They say that the last days of January are the dullest; Christmas and New Year are over, winter is in its prime and long warm days seem still to be far away. Down here in the splendid Languedoc region however, the sun continues to shine, bearing out the assertion that there are 320 days of it throughout the year.

Trev is doing a fine job of laying our patio, carefully working out the shapes as though he is working on a giant jigsaw. Yes, it is crazy paving! We opted for this since it is markedly cheaper than decent square slabs but is still natural stone, honed from the honey coloured rocks just north of us in the department of the Lot. Greatly inspired by the buff hues of our huge and imposing 14th Century church, within stone throwing distance of our house, Mr Fix It and I seem to have an unspoken agreement that maybe we too have the innate talent of the many artists who lived in this region and spent their days creating their masterpieces which have stood the test of time.

Don’t worry though; we don't hold ideas above our station. I think rather that we have simply embraced the natural beauty of this beautiful part of France; it is weaving its magic spell on us! Our garden is large and oblong, pool at one end, a border of earth for flowers and plants towards the back wall and the rest will be paved. As Trev continues painstakingly fitting the slabs, it is beginning to look – dare I say it – rather spectacular.

Watching him and Mr Fix It planting our Phoenix palm tree yesterday felt like quite a moment.As it took up its roots, the church bell chimed midday, closely followed by the Angelus, a short piece which is repeated in most French Catholic churches three times each day. We had not planned for any ceremony but this seemed to be strangely fitting; no need of some minor celebrity to plant our tree, we were happy watching it stand tall in its new home on our own. The Phoenix is the fastest growing of palm trees and will double its size within two years. I foresee monthly photographs coming along….

Meanwhile back in the house and about 35 boxes of books, tools and general paraphernalia later, since Mr Fix It returned from England with everything we had left behind, an organised plan was required for where to house all these items – and how. Space is not a problem but carrying heavy boxes up two flights of stairs just could be, so true to form – and his name - Mr Fix It rigged up a pulley system to haul the boxes up to the top, one by one. Our rather grand entrance hall is gradually clearing and I envisage at least one of the rooms at the top as a library in due course.

No day is complete here without a stroll along the Canal du Midi and so, far away from all that is going on at home, I walked Eddie & Alfie there yesterday, camera in hand, the sun low but bright in the winter sky. The idea of January being dull was nowhere to be found in my head. This is natural beauty at its finest. Who on this earth could fail to be moved by such a wondrous sight, I thought as Eddie & Alfie scampered through the golden leaves.