywhere to leave it, sorry. Diane
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there is a lot of wildlife in that area. It would make life interesting. And also I spotted the fromage - I know that we'd all dig into that happily.
ReplyDeleteThose little citroen cars are adorable. I would have definitely snapped their picture too.
ReplyDeleteAh, the cheese platter. I love French cheese platters. One of my favorite parts of the meal.
Sam
What a great variety of images! The bug, the snake, the birds, the cars... Really cool captures, Diane!
ReplyDeleteBrittany, after Africa I think there is little wild life, but I guess for Europe we do not do too badly. I have seen deer, fox, boar, badger, weasel, rabbits, hare and hedgehogs. We have a lot of the common lizards around but also some green lizards as well. There are numerous snakes about but they mostly keep out of the way. We have insects in abundance.
ReplyDeleteAs for the cheese platter Mmmmmmmmmmmm Diane
Sam I agree they are great little cars. Yep, what is a meal without a cheese platter, trouble is I can't stop eating it and it does nothing for the scales :( Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks JM for the comment, It was a bit of something for everyone!! Diane
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your wins! When I reached the insect section, I observed it carefully but with fascination :)
ReplyDeleteDiane what a wonderful post of this and that! Twin Citroëns, great sanglier sketch, a cheese platter I could dive into-how I love cheese (the smellier the better). Can't say anything about the sllthering thing as as I have a heart stoping fear of them so appreciated the warning! (spiders are ok though). Every time you mention Dolly Dimple I think you are referring to me LOL ps four weeks today I fly to Napoli so I'm counting down the days too!
ReplyDeleteLOL Olga, that is a bit like the same feeling I have though I do not mind snakes. Diane
ReplyDeleteDolly I have never been to Italy so I am quite jealous, but not long now before I am back in France with all my French friends so that makes up for everything. Have you got dimples? :))))
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm that cheese is just fantastic; we love lunch in that restaurant :) it is very cheap. I am happy with snakes but I do not like spiders!!! Diane
No I don't have dimples but Irishmen are always telling me I have laughing eyes!!!! Yes, can't wait to go there. Amalfi (near Napoli) is my little place in the world where I go to think and be alone (tho I do know lots of locals now after all these years). I feel the same way about them as I am sure you do about your French friends :-) What is your very, most favourite French cheese?
ReplyDeleteWhat other wins do you have in store? You have hit the big three - fun, huh? Yes!
ReplyDeleteThat barn is the sort of structure I could enjoy turning into a home.
A dream of mine is to do just that.
Those sparrows should be on a poster - they are too cute.
You are an artist - I liked your boar.
Dolly with the laughing eyes, I like that :) We both pretty much like the same cheeses though it has taken Nigel a while to aquire a taste for blue cheeses. Think the two we like the best is Fourme d'ambert and Roquefort.
ReplyDeleteHave you got your own place in Amalfi? It is so nice to be alone and do your own thing. When Nigel retires I am going to have to get used to having him around!! Diane
Mya I love that picture of the sparrows but it is not very sharp. Taken though glass and I have not got a proper zoom on my cheap camera. Mmmmm I could also have fun with that barn. Diane
ReplyDeleteAre those beautiful puffy thing real, I mean like flowers or they are just made from some materials? Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSorry Diane about my updates, I don't really understand why it's not showing. It doesn't show up in my dashboard either. I couldn't think of any reason at all. Sorry fr the inconvenience.
chubskulit, I am not sure what those colourful things were but they were about the size of tennis balls and yes they were hand made.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the problem with the dashboard is, very strange. Diane