Le Perigord in Blossom



Spring arrived in earnest a few weeks ago in this corner of SouthWest France. Temperatures have been nudging the mercury to around twenty two centigrade in recent days but inevitably each morning arrives with a cold start and a light frost on the grass, however it doesn't hang about for long and it's Tee shirt weather by lunchtime. My Peach tree above has been in bloom for over a week now, fingers crossed that we don't have a sharp frost as it'll yield little fruit, but looking at longer range weather forecasts it seems nothing too sinister is on the horizon, maybe there will be a glut this Summer?



Forsythia has been showy for weeks now. I know they're everywhere, but things are better for that as I reckon them to be the most cheery sight each Spring.



The perfect yellow.



The ChĂąteau de Castelnaud viewed through Cherry blossom. Standing high above the Dordogne valley, I literally have to stop the car every time I drive past, a wonderful sight, really it's a case of any excuse to take a photo of it!




The Magnolias are almost finished now; all too soon the show's over. I particularly liked this one in front of a grand old Manoir in St. Cyprien.




Thundery weather today. Calm, not a zephyr, blossom scent just hangs in the air on days like these.

Ah well, the clocks have gone forward, the equinox just passed, Spring marches on.

Comments

  1. Rob,
    As always, your photos are wonderful and inclusive of the architecture and environs.

    Your zone doesn't seem that different from here, perhaps only 1-2 weeks difference in bloom times for early spring.

    I hope Paris and Provence will have some blooms for us to enjoy in the next few weeks.

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  2. Fun to see my 'friends' living across the pond.

    They have no castles or ancient architecture as backdrop near me.

    Loving the fragrance,now, of akebia & viburnum.

    Do you have kerria? A hard color to use but perfect when it blooms.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  3. its always a source of happiness to see a post from your blog show up in my feed. I love your photos and only wish you had the free time to share more with us!

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  4. You've been holding out on us. Magnolias nearly OVER?! But thank you for these :-)Even in Brooklyn we had scent in the air yesterday - a hidden flower over a wall, somewhere, perhaps winter honeysuckle.

    I can almost smell your blossoms.

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  5. What lovely spring blooms framing yours and others architecture Rob. I love how you go from the turret to the chateau. Your world is so beautiful in any season but the light and colors just now are pretty amazing.

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  6. Nobody else's blog makes me want to move somewhere more than yours! Happy Spring.

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  7. Beautiful Rob, so glad to see Spring at last.

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  8. The flowers and the sunshine against the golden limestone ~ perfect.

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  9. You really do live in Paradise, you know that, don't you? Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

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  10. You have given me hope that spring is on its way. I am still in snow. I can feel the warmth and smell the blossoms through your photos. Thanks.

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  11. Beautiful! It inspires me to get out and start fussing. Unfortunately, it's still quite wet and chilly here, not too many things in bloom here.

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  12. Is it the brand of your camera that makes your photos so dreamy? No, I know what it is. The eyes of your heart are the lens through which you photograph your world.

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  13. Oh, to see castles on my drive to work in the morning.......

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  14. Rob,
    I like to think of your life as idyllic. It appears so from here, though I'm sure you have moments of imperfection too. Right now, we're struggling with a recurrence of winter. Temps down into the low 20s at night. Enjoy spring!

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  15. We are ready for spring here in the PNW. Rain, heavy rain, cold wind, and more rain, with only a touch of sunshine here and there. Our Magnolia stellata is weeping I'm sure as many of the blossoms, unopened, are being thrown to the ground. But your beautiful blossoms and photos, Rob, allowed me to feel the magic.

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  16. Stunning images, Rob. Your glorious spring, way ahead of ours, makes my heart sing!

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  17. Simply stunning and I'm so pleased I came across your blog. I'm missing the Dordogne. This is perfect to have a window to such a beautiful place. Can't wait to get back there in the summer!

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  18. Thank you for sharing pictures from your part of the world. Forsythia is everywhere here as well, but after winter I think it is needed therapy.

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  19. Just awesome. We seem to have the same plants in bloom here.

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  20. Lovely photos. I'm glad I found your blgo.

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  21. Those daytime temperatures sound quite blissful - we have not reached those dizzy heights yet but the winter woolies are coming off. I imagine the blossom scent must be even sweeter in your warmer temperatures. Great photos as always Rob.

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  22. Oh my, how I wish I could visit! The scent of blossom hanging in the air, lovely warm days and all those beautiful trees!

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  23. My ornamental pears are dropping the last of their blooms right now and all my trees are leafing out beautifully. I can't remember the last year I was so anxious for warm weather to arrive

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  24. Thank you for these beautiful views of spring !

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  25. Beautiful spring blooms to enjoy.

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  26. Such lovely spring photos along with all the different scenery to go with it!

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