Sunday, 10 April 2011

A few photos to keep you up to date!

Since my last post, my feet have barely touched the ground, but I have taken a few photos to keep you up to date.  The work on the ceiling will follow in a later post; phew, it has proved to be hard work so far, and it is still in progress!

Around the garden, I have heard the Cuckoo calling, the Great Spotted Woodpecker has been battering the pine tree looking for bugs, and the Little Owl has been calling constantly around the garden and surrounding areas.  Sadly no photos of any of them; they are all too discreet!!
Two young apple trees in full blossom
Cherries already forming
I just love the colour of these tulips
The bluebells are almost out
Hope this worker is doing his job pollinating the apples for us
This odd looking character is growing from the ivy that has taken over in our hedge
A ladybird wandering around the foliage
Sunbathing
Blossom from the quince; this was a very sick tree last year, but it seems to have recovered well, thanks to the removal of another tree close by
,
The gnarled old trunk of the quince tree
These little violets are all over the place
and last, but certainly not least, it is wonderful to see the amazing French sunsets once more.

I apologise for not visiting everyone at the moment, but I hope soon that I will have a bit more spare time.  Nigel arrives on Friday and the only way I can get him to relax is to unwind myself!
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102 comments:

  1. Craig10 April 2011 at 18:15

    The garden looks great Diane... a testament to your hard work. Lovely photos of the blossom and flowers too. Thanks

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  2. Sebab10 April 2011 at 18:23

    I've never been to France and the countryside pictures are so tempting. Always the first picture comes into my mind when I think of Europe is the French country side and the vineyard.

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  3. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen10 April 2011 at 18:26

    What a great group of photos. Spring is in the air.

    I really love the shot of the lady bug. Unfortunately they invade our house in the mountains in the spring when the weather warms up and they are very hard to get rid of. Funny, because outside they are a gardener's friend.
    Sam

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  4. lejardindelucie10 April 2011 at 18:48

    Votre jardin est magnifique Diane. Ces fleurs et ces arbres porteurs de fruits sont la récompense de tout le travail accompli!
    Bonne semaine et bon courage pour les travaux à l'intérieur de la maison.

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  5. OneStonedCrow10 April 2011 at 19:01

    Lovely pics Diane - I'm surprised at the size of your garden ... in my imagination I picture all European gardens as being the size of a handkerchief ...

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  6. Olga10 April 2011 at 19:06

    So much to delight the eyes and the soul in here.

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  7. Roz10 April 2011 at 19:14

    I love those tulips - what a wonderful colour!!xxx

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  8. tinyskillet10 April 2011 at 19:51

    Another great set of photos Diane! So I guess working on the ceiling you can't really touch your feet to the ground! :D I like how you change your header for the seasons. I do like all the blossoms that come out on the trees in springtime. I miss seeing all the beautiful tulips up in Michigan, they have the Tulip Festival in May in Holland Michigan. Talk about seeing tons of tulips. Yours is fantastic! I love it. Do you use quince much? I don't see it too much around here. What is it like? Good to see you around a little more, even though you are busy busy! Take care.
    Lyndsey

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  9. Diane10 April 2011 at 19:58

    Thanks Craig, I am looking forward to more time in the garden. Once these ceilings are up and finished I might be able to breathe again, literally, the insulation is a nightmare!! Diane

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  10. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:01

    Sailor I have to agree the vineyards certainly come to mind first. Around Cognac I took some beautiful photos some years ago. They are somewhere in my library of photos but…. Easier to go there and take some more and of course come back with a car full of Cognac! Diane

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  11. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:02

    Sam we had a lot in the UK this year over winter, they seemed to find a way into every nook and cranny. Diane

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  12. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:05

    Merci Lucie. L'intérieur est très difficile pour moi, mais j'apprends ! Diane

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  13. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:07

    Graham our garden in the UK is barely hankerchief size, but in France ours is normal to small!! We did not buy a sit on mower for nothing, perfect for the old age :-) Diane

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  14. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:09

    Thanks Olga, I just want to have the time to appreciate it all a bit more at the moment! Diane

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  15. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:10

    Roz they were give away bulbs at the nursery in the UK last year as they were past there sell by date!! I hope that they keep multiplying. Diane xx

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  16. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:20

    Thanks for the kind comments Lyndsey. Quinces look a bit like a pear but are usually with a slightly fluffy skin. They are very hard and cannot be eaten as fresh fruit. The do though make fantastic jams and jellies and are amazing cooked in Rosé wine as a dessert. I also have a Medlar tree in the garden which I am looking forward to trying the fruit of but we are never here at the right time. They have to be picked after the first frosts. Diane

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  17. Schnitzel and the Trout10 April 2011 at 20:22

    You don't need to say much...just glad you are back in France and sharing some photos. Thanks.

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  18. Diane10 April 2011 at 20:36

    Susan that was what I thought. The photos do the talking for me :-) Diane

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  19. Joyful10 April 2011 at 21:33

    A beautiful garden Diane. Yours is much bigger than mine and mine is enough work thank you! LOL Yours is really very lovely and all the garden critters and blossoms make nice photos too. Glad you are back.

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  20. Terrianne, Call me Ree10 April 2011 at 22:11

    Oh Diane, as always your photos are art. Perfection! I'm so glad you're finally back in France enjoy those sunsets once again. I'm about five months away from French sunsets myself!

    Please do take care of you and Nigel. You deserve all the time you need to unwind.

    I wanted to thank you again for your support during my pregnancy and time away. Bless you! <3

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  21. Dolly10 April 2011 at 23:24

    Diane it is lovely to see your garden in full spring-mode and I am sure you are enjoying being outside in the sunshine so much after our long and grey winter u here.

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  22. Happy Frog and I10 April 2011 at 23:47

    Such gorgeous photos! I love them all but particularly the one of the ladybird. I just nursed back to health a bumble bee who had got trapped in our house and so I do like to see creatures that are doing well.

    So glad everything is lovely in France :-)

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  23. Vagabonde11 April 2011 at 00:30

    You really have a nice garden. I’d like to sit in a lounge chair on your grass and look at it, but looking at your photos is good too.

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  24. Dianne11 April 2011 at 01:10

    Thanks for keeping us up to date with what's happening in you world - and sound like you have been very busy!! Love the little lady-bird beetle timidly making here way around the garden foilage.
    Keep safe and well
    xx
    Dianne

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  25. Rosaria Williams11 April 2011 at 01:32

    It's spring, and you have the proof all over this post, yeaaahhhh! We're still in water-gray-tiny color mode. Soon though, soon, I will feel resplendent as you are.

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  26. Gaelyn11 April 2011 at 04:02

    Busy lady. You garden is looking divine, love all those fruit blossoms. Slow down, and smell those flowers and enjoy your time with Nigel.

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  27. cocoa and coconut 11 April 2011 at 04:54

    It looks like you are surrounded with colour and beauty - those flowers and trees just pop off the screen. I have never seen tulips or flowers with such vibrancy..

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  28. Taste of Beirut11 April 2011 at 05:13

    These photos are reminding me of how Spring should be!

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  29. Hélène (Cannes)11 April 2011 at 07:36

    What a nice garden ! I love ladybugs ! ;o)
    Bisous
    Hélène

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  30. Jean11 April 2011 at 09:06

    Hi Diane - it's great to see you in print and with all your lovely photos again. Things are growing so fast at the moment - the pictures of all your flowers are gorgeous - I love those purple tulips.
    I am very much looking forward to our meeting during Easter week.

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  31. Ola11 April 2011 at 11:13

    It is such a pretty colorful world on your pictures! Greetnings

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  32. webdework11 April 2011 at 13:22

    Pics are beautiful. Specially the flowers & the pic of the Lizard.
    Web Design Company

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  33. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:36

    Thanks Joyful, our garden is quite big enough for us though I have to admit I wish I had more room to enlarge the vegetable garden. Where it is I cannot go any wider or longer because of drainage.Hope that all is well with you. Diane

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  34. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:40

    Ree I am sure that 5 months will go very quickly and I hope that you enjoy France as much as we do. I hope that the problems you have been having are now all sorted and that your pregnancy sails along with no further troubles. You must be looking forward to being together in France. Take care. Diane

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  35. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:42

    Dolly it has been like the middle of summer but it is cooling down a bit again, hopefully not too much, I want Nigel to see some sun while he is here! We can still get frosts up until the middle of May so I am watching the garden closely! Diane

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  36. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:44

    Hi Froggy, I love bumble bees they always look so fluffy and happy. All is going well but lots still to do before I get back to site seeing and much cycling. Diane x

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  37. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:45

    Vagabonde I am looking forward to when I have the time to sit on a lounger and enjoy the garden and the sun! Diane

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  38. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:46

    Hi Dianne, usually there are many ladybirds around but that is the only one I have seen to date. Take care Diane

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  39. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:49

    Rosaria, the weather has been amazing but it has not fooled me yet, we will get another cold spell and I am holding back from planting anything susceptible to frosts. I have planted tomatoes but they are ready to be covered if necessary. Diane

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  40. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:50

    Gaelyn I intend slowing down when Nigel arrives and in fact may even be smelling the roses - the buds are getting quite big :-) Diane

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  41. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:51

    Thanks Brittany, those tulips are quite special and they were even better as I got them for free!! Diane

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  42. Diane11 April 2011 at 13:53

    Taste of Beirut you are so right but I am still worried about that cold spell which is more than likey still to appear. Diane

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  43. magda11 April 2011 at 15:50

    My dear Diane
    You have a wonterful garden !!!
    And the France-sunset is so nice !!!
    Have a nice week !
    Greetings

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  44. Diane11 April 2011 at 16:50

    Magda thank you for your good wishes. We have amazing sunsets here, always one of my favourite time to take photos. Take care Diane

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  45. Diane11 April 2011 at 17:16

    Thanks Hélène, I hope to relax soon and enjoy the garden. There just has been so much to do since I returned. Take care Diane x

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  46. Diane11 April 2011 at 17:17

    Jean I hope the garden will look good when you arrive at Easter but so far there has been so little time to do much in it !!! Diane x

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  47. Jacky11 April 2011 at 18:58

    Hi Diane, I'm so pleased that you are back in France and I can begin again living my French life vicariously through you!! We have a home in your area and your lovely photos often show places I have seen and interesting features I have also noticed (and your narrative reveals so much history). Only one more year to wait before we move over full time :-) Please keep on blogging!!

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  48. Deana Sidney11 April 2011 at 19:50

    Opening up the house after a winter is so much work.. we all understand!

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  49. Diane11 April 2011 at 20:27

    Ola thank you so much for your visit and kind comments. Take care Diane

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  50. Diane11 April 2011 at 20:29

    webdework I really appreciate your visit and your king comments. Thanks Diane

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  51. Diane11 April 2011 at 20:52

    Hi Jacky, thanks for the visit and the very kind comments. It would be great to meet up some time when you are here. I hope that we will both be here very soon as well, the quicker the better. Nigel's health is not good and stress in the UK is not helping. As soon as I have everything at the house under control I hope I will get out and about a bit more and be able to do some round and about posts! Great to hear from you. Take care Diane

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  52. Diane11 April 2011 at 21:01

    lostpastremembered thanks for being understanding, I cannot believe how much there is to catch up with this year and working on the ceilings each day has been exhausting to say the least of it!! We should be finished by Wednesday mid-day if all goes as planned. Then I must tidy up the house and the garden before Nigel’s arrival on Friday :-) Diane

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  53. Mary Bergfeld11 April 2011 at 22:54

    That sunset is breathtaking, Diane. There is not much prettier than a spring garden in full bloom. Your photos are wonderful. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  54. Delana@dujour12 April 2011 at 17:37

    Love that "odd looking character". I need to find me one. It would look lovely in an arrangement.

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  55. LindyLouMac12 April 2011 at 18:19

    A lovely selection of photos Diane, thanks for taking the time from all your recent hard work to share with us before Nigel arrives when you will certainly need a rest. My particular favourites today are the dark tulip, the bluebells and the sunset.

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  56. Mya12 April 2011 at 21:14

    What a beautiful yard, full of foliage and little creatures that appreciate your work.
    I am glad that Nigel will be with you soon. Will he be staying for a vacation or is this just a few days off?
    You two will have fun sipping wine while you enjoy your sunset.

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  57. Diane12 April 2011 at 21:53

    Mary we have amazing sunsets here. Problem is they last for such a short time and I need to be in the right place at the right time with the camera. Take care, hope to be back visiting very soon. Diane

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  58. Diane12 April 2011 at 22:02

    Delana the odd looking character I presume are seeds of the kind of ivy it grows on. It is a nightmare and grows like a weed!!! Diane

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  59. Diane12 April 2011 at 22:03

    Thanks Linda, I think we have the same taste as these are my 3 favourites as well :-) Diane

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  60. Diane12 April 2011 at 22:06

    Mya this is pretty much Nigel's annual leave though he will be taking a week in July. He is here from 15 April until 5 May. He is lucky as with Easter and the public holiday for the Royal wedding it gives him a bit extra. :-) Diane

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  61. Vera12 April 2011 at 22:34

    Glad to see you back in France, Diane, and that sure was a weird looking thing growing from the ivy! Any idea what it was?

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  62. Marjie12 April 2011 at 23:01

    It's nice that Nigel is coming so soon after your arrival! You are ahead of us in the spring department, but we finally hit 71F yesterday - a springy day, indeed! Sadly, it's 49 and raining here again today. But that's spring for us. Meanwhile, I'll admire your flowers!

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  63. bikim13 April 2011 at 00:28

    you always manage to take gorgeous photos!
    love the purple!
    take care,
    Rosa

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  64. Diane13 April 2011 at 08:08

    Vera it is not the normal ivy, it has a thicker leaf but I have been told it is from the same family. There are hundreds of those things all over the planr so I presume it is a flower/seed of soem sort. Maybe these things are why I cannot get any control over the creeper it grows like a weed and takes over!! Diane

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  65. Diane13 April 2011 at 12:18

    Marjie we always try to plan that Nigel comes over at Easter as it extends his leave a bit. We have had a couple of quite cold days but so far it has not damaged the garden. Fingers crossed we do not get a bad frost or all the fruit will be gone off the trees!! Diane

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  66. Diane13 April 2011 at 12:19

    Bikim, thanks, that dark tulip is quite beautiful. Diane

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  67. Rosebud Collection13 April 2011 at 15:17

    Everything is looking so happy..I always call spring, happy..Everything comes back to life. Have to admit, not much happening here, yet..daughters are a bit more south and have flowers blooming..Guess I will be happy with my Eagle..Course you had to see the chasing I had to do to get it..I think the neighbors are still a bit worried about me..haha..

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  68. Quay Po Cooks13 April 2011 at 15:28

    Diane, I love the photo with the lady bug! The flowers are gorgeous. You have green fingers!

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  69. Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover13 April 2011 at 16:18

    I love all these photos! They are beautiful , nice sharing .

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  70. alice13 April 2011 at 16:27

    Wow. You have ever such a lot going on. It's such a great time of year.

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  71. art is in the kitchen13 April 2011 at 17:02

    Diane, you are fast becoming a professional photographer! These pics are beautiful! I am actually getting a lot of ideas from your subjects right now! Keep them coming for you work is much priced! Cheers!!!

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  72. Diane13 April 2011 at 17:15

    Rosebud Collection, yep it makes a huge difference as to being North or South but we have had a very warm spell which has pushed everything forward. Just hope the cold when it comes back does little harm! Loved that Eagle it was fantastic. Diane

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  73. Diane13 April 2011 at 17:16

    Quay Po Cooks, I don't generally have a problem growing things but occasionally........ :-) Diane

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  74. Diane13 April 2011 at 17:17

    Thanks Sonia, I love sharing my photos with you all. It is nice that they are appreciated. Diane

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  75. Pam13 April 2011 at 17:24

    More stunning photos... I especially love the sunset picture!

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  76. Noushka13 April 2011 at 18:31

    Wow!
    You must be glad to be back to your beautiful garden!
    And what a lovely sunset!
    You certainly brought with you a great weather and although the temperatures have fallen just now, it looks like they will go back up!
    Enjoy and keep well!
    Cheers, Diane!

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  77. Diane13 April 2011 at 19:08

    Alice thanks for your visit and your comments. Great to 'meet' you. Love your blog aas well. Diane

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  78. Diane13 April 2011 at 19:10

    michelangelo your comment are much appreciated but I take my photos with a little supemarket camera that was very cheap!!! Never the less if I give you inspiration I am very happy :-)) Diane

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  79. Diane13 April 2011 at 19:19

    Pam I also love that sunset picture, it is quite different to ones I usually take. Diane

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  80. Diane13 April 2011 at 19:22

    Noushaka you have no idea how happy I am to be back but it has been a frantic two weeks with Nigel now arriving on Friday and still much to do!! The weather has been fantastic but I am worried about the cold spell which is sure to arrive, and what it may do to the young fruit and my young plants. Take care Diane xx

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  81. Becca's Dirt13 April 2011 at 20:38

    Busy busy as a bee you are. You are right you guys do have some awesome sunsets there. Beautiful violets. Your bluebells look like hyancinth. What is that growing from the ivy? Hope you're having a great day and get a lot done sweetie. Have a great visit with Nigel. Hope the cold doesn't do any damage and is light.

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  82. Diane13 April 2011 at 21:50

    Becca thanks for the comment, have sent you an email. Take care Diane x

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  83. Nadji14 April 2011 at 00:12

    Ca sent beau et bon le printemps chez toi. C'est très beau.
    A très bientôt.

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  84. Paul and Roz14 April 2011 at 03:01

    Nice to see your back in France, my small apple trees are in blossom although I'm not sure I will see any apples this year, they are still rather young, I love to see my cherry tree in blossom, its such a shame it loses its blossom so quickly, although it looks like another bumper crop this year.

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  85. Urbancrete14 April 2011 at 09:00

    Hi Diane,
    Your garden is lovely. I am so completely overwhelmed with our garden. I never know where to start. Luckily this year, it is all growing in much better than last year as we cut and pruned and pulled and primped quite a bit. The weather in our region as well as yours I would imagine is so great for growing so many different things....again overwhelmed. Looks great. I cannot wait to see more of it as the season unfolds.

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  86. Anne in Oxfordshire14 April 2011 at 11:48

    Hello Diane .. Wow your photos are fab ..and your garden looks wonderful ..:-) settling back to your life in France too :-) I arrived back last night .. now the unpacking. Hope Nigel is well and that you have a wonderful few weeks .. hope it is not too long before he moves too. Take care love Anne

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  87. Denise Covey 14 April 2011 at 13:46

    Hi Diane. Thanks for taking the time to visit me amidst your busyness. I'm taking part in a posting every day challenge so I'm getting up a lot of travel posts. When things calm down you may like to visit again and read lots more.

    Denise<3

    L'Aussies Travel Blog A-Z Challenge

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  88. Diane14 April 2011 at 14:03

    Nadji, merci pour vos commentaires aimables. Diane

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  89. Diane14 April 2011 at 14:04

    Paul and Roz my apple trees are very young but I still had a few apples even last year so don't give up hope. I agree it is sad the cherry blossom vanishes so quickly. Diane

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  90. Diane14 April 2011 at 14:09

    Thanks Mrs M for the kind comments. It id hard going keeping the garden up to scratch but maybe when we live here on a permanent basis it will not be as difficult. Diane

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  91. Diane14 April 2011 at 14:11

    Hi Anne, hope you had a fantastic holiday. If the weather was as good there as it was here I am expecting some amazing posts from you! Nigel arrives tomorrow and I am in panic mode trying to get all ready. Speak soon. Diane xx

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  92. Diane14 April 2011 at 16:30

    Hi Denise, I hope to be catching up soon but at the moment it is more than chaotic here!!! I am trying to keep up with the odd post here and there but......... Be back soon Diane

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  93. Pam15 April 2011 at 21:42

    Diane, your garden looks great. I so remember the cuckoo birds in the woods behind our home when we lived in Germany. They cracked me up as that was the first I ever heard them. Plenty of woodpeckers here though and it amazes me how small they are--they surely can make a lot of noise though. Have a great time with Nigel's arrival!

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  94. Jan15 April 2011 at 22:11

    Welcome back Diane! Those photos are lovely.

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  95. Diane16 April 2011 at 08:35

    Pam I love listening to the cuckoos but I don't like them much as they leave their eggs in other birds nests so they do not have to the work of bringing up the 'children'. Take care, have a good weekend. Diane

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  96. Diane16 April 2011 at 08:36

    Thanks Jan hope you have a good weekend. Diane

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  97. Taste of Beirut16 April 2011 at 17:22

    I would love to live surrounded by apples trees and quince trees! Lovely shots and wish you can relax soon!

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  98. Diane16 April 2011 at 17:35

    Taste of Beirut, now Nigel has arrived I have to relax as it is the only way I can get him to!!! I also love being surrounded by fruit trees and I just love the quince :-) Diane

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  99. Chubskulit Rose16 April 2011 at 22:02

    Oh that sunset is lovely! You've got so many different neat stuff in your garden Diane!

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  100. Diane17 April 2011 at 11:06

    chubskulit, we do get amazing sun sets here. The garden is changing daily at the moment it is hard to keep up!! Diane

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  101. Unknown18 April 2011 at 19:42

    This is such a fantastic set of nature shots, Diane! Definitely one of my favourite posts. And I'm in awe at that 'thing' growing from the ivy! I've never seen it before.

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  102. Diane18 April 2011 at 20:45

    JM that 'thing' from the ivy, there are many of them, have all turned to like black soft berries, I am still none the wiser!!! Diane

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