Oh, hail......

Hi everyone

Sorry that I've been a bit quiet of late, although my parents probably wouldn't recognise that description. I blame Grandpa and his golf, not to mention the Ashes. Not sure the Ashes are as popular in France, even if England are winning (ftb).....

Anyway, I've been growing well and becoming quite used to life in Mesnay as hopefully the photos will reveal; after all I am 8 weeks old now.

Quite a few adventures since I last wrote. Granny and Auntie Vicky came over by Eurostar (first-class on way out - very civilised, Granny thought) a couple of weeks ago. They had a good time with A.Vicky going to two wine-tastings and visiting our outdoor pool every day (our being 500m away, not the back garden!). See pics. Last weekend David and Geraldine got married nearby, with lots of friends staying here. Quite noisy but good fun. Geraldine looked lovely. This weekend one of Mummy's school friends from Ashford came to visit. She's a doctor but only just realised that she was pregnant after three months. Hope I didn't put her off with my "singing" (well that's what I like to call it).

Exciting times here in the house. No, still no banisters (they are promised), but in the meantime Daddy has had the cellar sand-blasted ready for all the vats which he has ordered along with presses and barrels and tubing and pumps. He discovered some marc (brandy by any other name) in one barrel in the depths which will help with some of his fortified wines.

Bad news however in the shape of hail which has damaged some 10/20% of the crop. It happened last year as well and hopefully will have got it out of its system. As it struck quite early in the season when the grapes have not developed too much sugar, the damaged grapes don't look as though they will rot and ruin the bunch and hopefully will just shrivel and die, so fingers crossed. Agriculture is always at the mercy of the elements as daddy is becoming to appreciate.

I think that's about all the news for present. Mummy and Daddy have managed to persuade some of their friends to sign up for the grape harvest 19/20 and 26/27 September. Feel free to join us -mailto:-patrice@hughesbeguet.com

Love from Bastian xxx