Journal Thurs 25th September 2025

Morning folks. The fire has stayed ticking over all night, so I’ve just resurrected it. Was nice to come down to a warm kitchen after being in the garden with the bulldog before 6am in the drizzle. Everyone is fast asleep currently, including one kitteh who has discovered fires and blankets are great.

Had a lovely day in Limoges yesterday. A little shopping, an amazing lunch, a little more shopping. I bought a usual eclectic mix of nonsense. An O.P.I nail polish from the Wicked range that is a delicious Elphaba glitter green/black. I tried to buy this when they came out and everywhere was sold out, and half price too, so to quote Charlie Sheen – winning! I bought a bundle of vetiver, which is not only decorative but gives off a gorgeous aromatic scent. I love the smell of this, Craig wears Vetiver aftershave from Fragonard and its one of my favourites. I feel I need to try to find some vetiver to grow in the garden. I bought a most excellent blanket with a toadstool and mushroom print from Flying Tiger which the cat has already monopolised. And a Mickey Mouse T shirt (if I don’t credit Kelly here for spotting this she’ll disown me), from Gallerie Lafayette. It was a bowl of ramen noodles, but she spotted the egg yolks were Mickey shaped. Yes please!

Lunch was at Les Petits Ventres in Rue de la Boucherie, one of the places I take people when they want something authentically French but not pretentious. Stone walls, beams, often a roaring fire downstairs, porcelain pigs and chickens everywhere. It’s cute.

My starter was a pumpkin and spinach tart with a local cheese, the main was a sort of boudin noir (black pudding) patty that had been coated in breadcrumbs and fried, served with mashed potato, roasted apple, and a super rich gravy that reminded me of the faggots I once had at Craig’s grandads. I have never been happier in my life. Dessert was a fig and almond cake with a fig sorbet. The prix fixe for 3 courses I think is 29 euros each from memory.

Oh, should also mention that I had my first pumpkin spiced latte of the season like the basic bitch I am.

We still managed to wander a little further although feeling pretty sleepy post lunch, before heading back to the station to get the train back to Ambazac where the car was parked.

In other major news, the former Lidl. in Ambazac has re-opened as an artisan Boulangerie and Patisserie and looks amazing. Cannot wait to get in there and have a look. Unsure right now if this is a today thing or not, as pyjamas and fire sound pretty good to me.

Turns out the fosse guy isn’t coming until next week, and the window installation has rolled back a few days too which to be honest is excellent news because I could just do with a bit of time before the next thing. Craig is away this coming weekend and it just gives things chance to settle down again if you know what I mean.

Fairy lights are on, fire is delightful, might attempt another hours sleep with the cat, if I can get her off my blanket so I can actually move.

TTFN,

V x

“Create a featured image for a blog post titled ‘Exploring Limoges: A Day of Shopping and Dining.’ The image should depict a charming, rustic French café scene, capturing the essence of a cozy meal with a beautifully arranged table featuring a pumpkin and spinach tart, a boudin noir patty with mashed potatoes and rich gravy, and a fig and almond cake with fig sorbet. Include elements like stone walls, wooden beams, and decorative porcelain pigs for authenticity. Use warm, inviting light to convey a welcoming atmosphere, enhancing the feeling of comfort. Ensure the image is high resolution, highly detailed, and in sharp focus to highlight the textures of the food and ambiance.”