A slow drive back from Castres and it feels like summer used to feel–a season fully committed.
Flaming June, going on July, bursting out all over!
The sunflowers are showing thick and healthy on the ground this year.
Green and medium build at the moment but growing fast. I spotted one in flower but shy–just peeping out in the clump.
Rain and sun in equal measures have made them strong.
They’ll be a picture in a couple of weeks just as the Tour de France moves south–days to go before “the off “.
It’s always great to see the TV shots of the pelaton, a multicolored snake strung out along a stretch of road–half hidden behind a field of yellow tops, enjoying their moment of fame.
Garlic gath’rers pass,
Leaving the scent in the air;
It’s that time again.
Men stripped to the waist (as if that’s going to help)–why not wait until the sun retreats? It makes no sense to labour thus in a sweltering 30 degrees.
The workers’ cars compete for shade under the fully-leafed walnut trees, already ladened with green fruit.
(I shall be ready in early October and on the prowl–but hunting walnuts rather than hares and rabbits.)
The youngsters, Ben and Midnight, lie full length in the shade beneath the fig in the courtyard–their black coats soaking up the heat–just too much effort to move indoors.
Young Midnight jumped from a first floor window into the driveway this morning–startled by a sudden human presence. He hesitated a nano second, Meredith says, then decided there was no alternative and leapt.
Cats can do such leaps, she says, and land on their feet uninjured–and I have to believe it. Nine lives and all that–but just writing about it gives me vertigo.
But there he is under the fig–no worse for wear, more bothered by heat than heights!
I need him in the kitchen. Just spied a tiny mouse sheltering from the heat. He spotted me at the same moment and disappeared into the fireplace.
Not a safe place for mice here! Stay put, Mr. Mouse–there’ll be a quiet time later when you can move on safely.
Cats generally don’t fly in the dark–though one shouldn’t second guess a cat called Midnight!
* “back in the days”
Robin Ellis 
Lovely descriptions, you are a gifted writer.
Thanks Victoria.
I love reading your blog. I met you in Cambridge as a student via a party at Fitzbilly College, we had friends in common, and sometime later in London. I had hoped to come to your cookery course but, alas it was already full.
Hello Kate–it’s never too late!
Thank you, Robin. Are those leeks? The countryside is lovely! (P.S. I enjoyed the recent article and photos of your father.) Best wishes. Linda
Why wait until October for the walnuts? Now is the time to make vin de noix with the green ones!
Wonderful photos Robin. Just back from Lombers again and missing the land between Albi & Castres already!
Hi Robin
I do hope Young Midnight is doing well – poor dear, trying put in his training for his 9 lives. We have 2 beautiful Siamese cats a brother and sister. When we moved to the Isle of Wight in 2009, we lived for the first time in a first floor Victorian flat for 3 months. The male Siamese was so intrigued to be living “off the ground” as he was used to a bungalow, that come the 2nd evening, he too thought it great fun to suddenly just jump onto the sitting room window sill and B 4 we new what he was going to do next; like magic he dived all the way down into a Buglia bush in the garden !! Our hearts lept with him and I never ran so fast; only to find him quite excillerated curled up in the bush purring away looking so proud of himself! I think one of my lives went that evening 🙂
So glad you are having a wonderful year, thanks for sharing.
PS: I find out tomorrow if I have to have the tummy op, so bit anxious tonight.
Diane
Isle of Wight
Idyllic.
I agree with Victoria, It feels like I am there watching the cats slumber and the garlic being cut and can smell the smells of your French heaven.
Thank you!
Peloton rather than pelaton? Ever read Richard Jefferies or Henry Williamson, Robin? Some of England’s greatest nature writers, I’m sure you would enjoy. Start with Jefferies’ essay “The Pageant of Summer.”
Cheers, Phil
Thanks, I will.
Hi Robin. Have you tried making Vin de Noix with the Green Walnuts? I’ve made all sorts of concoctions myself , Quarante Quatre, Limoncello, Sloe Gin, Rhubarb Vodka, ….. but haven’t yet got to Vin de Noix. Tasted it and its on my bucket list. Their are plenty of recipes out there; I find the blog by David Lebovitz very good, here is a link to his recipe:- http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/07/liqueur-de-noix-green-walnut-liq/.
Looks like your in for a scorcher this coming week or so. Wish I was down there now, it is another three weeks before we arrive but at least we have till mid September to soak up that warmth!
By the way, I approached you at the GBS production at the National Theatre recently. The sloes mentioned above were picked from our friends garden, much plumper than here in Ireland!
Hello, Steven.
Beautiful. You made me feel like I was there.
Just started watching the new Poldark! they are playing it here in the U.S. on Masterpiece theater. so captivating ! I loved the original, and I love this one ! ~ Thank you ~
Much enjoy your posts – thank you. Just wanted to let you know that your courgette muffins are relished regularly but in slightly different form. I make the same recipe but as a frittata and then slice it hot or cold – delicious!
Only problem is you can’t see what’s happening at the bottom until it’s been under the grill and is turned over on to a plate – you just have to be patient. Haven’t burnt one seriously yet though. Am thinking of making it with grated butternut squash which I think could be equally good. Time’ll tell! (I am a recently diagnosed diabetic.)
Although I don’t remember seeing the original Poldark (we were living overseas) am now watching the recordings of the new one and find that the dialogue is punctuated by someone charging across a field on horseback, first in one direction and then the other; quite amusing really but a bit tedious!
Kind regards
Elizabeth Wood
Good ideas, Liz. Take care with the type 2.
Men striped to their waist sounds just fine to me, Robin!!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Great description, Robin! Wish OUR summer weather would arrive…After a few weeks of drought (and a lightning-fed fire that smoldered in the woods behind our house!), it has turned gray & gloomy for many days now. It’s been cool like September, and even went down to 50° F (10° C) the other night! We went to the beach a few days ago for a concert (“Happy Together” oldies tour), but we didn’t go swimming; just walked around. It was so chilly, I wished I’d brought my jacket and worn long pants!
As for mice, we seem to have an abundance of babies in the garage, plus a few noisy birds’ nests outside the bedroom window. All our wildlife eat from the bird feeder out back, incl. a mischievous squirrel & the occasional raccoon! Can’t complain about the weather, though; at least everyone’s healthy! 🙂
Hi Robin
,Lovely to hear beautiful descriptions of the countryside, whilst reading though was struck with the way you write, it flows beautifully and you have a lovey way with words. Have you ever thought about writing a book, I know you have written lots re your cookery and Poldark, but I mean something different. I know you have a very busy life but you have another!!! talent there which you really should use.
Warmest wishes,
Sue x
Thanks Sue
We once had a black cat called midnight, now we have another black, green eyed temptress who goes by the name of Luna.
Phoebe, our 17 year old black cat, has become brown under the sun here in the Vendee. Sometimes I think that she misses her native Scotland. We ran out of garlic last night, seeing your great photos of the garlic fields rubbed it in.
Plus d’ail–quel desastre! can’t imagine it!
Harry Rabinowitz was on Desert Island Discs on Sunday and chose Charles Aznevour’s ‘She’ as one of his discs, talked about chosing it for a tv series in the 1970s called ‘Seven Faces of Women’ – still remember the episode you did! But can’t believe it was 40 years ago …………..
Can’t remember it at all–who was in it, Savannah?
LOL welcome to my world, although I do remember your play. Here’s the link to the series http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181253/ Your episode was about a girl who had a big nose and underwent plastic surgery to reduce it, I think you stopped loving her at that point? Rotter! But I think it all worked out in the end, it usually did in 1970s ITV dramas.
We filmed at Rod Stewart’s house! Thanks for reminding me. Lynn Reid Banks no less.
Quite weird as only couple of months ago I re-watched The Brontes (with Rosemary McHale playing Emily). Great actress.
Just found a better link, Rosemary McHale was in it, you were in second season in 1977 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0908861/?ref_=tt_ep_nx
Nothing better than fresh garlic. Those bunches are very tempting. I keep away colds in the Winter with garlic broth. High Summer here too, and you’ve reminded me that I need to go out and stake a few tomato plants that have wandered over the front walk. Great luck with your garden! I was enchanted to discover that you are so multi-faceted. I’ll be investing in one of your cookbooks soon. Thank you for a soothing and delightful blog.
Thanks Jacki–good luck to you with the wandering toms!
I’m harvesting garlic on the allotment this week, they don’t look much like the ones in your pictures, though. Rotten London clay, that must be it. Cricklewood ain’t the south of France, for sure! Our cat at work, Ferdy, must be a cousin of your Midnight, we’ve nailed all the lower sashes shut now but still every time he jumps on a sill … well, vertigo expresses it perfectly. Should have been called Dick Diver. Have a good summer, Robin.
What wonderful pictures you paint with your words Robin, such a pleasure to read and to imagine.
Thanks, Lizzie.
Dear Robin (and Meredith). I too love reading your descriptions. Had the great pleasure of meeting the lovely Dominique and Philippe at a private celebration for mutual friends on the river a week or so ago at Henley. What lovely people! On being introduced, he mentioned Castres and I immediately began waxing lyrical about your books, blog, etc! We are making a trip to France soon, to re-visit childhood homes and haunts (Cabourg, Fontaine-le-Port, then down to Montachet and St Paul de Vence, then back to Caen for the ferry home. Sadly this trip will now allow a visit to Castres (la Terrasse, and to see his wine cellar) but definitely on our list for when we motor down in the future en-route for Spain.
Loved your last post (well, hope it will NOT be the Last Post!)
Be well! Enjoy the Summer.
Rosalyn (KIM) Hammill
Dominique and Philippe are a special couple and their hotel/B&B is beautiful and beautifully run. We are so lucky to have a relation with them. Have an enjoyable and relaxing trip to France.
Wish my garlic looked like that – I just can’t grow the stuff. 😦
Dear Robin
I’m pulling up my garlic about now and enjoying my petit jardin [community garden in Longmont, Colorado], a world away but near in spirit. The herbs in my Bee Garden are glorious. I stuff myself with every green imaginable, every day. How sweet the earth is to us. It was so warming and descriptive to hear about the lovely slow summertime you have in your home. It was so vivid, and I’m so visual, so it was like really being there, feeling the sun, smelling the crops and food, seeing the lolling felines. Blessings on the cats and on all who participate here. Feels almost like family. I am missing my dear cat Sparky, long gone.
Stevie
Lovely comment, Stevie–thank you.
Oh, and, isn’t there a way to preserve green walnuts in a syrup? I’ll look for it and send along to y’all if I can find it. I know it’s here somewhere…Stevie, aka LOLita
Thanks Robin! Not long now until our French Trip – Can’t wait! Yes D and P are indeed very lovely people. Will plan a trip to Castres and particulalry La Terrasse as soon as we can! Have a great summer with the cats! RKH