The old English proverb, It never rains but it pours, seems to be the buzz word here on the French Riviera these past few days ever since the Cannes Film Festival started. As I write this it’s absolutely belting down and the forecast predicts worse is yet to come. I fear skimpy frocks and dainty shoes on the red carpet tonight would be better replaced by some stout old wellies and heavy-duty duffle coats. This rain is also rather unfortunate as my friend Ineke is down here visiting Montpellier for a few days and hoped to bask in some hot southern sunshine after the deluges of the UK recently. But things are made sadder as it’s her birthday today and like me (’cos it’s mine too) she remembers it nearly always sunny.

Pre-empting our move later on this year and as one of my birthday presents, Nigel bought me a super book entitled ‘Success with Mediterranean Gardens’ by Shirley-Anne Bell. The book has been compiled for gardeners yearning for a hot Mediterranean-style garden but who live in a cool, temperate zone (much like here really for the moment). As Nigel and I continue to discuss the type of property we’d like to have in Aquitaine, the idea of renovating an old place and creating a garden from scratch appeals to me more and more. And of course it goes without saying my new garden will do its utmost to care for the welfare of bees, butterflies and other endangered species.

Talking of bees, yesterday I met with the very lovely Carol Drinkwater and, my word, is she ever the busy bee. I’d interviewed Carol in 2005 when The Olive Route was just about to be published. Her latest book ‘The Olive Tree’ is due out in October and promises to be one incredible tour-de-force. While I have always admired Carol’s tenacity and passion to uncover the origins of the olive tree, her current work with UNESCO’s World Heritage and the environment is utterly staggering and deserves our full support. I’ll be writing a detailed report about my meeting with Carol and the work she is currently doing in the June issue of AMB. Indeed, while I might blog about my garden and its funny ways, environmental issues are seriously lacking on the website. Plans are currently underway to rectify this and I’ll be telling you more about them in my next editorial.

But today is my special day and so I’ve decided to spend it away from the office. Nigel is preparing a special birthday lunch for me though, sadly, not outdoors by our pool, and then I shall try and find some Mediterranean sunshine, even if it is between the pages of my new gardening book . . .