Sunflowers in the Languedoc

Une autre correspondante aujourdhui, ladies and gentlemen. Sally has kindly lent me her blog today so I can tell you of the glories of Le Chateau. Friends since birth (I was late, she was early, plus ça change...) I'm privileged to be taking a much-needed break from the rigours of the UK climate and The Flat Sale From Hell.

Last time I was here the renovations weren't complete and I'm knocked out by the hard work that has gone into saving this beautiful place. Sally has a real knack for making houses both beautiful and comfortable, and the interior of Le Chateau is cool in hot weather and cosy on less clement days. I was severely stressed when I arrived, and now I feel both relaxed and refreshed. This is despite Her Ladyship dragging Metropolitan Me out on a 2 hour walk, to digest a splendid lunch of bread, tomato salad and chevre cheese, followed by strawberries and raspberries, all bought at the market in Bram this morning.

Since we used to march along on seaside holidays as children, our paces match well enough, and we enjoyed the spectacular views of vineyards, hilltop villages, and (of course) sunflowers. Sally took this picture an hour ago; gorgeous enough now, but next week all the surrounding fields will have come into bloom as well. Sigh.....

Never mind, 2 more days here still, and His Lordship is doing something fiendishly clever for supper tonight which appears to involve stuffing red peppers with quails and a risotto on the side. Yum.

The Small Cross One has been deputed to teach me the intricacies of MSN during my stay so I hope not to let the fortysomething side down.... might get her to explain my mobile phone whilst she's at it. Peace, wonderful countryside, delicious food and IT support..... what more could a tired old trout desire??