I’m in France, in Thezan for a round of talks with builders, plumbiers etc. accompanied my brother-in-law Colm, a great naturalist.

We went walking in the hills by the village this afternoon and came back with the following (not all in the picture and some in the picture have yet to be identified.)

Figs, Walnuts, Almonds, Quince, Pomegranates,huge bright red Haws and bright blue Sloes, wild Curry Plant, Thyme and Rosemary.

They say about the French peasants that their basic daily diet was fairly sparse but they always could gorge on the wild fruits and nuts and this was why they remained so healthy.