Dull & drizzly weather always gets me down. Today has been one of those days so I decided to find a way to lift my spirits. I didn’t have to go far. Right outside L’Atelier is a flowering shrub. In Spring it’s always full of deep pink flowers which usually last into September. This year they have lasted until now and  they’re still going strong.

Quince bush - still flowering in January

I stopped to look at them thinking about how all the seasons have been turned upside down when I noticed the quince.The only quince I’ve seen on this bush since we came here 6 years ago. To be honest I didn’t even know it was a quince tree, I thought it was just an attractive shrub. Maybe now we’ll start to get more of these heavily scented fruits. That cheered me up!

The only quince I've seen on this bush in 6 years!

When I went back inside I found Amar preparing to tile the farmhouse bathroom. He had just taken the old shower head off the wall and I saw this underneath.

hand painted walls hidden under years of paint

At first I thought it was paper but on closer inspection I’m sure the flowers are painted on to plaster. I must remember to ask Madame Faure if she remembers this. Nearly 4 score and 10 she was born at Les Crouquets and is a wealth of information. I love finding little pieces of “history” which you just don’t get in new builds.

Coloquintes or gourds

Then I went into the kitchen and saw the bowl of decorative gourds, some hollow & biscuity coloured, dried from last year’s crop and some still heavy and glowing with vibrant colours which we picked at the end of the season. We always plant these to hide an uninteresting corner behind Le Cerisier and they never fail to cheer me up.

All in all, not a bad day!