Living Magazine June / July 16

days out ~ local news ~ recipes ~ nature ~ property

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june | july 2016

June/July 2016

As it says on the cover, it’s summer time! Long days, balmy evenings and the holiday season is about to begin. We love getting out and about before the holidaymakers arrive and our Ultimate Summer Guide to Poitou-Charentes is the ideal companion if you are in or near the region. It’s packed full of hundreds of ideas for fabulous days out. Of course, you can read it on www.livingmagazine.fr as well.

Sadly, it is time to say au revoir

and merci to Trevor Bridge who has been our Wheelbarrow Gardener for many years - we will miss his gardening wisdom and tales from the potager. We are, however, delighted to say bonjour to Susan Hays who joins us to share her busy life bringing up five children in Charente-Maritime.

Following the last edition, we had a very positive response to our free

French lessons offer with partner Frantastique, so much so that we have been able to extend it for anyone who missed it. Just click the link on our website to find out more. And while you are there, please fill in our quick survey and as a thank-you, we will pop your name into the hat to win tickets to Futuroscope.

À bientôt!

55-63 Business DirectoryThe best services & suppliers across the region

64 Places to goaround the region

4SnippetsNews from around the region

17His own ManWe interview poet and writer Lemn Sissay before his arrival at the Saint-Clémentin Littfête

18Vintage Port La Rochelle’s Vieux Port - the perfect destination for a summer’s day out

25Down River Visit Bordeilles, the charming village with not one but two chateaux

28Pardon!Our regular look at fun French expressions with Emma Lee

32Stag NightsChris Luck investigates the life of the Stag Beetle and other flying beetles

36Summer SensationsPérigord strawberries are synonymous with summer as Alan Coxon finds out

38Nikki Legon’s Cuisine Easy summer entertaining for family and friends

42Summer Daze Fun days out for the family away from the crowds with Susan Hays

43Living Property Pages We visit Melle in Deux-Sèvres

48The Wheelbarrow Gardener Top tips from Trevor Bridge as he says au revoir

52Hook, Line and Sinker Ron Cousins gears up for the predator challenge

65UpbeatOur regular look at live music

66 Book Review with Sandie George

25

18

38Welcome

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Great days outFestivals, Fun For all the Family & much more

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All you need to know in one hAndy guide

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Down on the farmOn a summer evening, there is no better way to enjoy Charentaise specialities than at one of Céline and François Peloquin’s laid-back bio markets at Chas-sagne, just outside Villefagnan. Since 1969 the farm, which is inspected twice yearly by the independent regulatory body QUALITY France, has been organi-cally producing and packaging pulses, flour and oil under the official ‘AB’ brand. Alongside milling their own flour, they also bake their own bread which is sold from the farm (Tues and Fri from 4-8pm) and at local markets. Each month, from April to December, a local farmers’ market with more than 20 stands is held on the first Friday from 4-7pm where you can buy fresh fruit and vege-tables, cheese, meat, honey and much more. But the highlight of the season are the fortnightly evening markets with live music and lit BBQs. Buy your

ingredients from the local producers, bring your plate and cutlery and settle down for a relaxed evening. This year, the markets are on 1 & 15 July, 5 & 19 August, 2 September and 4 October with doors opening at 4pm. www.campingdechassagne.fr

Water funIf cool river waters look tempting on a hot summer’s day, explore the local waterways by hiring a boat from Inter-Croisières at Sireuil just outside Angoulême. Meander along the Charente, described by François I as the ‘most beautiful river in the kingdom’, stop off at the riverside villages, enjoy a tasting at a pineau or cognac producer, watch the local wildlife. Time will stand still as you relax in peaceful surroundings. No driving licence is required and the house-boats can accommodate two to ten people comfortably for a minimum two-day rental. And, new for 2016, Canadian canoes are now available for hire which seat 3 adults. Visit the website for full details or to request a brochure. Pont de Sireuil, 16440 Sireuil; tel: 05 45 90 58 18; www.intercriosieres.com

Glass CreationsDonna Vivier has been designing and creating stained glass works of art for over thirty-two years after she trained with George Morris Co. in glass restoration, fabrication and technical design. “I love designing and creating glass items for my clients; listening to their ideas and discussing their project is a joy.” Her enthusiasm is shared by her clients who see their designs come to life as Janet explains: “We had a dream of installing a stained glass window that told the story of

our property and life in the Charente. Donna immediately shared our vision and worked with us to bring that dream to life. Perfectly installed, it is something we are very proud of.” As well as one-off commissions, Donna produces decorative items to order which are ideal for unique handmade gifts. And when she is not busy creating, Donna enjoys restoring stained glass and bringing it back to life. Based at 16480 Passirac, Donna is happy to travel to clients to discuss their requirements. To find out more see www.glassaspire.co.uk.

End of an eraOne of the first actions taken by the new super-region based at Bordeaux has shocked and disappointed many Poitou-Charentes residents. Just two months before it was due to open, the 2016 edition of Nuits Romanes was cancelled to help fill a hole in the region’s budget. Having celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, it was hoped that the festival would be maintained and a petition raised to protest at the decision received over 20,000 signatures. Small busi-nesses who had already built the events into their plans have beenhit hard while the vast public who enjoyed these free events celebrating the region’s Roman-esque architecture will have to wait until 2017 to see what will be proposed to fill the gap.

For great

days out

and our

pick of

festivals

in

Charente

don’t miss

our Free

Ultimate

Summer

Guide!

News from

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Cassinomagus, near Chassenon, will once again be opening its doors to visitors this year from 3 July. The site of some of the best preserved Roman thermal baths in France, the park stretches over several hectares with lots of activi-ties suitable for all the family. Visitors can discover les thermes, both the rooms that were reserved for those bathing and those which were used by the servants. English-speaking guides will be available daily at 3pm. Outside, enjoy the carefully tended gardens before exploring the exhibition detailing the history of perfumes from classical antiquity, with full English translations. The exhi-bition is being presented in associa-tion with the Musée International de la Parfumerie, based in the world-famous perfume producing town of Grasse (Provence).

A scent wall will evoke the spirit of adventure and the exotic, and you can join in the scent discovery challenge every day at 5.30pm. Children will enjoy the games of chance from the Roman period in the garden area. From Wednesday to Saturday at 11am you can assist archaeologists in their meticulous excavations, or learn about ancient building techniques every Sunday and Monday at 3pm (from 13 July to 14 August). 3 July is ‘Nuit Archéo’ with free access from 3pm plus entertainment and fireworks, while an open air cinema will show ‘Mission Cleopatra’ on 20 July and ‘Astérix, le domaine des Dieux’ on 10 August (free entry). Cassinomagus opens daily until 28 Aug (10am to 6.30pm). Adult entry costs 5€ with under-18s free. www.lacharente.fr

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Praana RetreatsJoin Amanda at Praana Wellness to re-charge your batteries or to simply take some time out from everyday life in heavenly surroundings. A qualified psychotherapist and yoga teacher, Amanda offers retreats promoting healing and recovery through yoga and Ayurveda throughout the year at her home, Chez Vallée, between Jonzac and Barbezieux. The ‘Blissfully Nurturing Retreat’ at the end of July will introduce participants to the Blissful Brown holistic skincare range alongside a restorative yoga session, meditation and a delicious organic vegetarian lunch. Between sessions, relax by the pool or in the cool of the shady abri. A ‘Couples Counselling Retreat’ is planned for May 2017 to be run by Amanda, and the rest of the programme can be found on the Facebook page PraanaWellness Retreats or you can tailor-make a retreat to meet your own specific requirements. For the complete retreat experience, prolong the peace by staying overnight in one of Chez Vallée’s B&B rooms....Chez Vallée, 17500 St Germain de Vibrac; tel 06 40 33 23 82; www.praanawellness.com; email: [email protected]

Vertical Ocean CampDiscover two new sports at La Rochelle over the weekend of 17-19 June as the Deep Water Soloing (DWS, also known as Psychobloc) and Jumplining championships arrive at the Vieux Port. In DWS, competitors free-climb a 15m wall projecting out over the harbour with only the cold Atlantic waters to save them should they fall. Jumplining has evolved from slacklining – imagine a 4cm-wide slack tightrope with the elasticity of a trampoline – balance and courage are required to somersault and tumble to gain points from the judges. Qualification rounds start on Friday at 5pm with finals for DSW on Saturday at 6.30pm and Jumplining on Sunday at 5pm. www.vertical-ocean-camp.fr

RespiRé If you don’t want to cross the toll bridge to Ré with your car then consider jumping aboard a RespiRé electric minibus. Running throughout the summer, they pass every 10 minutes in high season from 10am at Belvédère in La Rochelle to 8pm from Sablanceaux on the Île de Ré. Once on the island, a second fleet of electric minibuses can carry you on to your final destination. At only 1€ per journey, these buses make for both a hassle-free and environmentally-friendly way on and off the popular island. www.lesmouettes-transports.com

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For great days out and our

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Guerre et PlaGeOn the 23 June, 1940, the Germans entered Royan. Nobody could have imagined that the occupation would last for five years and conclude with the tragic destruction of much of the city. Occupying a strategically important position on the Gironde estuary, the spa town became home to the Wehrmacht who requisitioned hotels and villas. After several months of observation, the

oppression began with rationing, repression and deportation. The exhibition ‘Guerre et Plage’ (War and Beach) at Royan Museum looks at these events with fresh eyes, particularly the important role played by the town’s population. With a series of exceptional photographs and several interactive multimedia presentations, visitors can experience the ambiance of the war years. The exhibition runs until 19 September and is open every day (closed for lunch) except Tuesday. Entry costs 5€. www.ville-royan.fr.

Musical toursA two-million-euro project hopes to increase the number of visitors to one of the département’s Romanesque treasures, l’abbaye aux Dames in Saintes. On the 19 June, the first two of five modules for the new visitor circuit will be unveiled. Drawing on its musical heritage with the successful annual summer festival, the abbey’s visitor circuit combines the latest 3D sound with spatialised sound to guide the visitor through the abbey’s history in the modules ‘l’immersion’ and ‘la communion’. The itinerary ends with the visitor experiencing the sensation of being at the heart of an orchestra. The three remaining elements (‘la détente’, ‘l’amusement’ and ‘le savoir’) will open in 2017 and 2018. A third of the funds have come from the public purse with a third from private partners and the final third via loans, and the aim is to welcome more than 70,000 visitors per year once it is fully open – a significant increase from the current 10,000.

Local choir La Chantonge are performing their summer concerts on 28 May at Saintes, 4 June at Saint-Savinien and 11 June at Matha.

DIARY DATEs!

Monkeying aroundIf your children enjoy accrobranche, swinging through the tree-tops, then they are certain to enjoy the latest attraction at the docks in Rochefort where they can clamber up the masts of a tall ship and imagine what it must be like to sail on Hermione. Built in Hermione’s dry dock, the ships’ masts reach 30m in the air offering both a stunning view of the dockyard and Rochefort, and plenty of thrills. Set to open at the beginning of July, Accro-Mâts is unique in Europe and suitable for children from the age of 3 upwards.

LE GuIdE VERtThe French-language version of Michelin’s Green Guide to Poitou-Charentes has recently been updated and re-published. In it there are circuits and itineraries, touristic sites classified by the familiar star system plus maps and addresses. Available at your local bookshop, it costs 14.90€. ISBN 978-2-06-720688-5.

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Free visitsIf you are a resident within the Vézère Périgord Noir area, did you know you can apply for a card that gives you free entry when you take guests to local tourist attractions, even in July and August? The cards can be applied for at Terrasson, Hautefort or Thenon tourist offices – just take along proof of residence and a passport photo (if you don’t have one, they will even take one for you at the tourist office). Then, when you accompany an adult or two children to the site, you will get free entry. Some rules do apply but the idea is to encourage local residents to become more knowledgeable about the local sites. If you applied for a card in 2015, then it will remain active through 2016 too.

Jardins de l’Imaginaire

We have 3 pairs of tickets for lucky Living readers. Just send your details into

[email protected] before the end of June. The winners will be drawn at random on 1 July and will each win a pair of tickets for the best available seats at

a performance of their choice.

WinA PAiR OF

tickets

Irish festivalFor the 26th year, the Rencontres Musicales Irlandaises festival will take place at Tocane Saint Apre from 17-20 July. Join in one of the twelve musical instrument workshops or try your hand at hurling or set dancing during the day (details of how to reserve your place are on the website). Concerts and a ceili are planned for the evenings. www.rencontresmusicalesirlandaisestocane.fr

La CharrueThe events calendar at La Charrue, the popular venue set in 6 acres of parkland just north of Brantôme, is again packed with great acts this year. The highlight is the Gala evening on 13 July which includes a three-course din-ner accompanied by a Michael Bublé tribute (32€). Three other tribute acts are performing during the season, The Jersey Boys on 27 July, The Dolly Show on 10 August and Rod Stewart on 24 August (all 25€ including a two-course dinner). As always, Friday night is music night, listen to lo-cal bands while enjoying Pauline and Clint’s fish and chips (17.50€). But remember to book as the evenings are very popular. The Fun day in support of cancer charities will be held on 14 August while 25 September is reserved for the Boot Fair in aid of local dogs’ home Twilight. See www.lacharrue.biz for full details or call 05 53 56 65 59.

News from arouNd the regioN... dordogNe

24600 Petit-Bersac,Dordogne Tel: +33 (0)5 53 90 08 71

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The Mas de Montet, a delightful 18th century private chateau, is located at Petit Bersac not far from Riberac and Aubeterre.

It is ideal for business or private events, a wedding, or just to relax.If you are looking for an exceptional venue, the charm emanating

from the domaine, the beautiful landscapes and the luxurious rooms will enchant you.

AT CHEZ CARTIER, 16360 CONDÉONHANDS-ON COOKERY WORKSHOPS WITH REZA MAHAMMAD

Gift Vouchers Available www.chezcartier. com [email protected]

Join celebrity chef Reza Mahammad for a hands on cookery workshop at his home in the Charente.

Reza teaches a three-course Indian or Thai menu, conveying his passion and infectious enthusiasm for

food and entertaining.

Courses limited to 8. Participants create a delicious, authentic meal with Reza’s expert guidance. Lunch is enjoyed by all, served with wine and hosted by Reza.

Timings: 10h30 - 16h30 Price per person: 175€/£140

DATES: 28th, 30th July; 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 20th, 25th, 27th August; 1st, 3rd September

Touring ShakespeareAntic Disposition is an award-winning, London-based theatre company, presenting innovative and entertaining interpretations of classic plays and stories, with a particular emphasis on the works of Shakespeare. The company has earned much critical acclaim for its high quality, visually striking productions, which are often presented in historic locations or non-theatre spaces. Once again, they will be touring Périgord and Quercy from 31 July to 11 August performing their latest production, The Comedy of Errors. Starting at Domme, venues include Lauzerte, Lherm, Monflanquin, Belvès, Saint-Avit-Sénieur, Eymet, Montcuq, Monpazier and Puy l’Evêque. The open-air performances begin at 8.30pm and there is an alternative location if the weather forecast is poor. Tickets start at 20€ with under-16s free, and are available on www.ad-tour.com.

Château & jardins de LosseIn 1576, after fighting for King and Country, the Marquis Jean II de Losse returned to his family seat, a medieval fortress near Montignac on the banks of the Vézère river. His deeds had brought him fame and wealth, while his travels had introduced him to the Renaissance architectural style. This combination enabled him to construct a fine Renaissance hall within the elegant courtyard which is now open to visitors. Complete with period tapestries, paintings and furnishings, the rooms evoke the reigns of the last Valois and first Bourbon kings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Overlooking the Vézère valley, the chateau was classed as a Monument Historique in 1928 while its gardens with their terraces and sculpted box and hornbeam were classified as Jardin Remarquable in 2003. Enjoy the garden seats, picnic in the picnic area, explore the mini bamboo labyrinth and savour the tea-room while the children hunt for treasure! This year the chateau is celebrating its 240th anniversary by opening the underground vaulted spiral staircase down to the well of the keep. The chateau and gardens are open until the 30 September from noon until 6pm (closed on Saturday except on public holiday weekends), and guided visits in English are available on request. www.chateaudelosse.com; tel: 05 53 50 80 08.

Evening eventsAvoid the heat of the day by visiting some of the region’s cha-teaux in the cool evening air. The Château de Bordeilles, which you can read all about on page 25, offers tours each Friday night from 9pm while the Château de Biron holds evening food mar-kets every Thursday evening at 6pm in the summer (for both see www.semitour.com). Meanwhile Château de Jumilhac le Grand

offers swashbuckling enter-tainment each Tuesday and Thursday evening in July and August (see www.jumilhac.net). Alternatively, explore Les Murmures de Saint Avit-Sénieur where each evening from 10pm, a charming sound and light show takes you through the ages.

DorDogne

news from

arounD the

region...


Phoenix Chorale will be performing their summer concert at Lezay church (79) on Sunday, 10 July, at 5pm. Entry is free.

DIARY DATE!

Parc de Pierre-BruneLocated in the magnificent Forêt de Mervent in the south Vendée, the Parc de Pierre-Brune has over forty attractions for all ages across 6 hectares. Choose from bumper boats, mini-golf, giant slides, trampolines, water balls, flying chairs and even a small train – there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Refreshments are available all day including ice-creams and restauration rapide and the natural setting means you can find plenty of places to simply sit and enjoy the surroundings. The Grotte du Père de Montfort (free entry) is within walking distance of the park, as is the Pierre-Brune dam and numerous scenic viewpoints looking out over the forest. The Parc de Pierre-Brune is open weekends, jours fériés and school holidays (10.30am-7pm) until September. Full details of entry prices and opening hours can be found on www.parc-pierre-brune.fr.

Nuisance callsThe government is launching ‘Bloctel’, a new service aimed at stopping commercial cold callers on the telephone. To subscribe to this free service, just register on the website bloctel.gouv.fr which will open on the 1 June. Anyone cold calling members of this list can be prosecuted with fines up to 75,000€ per call, however SMS’s are not included.

PouPet is 30The renowned Poupet Festival is celebrating 30 years in 2016 and has a strong line-up for

the three weeks of concerts from 30 June to 22 July. STOMP open the festival with their unique

combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy followed by two free concerts on 2 and 3 July and a surprise programme on 5 July. The Corrs are playing on 14 July and

popular French singer Louane is playing two nights. Ticket prices vary and full details can

be found at www.festival-poupet.com.

For great

days out

and our

pick of

festivals

in Deux-

Sèvres,

don’t miss

our Free

Ultimate

Summer

Guide!

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OUR JUDGES:Poetry - Roger Elkin

Short Stories - Amanda HodgkinsonVignettes - Ed Briggs: Theme Water

Vignette français: Theme L’eauOne-act Plays - Gordon Simms

Prizes: 395€, 65€ and 40€ for poetry and short stories; 65€ for vignette; 130€ for one-act play.

Entry fee: poems and vignettes 5.50€, stories 8€, plays 16€.Discounts for multiple entries.

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Segora International Writing Competitions 2016

Celebrating 10 years

Results an-nounced in

Closing date: 15th June 2016

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Writing HomeThe third bilingual Littfête takes place in the historic village of Saint-Clémentin (79) from 24-26 June. It promises to be an exceptional event. Lemn Sissay, official poet of the London Olympics, will talk about his extraordinary life with BBC presenter Roisin McAuley and perform some of his inspirational poetry. Adopted at birth, abandoned as an adolescent, he spent years in a Care home. As a young man he rein-vented himself as a poet. He is now the Chan-cellor of Manchester University and an MBE. We have been lucky enough to interview Lemn – see p17. Bilingual novelist Patricia Duncker presents her award-winning books and leads a writing discussion class whilst Gavin Bowd talks about the challenge of translating controversial author, Michel Houellebecq. Also present are troubadour André Theilhet and the Monkseaton Morris Men. Chez Didier, the Copper Kettle café and a pop-up bookshop combine to make this a most enjoyable event for all who love reading (and eating!). Places are limited, do please reserve. www.stclementinlitfest.com

Following collaboration between départe-ments 17, 79 and 85, the Marais Poitevin has been given a new identity as ‘mon parc naturel d’attractions’ in an effort to promote a dynamic image and its attractiveness as a family-friendly destination. With 1.4 million visitors each year, the majority of whom stay near the coast, the team behind the redesign hope to propel the

region into one of France’s top tourist attrac-tions. A new website has been launched (only in French for the moment) which features short films about the area. With only 6% of visitors coming from abroad, far behind other local attractions, the addition of English to the website in the future will add a welcome boost. www.parc-marais-poitevin.fr

Free EntryTo celebrate its tenth

anniversary, the Historial de la

Vendée is offering free entry on

the first Sunday of every month.

With 3,100m2 of ultra-modern

exhibition space, the museum

takes you through 7,000 years

of civilisation and includes a

museum dedicated to children.

Alternatively, you can purchase a Pass Vendée for only 21€ which

gives you access to all seven départemental sites including the

Historial as well as the Haras, Château de Gilles de Rais, the

Logis de La Chabotterie and several abbeys.

Medieval Restoration With the help of a local association, the Vendée Conseil Générale are restoring the 1,500m2 medieval garden of the Parc de Bellroche at Rocheservière. Set in a wooded park of 8.6ha running along the banks of the river Boulogne, Belleroche was passed to the département in 2004 and is classed as an Espace Naturel

Sensible. The future garden will incorporate aromatic plants and an orchard with heritage vari-eties of apples, pears, cherries and currants. The département will be buying all the plants and has loaned the Association du Patrimoine Cervierois a mini-digger, and the association will be providing willing volunteers.

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arouNd the

regioN...vieNNe &

haute-vieNNeNews from arouNd the regioN...

POITIERS

LIMOGES

VIENNE

(86)

HAUTE-VIENNE

(87)

Montmorillon

Bellac

Le Dorat

St-Mathieu

Nieul

St-Yriex-la-Perche

Ambazac

Charroux

Civray

ChatelleraultLoudon

Chauvigny

Rochechouart

Win Futuroscope tickets!Living Magazine are partnering with Futuroscope to offer our readers the op-portunity to win tickets to this favourite family amusement park. We have TWENTY TICKETS up for grabs – just click onto www.livingmagazine.fr, com-plete the short survey and your name will go into the hat. First prize is four tickets and there are eight additional runner-up prizes of two tickets each. And, of course, every reader can benefit from the 5€ coupon on our back cover. New for 2016 at Futuroscope, the stars of ‘Ice Age, the Attraction’ will take you on a totally cool, madcap 4D adventure. A big-bang burst of visual, aquatic and pyrotechnic effects sends them on a magical journey to the ‘La Forge aux Etoiles’ in the fairy tale aquatic evening show from Le Cirque du Soleil (admission is included in the price of the ticket). Don’t miss ‘The Time Machine with the Raving Rabbids’, and ‘Arthur, the 4D Adventure’, both winners of the ‘Best attraction in the world’ award. www.futuroscope.com

Win

tickets

© Fu

Tu

RoSC

opE/C

IRqu

E Du

SoLEIL/45 D

EgR

EES

Raising money for both prostate Cancer uK and Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque Enfants du Monde, 75-years-young Robin Weston is a man with a mission. “I have survived prostate cancer thanks to our very attentive doctors in France and the excellent medical atten-tion I have received in Limoges. In gratitude, I am presently training to undertake cycling challenges in both France and the uK during 2016.” In addition to some 200 hours and 5,000km of training, he will be cycling a fur-ther 3,800km fundraising including along the Tour de France route and the 100 mile 2012 olympic road race route. Follow his endeav-ours on his FB page (robin.weston75) and help him raise £2,500 by donating at www.justgiving.com/charityendurancecycling. good luck Robin!

Cycling for charity

Tour de FranceTuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 July are red letter days for local cyclists as the Tour will be entering the Vienne on Stage 4 and leaving the Haute-Vienne on Stage 5 after an overnight stop in Limoges. Stage 4 from Saumur to Limoges is the longest of the race at 232km and will enter the Vienne at about midday at pouançay before heading to Loudun, Châtellerault and Montmorillon. Racing on into the Haute-Vienne, a sprint is planned in Le Dorat with climbs at Maison Neuve and Bel Air before arrival at Limoges. From Limoges, the riders head into the first mountain stage to Le Lioran, a ride of 216km passing through Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. For the full map and timings, visit www.letour.fr.

vienne &

haute-viennenews from around the region...


POITIERS

LIMOGES

VIENNE

(86)

HAUTE-VIENNE

(87)

Montmorillon

Bellac

Le Dorat

St-Mathieu

Nieul

St-Yriex-la-Perche

Ambazac

Charroux

Civray

ChatelleraultLoudon

Chauvigny

Rochechouart

Train touristiqueThe 2016 summer schedule for the Train Touristique en Limousin is now available on their website. With two steam locomotives, one diesel locomotive and ten carriages, there are regular journeys around Limoges with departures from Limoges and Eymoutiers. The timetables allow for lunch or a picnic plus a visit before returning to the departure point. In addition, there are journeys for the Ostensions Septennales and Festirail. The full details, including prices, can be found on www.trainvapeur.com.

OstensiOns septennalesHeld every seven years and inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Ostensions Septennales, or the worshipping of relics, continue across the region throughout June and July. The tradition will be celebrated at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche (5 June); Chaptelat (12 June); Eymoutiers 19 June; Saint-Junien (26 June); Limoges (2 July); Aureil (3 July) and Crocq (10 July). Dating back to 994 when the ‘evil of the burning’ due to ergot, a parasite of rye, was cured by the ostension of Saint Martial’s relics in Limoges, the celebrations adopted a septennial rhythm in the 16th century. The celebrations in Saint-Junien are the culmination of a programme that began on 10 January in honour of the Saints Junien and Amand, hermits of the 6th century. Starting at 6.30pm there will be a costumed procession with 1,500 participants decorated with flowers and leaves symbolis-ing the Comodoliac forest where the hermits lived. A mass is followed by a meal on the banks of the Vienne before fireworks.

For great

days out

and our

pick of

festivals

in Vienne

don’t miss

our Free

Ultimate

Summer

Guide!

Join the Race4Life in aid of cancer charities at La Croisille-sur-Briance (87130) on Sun 26 June. Starts at 2.30pm, live

music by ‘Fargo’, entry is 5€ for the 5km course. For details call Sarah Berry on 05 55 71 40 79 or email [email protected].

DIARY DATE!

living people | 17


Many stories of triumph are born out of adver-sity, but Lemn Sissay’s is more remarkable than

most. “I’m not from anywhere – I was brought up in a village in Lancashire, I found my family in Ethiopia, then I came to Manchester and didn’t really meet another black person until I was sixteen. I’ve always been an outsider... which lets me connect with everyone, because we’re all outsiders”, he says. As anyone who has followed him will already know, that’s just the introductory tip of very large iceberg, and he’ll no doubt be expanding the story during his visit to the festival.

Lemn’s no stranger to France: “I have a good friend who has a place in La Romieu, in the Gers, and each year I try to spend time there to write, just sitting in a cafe, day and night. It’s important for me to get away, just be with myself with pen and paper and no distractions, and it’s lovely how the village has kind of become my friend. There’s a life to be lived in France, which most people aren’t aware of, even though it’s really not far away.” He’s obviously going to feel at home, then, during his visit to Saint-Clémentin: “I’m really looking forward to coming over and seeing everyone. The sun’s going to be shining, the sky’s going to be clear – I hope I’m reading outside. It’s great doing readings, because you’re basically talking about what it is you love.

There’s no catch, just a celebration of the creative spirit.”

I wondered whether he had a particular theme planned: “I don’t, actually. I have my stories, my poems... but half the enjoy-ment is responding to what you’re feeling at the time. You’ve got to be ‘present’, or why do it? Trying to be structured is like a strange kind of game, and I don’t think poets are built that way.”

Such is his celebrity status that Lemn’s current way of life looks like a strange kind of game (when we spoke he was preparing to fly off to Cape Town for an education conference organised by The British Council), which made me wonder whether travelling so much makes it hard to keep writing. “It’s a very portable thing, being a writer. I was talking about this to Ralph McTell when I was presenting a programme called Midweek Special on Radio 4. He pulled out a piece of paper on which he’d scrib-bled down notes... ideas he’d had on the train. It’s what we do, to keep a thought which we can work on later. What he does is to tell other people’s stories. I was on stage at the Wenlock Poetry Festival the night before, and I said that the writer writes it down - the moment you stop doing that you stop being a writer. It’s important to be inspired, and writing is all about the action.”

The solitary act of writing is clearly rewarded when the work surfaces during

a performance: “I knew very early on, around 14 years of age, that I would be a poet. I love being on stage and sharing things with an audience... I love the dynamic. It’s all about connecting, about growing wings and flying; I don’t think any of us has locked into us a preconceived narrative. I try to keep it fresh and live. I’m surrounded by really inspiring talents like Roger McGough, Brian Patten, Ian McMillan, Jackie Kay, Carol Ann Duffy... we’re all on our own unique, individual journeys, and it’s great being part of that and being able to share our journey with an audience.”

Talking of journeys reminds me of how Lemn’s own journey began. I wondered whether he’s still making sense of the unlikely series of childhood events which he still recounts to audiences: “It’s a present, live story. I think what happens to us in our childhood shapes us in our adulthood. I sometimes wish it weren’t like that but that’s how it is and there’s not much I can do about that”.

So what exactly sustains his substan-tial reserves of energy and optimism? “I do think we have a responsibility to ourselves to pursue the right path, to fight for ourselves and to look after ourselves. I think that there are times in our lives when we can say to ourselves: ‘Come on, let’s go, let’s rock, let’s step up!’ Although it might seem like my story is tragic in many ways, it feels like a gift. Like most people I can be just as down as I can be up, but it’s important to be able to acknowledge your downs, and work through them.”

Not that the cathartic quality necessarily comes across to his audiences, who just soak up the charisma and an inspiration given so generously. As Lemn puts it: “My job description is ‘to inspire and be inspired’. It’s a two-way thing. It’s impor-tant to respond to inspiration – it’s not a distant thing, separate from who we are; it actually IS who we are. Look for the little things. It doesn’t have to be the big moments which dictate our poetry - it’s often seemingly insignificant small things, which once seen can’t be unseen. I was talking about Prince to a newspaper, and in Nothing Compares 2 U he wrote ‘It’s been seven hours and fifteen days, since u took your love away...” – anyone could have written that line. But it’s a beautiful line, and it’s so close to every-one’s lives. Empathy is the key.”The 3rd Saint-Clémentin Bilingual LittFête runs from 24-26 June: www.stclementinlitfest.com www.lemnsissay.com

His own man

This year the 3rd

Saint-Clémentin

Bilingual LittFête

will welcome

writer and poet

Lemn Sissay.

We caught up

with him to

discover the

man behind

the reputation.

IntervIew: RogeR MoSS

PHO

tO

: © G

reG

wIl

lIa

ms

www.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

16 | living places to visit


T his is truly an historic port. In 1199 Eleanor of Aquitaine granted a charter freeing

La Rochelle from ecclesiastical and feudal control, and the port soon estab-lished trading links with England and Flanders, exporting salt and wines in exchange for wool and textiles. During the 15th century the Canadian fur trade (plus slave trading from the West Indies) generated great prosperity, which lasted until the Wars of Religion brought the Protestant town under siege by the forces of the king in 1573. After six months and the deaths of 20,000 troops the siege was abandoned.

By 1612 La Rochelle was the most heavily fortified town in western France, with mighty ramparts

defending all but the port’s seaward entrance. At nightfall the harbour was secured by raising a heavy iron chain slung between the Tour Saint-Nicolas (1382) and its counterpart the Tour de la Chaîne (c1394) on the opposite quay, where a section of the chain is still displayed. Access to the port would play a decisive role in the outcome of a second siege from the forces of the king, which began in 1627 under the command of Cardinal Richelieu. This time it was personal.

An English fleet was dispatched to La Rochelle’s aid, only to be prevented from entering the port by a vast, heavily-armed dyke constructed across the access channel by Louis XIII’s forces, aided by itinerant masons from Limousin. The initiative proved

De nos jours, le Vieux-Port de La Rochelle attire des visiteurs du monde entier, mais durant des siècles, il dut se montrer pru-dent à l’égard des étrangers.

Il s’agit d’un port chargé d’histoire. En 1199, Aliénor d’Aquitaine octroya une charte afin de libérer La Rochelle de l’emprise de l’Église et de la classe féodale, et le port établit bientôt des relations commerciales avec l’Angleterre et les Flandres, exportant du sel et du vin en échange de laine et de textiles. Au XVe siècle, le commerce canadien des fourrures (ajouté à celui des esclaves aux Antilles) engendra une grande prospérité, qui dura jusqu’aux guerres de religion, lorsque la ville protestante se retrouva assiégée

Vintage Port

Today La Rochelle’s Vieux Port attracts visitors from throughout the world,but for centuries it was obliged to

be cautious about outsiders.

woRds & photos: roger moss;

tRANsLAtIoN: siddhartha

+articleFrançaisen

La Tour de la Chaîne (L) and la Tour Saint-Nicolas (R)

www.livingmagazine.fr | 32

living places to visit | 17


brutally effective: by the time the belea-guered townspeople finally surrendered 15 months later some 22,500 of their companions had starved to death.

Not surprisingly, most of the town’s ramparts were soon removed, but a seaward section still survives between the Tour de la Chaîne and the 75m-high Tour de la Lanterne, completed in 1476 as a navigational aid to coastal mariners. Its tall spire provided a prominent day-mark, while the smaller tower beside it carried a lantern, making this the Atlantic Coast’s oldest lighthouse. You can climb to the base of the spire, and the Tour de la Chaîne is also accessible.

It’s the 36m summit of the Tour Saint-Nicolas, however, which delivers the definitive overview of the Vieux Port,

par les forces du roi en 1573. Après six mois et 20 000 soldats morts, le siège fut abandonné.

En 1612, La Rochelle était la ville la plus solidement fortifiée de l’Ouest de la France, avec d’imposants remparts la défendant intégralement à l’exception de l’entrée du port en provenance du large. À la tombée de la nuit, la rade était protégée par une grosse chaîne de fer relevée et tendue entre la tour Saint-Nicolas (1382) et son homologue, la tour de la Chaîne (env. 1394), située sur le quai opposé, où une partie de la chaîne est encore visible. D’ailleurs, l’accès au port joua ensuite un rôle décisif sur l’issue du second siège par les forces du roi, qui débuta en 1627 sous le commandement du cardinal de Richelieu. Cette fois, les raisons étaient personnelles.

Une flotte anglaise fut envoyée pour secourir La Rochelle, mais resta bloquée à l’entrée du port face à une large digue, lourdement armée et construite sur le chenal d’accès par les forces de Louis XIII, auxquelles des maçons itinérants du Limousin prêtèrent main-forte. L’initiative se révéla terriblement efficace : lorsque les citadins assiégés se rendirent enfin 15 mois plus tard, la famine avait décimé quelque 22 500 de leurs compagnons.

Sans surprise, la plupart des remparts de la ville fut rapidement démantelée ; néanmoins, une partie donnant sur la mer subsiste encore entre la tour de la Chaîne et la tour de la Lanterne, achevée en 1476 et pointant à 75 m de haut afin d’aider les marins à naviguer à l’approche des côtes. Sa grande flèche fournissait un amer bien visible, tandis que la petite tour voisine


Le Quai du Gabut

www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr

18 | living places to visit20 | living places to visit

The Musée Maritime’s historic vessels

La Tour de la Grosse Horloge

Quai Georges Simenon



the coastline and out to the Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron. The climb also under-lines the tower’s visible and slightly unnerving lean, a result of the massive weight of masonry having proved just too much for the simple foundations – huge oak piles sunk vertically into the mud. We’ll never know whether a planned single Gothic arch between the two towers would have stabilised things, but their stonework retains clear signs of its aborted construction.

The port’s historic quaysides were once thronged with merchants, shipwrights, stevedores and assorted mariners, but eventually both commercial and fishing activities outgrew the port and trans-ferred to new facilities at La Pallice, close to the Île de Ré viaduct. The quays now have a more leisurely appearance, but you can see just how different things looked in past times at the excellent Musée Maritime de La Rochelle, which now occupies the former fishing port (beside the town’s renowned Aquarium). It’s very much a living museum, and from time to time classic sailing vessels

and motor launches can be seen slipping from their berths in the former Bassin des Chalutiers to head out to sea, a process which begins by raising a modern footbridge linked to Rue Sénac de Meilhan. Then they must negotiate a sea-lock beside the Pont Levant du Gabut, a skeletal steelwork lifting bridge constructed in 1927 for the port of Marseille. In 1936 it was dismantled, transported by sea and reassembled here. In 2004 the bridge was totally renovated, ready to spring to life, with a satisfying symphony of whirring and clanking, for each water-borne passage to and from the bassin.

Predictably, La Rochelle’s celebrity status has made it an increasingly sought-after base for leisure sailors, the majority of whom rent moorings at the modern marina of Les Minimes. For the fortunate few, however, the Vieux Port’s Bassin à Flot, completed in 1808, offers 90 sheltered berths in the very heart of things. It too has a lock plus a steel swingbridge – a fine viewpoint from which to take in the Vieux Port’s

commerce et de pêche, qui furent alors transférées au nouveau site de La Pallice, à proximité du viaduc de l’île de Ré. L’atmos-phère des quais est aujourd’hui beaucoup plus calme, mais vous pouvez voir comme les choses étaient différentes à l’époque en visitant l’excellent musée maritime de La Rochelle, qui occupe aujourd’hui l’ancien port de pêche (à côté du célèbre aquarium). Il s’agit d’un musée très animé, et de temps à autre, on peut voir des vedettes à moteur et voiliers traditionnels s’échapper de leur poste d’amarrage dans

fondations rudimentaires : de longs pieux de chêne enfoncés verticalement dans la vase. Jamais nous ne saurons si une simple arche gothique entre les deux tours aurait permis de stabiliser l’ensemble comme cela fut envisagé, néanmoins, leurs murs de pierre conservent des traces évidentes de sa construction inachevée.

Autrefois, les quais historiques du port étaient envahis de marchants, de charpen-tiers de marine, de dockers et de toutes sortes de marins, mais le port finit par s’avérer trop petit pour les activités de

renfermait une lanterne, ce qui en fait le phare le plus ancien de la côte atlantique. Il est possible de monter jusqu’au pied de la flèche, et aussi de visiter la tour de la Chaîne.

Du haut de ses 36m, c’est la tour Saint-Nicolas qui, cependant, offre le meilleur panorama avec vue sur le Vieux-Port, le littoral et les îles de Ré et d’Oléron au large. En y montant, on se rend compte également de la légère et troublante incli-naison de la tour, visible depuis l’extérieur, conséquence du poids colossal de l’édifice qui se révéla bien trop important pour ses

“The Vieux Port’s historic quaysides were once thronged with merchants, shipwrights, stevedores and assorted mariners...”

Quai Georges Simenon

22 | living places to see


more visible attractions, which include two more lighthouses. The closest and most modest in scale is the 13.5m high Feu Antérieur, completed in 1852 to indicate the entrance to the Port à Flot. With bold red and white bands of colour, it looks like a light-house should. It’s comprehensively upstaged, however, by the octagonal Feu Postérieur which rises some 22m from Quai Vallin (1852), just behind the harbour.

Here and elsewhere around the quaysides are numerous cafes and restaurants, whose menus feature freshly-landed seafood and whose terraces make attractive vantage points from which to watch the world go by. After a fine day, as the sun starts to set and the quayside lights begin to twinkle, the spectacle assumes a near-magical quality. It’s something not to be missed, not least since it’s at this point that there’s every chance that you’ll suddenly discover that like countless others before you that you’re starting to fall in love with this very special place.www.holidays-la-rochelle.com

l’ancien bassin des Chalutiers pour prendre le large, une procédure qui nécessite d’abord de relever la passerelle moderne reliant la rue Sénac de Meilhan. Ils doivent ensuite passer par une écluse de mer à proximité du pont du Gabut, un pont levant doté d’une fine charpente métal-lique, construit pour le port de Marseille en 1927 avant d’être démantelé, trans-porté par la mer et réassemblé ici en 1936. Le pont fut totalement rénové en 2004, prêt à reprendre du service, dans un agréable concert de bruits sourds et de cliquetis à chaque entrée ou sortie du bassin par les eaux.

Comme on pouvait s’y attendre, La Rochelle est devenue grâce à sa renommée une station de plus en plus prisée par les plaisanciers, dont la plupart loue un emplacement dans le port de plaisance moderne des Minimes. Pour quelques chanceux, toutefois, le bassin à flot du Vieux-Port, achevé en 1808, offre 90 postes d’amarrage abrités en plein cœur de la ville. Celui-ci possède également une écluse ainsi qu’un pont métallique tournant : un point de vue agréable pour observer les monuments

les plus visibles du Vieux-Port, y compris deux phares supplémentaires. Le plus proche et le plus modeste en taille est le feu antérieur, qui culmine à 13.5 m et fut achevé en 1852 afin d’indiquer l’entrée du port à flot. Avec ses larges bandes de couleur rouge et blanche, il ressemble à tout bon phare qui se respecte. Cependant, il est nettement dépassé par le feu postérieur, dont la tour octogonale s’élève à 22 m de haut sur le quai Vallin (1852), juste derrière la rade.

Ici et ailleurs, les quais sont entourés de nombreux cafés et restaurants, aux menus agrémentés de fruits de mer fraîchement pêchés et aux terrasses offrant de séduisants postes d’obser-vation pour regarder passer la vie. Au terme d’une belle journée, alors que le soleil entame son coucher et que les lumières des quais se mettent à scintiller, le spectacle se teinte de magie. C’est une scène à vivre absolument, car il y a de grandes chances que c’est à ce moment précis que vous réaliserez soudain, comme beaucoup d’autres avant vous, que vous êtes en train de tomber sous le charme de ce lieu si particulier.

Le Feu Antérieur, beside the Port à Flot

PHO

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• Terrace in Abbaye Royale courtyard• Fresh, local produce• Weekday lunch menu 16.90€• Daily menus 26€ and 39€• Open lunch & dinner Tuesday – Sunday lunchtime• Reservations recommended• Parking

Restaurant le Scorlion5 rue de l’abbaye17400 St Jean d’AngélyTel: 05 46 32 52 61E: [email protected] DR: Objectif-Sourire

Join us for our Summer Events:Brunch, Duck & Pinot Noir, Around the world, Jazz nights...Follow us on Le Scorlion

Hôtel RestauRant CHaRbonnel

57 rue Gambetta, 24310 Brantôme

Ideal location, with rooms overlooking the river Dronne, close to the major sights and attractions

offered in the Périgord vert.

Enjoy freshly-prepared regional food in our restaurant or on our riverside terrace.

www.lesfReResCHaRbonnel.ComTel: 05 53 05 70 15

e: [email protected]

Discover the enigmatic Caves of the Abbey,

the Abbey Church and the 11th-Century

Romanesque Bell tower

© F

. Tes

sieR

/OTPD

B

+33 (0)5 53 05 80 [email protected]

www.perigord-dronne-belle.fr

The landmark of the “Venice

of the Perigord”

Abbey of Brantôme



We visit a charming village with echoes of a long history, including not one

chateau but two. Welcome to Bourdeilles.

WORDS AND PHOTOS: roger moss

he River Dronne flows peacefully for over 200km from its source near Châlus (NE of Limoges) to its confluence with the River Isle at Coutras, NW of Libourne and

Bordeaux. Along the way lie a succession of ever more beguiling landscapes, none more so than the attractive corner of northern Dordogne just downstream from the abbey town of Brantôme (see the Aug/Sept 2013 issue

of Living) which provides the perfect setting for the village of Bourdeilles.

It would be hard to imagine a more perfect spot for what looks like a fairytale chateau, but the first occupants were more attracted by the obvious strategic value of a slender limestone



26 | living places to visit

CH. losse????

promontory rising conveniently from the rive gauche. Much of what is immediately obvious today, including the massive octagonal donjon, was constructed on the site of earlier defensive structures during the 13th century (see history panel), although within the massively constructed medieval ramparts lies a second chateau in elegant Renaissance style.

The new structure – more palais than chateau – was begun in great haste during the late 16th century with the intention of receiving the most powerful woman in France, Henri II’s wife, Cathérine de Medici. Sadly, her intended visit never materi-alised, but we’re left with an elegant creation whose design is credited to André de Bourdeille’s wife, Jacquette de Montbron. Today you can climb to the summit of the 35m-high medieval donjon to enjoy panoramic views of the chateau, the village and the surrounding countryside, while the interior is also open to visitors. It contains appropriately sumptuous period

furnishings donated by a wealthy fine art collector from Burgundy, who died suddenly soon after taking up residence, leaving his widow to complete much needed structural restoration work.

There’s rather more to Bourdeilles than its chateaux, however, as you’ll discover by taking a relaxed stroll below the shadier, northern side of the chateau. After passing a beautifully converted watermill and a series of more rustic troglodytic dwellings hewn into solid limestone, the lane gives way to a grassy riverbank complete with a restored traditional lavoir. Beside it are stone steps climbing to a peaceful area of parkland with elevated river views. A few steps away in Rue de l’Eglise things remain appealingly unpressured, with an air of privileged removal from the cares of the outside world.

Here and in nearby Grand Rue are signs of Bourdeilles’ rising popularity with visitors. The village tabac now has a choice of restaurants and a café for company, plus comfortable hotel accommodation for those who decide

Converted watermill

Trogolodytic dwellings

below chateau



Bed and BreakfastChambre d’Hôtes

Chez Anne2 rue des Rentes

St-Même les Carrières(Jarnac 5 km)

Tel:05 45 82 07 87

3 épis Gîtes de France

[email protected]

With a large selection of home fabrics, made to measure curtains, bedlinen, wallpaper & paint.

Friendly English-speaking staff in a cosy atmosphere!

Zac de la Sacristinerie, 17400 St-Jean D’Angély (zone Leclerc supermarket & next to the Royal d’Asie)

Phone: 09-83-72-34-90

Opening hours: Monday 14h -18h30Tues to Fri 9h-12h30 & 14h-18h30; Sat 9h-12h30 &14h-18h

Your interior decoration store in St-Jean D’Angély

5% OFF if you like our FB page or write a review on G+

In 1259 Périgord, and with it the barony of Bourdeilles, was ceded to the English by Louis IX. The ensuing uproar found the Bourdeille family sharply divided in their loyalties, elder members siding with the Plantagenets while the younger branch allied itself to the French Capetian Monarchy. Prominent among the new order was Philippe

IV’s Counsellor Gérard de Maumont, who seized the chateau and set about strengthening its fortifi-cations. By way of support, the King then exchanged territory in the Auvergne for that of Bourdeilles, thereby managing to establish an unlikely garrison foothold within Aquitaine, which at the time waspossessed by the English.

to stay a little longer. It’s an appealing prospect, for balmy summer’s evenings here can be magical. Cross the multi-arched Gothic vieux pont of 1735, stroll along the opposite bank and you’ll be richly rewarded with one of the classic sights of SW France. Reflected on the surface of the broad, shallow river, it’s something you’ll never forget.

Riverside walk and lavoir

Upper village and church

Chateau Visits

02 Apr – 02 Jul: 10am-1pm; 2-6pm03 Jul – 31 Aug: 10am-7pm

1 Sept – 02 Nov: 10am-1pm; 2-6pm03 Nov – 31 Dec: 10am-12.30pm;

2-5pm (closed Mon except school holidays)

Adult: 8.20€; 5-12 years: 5.30€www.semitour.com/

site-touristique/chateau-de-bourdeilles


28 | living Language

Emma is a jack-of-all-language-trades, writing

English textbooks, translating, marking exam

scripts and teaching languages. She lives near

La Rochefoucauld with her growing menagerie.

See www.english-tuition.weebly.com

Got too much on your plate to get your head around French? Feel like you’re bringing a knife to a gunfight? Sometimes

moving to another country can feel like being out of the frying pan and into the fire. Hopefully these cutlery, crockery and culinary expressions will enable you to talk the legs off an iron pot where French is concerned.

To have a good fork, to dance before the dresser or to lug around a saucepan might not make much sense to you, but there are plenty of French expressions involv-ing cutlery that are very similar to their English equivalent. You can avoir le cou-

teau sous la gorge or ‘have a knife to your throat’ or be ‘stabbed in the back’, un coup

de couteau dans le dos. If you’re ready for a fight, you might ‘have the knife between your teeth’ or avoir le couteau entre les dents.

You may even be ‘at daggers drawn’ in English, where you would be à couteaux

tirés in French. Some expressions are a little different,

or the meaning is not always clear. If you are second couteau, in English, you might be ‘second fiddle’, but it can also mean a sidekick or accomplice. In French, if you want to say that someone rubbed salt in a wound, you can say tourner le couteau dans

la plaie, or turn the knife in the wound. There are French expressions involv-

ing forks and spoons too. If you have a good fork, or a good forkful, avoir un bon

coup de fourchette or une bonne fourchette, it means you’ve got a good appetite or hollow legs. Some expressions are very similar. In French, you can say être né avec

une cuillère en argent just as you can say

in English that someone was born with a silver spoon. ‘Two strikes of a knuckle guard’ might be less easy to make sense of, en deux coups de cuillère à pot. The cuillère

à pot is a hand guard on a sabre, and so two strikes would be pretty quick. Hence the expression means ‘in two shakes of a lamb’s tail’, the English being much more gentle.

An expression with spoons that might not be very clear to an English speaker is ne pas y aller avec le dos de la cuiller. ‘Don’t go there with the back of a spoon’. This expression is often used to say that some-one is direct, that they ‘make no bones about’ something. It’s a way of saying that they do things directly, in a straightfor-ward way, that they are frank and perhaps a little thoughtless. Either way, they get the job done with the least fuss or mess.

We also find in French some expres-sions using plate. One of my favourites is a pique-assiette. A pique can be anything from a jab to a sting, but in this case it is the colloquial meaning for ‘steal’. A plate thief means a scrounger, someone who steals from your plate. Literally it is someone who eats without paying for

it. We might call them a free-loader or a sponge in English. As someone who hates it when people steal things from my plate, I love this image.

Another expression using plate that is perhaps not very clear is ne pas être dans

son assiette. To not be in your plate. This expression is used often to mean you are a little off-colour, that you don’t feel your usual self.

Saucepans and pots are also well-used in French expressions. If you are lugging about a saucepan, or traîner une casserole, it means that you are caught up in a scan-dalous affair. Casserole is a familiar way of describing a scandal, so you may very well hear of politicians or celebrities pulling a casserole. You may also come across the expression être sourd comme un pot or ‘to be as deaf as a doorpost’. I don’t know why pots are deaf, or why doorposts are either.

One final French expression involving meal-times is danser devant le buffet or ‘to dance in front of the dresser’. This is an old-fashioned expression that means someone has nothing to eat. The buffet is presented on the dresser, but the person is not allowed to enjoy it. I’d say it seems like the very opposite of a pique-assiette who steals the food from under your nose.

When it comes to French, nobody will ever hand it to you on a plate or spoon-feed you, but these expressions should help you show that you’re not just a flash in the pan.

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Pardon?

Emma Lee, our language expert,

shares some expressions that are

perfect for dinner conversations…


L: What’s new this summer at Le Terminus?JCR: Le Terminus restaurant now has a new heated terrace – a haven of serenity and gourmet dining just a few metres from the gare. Our new menu still features tradi-tional dishes but novelties will also delight our guests – dorade fresh from the market, seasoned with mango, a drizzle of vanilla oil; tuna tartare with coriander, peanuts, lime zests... or market vegetables in tempura, with a lightly-salted piquillo pepper cream. Entrées include something light, like fried prawns with citrus highlighted by an orange vinaigrette, plus ‘fines’ and ‘speciales’ from oyster farmer Yves Papin.L: What about the essentials of Le Terminus: Tradition and Fait Maison?JCR: My training instilled in me a strong attachment to traditional restaurant values. With my team I strive to work with fresh produce, sourced direct from suppliers. I love fine ingredients andintroducing them to our diners.The Terminus restaurant upholds the tradi-tion of service to the plate, with cutting and preparing fish or meats in the dining room. Classic recipes like bouillabaisse, lamprey à la bordelaise, fish soup and its sauce, la tête de veau or a whole veal kidney flambéed with cognac will convince our purist customers. So yes, tradition and fait-maison are fundamental to the spirit of Le Terminus restaurant.L: How do you create your menus?JCR: The menus are prepared daily with my teams, in response to fresh market arrivals. Seasonality is an essential point

of our restaurant and something we share with our diners. In presenting a menu, we highlight certain ingredients for their flavours, the originality of their prepara-tion or their limited availability. In season, for example, is maigre - a fish with firm, white flesh. We favour large fish, line-caught in the Gironde estuary, and which can weigh 12–15 kg. We serve these beautiful fish in thick fillets, simply grilled with olive oil to bring out the flavour, and accompanied by seasonal vegetables, light-ly-creamed mashed potatoes or ‘pommes Pont Neuf’. We also celebrate seasonal vegetables like asparagus and artichokes. Our menus and menu-du-jour appear each day from 11:30am on our website. L: To round-off the meal, what would be your suggestion?JCR: Our cheese trolley, which features in the menus, is a must. At Le Terminus we offer twenty varieties, highlighting pressed or blue cheeses, local specialities and several Charentais goat’s cheeses. Featured prominently are la tête de Moine, la boulette d’Avesne, le Livarot affiné, le Trappe d’Echourgnac and le chèvre cendré du GAEC de Kaalidan, plus the traditional brebis Basque, accompanied by black cherry conserve.L: And for those who wish to end the meal on a sweet note?JCR: Our dessert trolley, prepared daily by our pâtisserie team, is another signature element of the restaurant. There are fruit tartes, crème bavarois, moelleux choc-olat, salade de fruits, while vanilla crème anglaise or red berry coulis refine things

further. The dessert menu offers tempting suggestions: crème brûlée with Bourbon vanilla, caramel crisp, pistachio byzantin... There is also freshness and originality, for example a tarte au citron with crunchy almond spring rolls, served with a lime sorbet.L: What about your wine suggestions?JCR: We offer an accessible wine list, focusing on small producers, direct suppliers, some in the organic sector. There are a hundred or so choices, from different wine regions, most of which are presented in 75cl, 50cl or 37.5cl bottles. Some long-established classic choices are also available by the glass.On the terrace, to accompany your meal we offer an extended rosé wine list, plus white or red Charentais wines.L: To conclude, if you had to define the essence of Le Terminus, which three qualities would you put forward? JCR: Tradition combined with modernity, plus respect for our diners.

V i s i t R e s t a u r a n t L e T e r m i n u s

The scenery around Angoulême’s Gare SNCF has been transformed but the stylish Le Terminus

Restaurant, renowned throughout the region for fine fish and seafood dishes, remains as

welcoming as ever. Owner Jean-Christophe Roger invited Living to find out more…

L e T e R m i n u s R e s T a u R a n T

3 place de la Gare, 16000 AngoulêmeTel: 05 45 95 27 13 www.le-terminus.com

Restaurant-Le-TerminusOpen all year. Mon-Sat; lunch (12-last orders at 2pm) and dinner (7.30pm-last orders at 10pm). English spoken.

Lunch: Menu at 15.50€

Lunch and EvEning: Menus at 28€ or 35€ and à la carte

living promotion | 29


living advertorial | 35

Now in its 6th year, this annual event once again lights up the countryside just outside Caunay (79) with bands and other live performers from the UK,

Germany, Sweden and of course, France.Husband-and-wife team Charlotte and Glyn

Chubb are the proud possessors of a noble 18th century logis, which they have trans-formed into the Mad Hatter’s Kitchen. This stunning venue was originally intended to be a tea garden but over the years the business has grown to include a popular restaurant serving Charlotte’s delicious ‘no-frills’ seasonal food, a fully licensed bar and regular music nights, not to mention the highlight of the year: the Mad Hatter’s Wonderland Festival.

This year the party kicks off on the afternoon of Friday, 12 August, and runs throughout the weekend. Daytime entry is free – browse the colourful stalls, enjoy a cream tea or tuck into a BBQ serving roast pork rolls, sausages, burgers, salads and much more. There’s also the added attraction of real ale at the bar. The evening starts at 5.30pm, when daytime visitors depart, the BBQ gets reloaded and the feasters are presented with a table laden with a huge selection of tasty pies, flans, cold meats, salads, cheeses and more. Then it’s music, dancing and entertainment until 1am…

For the full Festival experience book onto the campsite, where the campfire burns until the early hours and impromptu acoustic sessions keep the party mood going. You can even rent a tent or a beautiful cotton Tipi. Alternatively, Charlotte offers B&B accommodation with family suites (sleeping 2 adults & 3 children). New for 2016: special childrens entertainment

with La Payette animation (per child: 12€ for

the weekend, 8€ for the day) - unlimited access

to the bouncy castle plus juggling, balloon model-

ling, hula hooping and face painting workshops.

Mad Hatter’s Festival

Delicious food, live bands and great company - there’s no better way to celebrate summer than at the 2016 Mad Hatter’s Festival from 12-14 August

Photos: PamelaJayne PhotograPhy

baNdsEddie and the hotrods - rock/new wave

Mac Abbe and the Zombie orchestra - alt swingswingrowers - electro swing

Coco and the Butterfields - gypsy folk rockthe Rythm Junks - easy rock

Ghouls - alt skaJoel sarakula - indie popBlack Friday - folk rock

All Butter Band - funky rockGad Zukes - rock/pop

Itch - melting popFish Air - rock ‘n’ hop

tankus the henge - gypsy ska (sat 20 August)

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30 | living PROMOTION

Friday evening Feast: 28€ including all music (8-15 years 12€)

Friday White rabbit 38€ includes music and feast PLUs entrance to see tankus the henge on 20 August

saturday evening Feast: 30€ including all music (8-15 years 12€)

Weekend camPing: 2 nights & 3 days including all music: 50€pp. Rent a tent with bedding: 60€pp

evening only: 12€ entry on either night, no feast. 15-18 yrs 8€, children free.

sunday chill-out 12€ includes BBQ serving steak, pork, salads etc. Bar open all afternoon.

Book your tickets now on www.madhattersfrance.eu Tel: 05 49 27 67 29 E: [email protected]

Mad Hatter’s Kitchen, Le Logis, Le Breuillac, 79190 Caunay

3 Route des Charrons, La Forge, 87440 St Mathieu05 55 58 99 63 / 06 88 73 41 98 www.labrocantelaforge.com

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www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr

32 | living WILDLIFE

F rom around the begin-ning of June on warm evenings, often when humidity is high, we start to hear the drone of male

Lucanus cervus as they make their appar-ently impossible flights to seek out the females. The females don’t fly as often as the males, tending to spend more of their time on the ground waiting for the males to find them. Sometimes more than one will arrive attracted by the female’s pheromones, the males then proceed to ‘fight for the right’ using their large ant-lers to wrestle. Happily this rarely causes harm as the weakest backs down and retreats from battle. Lucanus cervus is the

largest European beetle, the Stag Beetle, or as they are called in French Le Lucane

Cerf Volant. Most people I speak to seem to be

at least a little bit fascinated by these spectacular creatures, particularly the males which have the large antler-like mandibles. Although these look rather threatening, it is the female, which is about half the size of the male and lacks the antlers, who is more likely to give you a bit of a pinch if you pick her up; she is equipped with very powerful and sharp mandible-like clippers. Should you need to move one out of harms way, from a path or from your house, it is best to nudge them from behind into a container or simply onto your hand and tip them out under a bush or by a tree, making sure that they don’t end up on their back.

After copulation has taken place the female lays her eggs on what is to be the food medium for the larvae. This is old, rotten wood lying on the ground or at

the base of dead or partly dead trees, and although there is a preference for oak or chestnut other timbers will be used. The Stag Beetle larvae, which can grow to a staggering 8cm and can also nip, live in the rotting wood for many years. The actual length of the life cycle is quite variable, possibly dependent on tempera-tures and can be 4, 5, 6, 7 or even 8 years resulting in a kind of insurance policy against bad years as well as provid-ing genetic variety. They are classed as saproxylophages, creatures which live in dead and rotting wood.

In our region of France, the Stag Beetle is doing pretty well but overall in Europe it has declined and is now scarce in much of its previous range. Jean Henri Fabre (1823–1915), the French entomologist and author, reported that he filled a top hat with them in one evening, which is unimaginable now even if you took a month where


With the long summer eve-nings upon us, the sight of a stag beetle in flight is one we are fortunate to see as Chris Luck explains…

Stag nights

www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr

living WILDLIFE | 33

Main Photo: Male Stag Beetle

CloCkwiSe froM toP left: adult Cock Chafer. rose Chafers are a com-mon sight in summer. the grub of the rose Chafer is easy to confuse with other beetle larvae. Decaying wood with plenty of holes is the perfect home for Stag Beetle larvae.

they are plentiful. Land clearance for ag-riculture is one reason for the decline as is the increase in coniferous commercial woodland. Other likely reasons are that we are probably just too tidy - very little wood is left lying around to rot in parks and gardens, wood used for fence posts and the like is usually chemically treated, old trees are removed before complet-ing their full life cycle and hedgerows which contain a large quantity of dead wood and debris at their base have been removed.

So why are they successful in many parts of this region? It may be due in part to the rotational coppicing for firewood on a 20 to 30-year cycle which leaves quantities of dead wood and stumps in situ. Nevertheless, every effort should be made to maintain this species in its

continuing strongholds.It should be noted that female Stag Bee-

tles could possibly be confused with the Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus which resembles the female Stag Beetle but has all-black body and proportion-ately large and broad head and thorax.

Another creature that buzzes loudly around our gardens on long, hot sum-mer days is the stunning Rose Chafer and surely everyone has seen them; metallic green, bronze, blue or purple splashed with a few little white spots or dashes. Nature has a way of creating the most amazing colours. The adult beetles that are about 20mm long are to be seen clinging to flowers where they eat pol-len and nectar and generally rummage around, something rose lovers can get a bit heated about although in reality many

other flowers are visited, with native species such as thistle and bramble being favoured. However, it’s the larvae that cause most concern and they are a con-tinual source of confusion and misunder-standing for people who mistake them for the larvae of the Common Chafer or May Bug as many will know them, (or indeed for Stag Beetle larvae). To get to grips with this we need to understand their different biology and life cycles.

Following mating, the female Rose Chafers lay their eggs in decaying or-ganic matter and then die. This is why people find the grubs in their compost heaps and sometimes in plants, shrubs and trees that are purchased in pots. The larvae spend their lives and develop where the eggs have been deposited which will be in compost, manure, leaf

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Chris Luck runs two websites, www.wildlifeinfrance.com and www.planetepassion.eu, packed with information about animal and plant species in France, plus a blog about wildlife and bee-keeping in a natural, non-intrusive manner.

mould, and occasionally well rotted wood where they are the equivalent of earth worms and help break things down so in this respect they are very beneficial. They don’t eat living roots, only decomposed or decomposing veg-etative matter. During their two-year life cycle, the larvae grow very quickly and will have moulted twice before the end of autumn. Pupation occurs in June or July of the second year when it’s pos-sible that some adult beetles may emerge in autumn, but the main emergence is the following spring and early summer when the beetles mate.

Cock Chafer adults emerge in April and May and live for perhaps 6 weeks although frequently less. During this time, they mate and females then bury their eggs about 10 to 20 cm deep in the soil in different places with up to 80 or so in total. What’s important to under-stand here is that the Cock Chafer eggs are usually laid in undisturbed, unman-aged grassland in poor soil. This can lead to problems where they are present when old grassland is initially converted into vegetable beds where they may eat roots. The larvae are poly-phagous; they attack the roots of various plants includ-ing potatoes, meadow grasses and trees. In fact, historically, they were a major agricultural pest and following the use of vast quantities of pesticides including DDT and Lindane their numbers have been drastically reduced and they are now completely absent in many areas. Mercifully these pesticides have been banned now in the EU as have all appli-

cations of pesticides that function in the soil, and numbers are slowly increasing. The larvae once hatched develop in the soil where they eat roots for 3 to 5 years at which point pupation takes place in the autumn and the adults emerge the following year.

So how do you as a gardener know which big fat juicy creamy white grub or larvae is which? Visually there isn’t a great difference between the three of them unless you are going to look close-ly which I suspect most people won’t but we can make it simple and more or less foolproof and if you keep this article you can refer to it in the future.

Stag Beetle larvae are 99% certain to be found in rotted or rotting wood; normally this is quite large branches or trunks that are on or partly in the ground where they remain constantly wet or damp.

Rose Chafer grubs are 99% certain to be found in compost, leaf-mould, manure heaps and fibre rich soils. Oc-casionally they can be found in the same habitat as Stag Beetle larvae where the wood is extremely degraded. They are frequently blamed for the death of plants in pots because people think they eat the roots – they don’t. What can happen is that they eat the compost and there isn’t enough nutrition left for the plant but this only happens when the plant is in too small a container.

Cock Chafer grubs are always to be found in ordinary soil, usually lawns and grassland, but remember they are quite scarce or rare in many places and they

are never to be found in decaying wood or the compost heap.

None of these large larvae can be confused with those of the Vine Weevil that can sometimes be found in the roots of plants. Vine Weevil grubs are really quite small being no more than 10mm at the most.

If you have veteran trees, try to leave them standing, or if you do need to cut down trees, try to leave the stumps in place to decay. Try to maintain a native species hedge if you have one, or if you have land consider planting a native spe-cies hedge. Make a log pile in a corner of your garden, perhaps by sparing a few lengths of oak from your firewood delivery if you have one and add to it each year allowing it to slowly rot; the addition of bark, wood chippings and sawdust will be useful, it is important that the bottom remains in contact with or slightly buried in the soil. This can be discreetly hidden behind a bush or shrub or made into a decorative garden feature for those with an artistic leaning. You could perhaps also empty all your grass cuttings in a heap alongside your wood pile.

All of these measures will benefit many other species and encourage biodiver-sity and add to the buzz in your garden. It should be made absolutely clear that none of these larvae pose any threat whatsoever to dry seasoned wood in your buildings; only moist decompos-ing wood will be used outside on the ground.

THIS PHOTO: Male Stag Beetle

RIGHT: Male & female Stag Beetles

Rose Chafer

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36 | living food


Shining brightly within France’s culinary crown is the jewel that is the Périgord region; with its passion for quality ingredients and traditional recipes, it’s no

wonder that so many British visitors fall in love with it. Rolling hills and stunning landscapes dotted with historic monu-ments and stunning chateaux (in fact the region boasts over 1,000) pop up around most corners, while quaint villages (10 of them listed as Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) nestle between valleys and rivers can’t help but pluck at your most romantic and nostalgic heart strings.

One such place on the meandering River Dronne, around 27 km from the city of Périgueux, is Brantôme, where the river flows past caves which were the residence

of 8th century monks. Today the town is an ideal place for food lovers, boasting more than thirty restaurants serving the region’s classics, while many offer their wares in perfect riverside settings.

If it’s Michelin Star level you are looking for, then six short kilometres from Brantôme lies the stunning Moulin du Roc, one of the most charming hotels you could wish to discover, beautifully pre-sented with historic artefacts as well as the original old millstones which produced flour and walnut oil in centuries past. The water mill still turns today and, while it no longer produces electricity for the mills-tones or the village, it adds a little magic with every revolution.

The river separates the hotel and restaurant from the swimming pool and tennis court for those guests who wish to burn off breakfasts of fresh butter croissants, egg custard, apple cake, warm baguettes with homemade jam and local honey – a mere warm-up for lunch and dinner. With so many good local ingre-dients, including duck, walnuts, chestnuts, mushrooms, lamb, truffles and cheeses, most holding a ‘PGI’ (Protected Geogra-phical Identification), the chefs here are truly blessed. Deciding which ingredient to select for this article has therefore been the hardest of all challenges, toiling between the classic confit de canard, or

the delicious local walnut oil?Instead I am opting to go with

that summer favourite, the straw-berry. After all, it was originally taken to the region by the Romans

and today boasts its own PGI for those grown exclusively in the

Dordogne, whose production and consumption represents a quarter of

Strawberry Bavarian creamsSeRveS 4-6170ml milk240g strawberries, puréed6 medium free-range egg yolks100g castor sugar7 leaves of gelatine500ml whipped cream

MeThOD1. Boil the milk, remove from heat and pour over the eggs mixing gently to in-corporate. Return the mix to the pan and heat gently, as if making custard, taking care not to overheat or boil. Remove from the heat when it starts to thicken and coats the back of the spoon.2. Soak the leaf gelatine in a little cold water to soften. Drain the gelatine, then add to the warm custard, stir well. Add the strawberry purée and cool the mix quickly.3. Once cold, fold in the whipped cream. Place into chosen moulds and refrigerate until set. Serve with a little strawberry coulis.

Hints & tips Always wash strawberries with their calyx in place, as this prevents water entering into the centre of the fruit, thinning down the flavour and washing away the nutrients.

Tastesregionof the

Award-winning chef Alan Coxon discovers the delights

of summer markets in the beautiful Périgord…

Summer sensations


www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

living food | 37

the entire French crop. This bulbous, glistening fruit is available

from late April to early October and has to meet special criteria, such as a guarantee of its levels of sugar and taste quality. Histori-cally this ancient berry, which is related to the rose family and one of the only fruits to

have its seeds on the outside, was originally used as medicine and has long been used to cleanse and purify the digestive system and to act as a mild tonic for the liver.

In a book published in 1931 it was claimed that strawberries held on the teeth for five minutes will remove any discolouration, and that a cut strawberry rubbed over the face after washing will whiten the skin and remove sunburn, although I am sure both dentists and beauticians would pour scorn on this today.

The name ‘strawberry’ probably comes from the Anglo Saxon word ‘streawberige’ meaning runners, although another possi-bility relates to the beds of straw on which berries are cultivated to prevent the fruits coming into contact with the soil. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, with 6 average-sized strawberries containing as much as an orange, and if the conscience is looking for a little reprieve after Périgord’s temptations then you’ll be pleased to know that 100g portion contains only 27 calories.

So to finish this feature, I have chosen one of my favourite strawberry desserts which is perfect for summer evenings. I hope you enjoy it!

Crates of strawberries at Sarlat market

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38 | living nikki legon’s cuisine


cuisineLong summer evenings are perfect for entertaining friends and family so we asked Nikki for some delicious dishes that are a breeze to make….

Cheese and courgette soufflés

serves 660g unsalted butter plus a little extra for greasing2 shallots, finely chopped500g courgettes, grated and placed in a tea towel to absorb liquid20g plain flour175ml hot milk120ml thick creamsalt and freshly ground black pepperpinch of grated nutmeg4 eggs, separated2 egg whites100g Cheddar, Cantal or Comté cheese, coarsely grated

MethodPreheat the oven to 190°C.Grease six ramekins with the butter. Melt half the butter in a frying pan and cook the shallots for about 2 minutes. Add the courgettes, season and cook for 3 minutes, drain through a sieve.Melt the remaining butter in a medium saucepan, add the flour and cook, whisking, till the mixture starts to foam. Remove from the heat and slowly whisk in the hot milk.Return to the heat and bring to the boil still whisking. When the sauce thickens, whisk in the cream and season with the nutmeg, salt and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolks, stir in the cheese, shallots and courgettes.

NikkiLegon’s

Courgette

soufflés

Parmesan

custard

Roasted tomato and

ricotta crostini


living nikki legon’s cuisine | 39

cuisineFeta and filo pie

with pine nuts

Caprese-style

courgette rolls

Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Stir about a quarter into the warm base then gently fold this into the remaining whites. Spoon into the prepared dishes and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden, serve immediately.

Caprese-style courgette rolls serves 618 slices, lengthwise, of courgette3 packets of rindless goats cheese18 plum tomatoesbasil leaves4 tbsp olive oil3 tbsp balsamic vinegar2 long red chillies, deseeded and chopped finely

MethodPlace each courgette slice flat and cut the goats cheese to fit the width. Push the plum tomato and a basil leaf into the cheese. Roll up and tie with a strong chive, or tooth pick. Place 3 onto each plate and drizzle with oil and balsamic, sprinkle with the chopped chilli.

Roasted tomato and ricotta crostini serves 63 tbsp balsamic vinegar3 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp light brown sugar2 large cloves of garlic, crushed2 tsp thyme leavesSalt and pepper to taste30 small tomatoes6 slices of pain de campagne1 large clove of garlic for toasts500g ricottacress for decoration

MethodIn a large bowl add the vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and garlic, mix well. Add the thyme leaves, season with salt and pepper, and mix to combine. Add the tomatoes and turn well, then pour onto a lipped baking sheet and bake at 200°C for about 25 minutes.toast the bread and, using a fork, pierce the clove of garlic and rub over the hot toasts. Spread the ricotta over the toasts and place 5 roasted tomatoes on each. Sprinkle with cress and the pan juices.

Parmesan custard with anchovy toast serves 6200ml cream200ml milk75g Parmesan or Cheddar cheese, finely grated3 egg yolkssalt and white pepperpinch of cayenne pepper8 anchovy fillets

35g unsalted butter, softened6 slices of pain de campagne

MethodMix the cream, milk and all but 2 tbsp of the cheese in a bowl, place over a pan of boiling water until the cheese has melted. Allow to cool completely, then whisk in the egg yolks with a pinch of salt, white pepper, and a good pinch of cayenne. Preheat the oven to 150°C.Lightly butter six 80ml moulds or rame-kins. Pour the custard into the prepared moulds and place them into a pan. Add boiling water to cover halfway up the moulds, cover with buttered greaseproof paper and bake in the oven 20 to 30 min-utes or until the mixture has just set.Mash the anchovies and butter to a smooth paste. toast the bread and spread with paste while hot.Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the custards and grill until golden. Slice the toasts into fingers and serve with the custards.

Feta and filo pie with pine nuts serves 61kg fresh spinach leaves, washed and shaken dry100g unsalted butter2 red onions, finely chopped2 tsp ground cumin2 tsp ground coriander

40 | living nikki legon’s cuisine


60g chopped dried apricots60g toasted pine nuts6 sheets filo pastrysea salt and freshly ground black pepper1kg vegetarian feta cheese, crumbled

MethodPack the spinach into a large saucepan, cover and cook over a medium heat, turning occasionally until just wilted. drain well. When cool, squeeze hand-fuls to remove excess water and chop into small pieces.Melt 25g of butter and gently fry the spices and onion until softened. Stir in the apricots and pine nuts, set aside to cool.Preheat the oven to 200°C.Line a 20cm spring form cake tin. Melt the remaining butter and brush over the bottom and sides of the tin. Line the base with a round of baking parchment and butter the paper. drape a sheet of filo over the middle of the tin leaving the ends hanging over the edge. Continue round the tin with the rest of the sheets of filo buttering each layer.Stir the spinach into the onions and season to taste. Spread half the mixture into the pastry case, sprinkle over the feta, then add the remaining spinach.Piece by piece, fold the pastry remaining over the spinach, buttering

each piece as you go, brush the top with any remaining butter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Fennel and mushroom pan fried hake with lemon sauce serves 26 small fennel bulbs18 small mushrooms4 tbsp white wine2 tbsp of butter½ lemon, juice only2 fillets of hake, bones removed1 tbsp butter1 tbsp oil

Lemon butter sauce2 tbsp water1 lemon, juice to taste2 tbsp butter

MethodPreheat the oven to 175°C. trim the stalks and fronds off the fennel bulbs and cut each bulb in quar-ters. Place the fennel and mushrooms into a baking dish. Add the wine to a small pan and bring to the boil, remove from the heat and add 2 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Pour this over

the fennel and mushrooms and bake for 30 minutes until cooked.In a frying pan, add the butter and oil and, once hot, add the fish fillets skin side down, turn the heat down to a medium heat. Cook the fish for about 3 minutes or until the skin is golden. Season with salt and pepper, turn the fish over and cook a further 2 minutes. Remove the fillets to a warm plate and cover with foil.In the same pan, add the water, stir with a small whisk while adding the lemon juice and butter until smooth and creamy.Place the fennel onto hot plates, put the fish on top and serve with the butter sauce and new potatoes.

Mushrooms and thyme stuffed chicken breasts with honey and orange glaze serves 66 large chicken breasts 12 large mushrooms1 tbsp fresh thyme leaveszest of 1 lemonjuice and zest of 2 oranges2 tbsp honey250ml white wine

Mushrooms & thyme

stuffed chicken breasts

Fennel and

mushroom pan

fried hake

living nikki legon’s cuisine | 41


MethodIn a food processor finely chop the mushrooms. Add the thyme leaves and zest of the lemon, blend to combine and season with salt and pepper. Make a slit in the breasts and place the mushroom filling inside, pulling the skin over to seal.Preheat the oven to 200°C.Rub the chicken all over with a littleoil, season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking tray and cook in the oven for 20 minutes.In a small saucepan add the honey, orange juice and zest, and cook for 10 minutes to reduce slightly. Pour the glaze over the chicken and add the wine to the base of the pan.Bake the chicken for a further 10 minutes, remove from the oven and place onto a plate to keep warm.Add a little water to the juices in the pan and stir over the heat to thicken slightly. Pour this glaze over the chicken.

New York baked cheesecake with sticky cherries For the base200g digestive or sablé breton biscuits125g unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling1kg cream cheese200g caster sugar1 tsp vanilla extract4 large eggs

For the cherries500g pitted cherries50g caster sugar

MethodButter and line with grease proof paper a 23cm spring-form cake tin. Preheat the oven to 150°C.Blend the biscuits and butter together, place into the tin and press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and about 2cm up the sides, cover and refrigerate while you make the filling.Put the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract into your mixer bowl with the paddle attachment (or use a hand held electric whisk). Beat on slow speed until you get a very smooth, thick mixture. Add one egg at a time while still mixing on low speed. Scrape any unmixed ingredients from the sides of the bowl with a rubber spat-ula. the mixture should be very smooth and creamy. the mixer can be turned up

to higher speed at the end to make the mix a little lighter and fluffier. do not overmix or it will separate.Pour the mixture onto the cold cheese-cake base. Smooth over the top with your finger tip to remove any air bubbles to prevent uneven rise.Bake for 40 to 50 minutes in the centre of the oven - it should still have a wobble in the centre. Cool then cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.For the sticky cherries, place the sugar into a small frying pan and caramelise. Add the cherries and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they are sticky and have released their juices. Remove the cherries, and place the juice onto ahigh heat to reduce to a sticky syrup. Cool then add the cherries and serve over the cheesecake.

Nikki Legon is the chef and owner of the Hotel Restaurant Karina in Les Métairies, just outside Jarnac in Charente. She and her husband Austin have transformed an old cognac distillery into a luxury 10-bedroom hotel and restaurant. For more information: www.hotelkarina.net

New York baked

cheesecake

A warm welcome awaits you …….Come and discover the Hotel Restaurant Karina, set in a haven of greenery, just 3km from Jarnac in the

beautiful Charentaise countryside.Enjoy dining by the open fire in winter or on the terrace in fine weather with a choice of à la carte or fixed menus. In our bar, you will find the original copper alembic and here you can relax with an aperitif or choose something

from our new bar menu.Menu du Jour (Tuesday – Friday midday): 15€

www.hotelkarina.net | [email protected] | 05 45 36 26 26

Philippe & Yveline offer traditional French cuisine

using fresh local ingredients

À L’ABRI DES PINS Restaurant en Charente

T: 05 45 35 81 27 06 31 64 85 14

www.abri-des-pins.com

Fixed menu from Weekdays 14€

Weekends 21€/26€ (2/3 courses)Open lunchtimes Tues -Sun

Repas gastronomiqueRepas spécial - Fête des Pères

Meet the authorYou’d think someone who has lived in France on and off for two decades would have a tale or two to tell. But add New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, the Atlantic coast of Florida and the oceanic hilltops of Madeira to the list of past abodes, and you’ll find it not too difficult to believe Susan’s tales of travel and the antics of her five children. As they have travelled around the world, Susan and husband Roddy have developed a unique lifestyle which she showcases in her popular blog, Our French Oasis (www.ourfrenchoasis.com). Now based full-time close to the coast in the Charente-Maritime, Susan delights in the many facets that life offers her, be it the raw nature and beauty of the countryside or the rich cultural heri-tage she finds around her. In this new se-ries, she hopes something from her world of children, friends, animals, gardening and renovation will entertain you.

Summer Daze

Summer in Charente-Maritime always seems to be a near-endless period of blue skies and hot dusty days; a time when the pervading scent of sun-cream lingers in the hallway and a basket from a trip to the market always contains apricots and melons. Life is good, and sand from the beach lies underfoot wherever one treads. It’s also time for those of us who live here to think of solutions when there’s a need to entertain visiting family and friends.

We have two rules in our house for the summer, the first being to go to the beach while it’s empty. Rather than endure the long hot days when sunburn and heated exchanges over parking spots are a necessary hazard, we pack a picnic and head to the sand when the beach is emptying, and have an early al fresco supper; we’re never alone but are far from any maddening crowds. As a bonus, the sea itself is nearly always warmer at the end of a long, hot day, particularly if high tide coincides with late afternoon. A jerry-can of fresh water in the back of the car helps with sandy feet, and when

we get back home the children fall into bed content and satisfied.

This leaves much of the day when one can follow Rule No. 2, which is to head inland, away from the coastal routes and the crowds. Although Charente-Mari-time is known for its coastline and sandy beaches, the area also has a plethora of vibrant inland waterways which are just as much fun to play on, in and beside. Close to Rochefort, for example, the River Charente appears to be a muddy artery which clogs heavily between marsh and sandbank, with little chance of fun to be enjoyed. However, the locks at Saint Savinien mark a barrier above which the river is a waterway of pastoral beauty, slow-moving, majestic and easily navigated by a variety of watercraft. As a result, it offers a cool green respite from the scorching days of summer, and there can be a great deal of fun to be found along its length.

Both Saint Savinien and Port d’Envaux - a little further upstream - offer loca-tions where you can hire kayaks, canoes, pedalos, small self-drive boats, big self-drive boats and electric craft. The latter are very popular, and a 2-hour jaunt will set you back about €45 or so for a five-seater. In summer they are equipped with a Bimini top which keeps the sun at bay, and there is nothing finer than cruising along with a hamper full of delicacies and cold drinks for the inner soul. The electric motors are quiet, a gentle breeze will lull you to sleep and the only disturbance will be the sound of cows chewing in the bank-side fields. Along the way you will see parts of France never available to the motorist, and of course at any stage you can stop, drift and let people swim to their heart’s content. These two closest towns to Rochefort also have added bonuses for families with small children. At the former there is a miniature waterway with little sit-in ships which the children operate under the watchful eye of parents (think of it as a dodgem-ride on water, but with no contact...). At Port d’Envaux there is a marked swimming area in the river itself, plus a sandy beach with a small playground which is happily right beside a kiosk which sells great refreshments.

This whole stretch of river is very much the Charente’s answer to Henley,

but without the bedlam and bawdy con-fusion which seems to characterise the Thames in summer. For us it is the ideal balm for souls confused by the day-trip-ping trendsetters who seem to permeate every seaside town in the region. At the end of the day getting home is so much easier too – there’s never any traffic this far from the coast!

42 | living family


‘Avec les enfants’

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L’Eglise Saint-Hilaire

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€130,800 (FAI)Charming stone house on a large plot in a quiet hamlet between Melle and Sauzé-

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close to Melle. Carefully renovated offering good accommodation and a manageable garden

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ProPerTieS near MeLLe

TaLk of The Town is brought to you by

LeggeTT iMMobiLier

In each issue we highlight a town in the region to help you get to know the area. Here we visit Melle in Deux-Sèvres...

TaLk of the town

A ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’ in the south of Deux-Sèvres, the market town of Melle and the surrounding Pays Mellois have been popular with families

moving to the region for many years. The origins of Melle’s ancient name,

Metullum, are uncertain. Some believe it is a corrupted form of metallum meaning mine or metal. This would certainly fit with its significant activity in the middle ages when it was an important silver mine from the 7th century which went on to supply the royal mint between 864 to 995. The mine then disappeared from records before being rediscovered in the 19th century. Although the original entrance is lost, some 30km of tunnels remain. Today ‘Les Mines d’argent des rois francs’ is a key tourist attraction for the area with its claim to fame of being Europe’s oldest silver mine that opens to the public. Next to the mines, a Carolingian garden has been planted featuring 150 vari-eties of plants used during the Carolingian Empire (800-924) in food, medicine and dyeing.

Like other towns locally, Melle passed into English rule following the battle of Poitiers in 1356 until the Duke of Berry re-took it 16 years later. After prospering for many years, the town embraced the Protestant Reformation but fell to the Duke of Montpensier after a three-day resistance in 1575 during the Wars of Religion. With a quarter of the population exiled, the town struggled to regain its former prosperity until 1770 when the Count of Blossac initi-ated a programme of urbanisation starting with the Place Bujault.

Melle has long welcomed visitors, being an important halt along the via Turonensis, most northerly of the Pilgrimage routes to Santiago di Compostella, and is home

to three Romanesque churches. L’église Saint-Hilaire is the most impressive and listed by UNESCO, while Saint-Pierre and Saint-Savinien host art exhibitions over the summer season. An enjoyable way to see many of the local attractions is to stroll along the arboretum-style walk right around the town, the Chemin de la Décou-verte or discovery path. Created in 1987 the signed walk incorporates sections of two former rail routes, the SNCF Ruffec-Niort line and the Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole-Melle tramway, in its 6km length. Over 1400 species of trees and shrubs are identified along the circuit as well as 200 varieties of rose bushes.

Nearby Niort provides employment for many of the residents of Melle, the Mellois, although the chemical plant on the edge of town is an important local employer as are the many farms around the town.

MarkETSThe weekly market is held every Friday morning from 8am to 1 pm in the Place Bujault.

aMEniTiESThe town is home to 3,700 residents and has a selection of schools from maternelle upwards. It has both a lycée générale and a lycée agricole and with Niort only 30 minutes away, there are options for older children. The local cinema regularly screens films in version originale.

TranSporTMelle is only 1 hour from Poitiers airport by car and 75 minutes from La Rochelle, both of which offer low cost flights to the UK. The TGV network can be accessed at nearby Niort as can the main arterial route north, the A10.

LoCaL knowLedge you Can TruST

PRACTICAL livingLiving ProPerty

98 600€ FAI (9.56% fees included) Oradour Fanais (16), detached small farmhouse with 1 bedroom set on

approx 10 acres, outbuildings, and plot of land opposite on the river bank

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43 800€ FAI (9.47% fees included)Alloue area (16), in a hamlet,

detached renovated cottage: 2 bedrooms, utility room/store room, hangar, old septic tank, adjoining land with shed, all set on 998m2.

65 700€ FAI (9.6% fees included)Confolens area (16), in the

countryside, detached bungalow on a basement : 4 bedrooms, oil heating, mains drains, adjoining land, well and

pump, all set on approx 1100m2.

141 000€ FAI (9.6% fees included)Confolens (16), near centre town,

detached bungalow on a basement, nice view of the river: 3 bedrooms,

gas heating, mains drains, garden set on 1172m2.

194 400€ FAI (8% fees included)Brigueuil area (16), nice landscape, charming 3 bed cottage & separate 1 bed gite. Outbuildings, old septic tank, adjoining garden. Plot of land

along the river, all set on 5894m2.

137 000€ FAI (9.7% fees included)St Martin L’Ars area (86), in the countryside, 3 bed bungalow,

porch, terrace, outbuilding, big barn with stable, septic tank, adjoining

courtyard and land, all set on 9150m2.

3, place de la Liberté, 16500 ConfolensTel: 05 45 85 45 65 [email protected]

www.sovimo.com

Sovimo immobiLier

Ref. 33585 Ref. 33640

Ref. 33637 Ref. 33635

Ref. 33630Ref. 33633

DPE: G DPE: E

DPE: E DPE: E

DPE: D DPE: E

€560 000 FAIExclusively for Sale with Idimmo

This property is magnificent! With its remarkable facade, architectural features, elegant look and size, this property has a formidable presence! A refined interior makes this the ultimate family

home (7 rooms) or quality guest house.DPE in progress Ref: idiade 2421


Beautiful Charentaise house, with pool area and enclosed wooded park of about 1 hectare.The house is 2 minutes from St Jean d’Angély.

Spacious living room of 56m2, kitchen, dining area and conservatory.

Downstairs bedroom with ensuite and dressing room, three bedrooms upstairs.

Large double garage. Heated swimming pool of 12m x 6m.

DPE: in progress Ref: idiade 2450

€399 000 FAIOn the banks of the Boutonne river, with its own island, this beautiful Maison de Maître, with large

living rooms and 5 beds (one with ensuite on the ground floor), offers 227m2 of living space

with extra 80m2 of attic space easily convertible to further rooms! Adjoining large garage with mezzanine and independent 527m2 building

used as a garage/workshop with motorhome acces. Wooded park of 5000m2 bordered by the river plus

its island of 6300m2.DPE: D Ref: idiade 2452


Spacious 5 bed house with veranda, large garage and workshop - 2 beds in main house and 3

beds in guest wing. Situated in village between Surgères and St Jean d’Angély with the nearest

shops only 3km away. DPE in progress Ref: idiade 2420

Laurence, Daniel and Carolyn

Idimmo, Prestige & Châteaux

42 Rue Grosse Horloge, 17400 St Jean D’Angély.

Tel: +33 (0)5 16 51 90 52http://adeline.idimmo.net/

Could you be a ProPerty Consultant?• BeauxVillagesImmobilieristhefastest-growingestateagencyinSWFrance• Weneedself-employedcommission-onlypropertyconsultants.• WearefocusedontheParthenay,southVendée,IledeRé,Iled’Oleron,

LaRochelleandRoyan• Thisrolewillsuitmotivatedindividualswhocansupportthemselves

financiallyuntiltheyproduceincome.• Weareapeoplebusinessoperatinginastressfulenvironment.• Wevaluelifeexperienceabovequalificationsorhard-selltechnique.• Ifyouwantajob(notahobby)pleasecallforaninformalunderstandingof

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Your own lodge in a residential leisure park from only 129 900€*

¤ Easy access, only 15 km from St Emilion (Gironde)¤ 453m²** plot¤ Décennale (10 year) warranty¤ Secure and patrolled park¤ Maintenance service¤ Rental management

* Lots 11 & 14 - Lodge 42m² plot from 432m² to 469m² - introductory offer. Including VAT and excluding notary fees . // ** Average size of plots.

Pictures are not contractual, subject to change.

www.un-dimanche-a-la-campagne.frSerge Lassalle : +33 (0) 622 64 46 79

30 lodges & plots in a 40ha landscaped park, all facing the lake Cathe Bower

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PRACTICAL livingLiving ProPerty

www.agence-eleonor.comAgence Eleonor Estate Agency

36-38 rue du Temple, 24500 EYMETTél. : 05 53 27 83 45

[email protected]

Other offices at : Beynac, Monpazier and Villeréal

Ref: 4563-CA €440,000 FAI DPE: C Beautifully renovated 3-bed stone

building with spacious accommodation split over many levels. Approx 21 acres, pool and great views. (Fees 4.76% included)

Ref: 4599-EY. €214,000 FAI DPE:DDelightful bungalow, well presented with lounge dining room, open plan kitchen,

3 ensuite beds, pretty terrace with lovely views, low maintenance garden, above

ground pool and a garage. (Fees 7% included)

Ref: 4539-CA €140,000 FAI DPE: F Pretty Perigordine 2-bed house in need

of renovation with outbuildings, 7 acres of land with a small lake and ideal for horses.

Outbuildings in good condition. (Fees 7.5% included)

Ref: 4573-EY €469,000 FAI DPE: BStone farmhouse beautifully presented

with 7 en-suite beds, 4 reception rooms, contemporary kitchen/diner opening onto a covered terrace, 4 acres of land, large garage, swimming pool. (Fees 7% included)

Ref: 2723-EY €247,250 FAI DPE: E Tastefully restored 3-bed farmhouse in a quiet setting with lovely views. Large brick hangar and approx 1.8 acres of land. Oil fired heating. (Fees 7.5% included)

Ref: 4610-EY. €371,000 FAI DPE: Vierge Charming stone property packed with

original and quirky features including stone fireplaces, beams and even its’ own prison. This former garrison offers a main property,

2 gites, barn, a separate 3-bed house, approx 3.2 acres of land. (Fees 6% included)

Ref 22807. 262 880€ FAI Couhé. Old coaching inn in centre

of town. Renovated and set in lovely mature enclosed garden of 2352m². 4

large beds, lounge, dining room, kitchen.Outbuildings. DPE: D (6% Fees included)

Ref 22796. 530 000€ FAI Aigre (16). Character property with

tastefully & renovated 6-bed house & other house of 160m² to restore. Outbuildings, courtyard, garden, pool, approx 2 acres,

stream. DPE: C (6% Fees included)

Ref 22805. 289 000€ FAI Civray. Walking distance to town centre, attractive character house 323m² living

space, 4 large beds, 2nd floor to convert. Potential for family & business. Walled

garden. DPE: C (7.04% Fee included)

Ref 22808. 339 200€ FAI Usson du Poitou. Lovely Maison

Bourgeoise mostly renovated, 7 beds & outbuildings suitable to convert.

Enclosed garden of 3817m² bordered by stream. DPE: E (6% Fee included)

Ref 22806. 55 000€ FAI Champniers. In bucolic countryside this

habitable house with central heating requiries modernisation. Kitchen,

lounge, 2 beds. Attic. Garage. Pretty garden 3524m². DPE: E (10% Fee included)

Ref 22803. 149 000€ FAI Saint Saviol. Beautifully renovated stone

house in quiet hamlet. 2 ground floor beds, fitted kitchen, lounge, 2 baths. Upstairs

75m² leisure room. Enclosed garden. Scope for extension. DPE: n/a (6.43% Fee included)

9 place Gambetta 86400 CIVRAY

Tél : 05 49 97 11 30 [email protected]

www.agencemercure.fr

Ref 32484. 60 500€ FAI

Montmorillon. Medieval

townhouse on the river bank. 90m² of living space over 3 floors; Fantastic medieval features. Large garden on

the riverside.DPE: n/a

(10% Fees included)

Ref 32487. 70 850€ FAI Montmorillon. Charming town house 70m², 2 beds, shower room, living room

and kitchen. Large courtyard, garage 30m². Gas central heating, double

glazing. DPE: D (9% Fees included)

Ref 32493. 205 200€ FAI Antigny. Country house surrounded by

2ha. Main house with 5 beds, 2 baths, double height living room. Gite: 2 beds.

Lots of outbuildings and potential. DPE: D (8% Fees included)

Ref 32495. 237 600€ FAI Saulgé. On the banks of a river,

family house, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, large barn (200m²).

2000m² of garden on riverside. DPE: E (8% Fees included)

Ref 32496. 38 500€ FAI Montmorillon. Charming house 80m²

in the heart of the medieval Cité de l’Ecrit. 2 bedrooms, shower room,

open living room kitchen. DPE: n/a (10% Fees included)

Ref 32491. 71 940€ FAI Moulismes. Little country house,

3 bedrooms, shower room, living room and kitchen.

600m² of garden DPE: n/a (9% Fees included)

5, place Maréchal Leclerc86500 MONTMORILLON

Tél : 05 49 84 08 88 [email protected]

www.agencemercure.fr

48 | living gardening


Over the years, from my own expe-riences, through observing other gardens and by taking advice from friends I have learnt a number of invaluable lessons. They comprise a combination of methods for making life easier, being more environmentally friendly and money saving tips. They are all ideas that I have taken on board and that I thoroughly recommend.

Vegetable plot locationLocate your potager as close as possible to your back door so that you can nip out when you have a spare moment to do a bit of weeding, thinning or other work. This is also useful for collecting crops whilst you are cooking. It’s easy to over-look plots situated far from your house where they are less handy to get to.

crop rotation Control diseases by changing the position of your vegetable crops each year to prevent build up of diseases in the soil. This also helps soil fertility as different crops use differing amounts of nutrients. Advice on this is easily found on the internet or in publications.

companion plantingMany plants help others when planted together. Marigolds (pictured left) deter carrot fly and also repel greenfly and black fly so grow them with tomatoes. Nasturtiums (pictured right) attract caterpillars – grow them near bras-sicas and lettuce to lure the pests away.

Plant chives next to chrysanthemums or sunflowers - their scent wards off aphids. Grow sage with carrots or the cabbage family - both have strong scents that drive away each others’ pests. Plant carrots with leeks. Leeks repel carrot fly and carrots repel onion fly and leek moth. Garlic repels aphids.

Weed regularlyHoe in dry weather and pull weeds out by hand when your soil is wet. Keep on top of them to stop them competing with your plants.

Soak, don’t SplaShDuring times of drought, water mornings and late afternoons when cooler to avoid wastage through evapo-ration. Avoid wetting leaves to prevent leaf scorch. Don’t allow plants to get dry. Soak thoroughly, don’t just splash which will encourage roots to grow at the surface rather than searching downwards for water. Use ‘grey water’ instead of expensively produced tap water. Collect rain water.

WindoW boxeS Not everyone has the time, space or inclination for a garden, but almost anyone can grow something. A window box will produce flowers or greens for the table. Sow herbs in pots on your windowsill for a fresh supply for the kitchen. Herbs such as basil, lavender, mint and rosemary repel insects so planted close by helps stop them entering your house.

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treVor’S eSSential garden tipSIn his final feature for Living Magazine, Trevor Bridge shares his top tips for successful gardening here in south west France…

the

Wheelbarrow Gardener

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living gardening | 49

SeedS from herbS and SpiceS Leave seeds such as coriander, dill and parsley on the plants until almost dry. To check for ripeness, gently tap the plant - if seeds fall off it’s time to harvest. Place a paper bag or a seed tray lined with newspaper under the plant to collect your seeds or cut the plants and hang upside down inside a paper bag to catch the seeds. Keep them in a warm, dry place until completely dry.

brocanteS for plantSVisit brocantes in spring to buy and exchange plants and seeds from fund raising organisations such as parent-teacher associations. Wonderful bargains can be found, plus the money goes to good causes.

Sowing SeedSFollow packet instructions. Soil should be weed-free and raked to a fine tilth. Seeds need warmth and moisture - don’t sow into cold, waterlogged soil. Some seeds don’t germinate when it’s too hot either. Line out rows with string, make drills with the corner of a rake or hoe and sow thinly to reduce thin-ning. For larger seeds use a dibber; drop three seeds in each hole and thin out the weaker plants later. Don’t sow too deeply – seeds expend energy reaching the light.When thin-ning, ensure the soil is moist to elimi-nate root damage. In this part of France things start to grow again after a hot summer when it’s cooler. As empty land appears re-sow salad leaves, spring onions, dwarf beans, radishes and beetroot for continual cropping.

teSting SeedSWhen using previous year’s seeds test them before sowing to ensure their viability. Make an envelope for each variety by folding a paper towel in four. Moisten the paper, put 10 seeds in each envelope, place in a plastic bag and close. Note the varieties, quantities and date. Count the number of seeds that germi-nate. 80% is good, below 50% poor. Parsnip seeds lose their viability rapidly so use fresh ones every year.

Seed envelopeSfor giftSSeed envelopes make great gifts. Buy them from garden centres or make your own. Fill them with your own seeds and give them as gifts or swap with friends and neighbours.

flowerS for cuttingTo have a supply of cut flowers is wonderful. They brighten up your home and make splendid gifts. Buying them can be costly and the environ-mental impact of cut flowers is enor-mous considering the resources used to grow and transport them from such places as Holland, America and Africa. Scatter a few cut-and-come-again annuals in flower beds for a constant supply. If you have space, create a plot for cut flowers, perhaps in your potager. Sunflowers tournesol, Zinneas zinnea, cosmos cosmos, cleome cléome and sweet peas pois de senteur (which of course need support) are ideal.

SeedS from flowerSAllow flowers to seed, leave them on the plant to dry, but collect them before their seed heads begin to open. On a

dry, windless day cut or break the seed heads or pods off and invert them in a paper bag. Close the bag gently and place in a warm place to dry out.

beware of the froSt SaintSThe days of Saints Mamertus, Pancras, and Savartus fall on the 11th, 12th and 13th May, and in France there is a tradi-tional threat of frost until after these dates. This could prove fatal to young crops so watch weather forecasts and keep horticultural fleece handy to cover them. We wait to sow frost tender seeds until later.

peSt deterrentS and barrierS Bottle cloches - plastic bottles with their bottom removed placed over young plants deter slugs. Slugs dislike copper piping, sharp grit or broken eggshells. Old squares of carpet fitted snugly around cabbage plant stems discourage cabbage root flies from laying eggs. Horticultural fleece deters carrot fly and flea beetles. Until we used this method our roquette was peppered with flea beetle holes and although we ate it, it was a little unsightly.

plant labellingAn inexpensive way to label rows of plants is to simply write the name of the plant in pencil on a piece of broken tile. Flat stones can also be used and, for more permanent labels, plant names can be written in paint.

fly trapSThe presence of a wide variety of insects in gardens is normal. Many

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people however consider that their destruction is paramount and devote a great deal of time and money in attempting to achieve this. Commer-cial fly traps that are hung outdoors are advertised for their efficiency in ‘attracting and trapping’ insects. Sadly, they kill all manner of insects, including beneficial ones, but in any case it’s pointless as more insects immediately fill the void created as the traps are good at ‘attracting’. Less than 2% of the world’s insects are harmful. Beneficial insects devour harmful insects which would otherwise eat your plants. Fly traps kill these natural predators. They also kill pollinating insects.

AttrAct beneficiAl insectsWhen nature is balanced you’ll find a mixture of good and bad insects in your garden. As well as avoiding pesticides, attract beneficial insects such as lady-birds, lacewings, beetles and wasps by making habitats for them. Take some dry hollow-stemmed plants such as corn-on-the-cob left over after your harvest, cut them into lengths and tie raffia around bundles of them. Ladybirds and their larvae are veracious devourers of aphids and are an effective control.

Many ladybirds have pollen as part of their diet so grow sunflowers and other composite flowers to attract them.

Herbicides And pesticidesUse neither, including those approved for organic gardening. Avoid slug pellets. They kill small birds which eat slugs that have eaten pellets. Birds of prey are also endangered as they eat smaller birds poisoned by slug pellets. This benefits your wallet too - these products are expensive.

don’t be too tidy Allow areas of your garden to grow wild; allow natural plants to thrive which will in turn attract birds and animals. Piles of leaves provide important habitats. Make wood piles, allowing them to decay to attract grubs and insects which provide food for other wildlife. Don’t turn all your land into a manicured garden. If you’ve bought 5 hectares of meadow keep it as meadow. Just maintain a reasonably sized garden close to your house. Why spend hours mowing only for the grass to need cutting again days later? All you are doing is creating a green desert. Here at Le Fayard a local farmer cuts

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1650 | living gardening


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our fields annually. He gets a valuable hay crop, our fields are kept tidy and we benefit from a wide array of beautiful wildflowers which otherwise would be destroyed by constant mowing.

AttrAct hedgehogsAt Le Fayard we rescued and cared for two abandoned baby hedgehogs several years ago and they now repay us by keeping slug and snail popula-tions down. Provide piles of leaves in quiet corners for their hibernation. Ensure they can get into the garden by providing gaps in boundaries.

don’t sprAy grAvel drives And pAthsDon’t use weedkillers on gravel drives and paths – just let grass and other plants grow and mow over them for a ‘natural’ appearance. Trafficked areas will remain as gravel but other areas will green over.

Wildlife pondPonds are excellent for wildlife, attracting frogs and toads which devour slugs. They provide a drinking hole for birds and animals. We have amazing salamanders in our pond and our honey bees drink from it. Dragonflies

eat small insects. Ponds are best in sunny positions with gently sloping sides so birds can drink and bathe, so amphibians can spawn and animals can escape if they fall in. Even simple bowls encourage wildlife.

Moley – the gArdener’s friendMany regard moles as the bane of gardening and become obsessed with killing them. Firstly, I prefer to think they have a life to live and I’m happy to put up with a few molehills and tunnels. Secondly, killing them is pointless as the void created will soon be filled by another mole. They are territorial - in the countryside there will be no more than two males per acre, less in suburban areas. They don’t increase in numbers. After 12 years at Le Fayard we still have mole runs in the same places, with no increase. Contrary to what many think, they don’t eat roots – actually they eat the fungus on tree and shrub roots that would otherwise cause damage. Their main diet is grubs, worms, larvae, earwigs and other insects so they actually help us. Also, the beautifully sifted soil in their hills is perfect for potting, they deep cultivate the soil, fertilise it and help aeration and drainage.

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AttrAct birdsMake a bird house. The LPO, RSPB and other environmental bodies provide simple plans for these. Put out food for birds. Seeds, nuts and fat mixtures will provide the ideal diet; they reward us by eating aphids, caterpillars, slugs and snails. Provide a supply of clean water; thaw it with warm water when necessary.

nAtive plAntsWhilst it is beneficial to wildlife to grow native species in your garden, never take plants from the wild as it increases the decline in native flora and deprives others of enjoying them in their natural state. Always purchase from a reliable source.

Here at Living Magazine, we would like

to thank Trevor for his hard work and

support. We are sure many gardeners (and

gardens!) across the region have benefited

from his extensive knowledge. But don’t

worry, gardening will still feature in future

issues of Living and, of course, you can refer

to many of Trevor’s articles on our website

at www.livingmagazine.fr.

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living gardening | 51


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www.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

52 | living Angling


and 50g with a built-in hook and an eye for attachment to the reel line. To the lead head can be fitted a variety of rubber or plastic flexible fish shaped bodies in a variety of tail designs and colours.

The method is to cast out, let the jig reach the bottom and then flick the rod tip upwards to raise it up in the water and let it fall again. This causes the flexible body to move just like a real fish. Keep jigging to a lift/drop rhythm and zander will usually take it as it starts to drop or sweep it up off the bed of the river or lake.

A general colour guide for lures for both pike and zander is bright colours in clear water, reflective finishes in poor light, and dark colours, which show strong silhouettes, in coloured water.

Zander and pike inhabit most lakes and rivers in south west France, but without local knowledge finding the best place to fish can take time. Tackle shops are a good source of information; other anglers on the bank can usually be relied on for a few tips or you can shorten the odds by trying a specialist well-stocked carnassier lake.

Pescalis at Moncoutant (79) is the best known with a dedicated lure fishing lake and instruction in fishing if needed. Also available on a day ticket basis is La Germondiere at Segondigny (79) while the Plan d’eau de la Grande Prairie at Angoulême is being developed as a pike and zander water that can be fished at no extra cost by anyone with a carte de pêche.

The majority of those seeking pike and zander cast their lures from the bank but boat fishing is also popular and the latest trend is fishing lakes using a float tube. This is a doughnut shaped inflatable rubber tube where the angler sits on a seat but his legs go down in the water and flippers are worn on the feet to propel the tube through the water.

How long will it be before a hungry old pike looks up from below, spots what looks like the biggest duck’s feet it has ever seen and we have our very own ‘Brochet Bites Man’ tale?

River caught

zander

12kg lake pike

Angling expert Ron Cousins gears up for the predator challenge...

Hook, line & sinker…

L

a pêche des carnassiers - going fishing to catch the predatory species brochet (pike) and sander (zander) - is the fastest growing branch of angling in

France and most of Europe. Indeed, many new recruits headed for the water when the new season opened on the 1 May.

Both species combine exciting sport with good eating, and references to cooking pike go back to Roman times. Probably because of its lean, mean appearance and fearsome teeth that make short work of any underwater prey and even waterfowl on the surface, the pike appears more in angling myths and legends than any other species. Few claims of pike attacking swimmers have been true and the giant pike skeleton in a church in Mannheim, Germany, may have turned out to have been made up from several fish. However, the skull found near the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire in 2013 was the real thing and came from a fish that could have weighed 30kg. Irish pike tales are many, and include a fish found dead in the River Shannon in 1926 that was not weighed but was 1.6m long. There is a fair element of truth in the claim for the world record pike caught from Lough Derg at Killaloe in 1862. With Patrick Sheehy rowing the boat and John Naughton manning the rod, a 40kg fish took the shiny metal shoe horn fitted with hooks that they were trolling as a homemade lure behind the boat, and it was two hours before the huge fish was landed.

Zander however weren’t introduced into Britain until a trial stocking of the Great Ouse Relief Channel in 1963 and, although now populating many waterways, they haven’t yet written themselves into fishing folklore (although the word zander is now used in urban slang to mean amazing, astonishing or awesome).

Continental zander have reached 20kg but a fish half that weight is regarded as a specimen and, despite their rows of razor sharp teeth, reported acts of aggression have been limited to swimmers frightened

off by packs of fish hunting prey or establishing spawning areas.

Before taking on the predator challenge it is important to realise that when it comes to choice of residence and style of dining, the two species don’t have too much in common. The pike ambushes its prey by lying among weeds and other cover in shallow, clear water and uses the remarkable acceleration generated by the caudal, dorsal and anal fins to shoot forward to grab the passing fish. Pike are generally loners, unlikely to feed at night and can follow up a big meal by not feeding again for several days. A sign that a pike is about is a sudden explosive splash on the surface of the water followed by smaller ones as the food-size fish scatter.

Zander work in groups to hunt their prey and chase shoals over considerable distances; they can be found in deep and coloured water and feed during the day and also at night. Shoals of small fish scattering across the surface and leaping out of the water for no apparent reason is usually an indication that a zander feeding party is on the hunt down below.

Walk into any French fishing tackle shop and the huge displays of wood, metal and plastic crafted to look like small fish of all kinds and colours will confirm that, when it comes to fishing for pike and zander, lure fishing is the number one choice for most anglers. Pike anglers put their faith in traditional spoon shaped spinners, wooden plug baits and well proven single or jointed lures such as the Rapala and Salmo, or the latest drone lures which simplify offering the bait at various depths. The fishing method is to cast out and then wind back in at varying speeds to impart movement to the lure and fool the pike into thinking it is a real, live and tasty snack swimming its way.

Traditional lures can work for zander but more and more anglers are using jigs instead to better deal with the way this fish looks for food. A jig is a round or rugby ball shaped lead weighing between 10g

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2016 was predicted to be the boom year for battery storage...

Companies developing battery storage solutions for PV have whipped the market up into a frenzy and, cleverly, generated curiosity with domestic users. The truth is that although there are exciting developments in stor-age systems from the likes of Tesla and Enphase, they are still being tested and are generally not ready to buy. “Just try getting hold of a Tesla system - it is impossible,” says Paul. “At Ecobuild in March there was lots to see and play with, but no-one could answer my technical questions.”

These systems are generally being marketed as a whole-package-deal with the inverter, monitoring and battery all wrapped up in one ‘energy management system’. Excellent if you haven’t already purchased your system but not so flexible if you have. “I am looking at a system that does the same but can be integrated into an existing PV system. It is avail-able technically, but in practice the company is still testing the equip-ment in real life and I expect it will be 2017 before it is available.”

If you are considering PV, here are Paul’s tips for choosing a system:

1) Look at covering your back-ground electrical energy usage with say 4-5 panels fitted on roof producing 1-1.5KW in self-use or ‘autoconsommation’. This is a very simple, cost effective, fit and forget system suitable for small house-holds who perhaps are out at work during the day.

2) If you have the budget or have higher electrical usage (a pool or gite perhaps) and you want to cover more of your peak daytime energy, then go for 3-4KW or 12-15 panels in ‘self use’. It is more cost effective the more panels you have. There are lots of things you can do to optimise the usage of the energy you produce and some add on piec-es of equipment to help you. This system is more suited for medium households and above, to those occupying the property during the day, and for small businesses.

3) For now, only if you have the budget, have the space for a bigger PV array or have a specific purpose, go for a battery supported system.

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DIScLoSuRE oF ASSEtS In light of the Panama Papers and their revelations, it would appear that not only tax evasion is in the headlines but also tax avoidance schemes.

Evading tax by concealing income is illegal, avoiding tax by exploiting the tax rules technically is not.

To help tax authorities in various countries to hunt out those individ-uals and companies trying to hide assets, the UK has recently signed a disclosure of asset agreement with Spain, Germany, France and Italy.

What does this mean: It means that the UK, in partnership with France, Germany, Spain and Italy, have passed regulations that will lead to the automatic sharing of information about the true owners of companies, complex shell companies and overseas trusts.

George Osborne said the trans-parency rules on beneficial owner-ship showed that Britain and other governments were working to shine a spotlight on “those hiding spaces, those dark corners of the global financial system”. Osborne said he hoped that the regulations, which will come into effect in January 2017, would be followed up by other countries.

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Domaine de la Goujonne 17270, MONTGUYON 05 46 48 32 44

www.anglofoods.com

LUXURY WINE/COGNAC TOUR PACKAGESecluded setting in Charente (16) only 3 mins from nearest town.Yoga/retreat groups welcome.

Beautiful Manor House, perfect for family/group holidays or celebrations

+33 (0)545 252132 +44 (0)7786 [email protected]

Sleeps 12 in 3 luxurious bedroom suites & 3 ensuite bedrooms.

6x12 pool, tennis court, exterior kitchen, poolside shower room & toilets.

Beautiful grounds.

www.lemanoircharente.com

Highly qualified ABRSM piano teacher

(A.R.C.M. and dip.R.C.M. in teaching and performing)

• piano lessons • refresher summer courses

• preparation for ABRSM exams up to Grade 8

Based in Charente

Contact Rachel on

06 26 54 95 46rachelmac1970 @gmail.com

La Cure du Maine Charles

B&B6 rooms

16120 Birac | Tel: 06 17 15 18 94www.logislacure.fr

For groups, families & individuals.En-suite rooms, breakfast included.Free bikes available plus nature

walks in the donkey park. Free wifi, pets welcome.

Dinner available - bio-Italian- vegetarian.

Tina HallManual Therapist

[email protected]

05 55 06 59 12 06 71 46 79 11

ww

w.b

odym

atte

rsba

ckca

recl

inic

.netUK trained Physio with

27 years experience.Former Physio to GB

acrobatics team.

Bussac, 87600 Cheronnac

H.P.C. PH66488siret 497 688 663 00028

Food shops, photography, arts, well-being, language lessons, cleaning, holiday rentals56

YOGA & WELLBEING AT THE FRENCH YOGA GARDEN

HATHA YOGA Tues 19.30-20.45 / Weds 10.15-11.30RESTORATIVE YOGA

Thurs 10.30-11.45YIN / BEGINNERS

Thurs 13.30-14.45

ContaCt LuCy thompson for bookings:

[email protected] 49 87 36 26

Facebook: French Yoga Garden

NEW! HATHA CLASS CONFOLENS

Tues 10.30-11.45

Equipped with Full HD and 4k cameras along with the

latest drone technologyWe work with:

Estate agents to market and promote prestige propertiesBusinesses and Tourism to promote Gîtes, Hôtels and Restaurants Organisations to market events and ceremonies

[email protected] 07 60 35 03 03 francais +44 7903 710 190 english

Petticoat Lane5 Rue Nationale - 16150 ChabanaisTel 05 45 29 03 99 ~ Fax 05 45 85 92 25

Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm

Visit www.petticoatlaneshop.comEmail [email protected]

English groceries, Fresh Beef & Steak to order only, Gammon Steak, Bacon,

Sausage & Cheddar cheese. Wide range of frozen items including vegetarian.

Traditional English beers, Sherries & Wine.

Cards for all occasions.

Check our

website for

market dates

Nettoyage ProfessionnelARC EN CIEL

Key holding / conciergerie.Cleaning of commercial and domestic premises

and window cleaning.Rugs, carpet & upholstery steam shampoo extraction.

Hard floors / surfaces treatment: marble, granite, terracotta etc & wood floor parquet.

Swimming pool & garden maintenance.

Phone: 06 31 31 06 76 / 06 70 39 83 [email protected]

Siret: 813 442 860 00017

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING & HYGIENE SERVICESwww.nettoyage-services-dordogne.fr

Hundreds of English products at great pricesNow stockists of Crown & Sandtex Paint Homemade food & cakes served All day

Latté - Cappuccino - Draught BeerFull English Breakfast

Fresh Battered Cod & Chips Please refer to our website for opening times

Fresh deliveries every 3 weeks

www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr

U.P.V.C. Double GlazingHigh quality U.P.V.C. windows & doors

UK Manufactured, specifically made in French style

Wide choice of colours availableProfessionally surveyed, measured and installed

25+ years experienceReferences available, fully insured and registered

Haynes Carpentry Call Keith on 05 49 63 97 80 or 07 80 06 26 45 (mobile)


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covered

Chat-eau‘Home away from home’

Luxury suites for cats

Phone or text 06 44 10 20 34Email: [email protected]

2 La Mariettere, 1km from Scillé (79240)4km: La Chapelle Thireuil 5km: L’Absie

15km: Secondigny, Moncoutant, Coulonges

4 fully-equipped 10m2 luxury suitesCollection & return service available

Photos & videos sent during stay Call Joyce to arrange a tour!

BikeHireDirectQuality bike hire across

16, 17, 24, 33, 79, 85, 86 & 87

FREE delivery & collection

Gite Owner? Earn money with us!

05 67 07 11 01 [email protected]

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On YourMortgagePayments

Bike hire, websites, animal services, paint, satellite dishes

LUXURY MOBILE HOMEPORT GRIMAUD Bay of St Tropez

Bright and modern A/C, 2-bed Mobile Home in a fantastic

location on Prairies de La Mer with its own private beach.

Bars, restaurants, water sports facilities and spa centre on-site.

For details, email [email protected]

www.holidayprairies.com

IMPROVE YOUR

One-to-one sessions to improve your conversation skills and

your fluency.You need to adapt to the French job market. You want to be able

to express who you are. You want to understand the French culture

better. You want to enjoy your stay in France better.

15 euro per one-hour sessionAnne, French native

Experienced, positive, patient and dedicated teacher

06.32.27.01.44Lessons to be held at my place,

in Civray (86).

Comment ça va ?DAILY LIFE FRENCH

Stained Glass

Traditional, leaded, stained glassDesigned and crafted for you by a skilled artist with over

20 years experienceTransform your vision into reality

Commissions ~ Restoration

T: +33 (0)5 45 98 44 04 E: [email protected]

www.glassaspire.co.uk

Based on 24/16 border

- happy to travel

Food shops, photography, arts, well-being, language lessons, cleaning, holiday rentals


Hundreds of English products at great pricesNow stockists of Crown & Sandtex Paint Homemade food & cakes served All day

Latté - Cappuccino - Draught BeerFull English Breakfast

Fresh Battered Cod & Chips Please refer to our website for opening times

Fresh deliveries every 3 weeks

The UK’s Premium Pet Transport Company

Regular trips throughout EuropeServices tailored to your needs

DEFRA Type 2 licensed, custom built vans

www.gofetch-ltd.com [email protected]: +44 (0)7855 401 102T: +44 (0)1656 670 856

Destruction of the nests of wasps, European & Asian hornets, processionary

caterpillars.Bee swarm removal.

Certibiocide no. 001851

15 years’ experience

Rapid response 7/7 across 16 • 17 • 24 • 33 • 79 • 86 • 8706.48.14.66.08 / 05.45.61.27.96

[email protected]


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PhilippeLARGEAU

20 years’experience

WORK AT HEIGHTS & IN DIFFICULT AREASPRUNING & WORK on ROPES

TREE FELLING in DELICATE or DIFFICULT situationsREMOVAL of WASPS & HORNETS

CREATION & INSTALLATION of TREE-TOP coursesALL TYPES of CLEANING and SECURITY

INTERVENTION ACROSS THE REGIONTel: 06 81 15 65 20 www.feelnature.fr

Maréchal-FerrantFarrier

Parrage et FerrageTrimming & Shoeing

DOR-VINCENT JulianTel: 05 49 65 16 33

Mob: 06 42 35 97 11

CAPA qualified Based 79240 Largeasse

Siret: 515 408 854 00013

Cachette du chatSmall friendly cattery

Condac, Ruffec.Purpose-built heated

Chambers for your catwith its own outdoor run

Each chamber is well equipped to give your cat

all the comforts.Open all year.Visits welcome.

Reg DSV – Certifi cateof capacity

Tel 0545 29 01 310615 66 38 92

[email protected]

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com

Claude’s Cat Hotel

Our small purpose built cattery offers heated

accommodation with outdoor space in a rural setting.

Les Chaillauds 16220 MONTBRONTel: 05 45 24 01 45

E:[email protected] www.claudescathotel.com

By appointment Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

U.P.V.C. Double GlazingHigh quality U.P.V.C. windows & doors

UK Manufactured, specifically made in French style

Wide choice of colours availableProfessionally surveyed, measured and installed

25+ years experienceReferences available, fully insured and registered

Haynes Carpentry Call Keith on 05 49 63 97 80 or 07 80 06 26 45 (mobile)


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Famous Furniture in France

A large range of fabulous high back G Plan sofas, chairs and

3-piece suites always available from stock.

Plus a range of quality pocket sprung UK mattresses.

Delivered direct to your door in France - Pay in £’s or Euros.

www.famousfurnitureinfrance.com

Call us on 05 49 83 03 71 or 06 06 86 50 07 Based near Montmorillon (86)

R.S.M. Distribution

Famous named brands in stockSilentnight - Airsprung

MATTRESSES all sizes

By appointment only email: [email protected] Tel. 05 49 87 67 34

www.fudgejj.com

Siret: 531 167 443 00013

UK Mattresses now available in France

Jane Wherrett ACCAUK Quali� ed Chartered Accountant• Bookkeeping to Trial Balance• Bank Reconciliations and

Cash Flow Forecasts• Aged Debtors and Creditors• VAT/TVA returns• Monthly Management

Accounts • Profi t & Loss

and Balance Sheet

Accounting and Bookkeeping Services to suit your business

requirements

Contact JaneTel: 05 45 64 47 30 E: [email protected]

Profi t & Loss and Balance

Ask about our promotionsMotor, House and Contents,

Health, Business, LifeInsurance and Savings

For all your insurance

needs

AGENCES PHILIPPE BOURDIN3 Place d’Armes, 16700 RUFFEC

Tel: 05 45 31 01 51or

Commercial site at SuperU, 79190 SAUZE VAUSSAIS

Tel: 05 49 07 61 10

Free, no obligation quotes.Ask for Samantha

No ORIAS: 07009808

E: bourdin-ru� [email protected] www.rblpoitou- charentes.fr

Car, House, Health, Travel, Business, Life insurances… Investments.

SANDRINE TUYERASINSURANCE & INVESTMENT

[email protected]° ORIAS 14001253

2 Offices: 87300 BELLAC / 87140 NANTIAT – Tel. 05 55 68 11 80

Furniture, carpets & flooring, motoring, engineering, metal work, transport Satellites dishes, help & advice, insurance, furniture

[email protected]

Kate Sevoz - 06 73 56 81 20

PROFESSIONAL ADMIN HELP & ADVICE

Greatsuccess onall subjects

treated

Siret N°80513433500019

Business set-up (Micro Entreprise etc...), CFE, Tax returnHealth matters, Family benefits, Insurance

Utilities, Banking, Tradesmen, Schooling, Notaires, etc...Translation (inc Websites), Calls, Emails, Letters


Hello, my name is Isabelle Want. For the past 5 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager. Being mar-ried to an Englishman and having lived in the UK for 8 years gives me a better insight into what British people are

experiencing and what they need. Being French and born in the Charente has enabled me to offer some answers.I am, as always, available for any free advice on the follow-ing subjects: - INHERITANCE LAW - who inherits, how much are death duties, what solutions exist- TAXES - everybody’s fear! Annual tax forms in May, etc.

- INVESTMENTS - what is available, what rate, etc.- LIFE INSURANCE - how to protect your loved ones- FUNERAL COVER - preparing for the inevitable, unfortu-nately!- TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE - why you need it and how much it is- INSURANCES - get a free quote to see if you can save moneyWe also have a dedicated bilingual person to deal with claims. And, finally, we have an English website with all sorts of useful information and tips on all of the above subjects.

Insurance and asset management advice in English

BH Assurances22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffectel : 05 45 31 01 61

10 bld du 8 mai 1945 16110 La Rochefoucauld tel : 05 45 63 54 31

102 ave de la République16260 Chasseneuil sur Bonnieuretel : 05 45 39 51 47

Contact Isabelle directly Mobile: 06 17 30 39 11 Email: [email protected] www.info-bhc.comN° ORIAS : 07020908

FURNITURE for France is now in its thirteenth year of supplying quality furniture to properties in France. The company specialises in providing clients with a service that offers good

quality UK-sourced furniture, delivered direct to your property in France from just £99 .Liaising with its customers from the initial enquiry through to furniture installation, ensures they are kept informed every step of the way. “With 12 years’ experience and thousands of deliveries under our belts throughout France, we have encountered almost everything and put that to good use when helping customers find the

right furniture for their property,” said Brian Muir, the company’s managing director.Potential customers can view and discuss all the sofa, mattress and furniture options at the Meubles New Ideas showroom based near Brive, 19350. Rendez-vous by appoint-ment at your convenience. Furniture delivered throughout France as well as, of course, locally to the Dordogne, Charente, Lot and Limousin.

Quality Furniture - Convenient Delivery

T: 06 46 49 73 45 E: [email protected] www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

FEaTURED BUsINEss

Photo above: Lundy painted range with oak tops

Photo left: Highcleare sofa in Tartan blue fabric. Rustic oak

Living furniture

58

BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARES?

Prompt and practical help with all your administrative problems:

tax returns, healthcare cover, family benefi ts, insurance claims, auto entreprises, notaires, banks, utilities, social security, mairies & more.

Call Alison on 05 49 87 17 60

alison@affi xe.comwww.affi xe.com

English SpeakingAsk for Corinne

For all your insurance needs in France

Special discount for new owners - 50% o� the � rst year

Fully comprehensive covers at competitive

prices and all explained in ENGLISH. We respond quickly to enquiries and

in the case of accidents or claims, we are here to help.O� ces at Champdeniers and St

Pardoux (79). Come and visit us.

Agence MichallonTel: 05.49.25.87.06

[email protected]

Orias: 07007057

L’Atelier de FerFraser W. Eade

General EngineeringTurning, Milling, Welding

Quality & Precision Guaranteed

Forgeix, 87200 Saint Junien05 55 71 41 75

[email protected]

www.latelierdefer.com

Siret: 512 945 874 00018

Tel: 05 55 09 15 73

Famous Furniture in France

A large range of fabulous high back G Plan sofas, chairs and

3-piece suites always available from stock.

Plus a range of quality pocket sprung UK mattresses.

Delivered direct to your door in France - Pay in £’s or Euros.

www.famousfurnitureinfrance.com

Call us on 05 49 83 03 71 or 06 06 86 50 07 Based near Montmorillon (86)

Weekly services to & from SW FranceInternal moves within France

Containerised StorageRange of Packing services available

Over 30 Years’ Experience

Full or Part Load Removals To & From France Tel: 0044 1622 690653


www.anglofrenchremovals.co.uk UK Registration 543 77 60 UK

‘Your French Connection’EURO REMOVALS

ANGLO FRENCH

R.S.M. Distribution

Famous named brands in stockSilentnight - Airsprung

MATTRESSES all sizesBy appointment only

email: [email protected] Tel. 05 49 87 67 34www.fudgejj.com Siret: 531 167 443 00013

UK Mattresses now available in France

FLASH SALE for the month of June only 50% off all King size and Single mattresses

' The major stockist and distributor in south west France of parts for Land Rover, Jaguar, MG, Mini, Triumph, Rover and other classic British vehicles.

' Technical support and electronic diagnostic equipment are available.

' Buy on-line via our website.

82 rue Jean Ducongé16410 Garat

Tel: 05 17 20 34 84Email: [email protected]

www.landypoint.fr

PMCARPETS &FLOORING

For all your flooring needs • We supply and fit a range of carpets to suit all budgets • We also fit amtico, vinyl, wood and ceramic tile • Over 25 years experience, 100% customer satisfaction• Now selling a selection of wool and mixed fibre rugs Contact Paul on 06 60 07 54 78 or 05 45 84 27 75 www.pmcarpetsandflooring.com

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Le ParqueteurSAS

Suppliers and Fitters of traditional wood flooringSanding, restoration and finishing of wood floors

and staircasesFree quotation - Devis gratuit

www.leparqueteur.fr E: [email protected] 55 89 55 12 - 06 30 66 84 51

Ask about our promotionsMotor, House and Contents,

Health, Business, LifeInsurance and Savings

For all your insurance

needs

AGENCES PHILIPPE BOURDIN3 Place d’Armes, 16700 RUFFEC

Tel: 05 45 31 01 51or

Commercial site at SuperU, 79190 SAUZE VAUSSAIS

Tel: 05 49 07 61 10

Free, no obligation quotes.Ask for Samantha

No ORIAS: 07009808

E: bourdin-ru� [email protected]

Jeff’s Metalwork

Railings, Gates, Window Grilles Ornate interior/exterior designs

Steel framed buildings constructed/redesigned

General welding repairs/brazingOver 25 years experience

Tel: 05 49 64 97 25Mob: 06 05 54 87 81

[email protected]

LeftHandDrivePlace

We buy and sell left hand drive cars, French

& British registered.Delivery and collection across Europe - regular trips throughout France.New and used, tax paid

and tax [email protected]+44 (0) 1256 461173

www.rblpoitou- charentes.fr

MORE€€€

FOR THESAME₤₤₤

Furniture, carpets & flooring, motoring, engineering, metal work, transport Satellites dishes, help & advice, insurance, furniture

[email protected]

Kate Sevoz - 06 73 56 81 20

PROFESSIONAL ADMIN HELP & ADVICE

Greatsuccess onall subjects

treated

Siret N°80513433500019

Business set-up (Micro Entreprise etc...), CFE, Tax returnHealth matters, Family benefits, Insurance

Utilities, Banking, Tradesmen, Schooling, Notaires, etc...Translation (inc Websites), Calls, Emails, Letters


Hello, my name is Isabelle Want. For the past 5 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager. Being mar-ried to an Englishman and having lived in the UK for 8 years gives me a better insight into what British people are

experiencing and what they need. Being French and born in the Charente has enabled me to offer some answers.I am, as always, available for any free advice on the follow-ing subjects: - INHERITANCE LAW - who inherits, how much are death duties, what solutions exist- TAXES - everybody’s fear! Annual tax forms in May, etc.

- INVESTMENTS - what is available, what rate, etc.- LIFE INSURANCE - how to protect your loved ones- FUNERAL COVER - preparing for the inevitable, unfortu-nately!- TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE - why you need it and how much it is- INSURANCES - get a free quote to see if you can save moneyWe also have a dedicated bilingual person to deal with claims. And, finally, we have an English website with all sorts of useful information and tips on all of the above subjects.

Insurance and asset management advice in English

BH Assurances22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffectel : 05 45 31 01 61

10 bld du 8 mai 1945 16110 La Rochefoucauld tel : 05 45 63 54 31

102 ave de la République16260 Chasseneuil sur Bonnieuretel : 05 45 39 51 47

Contact Isabelle directly Mobile: 06 17 30 39 11 Email: [email protected] www.info-bhc.comN° ORIAS : 07020908

FURNITURE for France is now in its thirteenth year of supplying quality furniture to properties in France. The company specialises in providing clients with a service that offers good

quality UK-sourced furniture, delivered direct to your property in France from just £99 .Liaising with its customers from the initial enquiry through to furniture installation, ensures they are kept informed every step of the way. “With 12 years’ experience and thousands of deliveries under our belts throughout France, we have encountered almost everything and put that to good use when helping customers find the

right furniture for their property,” said Brian Muir, the company’s managing director.Potential customers can view and discuss all the sofa, mattress and furniture options at the Meubles New Ideas showroom based near Brive, 19350. Rendez-vous by appoint-ment at your convenience. Furniture delivered throughout France as well as, of course, locally to the Dordogne, Charente, Lot and Limousin.

Quality Furniture - Convenient Delivery

T: 06 46 49 73 45 E: [email protected] www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

FEaTURED BUsINEss

Photo above: Lundy painted range with oak tops

Photo left: Highcleare sofa in Tartan blue fabric. Rustic oak

Living furniture

59

L’Atelier de FerFraser W. Eade

General EngineeringTurning, Milling, Welding

Quality & Precision Guaranteed

Forgeix, 87200 Saint Junien05 55 71 41 75

[email protected]

www.latelierdefer.com

Siret: 512 945 874 00018

WANTEDOLD MOPEDS

& MOTORCYCLESAny condition Pre 1985

I am a collectornot a dealer.

Tel Stewart on: 0549 870114

email [email protected]

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Sales and installation of:all types of boilerssolar thermal panelsheat pumpsmany more heating based products

Delivery to all of France

www.ecochaleur.fr 02.54.34.14.57

[email protected]

For help in English, ask for Nathan

Weekly trips between UK and FranceEverything from part loads to full house removalsFully insured and registeredOver 25 years experience in transport and removalsUK depot available for deliveries

Phone David on 05 49 87 15 06e-mail [email protected]

www.buzz-transport.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 8501 2069E: [email protected]

www.europeremove.com

UK-France Removals

FREE, no obligation quotationsFREE advice & support

We offer punctuality & reliabilityUp to 2 weeks free storage for all our clients

Packing services & materials availableSave time & money

WEEKLY TRIPS - FULL/PART LOADS - DOOR TO DOOR

REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICESPAIN - UK - FRANCE

1 cubic metre to full trailer loads - Dedicated express loadsWarehouse drop-off service - Single box, part load specialist

Professional export packing service

REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICE

For a free quotation, call or visit our website:+34 952 79 34 22 +34 952 80 76 92

www.murrayharper.com [email protected]

Pools installation across Vienne and Deux-Sèvres since 1996. We support you in every step of your project, from building permit

to commissioning and installation of accessories - heatpumps, covers, automatic water treatment devices & more

Auger Piscine & Paysage20 rue de la Belle Etoile, 86190 VouilléTél. 05 49 545 290 | [email protected]

Sarl AUVIN Fabrication

Stairs & windowsAll carpentry

Manufacture & renovationin and around Charente (16)

Le Bourg à Moutardon 16700 Nanteuil-en-Vallée

Tel. 05 45 31 03 05

www.auvin-fabrication.com

A family business for 30 years, offering a professional service

Packing servicesFull/part loads to and

from the UKVehicles transported

Containerised storageCompetitive prices

Transit liability included

Contact; Stephen Franklin 0044 (0)1283 792838

[email protected]

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

FRANKLINS REMOVALS LTD

www.frenchvanman.eu

Man & Van Transport

Genuine, Reliable & HonestLocal + Europe + UK runs

14m3 capacity 4.2m load length

English & French spoken“extremely professional,

reliable and very good value for money”

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

Siret: 530 213 644 00012

George WhiteEuropean Transport

Special rates to SW France13.6m / 45ft trailer

Full/Part loadsRemovals - Vehicles - Materials

Owner DriverRHA member

Tel: +44 (0)7768 867 360Fax +44 (0)1773 570 090

Fr Mobile: +33 (0)6 23 03 85 59

www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk

Removals, deliveries, windows & stairs, heating, pools

Having been in the trade for 40 years (!) you would think that there is nothing new to see, nothing to get excited about... but there is - and it’s turning Jon into a big softy.......Do you remember the craze in the 70’s for shag pile carpets? Long, thick pile which gave a soft feel but was almost impossible to keep looking good. The daily mainte-nance, apart from hoovering, included brushing the pile with a special carpet rake...and because there was so much fibre in the pile they were often made from

cheaper materials, so unless you had the time and inclination to be fastidious with the daily care, the long pile would become matted and quickly flatten.But, having taken the lead from USA manufacturers where ‘soft’ and ‘super soft’ carpets are taking a forever increasing market share, UK and European produc-ers are now also making carpets with a new luxury feel. They are able to do this because of new ways to produce ultra thin filaments in the most commonly used fibre in UK man-made carpets - polypropylene.

Whereas previously fibres like polyester or viscose have made the softest feel carpets, they don’t perform well - in fact, even clean water can cause a stain in viscose! But now soft and super-soft carpets are here in a fibre that is virtually stain proof, colour fast and hard wearing.Now we have carpets that are soft and silky smooth, perfect to sink your toes into in the bedroom, but tough enough to be used anywhere in your home.So, if you want Jon to turn you into a big softy too, give him a call...

JON THE CARPET MAN IS A BIG SOFTY!

T: 05 55 73 63 16 E: [email protected] www.jon-thecarpetman.com jonthecarpetman

Featured business60

Renovating your next property?

Dreaming of a new build?Let me help you.

• Dossiers prepared• Permis de construire• Déclaration préalables

Architectural Drawing Service

05 53 52 36 [email protected]

Peter Latus BA(Hons)

Siret: 49377035800015

ANDY MSKitchens & Bathrooms

from A-ZAll leading Brands

All associated minor works, modifications and repairs

also undertaken e.g.. replace Kitchen worktops,

taps, toilets etc.Dept. 16, 17

05 46 49 78 30 / 06 70 40 66 01

website: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]

siret:50263448800014

POOLS BY JONATHANAgent and installer for several

rectangular & shaped pools including Seablue & Astral Pools

FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Competitive prices, try me for a quote

Terracing and landscaping service also available

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

www.poolsbyjonathan.com phone 0549840362 mobile 0622361056

SIRE

T 47994761600021

Pools, architectural design, building services, artisans

Give your pool a make-over with easy-to-fit pool bordersAre you looking for an inexpensive and effective way to brighten up your tired pool? Paul and Guido from Borderchoice- europe.com have the answer!Get rid of unsightly suntan lotion and oil marks that have become ingrained above the waterline by applying one of Border Choice’s self-fit pool borders. Designed to be applied quickly and easily, the border’s specially formulated coating means they can then be wiped clean using only a sponge while staying bright for

years to come.Each border comes with simple fitting instructions, helpful hints and tips. Just lower the water level, clean the top of the liner, fit the pool border and your pool will be ready for the summer ahead.Visit Borderchoice-europe.com to see the full range of patterns on offer, or use the bespoke design service to make your pool unique. Borders are sent direct to the customer from the company’s UK factory.

Call Paul: 06 76 46 62 83 or Guido: 06 83 08 69 64 www.borderchoice-europe.com | [email protected]

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REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICESPAIN - UK - FRANCE

1 cubic metre to full trailer loads - Dedicated express loadsWarehouse drop-off service - Single box, part load specialist

Professional export packing service

REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICE

For a free quotation, call or visit our website:+34 952 79 34 22 +34 952 80 76 92

www.murrayharper.com [email protected]

Pools installation across Vienne and Deux-Sèvres since 1996. We support you in every step of your project, from building permit

to commissioning and installation of accessories - heatpumps, covers, automatic water treatment devices & more

Auger Piscine & Paysage20 rue de la Belle Etoile, 86190 VouilléTél. 05 49 545 290 | [email protected]

Sarl AUVIN Fabrication

Stairs & windowsAll carpentry

Manufacture & renovationin and around Charente (16)

Le Bourg à Moutardon 16700 Nanteuil-en-Vallée

Tel. 05 45 31 03 05

www.auvin-fabrication.com

Removals, deliveries, windows & stairs, heating, pools

Having been in the trade for 40 years (!) you would think that there is nothing new to see, nothing to get excited about... but there is - and it’s turning Jon into a big softy.......Do you remember the craze in the 70’s for shag pile carpets? Long, thick pile which gave a soft feel but was almost impossible to keep looking good. The daily mainte-nance, apart from hoovering, included brushing the pile with a special carpet rake...and because there was so much fibre in the pile they were often made from

cheaper materials, so unless you had the time and inclination to be fastidious with the daily care, the long pile would become matted and quickly flatten.But, having taken the lead from USA manufacturers where ‘soft’ and ‘super soft’ carpets are taking a forever increasing market share, UK and European produc-ers are now also making carpets with a new luxury feel. They are able to do this because of new ways to produce ultra thin filaments in the most commonly used fibre in UK man-made carpets - polypropylene.

Whereas previously fibres like polyester or viscose have made the softest feel carpets, they don’t perform well - in fact, even clean water can cause a stain in viscose! But now soft and super-soft carpets are here in a fibre that is virtually stain proof, colour fast and hard wearing.Now we have carpets that are soft and silky smooth, perfect to sink your toes into in the bedroom, but tough enough to be used anywhere in your home.So, if you want Jon to turn you into a big softy too, give him a call...

JON THE CARPET MAN IS A BIG SOFTY!

T: 05 55 73 63 16 E: [email protected] www.jon-thecarpetman.com jonthecarpetman

Featured business

EU validated Heritage Construction CompanyTel: 06 32 19 50 53 E: [email protected]

www.strictlyroofing.fr

SIRET: 789 956 125 00015

SLATE SPECIALISTRoof repairs both large & small

Roof replacementRoof renovations

Roofing surveys for house purchase

Chimney Removals Insurance claims

Décennale (10 year) Insurance

the roof, the whole roof and nothing but the roof

Based near Civray (86)

Pools from 12,400€ ttc - installed in 2 weeks,

free planningCelebrating 20 years of installing pools in France - genuine reas-

surance for the future. We will beat any like for like

quote - just call us.Main agents for Christal Pools

+33 (0)5 65 37 79 647, Ave Georges Pompidou 46300 Gourdon

[email protected] - www.piscine-plus.com

piscine-plus.compools - spas - security - chemicals - accessories

DOWN TO EARTH POOL DESIGN

Sarl

All work completed by us, design, excavation, construction & landscaping on completion.

All work guaranteed.Testimonials available on request.

www.DownToEarthPoolDesign.com Email: [email protected]

05 49 87 04 13

Prices from €18,476 for 8x4m

Siret 4933703570011

South West France RoofingThe Experts

For all your roofing solutions from repairs to complete recovers

Plus all associated carpentry work, wood and tile treatment

Over 30 years’ experience

www.southwestfranceroofing.comEmail: [email protected]: 05 45 91 75 41 Mob: 06 04 14 84 86

SAND AND BLAST

www.sandandblast.com

We provide a fully operated Sandblasting Service for Stone, Wood and Metal

Perfect for stripping away years of grime & paint

Contact us for a free quote or visit:

Tel: 05 55 76 31 59Mob: 06 77 40 95 92

[email protected]@sand-and-blast.comCovering 87, 36 & 23 but other

depts considered

Siret: 81272725300013

Renovating your next property?

Dreaming of a new build?Let me help you.

• Dossiers prepared• Permis de construire• Déclaration préalables

Architectural Drawing Service


Peter Latus BA(Hons)

Siret: 49377035800015

ANDY MSKitchens & Bathrooms

from A-ZAll leading Brands

All associated minor works, modifications and repairs

also undertaken e.g.. replace Kitchen worktops,

taps, toilets etc.Dept. 16, 17

05 46 49 78 30 / 06 70 40 66 01

website: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]

siret:50263448800014

Architectural designs, planning applications & project management for extensions, renovations,

conversions and new build.

Ian DickinsonBSc (Hons)

Tel/Fax: 05.46.98.22.01e-mail: [email protected]

ArchitecturalDesigner

Departments covered 16, 17, 79, 86

Rendering, Pointing, Full and Part Renovations,

[email protected]

05 49 27 22 67depts 79, 86 & 16

www.building-services-france.com

Roofing - Traditional, Interlocking and Slate

Established, registered artisan with Décennale & Civile Responsabilité Insurance

Siret: 499 474 302 00035

The Roofing & Renovation Company

Andy Quick

POOLS BY JONATHANAgent and installer for several

rectangular & shaped pools including Seablue & Astral Pools

FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Competitive prices, try me for a quote

Terracing and landscaping service also available

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

www.poolsbyjonathan.com phone 0549840362 mobile 0622361056

SIRE

T 47994761600021

+44 (0) 207 220 1746

[email protected]

Authorised by the FCA

CONTACTVIRGINIE AT

PDQFX

Pools, architectural design, building services, artisans

Give your pool a make-over with easy-to-fit pool bordersAre you looking for an inexpensive and effective way to brighten up your tired pool? Paul and Guido from Borderchoice- europe.com have the answer!Get rid of unsightly suntan lotion and oil marks that have become ingrained above the waterline by applying one of Border Choice’s self-fit pool borders. Designed to be applied quickly and easily, the border’s specially formulated coating means they can then be wiped clean using only a sponge while staying bright for

years to come.Each border comes with simple fitting instructions, helpful hints and tips. Just lower the water level, clean the top of the liner, fit the pool border and your pool will be ready for the summer ahead.Visit Borderchoice-europe.com to see the full range of patterns on offer, or use the bespoke design service to make your pool unique. Borders are sent direct to the customer from the company’s UK factory.

Call Paul: 06 76 46 62 83 or Guido: 06 83 08 69 64 www.borderchoice-europe.com | [email protected]

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PAINTER & DECORATOR

Interior and exterior painting

Paper hanging, tiling, flooring & dry lining

Areas 16, 17, 24, 33, 79, 86

ADAM BLACKABYArtisan PeintreT: 05 45 98 07 25M: 06 23 18 30 95

[email protected]

Siret: 441 490 992 00027

Peter AmorElectrician

Large or small projects, from new builds, total

rewires (including 3 phase) to

Having additional sockets/lights installed

to

Conformity Inspections

Tel: 05 49 91 85 54 [email protected]

All departments covered

SIret: 480 026 560 00012

Building services, artisans

www.LBVfrance.com e:[email protected] t:+33 (0)5 45 70 20 98

Les Bons VoisinsLes Bons Voisinsproperty management throughout france . no job too small, no project too large

key holding . caretaking . maintenance . supervision . admin helpchangeovers . cleaning . gardening . mail forwarding . translation

friendly people providing professional help to home owners in france

exceptional service at competitive prices


DOWN TO EARTHConstruction

Sarl

Fosse septique and accredited Micro station installerProfessional, friendly reliable service

with competitive prices.From conception to completion, we will

even do the paperwork.All drainage problems, groundworks patios & driveways.

Established 10 years, french registered & insuredAll work guaranteed - Testimonials available on request

www.downtoearthvienne.com Email: [email protected]

05 49 87 04 13Siret 4933703570011

The Natural Way To Flow...

All our systems are fully approved for use in France and we will not be beaten on price

For a professional and friendly service,contact Clint: Tel: 05 45 85 47 40

[email protected] www.fossefrancesolutions.com

Independent supplier of a� ordable, reliable, high quality, environmentally friendly micro-stations and sewage

treatment systems for both new builds and properties with a non-conforming fosse.

FOSSE FRANCE SOLUTIONSFosse and Micro-station suppliers

UK registration 07 15 72 91

E: [email protected] Tel: 05 49 07 62 71 Mob: 06 47 67 57 49

www.apsmultiservices.fr

• Stone• Wood• Metal

A.P.S. MULTI SERVICES Siret: 517 487310 00015

• Wood-fi redcentral heating

• Bathrooms• Kitchens

• Renovations• All interior

& exterior work

• CAD drawings

SAND BLASTING PLUMBING GENERAL

BUILDING

RenovationsGarage and Loft conversionsPlumbing/electricsKitchen & bathroom installationsWoodburners

Covering Poitou-

Charentes

For quote contact us at [email protected]

Tel: 06 69 67 67 06www.mcsbatiplus.com

No job is too big or too small

CesarConstructions BTP

Tel: 05.45.30.69.2816420 Saint Christophe

Stuart NichollsPort: 06.82.10.45.65

3New Builds 3 Renovations 3 Approved fosse septiques 3 Ground works

3Driveways 3Windows and Doors

Insurance DécennaleSiret: 517 604 997 00018

100% client satisfaction to date - references available on request

Artisan Fully Insured Décennale

Roofing

Specialist

Adrian direct: 06 10 89 49 16Office: 05 45 61 40 15

email: [email protected]

www.robinsbuilders.comSiret N°: 4880506750013

Call now for a free quote.Over 25 years

experience

JAMES RICHARDSON

Imajica JoineryESTABLISHED COMPANY,

CONSCIENTIOUS & RELIABLE SERVICEFor a superior finish

in wood, tile, plasterboard and general restorationSpecialising in kitchen

fitting & creative challenges

Siret: 4811558850001705 49 87 09 63

[email protected]

Siren: 478 608 185 00011

Antony WherrettElectrical Installations Garden and Home Lighting DesignsIntegrated Security Alarms Fire Detection & Entry SystemsPlumbing and Heating

Total Project Management

With 30 years experience I will see your project through from start to finish

Contact Tony to discuss your requirementsTel - [email protected]


GARY MOORE HEATING20 YEARS IN HEATING, 10 YEARS IN FRANCE

Ò Installation, servicing, repairs - oil, gas, solar, solid fuel Ò Fully qualified, fully registered, 10 year décennale insurance Ò Currently offering FREE supply & installation of bulk propane gas tanks

Sire

t: 49

1827

705

0002

2

Tel: 05 45 29 68 73 | Mobile: 06 30 11 86 84 | Email: [email protected]

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ANDY MSMulti ServicesPlumbingElectricityPlasterboardingTilingSatellite dishes and Systems for the reception of UK and French TV No Job too Small Dept. 16,17

05 46 49 78 30 / 06 70 40 66 01 website: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]:50263448800014

Jb PlumbingKitchen & Bathroom

installationTiling

Plumbing Repairs

Tel: 06 29 90 24 89E: [email protected]

Based in dept 79 near Sauzé-Vaussais

Fully insured

Siret: 804 390 862 000 14

PAINTER & DECORATOR

Interior and exterior painting

Paper hanging, tiling, flooring & dry lining

Areas 16, 17, 24, 33, 79, 86

ADAM BLACKABYArtisan PeintreT: 05 45 98 07 25M: 06 23 18 30 95

[email protected]

Siret: 441 490 992 00027

Peter AmorElectrician

Large or small projects, from new builds, total

rewires (including 3 phase) to

Having additional sockets/lights installed

to

Conformity Inspections

Tel: 05 49 91 85 54 [email protected]

All departments covered

SIret: 480 026 560 00012

Tel: 05 49 50 09 06Mob: 06 70 97 59 56

Email: [email protected]: 45275539000013 RM8601

Ellis Electrique

ExpEriEncEd QualifiEd ElEcTrician

REWIRES, NEW BUILD, ELECTRIC HEATING,

HOME SECURITY, LIGHTNING PROTECTION,

TV & AUDIO. WORK GUARANTEED &

INSUREDAreas: 16, 36, 37, 79, 86, 87

L.D Plastering & BuildingTop quality professional

plastering & building works.All aspects of plastering and

building work undertaken to the highest standard.

Specialising in all aspects of plastering, building and ground works from full renovations/

barn conversions to any small alterations or repairs etc.

Siret: 80254172200012

Call Luke:mob: 07 83 49 49 34

land: 05 49 83 08 60l.dplastering-building

@outlook.com

Call for free advice or quotes.We cover 150km from Confolens (16)

South West

Accredited Installers of Fosse septique, Compact Filters and Micro Station Systems

For a guaranteed professional solution from initial application to achieving conformity

www.southwestfrancefosse.comEmail: [email protected]

Tel: 05 45 91 75 41 Mob: 06 04 14 84 86

France Fosse

Over 30 years’ experience

ELECTRICIAN

Experienced,French Registered

ElectricianAvailable for all types

of electrical workrenovations, small works,

gate automations etc.Insured and guaranteed

Areas 16, 17, 24, 47


Siret 49376573200015

Robert Walker PlombeRie

Chauffage, Climatisation, SanitaireCentral Heating installations boiler Servicingbathroom, Kitchen installationsTiling, Solar Powered Hot WaterUnderfloor Heating & Heat Pumps

RobeRT WalKeR Tel: 05 49 27 36 98based South 79All work is fully insured, references can be provided

SiReT: 502 497 365 00010

Andy CoopeGENERAL HANDYMAN05 49 87 20 76 / 06 95 41 78 [email protected]

Anything you cannot do, or do not wish to do, please give me a call.

Specializing in Gardening, Strimming, Hedge Trimming etc.,

Painting & Decorating, Building Works,

Fencing.

Siret: 752 604 256 00012Carpenter ~ JoinerRenovation

Tiling ~ Drylining

79190 Clussais La PommeraieE: [email protected]

References available Siret: 509 487 534 00018

Carpenter Specialising in

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Renovations & Building

Works

R.S.PAMPHILION05.49.29.58.22

Registered Artisan with Décennale Insurance

Keith Bassett

Part or full renovationsRoo� ng

Plaster boardingAll building works

undertakenTel: 05 49 27 52 99

Mob: 06 74 95 21 00E: [email protected]

Based 79190

GENERAL BUILDING SERVICES

Siret 487 581 209 00011


www.LBVfrance.com e:[email protected] t:+33 (0)5 45 70 20 98

Les Bons VoisinsLes Bons Voisinsproperty management throughout france . no job too small, no project too large

key holding . caretaking . maintenance . supervision . admin helpchangeovers . cleaning . gardening . mail forwarding . translation

friendly people providing professional help to home owners in france

exceptional service at competitive prices

63


E: [email protected] Tel: 05 49 07 62 71 Mob: 06 47 67 57 49

www.apsmultiservices.fr

• Stone• Wood• Metal

A.P.S. MULTI SERVICES Siret: 517 487310 00015

• Wood-fi redcentral heating

• Bathrooms• Kitchens

• Renovations• All interior

& exterior work

• CAD drawings

SAND BLASTING PLUMBING GENERAL

BUILDING

RenovationsGarage and Loft conversionsPlumbing/electricsKitchen & bathroom installationsWoodburners

Covering Poitou-

Charentes

For quote contact us at [email protected]

Tel: 06 69 67 67 06www.mcsbatiplus.com

No job is too big or too small

JAMES RICHARDSON

Imajica JoineryESTABLISHED COMPANY,

CONSCIENTIOUS & RELIABLE SERVICEFor a superior finish

in wood, tile, plasterboard and general restorationSpecialising in kitchen

fitting & creative challenges

Siret: 4811558850001705 49 87 09 63


GARY MOORE HEATING20 YEARS IN HEATING, 10 YEARS IN FRANCE

Ò Installation, servicing, repairs - oil, gas, solar, solid fuel Ò Fully qualified, fully registered, 10 year décennale insurance Ò Currently offering FREE supply & installation of bulk propane gas tanks

Sire

t: 49

1827

705

0002

2

Tel: 05 45 29 68 73 | Mobile: 06 30 11 86 84 | Email: [email protected]

P

lace

s to

go

Places to go


64

www.livingmagazine.fr | 57

Mad Hatter’s KitchenMad Hatters Kitchen serving freshly

made good food just for you!Thurs & Fri lunches: 3 courses, wine included €15

Fri & Sat evening menu €25 3-course Sunday lunch €19All by reservation

FULLY LICENSED BAR | BED & BREAKFAST

Fri 3 June: Music Bistro Bar with Delta Ladies, menu 19€Sat 11 June: Mad Hatters Ball - evening dress, menu 28€,

music Matt Guez Swing TrioSat 18 June: Solstice night feast 28€ with The BroadbandFri 22 July: Music Bistro Bar - Rag Mama Rag, menu 19€

Reservations essential for all events

Please ring or e mail for more info 0549 27 67 29 [email protected] / www.madhattersfrance.eu

Le Logis, Le Breuillac, 79190 Caunay

Save the Date! Mad Hatter’s Festival: 12-14th August

Freshly cooked food, Menu du jour,Daily specials, A la carte,

& live music

La Brousse, 16700 Londignytel; 05 45 29 05 07

www.aubergedunoyer.com www.facebook.com/aubergedunoyer

Auberge du noyerBar & Restaurant

Open daily except Sun eve, Tues &,Weds

le soleil couchantPlan d’eau, Verneuil 16310www.lesoleilcouchant.eu

05 45 65 23 67 / 06 81 23 14 [email protected]

Friendly lakeside bar Open 6 days a week

(closed Mon)Food served all day

Pool table, dartboard, free Wi-Fi, children’s play area

LeSoleilCouchant

Siren 498 551 498

Opening HoursThurs, Fri & Sat

10-12 & 2-5

Something Moore-ishSalon de Thé anglaise

Rue des Bouffanais, 16170 Auge-Saint-Medard

(near Rouillac)Tel: 06 42 12 03 96

A quiet spot to take a breath, relax with a cup of organic tea or coffee and a slice of gluten-free cake. Delicious cream teas also

available with 24hr notice.

Something Mooreish

7 Place André Bujeaud, 85210 Saint Hermine

Tel: 02 51 30 23 95 E: [email protected]

Traditional English FoodLarge choice of beersQuizzes and Events

Closed Wednesday

lepubdeshalles

3 ROUTE DE LIMOGES, CHARROUX, 862500549 87 58 27

THE GREEN MAN INNCASK ALES SERVED ON HANDPULL

REAL ALE - WINES - CRAFT BEERS - RUMS - WHISKEY - SINGLE MALTS -LIVE MUSIC - QUIZ & COCKTAILS - CRIBBAGE - CYCLING CLUB

MON - SAT 16H00 - 22H00SUN - MIDDAY - 17H00

WE WELCOME WELL BEHAVED CHILDREN UNTIL 6PM. UNFORTUNATELY WE DO NOTALLOW DOGS INTO THE BAR OR COURTYARD

WWW.THEGREENMANINN.FR

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REAL ALE - WINES - CRAFT BEERS RUMS - WHISKEY SINGLE MALTS LIVE MUSIC - QUIZ & COCKTAILS

CRIBBAGE - CYCLING CLUB


MON-SAT 16H00-22H00SUN - MIDDAY-17H00

3 ROUTE DE LIMOGES86250 CHARROUX0549 87 58 27







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The Irish BelleTea Rooms Confolens Food served all day including

bacon sandwiches, all-day-breakfast, baked potato with

toppings, a side salad and more.Also selling Irish/English pro-duce & Gluten-free products.

Come and enjoy the cosy country ambience.

Tuesday to Saturday 10h till 17h30

21 Rue du Maquis Foch, 16500 Confolens

06 14 12 54 61 / 05 45 31 23 31FB: Mary Burke(Theirishbelle)

Café des Belles Fleurs

Open Mon - Sat for mealsMeal formula starts at 7.80€

Large choice of spirits & winesSee website and FB for Events

Place d’Eglise, 79160 FeniouxTel: 05 49 28 12 39

[email protected]

Alcoholics AnonymousIf you, or someone you know, has a drinking problem, join one of the English-speaking

AA meetings across the south west of France.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women

who share their experience, strength and hope with each

other so that they may solve their common problem and help

others recover from alcoholism.Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others achieve

sobriety.

Tel: Angela on 05 49 87 79 09 or Ben on 06 75 70 89 31

www.aafrancesud-ouest.com

Cafe Cour du MiracleVouvant

Come along for a beer, a glass of wine, a cup of

English tea and a slice of homemade cake, or a

delicious home-cooked lunch.

Open 11.00am to 7.00pm - until 10.00pm Friday evening

Tel: 02 51 00 54 93

www.cafecourdumiracle.com

Closed Monday & Tuesday

www.alabonnevie.com05 49 95 91 60

2 rue de la Panique, 79130 Le Beugnon

Siret: 50089497700015

Changing Hours, please see our website for our current details.

We look forward to you trying our Lunches (Fri & Sat: Fish & Chips are on the menu)

Sunday Lunch, Evening Meals

THE ENGLISH SCHOOL OF HYPNOTHERAPY

IN FRANCE

An Introduction to Hypnotherapy, NLP and Resolution Magic!

Beginning 6th June Cost: 2-day course 105€ To book: telephone 0545 300387

Can you retrain your brain to gradually stop the progress of an illness?

Can you make an unwanted feeling disappear? Can you change the course of your life?

Learn many fascinating techniques on this series of courses. Agendas and further details are on the website.

A series of six, 2-day courses in Benest (16350)

www.resolutionmagic.com

Hotel Du Diamant Bar, Hôtel & Restaurant

Snacks, lunch and evening meals starting from 4.50€

Live music & theme nights see our regularly updated Facebook page for details

Group bookings taken

www.facebook.com/hoteldiamantmauprevoir

James & Nicky 05 49 87 20 28 | 6 Rue de Diamant 86460 Mauprevoir

Mauprevoir

www.hoteldudiamant.com

Address: 86400 VoulêmeTel: 05 49 87 19 20


Afternoon Teas, Snacks &

Plats du Jour from 3pm.

A la carte menu from 7pm.Regular Events including Live Music, Quiz, Karaoke & Curry Nights, Friday Fish & Chips &

Sunday Roasts. Free WIFI. Groups & Families Welcome.

Booking Advisable.

Edna’s Tearoom,

Venue, Bar, Restaurant

Restaurants & bars, Events, Associations and Clubs.

living music | 65

Stewart HullHaving a party?

Music from rock ‘n’ roll, 60s, swing, ballads and

much more...

Check out my website:www.stewart-hull.com

or call 06 32 07 16 53email:

[email protected]

Café de la Gare

Bar ~ Snacks ~ Music ~ Poolopen till midnight

Weekends 12-12, Lunch Tue-Fri

Sunday Lunch ~ ExhibitionsGourville (16170)

Between Aigre & RouillacTel: 0545 622516

FB: le bourg aka cafe de la gare

Live music on June 24th and July 29th

Join us for all the Euro excitement!

with a colourful international folklore extravaganza: www.festivaldeconfolens.com. Meanwhile, the ever-popular Mad

Hatter’s Wonderland Festival will be unfolding in a beautiful setting near Sauzé-Vaussais (79) on 12-14 Aug: www.

madhattersfrance.eu. On 28-30 July the nearby market town of Civray (86) will be shaking to the sounds of the 13th Au Fil du Son, whose programme includes Tryo, Rising Tide and Wyman Low: www.aufilduson.com.

From 2 July to the end of Aug the Départe-ment de la Vienne will present Les Heures

Vagabondes – 15 great free concerts whose artists this year include Les Innocents, Malicorne and Liane Foly. www.lavienne86.fr.

So, as you can see from the dazzling array of music events listed above, it looks like being another long, hot summer.

As in previous years, summer 2016 looks set to deliver another lively Festival Season, so here’s our annual rundown of some of the highlights which will soon be lighting up the region.

Fest Alert

Visitors can barely believe it, but by now we’re aware that on virtually any summer’s evening we can be sure that at least one live concert will

be in full swing somewhere. Festival-wise, the fun kicks off on 24 & 25 June, when Puppetmastaz, Fréro Delavega, Boulevard des Airs, Birdy Nam Nam and more acts will be at the Lac de Montendre (17) for this year’s Freemusic Weekend: www.

freemusic-festival.com. The Saturday eve-ning of the same weekend sees the village of Mornac (16) putting on a show, namely Rock n’ Flore, now in its 7th year. The garden setting is très sympa, the ticket price super-reasonable and the line-up will appear soon at jardins-

de-mornac.wifeo.com/rock-n-flores.php. Yet another event on the same weekend is Les Sarabandes, organised by La Palène, in Roullac, with music, exhibitions, street performers, art installations and much more at Genac (16) on 24-26 June: www.lapalene.fr/les-sarabandes.

On 5-9 July the 23rd Cognac Blues

Passions (subtitled ‘Festival de Musiques Afro-Americaines’) fires up. Headliners include The Cranberries, Iggy Pop and Marianne Faithful, backed up by a similar-ly eclectic line-up from across France, plus the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand: www.bluespassions.com. Alternatively, head for Douchapt near Ribérac (24), where the 7th Douchapt Blues delivers a series of weekly concerts between 24 June & 2 Sept: www.douchapt-blues.fr. There again, neighbouring Limousin also has a full festival season, whose details are listed at www.regionlimousin.fr. If you crave full-on,

head-banging death punk then the 24th Feux de l’Eté at St Prouant (85) on 8/9th July should hit the spot : www.feuxdelete.com. If not, then at the other end of the cultural spectrum is Saintes

Music Festival, whose classically themed concert programme runs from 8-16 July: www. festivaldesaintes.org.

On 13-17 July in and around the Vieux Port of La Rochelle it’s Les

Francofolies, whose huge 2016 line-up includes Mika, Mickey3D and Bernard Lavilliers: www.francofolies.fr. Still in Charente-Maritime, the 23rd Fontdouce

Festival, from 25-29 July, offers a series of concerts from classical to jazz, swing and salsa in the atmospheric setting of the Abbaye de Fontdouce: www.fontdouce.com. Around the same time Royan’s Grande Conche beach will be lighting up for the 29th Violons

sur la Sable – a series of spectacular classical performances on 23, 26 and 29 July: www.violonsurlesable.com. Further up the coast it will be party time when David Guetta tops the bill at Rochefort

Summer Sound, from 4-7 Aug: www.

summersound.fr. For details of all summer concerts in Charente Maritime (Sites en Scène) see www.charente-maritime.fr.

Inland on 10-15 Aug the 59th Festival

de Confolens lights up the riverside town

MUpBeat

Mika at Francofolies


66 | living books

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LivingRecommended Bestsellers:

In The Light of What We See by Sarah Painter, publisher Lake Union Publishing

All At Sea by Decca Aitkenhead, publisher Fourth Estate

Vegetable Butcher by Cara Mangini, publisher Workman Publishing

The Forgotten Spy by Nick Barratt, publisher Blink

Boris Becker’s Wimbledon by Boris Becker, publisher Blink

EdITor: Kathryn dobson FEATUrES EdITor: roger Moss AdVErTISIng: Jon dobson ArT EdITor: nadia Van den rym ProdUcTIon MAnAgEr: Justin Silvester rEgULAr conTrIBUTorS: Trevor Bridge, Ron Cousins, Alan Coxon, Sandie George, Susan Hays, Emma-Jane Lee, Nikki Legon, Chris Luck and Stig Tomas.

WITH THAnKS To: John and Gill Bowler, Julia Moss. PHoTogrAPHy: Shutterstock or Roger Moss unless indicated. coVEr IMAgE: Vieux Port at La Rochelle © Roger Moss PUBLISHEd By: SARL AMM, 2 Rue Buffefeu, 86400 Linazay FRANCE. Poitiers: 533 624 128. PrInTEd By: Rotimpres S.A., Pla De L’estany S/N,17181 Aiguaviva, Espagne. dépôt légal: A parution. ISSn: 0753-3454. Living Magazine is free. Living Magazine est disponible gratuitement. All material may not be reproduced without the written permission of SARL AMM. Toute reproduction même partielle du contenu est interdit sans l’accord écrit du magazine. Please ensure you verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere around the world. Articles in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine.

magazineLiving


Too cLoSE To THE EdgE by PAScAL gArnIEr publisher gALLIc BooKS

Eliette is a vital, recently widowed, woman in her early 60s. She decides to move from Paris to the retirement house she and her husband bought in the French countryside. A stranger knocks on her door one night; a murder occurs. The late Garnier manages a lot of humour, as well as shocking the reader, making this book difficult to put down. Beautifully crafted and written in Garnier’s inimitable style.

LoVE yoU dEAd by PETEr JAMES publisher MAcMILLAn

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is

back with more pressures than ever when a shocking case happens in Brighton and he underestimates just how dangerous the ‘Black Widow’ is. As a child, Jodie Bentley had two dreams – to be beautiful and rich. A plastic surgeon helps with the first wish and she works hard on the second. The action opens in France with a potential suicide. A great page-turner and closure, at last, on ex-wife Sandy.

WHAT HAPPEnEd MISS SIMonE by ALAn LIgHT publisher cAnongATE

There are not enough words in this review section to cover the incredible dynamics of this wonderful biography of one of the greatest soul singers ever. She even exiled herself to France. This is in some ways a depressing book yet, at the same time, an uplifting account of a gifted woman who grew up in a very poor unstable environment and managed to achieve huge success on the stage. An excellent holiday read.

LIFE oF ELVES by MUrIEL BArBEry publisher gALLIc BooKS

The story centres on two foundlings, Clara and Maria from Burgundy. Set in an indistinct time after the war which Barbery has not defined at all, they are creatures of a different, almost perfect world. As a time of great danger looms, it is the bond that unites them, and oth-ers, which will ultimately offer the only chance for good to prevail the world. Typically French, a novel that Barbery fans will love.

To cATcH A KILLEr by nELE nEUHAUS publisher MAcMILLAn

An excellent Nordic dark thriller with Detective Pia Kirchhoff about to set off on her honeymoon when she hears about a random killing. More killings follow and Pia has to forego the honeymoon to investigate since the only thing the victims have in common is that they were all good people. Except there is a link but, to divulge that, would be to spoil a brilliantly plotted police detection novel.

Former BBC books reviewer, Sandie George, takes a look at the latest French and English bestsellers.

Book reviews

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Living Magazine June / July 16