A WARM WELCOME TO BOUSSAC
10
Jun
2015
I love opening the gate to our garden in Boussac after we’ve arrived. The familiar squeak of the gate as it swings open, reveals the pretty garden.
I was delighted to notice a couple of Peonies in flower and a couple about to flower. This is the first time that we have arrived in time to catch them in bloom. We inherited these Peonies from the previous owner and I’m not too partial to the very strong magenta pink of the blooms. Deirdre my neighbour has a couple of pale pink peonies in her garden which I covet! I ought to get more organised this holiday and plant some for next year if I can find any.
 |
| Deirdre’s pale pink Peonies |
 |
| My magenta peonies.. |
This area in France is experiencing a bit of a drought at the moment, and I noticed the Hydrangeas looked a little parched.
 |
| The sprinkler going |
Our neighbour, and one of my oldest friends, Deirdre always has us over for dinner the night we arrive in Boussac. It is always a happy occasion, lots of laughter and delicious food. After arriving, I walked over to her house, to lend a hand, just in time to meet Sarah, a local lady, arriving laden with roses.
The food below was delicious and plentiful!
 |
| I love this view of the hay bales from our bathroom |
 |
| Views through the front door and the hoses going |
 |
| Some more local roses kindly delivered by Sarah |
 |
| After living in hotels for the past two weeks, it’s great being able to prepare our meals again. |
 |
| Another lovely neighbour crept into our garden early one morning and left these fresh eggs laid by his hens. We enjoyed his home made wild dandelion marmalade with our croissants and his home grown sweet peas are on the sideboard. |
 |
| I’m enjoying my favourite breakfast again! |
 |
| We visited Knole on our garden tour and I am re-reading this biography which I found on the bookshelves. It all makes more sense now! |
 |
| These large windows next to the dining table, opening out to the garden. |
I’ve had a quiet couple of days fighting off a fluey bug. I watched Philomena from the sofa and the last two episodes of Suits!
Hope you’re all having a happy week!
Hello Heidi…. Thanks so much for the lovely comments… you are always so encouraging! I especially planned a parterre garden for this small space as it only requires maintenance twice a year. We had it all trimmed last week and it is looking lovely now! xx
This is all just picture perfect Jenny – love all the beautiful homely details, love the gravel garden (you know how much I love gravel gardens!) and the food photos, and even those magenta peonies! I hope you're feeling much better now and over the bug, but it looks like a lovely haven to be sick in at any rate. And yes, after hotels, no matter how comfortable, there's no place like (a second) home! xx
Thanks so much Kim xx
Hi Pammie .. I designed the garden specifically for low maintenance. It is a parterre garden and the hydrangeas, hedges etc, require attention only twice a year! Tomorrow, the local garden co. arrives at 7.30am to tackle the buxus! Thanks for concerns and tips re pharmacy – they are marvellous! I have a gastre/temperature/headache thingy and have been really poorly for the last three days. Hoping I will feel better tomorrow! xx
Sorry, meant to say, hope you're feeling better soon. French pharmacies are so good with non-prescription products to deal with flu and colds. Husband had a touch of a maybe similar problem early on and a doctor examined him and sent us to a pharmacy with a list of products to take, mostly nasal sprays and a kind of inhalant thing that you sprinkle onto a tissue and sniff – it's basically saline but also contains herbal products (Phytosun aroms comlexe respiration) – essential oils, eg rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus and lots of other things. When taken as a package these things really work. She said I should also sniff this third thing as a preventive – that worked too.
So hopefully the pharmacy and a bit of rest and sunshine in the one place will work wonders. Best wishes, Pamela
A beautiful home away from home Jenny – enjoy your time there and your time with your family later.
I hope you are feeling better soon
Your house and the garden are both divine. You're also really fortunate to have someone looking after them so well for you between visits. And such lovely kind friends and neighbours.
Agree it's great to have a kitchen and washing machine after travelling around in hotels. We're staying in a friend's apartment in Paris while he's off to Spain but it is very tiny and only one person can be in the kitchen or bathroom at one time. Imagine you've got lots of space there. Still we're very lucky to be in such a well located place and it has all main comforts. Best wishes, Pammie
I totally know how lucky I am FF and I knew you would like the magenta peonies! I still love Deirdre's though!! xx
Thanks so much Karen. We have a week here and then are driving down to Gorges in Provence where the children are meeting us for a family holiday! xx
Thank you so much Marilyn. You are quite right and I feel so fortunate that this little house is home for us here so far away from Australia. It's the perfect place to rest after a hectic time! xx