Cattapilla Dreaming

The Church in Brillac

Recently returned from a visit to a dear friend in the Limousin area of France.  During the journey there, I kept track of all the means of transport it took to arrive in the little village of Brillac from this little Bere Island.  Here goes;  car from house to ferry on slippy icy island roads, ferry to Castletownbere, car to Bantry.  Coach to Cork and taxi to Cork airport.  A plane flew me to Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris where I had a three hour wait at a freezing station.  Then a rapid, comfy and warm train  journey by TGV to Poitiers followed by another car journey to Brillac.  Phew!!

The weather was cold and snowy to begin with so we didn’t venture far. Instead we walked in the snow and spent many happy hours  of quiet time in front of the fire chatting and knitting and relaxing .  We did however manage to get to a few of the favourite brocantes and found some interesting pieces which will shortly be available in some shape or form on www.cattapilladesigns.com!

Pollarded Lime Trees in Confolons with the Vienne in the background

Then the snow disappeared and it was suddenly time to come home and make the reverse journey which was much improved by being met at Cork Airport by T!  And home to a saturated garden, brief sunshine and frequent storms.  The weather forecast is promising for the weekend so may venture out to see what’s happening and whether anything is in flower yet.  Fingers crossed!

Frozen Puddle!

If it’s as cold as it is here this far west and near the sea  then it must be really, really cold everywhere else!   The garden is full of hungry birds and the feeders need replenishing every other day.   Two beautiful mistle-thrushes hop throught the herb beds looking for worms and red wings and blackbirds cover the field behind us.  Blue tits, greenfinches, robins, chaffinches and an army of bright goldfinches crowd the feeders.  For all their bossyness, the goldfinches are very shy and it’s too cold to stand still for long enough to photograph them!  Meanwhile I’m off to France  for a week so will be back after January 17th – T. has been given strict instructions to keep all the  bird feeders topped up!

In the meantime  why not check out the warm and cosy Gorgeous Wool Cushions at  www.cattapilladesigns.com along with some recently added Antique Sampler Cushions.

Stay warm out there!