When we first viewed ‘la Métairie des Songes’ (although un-named at that time), we had simply viewed the grounds from the house. It was not until the second viewing that we took the opportunity to stroll around the woodlands that surrounded the land. It was enchantment at first site, like a hidden and even more precious gift awaiting discovery. Eventually after 12 years of living here, we have managed to create a ... [ More ]
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Recipe: Char-grilled and raw Asparagus
The Spring hails the season for this wonderful vegetable delicacy. Once considered an expensive and ‘decadent’ luxury, it now is widely available in all supermarkets and better still, freshly picked from the local growers. Green Asparagus with its succulent pea-like flavour, adds another depth to Summertime meals. Although delicious simply boiled for 3-4 minutes, keeping them a little ‘al dente’, with some good ... [ More ]
Les Jardins d’eau
Within just 20 minutes drive from us you will arrive at the fabulous ‘Jardins d’Eau’, located between Gourdon and Sarlat on the D704. From our first visit many years ago when the project was in its early stages, we have seen these gardens grow into a beautiful array of vast flowering lily-covered ponds that greet you from the entrance with ornamental fish who swim in special 'open-view’ tanks. You then walk across a ... [ More ]
The Bales are cut for the Summer !
Following a Winter with unprecedented rainfall that continued well into May (although very patchy), the resulting growth from the valley seemed like a jungle. When an occasional shower would flatten everything then a stiff breeze would bring all back to attention again. The obvious advantage of possessing such a natural hillside meadow is that it becomes replete with Orchids and an armada of Butterflies in the early ... [ More ]
An ocean of Orchids in the valley
As soon as the weather breaks free from its Winter shell into the azur blue of Springtime, flowers both from the blossom of the fruit trees in the garden and those that carpet the fields, fill our view every day. The proportion of countryside in comparison to urban areas within the Lot region is so high, that due to the incredible clarity of the air quality, the surrounding woodlands (and especially our valley) are ... [ More ]
Recipe: Apple tarte-fine
An extremely simple, yet impressive dessert, that will make your guests think you are a master Pâtissier! With just a very few ingredients and a little patience you can create one large tart or individual pastries. They may be cooked ahead and simply passed through an oven for a few moments to heat up. Ingredients 225g Butter Puff Pastry 4 - 6 Granny Smith Apples Unsalted Butter Icing Sugar ... [ More ]
