At last! I have my first tomatoes! I ate my very first one yesterday, it was teeny tiny, but oh boy was it juicy and sweet. I hope the others hurry up, as I think my plants have got mildew again (any suggestions?) so I hope they all grow and ripen before the plants die…
Fire!
Last night, Hubby & I were relaxing in the garden and could smell what we thought was a BBQ. Immensely jealous we went in and tucked into a salad all the while wishing we were enjoying a BBQ too. A little while later, we heard sirens and then a hell of a cuffaful in the street. As I’m Mrs Nosey we went to investigate and were met by two bright red fire engines, firemen and water everywhere. The house opposite ours was on fire and the street was all cordoned off. Spectators were standing around gawping everywhere. I would have loved to get the camera out and take a few pictures to share here but it just didn’t seem right as the poor family were standing in the street full of despair.
Full of curiosity, I checked out the news this morning and learned that the fire had been caused by a chip pan. The poor people it makes me glad that I own an Actifry.
This is the second fire we’ve had here in six months. The last one was the house at the back of ours and I watched flames rise above our courtyard for an hour before they managed to put it out. That fire was caused by an electric radiator.
In both instances the houses were ruined and had to be completely renovated. Smoke detectors are quite rare in France and I don’t think either of homes had them installed. There seem to be a lot of fires here, two in six months is more than I have ever experienced in my life so far (fingers crossed I will not experience any more!). I really think that the government should campaign for people to install smoke detectors – it would be money well spent!
I wonder about that all the time Piglet! There is no such thing as fire detectors these old buildings in Aix. In order to exit my apartment I have to use a key and I always think about the possibility of fire and if I’d be able to find my keys and actually get them in the lock in my moment of terror. I’m glad you were not touched by the fires. As far as tomatoes go, mine had “something” too but I caught it too late. I’ll only get a few. But the product recommended to me is by Bayer Jardin and called tomates, fraises maladies and is supposed to cover everything. You mix it with water and spray them. This stopped the disease so at least I have a few, beautiful red beauties waiting for me to pounce. Have you got a nice big basil plant next to the tomatoes?
Given the frequency of fires in France (and it’s not as bad since the smoking ban as lots of people have taken to smoking outside their homes now) I often work out my escape route in case of fire! Having to find keys though does sound a bit terrifying…
I’m trying Dedenes suggestion for the anti mildew solution until I can get to a garden centre and then I’m going to get some Bayer Jardin too as I’m not 100% sure it is mildew now after extensive research on the net. Oh how I wish I knew more about gardening! I am glad you got a few tomatoes though, nothing beats the toms from your garden
Yes, I have basil, I had to plant some more seeds as my cats ate the first lot and we transferred them outside last week. The plants are very small at the moment but they grew wonderfully last year which is good. Fingers crossed they will do the same this year. Did you plant basil too? Was it affected by the same disease as your tomatoes?
Wow, that’s a lot of fires!
I haven’t experienced anything like that, touch wood, although my crappy kettle from Norma caught fire and damaged the worktop. I managed to put it out it before it did any more damage.
I bought the next kettle from Darty and I’ve stopped going to Norma completely.
Are you just about to go on holiday? My tomatoes usually time perfect readiness when I’m on holiday and I get the wrinkling dregs when I get back. They are so determined to get one over that they even grow when not planted, just to lull me into a false sense of tomato joy only to ripen when I’m not there, as usual. The buggers.
Wow, a kettle catching fire – now that’s scary! I’ve never been to Norma as I’m not sure we have any here, or at least I’ve never seen one. I often go to Darty as they’re after sales is so good, I order through their online thing and Hubby always calls their customer services to get them down on price! It’s definitely worth trying if you buy anything big through them, just find the same thing cheaper elsewhere, call them and try and get them down in price. We saved 200 Euros on a hob!
I’ve just come back but I know exactly what you mean as this happened to me last year! I missed the whole crop, however, my neighbours were feisting on tomato salads the whole time I was away.
What a lovely blog. So strange that they don’t have fire detectors. To tell you the truth, I can’t remember if our apartment had them when we lived in Switzerland.
Hi Kelleyn, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting
It is so lovely to see new readers here. I’ve just had a (very) quick look at your blog and it looks really interesting too – some lovely recipes you have there! I had subscribed and will be looking forward to reading in more detail as soon as I have caught up with work!
You can buy smoke detectors in the DIY shops but no-one I know does and everything always asks what they are when they see them in my home. It’s strange that something so small, inexpensive which can save lives is so completely ignored here
Hey there! It was so nice to visit with you this morning!
I posted a little bit of our meeting already over at my blog. You are a sweet soul, just as I knew you would be!
I am so glad your tomatoes are yielding their fruits, and sorry I don’t know more about the mildew problem. I’m sure that one of your jardinage buddies will have some ideas!
I blogged about fire in our neighborhood, too. The pompiers have been busy sounds like. How sad for the people to lose their homes this way, and I agree, promotion of fire detectors would be very beneficial. There are a lot of successful programs in the States that I have read have had a good effect on making homes safer.
Hope you get home all right. Take care, have a great weekend, and see you around the bloghood in the coming week. Stay cool!!
The feeling is mutual Karin, I so enjoyed our meeting too
I love the snaps you took over at your blog and I enjoyed reading your latest post this morning with my coffee! I was late starting work mind, but hey ho!
What’s with all the fires??
Have a good week and watch out for anymore Parasol Tossers just in case one hits you! Take care
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Home / Categories / Home and Garden/ Gardening/ Garden Pests and Weeds
How to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew on Plants
originated by:Anonymous, Jack Herrick, Edward, Mr handsome (see all)
Found this on WikiHow:
Here are some instructions on a recipe for a solution to remove powdery mildew from a plant and prevent it from growing back.
Mix one tablespoon baking soda with one gallon of near-room temperature water.
Add one or two drops of liquid soap to help the solution adhere to the plant.
Spray the affected areas with the solution.
Repeat as necessary.
Understand why this works. This solution changes the Ph balance on the surface of the plant, making it an unsuitable environment for powdery mildew to proliferate.
Thanks Dedene
I had to work out what baking soda is in French but have done now so am off to the shops to buy some 
Fingers crossed it works although I’m having doubts that’s it mildew now as the leaves don’t look the same as what I’ve seen on the net…
People never use smoke detectors here either and it’s quite worrying, particularly with the soba (wood burning stoves) in winter and the widespread use of gas bottles.
And as for the electrics here…absolutely lethal.
deary me! That does sound like a lethal combination!!! I love wood buring stoves, hopefully I will have a nice country home one day and will be able to have one – I’ll fit lots of smoke detectors though!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Maria McLean and Burger Davis SIR, Littlewoods Europe. Littlewoods Europe said: Piglet in France has been busy blogging about her tomatoes. Well done! We love home grown http://ow.ly/2hJuU. [...]