Oops

This house used to belong to my lovely friend, 86 year old Maria. She moved last year to be nearer her son who lives in the centre of France.

Her house was sold and the new owners set about modernising it. My heart sank when I saw the big air conditioning unit appear on the balcony. For in front of it, in line to receive a murderous blast of hot air, grows the most fantastic campsis bignonia. Each summer its huge orange bells have have been absolutely magnificent. I'm sure they weren't supposed to, but the council gardeners used to prune it for her. I'm dreading it breaking into bud as I'm sure this will be its last year.