Our arrival at le Domaine was later than usual. The tragic death of Luke Hobson on March 28 shocked us all. At 14 he had so much to live for. Helen, Peter and Eleanor have been left heartbroken. He was a much loved young man and has left a gapping hole in our hearts. He was always inquisitive and enquiring and had a great sense of justice. He questioned the injustice, that as one of the worlds richest countries, why we had people living homeless on the streets. In his memory Helen and Peter asked that any donations should go to the Emmaus charity that works with the homeless: https://www.justgiving.com/emmaus

Luckily all machinery was in good operational order so getting the garden into shape wasn’t too much of a nightmare!

This year the roses were amazing! Throughout the garden we were delighted by the colours and perfume. They looked good cut in the house too!

The peonies looked pretty good too!

In June a local photographer asked to visit and photograph the garden with the hope of it being featured in a French garden magazine. To date we haven’t been approached but you never know!

June saw the first of the heatwaves that Europe experienced in 2019. Despite the heat the garden continued to show off!

The pond liner arrived in July and the pump was put into good use filling it up. The walls for the new pond were levelled, the difference between the ends for was 15cm! Building skills were stretched but the end result looked good! Inspired by artwork at le Jardin Rocambole three pumps were added, some iron work sculpture and aquatic plants and of course goldfish!…. 2020 it should look great!

The end of July saw the third opera at Liniere in Ballee, Verdi’s La Trouvere. The opera is in the open in the courtyard and exposed to the elements. The Thursday night performance had to be postponed until Friday because of thunderstorms. The performance involves volunteers for the Ballee and Epineux and the surrounding area who host performers and musicians and help to bulk up the chorus. The leads are professionals who give their time for free. This years performance also included horses! This was the third year of opera and there were in excess of 2000 spectators per performance!

Lunch at the neighbours the day after the opera resulted in an impromptu garden visit…. a new group of French friends!

Mid August and it’s time to strat clearing the woodland by the side of the house. When we bought the property we planted lots plants in pots from la Basse with the intention of planting them out into the garden… this mostly didn’t happen and so a sort of wilderness grew! The intention was to cut back the hornbeam hedging that surrounded it and then to create another garden area! This will be a project for next year!

End of August and David’s brother Nick and his wife Fiona arrive…. this is always fun as he comes bearing gifts, which he mostly reveals once in situ!

The end of another Summer… the garden continues to make demands of us, more clearance and planning for the following year.

In 2010 the kitchen and scullery were knocked through to make one large room with a temporary kitchen in place! 2019 saw that kitchen removed! Another little job to do whilst David was back in London! The cupboard doors were in place at Christmas!

Another year comes to an end. Again we get to spend Christmas in front of the fire and away from all the enforced jollity! The garden has shut itself down and general tidying up and plan making for the following year are taking fruition. What will 2020 have to offer us?