Definitions of Paradise.

Our house from the street

During a Facebook discussion, I mentioned to Maureen Meller, a fellow duck-keeper, that our new ducks were laying in the wheel-arches of various derelict cars, rather than in their enclosure. I found I had given her the impression that we were living in an enormous car-breaker`s yard! Hastening to disabuse her, at least partially, I shall post a selection of shots to bring out the rustic charm of our Poitou-Charentais home and yet admit to an element of truth in her remark.
  In fact, our little estate is a little rough around the edges and is not kept up like an English garden. Maureen, for example mentioned that she hoses down her ducks` droppings, which made us laugh. If the ducks have the run of half an acre or so, there is no need to take these measures!

The shared rear courtyard

We would certainly use a LOT of water if we followed our animals and birds round like this!
  We love our little corner of Paradise, even though we will reluctantly admit that to an outsider it looks a little rough.

Sheep in the outer cour

  When we first visited this region, we found that, to our English eyes the houses looked, well, neglected. Paintwork was fading or blistered. Plaster needed a coat of white-wash or was frankly flaking. We found, at length, that the southern householder is not bothered by these trifles and has better things to spend his hard-earned cash on, such as food, wine etc. Besides, a too- prosperous exterior might attract thieves. This actually seems to be the case in our village, where a pharmacian neighbour, whose house is attractive and well-cared for has recently been burgled, while his scruffy neighbours, us included,  have been ignored.

  However I promised to tell of how, in fact, Maureen`s gibe was justified. Our next-door neighbour has kindly allowed us to open a gap in the hedge of our sheep-field into his field alongside. this is a mutually beneficial arrangement-- our sheep can get new grazing and his field is cut for free. However, when one has several barns and outhouses and half an acre of ground there is no earthly reason to dispose of anything which might be useful in the next century or so. Adrian has thus kept all the cars he has ever had in his long motoring life and stowed them in hedges etc. Our ducks, following the sheep, have used these shelters as nest boxes, rather than lay in their own enclosure. You can see the finished effect here!

    Right, must go now. Got to find a recipe using LOTS of eggs...