On Wednesday our neighbours Serge and Dani invited us to go for a walk around Assignan with them and their son Pascal.

Our first find was an old WW 2 Citroen rusting beautifully in a hedge.

Dani, who is a bit of a naturalist, was invaluable. Here she showed us the wild Leeks, growing in abundance and terrrific for soup.

She was also able to differenciate between the flowering trees; the wild cherries, pears ,almonds and apples . (And we met all of those on our walk)

Without her we would certainly have missed the tiny rock daffodills.

And lunch was not forgotten, neither was the wine or cheese.

Just before we completed our circuit we passed through this perfect Olive Grove.

For any of you who are wondering how we find our way the French have a wonderful system of guidance.

They put Green Stripes (or Blue or Yellow) along the rocks, trees or indeed telegraph poles to reassure you that you are on the right path.

And they put a green cross on ways, down which one should not travel.

It all works excellently.