Oven Baked Bread

It's not difficult to feel on top of the world here. Step outside the door, turn right and head uphill. Far far away in the distance it is possible to view the village and nestling on the edge Le Chateau. Further afield the village of Montreal on the skyline its splendid fortified church, almost a cathedral, dominating the countryside for miles around.

From here the only sounds to be heard are the rustling of the leaves, the droning of a tractor drilling the winter wheat and my footsteps gradually becoming slower and slower as the hill steepens. The berries on the holly look promising for festive decoration, mistletoe in abundance appearing as the leaves fall off their host trees. Despite being the middle of November the weather is pleasant enough to sit outside at the front of the house for a spot of lunch whilst the snow on the Pyrenees looks promising for some Christmas skiing.

Meanwhile His Lordship has discovered the pleasures to be obtained by making his own bread. The satisfaction apparently of the kneading and thrill of a perfect warm crusty loaf fresh out of the Aga even surpasses my mouth watering photographs of the local scenery.

Mind you, if he mentions the scene that took place between Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange once more in the film, The Postman Only Rings Twice I swear I'll crown him with one of his Irish Soda Loaves.