Olive-grey

We're just back from the daily dog-walk in the vineyard and both of us are glad it's over. We have an arctic chill lashing through the Languedoc, much like the rest of Europe. Walking the dogs is not really much of a pleasure when you are wearing five layers, two hats, thermal scarves and gloves and the wind is trying its best to divest you of the lot.

However, there was a moment when I realised that the olives look at their absolute best when the wind is fluffing up their lacy bloomers. The silver-grey underside of the leaves is infinitely more alluring than the harsher green of the top surface. When they are planted in drifts alongside Cupressus sempervirens the contrast is very pleasing on the eye.