Autumn is upon us

It has crept up quite quickly really.

Over our back wall I have watched some yellow flowers slowly succuming to it, from our living room window. They were planted in the lane behind our place a couple of years ago by our neighbour, Nadège, who lived across the way from us. Unfortunately her and James have split up, so she lives elsewhere in the village.
I bumped into James the other week in Intermarché - and he told me all the sordid details. Not really what I wanted to hear. Anyway he now lives across the way, after having temporarily lost the house.
Next door to them is an old Portuguese couple called Mario and Maria. I don't really know them, aside from hearing them when they have a massive argument with each other.
They've sort of taken over the lane and planted a heap of other shrubs, up against our wall. We noticed recently the foundations of our wall have been exposed as an embankment has been removed. Of course, we could complain, but I'd rather steer clear of Mario. He is a bit weird.

All at odds with this pretty scene, I'm sure... A bit of reality to life living in France. It's not "Escape to the Château" here for sure...