Getting outside again

Our garden hands

Cheerful Daffs

We've been very fortunate this winter - its been pretty mild but, being a sun loving out-doorsy type I still snuck off to Africa to work for a couple of months just to ensure I avoided any freak cold weather. Now I'm back home, the sun is shining and its time to get out into the wonderful world of Montmelard and take full advantage of this beautiful place. I began by also taking advantage of my Mum and one of my friend's mums -  keen to offer a helping hand they were decked out in gardening gear and sent off to clear weeds, prune fruit trees and point to places where bedding plants needed to go. 

Whilst I've done my own bit on the garden - cutting back wisteria, dead-heading daffodils, weeding the rose border, I also took time out to escape to the top of Mont St Cyr to search out the snow drops. It was the first time since living here that I missed the annual snow drop walk (too busy in the Congo) but I still managed to track a few of these favourite flowers down among the moss and boulders.

How quickly spring passes. Not 3 weeks after visiting the snow drops, the roses are in bud, the butterflies and bees are zooming round the courtyard and we've got red noses from sitting in the sun.

The bookings for holiday guests are pouring in and we're looking forward to putting faces to names and our courses are just about full. All very exciting. I hope the fruit and veg does well so we'll be able to offer the freshest of home grown produce. I know the rhubarb is already waiting to be picked and I'll enjoy a crumble later.