Hello from France

[French Jane]

Hi everyone. I'm Jane and I live in Lower Normandy, France. Have about 4 acres of land. I've got 3 ewes (lambs gone now), 4 chickens, 2 labrador dogs, honey bees (1 hive), and of course, a lovely husband. I've also got a veggie plot, poly-tunnel and strawberry patch. All in all, I'm in heaven. Not a good year for veggie this year because of lack of rain. Between March and August I think we only had a couple of showers! Picking up a bit now, but the grass is very poor - sheep not happy! Have got loads of wasp nest in the ground in the field - I didn't know they nested in the ground. Got attacked once (5 stings). Also we found snakes eggs in the compost with baby snakes (harmless) still in some of the eggs. Can't say I'm happy about that but they've got to live somewhere I suppose. Off for a cup of coffee now and to sit in the sunshine. C'est la vie!

[FionaH]

Hiya, welcome to the Vine

[SarahStrawberry]

Hi French Jane

Welcome - I'm new this week too but have already had good advice! That sounds like a lovely place you have. I have a polytunnel too but I'm betting yours gets warmer!

[scarey55]

Hello French Jane from French Clare Welcome to the Vine - this is a great place and a wonderful resource. We too suffered a bit from lack of rain (Auvergne) but, as you say, it is a bit better now. Looking forward to next year's growing season.

[Glutton4...]

Hi, and welcome to the Madhouse! There's lots of us Janes on here. Soooooo glad to hear you've got Chickens, but four is nowhere near enough!

[Nicos]

Te he...another grape on this side of the Channel!!

4 chooks??....no way is that enough gal...come on...we'll soon get you additcted!!!

Now then...wasps???...nope- not got many here 'cos the hornets kill them off!...eeewww...... * shudders

[Jeanied]

Welcome to the vine FJ - I'm sure you'll find us friendly and full of ideas!

[Tomatoking]

Hi Jane, and welcome to the vine, nice to see another French Grape on here.

Mr & Mrs TK

[bobleponge]

And a welcome from me too.

[Jardiniere]

and hello to you from me too..we have actually had enough rain this summer...not too much but not too little either ....trouble is it comes in batches ....its dry for ages then wet for ages. well thats my excuse for my plot being totally overgrown this year...

[scarey55]

....its dry for ages then wet for ages. well thats my excuse for my plot being totally overgrown this year...

Phew - so it's not just me then

[BarleySugar]

I would love to be a French Grape, but I can't see it ever happening. I'm always pleased to hear of others though, so look forward to seeing your posts in the future.

[roitelet]

Hi French Jane, welcome to the vine. You are not that far from me. We are in a micro climate and it will be interesting to hear what the weather is like in your area.

[Mrs T]

Hi French Jane... welcome to this wonderful ever growing space of ideas... I'm quite new myself and I'm SO glad I found it...
Sounds like you have a lovely set up there... we've suffered enough of a lack of rain here in the early part of the year to mean a hose pipe ban, following the announcement of which it rained every day for about six weeks... I guess all weather has draw backs . . .
Anyway, look forward to hearing how you're getting on...
Bon Chance!!!

[Florence Fennel]

Hello from me and a very warm welcome to the Vine!