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Just an unassuming pic of our field as we left it

Just an unassuming pic of our field as we left it today: when we first arrived here, this whole parcel was heavily dominated by thorny shrub - the kind with three inch spikes.

A haven for oak and other self seeded saplings as none of the local wildlife would venture into the tangle to eat them. Small trees could grow sheltered to relative maturity.

Once they outgrow the bush, deciduous trees win the competition for light and gradually push back the shrub, to form new woodland. The natural way to ‘re-wild’ the land.

But impossible to keep in check, it would just have meant giving over the land and the trouble is, we wouldn’t have seen the transformation in our lifetimes.

So we decided to cut the brush down, bit by bit, over the last two years, to allow grass, which easily seeds from neighbouring fields, to grow in its place.

It was hard work for townies like us (swipe left for a ‘before’ capture) but almost done now and some twenty five juvenile trees, mostly oak, emerged from the shrub. Time will tell if they survive, but some are surprisingly tall already.

Ponies will move in to keep the grass growing - and hopefully the thorns at bay.

#hope
#france
#amboise

With two rivers running nearby, dragonflies come t

With two rivers running nearby, dragonflies come to the Clos for a rest.

#loire
#cisse
#france
#europe
#touraine
#amboise
#loirevalley

📷 @vhirsch

The 🥐 run #hope #france #amboise

The 🥐 run

#hope
#france
#amboise

Here she is, my new #omafiets, made to measure for

Here she is, my new #omafiets, made to measure for me by @workcycles in Amsterdam.

Given as the most precious gift by @vhirsch (he knows his stuff) for Christmas in 2019, she finally arrived at the Clos this week.

Taken her for a virgin ride to see @loirewinelady in Noizay, and what a delight that was on both counts!

#velo
#loire
#hope
#france
#europe
#amboise

Mist starts rolling in in the mornings. We all kno

Mist starts rolling in in the mornings. We all know what that means and it’s too early.

#notnow

It appears we have a bathroom #amboise #atlast #

It appears we have a bathroom

#amboise
#atlast
#hope

Made it #home #france #europe

Made it

#home
#france
#europe

We’re officially now almost on our way back to t

We’re officially now almost on our way back to this peaceful spot under the acacia tree 🌳. Cannot wait.

🎥 @ingahirschh

#hope
#france
#amboise

Always chasing light #hope #france #amboise

Always chasing light

#hope
#france
#amboise

Confinement terminé. Vive la liberté #🇫🇷

Confinement terminé. Vive la liberté

#🇫🇷
#hope
#france
#europe
#amboise
#twodaysoffreedom

Nap in a field #hope #france #amboise

Nap in a field

#hope
#france
#amboise

After what seems an eternity, we are back at the C

After what seems an eternity, we are back at the Clos. Only for a little while and most of our time spent in isolation.

Arriving late at night, we startled a herd of deer, asleep in the garden. The startling was mutual, actually, in the pitch dark, as we could only hear, not see, their bodies moving through the high grass.

I was worried, as they were getting away into the adjoining woodland, that they might be too scared to return. But the morning after, back they were. What a privilege to have them so close by 🦌 🌳 🌳 🌳

Onto better, easier times for all of us, soon!

#hope
#france
#amboise
#touraine

Wild garlic time at the Clos. Curiously, in the Lo

Wild garlic time at the Clos. Curiously, in the Loire Valley, this almost coincides with cherries being ready to be eaten off the tree.

We have an old tree that was absolutely laden with fruit in May when we first arrived two years ago. Last year, not a single cherry.

This year? We’ll hopefully going to find out soon 🍒

#hope
#france
#amboise
#troglodyte

Photos thanks to @loirewinelady

Not yet. But soon. #hope #france

Not yet. But soon.

#hope
#france

The wintry view from the little house. Last year w

The wintry view from the little house. Last year we missed all the Persimmon fruit and I expect it to be the same this year.

Locals have long been used to the Clos being vacant, and nobody wants the fruit to go to waste.

Not long now and we can take stock.

#hope
#france

Ce matin au Clos. #mercisophie

Ce matin au Clos.

#mercisophie

While it’s not clear when we can return to the C

While it’s not clear when we can return to the Clos, receiving updates on the progress made in Nazelles lights up our day in a big way.

#hope
#mercisophie

We can’t be here right now but we can enjoy look

We can’t be here right now but we can enjoy looking on from afar and seeing the small house being transformed.

Thanks to wonderful architect and project manager @delignieresarchi3d, la maison des amis undergoes a treatment mainly of careful conservation and restoration, bringing to light some forgotten old features.

The new terrace will encompass our precious Persimmon tree. Bare bar its fruit right now, it has the foliage to provide much needed shade in the summer months.

#hope
#france
#amboise

Just a pang of homesickness. #hope #france #amboi

Just a pang of homesickness.

#hope
#france
#amboise
#ohtobeback

Opening the last precious bottle of 2018 Vouvray ‘Le Clos’ by @vincentcareme - discovered through kind recommendation by @loirewinelady, this is such a special treat. Takes me back to @Amboise and a *relatively* carefree summer - which now seems a lifetime ago.

Current mood: let’s get through this winter lying ahead, remembering our blessings and being grateful for what we have. Support and hold each other dear, wherever we are, until we can meet again 🤞🏻

Furthermore blessed with focaccia by @_flourwatersalt and beauty by @homewardinteriors

Thinking of you @maureen.jordan2009 @abrownjug @hilaryjack_ @howard1468 @abigilmore @uta2d @clairebingham_design @fibailey65 @cmmocke @incapopup @maccokkery @ralphmcgaul @junestockins @mclaughlin8850 @littlefatfairy @chrislynch83 @christophec116

#hope
#france
#amboise

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