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Cow in a trailer being pulled by a tractor along a leafy country lane

Bonjour,

Hope you had a great week.

Strangely the weather has been okay here. I’ve been seeing photos of snow in some parts of Europe as winter arrives, but there’s nothing like that in my bit of northern France. I keep reading that colder weather is on its way, (the Beast from the East some excitable newspapers call it, plain old winter to you and me) but it seems to have got distracted en route.

The lack of snow, frost and chill has confused my animals. The chickens are trying to sit on their eggs. The ducks are hiding theirs somewhere I have yet to discover as they are attempting to hatch them. This is futile as I have separated males from females, I’m definitely not falling for that one again #rememberingtheyear52ducklingswereborn. And, the geese are making a nest. It’s much too early for these sort of shenanigans.

Every morning is like a treasure hunt in the garden as I search for and gather eggs, trying to stop my birds from going into full on broody mode. It will only end in tears when our missing winter does arrive.

When I say it’s not too bad here, it’s not exactly beach weather. It’s just not way below freezing as it should be. Still for me it’s on with the scarf, thick padded man-sized gloves, my big army style Parka coat, thick socks, welly warmers, welly boots (rubber boots!) and sometimes, if it’s still dark out, I wear a beanie hat with a light on the front. I must look a sight. When I think not that long ago I’d be trotting over London Bridge with all the other city slickers on my way to the office. Smart coat, brief case, stiletto heeled boots. I doubt anyone would recognise the half-yeti who now, wrapped up like a mummy living in the Arctic, makes her way down a muddy garden for the love of her chickens and other animals.

Bisous from France,
Janine
Editor

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pps Congratulations to Rosalind Atkins, winner of Lavender and Lovage cookery book. Loads more comps coming up – click here to find them all in one place!

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