etcetera magazine August 2020 edition

etcetera I’M FREE - TAKE ME, KEEP ME!

YOUR COMPANION FOR LIFE IN THE FRENCH COMMUNITY

AUGUST 2020

Loving the Lakes This Summer

PLUS

Let’s Go Alfresco!

Summer Recipes

WILDLIFE GARDENING FRENCH HEALTHCARE

ASTRONOMY • PARLEZ FRANÇAIS • PUZZLES • HEALTH

hello & welcome

Contents 3

A note from the editors

4

What’s on

8

Craft

10

Language

12

Latest news

14

Recipes

17

Business & assistance

21

Health

24

Garden

32

Farm life

34

Fishing

36

Wildlife

39

Animal

We know a lot of people are still very mindful of the ongoing health crisis, with opinions ranging from complacency to deep concern. Please make sure you adhere to the advice that is being given and remember to respect other people’s wishes.

40

Free time

Continue to stay safe and well, and enjoy this month!

42

Night sky

45

Home & Specialist

47

Getting connected

50

Artisans

58

Motoring & removals

60

Property

64

Classified

66

Opinion

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A Note from the Editors

Code APE 5814Z Edition de Revues et Periodique Siret 80903463000016. La Présidente G. Feasey Registered. Le Bourg, 87360 Verneuil Moustiers. Impression: Rotimpres. Pol. Ind Casa Nova. Carrer Pla de l’Estany s/n. 17181 Aiguaviva (Girona) Espagne. etcetera est gratuit.

While we always do our best to ensure the content in this magazine is given in good faith and businesses are reputable, we accept no liability for any errors or omissions and do not endorse any companies, products or services. Articles written are the personal opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of etcetera magazine.

CONTACT US: Tel: 05 16 32 13 42 email: editors.etcetera@gmail.com website: www.etceteraonline.org 17 rue des Chaumettes 86290 St Léomer

etcetera magazine

@etceterafrance

Welcome to the August edition of etcetera magazine.

We hope you’re all going to enjoy August - make the most of the hot weather, the beautiful lakes and nature that surrounds us in this region.

Gayle and Sam

EU

Useful numbers 15 17 18

SAMU (Medical) Gendarmes (Police) Pompiers (Fire and also trained in medical emergency) 114 Text-message emergency number for deaf/hard of hearing 119 Child abuse 115 Homeless 113 Drugs and alcohol 112 European emergency not always English 1616 Emergency- Sea & Lake 3131 Last incoming call, key ‘5’ to connect Orange English speaking helpline 0033 (0)9 69 36 39 00 Website in English: www.orange.com/en/home Technical assistance for landlines (French): 3900 (+33 9 69 39 39 00 from abroad) SFR 1023 or 00336 1000 1023 (Not English) EDF 0810 333087 EDF breakdown 24 hours +33 (0)9 69 36 63 83 EDF Helpline in English 0033 562164908 (From UK) 05 62 16 49 32 Fax E-mail: simpleenergywithedf@edf.fr CPAM - 08 11 36 36 46 English Helpline Veolia Water Emergency No: 24h/24 et 7j/7 05 61 80 09 02 (press 1 for urgent problems or 2 for a technician) S.E.P Du Confolens (Water) 05 87 23 10 08 Emergency 24/7 Aéroport Int’l Limoges 05 55 43 30 30 SNCF (train times, buying tickets etc) 36 35 Alcoholics Anonymous For contact details of meetings in your area including those conducted in English, visit www.aafrance.net

Please download the pdf from this link now: www.paysruffecois.fr/sante/guide.pdf

HOSPITALS 05 55 05 55 55 Limoges (CHU) 05 55 43 50 00 St Junien 05 55 47 20 20 Bellac 05 49 44 44 44 Poitiers 05 45 24 40 40 Angoulême 05 49 32 79 79 Niort 05 45 84 40 00 Confolens Counselling In France Counsellors, psychotherapists, NLP, CBT etc offering therapy in English to expatriates all over France on www.counsellinginfrance.com SSAFA France 05 53 24 92 38 email france@ssafa.org.uk French Health Insurance. Call the special English-speaking Advice Line provided by Ameli: 0 811 36 36 46 from France (local call price from fixed-phone line). Call 0033 811 36 36 46 from foreign countries (call rates vary between operators).

NHS website : www.nhs.uk/using-thenhs/healthcare-abroad www.ameli.fr No Panic France Helpline: No Panic UK helpline: 0044 1 952 590 545 11h - 23h (French time) 7/7 www.nopanic.org.uk /nopanicfrance@orange.fr English-speaking Crisis Line SOS- HELP 01 46 21 46 46 3pm-11pm 7/7 British Consulate in Paris 01 44 51 31 00 British Consulate in Bordeaux 05 57 22 21 10 www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/ Credit Agricole English Speaking Helpline Charente (residents only) 05 45 20 49 60 Anglofile - Radio for British in Charente www.rcf.fr Tues 20h (repeated Sun 11h30).

Angouleme 96.8, Chalais 96.9, Confolens 95.4, Ruffec 95.4, Char. Limousine 104.1, Cognac 89.9

Print 2 copies - one for your home and one for your car - it could save a life.

etcetera 3

listing

4 etcetera

listing

etcetera 5

lakes

Splashing About WHETHER YOU ENJOY BEING IN THE WATER OR SIMPLY LOVE THE TRANQUILITY AND BEAUTY OF THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, YOU WON’T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS FINDING A PLACE TO GET OUT, ENJOY THE OUTDOORS, WHILE KEEPING SAFE. I

Saint-Pardoux (87250) There are 3 wonderful sandy beaches at Saint-Pardoux, each with their own style.

Santrop has a good-sized beach, plus the new swimming pools (inside and outside) with slides. There’s also a fitness trail, tree climbing, plus a zip-wire over the lake.

Santrop – the main beach, big and busy, with a big playground. Chabannes – quieter, ideal for children, nice picnic spots. Fréaudour – for water-sports. www.lacsaintpardoux.fr Saint-Cyr (86130) A large park with many activities on and around the lake of Saint-Cyr. Beach volleyball, football, a multi-sports ground.

Picnic and barbecue areas, walking paths.

No bike hire this year due to Covid-19.

Fantastic Aquazone Wipeout on the lake (not free). www.lacdesaintcyr.fr

L’Étang de Courtille, Guéret (23800) is a great place to visit at anytime of the year, but in the summer you can enjoy the beach that little bit more! There is a great walking path around the lake, with an assault/fitness course along the way.

Playground and skate park for the kids, and a fantastic little cycling area for the small ones (mini-roundabouts, signs, a great place to learn to ride or just for fun!). Boating, kayaking plus a bar and cafe. Tel. 05 55 52 14 29.

E-mail : info@gueret-tourisme.fr

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Saint-Estèphe (24360) The lake of Saint-Estèphe is located in the Regional Natural Park Périgord Limousin, a beautiful rural area offering a stunning natural setting. Canoes and kayaks, fishing and a children’s play area.

T. 05 53 56 73 66 Chaillac (36310) Lake with a slide, small playground, picnic area. Nice shaded areas under trees. www.chaillac36.fr

Eguzon (36290) Lake with plenty of sport activities including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, wakeboarding. Small play area and a water slide at the plage Chambon, plus a restaurant/bar. T. 02 54 47 43 69 Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche (87500) Arfueille Lake with plenty of activities including windsurfing and canoeing, mini-golf, a children’s play area and fishing.

lakes

KEEP IN MIND! Lifeguards at some lakes are only there in the afternoons Due to the current pandemic, it is advisable to check that further restrictions haven’t been put in place

This is one of the biggest man-made lakes in France with a total of 8 beaches. So many activities! The edge of the lake is dotted with pretty villages offering good restaurants and snack bars. www.lelacdevassiviere.com

Aire de loisirs de la Bertholière 86310 La Bussière On the banks of the Gartempe, the leisure area of La Bertholière offers supervised swimming in July and August.

Bar and fast food, pizzeria all summer with theme meals at weekends. Canoeing, volleyball, table tennis, hiking. Numerous games for children. Good amount of shaded areas.

T. 06 37 32 19 62

The Espace Hermeline 87230 Bussière-Galant is a leisure park with outdoor activities, located 40 km south of Limoges, in the heart of the PérigordLimousin Regional Nature Park. Offers activities such as tree climbing, railbike, mega-zip line, mini-golf, little train, tennis, orienteering courses and fishing.

Visit their website (also available in English) for full details on activities, prices and times. T. 05 55 78 86 12 www. espace-hermeline.com/homeespace-hermeline.html

Aire de loisirs de Moulin Chauvet 86150 Moussac-sur-Vienne For fans of the great outdoors, the Moulin Chauvet leisure area offers a shaded area located on the edge of the Vienne river with a children's playground and a paddling pool. You will find also find football and volleyball fields, basketball board, table tennis table and boules pitch. There are picnic tables and a bar with fast food options in summer.

Email : contact@moussac-sur-vienne.fr

The Lac de Vassiviere (87470)

Espace naturel Les Trois Fontaines.

86160 Champagné-Saint-Hilaire In a wooded area, the Trois Fontaines leisure area offers two bodies of water of 6 and 2 hectares. Numerous leisure activities are offered: mini-golf, table tennis, volleyball, boules pitch, picnic.

Email: contact@champagne-sainthilaire.fr

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craft Sarah is the author of craftinvaders.co.uk where she blogs about her original craft tutorials, recipes, foraging, and developing wellbeing through being By Sa rah Wh iting creative, spending time outdoors and connecting with nature

Bee Water Station PROVIDING A SAFE, REGULAR SOURCE OF WATER FOR THE BEES IN YOUR GARDEN. CHOOSING AN AREA THAT SUITS BOTH YOU AND THEM SHOULD HELP PREVENT THEM FROM TRYING TO GATHER IT FROM OTHER PLACES, SUCH AS SWIMMING OR PADDLING POOLS

B

ees need access to safe water sources (they are, after all, extremely busy doing very important work) and all you need is a simple water station in your garden for bees and other insects.

A shallow container and some stones, marbles or twigs for them to land on is ideal.

Our bee waterer sits in one of our herb beds in our raised vegetable garden. We spray painted it blue, a colour we know bees can see and used pretty coloured marbles to provide a platform for insects to land on and prevent drowning.

Materials ‐ Terracotta pot and saucer (I used a saucer that is 7 inches in diameter and the pot in 5 inches high) ‐ Glass marbles ‐ Ultra-strong, fast-drying clear glue (I use Bostik power repair glue) ‐ Non-toxic spray paint (optional) ‐ Newspaper / cardboard for protection ‐ Brushes and paint (optional)

8 etcetera

Method: 1. If you want to create a coloured bee water station it’s easier to paint everything before they are glued together. We sprayed ours a gorgeous blue to help it stand out to the bees and left everything to dry overnight. If you prefer, you can leave it as natural terracotta, or really go to town with the design!

2. Around the outside edge of the base of the pot, carefully apply the ultra-hold glue and fix together firmly until the glue has set and it’s set solid.

What about mosquitoes?

Because the dish is so shallow and needs filling up regularly we haven’t experienced a problem with mosquitoes. They lay their eggs on the surface of the water so letting it overflow when its filled up should also remove any that were there.

Should I fix the marbles to the dish?

It’s better to keep everything in the dish removable, it’s important that you can clean the dish and all items in it regularly, to ensure a clean water source.

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etcetera 9

language & advice

Parlez Français French conversation, vocabulary & traditions with Isabelle

Les vacances au bord de l’eau Y

oupi ! Les vacances sont enfin là ! Beaucoup de monde se présent sur les routes de France pour aller vers leur lieu de villégiature pour leurs vacances. Surtout après tant de mois de confinement et de déconfinement partiel. C’est vraiment une année bizarre, alors beaucoup vont profiter des vacances pour changer d’air et se détendre ! Attention tout de même cette année car le coronavirus est toujours présent.

Une grande majorité des Français vont au bord de l’eau, que ce soit la mer, une rivière ou un lac. Bien sûr, les piscines sont prises d’assaut.

Pour se rafraîchir, pour nager, pour jouer et pour se faire du bien, beaucoup d’activités au bord de l’eau existent. Des aires de pique-niques sont aménagées au bord de lacs et rivières. Des centres de loisirs bordent ces lieux et aussi la plage. Ceux-ci et des piscines proposent toutes sortes d’activités de plein air et de sports aquatiques. Mais aussi, seul, vous pouvez aussi pratiquer certains sports.

Voici quelques sports aquatiques, pour vous « mettre l’eau à la bouche » : la natation, l’aquagym, l’aquajogging, l’aquafitness, la plongée, le pédalo, la planche à voile, le catamaran, faire du bateau ou du voilier, la pêche, le paddle surf, le body surf, le canoë-kayak, le pédalo, le surf, le kitesurf, le wakeboard, l’aviron, le rafting, le canyoning, le ski nautique…

Alors, n’hésitez pas à vous jeter à l’eau !

Une famille anglaise est en vacances en France, le père, John, la mère, Rose et leurs trois enfants, David, Nicholas et Sylvia. Ils se rendent à l’Office de Tourisme du village pour obtenir des renseignements.

Hôtesse de l’Office de Tourisme : Bonjour ! Vous êtes vacanciers ?

John : Oui, nous sommes en vacances.

Nous séjournons au camping, dans un mobil-home et une tente.

Hôtesse : Comment puis-je vous aider ?

Rose : Nous venons d’arriver hier soir et nous ne connaissons pas la région. Nous avons 3 enfants. Ils voudraient aller se baigner ou jouer dans l’eau, surtout qu’il fait chaud.

Hôtesse : Nous avons une piscine municipale qui se situe au bord de la rivière. Il y a un toboggan que les enfants adorent. Il y a un grand bassin et un bassin pour les jeunes enfants. A l’intérieur du bâtiment, il y a un jacuzzi.

10 etcetera

Rose : J’adore me détendre dans un jacuzzi. Que faut-il porter pour aller à la piscine ?

Hôtesse : Attention car en France, il faut porter des maillots de bain pour aller à la piscine. Pour les hommes et les garçons, les caleçons de bain sont souvent interdits, alors il faut mettre un slip de bain.

John : Y a-t-il d’autres activités avec l’eau ?

Hôtesse : Oui, nous avons le centre de loisirs au bord de la rivière qui propose de faire du ski nautique ou du canoë-kayak ou du pédalo. Vous pouvez aussi vous baigner ou patauger dans l’eau dans la rivière. A côté du centre de loisirs, il y a des tables de pique-nique, une buvette qui vend des boissons et des glaces, une aire de jeux pour enfants et une petite plage aménagée avec du sable.

David : Oh super ! Est-ce que je peux faire un château de sable ?

John : Je pense que oui.

Hôtesse : Oui bien sûr ! Est-ce que tu as pris ton sceau et ta pelle pour faire le château de sable ?

David : Oh oui ! Et j’ai pris ma bouée favorite en forme de crocodile. Est-ce qu’il y a des vagues, parce que mon frère a pris sa planche de body surf ?

Hôtesse : Ah non, désolée. Il n’y a pas de vagues car c’est une rivière. L’eau est plate.

Sylvia : Est-ce qu’il y a des coquillages ?

J’adore ramasser les coquillages.

Hôtesse : Euh… oui, peut-être des tout petits coquillages. Il y a des petites moules de rivière. Mais, surtout, il y a des poissons.

Nicholas : Ouais ! Moi, j’aime pêcher avec Papa. J’ai une grande épuisette. Est-ce qu’il y a des crabes ?

John : Je ne pense pas. Oui, mon chéri, je sais que tu aimes bien m’aider à la pêche.

Nous avons même apporté nos affaires de pêche. Où pouvons-nous pêcher et où peut-on acheter une carte de pêche ?

Hôtesse : Il n’y a pas de crabes mais il y a des écrevisses d’eau douce dans la rivière.

Vous pouvez pêcher dans le lac communal, c’est ici sur la carte. Vous pouvez acheter une carte de pêche pour la journée ou pour la semaine, ici, à l’Office de Tourisme.

John : Parfait, merci.

Hôtesse : Et les enfants, si vous allez au bord de l’eau, n’oubliez pas de mettre un chapeau, des lunettes de soleil et de la crème solaire pour éviter les coups de soleil !

Sylvia : Ne vous inquiétez pas, nous avons tout prévu, ainsi que beaucoup de bouteilles d’eau et même le parasol !

Hôtesse : Bonnes vacances et n’hésitez pas à revenir prendre des informations ici à l’Office de Tourisme. Nous sommes à votre service.

language & advice se presser (verb) to rush

to throw oneself into the water, to take the plunge

une pelle a spade

un lieu de villégiature a holiday place

un loisir a leisure

les vacances (f, pl) the holidays

une bouée a rubber ring

se rendre à (verb) to go to

au bord de by the side of, along

une vague a wave

un renseignement information

être pris d’assaut everybody made a rush for

un vacancier holiday maker

une planche de body surf a bodyboard

se rafraîchir (verb) to refresh oneself nager (verb) to swim se faire du bien (verb) do yourself some good une aire de pique-nique a picnic area

plat (adj) flat

ramasser (verb) to pick up from the ground

jouer (verb) to play

une moule a mussel

il fait chaud it is hot (weather)

pêcher (verb) to fish

border (verb) to border, to be along

un toboggan a slide

la plage the beach

un bassin a pool

une piscine a swimming-pool

se détendre (verb) to relax

en plein air in the open air

porter (verb) to wear or to carry

un sport aquatique a watersport

un maillot de bain a swimming costume

pratiquer (verb) to practise

un caleçon de bain swimming shorts

mettre l’eau à la bouche (verb, expression) make your mouth water la natation swimming

interdit (adj) forbidden

éviter (verb) to avoid

un slip de bain swimming trunks

un coup de soleil sunburn

patauger dans l’eau (verb) to paddle

Ne vous inquiétez pas !

Don’t worry!

une buvette a refreshment bar

prévoir (verb) to plan prévu planned

l’aviron (m) an oar

une aire de jeux pour enfants a children's playground le sable the sand

le ski nautique water skiing

un château de sable a sand castle

se jeter à l’eau (verb, expression)

un sceau a bucket

la pêche fishing

une épuisette a landing net une carte de pêche a fishing licence une écrevisse a crayfish un chapeau a hat les lunettes de soleil (f, pl) sunglasses la crème solaire sun cream

un parasol a parasol revenir (verb) to come back Nous sommes à votre service we are at your disposal

Broaden your horizons with CONTINENTAL HORIZONS! continen

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un coquillage a shell

se situer (verb) to be located

la planche à voile board surfing

VOCAB!

séjourner (verb) to stay (somewhere) un mobil-home a mobile home se baigner (verb) to bathe

un centre de loisirs a leisure centre

la plongée diving

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etcetera 11

news

LAU NC H

SUMMER

SALES Sales ending soon

DELAY ED

APPLICATION DATE DELAYED BY 3 MONTHS Jut a few days after we had gone to print last month, the French government announced that the relaunch of the website for a postBrexit residency permit would be delayed because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The online portal, which was due to go live at the beginning of July, is now planned for relaunch on the 1st October.

If you want to take advantage of the summer sales in France, they officially finish on Tuesday 11th August.

Masks in public enclosed places

Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne is sad to announce the death of Richard Ware at the end of June.

Richard worked hard for CSF both National (as treasurer) and Haute-Vienne as our secretary, translator and publicity person.

He represented us on the Patients' Committee in the Hematology department at CHU Limoges and translated various documents for La Ligue 87. He may also be remembered by some readers for his Ware's Notes about French learning in earlier issues of etcetera magazine.

I would like to thank everyone who has sent cards and emails to me over the last few weeks and thank them for their kind words and sympathy.

Sue Ware, President, Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne

12 etcetera

Now we are in the peak of summer and people are travelling again, it is no surprise that the number of new cases of Covid-19 is creeping up in France. We will no doubt see this continue to rise, so please check with local authorities in your town or keep an eye out for signs telling you of any changes to safety measures.

Masks have been mandatory in enclosed public places in France since last month, with a €135 fine, but several local authorities have gone a step further and made them compulsory outdoors too.

The popular tourist destinations of La Rochelle, Argelès-sur-mer, Concarneau and Saint-Brieuc have all taken the decision to tighten up their mask-wearing rules in order to

prevent the spread of coronavirus.

There will no doubt be others who follow, so if you are visiting somewhere it’s wise to check out any restrictions before you leave. Or, at the very least, be prepared for restrictions and have clean masks ready in your bag. The new measures mean that people will need to cover their faces outdoors in some of the towns' busiest areas.

Masks are advised in the streets but are not (yet) compulsory. Outside spaces such as beaches and parks, local authorities can decide whether to make them compulsory or not so check out the signs at the place you are visiting.

Most tourist attractions also require visitors to wear a mask.

news

FONDS DE SOLIDARITÉ The solidarity fund that has been helping many small businesses over the recent months by paying up to 1,500€ per month (which is not taxed and no social charges on the payout) has without doubt been an invaluable source of income for many over the recent months.

KEEPING COOL IN THE HEAT There’s a good reason why the locals keep their shutters closed in the summer! Help keep your house cooler by opening up the windows early in the morning and then later at night. Daytime keep everything closed up and stop the sun heating the rooms. Eat salads and cold dishes rather than cooking with the oven or hot stove and heating your kitchen up. At bedtime, fill a hot water bottle up with cold water and freeze it for an hour or so before placing it in your bed!

The great news is that this aid has now been extended to continue to support businesses impacted by the health crisis and has been extended until December 2020.

It’s important to note the eligibility criteria has evolved over the last few months so when you do apply, please do take care with your application and make sure you are filling everything in correctly. There’s an online checker to help you make the correct calculations found here: https://www.portailautoentrepreneur.fr/a ctualites/aide-fondssolidarite-1500-3500euros-coronavirus Up-to-date information can be found on the government’s website: www.economie. gouv.fr

HOW FAST? Two years ago, the government decided to reduce the speed on the secondary rural roads from 90km to 80km.

While their stats show this has indeed saved lives, there was so much protesting about this (it was one of the gilet jaunes issues), the government has given the decision back to each department.

This is where is starts to get a bit complicated, as different departments have made different decisions. Just to make it even more interesting, some departments are still debating it, some haven’t made any decision yet, while others have announced to ‘plan’ to change, or not change….

WATER RESTRICTIONS At the time of print, a total of 55 departments in France have had water restrictions imposed as the drought alert level reaches “orange” (the second-most severe) in some regions. The restrictions apply to individual households as well as businesses, and are imposed by government body . There is a useful interactive map of France on Propluvia’s website showing which departments are on which alert. http://propluvia.developpement-durable.gouv.fr Surface levels of water remain low due to a very dry July, forecaster Météo France said. Figures show that for the first two weeks of the month, the national water deficit reached 68%.

It was even higher in some areas; Poitou-Charentes (95%), Ile-de-France (89%), Champagne-Ardenne (83%), Pays de la Loire (83%) and Limousin (82%).

July 2020 has so far been(at the time of print) was the third-driest July with just 10 millimetres of rain on average. This puts it behind only July 2015, and July 1994.

If you are unsure of your local restrictions, check with your mairie.

The Tour de France is (at the time of print anything can change!) set to start at the end of this month. Visit the official website for full details on each stage, so you know when and where it will be near to you. Click on ‘Route’ (top tab) for full details and dates. www.letour.fr/en etcetera 13

food Hello from the accidental Chatelaine!

I love to cook at any opportunity and delighted to be able to share that love with you

By Beli n

da Prin ce

Chateau Kitchen www.chateaumareuil.com

Alfresco Food

MS G SCREA BQ! IN H T O B N � LIKES A R E M M U “S

Fruity and Nutty Radicchio Salad salt & ground pepper Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Spread the walnuts or pecans on a baking tray. Toast in oven, tossing occasionally for about 5 mins; let cool and roughly chop

Serves 6-8 (at a buffet) 120g walnut or pecan halves 2 medium heads of radicchio (about 500g) 2 oranges, (flesh removed, optional) 1 eating apple, chopped Âź pomegranate (seeds) 120g raisins 3 tblsp olive oil 3 tblsp raspberry vinegar 2 tblsp orange juice 2 tblsp sugar

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2. Make a dressing with the olive oil, raspberry vinegar, sugar, grated orange rind and juice, salt and pepper to taste, add the raisins and leave aside to plump up in the liquid.

3. Core radicchio heads; cut or tear into 1-inch pieces. Combine in a large bowl with the orange and apple pieces, add some dressing and toss together. Sprinkle with the toasted nuts and pomegranate seeds.

Serve immediately, or refrigerate, covered, up to 1 day.

Store any leftover dressing in a screw top jar in the fridge

Green Lentil Green Bean Salad Serves 6-8 250g green lentils 500ml vegetable stock 200g fine green beans 1 red onion, chopped 2 red peppers from a jar, chopped 50g sundried tomatoes, chopped 1tblsp capers, chopped for the dressing 1tblsp honey 1/2 tblsp dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 tblsp balsamic vinegar 6 tblsp olive oil Method: 1. Put the lentils in a pan, add plenty of water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 1 minute, then drain. Return the lentils to the pan and pour on just enough stock to cover them. Bring to a very low simmer and cook slowly for about 30 minutes, until tender but not mushy. You may need to add a bit more stock.

2. Meanwhile, chop the green beans and cook in salted water for 3-4 minutes until just tender and drain.

3. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together thoroughly, add salt & pepper.

4. Drain the lentils if necessary. While still hot, toss the lentils and green beans with the dressing. Add all the other ingredients, I sometimes add some lovely sun-dried tomato oil to taste. Serve at room temperature.

food

Lemon Garlic

Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Chicken Skewers Makes 6

Serves 6-8

4 boneless chicken breasts – approx 500600g in total

1.5 kg pork tenderloin (2-3 tenderloins) 1 lemon, grated zest 180ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed 120ml olive oil 6 garlic cloves, crushed 1.5 tblsp rosemary leaves, chopped 1 tblsp thyme leaves, chopped 2 tsps dijon mustard 2 tsps sea salt Salt & Pepper for seasoning

2 large peppers (colour of your choice) 60ml olive oil 75ml white wine 8 garlic cloves, crushed 2 lemons, grated zest 2 tblsp lemon juice 1.5 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped salt & freshly ground black pepper Method: 1. Cut each chicken breast into 7 or 8 pieces (30 pieces in total). Cut each pepper into approx 12 chunky pieces.

2. Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just 1 minute but don’t allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt.

3. Place the chicken and peppers in a dish and pour over the marinade, leave for at least 30 minutes or longer, covered in the fridge if you have time.

4. Soak 6 wooden skewers in water for a few minutes to prevent burning on the barbecue, or use metal skewers if you have them.

1. Make a marinade by combining the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, mustard, and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl or a glass measuring jug. Trim the pork tenderloins of excess fat and sinew and place them in a strong re-sealable plastic bag. Place the bag in a large baking dish or pan. Pour the marinade over the pork and turn to coat all surfaces. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Marinate the pork in the fridge for at least 3 hours but preferably overnight.

2. When you are ready to cook, light the barbecue or preheat the gas grill.

3. Brush the cooking griddle with oil to prevent the pork from sticking.

5. Thread the chicken cubes and pepper pieces on to the skewers, starting and ending with a cube of chicken -approx 5 chicken cubes and 4 chunks of pepper on each.

Remove the tenderloins from the bag and place them on the prepared grill leaving the herbs that cling to the meat. Discard the marinade or heat to boiling to serve with meat (see below).

Sprinkle the tenderloins with salt and pepper.

4. Grill the pork, turning a few times to brown all sides, for 15 to 25 minutes (depending on the heat of the grill and the size of the tenderloins) until the meat registers 68-69 ° at the thickest point. Transfer the meat to a platter and cover tightly with foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

5. Carve in diagonal slices of 1.5 to 2.5cm in thickness, depending on your preference. The thickest part of the tenderloin will be pink (which is fine) and the thinner part will be well-done.

Serve warm or at room temperature with the juices that collect in the plate. Garnish with additional fresh herbs, such as sprigs of rosemary and/or thyme.

NB: The marinade can be used to serve with the grilled meat but it MUST be cooked thoroughly to kill bacteria. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for a full 10-15 minutes

6. Keep a watchful eye on the barbecue or grill, cooking carefully so as not to overcook the chicken.

Serve with salad and new potatoes or rice.

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food

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TRADITIONAL FISH & CHIPS

La Chaumière 16140 La Chapelle

MISTER T’S

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August - Wednesday evenings 18h30 - 21h

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Bar Open: Thurs & Fridays from 18h Bar menu available

Saturday evenings reservations for evening meals Sunday lunches each week Regular live music events Bed & Breakfast www.madhattersfrance.eu T: 0549 27 67 29 info@madhattersfrance.eu

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We are thrilled to introduce our new member of the team, French Chef, Mathieu, who is adding a superb selection of ‘ dishes to our menu.

LAKE SETTING Soirée burger, Limousin beef, BBQ*.

Soirée de musique, My Generation, 10€ menu.

Soirée steak, Limousin beef, 3 different steaks, 3 sauces, BBQ*.

- English quiz night - Soirée de musique, Alibi Rock, 10€ menu.

Soirée moules frites, steak frites. pen Thursday to Sunday.

Soirée de musique, Lesley Anne Downie *BBQ weather permitting*

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We all need each other

business and assistance

The Importance of Customer Connections

D

uring times like these, it is important to stay connected to customers.

Customers are the lifeline of any business whether large or small. From acquiring new ones and retaining existing ones. How and what you communicate helps establish an experience for your customer.

And customers want a fantastic experience. Keeping in regular contact through various mediums helps build trust and feeds into that overall experience. It also shows that you care.

More so now thanks to recent events

Communicate well and communicate often especially where our human/face to face interactions have been turned on their head.

Your communication points - are they live and active? How can they can they get in contact with you wherever they are on the customer journey? Website, social media, messenger, telephone, email? How quickly are you responding back to them?

Was their initial experience one of welcome?

Are YOU friendly and helpful? Does the customer feel/know that you understand what they want? Are you listening?

Once you have established a relationship it’s important to maintain it so that you stay in the forefront of your customers minds. Customers want to know that they matter. So communicate well and communicate often.

“A customer does not care how much you know until they know how much you care” Damon Richards

IDEAS TO MAINTAIN CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS ▪ Keep active on your social media accounts. Go Live! Answer questions ▪ Regularly send newsletters – let readers know what is happening in your business, offer exclusives.

▪ Provide loyalty cards ▪ Keep your website updated. Can you offer Live Chat?

MICALA WILKINS ALACIM SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

▪ Utilise a customer relationship management tool [CRM] ▪ Send thank you cards and/or request testimonials/surveys Of course, we all want to live in a world where everything is smooth and problem free but there are times when things go wrong. Everyone is human after all. And it’s how you deal with that problem that counts. It’s not the problem that leaves a lasting effect on a customer, it’s how you handled it, and quite often can be an opportunity for improvement in your business that you hadn’t seen or been aware of before.

Many businesses are now rethinking their customer interactions from more traditional methods and are using platforms such as Skype and Facetime and finding that ‘seeing’ clients in this way has many positive benefits. Which begs the question - what else can we do to be more connectable with our clients?

Sandrine TUYERAS Insurance Agent All Insurances Finance & Investment Email : tuyeras.bellac@allianz.fr website : www.allianz.fr/tuyeras

N°ORIAS 14001253

5 rue Lamartine 87300 BELLAC Tél. 05 55 68 11 80

4 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville 87140 NANTIAT 05 55 53 51 18

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Let’s talk currency Sue Cook Regional Coordinator Centre Ouest 87600 Rochechouart +33 (0)555 036 669 +33 (0)689 992 889 E: sue.c@currenciesdirect.com www.currenciesdirect.com/france Siret: 444 729 008 00011

TONY FARRELL INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ADVISER The Spectrum IFA Group, with over 20 years’ experience advising expatriates throughout Europe on all aspects of financial planning T: 05 55 89 57 94 E: tony.farrell@spectrum-ifa.com TSG Insurance Services S.A.R.L. Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 Paris. R.C.S. Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384). Société de Courtage d’assurances. Intermédiaire en opération de Banque et Services de Paiement. Numéro d’immatriculation 07 025 332 – www.orias.fr Conseiller en investissements financiers, référencé sous le numéro E002440 par ANACOFI-CIF, association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers

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business INSURANCE

ISABELLE WANT BH ASSURANCES

How to Access the French Healthcare System (and why you must have a top up healthcare insurance)

W

ell, getting onto the French health system can seem a bit complicated and stressful but it’s so important. I have met some of you who are still not affiliated to the French health system and think an EHIC card is sufficient but the EHIC card is for holidays, so it won’t work if you are a permanent resident in France. (Plus there are changes thanks to Brexit, so some rights are stopping for some people from next year.) The process is hard work but worth it as the French healthcare system is one of the best in the world (you don’t have to wait one year to get a hip replacement), so here is how to do it: 1. How to get in the French Health System: First of all, the French health system is composed of 3 entities: CPAM (employees

or pensioners), RSI (self-employed) or MSA (agricultural jobs). There are 3 ways to access the French health system: via the S1, via working in France (as an employee or self-employed) or by simply living in France permanently!

rental agreement or deeds of the house, letter from your Mairie saying you are resident, etc.) and a RIB (French bank details). CPAM, which stands for Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie, will then ask you to fill in a form and you will receive a letter from them one month later a) You are in receipt of a state pension: with your social security number which That’s good news as you can phone means you are on the system. Note that Newcastle (department you are on the system as for health and pension) The process is hard work but soon as you gave them a and ask for an S1 form worth it as the French copy of your S1 so if you which automatically have some bills you can healthcare system is one of entitles you to be on claim them back once you the best in the world the French health have obtained your social system. Once you have security number. Your received your S1, you carte vitale comes another month go to your local CPAM office with your after that. birth certificate, copy of passport, marriage certificate, proof of residency b) Your spouse is still working in the UK: (utility bill less than 3 months old, copy of Then you need to phone Newcastle and

Isabelle Want Mob•: 06 17 30 39 11 / Email•:isabelle.want@bh-assurances.fr N° Orias 07021727/16005974

18 etcetera

22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffec Tél:+33 (0)5 45 31 01 61

102 Avenue de la République 16260 Chasseneuil sur Bonnieure Tél:+33(0)5 45 39 51 47

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2 Avenue de la Gare 16270 Roumazieres-Loubert Tél:+33(0)5 45 71 17 79

business ask for an S1 for you and you will be covered by the French health system under the S1 of your spouse. c) You are working in France: Well, if you are an employee, you have nothing to do and will be on the system automatically.

Your employer and URSSAF (organisation that deals with taxes for employees) will do everything for you.

If you are self-employed (as an autoentrepreneur for example) it will be automatic as well. One month after that, you get your number and then, the following month, your carte vitale (like a credit card but for health cover) will arrive.

Note that your income must be above 3 973€ per year, otherwise the French government will ask to contribute 8% on your other income above 9 933€ (rental from UK, interest on savings, etc..). If you don’t have any other income or if it comes to less than 9 933€, you will not be asked to contribute more. d) You are early retirees: You can apply to be in the French health system as long as you have been in France for 3 months and you are entitled to (if you are nonEuropean, a copy of carte de séjour or proof you have applied is necessary). It is called PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie). You make your application to your local CPAM office (but it’s better to go to the main office of your department). In order to make the application you need to complete the application Form 735 Demande d'affiliation au régime général sur critère de résidence and Form 710 Questionnaire "recherche de droits" Ressortissants Européens Inactifs (if you are European). Print them off, complete them, and include all the necessary documentation with it (copy of passport, birth and marriage certificate, proof of address and residency for at least 3 months, RIB, (inside leg measurement!).

The more the better! You will be required to provide information on your income/resources and will be charged a contribution for your affiliation (same as if you were working!). You also need a letter from Newcastle stating that you are not entitled to an S1. Your application will be transferred to a CREIC office BP 39037 30971 NIMES CEDEX (office who deals with PUMA) but still have to go through your local office.

This process takes ages (more than 2 months) and they will do everything to make you give up! Everybody I met who applied got accepted so don’t give up.

Always make sure you are as much of a pain to the person you’re dealing with as they are to you!

Note that if your income (rental income, interest on saving, etc.) is above 9 933€ per year, you will be asked to contribute 8% on what is above 9 933€. Pensions are not considered as income so it’s only rental income or financial income.

e) You are living in France but working for a UK company: You will be on the French health system but your company will have to register with CLEISS so that they will pay your social charges into the French system and stop paying to the UK one.

To set this all up, you need to write to CLEISS, 11 rue de la Tour des Dames 75436 Paris cedex 9. CLEISS means: Centre des Liasons Europeennes et Internationnales de Sécurité Sociale.

Yes, I can hear you say “What about Brexit?!” but non-Europeans are entitled to be on the French health system as long as they have authorization to stay in France and note that if you have a visa or carte de séjour, the forms are simpler!!

2. How does the French health system work: The French health system only pays an average of 70% of the cost of your medical expenses (ex: Visit to GP 70%, medicine 65%, hospital 80%). To see the complete listing go to www.ameli.fr (CPAM website).

If you are affected by a long term disease (or life threatening condition) the French health system fully covers you (100%). You can find a list of those conditions on the above web site. Please note that the 100% cover is only applicable for the treatment related to that disease or conditions.

the full top up which covers GP, medicine, etc.

With the normal top up insurance, you will find different cover going from 100% to 400% or even “Frais Reel” (whatever it costs). Be aware that your insurance will never pay you more than what you actually paid. If you are covered 400% and were only surcharged 250%, you will not get extra money! This insurance can include other advantages such as individual room, TV, help with cleaning or to look after your animals in case of hospitalisation, etc...

There is no health questionnaire to take out this insurance and you can change insurers once a year on the anniversary date of your contract (2 months before the renewal date or within 20 days from receiving your renewal notice). Your top up is automatically linked to your carte vitale number so when the French health system pays you back, the top up insurance is told and tops it up automatically. For certain things (like hospital stays and medicine), the French health system and the top up pay in advance for you.

4. Allianz Composio:

Most top up health insurance offer covers based on levels (level 1 to 6 for example) which means that if you want the best hospital cover, you will also pay for the best dental and optical cover. With Allianz, you can pick and choose what you want which makes it cheaper! This is quite good, Unfortunately the “Forfait journalier” especially for British who usually go and (food in hospital) which is around 25€ per buy their glasses in the day is never UK as it can be cheaper paid by the French health than in France. So, you If you have an accident and system (top up can have the best cover have to call the ambulance, you insurance pays for hospital and nothing will have to pay 30% of the cost for it). for glasses. Feel free to contact me for a free Finally 100% quote. You will be does not mean surprised to know that we are usually much because it is 100% of the price set by the French health system. Unfortunately, much cheaper than all those specialized consultants, surgeons, private hospitals, British expat health insurances! And we etc. are allowed to apply a surcharge (and can do the cancellation for you so don’t most of them do in private hospital). hesitate to contact me for a free quote.

Finally, self-employed have an automatic Example: the French health system set 10% discount. price for a hip replacement is 1000€ (not the actual figure, just an example), then 5. www.ameli.fr: you only get reimbursed 800€ (80%) but let’s say 1000€ is not enough for the This is the website of the French health surgeon - they can charge 3000€, system. Yes, it is in French but it is full of therefore, you would be 2200€ (instead of useful information. You can use the just 200€) out of pocket! simulator to find out if you are entitled to CMU and ACS (people on low income can 3. Why you must have a top up get free top up or help to pay for their top health insurance: up). You can download your The example above is why people take out reimbursement and you can ask for your a top up health insurance. If you have an attestation de droits (proof of cover). This accident and have to call the ambulance, document is often asked for by insurers to you will have to pay 30% of the cost of the give you access to top up health insurance. ambulance (1400€ by road, around 4000€ e i you wish information on any of the for air lift). So, you should at least have above or to get a free quote for top up what we call the hospital cover top up health insurance. I can also help with which would cover ambulances and any the forms. hospitalization and cost half the price of

etcetera 19

business and assistance The Achilles Heel of Defined Benefit Schemes HELEN BOOTH INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER deVere France

B

rexit and the global pandemic have had a major impact on the UK’s economy with the pound losing value.

Even more so on pension schemes, as the majority of the schemes have had negative returns. This in turn has caused an even larger deficit on defined benefits schemes which means your pension could be worth less.

A pension deficit is defined as the gap between how much a pension is required to pay out vs how much money is available to pay out. The deficit occurs when there isn’t enough money to pay, i.e. when the liability is greater than the assets - expertsforexpats.com What causes it and what are the effects?

▪ The funds your pension scheme is invested in, could have lowered in value

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▪

▪

▪

because of poor performing markets and the devaluing of the pound.

Even though losses are short term and markets will stabilise over time, it is still a loss to the overall value of the pension scheme.

People are living longer, which means the company will have to pay a pension for longer, which will lead to them paying out more than you put in.

There is a risk that your company, even though a major organisation, might not be able to cover the full amount owing to you at retirement.

There could be a mismanagement of pension funds.

The news is not all doom and gloom though.

The government has introduced quantitative easing to release more cash flow into the economy. Quantitative easing has pushed the CETV value of your pension to an all-time high.

A cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) is the cash value placed on your pension benefits. This is the amount that is available to transfer to an alternative plan in exchange for giving up your rights under the scheme - Pensionhelp.co.uk

"UK final salary schemes are in the eye of a perfect storm”

This higher CETV value has created an opportunity to reduce the risk to your pension and transfer the pension into a private pension scheme where your financial adviser can best invest your pension funds according to your individual financial needs and risk profile, and not a generic investment approach that companies offer. The transfer could be into a SIPP or a QROPS.

"The magnitude of these deficits brings into question the very survival of many company pension schemes and, in order to survive, they might need to consider drastic changes to the terms of employees' pension schemes." Nigel Green CEO deVere Group

With this transfer option, you no longer need to worry if the company will be able to pay your pension to you in the future. It also allows you to transfer your company pensions from previous employers into one consolidated pension plan, thus allowing you to control your own pension.

▪

Companies trying to close the deficit gap could use up all their cash and in turn growth could be stunted which could lead to small salary increases or loss of jobs.

health Saski owns and runs Limelight Fitness and is a personal trainer and sports massage practitioner

Top

By Saski Ford

Tips

www.limelightfitness.wordpress.com email: saskiford@yahoo.com

Stay Hydrated BEING WELL-HYDRATED IS NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL FOR OUR BODIES, IT ALSO IMPROVES SLEEP QUALITY, COGNITION, AND MOOD

N

owadays, many people live a rather sedentary lifestyle. People are often sitting while engaged in an activity like working, reading, socializing, watching television or using computer for much of the day. This lifestyle tends to make people ignore their daily water intake because their activity does not make a sense of thirst.

Funny how we consume more water during the summer, without a second thought and yet many find it so difficult to drink it in winter when we need it just as much.

It’s been said a million times before.

Water is uber important. It keeps us alive and yet we don’t drink nearly enough of it!

Even when people tell us how wonderful it is for us and explain all the benefits.

You see, our bodies are 60% water by weight, and proper hydration is absolutely essential for our overall health. After all, the water we consume optimises blood pressure, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints, moves waste out of the body, and aids in digestion.

And with increased summer temperatures and outdoor activities comes increased water loss - through sweating and evaporation - as your body works to stay cool.

One way you can tell if you are hydrated enough is the colour of your urine. This is

a fantastic gauge to see if you have drunk enough fluids throughout the day. The darker your urine the more dehydrated you are, the paler almost clear urine means you are hydrated (see chart!).

If you eat a varied diet you will be consuming up to a litre of water from your foods about 20-30%. 70-80% will be from water alone.

All whole fruits and vegetables contain some amount of water, but for maximum benefit the list of foods below contain a minimum of 90% water: Cucumbers, Celery, Tomatoes, Radishes, Red, Yellow, Green bell peppers, Cauliflower, Watermelon, Spinach, Strawberries, Broccoli, Grapefruit Coconut water is another great hydrating drink. Mineral-rich liquid from the inside of young, green coconuts is packed with potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium, coconut water can replenish lost fluids and electrolytes from exercise and hot summer temperatures. Try adding it to your smoothies or your oats for an added boost!

Stick with H2O. Yes, juices, milk, and herbal teas can all help hydrate your body—even caffeinated drinks (in moderation) can provide you with muchneeded water. However, water is what your body is really craving, so you might as well go straight to the source. Sticking

with H2O will help you skip the unnecessary sugars, additives, and caffeine found in other drinks.

Infuse your water with flavour. Whether you prefer limes, lemons, oranges, berries, or cucumbers, infusing your water with fresh fruit can make for a refreshing and spa-like beverage, without any added artificial sweeteners or preservatives.

Make a date with water, book it into your day. If it feels impossible to drink 2 litres in a single day, you may want to come up with a hydrating schedule. As soon as you wake up, make it a point to drink a glass or two of water—after a night of fasting, your body will appreciate a morning quencher, and add some lemon for a deep morning cleanser. Drinking a predetermined number of millilitres throughout the day can also keep you on track.

LIGHTLY

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health BY

MICHAEL WILLIAM PARK

HAIRDRESSER ANNETTE VAN ES Chez Martin 16150 Pressignac

Hair designer with many years’ experience, including the Vidal Sassoon team.

My salon is based in the heart of Le Dorat in the Limousin.

For an appt please contact: 05.45.71.56.02 06.50.23.61.37 annette.vanes@orange.fr

19 Place Charles de Gaulle. 87210 Le Dorat

siret: 518 364 989 00013

Ian Scott - Coiffeur anglais

T. 06 47 43 01 66

�Depts 86 & 87 �32 plus years’ experience �Professional colouring and cutting services READ REVIEWS ON

!

www.facebook.com/mobilecoiffeur Swedish Massage Sports Massage

Reflexology

Nicholas SEAGRAVE M.B.P.s.S.

Myofascial Release

Psychologue / Psychologist

EFT

siret: 85160551900012

PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELLING SERVICE Face to Face / Skype / Home Visit www.psychologist-seagrave.com 15 Place d’Armes 86150 L’ISLE JOURDAIN

Mobile Service from 87440

well-beingtherapies emmajhodgson@hotmail.co.uk 0656 872967 (Fr mob) 07870 667159 (UK mob)

Email : seagrave.psy@gmail.com Mob. : 07 77 26 10 63 N° ADELI 86 93 03 86 7

The British Psychological Society

Fontfaix le Haut 16260 Cellefrouin 05 45 84 91 79 / 06 47 24 34 61

Support Local Business

www.underthelimetree.com email: nikki@underthelimetree.com

Spa days / Spa Nights: hut tub, massage + lunch / supper + b&b. Gift vouchers available.

Specialist in Hot Stones Massage, Indian Head, Reiki, Facelift Rejuvenation, Shiatsu

Veggie/Vegan lunches & dinners ‘pop-up’ Cooking classes with Nikki Digital Photography & Knife-making workshops with Sean

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health

Life Is What You Make It

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO BE HAPPY ALL OF THE TIME, LIFE CHUCKS EVENTS AT ALL OF US FOR THE WHOLE OF OUR LIFETIMES - IT’S HOW WE DEAL WITH THEM THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

I

n November 2017 I was told that I had a 40% chance of survival after one and a half years. These have been some of the hardest years of my life. Painful, exhausting treatments all failing me until eventually in November 2019 I was told to go away, as there was no treatment available. When you’ve received news like this, it feels like a very dark time - it’s not an experience I would wish on anyone.

genetically disposed to be fearful and anxious. This was great for prehistoric woman and man, not so helpful in our present circumstances.

When I spoke to my professor about the disappearance of all signs of the illness, I decided to ask his opinion. ‘Do you think that my positive approach has helped me?’, he agreed. He said that they are aware of the importance of mental In January of this year, I became a attitude in successful health outcomes. It research subject. Deemed as no longer will not stop/cure illness, but, as with treatable, I have been on a research trial exercise and nutrition, it contributes to a for the last six months, and all signs of the positive outcome. When you think about illness have disappeared. Of course that it, it makes sense. No one really does not mean I am no longer ill, we don’t understands how or why a positive know, but I chose to see it as good news.

You might be thinking, good attitude helps for you Cathie, but how is people recover this relevant?

This was great for prehistoric faster from surgery or cope Those of you who read my woman and man, not so better with articles regularly will know helpful in our present serious diseases, that I am a psychologist who circumstances but mounting studies people who are evidence flourishing mentally, this school of thought is called positive suggests that these effects may have psychology and involves research into something to do with the mind’s power people who lead mentally healthy lives. over the immune system My focus is on helping people who do not Please do not imagine that I have been mentally flourish to build practices into consistently happy and optimistic, I their lives that will help them become haven’t, but I did keep engaging with my happier and more optimistic. This is exercises. If you are suffering from a life needed because the prehistoric optimists threatening illness, you have all of my got eaten or didn’t prepare for the many sympathy, it can feel quite terrifying. problems facing them. So we are

Dr Cathie Woodward is trained as a coach and runs a coaching practice with clients both in the UK and France.

By Dr C athie Woodw ard

You are welcome to phone Cathie for a free consultation, in total confidence.

Here are some of the things that you could be doing, regularly, to improve your mental health, thereby contributing to your physical health − Feel gratitude; write down five things that you appreciate about your life every day − Do something freely compassionate for someone − Find, and engage, in activities where you are in flow, i.e. you are so engaged you think about nothing else − Be present and focussed when you are with your loved ones, human and animal − Worry about things and change them, don’t worry about things that you can’t change Make them into part of your daily routine and feel the difference!

etcetera 23

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Pesky Blighters THIS YEAR SO FAR HAS BOUGHT A MIXED BAG OF WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING TIME FOR GARDENERS

M

any crops suffered early on due to the extremely wet and cold March, an early heat wave in April which was followed by another prolonged colder, wet spell. The only things that seemed to benefit were the slugs! I have had so many ‘pest & disease’ related questions this year I thought it would be useful to look at organic methods of controlling two key plant problems, that have been particularly prevalent. One is a pest and the other a disease and I always look to prevent or control them without resorting to chemical pesticides. It is important to remember that a garden is an ecosystem and that insect and animal life is to be encouraged, minor damage should be accepted and that it is better to live with a few losses, work with nature rather than fight against it, don’t blitz everything with chemicals that are harmful to ourselves as well as the wider environment.

Caterpillars Plant ‘pests’ are actually just any insect, bird or animal species that cause a moderate to severe loss or damage to our food crops or decorative plants. These typically include things like slugs and snails, aphids and caterpillars. I have had many questions about how to deal with the ‘tent forming’ caterpillars so far this year so this is my pest choice. The advice here also relates to other species of caterpillar that devastate your crops, such as cabbage white and gooseberry saw fly. All are the soft bodied larvae of moths, caterpillars and other flying insects and so their prevention and control is similar. The first port of call is prevention – you can cover your crops with fine netting such as ‘enviromesh’ to prevent the females laying their eggs on the leaves in the first place.

The next step is to check the leaves regularly for eggs, these will be clusters of tiny pale rounded structures usually on the underside of the leaves, simply pick off the leaf and destroy it or squish the eggs.

If you miss both of these stages and only notice the caterpillars once they are already hatched and munching away on your plants, then you can use a bacterium called ‘Bacillus thuringiensis’ this is made up into a spray and directed at the caterpillars. It parasitizes them and kills the caterpillars without being absorbed by

24 etcetera

take care not to damage the plants and support tomatoes sufficiently, it also enters the leaves via the tiny stomatal pores on the underside of the leaf, rain can splash the spores in the soil up onto the lower leaves so use a mulch or ground cover for your tomatoes and remove the lower leaves that touch the soil. You can also use a large cloche type cover to Blight prevent rain splash, this will also Blight is another problem that has been encourage ripening but you may need to prevalent this summer and is one of the irrigate. I have heard a lot of people refer most devastating diseases for tomatoes to ‘Bordelaise’ spray, which for many years and potatoes and is difficult to control has been considered organic because it is organically so a close look at how it made from two ‘naturally occurring’ invades the plant and proliferates is substances – copper sulphate and helpful in understanding its prevention hydrated lime, also known as ‘Bordeaux and control. mix’ due to its origins, Blight is caused by a having been developed to Remember that a garden type of fungi that lives in treat fungal diseases in is an ecosystem and that the soil as spores and vines. It is used as a insect and animal life is can remain dormant in preventative fungicide, the soil for several years. to be encouraged and can be sprayed onto It is triggered into plants immediately germination when the following factors following the environmental conditions are all present: a host plant species described above that cause blight. (usually potatoes or tomatoes), a 48-hour However, applying it after visible period when the relative humidity remains symptoms are present on the plants is above 90% and the temperature does not pointless because it cannot cure the drop below 10 degrees. This period disease, it can only help to prevent the typically occurs in from June onwards. fungi from developing in the early stages.

Once the spores germinate, they invade However, copper sulphate and hydrated the plant and the parasitic fungi lives off lime are pretty tough chemicals and has the plant tissue destroying it from inside. been proven to be poisonous even in small The first thing you see from the outside is quantities. Personally, I wouldn’t want to a curling and blackening of the leaves, use it on my food crops. You also need to accompanied by dying spots on the leaves take care not to exceed the recommended and often a white fungal growth on the dose as it can kill your plants but if you do stems which turn black before the plant decide to use it you should wear collapses. There is no cure for blight, appropriate PPE for the spraying of once you see symptoms on your plants it is chemicals to protect yourself from too late, all you can do is harvest what you inhaling the spray or getting it on your can and use it quickly. The plants should skin, keep pets and children well away for be destroyed by burning – do not compost several hours and only spray on a calm them. Therefore, prevention is the best morning or evening. option. Crop rotation being top of the list: growing potatoes and tomatoes in the We have lots of crafts workshops same patch of soil year on year will lead to scheduled throughout the summer an increase in spores, they will only die and look out for our autumn out if they do not have a host, and this programme coming soon. takes several years so move your veg round each year to fresh soil where the We have also launched an online same crop has not been grown for at least Veg Growing for Beginners’ course 4 years if possible. There are two ways that this year – check out our website the spores can enter the plant; through for details: lejardincreatif.net wounds from broken stems or leaves so the plant or harming bees – but it will harm the larvae of other butterflies and moths so check carefully for other species before spraying. Picking off the caterpillars is not an option – in fact take care not to come into contact with the caterpillars – the hairs can cause fairly severe irritation to humans and animals.

garden

By Caroline Wright

Caroline has been a lecturer in horticulture for 20 years and is now running a nursery and 'garden craft' courses in the Haute-Vienne

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Lorn Tracy &

26 etcetera

e

Taylor-M ade Garden s

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Just Add Water AS WE MOVE INTO THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER, ALL WE REALLY WANT TO DO IN THE GARDEN IS ENJOY IT AND CARRY OUT THE MINIMUM OF MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, WHAT WE CAN ALSO DO IS PLAN FOR AUTUMN AND START A GARDEN MAKEOVER

O

ver the following months we will focus on the hard landscaping aspect of the makeover which we can start when the temperatures start to cool down a little. This month we will focus on the use of water in the garden.

Adding a water feature to the garden can create both an auditory and visual stimulus. The sound of running water can be soothing and relaxing or exciting and stimulating and can provide the perfect feature to complement the surrounding plants.

There are many different ways in which water can be used in the garden to create a point of interest including ponds, fountains, waterfalls, modern water features and water features made from recycled “junk”.

A water feature can be as simple as buying a ready-made structure (where the only labour required to install it is to fill the water reserve and plug it in to a mains socket) to creating a complicated series of waterfalls and ponds.

Considerations for creating a pond

tendency to become brittle and crack over 3-5 years. A good PVC liner has a much better resistance to UV rays and is stronger than polythene and so can have a life span of up to 10 years. The downside however is that it is much more expensive and also quite rigid which can make it difficult to handle as it is harder to mould this into a particular shape than polythene. Perhaps the best material to use would be a butyl rubber liner which is much stronger than either polythene or PVC, has a good UV resistance and can have a lifespan of up to 50 years though it is more expensive than the other two options.

Before setting to and creating your pond, there are several factors to be considered:1. Will the pond be formal in style (circle, oval, rectangle) or an informal, irregular shape? The former works well in a structured garden or on a terrace close to the house whereas the latter is better suited to a more relaxed style of garden e.g. cottage or wildlife garden. With an informal pond, a bog garden can be created as an extension to it.

The traditional, old-fashioned way to create a pond is to create a “puddled” 2. Will the pond have still or moving pond which is a professional job requiring water? Still water works well as a wildlife skilled labour consisting of digging out the pond and will support fish. Additionally, required shape for the certain plants pond and then coating such as waterlilies it with a thick layer of do not tend to clay. This gives the thrive where Still water works well as impression of a natural water is flowing a wildlife pond and will pond and although an around them. attractive pond, the However, moving support fish clay “liner” is subject water is more to cracking if the water pleasing level drops and there is aesthetically and always the threat of damage by tree-roots helps to keep the pond from stagnating. It or burrowing animals such as our doesn’t need to be a huge gushing “lovable” friend, the mole. fountain; a small waterfall gently falling over rocks would suffice. The style of pond A more modern way to create a pond is to will also influence this as fountains tend to use a pre-formed, rigid pond which can be be formal and waterfalls suit a more bought off the shelf. All that is required to informal style. To create moving water, a install is to dig a hole that matches the pump needs to be added to the materials shape of the pond, line the hole with sand required to create the pond. and then back-fill around the remaining cavity between pond and earth. This type 3. Does the pond need to be raised out of of pond, whilst easy to install, often looks the ground? Various factors affect this rather artificial. including accessibility and practicality. If the pond is to be viewed and maintained A better way to create a pond would be to by a person of restricted mobility, a raised use a flexible liner. A PVC-based liner is a pond may be a preferable option. better option than polythene which has a

Likewise, a raised pond is safer for toddlers and babies. If cats and/or herons are likely to be a problem, a raised pond can be a deterrent and so preserve the fish stock. If koi carp are to be kept in the pond, they require the pond to be quite deep and so less excavation will be required if the pond is partially sunken and partially elevated.

4. There are 5 main considerations when choosing the location of the pond:- Do not place the pond at the base of a slope where run-off from higher levels can pose a problem.

- Ensure the pond is created on a level part of the garden as this will be easier to install and will also make maintenance easier.

- Choose a sunny spot which is also sheltered from cold winds.

- Do not place the pond in an area which is too elevated and exposed to the elements.

- Avoid overhanging trees.

Creating your pond Given that the most reliable way to create a pond to get a natural and long-lasting finish is to use a butyl rubber liner, here is a step by step guide how to proceed.

1. Decide on the finished size of your pond and buy a liner which is the length of the pool plus twice the maximum depth.

2. Dig the pool to around 25cm below the anticipated water level and a little wider than the proposed water area to accommodate rocks all around. It is a good idea to create a tiered area at one end so that any wildlife which has accidently fallen into the pond is able to climb out. At this stage also incorporate any planting shelves that may be required (keep the sides around 20 degrees from the vertical to help prevent the sides from collapsing).

3. Remove any large or sharp stones from the base and sides of the pond to prevent the liner from being punctured.

4. Dig out a trench around the perimeter of the excavated area 10-12 cm deep and sufficiently wide to accommodate the edging rocks.

5. Backfill the trench with concrete and leave to harden.

etcetera 27

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There are many types of “off the peg” water features that can be used in the garden from elaborate fountains to small “ready-to-use” water features or if you want something unique (or cheaper) it is possible to make your own water features 7. Lay the liner in the pond and to cover from junk/treasure finds at brocantes and the concrete foundation. flea markets. Water features other than the “stone trough with a tap” versions 8. Hold the liner temporarily in place with have, in our experience, not been easy to bricks or stones. find in garden 9. Partially fill with water centres and DIY There are many types of “off to tighten the liner. stores in France the peg” water features that can though we have 10. Lay a bed of mortar be used in the garden from seen a recent about 5cm thick on the improvement in elaborate fountains to small liner above the concrete different styles. foundation and lay the “ready-to-use” water features The internet will edging stones on it. offer more 11. Bring the edge of the options and a liner up behind the rocks, trim off excess good starting point website would be liner and bury the edge under soil. www.primrose.fr which has a huge range to choose from. They only charge a 12. Place smaller stones loosely behind the nominal sum of money for delivery mortared stones to create a natural regardless your purchase size. Here you looking pond then top up the water to will discover all styles of water features desired finished level. from small, solar-powered floating 13. Add suitable plants and wait for nature fountains for ponds to large elaborate to do the rest! tiered stone fountains and 2m tall glass/stainless steel “walls” of water.

14. If fish are to be kept in the pond, it 6. Dig out the rest of the pond to the required depth and lay a protective mat or 5cm layer of soft, damp sand over the bottom of the pond and as far up the sides as possible.

needs to be a minimum of 40 to 60cm deep; deeper if Koi carp are to be kept in the pond.

Using other types of water features in the garden

28 etcetera

Children and water features If you are determined to have a water feature in your garden but are worried about small children and accidents, then you will still find a water feature suitable

for you. There are many types of water features available which have a water reservoir with a lid which is buried underground. Alternatively, you could construct your own from a millstone which rests over a sump containing the water and a submersible pump. A framework of steel mesh or rods can then be laid over the sump. This way, even the smallest of children are protected from the water.

Making your own water feature There are numerous books and websites available which describe how to build your own water feature from things you may already have or junk-shop finds. A simple but attractive water-feature can be made using old galvanised metal watering cans where water runs from the spout of one watering can into the main body of another one and so on until it ends in a pond or onto pebbles concealing a reservoir and pump. The watering cans can be fixed in place by screwing them to a strong fence post concreted into the ground. Full details of how to do this are described on the following website:http://dawnmarie100.blogspot.fr/search/ label/Tutorials Next month we will focus on creating driveways and hard standing areas.

garden

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In the Garden

By Ronnie Ogier

Ronnie is a passionate gardener and now loves sharing her years of experience of success and failures in her own garden and sharing it with you. Also a keen runner, having been bitten by the ‘Couch to 5K’ bug!

THIS IS THE MONTH TO ENJOY THE SUNSHINE, THE FLOWERS, THE WARM EVENINGS AND THE INEVITABLE GLUT OF COURGETTES.

I

ferment faster! Horsetail ‘soup’ is an t’s not been the easiest of years so far with the lockdown. Though for many it excellent antifungal that helps prevent and provided the opportunity to ‘work’ in our stop mildew, rust, other fungi, blistering, gardens, some people may have suffered damping off seedlings or scab. Ladybirds from Covid-19, and for many there has are also a natural predator of aphids such been the separation from loved ones. as greenfly, blackfly and whitefly, as well Hopefully that is now history and we can as being an attractive sight in any garden. return to the ‘new normal’, complete with So why not build a ‘bug hotel’ and masks and social distancing! August encourage more ‘guests’ to visit? usually brings plenty of opportunity to We are too aware that hot weather is relax and enjoy the garden, even though becoming more common even in regions we know there are jobs still to be done to where it usually hadn’t previously keep it looking good. Last month I fell in occurred. Heatwave, thunderstorms, love with one of my flowers – dierama or plants burned or dried out by the lack of Angel’s Fishing Rods – from mid-June to water are the sad result. In response to the mid-July I had these delicate heads of hot weather we need to prepare - lay down deep purple nodding their welcome to me a layer of a very thick organic mulch, this, in the garden, and then to my joy as the together with methodical watering, and purple ones faded a dark pink one came shade from more drought resistant plants into flower to continue my joy. And as will help your garden with many survive. Invariably the heat perennials now is a Invariably the heat wave wave ends with good time to plant ends with thunderstorms; very thunderstorms; very dry seed, let it dry soil cannot retain this soil cannot retain this germinate and start sudden dousing of water, too sudden dousing of water, to grow, then too often there is heavy often there is heavy run-off protect over winter run-off and erosion. To for an early start in and erosion avoid excessive erosion, the spring. Just one here again mulching is word of warning essential, and remember to collect this about dierama - they can take up to three rainwater in butts. But don't worry if your years to start flowering – but they’re worth lawn is looking brown, the autumn rains the wait as they comeback in force every will soon make it green again. year. Keep removing the faded blossoms from your ornamental plants, to prevent Tackle rose black spot – it starts with them going to seed and ensure they keep small black spots on rose leaves but if not flowering until the autumn. If you wish to dealt with the leaves will turn black, yellow save seeds for planting next year, start and then fall off. Remove and destroy doing so at the end of the month. infected leaves, plus any which may have At this time of year, aphids and other insects are rampant! A few sprays based on black soap or fermented plant extracts, such as garlic or chilli spray, will get rid of them without having to use toxic products.

Take advantage of the heat to make your plant ‘soups’, as plant food also, they will

two of bleach free liquid soap, such as black soap, in a 4.5 litres of water.

While you are sitting enjoying the sun and your garden, look critically and decide on changes you’d like to make. Take photos to help remember your ideas in winter. It’s also a good time to place orders for spring bulbs and perennials for autumn planting.

And it’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas!!! Start to think about planting hyacinths, and ‘Paperwhite’ daffodils in bowls; ‘prepared’ bulbs can be forced by plunging the planted bowls in a cold, dark place for a few months, then bringing them inside to flower during the dark winter months. Watering Cyclamen that have been resting over the summer should be sufficient to ‘wake’ them.

Pink flower of Angel's fishing rod (dierama pulcherrimum)

fallen to the ground. Either burn or bin the infected leaves – do not put them on your compost heap as that will re-infect in future years. Then spray with a baking soda and black spray weekly to protect new growth. For the spray mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a drop or

etcetera 31

Make Hay W Sun Shines YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL IT’S SUMMER BY THE PICTURESQUE SIGHT OF BALES NEATLY STACKED UP IN THE FIELDS AROUND US, BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAY AND HAYLAGE?

P

ut simply, the difference between haylage and hay is the removal of moisture. In the last few weeks, you will have seen what my children used to call large snail shells lying around in fields. I have even seen pink ones here! (A few years ago some farmers in the UK were supporting charities by paying more for the wrapping, in lots of different colours, perhaps taking some of the guilt away for having to use plastic.) But hay and haylage making have been in full swing with farmers working flat out, between the on and off rain we have had of late.

So why do we have hay and haylage, and how to the two differ?

Hay is cut when the grass is mature and the grass needs to be sufficiently dry before bailing. Typically hay will be 85% or above dry matter, which relies on good weather conditions to achieve. Hence the hope of no rain and why you will see farmers turning the grass at regular intervals. This will reduce the moisture level to preserve it and avoid it going mouldy whilst it is being stored. If the bales have a higher moisture level this can allow the metabolic activity to continue, resulting in heat and the possibility of the bales bursting into flames, instantaneous combustion! Only a few years ago, I was told of a farm that lost its barn due to this happening. The resulting fire brought down the whole building. Moisture levels should be around ten to fifteen per cent and meadow grass is commonly preferred for haymaking. It's then laid in lines to bale with twine. If you have ever stood and watched a baling machine it is really quite mesmerizing as it compacts the grass into tight bales. This is usually done between May and August each year.

Haylage, however, is cut and allowed to semi-wilt and not dry completely. Then it is wrapped, and this is usually done a few

farm life

While the

By Kare n

weeks before the grass is cut for hay. It is normally wrapped within a day or two of being cut. The moisture level is much higher at forty to fifty per cent. This is when it will be baled with multi-layer plastic wrapping, which stops the oxygen getting in. The plastic wrap on the bale provides the anaerobic environment necessary to allow the preservation of the forage through fermentation. It also allows bacterial species such as lactobacilli which is present in the crop to utilise and make carbohydrates in the soluble water and produce lactic acid. The production of this is important as this causes the pH level to drop between 4.8 and 5.8. This drop in pH stops unwanted organisms commonly known as mould being produced.

But are these the only differences between hay and haylage? How do these differences affect the nutritional value? Can they have different influences on livestock performance, health, and well-being?

from minerals, vitamins, protein, and water-soluble carbohydrates in the grass.

So, haylage is nutritionally higher in value than hay, and provides higher levels of energy, fibre, and protein, as the grass is less damaged in the process. However people can be confused about how much to feed as the moisture content is higher in haylage, you actually need to feed more by weight than the dry matter of hay.

Any differences between hay and haylage are determined by the grass type, when it's harvested, and the age for its nutritional value.

You will also find farmers growing different grasses to produce different livestock feed.

Hay can be a larger source of respirable particles compared to haylage. There can be The main thing to extremely small particles remember is that with all that we can't see which livestock any change in diet can include mould should be introduced slowly spores, and bacteria.

This can cause over a period of time, respiratory problems. mixing old and new People do overcome this by steaming the hay with a hay steamer.

Good quality hay will provide a sufficient amount of forage for energy. In this respect, it is also good for feeding ‘ad-lib’.

With its lower energy value, enough can be fed to provide livestock with sufficient forage, without concern about unwanted weight gain associated with feeding haylage, when feeding to horses.

So when can you start to feed using this year’s crop? Be it hay, or haylage?

Hay is also a lot cheaper than haylage and if well stored will last a considerable time.

You can start straight away if necessary with hay. It will be higher in nutrition value now and over time this will reduce.

Haylage however is another matter, and it will need about 6 weeks and longer, giving it time to ferment and be properly preserved.

The main difference is the leaf structure in its preservation, the drying process in hay fractures the leaf and this can create dust as well as the loss of nutritional value,

The main thing to remember is that with all livestock any change in diet should be introduced slowly over a period of time, mixing old and new.

Luff

Karen with her husband John followed their dream and moved to Le Chataignier, a 400 year old house in the beautiful Mayenne region of France, with their five year old son.

Over 14 years later they have established a smallholding on the site.

It's not a good idea to rely just on feeding hay as it loses vitamins, so supplementary feeding is always good and gives a more balanced diet. Grass used for haylage tends to be younger and is more digestible. Giving higher levels of digestible fibre, energy and protein.

Livestock will often eat more haylage due to its sweet smell. So it can be quite useful for those fussy eaters.

Although haylage is more expensive, it can be better value, as less concentrated food needs to be fed due to the higher energy level.

Correctly made haylage contains very few if any, mould spores, and because of its higher moisture content, any that are present do not become airborne and, therefore, do not cause problems. Once opened however haylage will start to deteriorate quickly and needs to be used within a few days. This makes it not always practical or financially viable for owners with only a few livestock.

It is often used with older animals to keep weight gain. Ensuring sufficient forage is so important in equines because this is what provides the horse with energy for winter warmth, and maintains a healthy digestive tract to prevent problems such as stomach ulcers.

So there we have it. The differences between hay and haylage are considerable, and each has its own benefits. Both feedstuffs have their individual advantages and disadvantages and these factors must be taken into consideration, alongside each individual's needs and requirements. One thing I can tell you is a barn full of a full winter's store is a good feeling!

etcetera 33

fishing

The Mysterious Burbot IT IS POSSIBLE TO ENCOUNTER MANY SPECIES OF FISH IN OUR REGION OF FRANCE, SOME OF WHICH ARE UNWANTED INTRUDERS.

By Clive Kenyon

34 etcetera

fishing

I

n June I was having an idle shady lunch at the side of a small lake owned by one of my customers. I threw some bread crust out into the water and a couple of perche-solei, or pumpkinseed fish as the Americans call them came out of the depths to nibble the floating crust. I have caught these in the Charente and Vienne rivers, but how they came to be in a small lake separated from any means of migration is beyond me.

Another mystery is the disappearance of the burbot from British and almost all French river systems as well as most of Western Europe. Burbot are the only freshwater species of the cod family and are most easily identifiable by the single barbule sported on their lower lip. They are also and one of only two species of freshwater fish that have a circumpolar range yet they are increasingly absent in many of the areas where they once thrived.

Burbot are solitary fish and prefer to spend daylight hours in dark places such as undercut banks emerging to feed in darkness. They can reach weights of 30lb or more in the right conditions.

Leonard Maskell wrote in the 16th century about a fish in the Holland area of Lincolnshire he called the ‘poult' (possibly a derivation of pout or eel-pout as the burbot was sometimes called) “They have such a plentie in the fenne brookes, they feed their hogges with them.”

They must have had some sleek hogges in Lincolnshire at that time as the burbot's liver contains large amounts of vitamins A and D. This was discovered in the 1920s when owners of a fur farm in the United States fed their foxes burbot and discovered they developed a softer, more luxurious coat. In the early part of the 20th century burbot featured regularly in the catch reports of the ‘Fishing Gazette’and the same journal carried adverts from fish farmers able to supply burbot. The eastern counties and the Trent basin were one of the last places where burbot were reported to have been caught. By the 1960s they had all but become extinct.

Records suggest the burbot also held on gamely in the Yorkshire river system of the Esk, Seven and Rye. There was a population in the Yorkshire Derwent between the Ouse confluence and Sutton-on-Derwent until the tidal barrier was erected in the mid-1970s.

The last authenticated capture is thought to have come from the River

Trent in the 1960s and more recently in the 1990s Dr. Jim Reader, a lecturer in Nottingham University's Department of Life Science, imported some burbot from Czechoslovakia with the intentions to re-stock the Trent with these fish. In the event his plans were thwarted when permission to release the fish was refused by the authorities. Alwyn Wheeler, formerly of the Natural History Museum and the foremost authority on fish in Britain, was quoted as saying: "It's a half-baked scheme and a total waste of time and money. British burbot became extinct because our climate got warmer. You might as well bring back beavers, wolves and reindeer too."

spot to another as the sun moves across the sky. There are videos on YouTube showing scuba divers swimming along the undercut banks of the Loire surrounded by huge catfish. This incredible density of stock will be replicated in our large rivers and the place to find them in sunny weather is shaded, deep places.

There are also a lot of smaller, 20lb 40lb size fish that provide good sport on spinning tackle in the last few hours of fishing time. The silure tend to react to the splash of the lure and often the take is immediately after the lure lands. Again, under shade is the place to cast for them or around the large rocks found in the Vienne.

In France, burbot were found in the eastern part of the country and are still present in reduced numbers in some of the Rhone tributaries.

Strangely they are not present in the rivers of the northern part of France or in the Thames that would have been connected to the Trent system and also to the Rhone in the time of the Ice Age. Just as strange is that burbot survived global warming on the Middle Ages but not the 20th century’s version.

The mouth of a silure is formed by hard plates covered in thousands of small teeth like Velcro. This makes hook holds problematic and strong, well sharpened hooks are advised.

Tackle for these fish also needs to be strong, but for spinning a medium rod and multiplier or fixed spool reel as used for bass or salmon will be ideal.

Fishing dead baits will involve a heavier rod purely to facilitate casting the heavier baits. A 3lb test curve should be considered as a minimum, Silure preferably a 5.5lb spod rod or 8oz Uptide rod and a large reel to balance One fish that does seem to be thriving the rod. Catfish can be landed by is the Wels catfish, or silure as they gripping the are known in France. This jaw of the France is rapidly becoming lower species, similar in fish and pulling many ways to the the number one destination it ashore. Gloves burbot, is creating for catfish anglers and the are advisable but the opposite totally south-west of the country is not problems to necessary if you fishery probably the best place to don’t mind a few management in grazes on your catch a record fish that they are fingers. thriving too much August is for some people. probably the best France is rapidly becoming the time of year to catch silure and we are number one destination for catfish well placed to take advantage of this anglers and the south-west of the powerful species.

Spinning in the country is probably the best place to faster, deep reaches of rivers or catch a record fish. Silure are at their jigging with a vertical line close to most active at this time of year and undercut banks is an exciting way to will react aggressively to lures and fish for silure. Tree roots and sunken fish baits. They also take an interest in trunks are also places where the sound and some catfish anglers use a method known as ‘clonking’ to attract catfish may be found. In lakes silure the catfish. Clonking involves striking will sometimes lay up through the day the water with a spoon type in shallow water where overhanging instrument, but you can also attract branches reach to or almost to the catfish using small plastic balls or water surface. Casting large surface tubes filled with lead shot so it rattles plugs close to these locations may on the retrieve or when jigged. prove effective. The idea is to create as much disturbance as possible to Silure prefer to lay up in shady areas annoy the silure enough to wake it during the day when not feeding and I have seen them swim from one shady from its slumber and attack the lure.

etcetera 35

wildlife

Too Hot

To Handle

36 etcetera

wildlife DURING THE HIGH TEMPERATURES OF A SUMMER DAY, WHERE HAVE THE GARDEN SNAILS GONE AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

H

ere in France we normally expect a good, hot summer, with temperatures well into the 30°C bracket (that is mid-70°F and above in old money).

Does this have any effect upon the wildlife that shares the summer with us? It can have a very strange effect upon humans that are unfamiliar with it. It produces a response which involves stripping off almost all protective clothing and spreading the now unshielded skin under the pitiless sun for a few hours. This, of course, allows ultra-violet radiation to penetrate that skin and by evening gives an effect rather as if a flame-thrower had been passed over the body.

I worked in Exeter during the Great Heatwave of 1976. Few people in the UK had ever experienced sunshine on that scale. During the holiday period the easiest day to go shopping in the city was Monday, when all the newly-arrived vacationers headed for the beaches. The day when it was fun to go shopping was Tuesday, when one could watch the same folk walk slowly along the High Street, wriggling red-raw shoulders under the lightest shirt they could bear, and whimpering. Social distancing was strictly observed!

pile in the middle of the lawn. Amazingly, a few hours later, just before dawn, a scan with a fluorescent lamp showed that the snails had, for the most part, sorted themselves back into the appropriate areas of the garden. What took everyone by surprise was that the Cornish snails, a hundred miles from home, all set off in a south-westerly direction, where lay Cornwall. Even at full speed, travelling day and night, it would take at least 6 months to get there!

By M ik

e Geo r ge

Mike George is our regular contributor on wildlife and the countryside in France. He is a geologist and naturalist, living in the Jurassic area of the Charente

On a hot afternoon, of course, a snail will be seriously dehydrated before it has crossed your garden path.

This is the reason that it goes quiet on the snail-front in summer in this region. You have spent the spring stepping on earlymorning snails or fighting to keep them off your lettuce-bed; now suddenly they have vanished. They have in fact aestivated.

This is not some form of migration; it is the summer equivalent of hibernating. If you look carefully in the cooler, shaded areas of your garden, you will find hordes of snails dozing peacefully, their shell openings sealed with a membrane of dried mucous, conserving moisture. They often push their way behind things for extra protection.

Not many animals use this technique, No other creature would behave that way. mainly because the summer is the time of A “cold-blooded” maximum activity for vertebrate will bask You have spent the spring stepping them, and because they in the sun if its have other mechanisms body temperature on early-morning snails or fighting to cope with the needs to be raised, to keep them off your lettuce-bed; situation. One of the but will go about its now suddenly they have vanished most dedicated business when it aestivators is the lunghas reached a good fish, which seems to working temperature. Most mammals are have got all its choices wrong. It lives in covered with fur and enough natural mud-wallows because, having lungs, it, a pigment to protect them, though cats with fish, is better off breathing air. The mud, white ears may need watching if they of course, tends to dry out, and the spend time in hot sun. lungfish copes with this by burying itself in the mud at the last minute, surrounding There are a lot of creatures, of course, that itself with mucous to conserve moisture, are not equipped to avoid or deal with and waiting until the rains come. A rather strong sunlight. One such is the Garden risky strategy.

Snail Cornu aspersum. The snail is famously slow-moving (maximum speed Plants also react to the hot weather, but for it is hard to discover, since each their requirements for water are rather authority quotes it in different units, but it more urgent. They cannot go looking for seems to be 50 metres/hr). it, nor can they hide away from the heat.

As all gardeners and farmers know, it is Its slow speed does not mean that the snail down to us to provide the water for them, has no ambition. Recently an informal and woe betide any plant that test was tried whereby snails from all four gets forgotten. sides of an ordinary suburban Midland garden were collected. They were painted Some do have coping strategies. The with a different colour of fluorescent paint Tumbleweed plant so familiar to us from depending on where they had been old Western films is able to wither down to collected (north, south, east or west a ball of apparently dry sticks if it loses its section of the garden), mixed with some source of water, and allows itself to be control snails brought from far-distant picked up by the wind and carried vast Cornwall, painted yet a different colour distances. When it chances upon again, and all released by tipping them in a moisture, it will send out roots to anchor

itself and take advantage of the new-found life-giver. While it is bowling along, of course, it is scattering its seeds in quantity. These will lie in the soil until moisture arrives.

Incidentally, the plant is not of American origin, but Russian, and was accidentally introduced in 1877 by Ukrainian immigrant farmers among flax seeds. It found the plains of the US ideal to its lifestyle, and also lacking in its natural predators. Any tumbleweed that you see blowing about in a Western dated any earlier than the late 19th century is definitely out-of-place. When “The Sons of the Pioneers” intoned their mournful ditty about “The Tumblin’ Tumbleweed” in the 1940s, it had been a problem for less than 70 years.

Some trees have developed the technique of storing water in their tissues during the wet season for use in the dry months.

These trees are enormously useful to knowledgeable travellers, who can tap the water for use at need.

Finally, there is a frog in Australia that fills its stomach with water when it feels a drought coming on, and buries itself to live off this store. The Aboriginal Australians, who have a very welldeveloped sense of nature, can find these at need and squeeze out the frog to gain the water for their own survival. They do this sparingly, of course, because the result is fatal to the frog.

etcetera 37

wildlife

WARNING - TOXIC All parts of the Datura stramoniumplant are poisonous and potentially fatal, especially the flowers and seeds, and their effects on the brain are unpleasant to dangerous Also known as thornapples, jimsonweeds, moonflower, devil's weed and hell's bells

By Mike George

What to Look Out For in August ▪

▪

▪

▪

Although it is still summer, the winter crane migration can begin this early, and continues into October. A doleful, distant creaky honking signals one or more skeins of cranes in flight. They should be heading south westward to their wintering grounds around the western Mediterranean coast. I have to say I find the sight of these flights uplifting in spring, but somewhat depressing in autumn – even more so in late summer!

August can be a time of violent thunderstorms.

Remember, if a tree you value is damaged or even blown down, get advice from a specialist as to whether it can be saved, but trust your neighbours more. My walnut tree is still recovering from being re-erected after the 2013 tempest, but it is surviving, and giving walnuts. If it hadn’t been for my neighbours helping (it took two tractors) the tree-surgeon would never have got it upright!

Daturas start to flower. They often occur where maize has been grown. Remember the white flower is trumpetshaped and looks like a very large convolvulus flower, but the leaves are totally different. The seed-pod is walnut sized, green and spiky. Avoid this plant – it is highly toxic.

It is the Loco (madness) Weed of the southern US, and the Apple of Death of India.

Butterflies are usually very active. Do leave them plenty of weeds and flowers to feast on to ensure next year’s broods get a good start. Clumps of Ice-Plant can provide

38 etcetera

good late fuel for them. And don’t forget to leave clumps of nettles for the Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral caterpillars.

▪

Last month I confidently stated that you are unlikely to see a Brimstone butterfly at this time of the year. Since that came out, I have seen several, both male and female.

All goes to show one should never make predictions.

▪

Moths are active, too, so watch for the large hawk-moths.

Tiger-moths are also to be seen. Watch for the Jersey Tiger Moth (Fr: Écaille chinée). This day-flying moth has brown-and cream splinter camouflaged forewings and vivid orange or yellow hind-wings. The suddenness with which the moth vanishes as it folds its wings is astounding.

▪

Bats hunt the night moths, but the moths have some cunning avoidance schemes. See if you can spot a bat being misled by the radar-jamming skills of a large moth, and missing what looks like an easy catch.

▪

A lot of birds will be well through their second brooding, and some may be thinking of a third. Sadly, the weather can change in September leading to a shortage of food and starving chicks.

▪

Hedgehogs can suffer from the same problem – a late brood can leave too little time for the young to build up the fat-burden they need to survive hibernation, leading to underweight and starving young hedgehogs in January.

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etcetera 39

free time

40 etcetera

free time

etcetera 41

astronomy

The

Night Sky

Claire Wardlaw, originally from Edinburgh, lives in the Charente with her husband.

Since their move over 4 years ago, Claire has become passionate about astronomy.

By Clair Wardla e w

AUGUST ASTRONOMY NIGHT - OR DAY!

W

ith a few very brief hours of real astronomical darkness at this time of the year it is perhaps a good time to look out for a few amazing things in the daytime sky. It is also the month for one of the best meteor showers: The Perseid shower can be a spectacular event for much of the month. We will also take a closer look at the constellation of Perseus, where the shower will seem to emanate from. Saturn and Jupiter are a stunning sight as they continue to cross the night sky and Mars is brightening each night this month. This is still a great time to view a beautiful stretch of the summer Milky Way as you look towards the south.

It passes through the centre of Cygnus all the way down to the southern horizon. A new feature this month is my Astro Sketching tutorial, have a look and do give it a go.

A bit of daytime astronomy will perhaps appeal to some folks who are early bedders this month and especially since we must wait so long for just a short few dark hours at night. As most of these phenomena will appear a little before the hours of the setting sun please do take particular care and never look directly at the extremely damaging light of the sun.

Of course we are so familiar with the rainbow, but it is possible to find a few other atmospheric effects such as Sun Dogs, arcs of colour above the sun or distorted sunsets. Sun Dogs are a fairly common occurrence which can be viewed in pairs, one each side of the Sun, at roughly 22 degrees. They are also known as Parhelia. They occur because of sun light defracting through ice crystals high in the atmosphere. Upside-down rainbows appear when the Sun is quite low in the sky and often at the same time as Sun dogs. The other name for the upside-down rainbow is a Circumzenithal arc. They curve down towards the sun and are red on the outer edge. They are also formed by ice crystals. I have once seen a Glory when hillwalking in Scotland - stunning patterns of concentric coloured rings and can be seen opposite the sun. During a foggy sunrise or sunset you may be able to spot a Glory standing with the sun behind you.

The Sun will often appear distorted as it sets because of light passing through the Earth's atmosphere. It can seem to be flattened, oval in shape or even as a series of cigar shapes.

42 etcetera

A stunning Meteor Shower One of the best meteor showers of the year will occur during much of this month. The 'Perseids' (so called as they will seem to emanate from the close by constellation of Perseus) are fast and can leave persistent trains (persistent afterglows). When at their peak on 11th -12th of the month it may be possible to see up to 90 meteors per hour. A few bright fireballs may also be spotted. To view in a comfortable position it is a good idea to lie back on the ground or on a sun lounger with a clear view of the sky and allow your eyes to become adjusted to the dark for about twenty minutes. Perseus can be found in the north east below and just to the right of the pole star. Catch the shower, after dark, right through to the 23rd of this month.

Constellation of the Month: Perseus Perseus, or 'The Hero' with his sword held high is found close to his wife, Andromeda. In Greek legend he rescued her from the sea-monster Cetus who was then turned to stone. Andromeda's mother, Queen Cassiopeia is also found nearby. The lead star in Perseus is Mirphak, which is a yellow - white star and is an amazing 62 times the diameter of our Sun. Perseus sits over the Milky Way so is a fascinating area of the sky to explore with the naked eye or with binoculars if you have them. It contains many nebulae and clusters, including M34 which could just be visible to the unaided eye if you are in an area with fairly dark skies.

The Moon and Planets This Month On the 1st and 2nd of the month, around midnight, a bright almost Full Moon will pass close to the planets Saturn and Jupiter. Look towards the south. If you are up and about at one or two in the mornings of 9th and 10th the Moon will be seen close to the planet Mars. A lovely crescent Moon can be seen between the bright and beautiful Pleiades cluster and the star Aldebaran at 3 am on 13th, looking east. Venus is a bright early morning object at this time of the year and you can spot it in the east close to Castor and Pollux before sunrise. At the end of the month, around midnight on the 28th and 29th, the Moon can be seen towards the south, seemingly passing below Saturn and Jupiter.

77% Waxing Gibbous Moon. The Bay of Rainbows can be seen towards the top left just as the Moon disappears into the shadows.

Celestron 9.25 Telescope Canon 6D Mark ii 20 images stacked ISO100 1/125 second 30th June 2020 23h35 Bortle 4 sky

astronomy

zing Happy Starga etcetera 43

astronomy

Sketching tutorial: 'The Bay of Rainbows' I have, since coming to France, been able to link two of the activities which I am most passionate about; art and astronomy. I have been mainly working on sketches of the Moon for a few years now, sometimes directly from my telescope eyepiece and sometimes from images of my own (see above top right and page 43) or from images of others.

Sketching from a laptop image is a great way to start as you can easily organise the bits and pieces that you need under normal lighting conditions. I have provided an image of one very prominent area of the Moon for this tutorial (top right). It is an area known as 'The Bay of Rainbows' or Sinus Iridum and can be found on the upper left of the Moon.

To get started you will need; A4 black paper, white and black pencil or charcoal pencil, a cotton bud, a small plate which fits onto the A4 paper.

1.

Firstly, draw a white circle on your A4 paper using the small plate and mark a point of north and south (or 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock)

2.

Next, for this project, I use the white charcoal or pencil to mark - as if on the face of a clock - the points where I can identify the main changes in dark or light areas of the area to be sketched

3.

Then using the white charcoal on its side and with a gentle rubbing motion add a lighter tone to the right hand side of the Moon surface

4.

Now use the cotton bud on its side to gently rub and soften the whiter areas you have added

5.

Take some time to identify small circular craters, lines of mountain ranges and other lighter details and

begin to position them around the lighter area of your sketch. Some craters are more round, some more elliptical and they vary in size....

6.

Now use the black and white charcoals to add a little more shadow and highlight to craters and features (I find it really useful to take a quick picture on my phone and look at what I have as I work as it helps me 'see' what I have sketched more easily!).

7.

Continue adding details and adjusting the whitest whites and the darkest blacks referring frequently to the image

I would love to see any sketches you do so please do join my group on Facebook and share them: Astronomy Sketching and Art/Astro Dessin

Les Nuits des Étoiles - In locations all over France Second weekend in August (dates vary depending on event see ‘carte’ link below)

www.kmille-astrophoto.com/nde2020 would love to see your sketches if you www.afastronomie.fr/les-nuits-des-etoiles (click on: La carte des manifestations wanted todes postNuits them ondes my Etoiles Facebook

I

It has just been confirmed that the Nationwide astronomy event 'Les Nuits des Étoiles will be going ahead. I first took part in this public astronomy event last year in Villejoubert and I am so pleased to be able to attend once again this year.

Many telescopes will be available over the course of the weekend which are, with guidance from us amateur

44 etcetera

Sketching group: 'Astronomy Sketching astronomers, set up ready view the night sky. You will be and to Art/ able to share in guidedAstro star gazing, Dessin'.enjoy astronomy talks and view some stunning astrophotography displays. Social distancing and safety precautions will be taken and you must reserve your place this year. Bookings (free) and full details of the event plus safety measures are online (see above).

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getting connected

H

ello and welcome to yet another 400 words of what can vaguely be described as satellite TV related nonsense.

August already eh? The month of my birthday. However, that’s not important at all. Please forget that I even mentioned it.

No really, no presents. It’ll be time to start thinking about Christmas soon. As I type this, there are only 164 days to go. Or, to put it another way, about as long as it’ll take you to return your Freeview box because you should have purchased a Freesat version. They are not the same and they are not interchangeable.

I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s worth doing so again I reckon. Please be aware that if you buy a new TV, your other equipment (satellite box, DVD player etc) may no longer be able to connect to it.

Many new TVs do not include a scart socket as this is pretty old tech. They are expecting you to connect your devices via HDMI (which allows for high definition) and unfortunately, are not bothered that you might be using a 15 year old sky digibox or

a VCR that has the entire back catalogue of Inspector Morse.

You can get a scart to HDMI adapter.

However, I’ve not yet found a decent one. It might be that you need to upgrade your satellite box to an HD version to ensure it has an HDMI port. This will allow it to connect to your new TV. The same goes for DVD players etc. As for the VCRs, I’m afraid you’ll have no chance. If you really need to keep anything sentimental that you’ve recorded, maybe consider getting it transferred to DVD? Help me help you. If you would like me to set up all your TV type equipment, then please ensure you have everything that comes with it. The power cables and the remote controls are most definitely essential…

SATELLITE TV

STUART WALLACE THE FRENCH HOUSE channels however. It's worth a go, you won't break it.

Unfortunately, the latest Freesat+ receivers are still quite hard to get hold of. At present, it's really only Currys/PC World that stock them. Good boxes though.

If you have only a terrestrial TV aerial on your property, you will not be able to use it to receive UK TV. If you plug the cable from the aerial into the aerial 'in' socket of your TV, you might find it's OK for French

Siret 480 287 390 00029

tfhsatellite@gmail.com www.the-french-house.net

@TFHSatTV French House Satellite TV

email: robert13560@gmail.com

Robert Foulkes

T: 05 49 45 74 81 / 06 74 79 49 57 INSTALLATION, REPAIRS & SALES

Satellite Solutions Need a satellite television system installing quickly and efficiently? Having trouble setting up a new smart TV or Hifi system? Got the ability but not the time, or simply having a technophobe moment? We can help. ● Satellite system installation, UK & French ● Television and hifi installation ● Equipment sales for self installation ● Prompt professional service

Siret: 817 844 038 00015

English Free to Air / Freesat Satellite Broadband Installed English Subscription TV French TV DIY Kits Expert Service

SATELLITE BROADBAND INSTALLATION

Based North of Dept 87 Covering 87, 16, 86, 23, 36, 79, 24

Stuart Wallace

T: 05 55 68 15 77 / 07 69 66 98 55 etcetera 47

getting connected

Fully Qualified – Fully Insured Trusted – Prompt – Professional All electrical works (Renovations, rewires, additions)

Siret: 75333878900021

www.paulwilkinselectricien.com

Email: paul@paulwilkinselectricien.com Siret 835 197 062 00028

Home Satellite Services. (H.S.S.)

CHARLES HODENCQ Electricité Générale

For all your electrical needs - safety checks, re-wires, new builds, upgrades and complete renovations

07800 325 64

05 55 68 62 26 / 06 24 27 01 86 charleselec@gmail.com Siret No: 503121279 00015

87190 Magnac Laval T: 05 55 68 08 13 M: 06 25 20 99 13

david.read@wanadoo.fr Siret 490820859RM87

Siret 452 755 390 000 13 - RM 8601

Domestic, Public & Industrial Work Computer technician French Speaking Offers good free advice

Email:

All electrical installations inc: � Domestic - renovation & new build � Commercial � Smart installations (thermostats, cameras etc.) � Air conditioning � Data & communications

Contact Paul Ellis: Tel: 09 62 68 09 06 Regions: Mob: 06 70 97 59 56 16, 36, 79, Email: paul.gill@wanadoo.fr 86 & 87

� Wi-Fi solutions

Siret: 451 371 579 00017

T:05 55 78 66 35 Depts. 16, 19, 24, 86 & 87 M: 06 17 32 02 12 E: clive@masters-electricite.com W: www.masters-electricite.com

48 etcetera

I offer free &

I offer free & friendly advice friendly advice pleasedon’t don’t sosoplease hesitatetoto hesitate contact me. contact me

Simple jobs Complete renovations New builds Conformity checks Emergency Call outs Fully insured 10yr guarantee Hedley Marsh 86150 Moussac sur Vienne Tel: 05 49 48 35 49 Mobile: 06 45 74 25 36 Email: hedleymarsh@orange.fr

Siret: 51190455900024

Wood Burning Stoves and much more

@homesatservices

homesatservices032@gmail.com

Clive Masters

Air Source Heat Pumps / Ground Source Heat Pumps / Solar Water Heating / Photovoltaic Electricity / Air-conditioning / Electrical /

Siret 84173376900019

Satellite dishes, Sky/TV boxes/HD recorders supplied & fitted.

Dish realignment & upgrades, job satisfaction guaranteed.

A reliable service at sensible rates serving departments: 86, 36, 16 & 87. We can serve certain areas in other dept/s.

Contact Steve for a free no obligation quotation on:

French Electrician - fluent English Speaker Based in Bellac - covering 87 & parts of 86,16 & 23

getting connected ANDREW LONGMAN

PETER AMOR siret: 48002659000012

ELECTRICIAN

��Fully qualified registered electrician (bilingual) ��All work fully insured with 10-year guarantee ��Domestic & commercial installation / repairs ��Communications wiring & automation ��Safety and conformity checks 86430 Adriers / jbelectric86@orange.fr 06 78 12 02 91 SIRET 537398125 00014

Siret 509 768 693 00012

Jérôme BETUS PLUMBING REPAIRS ALTERATIONS INSTALLATIONS OVER 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE FULLY INSURED BASED IN DEPT 79 - WILL TRAVEL

T: 05 49 29 12 64 / M: 06 79 37 02 08 E: ak.longman@hotmail.co.uk

Advertise Your Business

VIENNE HEATING SERVICES

For as little as 35€ ttc

Fully Insured French Registered

www.etceteraonline.org

Tel. 05 49 48 16 10 / 06 41 34 49 34 Email: stevepowelljones@orange.fr

3 Rue des Terrasses 87310 St. Auvent

Siret. 80438547400015

Siret: 82450859200014

siret 440 419 018 00013

GARY MOORE

OIL

HEATING

GAS SOLID FUEL INSTALLATION SERVICING REPAIRS

Siret: 491827705 00022

PARTENAIRE

email: gary.moore@orange.fr 05 45 29 68 73 / 06 30 11 86 84

Tel: 05 49 91 85 54

Bathrooms & En Suites / Plasterboard and Plastering / Water Mains & Drainage / Heating Installation Oil, Wood Stoves & Pellet Burners / Servicing & Repairs

T: 05 45 89 38 02 E: simon.kershaw@wanadoo.fr

Kev Pope, the Computer Man

PC repairs, upgrades, internet, home service

T: 05 49 62 87 10 e-mail: kpcservice@wanadoo.fr 86460 Availles-Limouzine Siret no: 453 868 275 00034

Homecall PC PC repair on house calls PC building on demand We sell hardware & peripherals ESET SECURITY BROADBAND INSTALLATION SOFTWARE RETAILER ASSISTANCE ON SITE Year round maintenance • Contracts on request

Tel: 05 55 78 24 86 Email: contact@homecallpc.com www.homecallpc.com 87150 Champagnac La Riviere

OPEN MON TO SAT 9AM / 8PM SIRET: 482 107 943 00011 - TVA INT: 0648210794300011

etcetera 49

artisans PAINTER & DECORATOR Interior and Exterior

Paperhanging and wall tiling

FREE ESTIMATES

Chris Ringguth

Siret 5285994590013

Les Effes, 86150 QUEAUX

05 45 91 26 61 / 06 56 79 25 58 Siret:530 444 496 00018

Over 35 years in the trade Covers depts 86,16,87

Email leseffes@hotmail.co.uk T: 06 04 43 18 10 / 06 04 44 32 12

Interior & exterior tiling Travertine, marble, cement Ceramic, porcelain, mosaics Paul Hill 05 45 24 01 45 hilltoptiling@hotmail.co.uk hilltoptiling

FROM YOUR PLANS, DESIGNS OR IDEAS. FROM SUPPLY & ERECTION TO FULL TURN KEY SERVICE

All other aspects of building, joinery, dampproofing & timber treatment still available

C&C Carpentry & Joinery

ADRIAN AMOS

CABINET MAKING ~ KITCHENS

SPECIALIST CARPENTER/JOINER BESPOKE JOINERY & RENOVATIONS

Siret: 511294373 00010

siret no 523 998 557 00020

HILL TOP TILING

WE NOW CONSTRUCT

TIMBER FRAME HOUSES

DOORS-SHUTTERS-STAIRS-FLOORINGKITCHENS FULLY EQUIPPED WORKSHOP & 40 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE LOTS OF SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR REQUIREMENTS

Free estimates, friendly and reliable service Tel: 06 17 89 06 39 30 years’ exp paul_pickup@hotmail.com Fully

www.limousincarpenter.com

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

05 45 31 14 58 / 06 63 20 24 93 adrian.luke.amos@gmail.com

Qualified

SIRET : 508 248 747 000 18

Tom Turnbull Siret 489 815 258 00012

ODD JOB TOM 1 HOUR RADIUS 86400 CHAMPNIERS Siret 8423761 3900015

Pool Maintenance - Tree Felling & Stump Grinding Grass Cutting & Odd Jobs - Garden Machinery Repairs Antique Clocks Maintenance - Car Mechanics

Depts 79, 16 & 86

Javarzay 79110 Chef-Boutonne

Building - Renovation - Carpentry Fully qualified stone mason with 25 years’ experience

House Renovations • Barn Conversions Roofing • Masonry • General Building Competitive rates, high quality & reliable workmanship guaranteed

T. 05 17 30 18 35 / 06 33 85 65 66 Email: ktaylor.renovations@gmail.com www.ktrenovations.com Siret: 478 608 105 00029

Dominic Smith

Based in Benest (16)

Painter / Decorator Siret: 807 715 529 00010

Painting, wallpapering, tape/jointing and tiling

Tel: 05 45 30 04 97 Email : smith.dominic@orange.fr www.facebook.com/d.smithdecoratingservices

50 etcetera

Roofing, Carpentry, Stonework, Renovations & Restorations 30 yrs’ experience

Depts 16, 24, 87 Tel: 05 45 21 63 96 Email: wesley.halton@orange.fr www.facebook.com/wezconstructions

T. 05 49 87 84 52 / 06 85 98 24 76 Email: tturnbull80@yahoo.com

H TAYLOR KEITARTISAN

Sun Terraces (traditional joinery),

R & G Builders

30 years’ experience – UK & France English & French spoken Free advice and estimates / works & PL Insured

Siret No 4825499610019

● Renovations & new builds ● Tiling ● Plant hire

05 55 03 23 39

/ 06 67 98 38 89

● Roof repairs & replacement ● Plastering ● Lime pointing russellhainesbuilder@gmail.com

artisans

Steve’s property maintenance

Petits travaux du Batiment

Stuart F Park Painter Decorator

ALL TYPES OF ROOFING, RENOVATIONS, CONVERSIONS, PLASTERING, STUD WALLS, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

Siret: 489 199 661 00013

Painting, Tiling, Wallpaper hanging all types of decorating undertaken Confolens 16 and area 25 years experience.

FULLY INSURED

T. 05 55 50 52 02 E: lowe.steven@orange.fr

Contact 05.45.85.78.30 / 06.04.49.04.10 stuart.park@hotmail.fr

Siret 84223310800013

AC Kitchens & Bathrooms

Imajica Joinery

Charente / Haute-Vienne / Vienne Specialist Fitter, over 15 years’ experience PLUMBING - CUSTOM WORKTOP FITTING - CARPENTRY TILING - WOOD & LAMINATE FLOORING - DESIGN SERVICE

Free quotes

Superior finish in wood Tiling - Plasterboarding - Flooring Door & window fitting - Kitchen fitting

www.ackitchens.fr

One Builder

Tout Batiment

www.timhartley.fr Lathus - Le Dorat - Bellac - La Souterraine Dompierre-les-Églises - Saint-Léger-Magnazeix - Magnac-Laval

Registered in France 2001 05 55 60 86 62 / 06 71 78 94 34

Siret 434972303RM87 tim_hartley@hotmail.com

AABA ROOFING FRANCE Ecuras 16220

Assurance Décennale

05 49 87 09 63 Siret: 48115588500017

CORE CUT 87 Precision diamond drilling and sawing Stone and reinforced concrete Small and large diameter holes Any wall thickness If you need a hole, we can drill it

Call 07.78.40.93.83 Email corecut87@outlook.com

Siret 82985718400016

Email: antschapman1971@gmail.com 05 17 36 17 74 or 05 55 48 27 17 / Mobile: 06 40 08 08 81 Siret 834026437 00022

Quality Roofing & Building for you New roofs Slate and tiling Fiberglass flat roofing Repairs Gutters and facias upvc or zinc All leadwork Timberwork References available

aabaroofingfrance@gmail.com / www.aabaroofingfrance.com

05 45 63 52 88 / 07 80 08 85 76 etcetera 51

artisans

Superior Services - Good Workmanship - Honesty

ROOFING SPECIALISTS

RUST REMOVAL - OAK BEAM BLASTING BRICK CLEANING - METAL - CONCRETE & STONE - TIMBER - CHIMNEY RESTORATION

Insurance guarantee on all work. 15 years’ experience

3500 PSI HIGH PRESSURE CLEANER

CONTACT: PAUL CHARLESWORTH

05 55 63 58 85 / 06 42 23 38 57 mandmblastinglimousin@gmail.com www.mandmblasting.com

T: 06 28 28 04 63 E: pmcbatiment@yahoo.fr

Based Saint-Junien. Covering Depts 87-16-24 Siret : 531 655 231 00 11

Siret 82184631800011

J. W. Services Siret 832922447RM086

EXTERIOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

- General Building Work Ruffec, Sauzé-Vassais, Civray & surrounding areas

Landscaping / Driveways Pointing / Roof Repairs Stonework No Job Too Small

05 17 34 10 94 / 07 83 87 54 49

Monique PEYNAUD

French Architectural Designer Fully registered and insured Trading in France since 2007

Permis de construire Déclaration préalable

Call Mark for a free quotation: T: 05 55 44 71 44 / M: 06 78 60 96 16 mumford.toiture@gmail.com

monique@dessinarchi.fr www.dessinarchi.fr

06 30 91 81 84

Siret no. 493 159 412 00037

ARCHITECT John Hartie B.Arch. A.R.I.A.S, R.I.B.A ORDRE des ARCHITECTES no. 073326 Based in La Rochefoucauld for over 12 years 14 Rue des Bans 16110 La Rochefoucauld T: 05 45 91 73 90 / 06 81 90 18 87 Email: john.hartie@orange.fr Eco-Buildings - New Build Renovations - Barn Conversions

Siret. 500 835 189 000 16

M&M Sandblasting ~ Services ~

Roofing / Renovations Roofing / Renovations ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING / RENDERING & POINTING - Zinc / PVC guttering - Anti-moss - Insulation & Plaster boarding - Interior / exterior renovations

The Maintenance Man @ Chaillac

For a free quotation please contact: Howard (fully bilingual, living in France since 1990, 10 yr décennale Insurance)

Tel: 05.55.60.23.70 / 06.85.43.13.58 Email: rcc87@live.fr Depts: 87,86,16 & 23 Siret: 799 894 860 000 11

BUILDING / MULTI SERVICE All aspects of building work undertaken: 3 Renovations 3 Barn Conversions 3 Plasterboarding / Plastering 3 Brick/Blockwork/Stonework/Repointing

Troy Davey 05 55 60 47 78 06 10 49 49 57 troy.davey@orange.fr siret: 49895173000015

Glyn Chubb

Carpenter/Joiner Staircases, windows, Doors, Gates, Barn Doors, Kitchens Roofing, plasterboarding, tiling Restoration and general building 25 years experience email: glynn.chubb79@orange.fr Tel: 05 49 27 67 29 Siret No. 494 068 315 00014

52 etcetera

Andrew Hadfield Based 87330 References Available

05 55 60 72 98 07 81 53 71 91 dandahadfield@aol.com siret: 53229047500013

Siret: 828 984 815 0013

Based in 87 - will travel

HUARD FONTAINE

Carpentry - Kitchen/Bathroom Fitting - Tiling & Plastering

Highly experienced in most aspects of building repairs & renovations Self-employed since 1989 TEN YEAR INSURANCE L'assurance de responsabilité civile décennale References available

Mobile: 06 49 86 09 26 E-mail: huardfontaine@yahoo.com

artisans

TRADITIONAL REPOINTING - HIGH PRESSURE REPOINTING - COLOURED SPRAY RENDERS EXTERIOR PAINTING AND FULL MOBILE SANDBLASTING SERVICE Find us on Facebook: Propoint facades Email: paulchester@club.fr T. 07 81 297 420/ 09 67 351337

siret 50428351600012

Simon Hayman Tel: 06 28 93 56 28 E: simon.hayman@sfr.fr

Le Beau Bois Carpentry, Rancon 87290

SKIRTING, ARCHITRAVE, PLANED AND MOULDED OAK MADE TO ORDER. FLOORING. KITCHEN FITTING. WINDOWS AND DOORS. STAIRCASES.

For more info visit: le-beau-bois.business.site www.etceteraonline.org etcetera 53

artisans M C SCAFFOLDING Siret: 80025145600011

Full English Scaffolding Service Safe, secure, adaptable. Meets all safety regs.

Covered by full public liability insurance.

Delivered, erected, and dismantled Over 20 years’ experience. Free Quotes.

Depts 16, 87, part 24, 17, 79 & 86 Day: 07 85 44 26 66 / Eve: 05 45 66 49 87 martin.clare6@gmail.com

www.etceteraonline.org

LION ROUGE UPVC WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES SPECIALISTS All sizes, shapes & colours offered Supplied & fitted to the highest standard using premium products

10 YEAR WARRANTY on all products installed

~ COVERING SOUTH WEST FRANCE ~

www.lionrouge.eu

54 etcetera

Tel: 05 46 70 25 87

info@lionrouge.eu

artisans Siret 800 969 438 00020

JM Roofing

All Insurance work welcome

Carpentry ~ Roofing ■ Clay Tile Roofs ■ All Timberwork

Full 10 Year Décennal Insurance

■ Metal Sheet Hangars ■ All Zinc Work

T. 07 70 37 15 98 Email: jmtoitures@yahoo.com JMToitures

French & English Speaking

Depts covered 16, 17, 24, 79, 86, 87

Siret: 842 248 692 00019

SARL

the roof, the whole roof and nothing but the roof

www.artisancentral.fr/JMToitures

Experts in working with slate, clay & zinc

Over 40 years’ experience

Malcolm’s experience has been sought after in America and Germany, where his skills have been called upon in the construction of stately and unusual homes.

Experience in re-slating English Heritage buildings and churches.

For a free estimation please call or email:

Strictly Roofing Malcolm Cooke

06 35 11 27 31

admin@strictlyroofing.fr

www.strictlyroofing.fr

etcetera 55

Kitchens & Bathrooms Dry Lining - walls and ceilings Tiling - walls and floors Painting and decorating Wood and Laminate flooring

Siret: 49411778100018

artisans

Fully insured with 10 year guarantee Based in Dept 16 but will travel

Tel. 05 45 31 60 68 / 06 72 90 24 90 Email: aghearmon@gmail.com

Siret 804 330 89200014

ARTISAN TILING

◈ All

aspects of tiling considered ◈ Interior & exterior ◈ Porcelain, ceramic & natural stone ◈ 15 years’ experience

Based in dept 87 Mark Perry T: 0749 162 852 Mob 07 50 89 31 79 artisantiling87@gmail.com GLEN VINEY

Plasterer

With over 20 years’ experience (8 in France)

Plasterboarding; stud work; rail; skimming boards existing walls; rendering; floor screeding; tiling floors and walls T: 06 45 18 86 10 Email: anitaviney1@btinternet.com Decennale insured

56 etcetera

Siret 527 736 326 00010

artisans SARL

Tim Shepherd

TER MAC et COUV

garden care ✓ painting ✓ fencing cleaning ✓ caretaking ✓ maintenance key-holding ✓ admin help ✓ changeovers

Tel : 05.49.87.02.96 shepherd.timothy@orange.fr

Machines & driver 0.75 tons to 13 tons French spoken, 10+ years working in depts. 16, 86, 87

Siret : 484 738 166 00012

Toutes eaux, Micro stations, Compact systems, Special flood zone

Email: bentham.nigel@gmail.com Tel: 06 48 17 20 94

Siret 752 049 932 00011

EXCAVATION SERVICES

From as little as 35€ ttc

Siret 82184631800011

Advertise Your Business

3 ton Digger Dumper/Tipper & Driver Demolition Cherry Picker Hire Hydraulic Concrete Breaking For more information and a quote

please contact Matthew or Mandie Farraway 05 55 63 58 85 / 06 42 23 38 57

www.etceteraonline.org

Minidigger, Driver & Tipper Truck Free estimates Gravel driveways, rubbish/ tree stump removals, trenches etc www.davesdiggers.com Email davesdiggers@aol.com Dave Good 0549 073358/ 0675 180913 Based near Couhé 86/79/16 siret 5250162590018

South West France Fosse We are the only dedicated installer Trained-Approved-Recommended

by SPANC

Can you trust your installation to anyone else!

With over 30 years’ experience

See all our work on

Siret 8234 2070 800013

southwestfrancefosse

etcetera 57

motors & removals Walton Coachworks

MOTOR PARTS

87600 Vayres Nick Walton

CHARENTE

MECHANICAL WORK ON ALL MAKES & MODELS IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE • Welding • Servicing • Diagnosis • Stereo & CD installation • LHD lights & tow-bars fitted • Wheel alignment • Replacement tyres & balancing • Interior & exterior valeting

Suppliers of Car & Van Spares & LHD headlights anywhere in France Direct to France at big savings! also Mower Batteries and drive belts!

• Pre-Controle Technique check • Top quality tyres (within 48 hrs) • Parts available same day or in 24hrs - less common cars 3-day delivery walton-coachworks@hotmail.com Tel: 07 87 65 53 11 / 05 55 78 67 02

Delivery via UPS to your door in France

NEW

JOHN SOWERSBY 0044 (0)7830 170761 motorptscharente@aol.com

Over 38 years’ experience on all makes of vehicle CARS MOTORCYCLES LIGHT TRUCKS

CHABANAIS WORKSHOP Free courtesy cars - Valeting - Car storage with free airport drop offs - Cambelts - Diagnostics - Welding Electrics - Tow bars - Tyre-fitting/Punctures - A/C CT Prep - Garden Tools & Chainsaws Sharpened

Based near Chef-Boutonne (79) GPS coordinates: N 46°07'18" W0 °01'03"

Email rmbservicesfrance@gmail.com Tel. 06 01 59 60 75 Siret: 815 114 7720 0016

•

Fully equipped workshop with state of the art diagnostic equipment

•

Service & repair of cars & light commercials including preparation for Contrôle Technique

• We also supply & fit left-hand drive headlights • Free car loan available

Cornwall based business for collection & transportation, for cars, vans & vehicles

www.eurocovery.co.uk Mob (0044) (0) 7971 864 023 (0044) (0) 1726 337612 eurocoveryinternational@gmail.com

Digital Version of etcetera EVERY MONTH WWW.ETCETERAONLINE.ORG

58 etcetera

Siret 8120 15386 00012

Typically 40% cheaper than French prices

Tyre fitting, inc balancing : 12€ Tracking/Alignment : 35€ Car/Van servicing : 75€ + parts E: dixontyres@gmail.com T: 0545 306707

siret 53821341400013

Depts 16, 86, 87 & 24 (Car & van servicing, Towbars & LHD lights) Any make of Car or Van Fully mobile service at your address

motors & removals Scott Marshall www.frenchvanman.eu

Man and Van Services

Siret: 53021364400012

09 82 12 69 73 / 06 06 40 81 07 Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local • Europe • UK - Full or part loads House/Barn clearances / Antiques Finding & Sales 15m3 capacity | 4m load length English & French spoken 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

Est. since 2004

Siret: 48122412900033

F RENCH V AN M AN

Full and Part Loads To and From the UK Relocations in France UK Depot for Deliveries Storage Options Available

Deliveries and Collections FRANCE-UK-EUROPE (Inc. the islands)

20m3 Luton Vans with Tail Lifts

Transport & Small Removals Throughout Europe Full and Part Loads. Friendly Personal Service

Tel: 05 49 07 24 85

For Quote/Devis: Tel: 0033(0) 549971556 Mob: 0033(0)685805057 / UK Mob: 0044(0)7754732640 Email: heretothere86@gmail.com

ROCKET VAN

PATRICK NICHOLLS

Charente based

Siret en cours

Dedicated loads France - UK - France.

Deliveries & Collections ~ 14m3 capacity / 4.2 m length Email: pat.nicholls@hotmail.com UK mob 0044 (0)7711 235 668 FR mob 0033 (0)617 038 858 siret: 48252490700011

Van Rouge TRANSITION REMOVALS Family run business based in France which prides itself on a personal professional service.

7 tonne truck to and from the UK and Europe, we also have a box trailer for larger loads.

Our highly experienced staff provide a door to door service with packing and dry secure storage We are a professional furniture removal company NOT a man and a van.

Please call Phil and Jean Evans....

Phone (+33) 05 55 34 19 46 Mobile (+33) 06 80 75 87 14 Email p.evans@orange.fr Visit www.transitionremovals.net

● ● ● ●

Regular UK trips Part loads and single items Efficient and reliable service 18m3 van with a 4.5m load length

Call/email Ray (+33) 05.87.14.09.84 (+33) 07.61.21.85.15 (+44) 07900-105752

France UK Spain

Email: vanrouge@mail.com Website: themanwithavan.info Est’d 2007

UK & OVERSEAS REMOVALS & STORAGE WEEKLY SERVICES UK - FRANCE - UK

A Family Run Storage Firm in the Heart of the Limousin

Brexit-busting Super Low Prices!

Secure, dry, insulated storage NEW! 14.5m HIGH CHERRY PICKER

Now storing cars, caravans and camping cars Call Karen for a quote on 09

66 03 52 89

Advertise Your Business ● ● ● ● ● ●

Weekly United Kingdom � France � Spain United Kingdom - Kent & Home Counties Storage La Souterraine / Canterbury / Lincolnshire Very competitive rates Fully Insured Call Matt on: 0044 (0)7506 457225 Email: ma.europeanremovals@gmail.com 20+ years’ experience

From just 35€ ttc per month New edition each month 05 16 32 13 42 editors.etcetera@gmail.com

etcetera 59

OVER 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

Safe Hands

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

FIXED PRICE MAINTENANCE

From

50€ pw *

No surprise ‘end of season’ bills

Have you or your guests arrived at your house to find…

▪ An overflowing post box ▪ Weed infested drive and path

We offer fixed price maintenance packages from 50€* per week * Terms and conditions apply

Put Your in Safe

House

Hands

▪ The grass hasn’t been cut ▪ Your swimming pool is green

PACKAGE INCLUDES

Weekly Well-being Check Cut the grass & hedges Clean and treat your swimming pool

Call Lisa

06 33 14 81 08

E

IVE S LU XC

Selection Habitat Character Properties in France DPE: Vierge

Please contact us if you have a character property to sell, we have a devoted team located throughout the area.

E

E SIV U L XC

St. Mathieu, Haute-Vienne, €169,500* Easy walking to the shops, near lake, 3 double bedrooms, 1/2 acre garden, newly-decorated, double-glazing, mains drains, calm.

E

E SIV U L XC

DPE: Vierge

DPE: Vierge

L’Isle Jourdain, Vienne, €89,900*

Availles-Limouzine, Vienne, €20,000* A village house with two large bedrooms, sunny courtyard, two outbuildings, shared private parking area, mains drains, to renovate.

Beautifully renovated, exposed stone, good electrics, parking, garden, two bedrooms / two bathrooms, double-glazing, mains drains.

EX

IVE S U CL

EX

IVE S U CL

DPE: Vierge

Nanteuil-en-Vallée, Charente, €

,500*

3-bedroom character home to a high standard, good roof, electrics, mains drains, walk to cafés and bakery.

DPE: Vierge

L’Isle Jourdain, Vienne, €

,000*

Newly-renovated 3-bedroom house with attached garden, mains drains, 2-minutes to shops and cafés.

*agency fees charged to the seller

See more online: www.selectionhabitat.com

Tel: 05 65 70 10 49 Email: info@selectionhabitat.com

property

French Legal and Property Services

Étude de Me Christian COURIVAUD Notaire de Saint Junien

T: 05 55 02 10 10 E: evnego@orange.fr Charente Limousine (16).

Renovated millhouse 132m2, 3-bed, convertible loft space. Millwheel and workings renovated to new.

New roof. Central heating 255,000€

Siret 812 798 668 00024

▪ ▪

Please contact us if you are looking for a property to buy or you have a property to sell in the west Haute-Vienne, or nearby.

▪

- Samantha van Dalen Tel. UK: (0044) (0) 7910 199 072 Tel. France: (0033) (0) 645 3004 66 www.frenchlegalandpropertyservices.com

Private Property Sellers

www.bellefranceimmobilier.com Françoise 0683297593 / Rebekah 0616834510

PROPERTY SALES IN FRANCE

Homes for Sale in France

Private Property Sales with Expert Advice

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W

IN A NI W NG AR SE D RV IC E

Immobilière du Haut Limousin 41 avenue de la Gare, 87210 Le Dorat

Freephone from France: 08 05 69 23 23

05 55 68 31 37 / 06 43 84 34 17 /

Selling your French home?

Magnac Laval (87) Prix HAI 74,900€

WE OFFER:

Pretty ‘Longère’ of 2 houses, very well renovated with large living room & 3-beds.

2nd house to renovate.

Barns, land of 3,200m

w w w.

Ref 883

● ● ● ●

www.beauxvillages.com

Our local team would be delighted to meet you as soon as possible

Valuations based on current, local market conditions A dedicated contact to guide you through the whole process Award-winning worldwide marketing through our own website and market leading portals Access to thousands of buyers already registered with us

enquiries@beauxvillages.com or drop in at 19 avenue de la République, 86500 Montmorillon

immoboulevard.com

Cathe Bower 0033 (0) 6 09 60 60 82 (Mob) / Anita de Bresser 0033 (0) 6 32 12 56 45 (Mob) (Inc. 5,000€ min agency fee paid by buyer)

(Inc 5.61% agency fee paid by buyer)

(Inc. 6.92% agency fee paid by buyer)

2 bedroom, house in Bellac

Excellent 4 bedroom town house

House with barn and land

(inc 3.75% agency fee paid by buyer)

(inc 6.72% agency fee paid by buyer)

Beautiful house and gîte with lake

Farmhouse with outbuildings near Liglet

(Inc. 6.52% agency fee paid by buyer)

3 bedroom country retreat

D CE U D RE

Email: bower@immoboulevard.com 62 etcetera

or visit www.immoboulevard.com

listing

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listing

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opinion

Time and Place

Brian White lives in south Indre with his wife, too many moles and not enough guitars

M

allorca 1975: Heir to the Spanish throne, Prince Juan Carlos, is spending the summer at one of his family’s homes on the island. The house is patrolled by armed guards.

One late August afternoon they spot a young couple in a small white car on the stony track approaching the house.

The car slows nears the entrance and begins a three-point-turn, seemingly with the intention of returning whence it came.

Before the driver can complete the manoeuvre the guards, in combat gear, surround the vehicle with weapons raised.

One of them hammers against the driver’s window, shouting aggressively in Spanish.

The car does an enormous kangaroo-hop and stalls. At the wheel is a long-haired British youngster wearing a Doobie Brothers T-shirt. He is petrified, his girlfriend is screaming and trying to climb into the glove compartment.

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and stop in front of a heavily chained fiveWith a machine gun pointing at his nose, bar gate. the young man inexplicably opens with “Bonjour!” before frantically explaining in The small house stands 50m back so I English they are holidaymakers exploring start to climb over the gate when a voice the island in a hire car and are lost. The crackles sharply, “That’s far enough!”. I suspicious guards check the vehicle over, realise the sound came from a small guns still aimed at its occupants. After a speaker fixed to the gatepost and look short discussion among themselves they towards the house. In the doorway stands order the pair to go away with gestures so a man with a rifle at his shoulder, aiming emphatic the car leaves with previously it at me. “I’m looking for (name of the unimagined acceleration. The couple house)”, I explain, taken aback. A long bicker about this pause, he’s weighing incident for the something up. Eventually, I have no clue what just remainder of their he replies quietly, “This happened, who on earth he is isn’t it”. holiday.

hiding from or which of us (I had booked the I climb back over the gate, was more afraid smallest, cheapest keeping my eyes on him. option, “Fiat 500 or Unable to turn my van similar”, but the rental desk produced a around I reverse along the track, crashing contract for a “Seat 50”. Having never through the overhanging trees. I have no heard in those days of the Spanish make of clue what just happened, who on earth he car, I read it in English, immediately is hiding from or which of us was more convinced that I had accidentally hired a afraid. coach. Alarmed at the prospect of driving Over the years, these two occasions when around Palma in a 40-foot bus, I refused somebody threatened to shoot me have to sign the form, (“Non!”). A small crowd settled comfortably into anecdote, stories gathered before a holiday rep appeared to tell friends over dinner. But I am and resolved matters, leaving me feeling acutely aware that for countless others like an idiot before I’d even started the these same scenarios, in their own worlds, engine). their own times and places, would have Anyway, fast forward around a decade ended very differently. It is their voices, later: the Snowdonia mountains in North their experiences and their pain that Wales. I am a telephone engineer trying to today, yet again, have to remind the world locate an isolated cottage. I drive slowly up that the presumption of innocence a steep, overgrown track, the van’s matters. The chance to explain matters. windscreen forcing aside large branches, That Black Lives Matter.

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