Actually, it is called the Rentrée and is taken very seriously here in France, with lots of things changing as well as kiddies going (back) to school. It happened in general on Thursday last week, the 1st September, although we went out for lunch and were surprised at the number of people under 16 eating out with parents, and noticed the slow service due to the lack of people aged 15 to 18 serving tables. It's the Rentrée effect.
Another phenomenon at this time of year are the local Forums d'Associations or open day for clubs and societies, normally organised around a large sports or cultural centre, where you go to sign up for all the arts and sports and worthy things you are going to do after the Rentrée. I got my sign up form for yoga for old people and talked to the blood donor society as I heard a rumour that rules are being relaxed about the British being able to donate blood. Time will tell, as they recommended I speak to the doctor on duty at the next donor session on the 20th October. A date for my diary.
The trail camera has been moved back "home" and was placed near a pear tree to see who is enjoying the pears as they fall, as we aren't getting a look in. Sadly I placed it a bit too far away, and as the culprits attack after dark, and the infrared light only captures images so far, while the camera is tripping, I'm not getting much by way of images, certainly not video. However here are three who are partly in the frame, and today I moved the camera closer to the tree, in the hope of seeing more soon.
The vegetable plots are still going strong, with courgettes finally attempting to produce a glut, aubergines still producing slowly, butternuts filling and ripening, and the winter brassicas starting to look a bit more serious than they did when I first planted them. We have red cabbage, winter cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in this row, and three more cauliflowers in another row. Whether they will work or not, I don't know. The soil is heavy clay which seems to suit brassicas, but weather and water are also important factors and those are in the lap of the gods.
The uncultivated crops are coming on too - the hops are wild, or at least unintentional, and I don't know if they would be any good for brewing. As for the sweet chestnuts, well they have a good while to go as they generally start to be ripe around the end of October. They are still small, and may need more water than the gods provide this year, but there are a lot on the tree, so fingers crossed.
Apparently I'm not allowed to show the photos of these for some reason, so instead I share a picture of the slow worm that I found when digging up potatoes earlier today.
As it took ages to get that image in, I think it is fair to say that the Web is also suffering from the Rentrée today, so I will leave it there and next week I hope to bring you more exciting images and events from rural France.
In the meantime, have a good Rentrée yourself.
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