Monday, June 28, 2010

A Summer Weekend in the South of France

Well, summer is finally (or at least currently) here! The good weather is marked by key events: Son 1's birthday party, this year with his home-made treacle tart.
A great visit from my sister and her husband, at the end of some hard work and good partying in Cannes!
And especially for Emma, the arrival of the hoopoes in our garden.
We've been hearing them since they arrived back from Africa in April, but they nest down near the stream, and don't venture as far as our garden until their young have left the nest. A young hoopoe is a funny sight - they look just like their parents, but behave very gormlessly!
Adults and young alike put up their wonderful crests whenever they have landed from a flight. It's been a lovely weekend to have visitors, human and avain!

19 comments:

Me and Ma said...

What a great looking bird I have never heard of hoopoes before :)

Elizabethd said...

It would be rare to see one here I think, but when we lived in the Gironde we saw them often. Lovely dotty birds!

Lorrie said...

I've never heard of hoopoes, but they look like intriguing birds to watch.

Jen Walshaw said...

That tart looks fab - Happy Birthday and welcome to the teenage years

Unknown said...

13! That is an important birthday at that age (if that makes any sense!) I love the hoopoe, although I am sure we don't have them here! Quite a grand creature! Suzie xxx

Andi's English Attic said...

Wow, bet you can't believe he's reached 13. I've got 18 months before my daughter gets there. Help!
Glad you all had a wonderful weekend. xx

VintageVicki said...

A very special birthday deserves a very scrummy looking treacle tart :)

Oh you now have a teenage male - good luck ;)

silverpebble said...

You have made my day Floss. Really.

Pu pu pu!

Lola Nova said...

Happy birthday to the boy! Look at that beautiful sunshine you have, we are getting some of that too. I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts.
Never seen that kind of bird before.
We get Jays, Robins, bush tits, finches, woodpeckers, Starlings and others I don't know the names of. Pretty good considering there are a ton of cats in the area.

Marigold Jam said...

Happy birthday to Son No 1 and what a great idea a treacle tart birthday cake is! Loved the pics of the hoopoes we used to get them in our garden too and their call is quite unique isn't it? None here though!

Jane x

Sherri B. said...

Well, well..a teenager in the house. Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Son #1. How nice that Auntie and Uncle could come for the big celebration....The Hoopoe is a very interesting bird, reminds me of a cross between a woodpecker, roadrunner and a northern flicker all in one package. Have a good week.

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

What a lovely weekend at your house. The tart looks pretty impressive, well done Mr 13! Baby birds is what we need over here, our littlest one is very sad they only come in spring. We don't get those birds here either.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, you've inspired me to make a treacle tart for next weekend, it's one of my faves! The sun arrived in the North East for a few days this weekend, but it's been replaced by rain tonight, typical! Gorgeous birds, I had to look them up!

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hi Floss

Happy belated Birthday to your son.
I like hoopoes, they are funny birds. Ah...Cannes, I haven't been back there for a while. I lived there for 4 years back in the 70s. My Mother had a boutique in The Gray d'Albion galleries, I used to love helping her on a Wednesday or a Saturday. There was a great pizza restaurant near Le Suquet.
Glad you had a great time.
Take care
Isabelle x

Serenata said...

What a lovely birthday! So nice your sister was able to be with you all as well.

Thank you for your lovely comment on my quilt. I was a bit dubious as I like things to 'match up' and with string quilts then obviously they don't unless you cut to size. However I am pleased with how it has turned out.

I think sewing and untidy houses go together as do tidy houses and not sewing. I'm not sure you can have both? Well that is my excuse anyway!

Lululiz said...

Oooh, Hoopoes are such attractive birds, we get them in our area as well ( Burgundy ).
Congratulations to son No.1. 13, eh? He is not going to turn into a troublesome teenager overnight now, is he? Nah, of course not, he is a great guy.

Elderberry-Rob said...

Happy birthday to son 1 proud mum. Never heard of or seen a Hoopoe before, very pretty. Have a good week - Betty x

Sarah said...

Golly, a teenage son! It doesn't seem to far off before I've got one too!! Pretty bird - never heard of one of those before!

The Curious Cat said...

ooo what a yummy treacle tart that looks! Makes my mouth water! xxx