Let’s face it I live almost a rural life anyway. I have had chickens (now replaced with feeding cockatoos and galahs and pigeons!) , numerous cats and dogs, I have to use my own chain saw occassionally, and I can burn my own wood (preferrably if its dried out not like my fiftieth,, oh the smoke!). So I do have a semi rural existence.

I was fortunate enough to rent a little place in rural France , Les Arcs sur Argents, where I convalesced a little after hurting my knee during our trip last year.

Fortunately having to rest up meant lots of sketching opportunities, and since then I have been able to add a few more at home.

Like many places there were some requiring a bit of work.Mind you I loved the patching up of the old buildings, the addition of new wiring was haphazard, especially for TV aerials, satellite dishes and external lighting. 

They don’t have to worry about mosquitoes so the shutters are for security and sunlight, there were a few times in Europe I worried about T falling out the window to bring them shut!

Coming back from getting our baguettes.

This was our place, (not lower apartment). three levels the balcony was above the roofing clay you can see. Had to crawl through a door1/3 size of normal to get out, not easy with unbendable knee! I banged my head every second time!This was from our bedroom window listening to ABBA music being played from somewhere below,, on and on and on……..

Another from the balcony, sitting under the umbrella drinking local french wines! (well tehy told me they were local)

The fountain above was at the bottom of our one lane one way dead end street. I am unsure of its purpose but the local kids had fun in it unless their soccer ball rolled into it. The creperie was very nice. The whole place ahd a very relaxed atmosphere except when the fun run came to town.

We seemed to draw fun runs/triathlons, there was one in Berlin, and Salzburg when we were there too.

Our place is on the right. An ancient bell tower at the end of the street, and clock on the wall. I did try to turn car up top of the street like the locals but alas I reversed down in the end.