Busman’s Holiday
In exchange for a few days work, my parents arranged a week’s stay at a Gîte in the nearby Vendée. Since the husband was recovering from a hernia operation, our hosts needed a little help preparing the grounds prior to the summer holiday rush.
It is boasted that the area enjoys the greatest number of sunshine hours along the Atlantic coast due to it’s own unique climate. Predictably, it rained most of the week. Along with another couple, my father and myself started the morning after we arrived. Grass cutting and painting a wall were off the menu. At least I did get to dig a footing. Most of the time was spent lifting a patio set upon a wash pit or something. Below is a more traditional lavage beside one of the walks we took - one of the many vegetables gardens directly behind.
On our final day, the weather had improved as we drove off to La Rochelle and onto Royan for a curry.
What a curious place. What kind of water source is that at the base of the garden? Love the stone! It’s a very beautiful location.
Comment by primrozie — July 8, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
The washpit is fed by the river Berlande in the village of Paizay le Tort. I guess the stone is local - as is the norm. You don’t have to travel far to see changes in colour and texture.
Comment by Adekun — July 8, 2007 @ 1:38 pm