Look after yer roof!

This is what happens when you don't look after your roof.

This little barn is attached to a cottage, just up at the other end of the village to us. 

This was taken in December 2012.  The roof has sagged and left the cement skirt around the chimney standing proud, and there are missing tiles on the ridge.

This is a photo taken today - we certainly didn't hear the crash, but it has happened in the last week or so as we passed there in the car only a week ago at the latest.

To be fair, the house (the building next door with the good roof) hasn't been occupied for many years - at least nine years or so I think, and these days, the barn is often the last to be repaired.

A shame, it's a lovely old building.

Little French Froggie

We went blackberrying today whilst walking the dog, and saw this little tiny fella, sitting on a bramble leaf. I had forgotten my camera but OH managed to snap him.

Do frogs eat blackberries?  

Extra adorable...

I don't normally pass on 'cute' animal pictures or videos, but this is an exception.

 http://youtu.be/vQ98WnYfduQ

Wish it wasn't such a barren environment, but if the Taiwanese are trying to save the panda from extinction, then I guess it's OK.

Summer 2013

 Started off with new kitten - she's just been neutered, hence this charming neck acessory

 And here she is taking liberties on the kitchen table - she is Minnie

 It's been all about our daughter really - she has given up her course in ceramics and is now considering gardening for a living.  This is early on in the spring - tidying up for a bonfire

 Here she is with her very first crop - fine bunch of radishes - and a huge grin!

 We turned our blackcurrants into creme cassis ie blackcurrant liqueur, for Christmas

 Here she is with her lovely fella, making a cake for OH's birthday

 No guessing how old he is!

And here is the barbecue with our special friends

 Here is Bleat, my oldest sheep.  Not a lot of grass left for her and her family - it has only rained twice since the end of June

 

 A town nearby - in full carnival plumage

 Fabulous moth - never seen one like this before

 The chateau at Rochechouart - the site of one of the largest and most ancient meteor sites

 A little etang - or lake near us, a peaceful place to walk the dog

 And finally, just to show that the other two moggies have accepted Minnie quite well - at least sharing food.