Peter Mayle

His memoirs took me on hour after hour of pleasure reading about his experiences in Provence, he will be greatly missed.

We have recently learned about the death of one of our favourite authors who died last month after a short illness. He was such a talented person who brought to life the “happenings” in Provence through his book “A Year in Provence”. His depiction of the various characters he came across was masterful and of course his renovation work on his 200 year old property was fascinating. By writing this book I am sure it inspired thousands of people to visit France and perhaps to move there permanently.

Peter Mayle – Image https://www.thetimes.co.uk
 

Sir Ridley Scott paid tribute to his friend saying,”he brilliantly captured the humorous competitiveness between the English and the French. Peter was a very kind and successful man”.

Sir Ridley Scott turned one of Peter Mayle’s books “A Good Year” into a movie starring Russell Crowe, which Paul and I still watch at least once a year.

Originally from Brighton, he moved to Menerbes in the Luberon hills in 1987 with his wife Jennie to escape the rat race in London. He met such characters while renovating the property that it inspired him to start to write a book in 1989, which has sold more than six million copies.

A thought from Peter Mayle, “Good manners make any man a pleasure to be with. Ask any women”.
 
 

Paul’s DIY expertise

My modest husband will be the first to say that he is not so good at creating anything from wood, however I would strongly disagree. We needed several book cases due to the fact that we have about five hundred books between us. At first we looked to buy a few bookcases but we could not find anything that we liked, or the ones we did like were far too expensive, so Paul set to work.

First, a detailed list was in order due to the fact that if you run out of screws it is a half a days drive to the DIY store and then they may not stock what you need! The Perigord is improving for DIY stores since we first visited in 2010, but they do not have a wide selection of products and they are a distance apart. However, a morning or day out looking at the Perigord Noir gorgeous scenery on route is always a pleasure.

Paul, working on the veranda cutting the wood for a bookcase.

After that came the sanding down of the wood, a quick measure just in case of any problems, and then the assembly followed by a final sanding down before a tinting to match the rest of the furniture and applying several coats of varnish.

 

The finished bookcase, just need to make a few more!

 

This is the bedroom that I have always wanted.

New wardrobe, vintage chair with shelves (by Paul) that are used for my sweaters, t-shirts, hair drier etc.

Another bookcase.

The last one in the lounge to accommodate the last hundred or so books!

Martin Walker

Famous author in the Perigord

A British author has been credited with boosting foreign tourism in Dordogne by 30%. Martin Walker has written several mystery novels about a local policeman called Bruno who works in the Perigord, which has seen tourists flock to the area in the hope of finding the real life inspiration behind the character. Walker has since become an Ambassaeur d’Honneur for Perigord and a Chevalier of foie gras.

Picture courtesy SHOTSMAG Ezine

I have to say that I have read all of his books except for his latest novel, the Dying Season and I have enjoyed them immensely. Events take place in a fictional village in the Perigord but incorporate all of the familiar places such as the Lascaux caves, vineyards near Bergerac and the medieval towns, markets and people of the area. Plus a few delicious recipes in most of the books making Martin Walkers character Bruno come to life.

My favourite book is The Crowded Grave, which focuses on a local archaeological team digging for evidence of prehistoric man, when they unearth a well-preserved skeleton which should not be there.

All For Socks a new novel from Adam Vickerstaff our Son!

A quick review of our son’s book which you can buy on Amazon, its great, I read it twice!

Click here for the Amazon page

It is also in the Kindle edition.

The book deals with the problems of a young boy, his parents break up, moving home and of course the disappearing socks from his bedroom, deep under his bed. This mix of reality and fantasy, intertwined with the excellent characterisation make for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Check out the illustrations, Adam got his inspiration for the buildings from the many Perigord hamlets in the Perigord Noir. I particularly like the creatures in the book.

Here is one of them

And here is a picture of our copy!

And here is the blurb

Since the invention of the sock mankind has wondered where they all disappear. That is until Thomas discovers the disappearing sock epidemic. Following his last sock with his sidekick Teddy, they are flung on an adventure through a secret hidden trap door deep under the bed. In a place few children have seen and torn between his own courage and humility, he must pit his wits against the single mindedness of the Sock Herders. But then… “if it don’t know you’re scared of it, it will be scared of you…” Or so they say.

All for Socks

Paul’s opinion. Adam has been writing this book for a few years but has not let me read any pre-publication work so that I would get my first impression just as any reader would. When the book arrived the struggle for who would read it first was won by Chris and not until a few days later was it was my turn. From the very first page the excitement and emotion is vivid. The characters are mysterious, meaningful and often humorous, the artwork is very good throughout and the story is a believable fantasy.

Adam has woven a story based on his childhood ideas of an under bed realm which has expanded to depths far below any child’s bed. A good read for any age but for younger children, be advised, there are some dark elements.