INDIAN SUMMER MEANS GOOD GARDENING

Last day of September and still well over 70F.

The pumpkins have been picked, so more soup making is about to occur.

Have a great Sri Lankan Pumpkin Soup recipe, which will do lovely for the winter.

Plenty of leeks will be available from the end of this month and throughout winter.

Sprouts, Beetroot and Butternut Squashes galore.

The chickens now have the entire run under the apple trees, so that has saved on mowing time.

And the bees are still working hard to the extent that we expect to get several kilos of honey next week.

Life is good in France.

VISITORS AND DINNER

We had the great pleasure to host Tim, Bomber, and Carole for 3 days.

As usual, so many laughs and much ale!

Monday night was in the Auberge du Manoir in St Potan.

A nice change to the evening menu saw Carpaccio of Oysters and Scallop.

Poached Monkfish ..

Marie had fillet steak with foie gras..

Once again, a brilliant meal!

SAILORS HUMOUR

I saw this competition online to develop a new cocktail for a very posh hotel in Paris.

It's military humour I suppose, but above is the 

"Pistorious Cocktail"

It's 4 shots on stumps.

I didn't win!

RNA LUNCH

A very pleasant France Nord Royal Navy Association

lunch was held at Vilde Guingalan, about 15 miles from us.

31 turned up on a gloriously warm September day.

A few new faces amid the guests as well made it a good bash!

AUTUMNAL GARDEN

has to be said, Marie has once again done us proud in the growing patch.

Loads of early courgettes (and still coming), Great baking sized spuds, sweetcorn, beetroot, basket tomatoes, a few grapes, and much more.

Not sure how I am going to convert all these pumpkins in to winter rations, but a lot of warming soup is on the cards.

Sprouts will be ready in December, Parsnips are doing well, as are the leeks.

AND ON TO LEICESTER

After Leeds, it was on to Leicester to catch up with Crissdy and Eammon Smith.

They had only been out to ours 4 weeks earlier, and this was my first return visit.

As expected, great hospitality. A few beers and a really decent curry in town capped it all.

Thanks for a good time.

Pictured are the happy couple, and er..Jamie Redknapp.

UK TOUR

Went back to the UK last Friday and helped with the Lancaster's daughter Beth's 18th Birthday bash up in Leeds.

The heavens opened whilst we were doing the cooking for 120. and we got a bit of a drenching...Inside and out.

Great live music and a disco followed,. Seemed all had a good time.