Canoeing

Having recommended canoeing under the Pont du Gard to almost all of our guests for years, we decided that we should give it a go ourselves this summer. And it proved to be a great recommendation. It's an 8km journey down river, ending just after the Pont du Gard. The view as you approch the aquaduct is extraordinary.

We went on a very hot day and mixed canoeing with lots of dips in the river, which was blissfully refreshing. We went back about two weeks later and hiked down to the river and I couldn't resist another dip.

However in the intervening two weeks the temperature seemed to have dropped by about 10 degrees. I still made it in. I can't say it was a pleasure. Guy stayed on the edge with his feet in the water and swears they went blue.

Resting, reposing

The sun has come back, the storms have passed and it's back to summer again. Cooler mornings and evenings mean that autumn is on the way, but afternoons are lovely, still 30 degrees and with the pool at 24, a swim around 4 (after a siesta under the pergola) is just perfect.

The pergolas are a new addition this year and as well as an ideal place for a siesta, they have proved to be great locations for picnics, aperitifs while watching the sun set and just generally lounging around! I have taken full advantage!

Storms

We often have ferocious storms at the beginning of September and this year is no exception. Terrible timing for the wine makers who are anxiously watching over their grapes for signs of rot caused by the dampness. Hail, which often accompanies the storms is a disaster too. We were largely spared yesterday, but our friends at Domaine de Mourchon had 10 cm of rain and hail.

These photos were actually taken in June when we had the wildest storm I have ever seen, but they give you an idea of what the wine makers are up against. Normal service has been resumed today however and it's back to a very pleasant 30 degrees with the same forecast for next week.

Everything in the garden's lovely.....

It's been a good year for the garden. We had more rain than normal in spring and early summer which was a little depressing for us, but it has had very positive results for the garden. The oleanders by the pool have really established themselves now and flower for the whole summer, and a new bed of daisies at the edge of the car park looks bright and cheerful and obligingly flowers all summer too. We have planted a long row of lavender along the edge of the path which is keeping the bees and butterflies happy, as well as making the garden smell fantastic.