Warm weather with sudden bursts of copious rain can provide a lucky woodland walker with some of our most celebrated gastronomic fungi on their travels. The Cèpe mushroom - boletus edulis, round and muscular in shape, has that magical ability to lift any simple mushroom accompaniment or sauce to a stellar height. It’s rich scent and ‘meaty’ savoury flavour adds not only that gourmet touch but also a textural ... [ More ]
News
Our enchanting new garden feature
A project conceived several years ago but fell behind due to other priorities at the time (namely a rebuilt Carport in 2018 and our Potager in 2019), eventually has been created ! This 2020 season we re-open with our latest garden feature ~ a tranquil green space with spouting water over rocks, a large garden bench and ornamental & mediterranean plants. The ensemble basks in its glorious setting that overlooks ... [ More ]
Goodbye to our beautiful Bramley
With immense sadness we had to say goodbye to our loveable French friend, Bramley, on Saturday morning 8th February 2020. Old age eventually overtook the ‘indestructible’ Mr B who was a fighter all the way to the end. We adopted him from the SPA in Figeac in 2010, having been ‘resident’ there for nearly 4 years. He had been found by the roadside with one of his hind legs and both front legs broken (perhaps from a ... [ More ]
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Every guest that comes to la Métairie des Songes for more than just an overnight stay, simply MUST visit Saint-Cirq-Lapopie ! Voted one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages in 2012 (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), it astounds by its grandeur, charms by its rurality and seduces by its views over the Lot river. With a gentle amble up the winding paths, passing restaurants, bars and numerous little shops within the ... [ More ]
Elderflower Syrup
Everywhere in the countryside during late May into June, you will see an abundance of these creamy flowers, like little wedding bouquets, clustered upon the branches of the Elder tree. As you approach them (especially in the sunshine) you will almost certainly smell their heady perfume; a cross between new mown hay and crushed grapes ! Pick them, steep them in a hot syrup and behold the mouth-watering floral notes ... [ More ]
A stroll through our Woods
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 ]
