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!
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