Kidnapped

estellesI was just settling down to a spot of weeding when the call came. Hello, it’s Estelle. You are coming to my place this afternoon. I won’t brook no for an answer.

Well she didn’t couch it exactly in those terms, but it felt that way. Our occasional cleaning lady has quite an impressive garden and I have been meaning to drop by and visit all summer. She is just ten minutes drive away in the next village. estelles potager

But either I was busy or she was, and suddenly it’s mid September.   But I am so reluctant to submit to sitting in a car that I had to decline her kind offer. Perhaps I’ll walk next week I assured her. But no. That wouldn’t work. Today was the only afternoon free so she would drop the kids back at school and I was to be ready for her at two o’clock.   She would pick me up.   So much for trying to explain that it wasn’t just a Peugeot that caused the sciataic flare up, but any upholstered vehicle.

estelles quincesBy two fifteen I was out of her car and being frog marched ever so gently to her farm. And well worth the pain of getting there it was too. What a potager. It’s huge. I took this shot from the kitchen window that overlooks the enormous veggie bed.   Endless delights.

And her cellar where she stores all the produce is pretty impressive too. Needless to say I came away with lots of booty (aubergine, french beans, eggs, eggs, eggs).   And on the return back to my smaller veggie garden I was able to do a swap of rainbow Swiss chard and runner beans. Fancy someone French actually liking runner beans. Well worth the kidnapping just to see someone’s face light up with delight at the sight of my endless crop of the brutes. estelles apples

file estelles storesPoor Estelle, each time I see her now she’s going to have to be given sacks of the stuff.

Now where was I before my afternoon plans had changed? Yes, weeding the courtyard and attacking the mint.