Wild things

Our neighbour from up the hill, Josette, passed by this afternoon with a basket full of chanterelles mushrooms that she had collected from the woodland opposite. She was kind enough to give us a couple of handfuls, from which we made a delicious evening meal of chicken with tarragon and chanterelle mushrooms. Scrummy!

One of our other neighbours from up the hill has confirmed that we do indeed have sangliers (wild boar) on our doorstep which are no doubt responsible for digging up the ground behind the house around the washing line. He also commented on the deer that we have seen both in the orchard behind Pissou and also in the woodland opposite - apparently such wildlife has only made a reappearance in the past couple of years, which is fantastic. Venison and wild boar on our doorstep ... who would have thought it!

This afternoon, I met my mate from Hathersage, Hilary, and her posse who are cycling the 6 mountain stages that are included in this year's Tour de France. I met Hilary, Sarah and Paul up at the Col de Peguere for a refuelling stop after their ascent of the Col de Portel from St Girons. Tomorrow is their rest day down in Foix before they head up to the Alps, but I am looking forward to a cycle out tomorrow with their support driver, Ed, and also Richard who has done 2 stages with them. The Tour is down here in exactly a week's time and we will be heading up to Peguere to watch them fly through!