Whilst clearing our riverbank we discovered these gorgeous little gems hidden in the undergrowth - Purple Toothwort, its scientific name is Lathraea clandestia and in France it its known as Clandestine. Apparently they like to grow in decaying woodland. Also it is completely devoid of chlorophyll and thus any green colouration, therefore unable to photo-synthesize itself and hijacks the root system of other plants for nutrients. It loves the roots of Alder, Poplar and Will

Our two beautiful CouCou de Rennes - Molly and Mandy are beginning to lay again. The sun is shinning and they are making the most of it - dust bathing or just sunbathing. Mandy is the more confident of the two and will wander up to our door to let us know she is hungry! She will jump onto the handrail and look in through the window!