I am sorry to say that the Blog is 24 hours late this week. I have to blame an older boy who is a bad influence. We had guests staying with us this week and my old friend Sandy Clark does bring out the worst (or it could be best) as far as drinking is concerned. So on Sunday we were out to lunch with a very nice Saumur Champigny and after aperitifs we had with our dinner in the evening a couple of bottles of Cahors followed of course with several glasses of Emile’s calvados. So a late night...

As I reported last week my good friend Alan and his son Dan duly arrived for the weekend and as well as intense battles on the backgammon board there has been rather a lot of drinking and talking. One result is that the blog has had to be delayed until Monday morning. This has the advantage of coming at it with a clear head and being able to give a full report as the Anglo French rivalry reaches fever pitch. So far in the first two legs of the Backgammon Trophy games honours are even. The fir...

It’s been an exciting and interesting week. Our first paying guests duly arrived on Monday to be greeted with a cold and wet day and a power cut which meant we had no heating! Not good and the weather did not really get any better until today when we finally could announce the arrival of Spring with a full on sunny day. The temperature reached 20 this afternoon and we could finally decant some of the several layers of clothes we have been wearing. We even sat out until 9pm in the sun drinki...

We have had a week of poorly cats and at times La Godefrere has resembled Animal Hospital and hence our expectation that at any time Rolf Harris could have come bouncing in. I have of course been doing my bit with some excellent Rolf impressions and the occasional rendition of “Tie me kangaroo down” interspersed with “Two little boys”. Until Mrs Parish threatened divorce proceedings, she can put up with Inspector Clouseau but draws the line at Rolf Harris, I can see her point!

I mentio...