18-25 October 2026

Life has quietened down as the weather gets cooler and sunup is now not until 8.30 am. The builders, despite assurances that they will be here and more than a couple of days of good weather, are absent. So, we amuse ourselves with reading and admin stuff, cooking confit de canard and roast pork. The pork here is excellent and reasonably priced. Not so the lamb which I noticed was 25€ a kg.

Our previously bustling and crowded local market, is now noticeably quieter as the winter approaches.

Well, the weather is a bit like the French students – volatile to say the least. Massive storms and floods to the north and south at the moment. 75kph wind gusts blowing down our paddock too, but the rain is intermittent and our ‘little rivers’ are still not flowing. We haven’t been at LPR as late in the year as this before and the late autumn weather is not so pleasant.

It’s also hunting season here and Sunday is the day when the locals wander along the road verges with shotgun and dog, looking for pheasant and partridge. Interestingly, the wood pigeons and swifts, which have been constant visitors over the summer have disappeared. Off to warmer climes I reckon.

The plasterer has turned up. He is also the painter. So, there will be no complaints as to the dirty mess the plasterers leave for the painter, like in Aus. And, unlike the rest of the tradies, he is in white overalls and work shoes. He also has a radio which he plays English songs. All that’s missing is a ute, a dog and a bad attitude and he could be an Aussie tradie. Although he works without a break mainly.

Paris lefties letting off steam!

Sebastian the plasterer.

Colder and wetter