Hello Again.
Last night was exciting woken by a torrential downpour then jumped out of our skins by thunder from nowhere. Then wind to make the tiles on the roof rattle, then nothing, it stopped almost as suddenly a it started. It turns out we had 22mm of rain in what felt like 10 minutes.  
We have a rain gauge and we record the temperatures and rainfall every day and have done since our arrival in 2004. Gavins Granny used to keep official weather records when she was alive and they lived in Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe. It can be quite interesting looking back and seeing if we really never have had a day as hot as that, or as much rain as that in one day. However it can potentially turn you into a bit of a know it all weather bore. So if I ever start down that track feel free to let me know.
I digress from the main info of the day that being what there will be at this weekends markets. So here goes, there will be some mutton in various guises cubed/minced/chops/ sausages. For those who keep requesting I will have lamb mince on the stand tomorrow. If you definitely want some please send me a quick email so I can reserve it. I have made a new pork sausage with marjoram for a change as well. The regular line up is also available.
See you soon
Helen

Hello All
What a fabulous weekend!
We had lunch in the garden, and the birthday party was indeed accompanied by ice cream and in the garden. We even managed to do a party with no moaning..........progress at last. Number 3's special lunch request was cauliflower cheese and spaghetti bolognaise, slightly bizarre I thought, but I didn't complain as it was easy to cook and I had all the ingrdients. However I did have to pop out to buy butter to make the birthday cake which was a bit absent minded of me.
For anyone short of time and with girl children lots of fairy cakes piled up carefully with candles on and covered with coloured icing and lots of sparkly sprinkles is an extremely fast and very successful birthday cake. Mind you if you have boys and swap the pink icing for black/blue or green with chocolate sprinkles it would probably be equally successful.
Thanks to the delightful combination of rain and sun we have beautiful green grass growing which means that the sheep are exceptionally happy which also means my husband is happy. We do tend to slight misery when we have constant rain and drizzle. I put it down to him having grown up in the tropics.
Tomorrow will take me to Pomport for 11o'clock in the morning where I will be doing a delivery point for anyone who is interested. With luck the sun will still be shining.
See you soon Helen

Hello All
Well I have to admit we have fired up (ha ha) one of our woodstoves. I think it is a little earlier than usual but number 1 child had lots of washing to dry and the weather has not been playing ball.
The sheep were all moved around this weekend into their overwinter groups and we will be trundling the main flock down the hill next to the river this week. 
It is the first time in a number of weeks that I have spent any time helping Gavin with the sheep and it was nice to be outside for a change. 
Number 2 child is recovered and back at school and number 3 is getting into the swing of all the usual activities.
What a quiet weekend at the markets. I think everyone was put off by the fog. However it was a lovely atmosphere as usual and there was time to have a chat with everyone as well.
Next week on the 24th I will be in Pomport, near Bergerac, in front of the salle for a drop off point if anyone wishes to place an order could they please do so  before  Wednesday evening this week.
Seeyou soon Helen

Well our eldest has finally been released into the world of responsibility and money mangement and we are getting used to his absence. There is significantly less washing, cooking and cleaning to do and even more hot water in the tank at the end of the day. Interestingly he left with 6 packs of sausages stuffed in his suitcase I wonder if he will return when he runs out. I am now waiting for other 2 to get to the 10 days after rentrée obligatory temperature/fever day. 
I was out delivering in Lamothe Montravel and St Méard de Gurçon today enjoying the sunshine and noticing the seasonal drift into autumn with the colours of the countryside and gardens in the area.
It is quite a relaxed time of year everyone seems to be recovering from the chaos of visitors and gite cleaning that accompanies July and August. I am recovering from an August feeding frenzy (thank goodness) after a quiet July.
For those of you who stumble on this blog from DVN then whilst Annie is offline I will keep you up to date on deliveries and markets and this weeks special sausages and burgersfrom here.
See you at the next market
Helen

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