theonlyD800inthehameau
Photography by theonlydeadheadinthehameau
Cellpic Sunday: The Hostas Are Back
Posted on May 3, 2026
Last On The Card April 2026
Posted on May 1, 2026
About six or seven years ago, we (i.e. Madame) sowed a wild flowers mix in a couple of our raised beds. The most successful of these proved to be the orange poppies. They returned and proliferated for the next couple of years before their numbers dropped steadily and, as I recall, last year there were none. Now, however, they’re coming back and there already five, of which this was the first.
Cellpic Sunday: Rosemary
Posted on February 8, 2026
Well, spring must be on its way: the geese are returning from warmer climes and the daffodils are shooting, but the first new flowers in the garden are on the rosemary bush in our herb bed.
Cellpic Sunday: Behold the flowering tomatillo
Posted on November 2, 2025
You may be wondering what a tomatillo is. Well, it’s a staple of Mexican cuisine and our son-in-law is Mexican – and a very fine cook to boot.
They are not exactly easy to find in the middle of rural France, but we planted some seeds that we were given to us by said beau-fils. He lives in the UK and hasn’t had much success in growing his own: the climate is simply not conducive. Put bluntly, Yorkshire is too cold.
However, it’s warmer down here and although only a couple of our planted seeds have survived, this one seems to be thriving in our serre (greenhouse).
Monochrome Madness – Any Colour
Posted on July 24, 2025
There’s a very interesting twist on the idea of monochrome in this latest Monochrome Madness Challenge. The automatic assumption is that monochrome must mean black and white or, at most, sepia. However if something – or image thereof – has only one colour, whatever that may be, then it can fairly be described as monochrome.
This is, of course, a rose – and Madame’s favourite to boot, as it reminds her of her grandmother, who grew these in her own garden. I don’t recall us ever having so many blooms at the same time as this summer, and the scent is blissful: just what you imagine a rose should smell like: heady and almost sensual.
Cellpic Sunday: As seen from above..
Posted on June 22, 2025
This, I am reliably informed, is an Agapanthus – originally from southern Africa but – in this particular instance – now residing in one of our newly-created flowerbeds.
Cellpic Sunday: Pretty in pink
Posted on May 11, 2025
We were in the town of Beverley in Yorkshire last week and I came across this rather lovely flower in somebody’s front garden.
Lens-Artists Challenge – My Last Outing
Posted on April 7, 2025
It’s a particularly timely challenge for this week’s Lens-Artists, because as it happens my last outing was only yesterday (Sunday).
The first ‘big’ local event of the year round these parts is traditionally the annual ‘Fête des Fleurs‘ in the village of Magnac-Laval, about a half hour’s drive from here. It is held in the grounds of the local agricultural college, which is based in this rather grand-looking chateau. I’m always amused by the jaunty tilt of that windvane.
As you can see from the blameless blue sky, the weather was very kind, which is certainly not a given for this time of year.
Last Photo March 2025
Posted on April 1, 2025
These white pansies have just returned for another season in one of our flowerbeds (yes it does need weeding).
Last Photo: Their day is done
Posted on March 2, 2025
I spotted these past-their-sell-by-date roses in the main (i.e. only) square of our nearest village.
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