Harmonicas, fireworks and beefsteak ‘bien cuite’

It has been a social time here at La Faye with some really good moments with friends. Phillippe and Manu very kindly invited us to participate in a family dinner with some of their relatives from Algeria. Apart from a delicious meal and a warm welcome we were treated to some exuberant singing and guitar playing and some very evocative music on the harmonica. They were all so kind and hospitable and warm. It was a wonderful evening.

Today the commune of Antigny
congregated down by the river to participate in the grand BBQ. It was great to see so many friends and local people. It was a good opportunity to catch up and take part in community celebrations. There is quite a large group of British now who are either here as permanent residents or as holiday visitors. Stephen helped out with the committee des fetes and was largely in charge of cooking the steaks for the English who on the whole prefer their meat well done. Tonight we have the fireworks to look forward to.

We have been harvesting beans and freezing them like mad and giving away cucumbers as we can’t eat them fast enough. Same with the courgettes. Our water butts are quickly emptying so I am hoping for some good overnight rain at some point as the garden is quite dry. Although still fresh in the mornings and evenings the weather has been quite good. We have guests who arrived today in the studio gite who immediately said how happy they were to be here and how lovely it is.Madeleine - La Faye's gardener & Blogger! Taken at the Antigny BBQ.