Sniff, sniff. The detective in me says southern Spain.

There's a Scop Owl in the tree at the end of the terrace. Sounds like a failing battery in the smoke alarm.

It's beautiful today, going to be 26°.

And just seen this. Sorry, had an eye op and have been limiting reading/screen time. We 1989 couples are clearly destined for good things.

Just had a nose, great stuff and my sort of style. As you know, I'm a Universal Works type.

Love that shirt fella.

Must have had terrible trouble finding pointe shoes.

It's weird. No.

Alas it's more Mad-Eye Moody than Johnny Depp.

We celebrate 37 years together today. Shame I'm wearing a post-operation (macular hole) eye-patch. I'll look lovingly with my right eye.

Dove sex happening on the terrace. For goodness sake, get a tree.

We were quite mad at the time. Glad that's all over.

Still recovering from yesterday’s lunch. Arrived at midday, left at 7.30pm.

Déjeuner sur l’herbe

I can never forget the ‘ice and lemon?’ question in the good old days.

Jeez, we have them in our shower room, no idea what they're gaining from it.

Spent the day helping a pal prepare for her Easter garden lunch tomorrow. TEN shoulders of lamb, four of 'em currently 12-hr roasting in my ovens.

Did you see the slaughter of the lamb? It could have been minced shepherd.

After 30+ years of living in Belgium and France, I still find it weird that Good Friday is a normal day here. The gnarly Brit in me won't have it; Easter starts tomorrow.

Preparing sea urchins, as you do (season's started).

A lump of reverse sear entrecôte with roquefort sauce. But first a negroni.

P's made a Sri Lankan curry to remind us of paradise. Not quite the same with the Mistral blowing a hoolie around the house.

Thames Water chasing me to pay a bill that's not yet due. I loathe that company with all my being.

It was eleven days longer than planned, nearest date we could find a flight. Singapore Airlines via Singapore. Such larks.

Gigot steaks with garlicky mushroom sauce, butcher's ready-made dauphinois, broad beans. Can't tell you how nice it is to be cooking at home again after a month of restaurants.

So good to make those discoveries in a new garden. The onions will come back year after year.

I love them. Quite a short season here.

They also make a good puree but you'd need to peel them, a bit fiddly that size. Simmer them in salted water for about 15 mins, allow to steam dry then stick blend them with a tad of cream and lemon juice. Freezes really well. Careful with the simmer they can get oversoft quickly.

Are they jerusalem artichokes? That size would be good roasted. No need to peel but give them a long soak to get rid of dirt. Toss in olive oil, unpeeled garlic cloves, salt, pepper. Bake for around 45 mins. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.

Don't tend to be political here but delighted to see that the left have won the three big cities, Paris, Lyon, and Marseille in the local elections. Le Pen trounced in Marseille.