April News Update

At last la Creuse is coming back to life this month, with the trees suddenly bursting with bright green leaves. Dotted around the hillsides and pastures there are the blossoms of apple and cherry trees, which seem to grow wild here. Our own apple trees are blossoming too, so on sunny days this is just the perfect place to be.

April has seen the return of the swallows which is always a great thrill. Of course, the cuckoos are calling now and all the wildlife is very active. The black redstarts have built their nest in a much safer place this year, high up in a crevice in the barn wall. They have tried the cellars and a lower section of wall in the past, so this year we’re hoping they won’t get spotted by any of our marauding felines.

The vegetable plot is now advancing well, with garlic, onions and shallots perhaps showing the best signs of growth. Lots of seedlings are thriving in the poly tunnel, such as tomatoes, lettuce, herbs and so on, whilst the covered potatoes are really growing vigorously. Who knows, we may get a harvest this year before the Colorado beetles have their wicked way with the spuds. With a warm spell at the end of the month, even the locals are busy planting now.

Our guests should see a change in our large field this year. Bernard, our neighbour has offered to go over it with his tractor and cut back all the brambles, nettles and other nasty things that have been growing there for the last 60 years. There is also a chance that we may buy an old tractor for ourselves. One of our other neighbours has a 1950’s vintage machine that reportedly still runs and it comes complete with trailer, plough and harrow.

We need to discuss the price so we will let you know what happens. One problem here for people wanting to buy a second-hand tractor is that farmers are given 1500 euros by the government when they trade their old one in, so this sets the price for second-hand ones, no matter how old.

As for the house we are renovating for Deni’s daughter and family at le Monteil au Vicomte, it is now really starting to take shape. Doug has completed the fairly complicated staircase – it may have been much smaller than the three he built here at Chez Jallot, but more complex as it turned corners and space was limited. The first coats of paint are now going on the bathroom and bedroom walls; the transformation this makes is quite amazing.

We’re all hoping that the next few weeks will see le Monteil inhabitable, if not totally finished. The garden has now been planted with lots of different perennials plus a lawned area. Hanging baskets and tubs are also planted up after a plant fair in Bourganeuf on Saturday, so we’re all feeling very pleased with progress.

May sees the start of the brocante season – those lovely street markets where you can buy anything from beautiful antiques to farm implements or WWII armaments! There are street fairs and many special events coming up as there are 3 or 4 bank holidays this month.

We too are looking forward to a busy season and some good nights around the diner table with our guests. If you are thinking of coming to this area don’t leave it too late to book the room of your choice. The Chez Jallot episode of Grand Designs was shown in late April on Channel 4 and this has attracted a lot of bookings. Hope to see you here this summer, or perhaps at Grand Designs Live on the 9th May at the Excel centre in London.