Busy, busy ....

Another busy week here in the French Larcombe house!! Josh and Kirsty have now been on their end of year school trips. They both went to visit local farms. Josh decided that the one he went to could not possibly be a farm though as it only had four different types of animals!! Kirsty thought she travelled a long way to her farm visit, it was actually a couple of kilometres. They both enjoyed themselves though and were quite satisfied with the picnics that the schools provided!! They are now preparing themselves for their end of term show. Somehow I have got to find brown trousers and tops for them and Josh needs braces and a beret. Not sure where I will find a beret in France, any ideas!!! He He!!!

As some of you know Magellan has been poorly this week. I am pleased to say that keeping him in the stable during the day and only letting him out at night seems to have done the trick. Within the last two days he now seems to be walking much better and seems a lot happier. Hopefully the farrier will come and see him soon and give me a verdict.

I would like to say that the chickens are all well but unfortunately we have had two fatalities this week. The funny thing is, they only seem to die when Andrew is not here. I am not sure if it is suicide at the loss of their best friend or fright because Peter loves them so much!!

Sasha also tried to help with the birds this week. There was much squawking during breakfast. I thought that the guinea fowl was no more but after fetching the gloves, (could not pick it up without if it was dead!!), it shook its head, made lots of noise and ran off into the pen. I don't think it will fly out again for fear of being caught again by the savage attack hound.

The puppies are still doing really well. I am still trying to put an advertisement on the French website but I am obviously doing something wrong. It keeps sending me the advert back and telling me that there are lots of laws surrounding the sale of puppies. I give up!! Maybe I will just put some notices in the local supermarkets like everyone else.

The part for the fridge has finally arrived, again, so hopefully that will be all sorted next Tuesday. Fingers crossed. Its only taken 3 weeks to have the part sent again, after they sent the wrong part last time.

The belt for the mower and the shower tray are still elusive. I am sure that they will arrive one day!! The logs are still not here. I am however, getting a dab hand at making kindling wood, Josh appears to be bored with the job.

Anyway love to all. xx

A Week of Activities

I am not sure what Laura will do on their next visit as holding a chicken and being pushed out of a window on a rope have now been done!! The week was full of excitement, work and play. The ponies and goats cannot now eat the bark from the fruit trees so 'Mr Mushroom' will not tell me off again.

Wednesday was a day of rest for everyone. We spent a lovely day out sightseeing. After the market in Villers Bocage we went to Bayeux and visited the tapestry and the Cathedral. Although we had been before they were still as amazing the second time around. I think it was all too much for Madison though as she fell asleep whilst looking at the tapestry!! After a nice lunch in a local creperie we made our way to Courselles sur Mer and Omaha Beach. It was a great beach for the kids to play on, loads of sand and a safe area to swim. We will certainly be going there again. It is also the site of the American Cemetery which we will definitely visit on our return.

Steve and Andrew spent loads of time in the valley. I think the final total was twelve and a half trailer loads of logs rescued!! The log shed is looking quite healthy. We are still waiting however, for Mr Log Man who was supposed to come last week with 4 steres of wood!!!! Typical!!

We are still waiting for the fridge to be fixed and the ever elusive shower tray!! One day they will come, perhaps next year????

The puppies are still doing great. I have put a posting on a French website today in the hope that someone would love to home the last five boys. Lets hope they email me with their replies, or I feel some very peculiar telephone conversations are going to take place. They are all growing well and their characters are even more visible now. There are definitely some cheeky ones amongst them!!

Love to everyone, xx

More Visitors Coming ....

Our house can't be that bad, we have returning visitors this weekend. Steve, Laura and Madison are returning for a week of hard work and play. We have fence building, tile fixing and ivy pulling to name but a few jobs on the list. Andrew has already spent a day pulling the ivy off the wall of the large barn and had to dismantle 18 inches of the wall as it was growing between the bricks.

The puppies are getting bigger and love playing on the lawn. I am waiting for the day when they are fully house trained and the kitchen smells fresh again!!!! I love them really!!

Josh and Kirsty are still doing really well at school and their vocabularies are extending every day. They chat happily with their friends in the playground and the extra help they get from their teachers is really paying off. Josh is off on a day trip to a local farm next week and Kirsty is going to another farm the week after. They have been told to take wellies!!!! I am sure they will have a great time. Kirsty is also going to spend a day in Joshs class next week in preparation for the Rentree in September. She can't wait. She has already made friends with lots of children in the other class when they joined them at Danvou for three Saturdays.

The summer holidays are coming very fast now. The end of term is Thursday 3 July. We do not go back until early September. HMMMMM!!! We have a full holiday of fun to look forward too with loads of visitors and ten days in England. We can't wait!!

Lots of love, xx

June already and the puppies are getting bigger and bigger and .......

We are most definitely back to reality. The puppies are now getting really big. They are thoroughly enjoying their trips out to the lawn, although they are now starting to explore more, apparently under my car is a great place to hide!! The colours are starting to come through as are their personalities. I now get barked at every morning by one particular young man who thinks he is the boss!! Unfortuately my favourite girl beats him at the wrestling every time!! I suppose you have to be there to appreciate the humour of it all!!

Josh and Kirsty only have four weeks left of this school term. They finish on the 3rd July and do not go back until September!! I think I may have to find a summer boarding school for them. Either that or they will have to live in the valley so they do not annoy me too much!!!

Work is continuing, the grass is being cut as we speak, even though we still do not have the right part for the mower and the tiles have been put back on some of the outbuildings. Andrew and Josh have also started work on Chateau Antoine!!! I think there is going to be an auction held later in the year!!!!!!

Lots of love guys, more news soon. (Those of you anonymous blogger commentors, you need to sign your names!!!! That way we know who wants to know our darkest secrets!!)