Although the existing gardens could hardly be called that when I arrived I was determined that Le Paradou should once again live up to it's name of "The little paradise garden". With my bad back and only hand tools, at first, until my rotavator arrived it was hard going doing it bit by bit. But very satisfying, if painful. A long way to go yet but the basic structure is defined and established. I am now growing on seeds from England - especially Burton Agnes - mostly perennials that will not require too much maintenance and are ideal to paint.

The garden has established mature trees but no fruit. So Cherry, Plum, Apple, Pear, Peach, have all been planted - plus a small bed of Red Gooseberry, Raspberry, and Blackcurrent. As you see from the photo below left - Strawberries are already for eating! The wildlife here is incredible so it is important to me to make it user friendly for insects, birds and animals. Nightingales sing night and day, swallowtail butterflies float past, red squirrels, kites, coypus, grass snakes, and hundreds of other species are present. I have planted up insect friendly plants, and nest boxes for owls, bats and small birds will be gadually created. Blue tits successfully reared a brood in a hole in my house wall last month.

I am getting rid of the old pedalos except for this one which has fibre glass floats and I can maintain. I could never have lifted one of the metal ones!! My own little sailing dingy is kept company by a polypropylene fishing boat. I have decorated and brightened up the little loo in the hall with a few sunflowers! A frame for swings is placed in an ideal place to view up the river where it is delightful to sit and swing in a cooling breeze on a warm evening.

How many men can think of a more ideal place for a bedroom - right next to the bar - which by now is well stocked. With reasonable French wine available at £2.00 a bottle! The view from this part of the hall overlooks the garden and river. I have planned to have the old fish pond turned into a plunge pool for these hot summer days. But as with everything in France there has been a long delay on the liner. The old big BBQ stove from the house I have had converted into an outside BBQ. I try to re use as much material as possible. Getting onto the internet again over here was not as difficult as I had expected, and I remain contactable on my old email address at present -

As I have said, the natural history here is wonderful and I have just been filming the most incredible spawning of the Roach, Rudd and massive Carp and Tench. My river margin and reeds were alive with thrashing writhing fish. Many truly real monsters - a Carp fishers dream - I viewed and filmed fish that easily weighed over 40 lbs!!! Having anglers here is part of my plan and now I have the evidence - hardly anyone fishes for them here! The river also holds Barbel, Chub, Pike, Zander, perch, trout and many other species.

Here you see the new porch using traditional local curved slates. The builder did not seem to know what a stable door was for a house so I had to design this one.

A few views of local bridges. There are still many bargains to be found in properties, although going quickly! One of my guests has just had an offer of £85,000.00 accepted for a delighful house, terraced gardens, and nearly 10 acres of riverside meadow over looking the bridge above!! The red X marks where Le Paradou is in the gorge.

Before I moved over fully I visited and planted several sacks of bulbs. The April display is lovely! My new hens have settled in and are laying daily, it was a delightful experience going to the French market to get them! Bear in mind my French is still barely understandable!! Although I can only offer very basic accomodation at present with the caravan - or for Anglers in the hall, I am able to offer delightful hotels and B.B locally if you wish to visit, paint, retreat here, and explore the area. I can pick you up from Rodez airport. Flights by Ryan air. Local accomodation rates range from E35.00 upwards a night. Early days yet, but exciting. I must have the house livable by winter though!