Où est le soliel...?

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Where is the sun, that's what I'd like to know. One minute it shows it's face, the next it's gone. It's been terrible this year, so changeable. Shouldn't moan though after what the poor people in Moore, Oklahoma have suffered. Our thoughts are with all those who lost love ones and their homes. It's frightening what Mother Nature can do. There have been some harrowing stories told of when the tornado hit and a few miracles, like the little dog that was found alive by her owner as she was interview in the ruins of her home.

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 While walking the pups this week, we visited a lovely local village with narrow winding streets set on a hillside with amazing views. It's known as the "Hazelnut capital of France" because it produces vast quantities to companies for products like Nutella and praline. From the top of the village you can see rows of hazelnut trees spreading far into the distance.
 

Most people don't see how lovely this village is as there is a route nationale running through the middle of it. That part of the village is not particularly exciting like a lot of villages that have a major road running through. However, if you take a few steps away from this road, the scene is very different. Amazing architecture built on the hillside. You can see why houses often have balconies at the top of the house, the view is great from that height.

I wish the weather had been better as it looks so lovely in the sunshine. It has been so unseasonal cold and wet that, although everywhere is very green and lush, the flowers are late this year. The roses seem to be thriving though. Many of the houses have planters outside which look so pretty when in bloom. I'm afraid you will have to use a bit of imagination!

Halfway up the village is the Place des Marronnier (Chestnut Square) with a lovely stone spring water fountain. It should really be called Hazelnut Square!

As you walk up towards the summit, you pass houses hugging the hillside and the crumbling walls of the ancient chateau (fort).

It's quite a climb but the view from the top is worth it.

Once we finally get some decent sunshine, we'll come back and take some more photos of the village in bloom.

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This Sunday is Mother's Day in France...

Bonne Fête à toutes les mamans!