Théo and the chickens des Sauches

[BDutch]

I was flabbergasted to see a sign to Sospel. Is Sospel at a hike distance from your house?

MDH and I have been there about 10 years ago on a summer vacation.

The camp site were we stayed:

 

[ManueB]

I was flabbergasted to see a sign to Sospel. Is Sospel at a hike distance from your house?

MDH and I have been there about 10 years ago on a summer vacation.

The camp site were we stayed: View attachment 4010405

It is, if you consider a ten days mountain hike acceptable . It's called the GTM, Grande Traversée du Mercantour.

(Of course, it would be much faster if you could fly like a bird !)

We have that sign because one of my partner's good friend's job is to maintain paths, and that includes renewing signs. My partner got a bunch of old ones from him.
I know Sospel quite well from when I lived in Nice, I've done the local trail race, went there many times to run for pleasure with friends, and it was also a mandatory coffee pause on some of my road bike tours. Did you enjoy your stay ?
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The wind wasn't as bad as we feared but still a pain. We can't use the stove when there is that much wind and the temperature in the house drops pretty quickly when it's -1/30 with howling wind out. I was glad it stopped for lunch and so were the chickens. They were really scared when they woke up with the wind howling.

The day was beautiful but temperatures did not go above 5/41. There was again at least thirty vultures circling above us which frightened everyone. I'm so glad hunting season is soon over ! For one thing I won't have to wear orange fluorescent running gear anymore They tried to keep it quiet but nothing stays secret here : a guy from my neighbour's hunting team accidentally shot one of their best dogs a few weeks ago, a thousand euro bitch... that was wearing an orange coat and a tinkle bell at her collar .

I hope Gaston is soon over his molt because I'm getting really worried about his toe now, and my partner didn't want to bring him in the house as long as he looked like a porcupine. A few days ago he got pecked in the neck where the quill feathers are growing back, he bled quite badly, and now I cant even approach him when he used to be so calm. I'm pretty sure Lilly is the culprit because she has always been an overenthusiastic helper at preening, and he doesn't want her near him now whereas she used to be his favourite.

Not coming out until the wind calms down.

Merle was staring at our reflections wondering who were these folks.

Lulu was the only hen to manage a dust bath this morning in spite of the wind.

A good molt provides fluffy butts.

I'm not fat, I'm in good shape.

Poor Mélisse saucisse is not enjoying moulting. She spends almost all day under the laurel tree but her appetite is good and she seems to keep her funny spirit !

 

[BDutch]

Did you enjoy your stay ?
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Oh Yes,
The camp site was good and the nearby village had everything we wanted/needed. The people are nice/friendly in this area. We loved taking trips in the surrounding mountains, to the Italian-France border, and small ancient villages. Made a few hikes and enjoyed the landscapes. Monaco was interesting too but extremely expensive and the parking garage was really awful.

One other thing I remember: our auto navigation was ridiculously stupid. When the distance was 40 km and the max speed was 80 km/h it said it would take ½ hour to get there. We learned quickly to double or even triple the estimated time.

 

[Perris]

One other thing I remember: our auto navigation was ridiculously stupid. When the distance was 40 km and the max speed was 80 km/h it said it would take ½ hour to get there. We learned quickly to double or even triple the estimated time.

Early systems were notorious around here for sending cars towing caravans along a lane that includes a stretch called 'Penny hitch'. It is called that because when vehicles were horse-drawn, for a penny one could hire an extra horse at the bottom of that hill in order to facilitate getting to the top of it. The modern equivalent, an AA or RAC van, typically costs a great deal more to rescue a car from the same situation

 

[ManueB]

One other thing I remember: our auto navigation was ridiculously stupid. When the distance was 40 km and the max speed was 80 km/h it said it would take ½ hour to get there. We learned quickly to double or even triple the estimated time.

For a long time in France it was (and still is to a lesser extent) considered that max speed was the speed you had to drive at, otherwise you were unsafe. However on mountain roads it's often not realistic, even for the locals. Add to that the fact that the average driver from the netherlands is far less inclined to speed than the french south mediterranean driver, and that he's used to flat straight roads...it doesn't surprise me. I just checked and Mappy says it would take 2hrs from my home to Sospel, when I know it would actually be 2h45, 3hrs for us.
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One cold sunny day, before the next two days of storm. -7/19 this morning and it got to 6/43 at the warmest. The chickens had a great day ...except Piou-piou. She spent her morning in the nest without laying, lying flat down. This afternoon, she was at the other end of the garden with Théo and Merle when something scared the wits out of her. She came sprinting all the way back to the woodshed on her tiny, short twisted legs. It was quite a funny cute sight if she hadn't been so stressed !

I'll be taking a break from posting for some time. We're not sure how bad the wind is going to be the next two days, then we're hosting my family for Christmas which is already making me tired just to think of it. And I want to rest from using the phone too much ! Enjoy Christmas for all those who celebrate and have a peaceful quiet time for those who don't.

Gaston had the longest dust bath ! He began with a bunch of hens but stayed for at least 45 mn after they were done. I think he hadn't had one for many days.

Often when a hen takes a long time to lay in the coop, Hibou waits in the run until she comes out...Lilly laid at 2 after an hour and a half on the nest.

Poor Mélisse has such a hard time sneaking on the roost...it takes something like 20 tries. Here she is waiting on the poop board for the right moment.

 

[BDutch]

I'll be taking a break from posting for some time. We're not sure how bad the wind is going to be the next two days, then we're hosting my family for Christmas which is already making me tired just to think of it. And I want to rest from using the phone too much ! Enjoy Christmas for all those who celebrate and have a peaceful quiet time for those who don't.

Thank you Manue, hold your hopes high and enjoy Xmass.

Next time I write to you I’m probably on a winter vacation towards/in the amazing sun in Andalusia. No family obligations with cooking and dinner tables. No Xmass decorations except for two strings with light on s timer.

We had such dreary wether the last few weeks that Im looking forward to enjoy the sun and the expected 15-20C . Perfect weather for a few town visits and hikes. The day after Xmass we have tickets for one of the most amazing paths in Europe as said :El Caminito del Rey.

Lots of love and good times for everyone who read this thread.

 

[BDutch]

Poor Mélisse has such a hard time sneaking on the roost...it takes something like 20 tries. Here she is waiting on the poop board for the right moment.

Ooh. 20 tries makes me feel really sorry for her.
Not getting accepted was the main reason I bought the playhouse. Now it seems the permanent residence for tiny Ini mini and her two heavyweight bantam Arocks.

 

[MaryJanet]

I hope the family are much nicer company than you expect. I may join you in reducing screen time.

Ps no news on Edie yet, but I'll update my thread when I know something.

 

[ManueB]

Piou-piou died just now. A weasel was in the coop.

 

[Perris]

so sorry @ManueB How awful and shocking.

I imagine it's hard to tell whether it's still there or not. Maybe that's what been spooking the chickens for a while. It's so difficult to spot and catch mustelids.