Journal Saturday 16th August 2025

Morning all. The garden is thrumming with birds today which warms my cold little heart. Blackbirds and thrushes feeding from the ground under the trees and around the bench at the bottom of the garden, bluetits on the feeders, I can hear the woodpecker but I can’t see him and a tiny greenfinch is having a shower in the water fountain. There’s a squabble going on in the apple tree that’s hung low with mistletoe. I think they call this contentment.

Another 35 degree day, and I was reading in le Populaire this morning that there was a wildfire yesterday in Haute Vienne that burned 4 hectares. I now have a horrible habit of popping the name of the commune into google maps to see how close it is to us. An hour and 10 minutes. It feels like they’re getting closer every day and it’s probably my biggest fear living here. That and after watching Chernobyl realising we’re only 40km from a nuclear power station. Seriously though, should we put together a ‘Go bag” and figure out a plan in case the worst should happen? There is some guideline advice about putting together an emergency box/bag from the French government, in fact according to a CNN article I read earlier this year, we are due to get a booklet detailing this advice by the summer but haven’t seen it yet. There are various recommendations of things you should put in this kit which is suggested will cover you for 72 hours. Spare glasses, spare keys for the house and car, torch and radio with batteries. Chargers and power bank, bottled water, a multi-tool, medicine, pet food, a first aid kit, some games, non perishable food, an amount of cash in case of cyber attack etc and systems being down. It’s good advice I guess.

My doom mongering was disturbed by 2 huge collared doves that fly every day like it’s the first time they’ve ever flown in their life. Barrelling into the undergrowth like they’re completely out of control. No more talk of wildfires now. Rain is due Tues Weds and Thurs with a temperature drop back into the 20’s. Yes please. Wandering round a bloody big zoo in 40 degree heat would be somewhat less fun.

We did go for a swim yesterday. I say swim, hubs did a proper grown up adult swim, I lounged about in the end of the jacuzzi and tried not to nod off. It was quieter than I thought might be given the bank holiday but was still enough families playing ball in the outside pool to make any actual swimming difficult. It was so hot that I almost burnt my mouth taking a drink from my metal water bottle, and barefoot walking on the pool side tiles was somewhat toasty. I always leave there nice and relaxed and a bit sleepy. We have the usual debate about having a pool, followed by the, running costs and daily chemical experiments, and the cleaning, and we decide we’re not those people. Maybe the paddling pool might put in an appearance again next year, but once the inevitable hose pipe ban comes in to force, you’re not allowed to top it up and then you just create a mosquito theme park.

We finished watching the last season of Stranger Things, and my obsession with the Stranger Things Pizzas they sell in Carrefour continues. I thought the California Royale was my favourite pizza of all time, until I tried the Mac and Cheese Pizza. OMG. Now I cannot decide. I know it sounds wrong, but as they say, “try before you deny my dude”.

Bulldog pulled a 5.30am bathroom call this morning, and hubs took him out, affording me a lie in until like 7.20 or something – the luxury! They haven’t emerged into the garden yet, so I can only assume they’ve both fallen back fast asleep. Until Shelly realises he needs his breakfast of course.

Randomly, there is a Wild West Day at our local Bison Safari farm today and tomorrow. Yes, you heard that correctly, pretty close to us is large heard of bison and you can go out in a 4×4 to see them. We’ve been toying with visiting for a while, but in typical France fashion, finding out what’s actually happening, what time anything is open is proving difficult. I constantly find out abut events after they happen and not before. Given the heat and lack of information, this might not be a thing. Will fill you in tomorrow.

TTFN x

I’m finding these AI images hilarious.

“Create a compelling featured image for a blog post titled “Emergency Preparedness: Creating Your Go Bag.” The image should prominently display an open, well-organized go bag filled with essential emergency items such as a first aid kit, bottled water, multi-tool, flashlight, and non-perishable food. In the background, subtly depict a serene garden scene with birds like blackbirds and bluetits, incorporating natural light that suggests a warm, sunny morning. Use a soft focus on the garden while keeping the go bag in sharp focus to emphasize its importance. Ensure the image is high resolution and highly detailed, capturing textures and colors vividly”.

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