tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-330391042013-05-23T15:23:53.501+02:00The diary of an Australian couple living in FranceSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.comBlogger2082125blogspot/ziQirhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-76854736165074052412013-05-23T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-23T09:00:06.106+02:002013-05-23T09:00:06.106+02:00

Like her counterpart Katherine Briçonnet over at Chenonceau a few years earlier, Philippe Lesbahy spent several years supervising the building of one of the jewels of the French Renaissance. Both women were married to financiers who worked for the king and so were often away, leaving their wives in charge of building their beautiful new riparian status symbols in the early 16th century.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-18654818712847465622013-05-22T09:00:00.001+02:002013-05-22T09:00:05.689+02:002013-05-22T09:00:05.689+02:00

The name of this shop in Sainte Maure de Touraine made me laugh. That is because to me, vachement is a word I use in French when if I was speaking English I would use 'bloody'. It's an emphasiser, so if you are translating vachement less vulgarly, you can say it means 'really'. Its literal translation is vache = cow, and the ment ending in French is the equivalent of 'ly' on an English word. So

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-12951898939066425482013-05-21T09:00:00.001+02:002013-05-21T09:00:12.791+02:002013-05-21T09:00:12.791+02:00

L'Association de Botanique et de Mycologie de Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine went on an outing to the forest on the privately owned estate of the Chateau des Ormes in Vienne on Saturday afternoon. It started to rain just before lunch and by the time I left home to drive up to Les Ormes the roads were awash with sheets of water flowing across in many places. It rained more or less heavily for the entire

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-63518049552880294182013-05-20T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-20T09:00:04.923+02:002013-05-20T09:00:04.923+02:00

Don't be surprised if you encounter what appear to be flying iridescent black marbles in the woods at this time of year. If you see one, you are likely to see several, if not dozens, all heading in the same direction in a crazy out of control sort of way. A crowd of Dor Beetles and other coprophagous insects working on dung in the Brenne. These are Dor Beetles Geotrupes sp, Europe's largest

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-42718764321161233022013-05-19T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-19T09:00:13.334+02:002013-05-19T09:00:13.334+02:00

   An Australasian Darter snoozes on the wreck of the French ship Adolphe, now embedded into the breakwater at Stockton Beach, on the central New South Wales coast. The Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae can be found on water bodies both inland and at the coast. Like cormorants they dive for fish.  A male Australasian Darter on the breakwater at Stockton, New South Wales.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-597947811080398112013-05-18T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-18T09:00:01.919+02:002013-05-18T09:00:01.919+02:00

Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla is endemic to the small (35km²) Australian territory of Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean. As a consequence, the native population of this attractive tree is relatively small, but it is necessarily resistant to salt and wind, and so has become a very popular shore front tree planted on the temperate east coast of Australia. Unlike many trees it retains

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-3257879658428526952013-05-17T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-17T09:00:05.675+02:002013-05-17T09:00:05.675+02:00

We love the views you get out of the distorted window glass of chateaux. This view is from inside the chateau of Azay le Rideau, looking across the canal towards what is now the restaurant, taken in early April. ****************************************************** General News: Our trip to Tours was uneventful (except for nearly running out of fuel and arriving at the first service station

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-57812548750514914942013-05-16T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-16T09:00:06.993+02:002013-05-16T09:00:06.993+02:00

The chateau of Azay le Rideau is clearly worried it has a clothes moth problem. Tucked under a chair in the Biencourt's morning room is a triangular trap, made of folded card. These inexpensive little items feature a sticky base and are known as blunder traps, as insects (and occasionally small mammals) simply walk across them by accident. They get trapped on the sticky surface and the curator or

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-64967644831776764962013-05-15T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-15T09:00:11.108+02:002013-05-15T09:00:11.108+02:00

 The final scene in the sequence of Christ being tempted by the Devil. I love the slightly sheepish aspect of the Devil and the somewhat peeved expression on Christ's face -- both are thinking 'oh no, not again...' One morning in late March we were sitting around in the lobby of the Hotel Diderot in Chinon, waiting for our clients to finish breakfast. I noticed that there were some leaflets on

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-66423928977594216682013-05-14T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-14T09:00:06.669+02:002013-05-14T09:00:06.669+02:00

To learn more about this species go to the page about them on Loire Valley Nature. ****************************************** Botany Club Outing: There is a visit to the private section of the park of the Chateau des Ormes on Saturday 18 May. Meet at 2.30 pm in the grand place in Les Ormes on the D910 (at the lights, on the right, if you are coming from Tours). Susan

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-69765062269299282722013-05-13T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-13T09:00:06.887+02:002013-05-13T09:00:06.887+02:00

The chateau of Ussé is very satisfactorily chateau-y, with plenty of pointy bits. It sits high above the road that runs parallel to the river Indre, and if you don't want to go in, at least take the time to park up and cross the river to marvel at the chateau as it faces you directly over the narrow bridge. It's quite large as Loire chateaux go, with many phases of building exhibited in the

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-82220007082209919942013-05-12T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-12T09:00:02.771+02:002013-05-12T09:00:02.771+02:00

Blackberries Rubus fruticosus agg are an invasive alien plant in Australia, declared a noxious weed that landowners are obliged to attempt to control. The problem is it escapes into the bush and creates dense impenetrable thickets several metres high and many metres in diameter. Growing along creek banks it can restrict access to the water and easily out competes the natural vegetation.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-2741101290643447862013-05-11T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-11T09:00:09.821+02:002013-05-11T09:00:09.821+02:00

Within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) there are some magnificent alpine National Parks. The largest is Namadgi NP, which covers nearly 50% of the ACT. Today it presents as wilderness, albeit with easy access from the city of Canberra. Brayshaw's hut. However, it does have a relatively recent history of human habitation. Up until the 1980s, Namadgi was divided into a series of farms.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-74536321295991109402013-05-10T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-10T09:00:00.655+02:002013-05-10T09:00:00.655+02:00

Rosnay Common. If you are at all botanically inclined then Rosnay Common in the Brenne is the place to be in May and June. It's official name is Les Communaux de Rosnay and it is managed by well known local LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) officer and deputy mayor of Rosnay, Tony Williams, on behalf of the Conservatoire d'espaces naturel de la région Centre. Orchids and other

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-12984447415541696472013-05-09T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-09T09:00:02.077+02:002013-05-09T09:00:02.077+02:00

Well, I do occasionally, for a soft boiled egg. And so, it turns out, do classic car owners with dodgy headlight bulbs. Many thanks to our friends Megan and Bryan for supplying this vital aid to car maintenance.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-29383127498351465092013-05-08T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-08T09:00:05.634+02:002013-05-08T09:00:05.634+02:00

The Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney. There will be ceremonies at war memorials all over France today, as it is Victory in Europe Day.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-59322089061298824262013-05-07T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-07T09:00:08.982+02:002013-05-07T09:00:08.982+02:00

Those who live south of Tours and habitually travel up the D50, via Ligueil, to get to the city will know this place. It is where you turn right at the lights to get on the old Route Nationale (now the D910) at Veigné. (Anyone who relies on Google Maps for directions will now have no idea where I'm talking about, as convincing Google Maps to take the route that everyone actually uses here is nigh

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-89224170271503965822013-05-06T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-06T09:00:20.105+02:002013-05-06T09:00:20.105+02:00

All through the grass on the limestone slopes in this area you see rather unusually shaped bright blue little flowers from late spring onwards. The individual flowers are made up of two gentian blue sticky out 'ears' either side of a paler toothy tube. A typical rosette of Chalk Milkwort, nicely shown off against the chalky soil. They belong to Chalk Milkwort Polygala calcarea, a plant that

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-25950592450228635132013-05-05T09:00:00.001+02:002013-05-05T09:00:00.965+02:002013-05-05T09:00:00.965+02:00

We saw a lot of these sorts of signs on our last visit to Australia. It tells me that many (most?) local authorities are tackling a serious alcohol problem in their communities. The Alcohol Free Zones apply to roads, footpaths and carparks. Similar signs which say 'Alcohol Prohibited Area' apply to parks, recreation spaces, beaches and reserves. In both cases the consumption of alcohol in the

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-66829161892825692962013-05-04T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-04T09:03:07.055+02:002013-05-04T09:03:07.055+02:00

 Dune Fan Flower. This pretty blue flower, called Dune Fan Flower Scaevola calendulacea, grows on coastal sand dunes from South Australia right up to north Queensland. It should be part of a colourful complex that includes grey green Dune Spinifex grass Spinifex seraceus, yellow Guinea Flower Hibbertia scandens and bright purply pink Pigface Carpobrotus spp, which grow together in the sand,

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-67605561878347622602013-05-03T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-03T09:00:12.910+02:002013-05-03T09:00:12.910+02:00

We photographed this scene one evening a few weeks ago near Chinon. This is a typical vineyard in early spring, with vines pruned to a single leader. No sign of leaves yet -- it was too early and the buds are tight little buttons, just as they should be in late March. The winemaker has very sensibly let the grass grow under the vines rather than apply a herbicide. The grass absorbs excess

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-91871718643468730802013-05-02T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-02T09:00:12.518+02:002013-05-02T09:00:12.518+02:00

In 2011 the permanent gardens dotted about the International Garden Festival in the grounds of the Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire were sky, sapphire and indigo. Last year they were ebony, coal and Tyrian purple. They are always a wonderful display of plantsmanship from the permanent team at the gardens. My photos don't do the garden justice. This was the best display of 'black' plants I've seen,

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-37854297366153699852013-05-01T09:00:00.000+02:002013-05-01T09:00:11.693+02:002013-05-01T09:00:11.693+02:00

Swifts and Swallows are well established. The swifts spend their days swooping and turning in the sky, announcing their presence always with their incessant whistling scream. The swallows will be lower down, skimming the crops and even the streets, chasing each other and chattering, inspecting the insides of barns for nest sites and resting on overhead wires so you can admire their smart dress

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-19850857577806876252013-04-30T09:00:00.001+02:002013-04-30T09:13:21.591+02:002013-04-30T09:13:21.591+02:00

Saint Mark's Flies Bibio marci mating on the Chasselas grape. The grape leaves are just bursting out of their tight little buds. I'll be able to make dolmades in a couple of weeks! Hurrah! I nearly stepped on this Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus, snoozing in the sun. It didn't notice me for several minutes. I could see it breathing. When it realised I was there it glided off under the

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33039104.post-46592631161107623442013-04-29T09:00:00.001+02:002013-04-29T09:00:24.674+02:002013-04-29T09:00:24.674+02:00

The Association de Botanique et Mycologie de Sainte Maure de Touraine was lucky enough to get access to the greenhouses which produce the plants used by the City of Tours for its many magnificent floral displays. A dozen or so of us were met at the entrance to the Bois des Hâtes in Chambray-lès-Tours, where the greenhouses (les serres in French) are hidden away. In total, they produce, from seed,

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472449597146519943noreply@blogger.com9