Click HERE for link to website
Well it's 3 years since we set off with all our belongings to start our new life in France! A bit of renovation and onwards & upwards with the chambres d'hotes! Or so we thought!
Actually it was a nightmare of a journey. There were storms in the English channel--which proved to be the least of our problems. As it was, I drove the pick-up with cats in a cage, and dogs--loose,all in the back. Geoff drove the Ford transit & pulled a small trailer--all of which were grossly overloaded!
We set off from Anglesey at noon to get the 11.30pm ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. I am not a keen driver. We normally travelled together to France, and Geoff always drove--but needs must!
We decided to meet up for a coffee in Oswestry, but I was having problems with the animals. Rosie the labrador didn't want the cats in the pick-up & was getting highly aggressive. I felt there could be a bloodbath if I didn't do something!
Leaving Geoff to potter on, I headed for the pet shop. £15 poorer and the dogs wearing muzzles seemed to be the answer--for 5 minutes! That's how long it took Rosie to get hers off!
Plan B had me chaining Rosie to the back of the pick-up--out of reach of the cat pen. Fortunately this worked & in spite of the delay, I got to Oswestry only 3 minutes behind Geoff.
Next stop was meant to be supper at Warwick with my Dad. I'd just got onto the M6 when I had a phone call from Geoff. The good news.................. storms in the Channel meant Brittany Ferries had called to say they weren't leaving until 2 am. This was good, because the bad news was that the transit van had broken down & he was waiting for the AA!
This is a long story--with a lot more breakdowns! To cut it short, I arrived in Portsmouth with animals and trailer at 1.45am! I was the last vehicle on the ferry that night as the transit van stopped at the entrance to the ferry terminal and couldn't make it the last 400yards to the ferry in time!
I made the crossing on my own, drove down through France in atrocious weather and arrived at my new home in France---toute seule!
Getting the electricity started was no problem, but I didn't fancy sorting out the water as it was already dark! I found a bottle of water, and better still, a bottle of wine!
I took the dogs along the 'chemin' to stretch their legs and then sorted out the cats . I lit the fire and made supper.
What happened to Geoff............... oh, he got the 3pm crossing the next day. He then broke down on the 'periferique' de Caen, where he was towed off to a garage. 2 days later I borrowed a big trailer from our neighbours and drove up to Caen--leaving the cats in the house and the dogs in their new kennel.
The garage owner lived alongside his business. It was the Sunday before Christmas & his wife was entertaining the family. She wasn't really too pleased to see us put all our worldly goods onto the forecourt from the transit van ( now deceased) and then re-loaded it into the pick-up and trailer! It took us nearly 4 hours.
We arrived back at Maureville at midnight.
And all that doesn't tell you what we 've been up to this December--- but I think I'll save it for another day!
Monday, 28 December 2009
Monday, 30 November 2009
November's nearly over already!
Well, it's nearly December and I've got very behind with this blog!
We've had 2 lots of house-hunting B&B's staying with us at Maureville during October-- one couple have successfully found themselves a holiday home, whilst the other couple is still looking for somewhere for their retirement. I look forward to seeing them again when they return for the next search!
Another couple came down from their holiday home in the Loire for a short break and to see a different part of France.
Then there were the bird-watcher/nature lovers.I think they had to be our happiest, most succesful visitors this year-- and it was really just a matter of luck!
Just before supper, on the last day of their stay, they went for a walk along the 'chemin' at the back of our house, in the direction of Asnois. As they got to the ford they were stopped by....SIX....sangliers ( wild boar!) trotting past on their way to the river! They appeared to be of similar size--probably a group of teenagers from the same family.
Needless to say--no camera to hand! And I've been in that direction ( with a camera!) nearly every evening since--- but no sign of anything so exciting!
The beginning of November saw a splendid day's 'concours de cross' at Beau Regard. The weather was perfect--particularly since the event had been cancelled as the ground was too hard in October. There were plenty of participants and quite a large number of people watching. As usual, I helped with Mrs T's teas, whilst Mr T and his barbecue was busy providing hotdogs & burgers for all those in need of sustenance!
The one downer of the day was the fact that the concours coincided with a serious 'chasse' day. We'd let the chickens out to roam the garden, before going up to Beau Regard. We came back to find one of the brown warrens had dissappeared. Two days later we found brown tail feathers in the field alongside the garden! Easy prey for a hound, no doubt!
Luckily the remaining 3 hens survived. They are laying 3 eggs a day-- and are not allowed out of their run on 'chasse'days!
Sunday, 27 September 2009
To market, to market, to buy a...............................
nb. My website can still be found on the old domain name of:-http://sites.google.com/site/chambresdhotespoitoucharente/
but, to make it a bit simpler you can also find us by clicking on to:-
http://www.maureville.com/
but, to make it a bit simpler you can also find us by clicking on to:-
http://www.maureville.com/
Like everyone in France we are awfully keen on 'Le Terroir' and 'Producteurs locales du terroir'. Of course running a B&B makes us even more interested in the subject!
You may now be thinking 'what is she on about?'--well-- it's food--and fresh locally produced food--and, as I said before, the most important thought in the mind of anybody with a chambres d'hotes! Even more so when vegetarians are stopping tomorrow night and I'm multi-tasking! Writing this blog ( before I forget today's exciting events) and roasting pumpkins-- pumpkin soup--pumpkin risotto! Better get on with the blog.
So at 8.30 this Sunday morning we set off up the road to our neighbours who were giving us a lift to ROUILLAC!
There, on the 27th day of every month sees the biggest market in Poitou-Charentes taking place. Jacki ( neighbour) said she was in need of replenishing her chickens, and surely it was time that we get some & should join her. So we did!
It was a long way...........we went cross country and saw some lovely villages and it was nearly 10am by the time we reached the Super-U carpark in Rouillac where we parked and followed the crowds on foot to the market place. The stalls went on as far as the eye could see--& then bended back again--- and on & on. There were 6 of us on this trip--and of course we lost each other it was so crowded! There was a corner selling Appaloosa ponies, and Shetlands and others... and donkeys with babies. In between were stalls selling farm tools, garden tools, garden plants,household goods, balloons, tee-shirts, socks... definitely the place to go for socks, garlic...umpteen garlic stalls and bread and food and clothing, and just about everything you could think of! Further on there were cattle lines...and goats.
We walked round and round and up and down but couldn't find the hens. Jacki asked a stallholder who said( in French) 'straight on to the end and down the lane and turn right and we should come across them eventually!' We did this--and she was right--but it was further than she suggested. Ducks, rabbits, guinea-pigs, guinea-fowl, turkeys, bantams and hens--and cockerels--rows and rows of them!
The 'warrens' looked great. They are the plain brown hens that you see everywhere. Not very exciting, but good layers and reliable. The plan was to buy 3'point-of-lay' birds. We bought 2 warrens and then 2 marans. These are black speckledy hens & they lay dark brown speckledy eggs--just a tad more exotic!
They were packed into boxes and we headed back to the car. Easier said than done. We were all totally disorientated. After 10 minutes walking in one direction--and no sign of 'Super-U', Jacki asked directions. 180* turnabout and 20 minutes in the opposite direction and we found the car park!
Halfway home we stopped at Verteuil and had lunch in the garden of a cafe that was part of a water-mill on the banks of the River Charente. It was quite idyllic. The sun shone, and we sat under parasols and admired the flowers................................ but I really must now get back to the pumpkins! My veggie menus for the next 2 days:-
Monday night:-
Meditteranean quiche with a green salad*** Pumpkin risotto with crudites*** Assorted cheeses with walnut brittle*** mirabelle clafouti
Tuesday night:-
Roast pumpkin soup with melting cheese***red onion tarte tatin with pine-nut salad***Assorted cheeses with grapes from the garden***raspberries in elderflower champagne jelly with creme fraiche.
A glass of pineau is served as an aperitif. A basket of fresh bread, red wine and a jug of water is on the table throughout the meal which finishes with a cup of coffee ( or tea)and a small bite of dark chocolate!
Looks good on paper--n'est ce pas?
Think I'd better sort out what to give the carnivores now! I wonder how long before we can offer our own home-grown eggs?!
You may now be thinking 'what is she on about?'--well-- it's food--and fresh locally produced food--and, as I said before, the most important thought in the mind of anybody with a chambres d'hotes! Even more so when vegetarians are stopping tomorrow night and I'm multi-tasking! Writing this blog ( before I forget today's exciting events) and roasting pumpkins-- pumpkin soup--pumpkin risotto! Better get on with the blog.
So at 8.30 this Sunday morning we set off up the road to our neighbours who were giving us a lift to ROUILLAC!
There, on the 27th day of every month sees the biggest market in Poitou-Charentes taking place. Jacki ( neighbour) said she was in need of replenishing her chickens, and surely it was time that we get some & should join her. So we did!
It was a long way...........we went cross country and saw some lovely villages and it was nearly 10am by the time we reached the Super-U carpark in Rouillac where we parked and followed the crowds on foot to the market place. The stalls went on as far as the eye could see--& then bended back again--- and on & on. There were 6 of us on this trip--and of course we lost each other it was so crowded! There was a corner selling Appaloosa ponies, and Shetlands and others... and donkeys with babies. In between were stalls selling farm tools, garden tools, garden plants,household goods, balloons, tee-shirts, socks... definitely the place to go for socks, garlic...umpteen garlic stalls and bread and food and clothing, and just about everything you could think of! Further on there were cattle lines...and goats.
We walked round and round and up and down but couldn't find the hens. Jacki asked a stallholder who said( in French) 'straight on to the end and down the lane and turn right and we should come across them eventually!' We did this--and she was right--but it was further than she suggested. Ducks, rabbits, guinea-pigs, guinea-fowl, turkeys, bantams and hens--and cockerels--rows and rows of them!
The 'warrens' looked great. They are the plain brown hens that you see everywhere. Not very exciting, but good layers and reliable. The plan was to buy 3'point-of-lay' birds. We bought 2 warrens and then 2 marans. These are black speckledy hens & they lay dark brown speckledy eggs--just a tad more exotic!
They were packed into boxes and we headed back to the car. Easier said than done. We were all totally disorientated. After 10 minutes walking in one direction--and no sign of 'Super-U', Jacki asked directions. 180* turnabout and 20 minutes in the opposite direction and we found the car park!
Halfway home we stopped at Verteuil and had lunch in the garden of a cafe that was part of a water-mill on the banks of the River Charente. It was quite idyllic. The sun shone, and we sat under parasols and admired the flowers................................ but I really must now get back to the pumpkins! My veggie menus for the next 2 days:-
Monday night:-
Meditteranean quiche with a green salad*** Pumpkin risotto with crudites*** Assorted cheeses with walnut brittle*** mirabelle clafouti
Tuesday night:-
Roast pumpkin soup with melting cheese***red onion tarte tatin with pine-nut salad***Assorted cheeses with grapes from the garden***raspberries in elderflower champagne jelly with creme fraiche.
A glass of pineau is served as an aperitif. A basket of fresh bread, red wine and a jug of water is on the table throughout the meal which finishes with a cup of coffee ( or tea)and a small bite of dark chocolate!
Looks good on paper--n'est ce pas?
Think I'd better sort out what to give the carnivores now! I wonder how long before we can offer our own home-grown eggs?!
Monday, 24 August 2009
A HOT SUNNY SUNDAY IN AUGUST
In the morning we went to the French national ( or was it International?) Model Aeroplane Flying Competition at Surin-- about a mile from Asnois.
It was hot-hot-hot--so after wandering around for a bit--watching a few of the models ( airplanes -that is!) flying around and doing their stunts--we went back home for a barbecue in the garden and a dip in the pool!
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Monday, 10 August 2009
Summertime!
Summertime in France means party time!
Juilliet quatorze is celebrated everywhere--it is the equivalent of our November 5th! Fireworks everywhere!
In Charroux all the children are given lanterns and torches and lead the crowds of villagers up to the playing fields to see the firework display. It is always held on July 13th, just as it gets dark, and is meant to symbolise a re-enactment of the storming of the Bastille in 1796.
It's possible to get out every night to some sort of entertainment that week--if you've got the stamina!
We had B&b's staying and so didn't even get to the annual 'Marches des producteurs'-- a sort of local farmer's market, held in the Halles in Charroux. Tables are set out and you go & buy your food & have it cooked on one of the many barbecues in the street, and then go & join friends & sample all the local produce-- it's a lovely way to spend an evening--and held throughout Poitou-Charentes during the summertime.
The weather has been very hot for the last couple of months. The garden requires constant watering---- and we have succumbed at last!!--and bought a 7 metre pool--so may the hot weather continue for the whole of the summer!
Juilliet quatorze is celebrated everywhere--it is the equivalent of our November 5th! Fireworks everywhere!
In Charroux all the children are given lanterns and torches and lead the crowds of villagers up to the playing fields to see the firework display. It is always held on July 13th, just as it gets dark, and is meant to symbolise a re-enactment of the storming of the Bastille in 1796.
It's possible to get out every night to some sort of entertainment that week--if you've got the stamina!
We had B&b's staying and so didn't even get to the annual 'Marches des producteurs'-- a sort of local farmer's market, held in the Halles in Charroux. Tables are set out and you go & buy your food & have it cooked on one of the many barbecues in the street, and then go & join friends & sample all the local produce-- it's a lovely way to spend an evening--and held throughout Poitou-Charentes during the summertime.
The weather has been very hot for the last couple of months. The garden requires constant watering---- and we have succumbed at last!!--and bought a 7 metre pool--so may the hot weather continue for the whole of the summer!
Monday, 6 July 2009
BIKERS!
Click HERE for link to websiteI've just received a thank you e-mail from Jan & Bob. That means that it's at least fortnight since they stayed with me. Events here in France are happening too quickly! I can't keep up with my blog-- but that's summertime for you!
Jan & Bob run the Chester Motor Club and used to stay with us at Fferam Fawr when racing at the Anglesey circuit. That was sprint cars though. They've kept in touch as they hope to retire to France one day. This year their holiday was a tour of France, coming down from Lancashire and crossing to St Malo. First stop--for 2 nights, was US!
I was collecting veg in the garden when a bike came down the lane with 2 riders in black leather. 'Must be lost' I thought as the pillion rider got off and came over to me. The helmet came off--a shake of the head--and lo! 'twas Jan!
I never knew they were bikers, and were doing the tour de France on a motor-bike. Of course, bikers have a rather scary image-- I think it's all that black leather. Underneath they are all pussy-cats though!
Well, it was lovely to hear all the news--and all the flattery!---' the racing circuit in Anglesey is absolutely terrific-- but we so miss you--the B&B is not the same there without you!' ( Flattery gets you everywhere!)
They spent a couple of days with us-- a walk along the 'chemins' through the quiet countryside to Charroux, with a glass & a bit of people- watching at the Bar-- a lot of sitting around in the garden--and eating barbecues, and then a trip to Civray market before setting off to Toulouse on the next leg of their journey.
They also left us with some new ideas! Living in an isolated place-- plenty of stables & barns that would easily provide lock-up sheds-- long quiet roads & chemins ( well, already the local quad club runs along them --27 quads , all in convoy last Sunday!-- so I don't think the odd motor-bike or two will cause offence!)--- what an ideal spot for biking holidays they said.
I was discussing this with a biking friend who lives in Charroux who has been toying with the idea of doing guided bike rides. We've decided to get together and see if we can promote this idea!
Monday, 29 June 2009
CHARROUX OSTENSIONS
Sunday June 17th saw the streets of Charroux decked with flowers ready for the 'Ostensions' parade of relics.
This happens every seven years and 2009 has seen similar events in Confolons and other towns and cities in Poitou-Charente.
Ministers and officials and congregations from the church dress in all their finery and parade around the town exhibiting all the relics stored in the Abbaie vaults.
My thanks go to Jane & Peter who took all the photos for me as I couldn't get there and man the tea-stand for Mrs T's teas at Jacki's 'concours de cross'--which she'd thoughtlessly organised on the same day!
It looked a super day and they took so many pictures that it was hard to decide the best to display here on my blog. I feel -- although having fun at Beau Regard, that we rather missed out on some serious French culture.
Hopefully I'll manage to get there to see it again in 2016!
Monday, 8 June 2009
Brocantes and marches des fleurs!
May 31st saw Genouille's big annual event. It started at 7.30am, in brilliant sunshine, with a brocante. Geoff and I headed off there at about 9.00am, by which time it was heaving!There were stalls on either side of the main street, all the way around the sides and the middle of the paddock going to the 'aire de loisir 'car park,--and then back again along the footpath! I think the whole of Poitou-Charente turned up!
Geoff & I have been suffering from a nasty snuffle that has been doing the rounds (swine fever? peut-etre!)-- and we abandonned the brocante after a couple of hours. I bought a pair of red wellies for Joe for 1 euro! Whether they'll fit the next time he comes to see us remains to be seen!
The day at Genouille continued without us----with a petanque competition, a chou-croute feast, a folk-bal and finshed off with a firework display! We were tucked up in bed by then! Next year................!
The warm sunny weather has seen everybody out in the garden. Already we are eating strawberries, broad beans, peas, lettuce, spring onions, radish & spinach from the garden! The early cherry trees have yielded loads--but the later ones are only just beginning to ripen.The 'Halles' in Charroux saw its annual 'Marche des fleurs', when all the locals were seen leaving with armfuls of geraniums, exotics and bedding plants. One wonderful stall was selling metallic giraffes ( and metallic sunflowers, owls and wild boar!)-- whilst another was selling chocolates and cognac! Well, this is France!
Flaming June!
Little Owl sitting on a post in the garden!
We've actually had hot weather for the last few weeks--until Saturday--when we said, OK, the garden needs the rain desperately!
Today is Monday, the frog pond is overflowing, the flowerpots are sodden and the lettuces and strawberries are splattered with mud!
Enough is enough!
or do I mean--an oeuf is an oeuf!
Geoff has actually given up gardening and gone upstairs to start the renovations on the RHS of the staircase.
The original plans had this as a mirror image of what we've already done---ie 2 large en-suite bedrooms--- but this time with mezzanines above.We have decided to amend this idea and make a gite. This would have to incorporate an extra staircase to the downstairs bathroom & utility room--which would be turned into a kitchen /diner, with a new outside door leading to the garden at the back of the house--giving it a private entrance away from the B&B's.
I can't believe we'll ever fill 4 en-suite bedrooms--- but I can see that families may like to come & stay for a week's self-catering holiday.
This has had every friend who has been in the house to redesign/rethink and generally tell us what should be done. I am quite happy with my new plan. Geoff is a little more wary ( but then, it is he who does the building work!)
And , of course, people coming for longer stays means we might yet get a swimming pool!
Since I last wrote in the blog the wild life has been busy. We have our own private 'Springwatch' here at Maureville.
There are swallows nesting in the shed next to the dogs, black redstarts have young in the next shed . Sparrows are nesting in the leylandii hedge. Blue tits have a nest in the cracks of the house wall. The kestral is back again with her nest in the eaves at the back of the house--whilst the little owl-- who is quite the rowdiest bird in the garden-- has a nest in the eaves at the front of the house. This is an improvement on last year when the owls nested in the chimney--which led to all sorts of problems!
The little owl can be seen every morning from my bedroom window, taking food to his young, or squawking loudly at Boris!
The photo above is the best I've been able to manage--(he is sitting on the post in the middle of the picture)--but birds never stay still enough for a really good photo!
I'm now trying to take one of the hoopoe. I don't know where the nest is, but he can be seen every morning digging for worms in the short tufted grass next to where the cars are parked.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
The HUNT BALL. ( French style!)
We got to bed at 3 am this morning!
After a week's visit from Joe-- our grandson, with his parents & his other Granny (she's Granny Rosbif, and I'm Granny Frog's-legs) we each pinched 20 Euros from the kitty and headed off for La Chappelle Baton salle de fete, where the local 'chasse' were holding their end of season dinner dance.
The 2009 'regime' -- which had already lost much of the impetus from the start of the year--completely ground to a halt last week. If we weren't eating at a local restaurant (on the terrace overlooking the lake at St Martin L'Ars, or at the Hotel du Commerce in Civray) we were indulging in buying up all the locally produced wines and cheeses and pates at Civray & Ruffec markets-- and then having picnics. So having completely lost the dietry plot, I thought we might as well finish the week with a typical French celebratory 6 course supper!
We've been going to dancing classes at la Chappelle Baton every Tuesday night for the last month. It's a great cheapo evening out--2 Euros each & take your own refreshment! Although Gill & Mike, who take the class, are English--and the class is held in a sort of English -Franglais, it is well supported by the local French --who love to dance, as well as numerous English, who can't , but want to join in at local festivities. ( That's us!)
So last night was our first chance to put our lessons to the test.
Geoff & I are happy freestyle dancers--occasionally complimenting each other on the floor. The minute we have to hold on to each other, the brain & the feet loose contact--and sadly, last night was no exception.
As elderly Frenchmen & their partners spin round & around, doing the Viennese waltz, or the pasa doble, we waited to hear a gentle waltz.
We could have attempted the tango--but find cornering difficult--and the floor was very crowded.
The 'madison' though was attempted-- the steps of this changes according to which village you live in. Gill had done lots of research and taught us the 'La Chappele Baton' madison--- only to find a much simpler ( Thank heavens!) version being danced last night ( at La Chappelle Baton!!) The madison tends to be danced only by girls--and men who join in have their own versions of the steps--which they happily dance, whilst the girls keep in unison. This can be confusing.
The meal was great.
Glasses of rose wine ( ie--pink, not made from roses--I've not got accents on my keyboard!) were handed out on arrival-- at about 8-8.30ish. We mingled and chatted for about an hour & then found seats at the table.
A glass of kir was then give as an 'aperatif '-- and baskets of bread for those who couldn't wait any longer!
A local pate with cornichons was followed by quiche-- interspersed with dancing.
The 'chasse' wives were responsible for serving--so it was quite slow as the were all keen dancers. Mostly with each other--- mainly as their husbands were manning the barbecues.
Eventually 'trous' came round. This was a small apple sorbet doused in brandy. In spite of the salle de fete heaving with over 200 party- goers, portions were generous. Seconds of the trou followed the first.
By that time we were all up & dancing.
The next course was 'steak and frites'-- very large, and amazingly they were rare rather than raw as seems to be the norm in a lot of French restaurants.
It was well after midnight when a bowl of lettuce and cheese was handed round. We'd consumed all the free wine and resorted to the 5 euros a bottle stuff by now. ( Water is always available--and very necessary--to the unlucky person who draws the short straw & is the driver!)
About 1.30am we saw the profiteroles-- one strawberry, coffee and chocolate each-- followed a bit later by seconds for all those who could manage it!
Meals in France usually finish with coffee and brandy-- but the dance floor was full and our table had been taken over by French Manchester United supporters ( heaven forbid!) who wanted to talk football with the Englishmen on our table ( 1 Man U, 2 Chelsea & 1 rugby fan !)--it's amazing how a few drinks and they all understand each other, regardless of whatever language is being spoken!
Anyhow, another hour passed-- people with children ( there were at least a dozen!) started to drift away ( although 2 babies were asleep in prams, 1 child slept on the table, and 2 more slept on mattresses in the corner of the room!). There wasn't a coffee cup in sight--so Geoff and I decided it was time for us to leave.
I've since learned that coffee and cognac appeared at 3 am--when at least 100 stalwarts were still boogeying. They've got some stamina these French!
My one regret is that I forgot to take the camera--so sorry, no pictures!
After a week's visit from Joe-- our grandson, with his parents & his other Granny (she's Granny Rosbif, and I'm Granny Frog's-legs) we each pinched 20 Euros from the kitty and headed off for La Chappelle Baton salle de fete, where the local 'chasse' were holding their end of season dinner dance.
The 2009 'regime' -- which had already lost much of the impetus from the start of the year--completely ground to a halt last week. If we weren't eating at a local restaurant (on the terrace overlooking the lake at St Martin L'Ars, or at the Hotel du Commerce in Civray) we were indulging in buying up all the locally produced wines and cheeses and pates at Civray & Ruffec markets-- and then having picnics. So having completely lost the dietry plot, I thought we might as well finish the week with a typical French celebratory 6 course supper!
We've been going to dancing classes at la Chappelle Baton every Tuesday night for the last month. It's a great cheapo evening out--2 Euros each & take your own refreshment! Although Gill & Mike, who take the class, are English--and the class is held in a sort of English -Franglais, it is well supported by the local French --who love to dance, as well as numerous English, who can't , but want to join in at local festivities. ( That's us!)
So last night was our first chance to put our lessons to the test.
Geoff & I are happy freestyle dancers--occasionally complimenting each other on the floor. The minute we have to hold on to each other, the brain & the feet loose contact--and sadly, last night was no exception.
As elderly Frenchmen & their partners spin round & around, doing the Viennese waltz, or the pasa doble, we waited to hear a gentle waltz.
We could have attempted the tango--but find cornering difficult--and the floor was very crowded.
The 'madison' though was attempted-- the steps of this changes according to which village you live in. Gill had done lots of research and taught us the 'La Chappele Baton' madison--- only to find a much simpler ( Thank heavens!) version being danced last night ( at La Chappelle Baton!!) The madison tends to be danced only by girls--and men who join in have their own versions of the steps--which they happily dance, whilst the girls keep in unison. This can be confusing.
The meal was great.
Glasses of rose wine ( ie--pink, not made from roses--I've not got accents on my keyboard!) were handed out on arrival-- at about 8-8.30ish. We mingled and chatted for about an hour & then found seats at the table.
A glass of kir was then give as an 'aperatif '-- and baskets of bread for those who couldn't wait any longer!
A local pate with cornichons was followed by quiche-- interspersed with dancing.
The 'chasse' wives were responsible for serving--so it was quite slow as the were all keen dancers. Mostly with each other--- mainly as their husbands were manning the barbecues.
Eventually 'trous' came round. This was a small apple sorbet doused in brandy. In spite of the salle de fete heaving with over 200 party- goers, portions were generous. Seconds of the trou followed the first.
By that time we were all up & dancing.
The next course was 'steak and frites'-- very large, and amazingly they were rare rather than raw as seems to be the norm in a lot of French restaurants.
It was well after midnight when a bowl of lettuce and cheese was handed round. We'd consumed all the free wine and resorted to the 5 euros a bottle stuff by now. ( Water is always available--and very necessary--to the unlucky person who draws the short straw & is the driver!)
About 1.30am we saw the profiteroles-- one strawberry, coffee and chocolate each-- followed a bit later by seconds for all those who could manage it!
Meals in France usually finish with coffee and brandy-- but the dance floor was full and our table had been taken over by French Manchester United supporters ( heaven forbid!) who wanted to talk football with the Englishmen on our table ( 1 Man U, 2 Chelsea & 1 rugby fan !)--it's amazing how a few drinks and they all understand each other, regardless of whatever language is being spoken!
Anyhow, another hour passed-- people with children ( there were at least a dozen!) started to drift away ( although 2 babies were asleep in prams, 1 child slept on the table, and 2 more slept on mattresses in the corner of the room!). There wasn't a coffee cup in sight--so Geoff and I decided it was time for us to leave.
I've since learned that coffee and cognac appeared at 3 am--when at least 100 stalwarts were still boogeying. They've got some stamina these French!
My one regret is that I forgot to take the camera--so sorry, no pictures!
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
May goings-on!
The sun is shining , there's masses of gardening to be done--and I'm stuck indoors on the computer.
I'm creating a brochure. I was rather pleased with the map--which I'd poached from my neighbour's brochure for 'Centre de Beauregard'--- but having re-drawn it on my computer it doesn't want to be 'inserted' from 'word'--and the scanner's having a wobbly. So that's all gone on hold.
Meanwhile I've had a baking session for next week's visitors, which has gone quite well alongside sorting out e-mails.
I'm not a fan of 'facebook'--but it's one way of knowing where my wayward nomadic son has got to. I understand he's on a bus to Buenos Aries.......... and then the flight back to Taiwan, where he's lived for the last few years. He spent all the 'SARS' outbreak in Taiwan--where there were plenty of outbreaks. The last 5 months have been spent travelling all over S America. A couple of weeks ago he said he was scuba diving off the coast of Columbia. Since then he's been working on a pig farm in order to earn enough to get back for his flight from BA as he'd been robbed & was a bit short of cash.
I haven't needed to mention 'swine flu'.................. everybody else on his facebook has already done so!
This week-end saw Jacki hold her 4th 'Cross country & show-jumping fun day'--I helped Mrs T with the teas. It was a lovely day, but not a very good turn-out. We put this down to other events taking place over the May holiday.
Geoff was thrilled to be put on the water-jump where he spent a happy couple of hours watching kingfishers on the River Charente!
Charroux Tourist Office sent me a brochure this morning......................
20-24 mai 2009 is their 'Festival de la randonnee'--- it's their 3rd year of this event which includes:-
Saturday 16th at 16hrs....the official inauguration of the Festival, the 'lancement' of the tourist season followed by an opening 'spectacle' and an 'aperatif'!!!!
Wednesday 20th mai ( this is franglais at its worst) there's a 'folk ball' ( ie--evening dress unlikely to be seen!) 6 euros
Thursday 21st mai 8.30am Randonnee 'la Terre de nos Ancetres'
This means that there is a guided ramble up to the pre-historic grottoes at Chauffaud...where there will be entertainments.
This is followed in the evening at 8.30pm with a cine-debate on the theme of 'joys & pains of rural life over the last 50 years' ( in French!)
Friday 22 mai at 9am is a randonnee around Charroux.
Saturday 22nd has a big multi-randonnee--bikes, push-chairs, horses & foot-soldiers! with lunch en-route sur reservation for 12 euros. In the evening there's a soiree musicale, in the parc du chateau de Rochemeau.(7 euros)
Sunday 24th May is the final day--again a randonnee in the morning and at 2pm a'baladoreve' to be held in the garden of la 'Grande Maison' --culminating in the 'pot de cloture' still in the garden of the big house at 6pm.
It all sounds a bit dry--but is really a bit of a get together & a wander round and a chat to one and all..before eating & drinking!
The wild flowers are in full bloom along the chemin around Maureville now. The early orchids are nearly over, as are the cowslips and bluebells. I haven't seen a coypu in ages......the chasse culled them quite ruthlessly this winter. Geoff found a yellow and black Fire salamander in the woods----in perfect condition, but dead.
Walking along the chemin at the back of the house two days ago, was a 3 foot grass snake, which had been cut in two by the tractor.
The swallows, sparrows and numerous blus and great tits are nesting quite openly around the house and garden. I saw a hoopoe a month ago--but not since.Geoff fears the same of his wheatear. The kestral has a nest in the back of the house like last year.
The black redstarts are here, nesting in the barn again. Nightingales and chiffchaffs and blackbirds have nests around and about--and are making a lot of noise. At night the owls are really noisy. The little owl can be seen regularly, but others are more discreet--and think we are deaf!
So that's about all for now--back to the gardening whilst the sun is shining methinks!
I'm creating a brochure. I was rather pleased with the map--which I'd poached from my neighbour's brochure for 'Centre de Beauregard'--- but having re-drawn it on my computer it doesn't want to be 'inserted' from 'word'--and the scanner's having a wobbly. So that's all gone on hold.
Meanwhile I've had a baking session for next week's visitors, which has gone quite well alongside sorting out e-mails.
I'm not a fan of 'facebook'--but it's one way of knowing where my wayward nomadic son has got to. I understand he's on a bus to Buenos Aries.......... and then the flight back to Taiwan, where he's lived for the last few years. He spent all the 'SARS' outbreak in Taiwan--where there were plenty of outbreaks. The last 5 months have been spent travelling all over S America. A couple of weeks ago he said he was scuba diving off the coast of Columbia. Since then he's been working on a pig farm in order to earn enough to get back for his flight from BA as he'd been robbed & was a bit short of cash.
I haven't needed to mention 'swine flu'.................. everybody else on his facebook has already done so!
This week-end saw Jacki hold her 4th 'Cross country & show-jumping fun day'--I helped Mrs T with the teas. It was a lovely day, but not a very good turn-out. We put this down to other events taking place over the May holiday.
Geoff was thrilled to be put on the water-jump where he spent a happy couple of hours watching kingfishers on the River Charente!
Charroux Tourist Office sent me a brochure this morning......................
20-24 mai 2009 is their 'Festival de la randonnee'--- it's their 3rd year of this event which includes:-
Saturday 16th at 16hrs....the official inauguration of the Festival, the 'lancement' of the tourist season followed by an opening 'spectacle' and an 'aperatif'!!!!
Wednesday 20th mai ( this is franglais at its worst) there's a 'folk ball' ( ie--evening dress unlikely to be seen!) 6 euros
Thursday 21st mai 8.30am Randonnee 'la Terre de nos Ancetres'
This means that there is a guided ramble up to the pre-historic grottoes at Chauffaud...where there will be entertainments.
This is followed in the evening at 8.30pm with a cine-debate on the theme of 'joys & pains of rural life over the last 50 years' ( in French!)
Friday 22 mai at 9am is a randonnee around Charroux.
Saturday 22nd has a big multi-randonnee--bikes, push-chairs, horses & foot-soldiers! with lunch en-route sur reservation for 12 euros. In the evening there's a soiree musicale, in the parc du chateau de Rochemeau.(7 euros)
Sunday 24th May is the final day--again a randonnee in the morning and at 2pm a'baladoreve' to be held in the garden of la 'Grande Maison' --culminating in the 'pot de cloture' still in the garden of the big house at 6pm.
It all sounds a bit dry--but is really a bit of a get together & a wander round and a chat to one and all..before eating & drinking!
The wild flowers are in full bloom along the chemin around Maureville now. The early orchids are nearly over, as are the cowslips and bluebells. I haven't seen a coypu in ages......the chasse culled them quite ruthlessly this winter. Geoff found a yellow and black Fire salamander in the woods----in perfect condition, but dead.
Walking along the chemin at the back of the house two days ago, was a 3 foot grass snake, which had been cut in two by the tractor.
The swallows, sparrows and numerous blus and great tits are nesting quite openly around the house and garden. I saw a hoopoe a month ago--but not since.Geoff fears the same of his wheatear. The kestral has a nest in the back of the house like last year.
The black redstarts are here, nesting in the barn again. Nightingales and chiffchaffs and blackbirds have nests around and about--and are making a lot of noise. At night the owls are really noisy. The little owl can be seen regularly, but others are more discreet--and think we are deaf!
So that's about all for now--back to the gardening whilst the sun is shining methinks!
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Well, Easter has come & gone, and I seem to have neglected my blog somewhat!
Yesterday I went down to Charroux to pick up brochures and leaflets of forthcoming events for this summer--only to find that most wouldn't be ready until the beginning of May. On a more positive note, I did manage to register my B&B with them, and leave some business cards.
The dates that I have managed to get so far include:
Sunday 3 May Cross Country and Show-jumping Fun Open Day ( Beau Regard, Asnois) horses!
Thursday 21 May Marche aux Fleurs (Charroux)--annual flower sale
(Dejeuner:produits regionaux et aux gouts de fleurs)
Sunday 31 May Vide Greniers ---7hr-19h ( Genouille)--village fete and car boot sale
( also entertainments, Petanque competition-14h, Evening meal of 'choucroute garnie' -19h-22h, fireworks from 22h30 and finally at 23h - Ball a Papa ( dancing!)
29-30 May, 5-6 & 12-13 June Spectacle Nocturne (Nouaille Maupertuis) --Le Tresor des Rois-- a sort of Mediaeval whodunnit taking place throughout the village flowing the theft of a precious stone once belonging to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Entertainments, jousts and wine --once the thief is found!
Sunday 28 th June Journee Medievale (Nouaille Maupertuis)--the annual mediaeval day's feast and tournament laid on by 'Nouaille1356'.
Further details of these last two events, both requiring tickets can be obtained from glen.proudfoot@wanadoo.fr
Sunday 14 June Ostensions Septennales ( Charroux) --every 7 years--since 1862, the relics from l'Ancienne Abbaye saint-Sauveur de Charroux are paraded through the town.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
31 July &1 and 2 August Les Peintres dans la rue (Charroux) Every year painters come to charroux and set up their easels and paint various sites of the town. Villagers dress up to depict living tableaux of famous French paintings. This year there will be scens by Renoir, Rubens, Manet, Velasquez and others.
I shall add more dates as soon as the Charroux tourist office makes them available!
Yesterday I went down to Charroux to pick up brochures and leaflets of forthcoming events for this summer--only to find that most wouldn't be ready until the beginning of May. On a more positive note, I did manage to register my B&B with them, and leave some business cards.
The dates that I have managed to get so far include:
Sunday 3 May Cross Country and Show-jumping Fun Open Day ( Beau Regard, Asnois) horses!
Thursday 21 May Marche aux Fleurs (Charroux)--annual flower sale
(Dejeuner:produits regionaux et aux gouts de fleurs)
Sunday 31 May Vide Greniers ---7hr-19h ( Genouille)--village fete and car boot sale
( also entertainments, Petanque competition-14h, Evening meal of 'choucroute garnie' -19h-22h, fireworks from 22h30 and finally at 23h - Ball a Papa ( dancing!)
29-30 May, 5-6 & 12-13 June Spectacle Nocturne (Nouaille Maupertuis) --Le Tresor des Rois-- a sort of Mediaeval whodunnit taking place throughout the village flowing the theft of a precious stone once belonging to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Entertainments, jousts and wine --once the thief is found!
Sunday 28 th June Journee Medievale (Nouaille Maupertuis)--the annual mediaeval day's feast and tournament laid on by 'Nouaille1356'.
Further details of these last two events, both requiring tickets can be obtained from glen.proudfoot@wanadoo.fr
Sunday 14 June Ostensions Septennales ( Charroux) --every 7 years--since 1862, the relics from l'Ancienne Abbaye saint-Sauveur de Charroux are paraded through the town.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
31 July &1 and 2 August Les Peintres dans la rue (Charroux) Every year painters come to charroux and set up their easels and paint various sites of the town. Villagers dress up to depict living tableaux of famous French paintings. This year there will be scens by Renoir, Rubens, Manet, Velasquez and others.
I shall add more dates as soon as the Charroux tourist office makes them available!
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Horse Event at Beau Regard
Sunday 1st March saw the 2nd horse event day at Beau Regard ( our neighbours!)
Back in the autumn Jackie and her boys created a 17-jump fun course for horses and their riders , covering a distance of approx 3km. The first attempt at having an open day-- at the end of November, was not successful due to a 'tempete' the night before the event. Helpers rolled up to man the jumps and stalls--- but sadly, only 1 horse and rider turned up! It was decided to abandon all until spring.
Consequently, it was with great relief to find the sun shining and the ground drying out during the last week of February.
I was in charge of 'Mrs. T's teas'-- mainly because Mrs T had only just come out of hospital after having a hip operation. The caravan was parked in the middle of the paddock, just above the start of the course. My end of the caravan served drinks and biscuits, while Jackie and Sonia sorted out registration forms for prospective riders from the window at the other end. The fish & chip van was parked next door to us!
The day was cool and grey-- the going was 'good'.
Horse boxes started arriving at 9.00 am. French and English locals arrived to see what was going on.
The tea-shop and the chippy did a roaring trade-- and the feed-back from the riders was brilliant.
'Any complaints, or ideas for course-improvements?' Jackie asked an enthusiastic rider---- 'No--it's super, but how about a water-jump?' was the reply.
As I write this I can see Aaron wizzing back & forth on his quad. The water-jump is being prepared for the next event day --which is Sunday 5th April!
(Photos to follow when 'blogger' wants to co-operate!)
Back in the autumn Jackie and her boys created a 17-jump fun course for horses and their riders , covering a distance of approx 3km. The first attempt at having an open day-- at the end of November, was not successful due to a 'tempete' the night before the event. Helpers rolled up to man the jumps and stalls--- but sadly, only 1 horse and rider turned up! It was decided to abandon all until spring.
Consequently, it was with great relief to find the sun shining and the ground drying out during the last week of February.
I was in charge of 'Mrs. T's teas'-- mainly because Mrs T had only just come out of hospital after having a hip operation. The caravan was parked in the middle of the paddock, just above the start of the course. My end of the caravan served drinks and biscuits, while Jackie and Sonia sorted out registration forms for prospective riders from the window at the other end. The fish & chip van was parked next door to us!
The day was cool and grey-- the going was 'good'.
Horse boxes started arriving at 9.00 am. French and English locals arrived to see what was going on.
The tea-shop and the chippy did a roaring trade-- and the feed-back from the riders was brilliant.
'Any complaints, or ideas for course-improvements?' Jackie asked an enthusiastic rider---- 'No--it's super, but how about a water-jump?' was the reply.
As I write this I can see Aaron wizzing back & forth on his quad. The water-jump is being prepared for the next event day --which is Sunday 5th April!
(Photos to follow when 'blogger' wants to co-operate!)
Friday, 27 February 2009
Website link
http://sites.google.com/site/chambresdhotespoitoucharente/
This is the link to my website where you can find wonderful farmhouse B&B in the sunny French countryside-- please take a look--and note that I ve a special offer of 4 nights for the price of 3 to anybody quoting ref blo2009!
This is the link to my website where you can find wonderful farmhouse B&B in the sunny French countryside-- please take a look--and note that I ve a special offer of 4 nights for the price of 3 to anybody quoting ref blo2009!
HOUSE BUYERS ARRIVE FOR CHAMBRES D'HOTES
So here we are at the end of February already. We've just had the most glorious week's weather. I've just got back from walking the dogs along the River Charente which runs alongside the field at the bottom of the garden. The wild flowers are increasing in number every day--celandines everywhere now. The birds are singing loudly and today both dogs decided to go for a swim to cool off. Once upon a time I would have panicked at Battie going in the river, when there are lambs bleating loudly on the opposite bank. In Anglesey I quickly realised that if I could see sheep on the horizon, so could she--and without anything better to do she would go & round them up.
Here, in France, as long as she has her ball, she doesn't seem to give sheep a thought! --of course, there are times when you long to go for a walk without having to throw the wretched thing for her!
Not only has the weather been great, but I've had B&B's 2 weeks running. The first couple came with their 3 gorgeous dogs--2 bulldog bitches--both as soppy as they come-- and what I think was called a 'spinoli'-- a large Italian hunting dog. They'd all driven down from Yorkshire, come through the tunnel--signed the 'Acte de Vente' for their new home in France--and then they crashed out with us for a couple of days whilst waiting for their furniture to arrive.
Then yesterday I had my next visitor. Another prospective house buyer-- this time for a holiday home. The house purchase is nearly complete, but a few plans for house improvements were being sought. The ultimate compliment:-- 'if my improvements turn out as well as yours, I'll be thrilled!!'
Anyhow, it all went very well--we've made some new friends, and also got back into the swing of B&B-ing!
This morning, Gilles, our French farmer rapped loudly on the door & told Geoff that he'd got 'un problem' -- the upshot of this means that Geoff is driving him, and a hired trailer to Chalon-sur-Saone ( about 5-6 hours east)--starting off at 3.00 this (tomorrow?) morning, where they'll collect a 2-furrow reversable plough. They anticipate being back by 2pm! I think we're getting about 12 month's supply of wood in return. Although Gilles doesn't speak English, and Geoff's French is a little wobbly ( & that's being very polite!)--I can't see that they'll have too many problems. For some reason it is much easier to communicate with the local patois-speaking peasants--who talk slowly--and mime everything, than with the more educated French, who have a much greater vocabulary and insist in speaking horribly fast.
On Sunday--March 1st-- Jacki at Beau Regard ( next door--well, 100m up the road!) is holding her 2nd eventing/showjumping week-end.
The first was at the end of November. After building a super course of 17 fences and jumps--in duplicate, so that beginners and more advanced riders could cope, the turn-out was non-existent ( 2 horses!). This was because there was a'tempete' the night before. Trees were uprooted--rooves were blown away-- and , although we turned up to serve teas, and the fish & chip van turned up with food, most people stayed away. It was all incredibly disappointing.
I'm back in the tea caravan --and I hope we have a lot more people taking part this Sunday.
see:-
http://www.centredebeauregard.com/ for details.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Valentine's Day
THE VALENTINE BALL!
This year--probably because it was on a Saturday, Valentine's Day has been celebrated in just about every village in France --in style!
We went to the dinner dance at La Chappelle Baton. We said we might be a bit late as the England-Wales rugby match didn't finish until after 8.oopm ( hooray--Wales won!--although Geoff wasn't so amused!)--- but people were still queuing to buy tickets at the door when we rolled up.
The first drink of the evening was a bizarre concoction of rose wine and pamplemousse ( grapefruit). Not something I'd want every day, I thought , as my glass was topped up for the 3rd time!
As usual all the tables were beautifully decorated. Napkins were folded in heart-shapes. Flowers were arranged in heart-shapes---and glitter hearts were sprinkled all over the table cloth. Every table was named after a dance style. We were on 'rock'-- along with another English couple, 2 members of thesalle de fete committee ( French)--who rushed off to help serve meals and generally arrange this and that-- and Monique ( French), whose English was far superior to all our French---but who had to flee outside every 20 minutes for another fag!
Jean-Pierre --the regular animator--provided the music--on his accordion, his synthesizer-- and for the very few youngsters, his DJ stuff!
The average age of the party-goers was nearer 60 than 40--so the accordion was played for most of the evening.
The pasa-doble was popular, but the Viennese waltz provided the best entertainment. Watching elderly ladies, dancing together, spinning round and round, with very serious looks on their faces--I'm sorry to say--caused us much amusement! And they must have come back to dance it 3or 4 times throughout the evening.
I'm not sure whether the dances were between the food courses --or vice-versa! Both went on until the small hours of the morning. About 2.00am somebody came around with a bottle which said 'whiskey'--- and poured out generous tots of brandy to all and sundry. At that point we decided it was bed time--but I heard the revelry continued for at least 2 more hours!
On the way home we passed Charroux Fotball Club and Asnois Salle de fete--both with people falling out of the doors on their way home! It seems that Valentine 's Day was taken seriously by young and old in France this year!
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Blue skies and sunshine!
Yesterday I saw my first celandine of the year. Of course the snowdrops have been up for sometime
and the pansies in the garden seem to flower all year round---
but to get out--without your wellies-- and see blue skies and warm sunshine makes you feel good to be alive!
Then, of course it's back to waxing the floors ( for me!) and insulating the ceiling in the undeveloped part of the 'grenier' (for Geoff).
A few more days like this and we'll be able to start work in the garden.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Chambres d'hotes website
Following our week of snow, we had rain-- quite a lot! The river burst it's banks and all the ditches were overflowing-- but hey--- it's still only January!
This Saturday saw the Asnois 'Soiree Galette & Cinema'.
We didn't make it this year as we'd already been invited out to dinner--which was so superb that I've no regrets at missing out.
A couple of days earlier we went to a 'raclette' evening-- this is a development from the 70's 'fondue'evenings. Like a fondue, all the food is prepared in advance--but not cooked-- and then you sit round the table and can griddle meat, potaoes or bread on the top of the reclette, or grill cheese and meat in the middle section. With a few glasses of wine and good company, it is agreat way to spend a winter's evening.
The galette evening is an annual event in Asnois to celebrate Epiphany. It should really be on January 6th--we call it 'Twelfth Night', but in France it's 'le jour des Rois' and celebrated with a special cake--'La Galette de Rois'. They can be bought in all the boulangerie and the supermarches and consist of 2 layers of flaky pastry, filled in the middle with frangipane. A gold paper crown is included in the wrapping, and inside the cake is a 'feve'. A feve is a broad bean and is meant to bring good luck to the recipient. The feve was later replaced with a porcelain charm--usually a character from the Nativity--and these nowadays are collector's items. Like everything this has now been dumbed down to a plastic Disney type charm--loved by the children, but lacking the 'treasure ' to be prized in the past.
In Asnois there are films-- last year we saw 3 home movies from the 60's showing life in the village. The first was from Roussille farm showing life around the farmyard--everything from milking the cow and feeding the hens to making butter in the antiquated kitchen with the cat sitting on the table and trying to help with the procedings.
Then we saw a wedding. 6o's gear in France was much the same as in the UK. The bride wore a large floppy white hat and travelled from Vielle Metive ( an hameau about 2kms from Asnois) in a horse and cart down to the Mairie--followed by all the guests on foot. She was met by the groom in his best suit with wide, bell-bottomed trousers. Being the 60's we weren't allowed to see inside the Mairie-- but afterwards they all came outside and linked arms in a knees-up and sing-song!
The 3rd film was back to 'life' on the farm. Actually it was film about slaughtering! We saw pigs killed and butchered. Black pudding (boudin) was made. Then we saw the same-- with rabbits, chickens, lambs--- you name it, we watched it being killed and the meat prepared for farmhouse use!
It was fascinating to see the whole village ( everybody from 6-96!) watching this on a Saturday night.
I just cannot imagine such entertainment in England!
Then, when that was all over we had mugs of cider and slices of galette.
That was January 2008-- I suspect 2009 was not so different, but I'll get back there in January 2010 if possible!
Yesterday our website designers came over for lunch and to instruct us on the basic maintenance in order to keep it up to date. We've spent quite a lot of time over Christmas either e-mailing or on the phone. David and Edna have done a wonderful job in creating our website --we are so pleased with it--and it was lovely to meet them in person.
This blog is meant to compliment the website--and I've not yet linked it so:-
anybody reading the blog without having started on the website..........VOILA!
I should probably attempt to squeeze it somewhere near the beginning of the blog now--but I've only just sorted how to download photos!(-- and possibly a snowy picture wasn't the best of ideas--it looks a bitcold and dark--I'll find something warmer for the next time!)
(And--to digress--- yesterday I discovered how to'chat' on 'Facebook' with son Tom who's just arrived in Buenos Aries!)
Anybody wanting a website can get hold of David and Edna by clicking on:-
They were quick, helpful and instructive and nothing was too much trouble. I can thoroughly recommend them!
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
SNOW
It's the middle of January. I've just got back from walking the dogs--everywhere is grey and wet-- but it's a big change as we've been snowed ( or rather iced!) up for the last 8 days. It started falling last Monday afternoon, and the next morning we woke up to whiteness. About 10 cms had fallen --- enough for the Beauregard boys to spend the morning wizzing about on sledges, tin trays and polythene feed bags. They are at the top of the hill--- we are at the bottom. That first morning, it was all great fun.
Roland , the farmer, who has a shed full of Limousin cows across the way, arrived by tractor to feed them.
This compacted the snow on the road -- which froze that night, and everynight for the rest of the week! Temperatures got down to -11*C overnight, according to the thermometer in the barn, and barely rose above zero all week--- even though the sunshine was beautiful. One day I hung the washing out in the sunshine---it freeze-dried on the line!
The kitchen and the living-room log burning stoves were kept in 24 hours a day! Fortunately Geoff was prepared and had plenty of wood cut to the right lengths in anticipation of the necessity. There was sufficient food in the freezer and the pantry to prevent any worry of starvation. When the cat food ran out Boris had to have dog food. Once upon a time this would have been fine, but nowadays he is extremely fussy--so he complained.
A new term of French classes, and dance-fit classes , just starting that week, had to be abandoned. I was quite relieved to find I wasn't the only chicken--in fact nobody out in the countryside managed to get anywhere.
We walked miles with the dogs. Usually I do the morning walk & Geoff the evening--or vice-versa, but with such beautiful sunny mornings we both tramped miles going along footpaths that were previously untried. We found a new 'lavoir' ( originally a spring that was used for washing clothes), but then decided to keep away from water. All the lakes and even the River Charente was frozen. Rabbit footprints could be seen on the frosted ice, but we didn't want the dogs trying it out! Rosie is a pretty solid labrador, and Battie is a Welsh border collie.
Thursday afternoon saw me and the dogs pottering along the riverbank, when Rosie spotted a coypu standing on the ice about 10 metres from the bank. She rushed at it ---I screamed 'NO--COME BACK!'
Amazingly she grabbed it before galloping back to me! I'm afraid to report the coypu's life was finished at that point, but I was horribly aware of all the stories one hears every year of people falling through ice and drowning when trying to rescue dogs.
In future, during freezing weather, all walks will be in the woods, footpaths and fields well away from any water!
Friday we got the car out by going along the grass 'chemin' ( footpath) at the back of the house. We were amazed how little snow had thawed, particularly along roads surrounded by trees. We stocked up ( with cat food!) and decided driving was still very unpleasant.
Saturday morning was the new Maire of Asnois's New Year's welcome party. We walked, and arrived to find only 1 other English person there. There are about 10 English families in our village. Every one is at an outlying cottage or farmhouse. This made us heroes, and everybody was impressed that we'd made the effort. French ettiquette requires that the women kiss everybody on the cheeks at least 3 times ! Men shake hands, but kiss women.--- and you say 'Bonne Annee' and 'Bonne Sante'--it's all very time consuming and everything stops for late arrivals to go through all the process too!
The Maire then makes his address-- basically letting us know where all this year's taxes will be spent. It's quite hard to follow while little ones are running around, and he mumbles on in his very fast French, but I gather this year Rochemeneau's lake is to be re-walled by the commune as it is next to the road and so of local necessity. More interestingly we are to have a new doctor in the village--but I think I'll save that for a later date.
Then we all drink champagne and eat biscuits and chat before tottering home for lunch!
It rained last night and all is back to normal!
Roland , the farmer, who has a shed full of Limousin cows across the way, arrived by tractor to feed them.
This compacted the snow on the road -- which froze that night, and everynight for the rest of the week! Temperatures got down to -11*C overnight, according to the thermometer in the barn, and barely rose above zero all week--- even though the sunshine was beautiful. One day I hung the washing out in the sunshine---it freeze-dried on the line!
The kitchen and the living-room log burning stoves were kept in 24 hours a day! Fortunately Geoff was prepared and had plenty of wood cut to the right lengths in anticipation of the necessity. There was sufficient food in the freezer and the pantry to prevent any worry of starvation. When the cat food ran out Boris had to have dog food. Once upon a time this would have been fine, but nowadays he is extremely fussy--so he complained.
A new term of French classes, and dance-fit classes , just starting that week, had to be abandoned. I was quite relieved to find I wasn't the only chicken--in fact nobody out in the countryside managed to get anywhere.
We walked miles with the dogs. Usually I do the morning walk & Geoff the evening--or vice-versa, but with such beautiful sunny mornings we both tramped miles going along footpaths that were previously untried. We found a new 'lavoir' ( originally a spring that was used for washing clothes), but then decided to keep away from water. All the lakes and even the River Charente was frozen. Rabbit footprints could be seen on the frosted ice, but we didn't want the dogs trying it out! Rosie is a pretty solid labrador, and Battie is a Welsh border collie.
Thursday afternoon saw me and the dogs pottering along the riverbank, when Rosie spotted a coypu standing on the ice about 10 metres from the bank. She rushed at it ---I screamed 'NO--COME BACK!'
Amazingly she grabbed it before galloping back to me! I'm afraid to report the coypu's life was finished at that point, but I was horribly aware of all the stories one hears every year of people falling through ice and drowning when trying to rescue dogs.
In future, during freezing weather, all walks will be in the woods, footpaths and fields well away from any water!
Friday we got the car out by going along the grass 'chemin' ( footpath) at the back of the house. We were amazed how little snow had thawed, particularly along roads surrounded by trees. We stocked up ( with cat food!) and decided driving was still very unpleasant.
Saturday morning was the new Maire of Asnois's New Year's welcome party. We walked, and arrived to find only 1 other English person there. There are about 10 English families in our village. Every one is at an outlying cottage or farmhouse. This made us heroes, and everybody was impressed that we'd made the effort. French ettiquette requires that the women kiss everybody on the cheeks at least 3 times ! Men shake hands, but kiss women.--- and you say 'Bonne Annee' and 'Bonne Sante'--it's all very time consuming and everything stops for late arrivals to go through all the process too!
The Maire then makes his address-- basically letting us know where all this year's taxes will be spent. It's quite hard to follow while little ones are running around, and he mumbles on in his very fast French, but I gather this year Rochemeneau's lake is to be re-walled by the commune as it is next to the road and so of local necessity. More interestingly we are to have a new doctor in the village--but I think I'll save that for a later date.
Then we all drink champagne and eat biscuits and chat before tottering home for lunch!
It rained last night and all is back to normal!
Friday, 2 January 2009
2009-- Happy New Year!
It is January 2nd and I'm sitting in the office felling awfully Sundayish!
Yesterday we had all the friends who'd fed and entertained us over the Christmas period come and see us for a small New Year's Day buffet lunch.
It was a pleasantly gentle affair. Some people had stayed up very late the night before.
We filled our plates and sat in the lounge, chatting and nibbling--and sipping Geoff's mulled wine. It was such a great success ( thanks to Jamie Oliver, who recommended heating the sugar and oranges together, nearly to the point of caramelisation, before adding the wine) that he went and made a second batch.
Those feeling delicate ( and at least 3 people who couldn't even make it!) had been to the Charroux New Year's Eve bash.
Eating starts about 10pm. Seafood--fruits de mer and particularly oysters! The French eat tons of oysters at this time of year. ( We had some on Christmas Eve but I really don't see the attraction.)
Many courses later ( with a bit of singing and dancing in between! ) --- about 5 am on New Year's Day, onion soup is served and everybody goes home!
Geoff and I refrained from this marathon this year knowing that we were entertaining the next day ( not to mention the 48 euros per head cost!)
In between feasting and sleeping we've walked the dogs.
Sometimes we go together-- in which case we usually chat and so don't notice --or scare off-- anything of interest. Walking alone and we make an effort ( particularly since deciding a nature blog might be of interest to would-be Maureville holiday -makers) to observe the wildlife.
Birds spotted during the last couple of weeks include:-
A goldcrest. Oh to have had the camera! It posed, only a couple of feet away, for an eternity!
A woodcock. This took some research to identify, but i've since been told they are
A large group of long-tailed tits--all settling in the branches of a hazel tree growing on the bank of the R Charente, that meanders alongside the field at the bottom of our garden
A pair of mistle thrushes--eating mistletoe berries! The mistletoe is prevalent on the trees in the river valley.
A flock of fieldfares flew over the back field last night.
Numerous lapwings can be seen on the corn stubble.
Buzzards are regularly hunting the fields, --the rabbit supply is plentiful!
Our resident kestral--who angrily squalks at us for walking round our garden!
And numerous geese, ducks and cranes--too high to be readily identified flying overhead to heaven knows where!
But roll on summer when the summer visitors return!
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