Lot and Quercy Life Bonjour et bienvenue to the sunny Lot valley as September slides hazily into October. The last few weeks have been almost as hot as mid-summer, chilly mornings and misty valleys but a blaze of sunshine by midday. Now we're only a few days from the vendanges. The vignerons can be seen surveying their vines, thoughtfully weighing the grapes in their hands and glancing up at the skies trying to second-guess the weather. It should be a good year they tell us, perhaps not as good as 2003, which was exceptional, but better than last year. The Quercy is poised for action. Meanwhile other matters claim the attention. Property prices here seem to have steadied and stone village properties in particular can be found for extremely reasonable prices, worth keeping an eye on. In the country lanes and fields the locals are keeping an eye on the walnut harvest, one of the great October treats of an area unusually abundant in treats! Many of these magnificent trees grow wild, and many more are so out of the way that nobody's quite sure who owns them. The minute the nuts begin to drop the whole population is out there with rumpled carrier bags. I remember one day last year ejecting my young daughter from the car, carrier bag in hand, she clambered back literally three minutes later with two kilos of fresh nuts. Delicious. Down in the markets other local delicacies can be found at very reasonable prices. Vast orange pumpkins adorn the market squares and are sold by the slice for soups and casseroles. Pale green christophines and multi-coloured squashes, flanked by a vast heap of haricots verts on one side and the last of the Marmande tomatoes on the other make a dazzling display. The last metre long plaits of violet garlic hang jauntily above huge sacks of drying haricot, coco and borlotti beans, still in their pods. The local ladies buy as many of these as they can possibly carry. Anyone for a cassoulet? A bientot.. Amanda and Colin Lawrence mailto:editor@frenchentree-lotandquercy.com http://www.frenchentree-lotandquercy.com Tel: +33(0)565 31 39 57 WHAT'S NEW ON FRENCHENTREE-LOTANDQUERCY? Big Carp Fishing in the River Lot (July 2005) After a wet weekend Monday 11 July provided a classic Lot valley dawn. Wreaths of mist rising from the glassy surface of the river and the promise of a warm day to come... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy-tourism- leisure/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=7630 Pumpkin, Tomato and Red Pepper Soup This recipe makes excellent use of that most under utilised of all vegetables in England, the good old pumpkin. Every year they're grown in their thousands and used as Halloween lanterns, their delicious tender flesh discarded. It's a criminal waste.... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy-restaurants- shops/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=8296 Looking for a dream home in the Lot and Quercy? Start your search here for properties in the Lot, Lot et Garonne and Tarn et Garonne regions of France. In addition to the new property database we have a rapidly growing number of property related advertisers who have recognised the value of promoting their business to our site visitors. http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy-property-sales/ A Foreigner in the Quercy Blanc To live in the Lot is to be immediately overwhelmed by the sense of space, both public and private. Space to live and breathe and bring up a family; space to listen to music without upsetting the neighbours; space to see the weather before it arrives ... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy- living/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=8293 The Ancient History of the Lot Landmarks denoting the passing centuries are particularly numerous in the Lot. Traces of the art present in our distant ancestors' daily lives, cave paintings, specimens of tools, vestiges of human occupation abound. Living water is omnipresent beneath the causse and has shaped fantastical landscapes under the thick rock vaults... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy-tourism- leisure/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=8246 Independent Local Radio in the Lot Did you know that the Lot has its own, English speaking, local radio station? Part of the Antenne d'Oc network, Britdock is broadcast live every Thursday afternoon from 4 till 7pm. One of the founders and veteran of five years broadcasting, Mike Gardiner takes up the story... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy- living/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=8247 Saffron - The red gold of the Quercy Cultivated in Quercy since the Middle Ages, for a long time saffron was to be found in gardens and in kitchens, for use in the preparation of traditional dishes.... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy-restaurants- shops/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=8110 Quercy Stone Gite with Pigeonnier for Rent Sleeping up to 4 people, this charming 200 year old stone cottage has it's own pigeonnier with a bedroom in the top. Ideal base for a walking holiday or for property seeking. Long term let available... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy-holiday- accommodation/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=4214 A Home in the Lot Peter and Zoe Scott decided to make their home in Mondounet, near Montcuq in the Lot valley. Fifteen years on, they look back on the choice as one of the best decisions they ever made http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy- living/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=8257 SPONSORED LINK - HomesSWFrance - Property for sale Looking for property in the South West of France? Look no further, HomesSWFrance.com offers a highly personalised service to help you find your dream home. We will guide you through every step of the process and even help you after the sale with little details like setting up bank accounts and re-registering your car ... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy- property/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=7723 SPONSORED LINK - Mouly Immobilier Mouly Immobilier in Cahors is a high standing agency specialized in the real estate in the Quercy, Dordogne, Perigord, Correze, Lot & Garonne and Tarn & Garonne. You will find here a selection of properties representative of the Mouly Immobilier agency : typical quercy houses, castles, vineyards, farms, manors, villas and apartments. http://www.mouly-immobilier.com/indexgb.htm SPONSORED LINK - Albret Relocation - Home Finders & Helping Hands You need help with finding your dream house or with starting your business in France? Albret Relocation can help you with that and much more to make your move to the South West of France as smooth as possible ... http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy- property/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=7743 If you wish to unsubscribe then please use the link below: http://www.frenchentree.com/france-lot-quercy/home.asp?status=unsubscribe Return to List of Articles