Autumn patio

Most of the time I like the fact that our house opens straight onto the place because it means we're part of the community, talking to neighbours as soon as we open the front door or barbecuing our meals together out in the street, but sometimes I feel quite envious of people who have even this small amount of space of their own. Especially when they've shut the house up and left it after the summer holidays!

Today was the start of term in all French schools, la rentrée, and there is a very autumnal, quiet atmosphere in the village.