Bob and Cheryl's garden at La Maison Fleurie is approx 1500m².

It has to work very hard providing produce as well as somewhere for their guests to relax and their grandchildren to play.

The main N147 road runs along the front of the house but the garden which is behind the house and raised up above street level is peaceful and quiet.

They grow a range of the usual vegetables like french beans, carrots, onions and salads but Cheryl's preference is for fruit. She feels that this is more rewarding than vegetables for the amount of care needed. It enables her to create delicious deserts for her guests and her family as well as jams and other preserves.

They have the advantage of a long South facing wall so as well as the flowering climbers they have pear, peach and figs.

Along the East facing part of the wall a new arrival Kiwi fruit.

Although the garden was completely overgrown when they took over the property amid all the brambles and weeds they found grape vines with sturdy concrete posts and wires to train them along.

The chickens have a large run which is well shaded by a walnut tree and a new planting of apple trees. At the time we visited there were about a dozen chicks running around the veg plot as well but they were far too quick for us to get a good photograph.

The raspberries in particular are thriving in this wetter than usual summer but there are also cherries and strawberries. Is it any wonder we like being asked for tea?