Views from beneath the magnolia tree where we relxed in the shade on a hot afternoon.

Views from beneath the magnolia tree.

Views from beneath the magnolia tree.

Views from beneath the magnolia tree.

Views from beneath the magnolia tree.

Views from beneath the magnolia tree.

When its too hot to work, you have to find something else to do.

Looking through to the road and the wooded hillside beyond.

View from the balcony.

An afternoon visit to Condom - posing with the musketeers.

Don't move!

Les Grand Moulins at Condom.

The wier of Les Grand Moulins, Condom.

Condom - magnolia trees just like the one in the back garden.

Magnolia trees at Condom.

A tree is leaning threateningly against the granary, so we have secured it with ropes.

The ropes are anchored to the bases of two larger trees.

We are using 12mm diameter polypropylene ropes.

With the tree is supported by the ropes, we cut a notch at its base.

Next we pull the tree away from the building using winches attached to the ropes.

Accompanied by ominous cracking sounds, the tree gradually comes to an upright position.

As one rope is tightened, the others slacken and the winches have to be re-tied.

The tree starts to lean this way but still doesn't fall.

The base of the tree is definitely cracking!

One of the anchor trees.

Many cycles of winching and re-tying pass...

...but the tree still refuses to fall.

Surely, it must fall now?

At last!

The proud lumberjack surveys his handiwork.

No more leaning tree.

The trees around the back garden.

The trees around the back garden.

The trees around the back garden.

The sluice gate mechanism (which is presently stuck).

The sluice gate mechanism.

The sluice gate mechanism.

A good downpour.

A good downpour.

A good downpour.

A good downpour.

Sunshine after the storm.

Sunshine after the storm.

Sunshine after the storm.

The port at Le Havre in the evening.

On our way from Le Havre to Portsmouth.