The Deux-Sèvres Monthly - July 2023

While you may initially have a query about one issue, whether tax, pensions or improving investment returns, making changes in one area of nancial planning generally has a knock-on, sometimes negative, e ect on another. Blevins Franks takes a holistic approach. We get to know you, your family situation and objectives, and our integrated advice covers tax and estate planning, savings and investments and pensions. We aim to consolidate many of your assets, keeping things simple for yourself and your family. And when the time comes, we’ll be ready to guide your heirs through their inheritance.

Welcome to the Julyissue of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly magazine. Thanks to everyone for your lovely messages of support and encouragement as we get the magazine off the ground once again.

Many thanks to all our contributors, new and old and also a massive thank you to all the advertisers who have chosen to to readvertise with us. Without you the magazine wouldn’t be possible so thanks for placing your faith in us, and the same goes for the new advertisers.

We wouldn't be publishing this magazine were it not for the fact that Tony and Lynne sadly had to stop producing it, and our heartfelt good wishes go to them both.

The focus of this magazine is on the beautiful Deux-Sèvres region and its inhabitants. Since we moved here three years ago we've discovered how lovely the people in the DeuxSèvres are and how fiercely proud they are of their beautiful department.

This July marks the 120th anniversary of the Tour de France, so we've included a potted history of the event and its visits to the Deux-Sèvres. We've also expanded the markets section and added a comprehensive What's On guide for local events.

This edition’s focus is on embracing new beginnings, whether that means trying something new, looking at things differently or starting a fresh chapter in life. And of course, you'll find some familiar favourites sprinkled throughout.

You might notice some changes in the layout, which we hope you enjoy. If you have any feedback or questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr.

Soak up the summer sun, and we look forward to seeing you again in August!

Kathleen & Chris

tel: 07 86 99 16 17

email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

Emergency Numbers

© K Butler-Donnelly 2023. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission. While care is taken to ensure that articles and features are accurate, we accept no liability for errors or omissions. The opinions expressed by individual authors do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the publisher. While we make every effort to ensure that businesses advertising with us are reputable and appropriately registered, you should verify that any company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere and has the correct SIRET number and insurance. Before embarking on a long journey to attend a published

event, it is highly recommended that you verify the event details with other sources. The Deux-Sèvres Monthly est édité par Kathleen Butler-Donnelly, 27 rue de la Madoire, Bressuire 79300 tel: 07 86 99 16 17. Directeur de la publication et rédacteur en chef: K Butler-Donnelly EI. Crédits photos :Adobe Stock, IStock, Pixabay sauf mention contraire.

Impression: Graficas Piquer SL, 29 Al Mediterraneo, Pol. Ind. San Rafael, 04230, Huércal de Almeria, Espagne. Siret: 90043034900028.ISSN: 2115-4848

800 Words Short Story Competition

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Here's an update for everyone who kindly took the time to participate in our December 2022, 800 Words Short Story Competition. We're delighted to announce that we have received more than 45 entries for the competition.

The entries all display an impressive range of talent and creativity from our participants. Our judges, Alison Morton and Jacquie Brown, are currently in the process of reading and assessing all the entries. The winner will be announced in the September issue of the DeuxSèvres Monthly, and their story will also be published in that edition.

So, make sure you mark your calendars and pick up a copy of the September issue to discover which imaginative tales have impressed our judges. Thank you to everyone who took part, and best of luck!

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THE

SPEAKING CHURCH OF THE VALLEY OF THE LOIRE “ESCOVAL”

We meet on the third Sunday of each month at the church in Arçay at 11h00. The services are multidenominational and vary between Matins and Holy Communion - both usually include hymns. Afterwards there is usually a bring-and-share lunch. Arçay is situated between Loudun and Thouars just off the D759.

Contact Geoff Cornwall : gdfrance6052@gmail.com

Jim Burrows : 05 49 22 41 78 Carole Taylor : mumsikins@hotmail.com

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, RELIGIOUS AND FEAST DAYS

Fête nationale "Bastille Day"

Friday 14 July 2023

Assomption Assumption Day

Tuesday 15 August 2023

Toussaint All Saints Day

Wednesday 1 November 2023

Armistice de 1918 Armistice Day

Saturday 11 November 2023

Noël Christmas Day 2023

Monday 25 December

Jour de l'An New Year's Day

Monday 1 January 2024

Pâques Easter Sunday

Sunday 31 March 2024

Lundi de Pâques Easter Monday

Monday 1 April 2024

Fête du Travail Labour Day

Wednesday 1 May 2024

Victoire de 1945 VE Day

Wednesday 8 May 2024

Ascension Ascension Day

Thursday 9 May 2024

Dimanche de Pentecôte Whit Sunday

Sunday 19 May 2024

Lundi de Pentecôte Whit Monday

Monday 20 May 2024

CHURCH NOTICES

The Filling Station - Poitou-Charentes. Local Christians of all denominations who meet for spiritual renewal and evangelism. Carolyn on 05 45 84 19 03 or www.thefillingstationfrance.com

All Saints, Vendée - Puy de Serre. We hold two services each month (plus Sunday school), on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St. Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11h. www.allsaintsvendee.fr

The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire (ESCOVAL) meets at the R.C. Church in Arçay every 3rd Sunday of the month at 11am (just off the D759, Thouars to Loudun).

Eglise Vie Nouvelle Bilingual (French / English) weekly service based in Civray. Contact 05 49 87 49 04

See www.vie-nouvelle-civray.com

The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-Charentes. Normally holds Sunday services in English. Please see our website for current information: www.churchinfrance.com

Christian Mission Fellowship An evangelical mission at the heart of Poitou-Charentes, Western France. Please visit our website for more details www.chef-boutonne.net.

Local Markets in the Deux-Sèvres

Monday am Cerizay 79140 place des Halles

Tuesday a.m. Bressuire 79300 place Dupin

Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 Centre Ville

La Creche 79260 rue du Marché

Lezay 79120 place du Marché

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Thouars 79100 place Lavault

Vasles 79340 la place du 25 Août

Wednesday a.m. Celles-sur-Belle79370 Centre Ville

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Parthenay 79200 rue Jean-Jaurès

Thursday a.m. Argenton-les-Vallées 79150 place Philippe de Commynes

La Motte St Héray 79800 place Clémenceau

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Sauzé-Vaussais 79190 Centre Ville

Friday a.m. Coulon 79510 place de l'Eglise

Melle 79500 place Bujault

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Nueil les Aubiers 79250 place Pierre Garnier

Thouars 79100 place Lavault

Saturday a.m. Airvault 79600 place Saint-Pierre

Bressuire 79300 place Dupin

Cerizay 79140 place des Halles

Champdeniers 79220 Centre Ville

Chef-Boutonne 79110 Centre Ville

Cherveux 79410 Centre Ville

Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 place des Halles

Lezay 79120 place du Marché

Mauleon 79700 place du château

Mauze sur le Mignon 79210 place de l'Eglise

Moncoutant 79320 Centre Ville

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Saint Maixent-l'Ecole 79400 place du Marché

Sunday a.m. Chatillon sur Thouet 79200 place du Parnasse

Coulon 79510 place de l'Eglise

La Creche 79260 rue du Marché

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Thénezay 79390 place de L'Hôtel de Ville

Local Markets in neighbouring departments

Monday a.m. Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place du Champ de Foire

Tuesday a.m. Civray 86400 place Leclerc

Montrueil-Bellay 49260 place du Marché

Mortagne-sur-Sevres 85290 place Hullin

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Wednesday a.m. Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 place du Commerce

Lusignan 86600 place Isabelle d’Angoulême

Ruffec 16700 Centre Ville

Vihiers 49310 place Charles-de-Gaulle

Thursday a.m. Aulnay 17470 Centre Ville

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Friday a.m. Civray 86400 place Leclerc

Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place René Nicolas

Saturday a.m. Cholet 49300 place du 8 Mai 1945

Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 place du Commerce

La Châtaigneraie 85120 place de la République

Pouzauges 85700 place de l’Hôtel de Ville

Ruffec 16700 Centre Ville

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Sunday a.m. Aulnay 17470 Centre Ville

Latillé 86190 place Robert Gerbier

Valence-en-Poitou 86700 place du Marché

FAR-FESTIVAL DES ARTS DE LA RUE

30 June – 1 July

Bressuire

Street Arts Festival (FAR) featuring circus arts, dance, theatre, music, humour, and visual arts. Explore various venues in the town and Château from 7-11pm. Free entry. ville-bressuire.fr

FESTIVAL AU VILLAGE

30 June - 9 July

Brioux-sur-Boutonne

The 34th village festival – featuring a week of festivities with theatre, singing, circus, music and street arts taking over the village streets. festivalauvillage.fr

LES ESTIVALES D’ARTENETRA

1 – 30 July

Celles-sur-Belle

A series of classical music concerts in the abbey church of Celles-sur-Belle and the surrounding villages. artenetra.com

FESTIVAL PHOTO

1 July – 10 October

Moncoutant sur Sèvre

This year, the photography festival is celebrating its 13th year and will welcome documentary photographer Réhahn (@rehahn_photography) as guest of honour. festivalphotomoncoutant.fr

PATHS OF LIFE...

2 July – 30 September

Souvigné

Three generations of women, the evolution of their way of life, the upheavals and events that marked the first half of the 20th century. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in the afternoon. musee-souvigne.com

FÊTE DE L’ENTRECÔTE

2 July

Noirlieu

Annual steak festival featuring music, and a fireworks display. The event includes an entrecôte and fries cooked over a wood fire for dinner at 7pm, as well as sandwiches and pastries. Admission from 5:30pm. facebook.com/fetedelentrecote

FESTIVAL TRAVERSE!

4-9 July

Haut Val de Sèvre

A series of 21 family-friendly spectacles and exhibitions over six days in 21 villages in the Haut Val de Sèvre. tourisme-hautvaldesevre.fr

BOUILLEZ !

7-8 July

Bouillé St Paul

Street art, theatre and circus performances are on every corner as this village comes to life. This year it celebrates its 25th anniversary bouillez.net

MELTING POTES

8 July

Bressuire

The Melting Potes festival is back for the 3rd year. Festivities take place at the Chateau of Bressuire. With Bekar, Olympe Chabert, Plage Arrière DJ Twenti’es. facebook.com/meltingpotesbressuire

CHAPELL’FEST

8 July

Mauleon

Join the Chapell’fest for a fun-filled evening of entertainment, featuring inflatable games, human foosball, a guinguette-style dinner, and a lively DJ dance party. From 5 pm to 3 am. Fest.fr

MAD’MAX’TRAIL

8-9 July

Fenioux

The eight-lap elimination race will take place on Sunday at the Circuit des Chevreuils. Families can walk the same course on Saturday, with food and drink available. madmaxtrail.run

DRÔLE DE GUERRE

9 July – 30 August

Saint-André-sur-Sèvre

Re-enact warfare in the Middle Ages, where you can train as a soldier, war correspondent, or spy. Experience what life was like during a time when military maps and plans had not yet been developed. chateau-saintmesmin.com

ODYSSEY NATURE - VISIT

10 – 31 July

Nueil-les-Aubiers

Take a look behind the scenes of the Science and Nature Laboratory. You will discover the manufacturing stages of the brands produced at this site. Reservation required. odyssee-nature.fr

FESTIVAL DES ENFANTS DU MONDE

10-15 July

Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole

Traditional music and dance ensembles from 5 continents. A variety of free events and shows that allow everyone to meet the children of the world. rife.asso.fr

FLIP

12-23 July

Parthenay

The Festival Ludique International de Parthenay (FLIP) or Festival des Jeux de Parthenay is one of the most important events in the gaming scene. Meet the game developers and publishers and try out their new products. jeux-festival.com

APÉRO-CONCERT

13 July

Saint-Aubin-du-Plain

Apéro concert, hosted by the Festival Committee. Featuring performances by musician Julien Sordetto, The Famous Band Chorale, and Zicksonne & Co. www.tourisme-bocage.com

MARCHÉ DES PRODUCTEURS

13 July

Cerizay

Taste local products at an outdoor meal, enjoy the traditional fireworks show, and join the popular dance. The market, organized by Cerizay and the DeuxSèvres Chamber of Agriculture, showcases regional producers. cerizay.fr

TOUR 79

13 - 16 July

From Niort to Melle over 5 stages

Every July, in the wake of the Tour de France, the Tour des Deux-Sèvres takes its place in the cycling spotlight. But this time, the riders are close to you for real. tour79.fr

FÊTE NATIONALE

14 July

Bressuire

A popular festival set in the grounds of Chateau de Bressuire. Each year there is a Vide Grenier as well as walks through the chateau grounds and family entertainment. Traditionally there are fireworks at 11pm then a DJ until 2am. bba.asso.fr

FÊTE DU 14 JUILLET

14 July

La Chapelle-Pouilloux

Walking and cycling rally, picnic, jeux de palets, boules and a photo competition. Organised by the Comité des fêtes of la Chapelle Pouilloux decouvertes.paysmellois.org

FÊTE AU PLAN D’EAU

14 July

Verruyes

Celebration at the lake in Verruyes with an open-air meal and dancing, followed by fireworks. verruyes.fr

FESTIVAL DU SOUFFLE

17-24 July

Celles-sur-Belle

A series of music concerts in the Royal Abbey with saxophonists playing jazz and big band, as well as an organ concert and a market on Sunday. festivaldusouffle.com

THE CHAPEL AND THE CHATEAU

18 July – 22 August

Thouars

Guided tours of the Chapel of Notre Dame and the Castle of the Dukes of La Trémoïlle - Tuesdays at 3pm. Learn more about the history hidden behind the doors of these two buildings in historic Thouars. thouars.fr

CHASSE AU TRÉSOR

19 & 26 July

Bressuire

Help Dame Jeanne rebuild her castle by finding the hidden treasure left by Lord Jacques de Beaumont. Join teams, discover clues, and solve riddles at Bressuire’s medieval chateau. ville-bressuire.fr

ON THE TRAIL OF THE RESISTANCE

20 July

Thouars

Guided tour of the town of Thouars to the banks of the Thouet. Discover the places marked by the presence of the German occupiers and the actions of the resistance in the Thouarsais. crrl.fr

LE RÊVE DE L’ABORIGÈNE

21 – 23 July

Airvault

The Dream of the Aborigine is a nonalcoholic festival with traditional aboriginal music, seminars, films, cartoons, and social and human gatherings. lerevedelaborigene.org

LES ANIMATIONS DE QUINTILIS

22 July

Echiré

Learn how to build a castle in the Middle Ages, with crafts and workshops for princes and princesses. coudraysalbart.fr

TOURTENAY, VISITE À DEUX VOIX

23 July

Thouars & Tourtenay

Between 1940 and 1944, Tourtenay and its surroundings were the scene of secret parachute drops by the Resistance and Free France. What natural and scenic assets made Tourtenay a suitable place to carry out these risky operations?

Follow the guides across the plain and through the narrow streets in the footsteps of the Army of Shadows and discover the secrets of these missions crrl.fr

LA TANIÈRE DU DAHU

28 – 29 July

Saint Aubin de Baubigné

La Tanière du Dahu is back, with a programme of more than 20 musicians of all kinds over two days. On the second day there is also a market with local products and artisans.

latanieredudahu.com

L’HORIZON FAIT LE MUR

29-30 July

La Laigne

Two days of shows and concerts in the open air with well-known and emerging artists across a weekend, in the heart of the Marais Poitevin. l-horizon.fr

SUNDAY AT THE BRASSERIE

30 July

Salles

Tour of the brewery and tasting of the beers as well as a brewery demonstration with public participation.

brasserie-du-val-de-sevre.fr

FÊTE DES BATEAUX FLEURIS

30 July

Saint-Maxire

The annual Fête des Bateaux Fleuris, featuring a parade of boats embellished with 10,000-15,000 paper flowers and engaging 400 volunteers. Enjoy carousels for children, inflatables, trampolines, skill games, angling, and archery from 2:30pm. bateauxfleuris.fr

Chateau de Bressuire

Comings and Goings

It started with a photo of a cat...I looked closer at the WhatsApp...I didn't recognise the cat but I recognised the sofa it was lying on. The accompanying message from Anna, my wife, read: 'This is Pantoufle, she is now living with us.'

Unlike the first ferrel cat we took in, this one didn't understand the rules about defecating outside, so now whenever I go out of the back door, there is a crunching of kitty litter underfoot, which the cat has sprayed about while trying to find a comfortable squatting position. She also has a penchant for piddling in the log basket.

Another reason to wear slippers chez Shaw is this cat is a playful biter. Like Cato in the Pink Panther films she will rush at me from behind the bathroom door first thing in the morning and latch on to a toe.

This is just one of the many changes in my life since my last communique, dear reader. What else has happened?

Oh yes...sadly 'project chicken' has come to an unfortunate end. The four chooks we purchased from Saint-Maixent-l'Ecole market, have now all died. No, I cannot blame Br'er Fox, they became ill one by one and shuffled off... They had stopped laying anyway, last summer, and we haven't had so much as a boiled egg since July 2022.

On the plus side we don't have to stagger out to lock them up, in all weathers, late at night. Anna is also using their coop as a storage unit. I'd like to think, while alive, they wanted for nothing; they had the biggest enclosure in Christendom, the hen house was cleaned once a week and top-notch deluxe chicken food was lobbed at them twice a day.

Other developments, Anna has become a high-powered business woman. The house we renovated is now an Airbnb and is doing a roaring trade, she is a 'super host' (nothing to do with Covid). The down side is she is never without her mobile phone which pings and vibrates constantly. Not an evening goes by without Anna announcing “I have another booking, ka-ching!”. Like Alan Sugar she sits on the sofa wheeling and a-dealing. I wouldn't mind but she insists on readi all her texts out loud. My viewing of Gardeners' World will be interrupted by“Gabriel is booking one night in July, for three people, who are doing the Compostela...rather

Stephen Shaw

them than me”, or “Guillaume, from Belgium is enquiring about the parking as his mother has a dicky hip”.

Just as winter came and went so family and friends visited us over Christmas and Easter respectively and we're looking forward to Anna's family descending upon us (again), from Australia, in the summer. The levels of consumption were shameful but we felt we were making up for the Covid years. The first job of the morning: deposit the numerous bottles into the recycling box outside the backdoor, second job of the morning: brush kitty litter from the bottom of my feet.

With all the socialising and meals out, the old waist line has taken a bit of a hammering, loose fitting clothing and tracksuit bottoms feature heavily in my spring collection. The only sadness has been the disappearance of our other adopted cat, Fabergé, who we have shared our French adventure with for the last three years*. Whether he took umbrage at the arrival of another cat, fell down a well or just doesn't like us, we will never know. One night he went out of his little cat flap and we haven't seen him since. We have wandered up hill and down dale screaming Fabergé, posted 'Have you seen this cat?' flyers into our neighbours letter boxes...but no sign of him. Wherever he is, we wish him well.

Final coming and going. We would like to wish Kathleen and Chris the very best with their stewardship of 'The DSM' and Tony and Lynne health and happiness. We salute you.

* I would like to apologise for the 'cat heavy' nature of this month's article.

If you would like to read more ramblings from Mr Shaw, go to www.lifein79.blogspot.com

On This Day...

1 July 1903 - The opening race of the Tour de France starts in Montgeron, a southeast suburb of Paris. The race was open to professional and amateur cyclists, although most of the participants were professionals. There were 60 cyclists who started the race, but only 21 finished.

2 July 1997 - The science fiction comedy Men in Black starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones opens in cinemas in the United States. The film tells the story of Agent J and Agent K, members of a top-secret organisation that monitors and regulates alien activity on Earth. When a dangerous alien threat emerges, the dynamic duo must work together to save the planet from certain doom.

3 July 1971 - The world is shaken by the sudden and tragic death of Jim Morrison, lead singer of the legendary rock band The Doors. Morrison died of heart failure in the bath of his Paris apartment at the age of only 27. He is buried in the Pere la Chaise cemetery in Paris, where fans from all over the world pay their last respects to the "Lizard King".

9 July 1941 - British cryptologists help crack the secret Enigma code used by the German army to control ground-to-air operations on the Eastern Front

22 July 2005 - March of the Penguins, a French documentary about emperor penguins in Antarctica, opens in cinemas in the US. March of the Penguins won numerous awards, including an Oscar, and became one of the most successful documentaries in film history.

13 July 1985 - Music fans around the world watch an unprecedented event that will go down in history as one of the greatest live music events of all time. Live Aid, a sixteenhour concert broadcast worldwide, brought together some of the biggest names in music for a single cause: to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.

14 July 1789 - Bastille Day - the French Revolution begins with the storming of the Bastille Prison in Paris (now celebrated as France's national day)

15 July 1783 - The maiden voyage of the world's first steamship, the Pyroscaphe, on the Saône River in France. The Pyroscaphe was built by Claude-François-Dorothée, a French engineer who dedicated his life to the development of steam-powered vessels. This groundbreaking invention revolutionised the transportation industry and paved the way for modern-day steamships

19 July 1969 - At 9:32am EDT, Apollo 11, the first U.S. lunar landing mission, launches on a historic journey to the lunar surface.

24 July 1802 - Alexandre Dumas, the author of novels including The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, is born in Aisne, France. His writing was known for its vivid characters, thrilling plot twists, and intricate storytelling

29 July 1958 - The US Congress passes a law establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the agency responsible for coordinating American activities in space.

29 July 2018 - The 105th Tour de France sees an incredible performance by Geraint Thomas. It was an historic victory for Thomas, as he is the first Welshman to win the race.

30 July 2003 - The last of 21,529,464 VW Beetles built since the Second World War II, rolls off the production line in Puebla, Mexico. The baby-blue vehicle is part of the last run of 3,000 and was sent to a museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.

4 July 1884 - In a solemn ceremony in Paris, the completed Statue of Liberty is formally presented to the US Ambassador as a reminder of the friendship between France and the United States.

Hasse Aldhammer (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Embracing Change: Making small steps towards a brighter future

Spring - the season of new beginningsis a wonderful time for change and growth. And as we now move from Spring into early summer, we see a new beginning for the Deux-Sèvres Monthly, with Chris and Kathleen taking the helm.

I'm sure you will join me in wishing them all the luck in the world in their new venture... and long may they reign. Moments of new beginnings like this are a reminder to us all of how it feels to take on a new challenge - after all, we've all upped sticks and moved to a place with a different culture, a different language and a completely different philosophy on opening times! Which means that each and every one of us has experienced the internal barriers that can present themselves when we want to step outside of our comfort zone.

It's human nature to be compelled towards change and at the same time feel the need to keep everything comfortably the same. It's something we all wrestle with at some time or other in our lives and when we do, it can take the form of stress, procrastination, anxiety, inactivity and many more annoying additions to our lives which can leave us clinging onto bad habits or putting off making positive changes that you've been promising to make for years.

The good news is, that there is nothing more satisfying than facing your fears or pushing yourself to do something that you don't think you can. And not all battles won are monumental. For some people, going to the bakery and ordering a baguette in French would be a major victory, which might be

the first step to feeling a lot more comfortable speaking french in other situations which would, in turn, play a huge part in making them a lot more content with their life in France.

The idea of small steps leading to big changes is a major cornerstone in the world of life coaching that helps others find achievable routes to permanent, positive change in journeys that start with that first moment of putting one foot in front of the other.

And if that first big step seems too big? Make it a baby step instead... it's all about moving in the right direction! So as long as you're moving... and it's in the right direction... you're getting the job done.

And don't ever tell yourself it's too late to start the journey - as the old chinese proverb says, 'The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.'

So go on... give yourself a little nudge and take that first small step today - you know you'll thank yourself for it!

Written by David Murphy - Clinical Hypnotherapist and Life Coach DavidMurphyHypno@gmail.com

Your Ground Yoga - Yoga for where you are

OM – silliness for the soul

Rebecca Novick

other activities, to something more than mere survival or pleasure seeking. The chant calls to a space beyond not only our ordinary activities, but beyond the ordinary mind, and holds it in suspension like parentheses.

I never felt silly chanting in India, but things felt a bit different under the critical glare of secular Western sensibilities. The River Thouet and the River Ganges seemed universes apart. But I soon discovered that it was possible to close this gap, and that the less self-conscious I myself became, the less self-conscious my students felt also. One young woman – I’ll call her Catherine – didn’t join in the OMs at all for the first few weeks. She’s now a regular chant master! She has understood how the chanting opens up the energy channels in her body, deepens her breathing, and signals her body to destress. At times I marvel at how the class can come to sound like a church choir, especially when there are both male and female voices, which add layers of tones. It is beautiful to witness and encourages everyone to go beyond their own shyness; to not just ‘get over themselves’ but to go beyond themselves.

During the yoga training in Rishikesh, India, we always did prayers, before and after the sessions. Just a few verses of Sanskrit, which none of us really understood, but which had a nice ‘vibe’ to them and felt perfectly natural on the banks of the holy River Ganges. I didn’t know if I was ever going to be in a position to teach yoga in France, but I remember thinking that if I did, I would skip the prayers. They would make people feel silly, I reasoned, and probably uncomfortable. As if reading my thoughts, our teacher Surinder said, “You don’t have to do all of these prayers, but the three OMs at the beginning and end of the class is minimum.” Surinder described the chant like a door to a room that you open to enter the yoga session and close behind you when you leave. I remember telling

him that I thought that it would make people back in Europe feel a bit silly. I’ll never forget his reply. “A little silliness is good for the soul.”

It has been interesting to observe the effect of maintaining the traditional practice of opening and closing each yoga class with 3 chants of OM; how holding a single note helps to refine, control and lengthen the breath in a way that is much harder to achieve with simply a slow exhale - something that professional singers know well. I learned how the vibration of the sound in the throat stimulates the relaxation response in the nervous system, how the sound itself is transportive, and how the practice helps to connect the people in the group. The 3 OMs place the yoga session outside of our

Now I understand what Surinder meant. Feeling a bit silly pulls us away from our comfort zone, and it is always on this border between comfort and discomfort, the familiar and unfamiliar, that we learn and benefit the most. As Surinder put it: A little silliness is good for the soul!

For information on lessons and classes or questions about yoga, you can contact me at lavieenyoga@gmail.com

As always, respect yourself, explore yourself. Rebecca

For information on yoga and breathe better courses contact: lavieenyoga@gmail.com

Book Club

Welcome back (to basics)!

only sporadically accepting fiction direct from authors, writers sought alternatives. In 2012, some explored the DIY route: paperbacks printed via CreateSpace, Lulu or other print on demand companies, plus an ebook version uploaded direct on to Amazon for Kindle readers and Smashwords for Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc. It was a Wild West frontier!

to commission (and pay!) editors, formatters, proofreaders, cover designers, and to acquire ISBN numbers (free in France) so their books can be distributed through retail channels. Let’s not mention marketing at this stage…

On the indie path, two things are indispensible:

Before I start, I want to extend congratulations to the new owners of The Deux-Sèvres Monthly! It has been sorely missed and I wish Kathleen and Chris all the best for their success.

So, writing… Anybody who completes a novel, be it romance, thriller, historical, science-fiction, crime or adventure deserves a round of applause for the sheer hard work of writing it. Generally 70-100,000 words long, a well-written novel takes around four to six months to draft, another two to revise and a further two to polish. And that’s if you’re doing it full-time. Normal people have jobs, children, parents and lives to run, so slog on for years, grabbing a few precious hours when they can.

But now you’ve completed your manuscript, what do you want to do with it? Some writers take enjoyment from the process of constructing and writing a story, others write it for their family and friends. But many have a desire to see it in print and these days in digital and even audio formats. Digital books are very practical, but I confess it’s still the most thrilling feeling in the world

to hold a copy of the book you’ve written in your hands.

Today, we’re lucky to have many choices: traditional publication through an agent and publisher, DIY or selfpublishing, assisted publishing and partnership publishing. And hybrid and co-operative publishing are the former new kids now owning the block.

Traditionally, a writer polishes up their book, runs it past members of their writing group, or association, asks another author to critique it and then submits the final version to a literary agent to request representation. If the agent takes a writer on, they then start the job of finding a publisher and for a percentage handle all business arrangements including rights and royalties, negotiating contracts and overseas deals. The writer then divides their time between revising the submitted book after the publisher’s comments and writing the next one. Today they’re also asked to promote the finished book.

As it became increasingly harder to be accepted by an agent and with publishers

In 2023, self-publishing –now rebranded indie publishing – has become professionalised. Some super-successful indies have million-pound incomes. Mirroring traditional publishing, most authors sit in the middle income area, but some sell only a few books. As for quality, readers soon sort out the good books. They are the ultimate judges of our work, however published.

Indie authors and publishers retain full control over how their works are published, sampled, priced and sold. If an author wishes to give it away for free, they have that choice. But it’s up to authors

• Commissioning a copy editor who will check your continuity, words, sentences and punctuation, then put it into standard publishing format. It’s a skilled, technical job.

• A professionally-designed cover. Graphic designers who specialise in book covers are taking on a large proportion of their work from indie authors as the sector grows.

However you choose to publish your writing (or not), I wish you happy days tapping your keyboard, writing in your notebook, poring over research and writing The End on the last page.

Alison has compiled a selection of articles from this column into ‘The 500 Word Writing Buddy’, available in print and ebook. Her new Roma Nova novel, set in the 4th century, JULIA PRIMA, is now out.

Alison Morton

This month’s book reviews Book Club

Freya’s French Farmhouse

by Daisy James

review by Jacqueline Brown

My heart went out to poor Freya right at the beginning of this book. Following an unusual childhood with no real fixed abode, she thought she’d settled in Blossomwood Bay, after the disastrous end of her life in London, so to lose her fledgling aromatherapy business in a fire, is the last thing she needs. However, Freya is independent, strong and willing to do what it takes to get things done and move forward, and I admired her for that. With nothing to keep her in Blossomwood Bay, she sets off to Provence to rediscover the farmhouse owned by her Uncle Toby and do her best to get his estate finalised and the house sold. Things aren’t quite as she is expecting them to be in France. The house needs some attention, but the gardens have been lovingly cared for and she can’t work out why it hasn’t attracted much interest, let alone sold. It isn’t long before the magic of Provence, flowering lavender, welcoming villagers and the discovery of Toby’s perfume organ begin to work on healing her past traumas. Things she accepted as a child, enjoying summer holidays with Toby, now become questions she needs answers to and an intriguing family mystery to unravel. I do love a good family drama and add in the quirky characters of a French village, new friendships and a whole lot of fun in a location that was easy to visualise, and this book ticked all my boxes. I also loved the extra sensory pleasure of Freya’s essential oil blending that I could almost smell from the screen of my kindle. There is something very relaxing about aromatherapy, even from the pages of a book and it was a real treat to fall into this book every evening.

If you are looking for an escape to the sunny south of France, to lift your mood and warm your heart, then Freya’s French Farmhouse should be on your holiday reading list this summer.

One French Summer

by Gillian Harvey

review by Jacqueline Brown

My book selections this month have been picked with summer in France in mind. The first one is set near Bordeaux, close enough to feel familiar, but far enough to feel like a holiday destination, and author Gillian Harvey is also a Nouvelle Aquitaine resident.

This is a book about Katy, a middle-aged wife and mother struggling to come to terms with the changes thrust upon her. She was a great character, whose story tugged at my heart strings. What I especially loved was the dynamics between the group of friends, and that it was this friendship group who were core to the story, not the rest of Katy’s family. I didn’t always agree with the choices she made, but I did understand 100% why she made the decisions she did. It was easy as the book moved on, to want her to find the happiness she deserved.

As her friends whisk her off for an art retreat in a cosy B&B near Bordeaux, they are all on the verge of learning more about each other and themselves and I felt like I was there alongside them. France as a location ticked all my boxes as they perfected their techniques on the canvas with the local market, cafés, vineyards and more, providing the perfect backdrops. Then there was the romance of France, found in the stones of an abandoned cottage, the meals eaten on a poolside terrace, or in the promise of a new direction. It was easy to fall under the spell. You are sure to bask in the warm glow that One French Summer will leave you with.

La Vie en France

Hello again, summer is here

Jacqueline Brown

oh, how i’ve missed my comfy corner in the pages of this magazine, a column that has felt like home for the last eleven years. Thank you, Kathleen and Chris, for jumping on board and giving it the opportunity to continue, and best wishes to Tony and Lynne.

i’m sure summer has taken longer to get going this year, with every sunny day seemingly accompanied by a cruel wind from the north or east, viciously stripping out the warmth my body was craving and making cycling more challenging than enjoyable. it might not have been to my liking, but the combination of rain, some sun and a lack of frosts was obviously good for the garden and orchard, with the roses blooming and the fruit trees laden, promising bumper harvests to come.

i can’t remember when we last had such a fabulous crop of cherries, but it was just my luck for them to ripen during THe busiest week that found me juggling work and volunteering commitments, alongside supporting ed and Pearl with university deadlines, and cherry picking. Dawn had barely broken, and i was outside, filling bowls with delicious, jewel-red cherries, accompanied by the sweetest birdsong from the blackbirds, and taking a moment to enjoy a calm start to my day. The branches were hanging low enough for me to reach plenty without having to risk a ladder incident, but it did make me wistful for chickens once more. For most of our nineteen years here, we’ve had some form of feathered family in our orchard but having lost so many to attackers (hunt dogs and martens), we decided a few years ago not to replace them anymore. The chickens especially loved cherry season, leaping up in a fluster of feathers to pick their own, staining their wattles and combs with the dark purple juice. They would have had a feast this year.

To celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Adrian and i are doing our best to get out and about in our special corner of France. each month we have challenged ourselves to find the time to escape on our bikes for at least one night, cycling at least one-hundred kilometres. So far, we have explored Angoûleme, Limoges, Chinon and Tours. even just one night away from the daily routine can feel like a

refreshing break and the planning of where to go, what routes to cycle and what to see have been exciting too. i’ve got lots of ideas for future trips from escapades, the DeuxSèvres department’s tourist guide and discount booklet, aimed at residents. The 2023 bumper edition contains vouchers, many offering buy-one-get-one-free on adult entries, to tourist attractions and experiences all over the Deux-Sèvres. To order your copy, visit tourisme-deuxsevres.com and click on the “infos Pratiques” button along the top, then select Carnet escapades 79, and fill in your details. There’s a voucher for the Château de Javarzay (saving a couple 8€), so if you fancy discovering a gem of museum in the south of the department, i’ll hopefully see you there.

Sophie Hargreaves

The year of the babies!

It’s great to be writing for you once more, and we have had lots happening at our farm recently, which we are calling this year, baby central! Not only have we surprisingly received thirteen very fluffy spring chicks from our flock of hens and cockerel, but we also had two expectant alpacas, both first-time mums this spring, who I could relate to a lot. Yes, I too have become an expectant mother for the first time this year, and what an experience that has been.

Did I ever think I would be using the French healthcare system this much? I don’t think I’d given it that much thought, nor had I realised just how much attention they would be giving my baby and me. Having had a lot of friends in the UK having children (it’s that kind of age for me), I knew there would be a certain amount of medical appointments to attend, but having discussed and compared my experience, I can say without hesitation that here in France, the pregnancy healthcare is much more attentive. It’s relatively preventative, rather than reactive and I am very closely monitored.

For example, throughout my pregnancy, I have four ultrasounds as normal, which are at; 8, 12, 22 and 32 weeks. Yes, that has had my UK friends, who had two scans at 12 and 20 weeks feeling rather jealous. Having the early 8-week scan was wonderfully comforting at a time that can be quite full of anxiety. To compare this to my alpacas, who had

The year of the babies!

from the vet, at my request, rather than a necessity! Another comparison is an alpaca’s gestation period is an enormous 11.5 months, or we use 345 days to be precise; one point to the humans, I think 9 months is long enough.

On top of these scans, I also see my midwife once a month, followed by monthly blood and urine tests to check for the presence of toxoplasmosis, rubella as well as glucose and protein levels - wow! I’ve been sent to a dietician to ensure that I know how to fuel my body well for the best of the developing baby. A small comparison is that we make sure we feed the expectant alpaca mums additional calcium and protein foods too, to help them with their developing little ones, and carry this on after the cria (baby alpaca) arrives to help with milk production.

Like the UK, I’ll be given a whooping cough vaccine in my third trimester, and similarly, we gave the alpacas a top-up of their annual vaccinations a few months early, to ensure the best start for their cria. So, not too dissimilar to me perhaps?

I am terribly excited to share with you that in May, we had two beautiful new crias born

on the farm, in the fields with natural births and no interventions needed. I pray this is the same for me, minus the field part of course. The energy the new life has brought to the farm is so enriching, seeing how nature makes the alpaca mums so attentive, and seeing the crias grow and develop and start to interact with our customers is so wholesome.

For me, I have until October to wait for our human baby's arrival and we sit in anticipation of the joy and wonder that the new little life will bring once again onto the farm! A final point I would like to make is that at no point have I found the healthcare here daunting, if anything it has been a huge comfort knowing how much care me and my baby are receiving here. I am happy to speak with anyone who would like to know more about my pregnancy journey here in France, or of course, more importantly, want to visit the farm to meet this year’s adorable cria!

Vernoux-sur-Boutonne

Situated near Niort, Vernoux-surBoutonne is a commune in the Mellois en Poitou community with a population of 209 (2020). The surrounding land-scape is primarily dedicated to farming, reflecting the area’s rich agricultural heritage.

One of the village’s notable historical structures is the lavoir, a communal washhouse. For those seeking to explore the region’s natural beauty, La Balade des Trois Rivières offers a 13kilometer circular walking trail through the countryside, meandering along the banks of the Boutonne, Béronne, and Ardille rivers, beginning and ending in the village.

The original Eglise de la Saint Croix original church was sold during the Revolution and subsequently fell into disrepair. Between 1896 and 1897, a new church was built, incorporating remnants from the previous church, though it was soon abandoned. Today, the neighbouring Mairie features a restored section displaying two elegant carved columns reminiscent of those at Saint-Pierre de Melle.

In 1948, a barn donated to the Diocese of Poitiers was converted into the existing chapel and its surroundings, thanks to the dedication of local parishioners. Jacques Dupin, the former

barn owner, contributed by sculpting elements of the entrance. Inside the chapel stands a unique, 2.5-meter-tall naive Christ figure, masterfully crafted from painted papier-mâché by André Junin.

once protected by three defensive towers. The estate comprises two expansive farm buildings with a classical layout and two separate structures, accessible through a large porch that used to bear the Brémond d’Ars coat of arms although this has long been chiselled away.

The oldest building within the complex includes a tower constructed above two vaulted rooms, dating back to the mid-16th century, and adjoins an early 17th-century structure. The Louis XIII main building has some notable architectural features and extends 40m in front of a pond fed by a small fountain. Above the entrance is the Gitton family’s coat of arms, embellished with a Maltese shield.

At Place des Tilleuls, there is an ancient water mill housing a hydraulic ram – a pressurized pump system invented by Joseph de Montgolfier (of Montgolfier Brothers fame) in 1796. This mechanism harnesses the power of water to elevate liquid into a reservoir more than eight meters high.

Château du Grand Port is a rural complex featuring a rectangular courtyard,

To the east lies a rectangular 17thcentury residence, formerly topped with a gambrel roof. This dwelling boasts sculpted doors, intricate architectural detailing, a monumental staircase, and a carved fireplace. Agricultural outbuildings, such as a bread oven and barns, are also present in the courtyard, along with a stable that once housed Poitevin mulassier horses in the early 20th century. Each September, the Château du Grand Port participates in the annual Journees du Patrimoine, providing guided tours of the restored buildings and gardens under renovation, as well as a self-guided tour of the dovecote. The building was officially listed by decree on April 13th, 1989.

Le 14 juillet est la Fête Nationale de la République Française et c’est toujours un jour férié. Le 14 juillet commémore 2 évènements:

La prise de la Bastille du 14 juillet 1789, symbole de la fin de la monarchie absolue.

La fête de la Fédération de 1790, symbole de l’Union de la Nation.

Cette date unit tous les républicains.

Celebrations

Le défilé militaire qui a lieu chaque 14 juillet sur les Champs Elysées de Paris. Avant le défilé, il y a une démonstration de la Patrouille de France dans le ciel parisien puis le Président de la République salue les différents corps armés

Les feux d’artifice : très populaires et appréciés des français, ils ont lieu dans la plupart des villes du pays et sont tirés, le plus souvent, la veille au soir (le 13 juillet).

Les bals populaires : ils ont souvent lieu le 13 juillet. Le bal des pompiers est le plus célèbre mais il existe aussi d’autres bals:

- Le bal de la Banda, dans le sud du pays. Ce sont des groupes traditionnels ou des fanfares

- Les bals musettes, de moins en moins fréquents car aujourd’hui démodés

- Les bals organisés par des orchestres itinérants, qui sont les plus crants.

Œuvres d’art:

Plusieurs artistes peintres célèbres ont été inspirés par cette fête pour peindre leurs toiles : Claude Monnet, Alfred Sisley, Edouard Manet…

Si vous voulez fêter le 14 juillet dans votre ville ou votre village, n’hésitez pas à vous rendre dans votre Mairie pour obtenir toutes les informations nécessaires concernant les feux d’artifice, bals…. Je vous souhaite, à toutes et à tous un excellent 14 juillet!!!

Anne Alonso

VOCABULAIRE

Jour férié : Public, official holiday

Commémorer : To commemorate

Prise de la Bastille : The storming of the Bastille

Défilé militaire : Military stream, march

Avoir lieu : To take place, to occur

Une démonstration : A display (of air)

La Patrouille de France : The France Patrol

Saluer : To salute

Les corps armés : The Army Corps

La veille or veille : The day before or the previous au soir evening

Les feux d’artifice : Fire-works

La plupart : Most of

Tirer un feu d’artifice : To set off a fire-work

Les pompiers : Firemen

Célèbre : Famous

Les fanfares : The brass bands

Les bals musette : Popular dances (to the accordion)

Démodés : Old-fashioned

Orchestre itinérant : Travelling orchestra

Courant : Common

Inspirés : inspired

Se rendre : To go to

'Fete Day, Marly le Roi’ de Alfred Sisley, 1875

‘Rue Mosnier aux drapeaux’ de Édouard Manet,1878

‘Rue SaintDenis’ de Claude Monet, 1878

Time to Wake Up?

If you’ve stopped appreciating your surroundings, perhaps it’s time for a reset.

Have you looked outside your window today? Chances are, when you first moved to France, or perhaps when you visited the country on holiday, you were struck by the architecture, the views, the culture that surrounded you. But after a while, it’s easy to get bogged down in everyday life – trips to the DIY store, supermarket, taking the kids to school and all the work that comes with owning property or land can dominate one’s schedule.

As a mum of five, I’m often racing around to get to rendezvous or choking down my morning coffee before a hard day’s work. But recently when I wanted to write descriptively about France, I was forced to slow down and take in my surroundings anew.

Make like a tourist

When we visit a place for the first time, our senses are bombarded with information. Over time, as we become accustomed to our surroundings, our initial awe is often tempered. So why not reawaken your inner tourist and explore your surroundings as if for the first time?

Taking a friend to see the ruins at Sanxay or to stroll along the Green Venice in Coulon could be a way to open your eyes to the beauty of your favourite haunts. Alternatively, take a guided tour of your local town, visit a tourist-trap restaurant or pop into the covered market and imagine you are a visitor to your home town. Reestablishing the mindset you had when you first arrived will help you to appreciate your surroundings anew.

Get creative

Suddenly I realised that, if I take a breath and look around, I am very much living the dream. Yes, work and family life can be hectic, but the view from each window in my house shows tumbling countryside, the local town is friendly, and buzzing with life; the air I breathe is fresh and unpolluted – and my children are able to play (and argue) in an enormous garden.

When did I forget my surroundings?

Since then, I’ve tried to appreciate anew the beauty that surrounds me - engaging my senses and taking the time to really experience my local area. And I’m definitely the happier for it.

If you too have gone ‘France blind’ try the tips below to reawaken your love of the Deux-Sèvres.

Whether you enjoy snapping pictures on your mobile phone, or putting paintbrush to canvas, capturing familiar views can be a way to apply fresh eyes to familiar scenes. Working to frame the perfect shot, or focusing on a local landmark to capture its essence can force us to take the time to view our surroundings more mindfully, and open our eyes to the beauty all around. If words are your thing, try describing a view from your window, or the hustle and bustle of the Thursday market. Try sharing your paintings or photos online, or consider framing them on a wall as a reminder of those moments of appreciation.

Get outdoors

The Deux-Sèvres is well known for its natural beauty, so taking a daily stroll in

nature would be a great way to reconnect with your surroundings. Spending time in the natural world should also give your mental health a boost. Try to change your route regularly, take in the view, notice small details in nature. And to really reconnect, try slipping off your shoes (possibly not if you’re walking the dog). Known as ‘grounding’ this direct connection with the earth’s natural energy is thought to be great for healing.

Slow down

If the only time you take your foot off the gas is when you see a speed camera approaching, maybe it’s time to ask yourself why you’re living life at such a pace?

These days, many people live busy lives. And it’s easy to find yourself racing from task to task to get everything done. Making a conscious effort to slow down and breathe will help to create a sense of calm and give you the chance to fully appreciate being in the moment.

Sweat the small stuff

Always focusing on the bigger picture? It could be you are missing out on the beauty in the every day.

Make a conscious effort to appreciate the little things. Stop to look at a tiny carving on a window ledge, notice the cluster of mushrooms growing at the base of a tree. Find something of interest on every outing – however tiny it may be. Focusing on small detail calms the mind and renews our interest in the world around us.

Moving away from ‘doing’ to simply ‘being’ is a great way to sharpen your focus.

Coulon: the Marais Poitevin's picturesque gem

Engage your senses

The saying ‘stop and smell the roses’ is more wise an adage than it may seem. Taking the time to fully sense your surroundings, whether it’s the sights and sounds of your local high street, or the earthy smell of your woodland walk, will help you to notice your environment more. Try taking a moment to centre yourself, mindfully noticing the feeling of the sun (or rain) on your skin, the sensation of warmth or coolness in the air.

Notice anew the smell of coffee as you pass the café, or the sweet smell of pastries in the patisserie and remind yourself you live in a place many people would see as a dream destination.

Gillian Harvey, a Limousin-based writer and author, has recently released her latest work, "One French Summer," published by Boldwood Books. Her captivating writing style takes readers on a journey through the idyllic French countryside.

Turn to page 13 for a more in depth book review

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Sanxay’s amazing Gallo-Roman amphitheatre

Enjoy historic Place St Medard in Thouars

Taking Better Photographs... With a Mobile

By Steve Marshall

Some will tell you that your mobile is not very good and to take ‘proper’ photographs you need a large expensive camera with exchangeable lenses and filters and stuff. Well, they are wrong.

Mobile lovers will tell you that you can get perfect shots just by pointing and pressing on a mobile. They are wrong as well.

Larger cameras have bigger sensors than mobiles and capture more megapixels – meaning higher resolution. There is some truth in this, but much depends upon the technology and how it is implemented. And unless you are planning on printing your photographs at A4 or larger these sensor sizes will have little impact – so shoot away.

Mobile phone manufactures have very few ways to improve their products to make us buy new models. A phone call is a phone call and a text a text. Almost everything else is down to software. All they have left is the camera. Or if you have the latest iPhone 14 Pro, four cameras – three at the back and one at the front. The Google Pixel 7 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra both have four or more cameras and score better in some reviews.

The multiple cameras on the newest mobiles largely equate to the exchangeable lenses on a ‘normal’ camera – standard, telephoto and wide angle. So they can improve your options. Probably the biggest gain is being able to zoom optically with a mobile. Digital zoom on earlier models just reduces the resolution of the image.

The first key to good sharp images is a steady camera. So two hands and ideally standing against something solid. Single handed, leaning over a balcony may capture your favourite celebrity but the image is unlikely to be sharp. If this is the only choice then burst mode will take a number of images and hopefully one will be sharp.

Beware the extended arm of the selfie –especially for groups – as it can produce some odd distortions. Using a tabletop tripod or just some support can help. Combine this with the timer delay and a more natural pose becomes possible. Composition is always vital. Your eye on the construction and angle of the shot is most important but your mobile offers options on shape – rectangular, square and panorama.

All the photographs in this article were taken with my mobile. The sunset panorama was three separate images

stitched together with editing software but it could have been taken as a single panorama. Slow and steady movement will give the best results.

Flash is limited as the light will travel only a few feet but it can add catchlights in peoples’ eyes, lighten faces and help balance a pale background.

Cameras on auto and mobiles on default settings will always try to focus everything in a scene. There are ways of manipulating this on all devices and mobiles have two excellent options. The first works best on a composition with objects both close and distant. Touch the screen at the point you would like sharpest. A yellow box appears and the focus adjusts.

To test this try at least two separate shots of the same view, focusing on near and far objects. Take the photographs and compare the results. You may need to do this on a larger

screen than your mobile. The difference may look small but sharpening the picture around your chosen subject will give it a subtle edge.

You can also move the sun on the right of the box to brighten and darken the picture.

The second is not dissimilar and makes some photographs easier. Switch to portrait mode and your phone will hunt for faces and focus on those. This will tend to blur the background creating a sharp portrait shot.

Before you take any shot you may like the features offered around lighting setups. You can take shots that are warmer and cooler, brighter and more vivid. You can also adjust for night-time and convert to black and white.

Once you have taken the shot you will find additional editing features from cropping and adjusting contrast to brightness and colour saturation. All directly on your mobile.

There are two important steps with all of these features. The first is to explore your mobile’s camera features. My wording is Apple orientated as I have an iPhone so other manufacturer’s will have variations. And if you find a feature that does not really make sense you can search the on-line manual. I know these are never a gripping read but you should be able to track down particular items. Whatever you do, enjoy your photography and try and take shots that are different to your usual ones.

If you would like to get feedback on your photographs from some fellow photographers please drop me a line at stevemarshall128@gmail.com

Send us your snaps and ideas...

While you're out exploring over the summer, why not take Steve's advice by snapping some photos of the beautiful scenery? Share your favourite snaps on our Facebook page, and we'll showcase the most impressive shots. If a particular monument or building has ever piqued your curiosity, feel free to contact us, and we'll endeavour to uncover its secret. Send your suggestions and ideas to info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr, and let's explore the Deux-Sèvres together.

Bringing the Outdoors Inside

When you are outside, walking in nature, have you ever noticed that here and there you find hidden views surrounded by hedgerow flowers, wild roses, honeysuckle or vetch that twist their way upwards, creating the prettiest of frames to complete the scene?

You may already bring a little of the outside in, with natural flower arrangements to decorate your home, I’d like to share an idea that recreates a little of the mystery of those hidden country vistas.

Floral Window or Fireplace Display

Choose your setting, a window works perfectly, but fireplaces that are unused on summer nights, can work too.

You will need:

A selection of sturdy vases or glass jars of different heights (you can repurpose odd cups or chipped jugs)

Secateurs or garden scissors

Flower stems of varying heights: longer stems for the sides of your display and shorter ones for the bottom. Think of contrasting textures and complimentary shades using nature and your garden as inspiration.

Fill your vases with water and arrange with larger containers to the outer edges. If you intend to open your window, secure vases with sticky pads, or add stones or sea-glass to the jars for weight.

Start with the largest stems and add them to the tall vases to give the appearance that they are climbing around the edge of your window, just as they would around that hidden hedgerow view. Arching stems work well, or twist a vine around an attractive branch...experiment and get creative! If you don’t struggle with hay-fever, add a few grass seed-heads for height, these can add a beautiful softness to any display.

Next, start to include shorter elements. Maybe include some herbs such as mint, rosemary or lavender to deter insects in the house, as well as adding their own colour and structure.

To conceal the jam jars, add some draping foliage. Or maybe raffia hearts for a romantic touch?

Finish with focal flowers, hydrangeas, roses, or something bold and beautiful to complete your display.

Use what you find, consider colour, structure and scent, use your garden and hedgerows for natural sources. When gathering from hedgerows, please never take all the flowers as they are home to wildlife...just a little here or there.

· Remember to gently shake all stems and allow any hidden creatures to escape before you bring them inside.

Some plants cause skin sensitivities, have thorns, or grow amongst nettles, so wear gloves when gathering.

If you are looking for something a little more permanent, maybe consider Floral Frames, which make a beautiful alternative to the cardboard ‘photo booth frames’ used at weddings and parties. These create decoration around your outdoor celebration photos, but can also be used for interior windows, mirrors, pictures etc. You can replace the fresh elements, as required, the bases can be used all year round.

Raffia hearts and Floral Frames are available to order from Sophie at Cueillette et Decouverte

www.facebook.com/CueilletteetDecouvertebySophie

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The latest trends in satellite TV and internet services

Hello and a welcome to a new era of the DSM. A big thanks to Kathleen & Chris for stepping up to the plate and of course, many thanks to Tony & Lynne for everything they did previously. For those of you about to ‘pop your cherry’ with this article, then it’s good to have you on board. You may not agree by the end of this, but let’s be positive and go with it for now. For those of you hoping I’d be canned, I’m sorry to say that the world of satellite TV and satellite internet is just too exciting to be ignored (unless you have a life of course).

First off though, an oldie. Freesat is not the same as Freeview. Please do not purchase a Freeview box just because it’s cheaper than the Freesat equivalent. It simply won’t work. The clue is in the name of the service, FreeSAT. At some point this month, those of you with a BT Sport package (naughty!) will see the name change to TNT Sport. What else is changing? Nothing. Will Jake Humphrey still be on your screen? Unfortunately, yes.

This may not apply to many people now as the changes happened at the end of February, but for those of you with an old style, non-HD satellite receiver, you will have lost your BBC channels. You simply need to upgrade to an HD (highdefinition) box. No changes to your dish are required, it’s just a case of replacing the box itself.

Talking of HD boxes, remember that to actually see highdefinition images on your TV screen, you just need to connect your satellite box to the TV using an HDMI cablenothing else. I often see HD boxes and HD TVs connected via a horrible old scart lead - yuk!!!. It works, but you are not seeing a high-definition image. A single HDMI cable is all you need.

Whilst on the subject of things not to do, another big no-no is putting your TV cabling in the gutter (which is not the same as ‘laying a cable’ - that’s something completely different, Elizabeth!). Whilst the cables are pretty hardy, they can only take so much and will eventually crack and allow water inside the outer casing. Not only does this lead to an extremely brittle cable, it also allows water to eventually reach the back of your satellite receiver where it will eventually rust the input connector. This is bad. It can equally allow water to get to the output on the LNB, which will rust. This is also bad. Run it on the gutter hangers if you wish, just not laying in it. Humax have not made Freesat receivers for over 3 years now. There remains some confusion between Humax and Freesat. Freesat is the name of the service, like Sky TV or the BBC. Humax is a manufacturer of satellite and terrestrial receivers. They no longer make anything for Freesat, so please do not assume you have to have a ‘Humax box’. You don’t.

Also, whilst on Freesat issues, be aware that you can change the UK postcode that your Freesat box uses. So, if your friend from Yorkshire has given you his Freesat box and you don’t want Yorkshire news, simply reset the box using a UK postcode you do want and you’ll get the local news from that region. Do not however use a French postcode. The box will have

no idea what you are trying to do! UK

postcodes only.

The nearly 50% reduction in the price of the Starlink satellite internet service which occurred last year, came with the caveat that they would impose a ‘soft data’ cap instead of the original offer of unlimited data. However, this ‘cap’ has been scrapped in the US. Whilst it may still apply in France, it’s unlikely to be for much longer and therefore makes the 50 euros per month look even better value when compared to the poor effort of satellite internet from the likes of Nordnet. As always, please feel free to get in touch if you would like any further information or would like to discuss your requirements. Contact details can be found on the advert.

Provence

Provence

and the Cote D’Azure part 1

and the CÔte D’Azure part 1

Russ Adams

One interesting challenge of driving a right-hand drive car through the narrow roads and hairpin bends of the Cevennes, Ardeche, and Provence is that the passenger sits closer to the oncoming 45-tonne truck while both vehicles navigate the limited 10-foot space available. The options are to delicately graze wing mirrors at 30mph or tumble down a 1000-foot cliff should you leave the road. For passengers with a hint of nerves, each approaching vehicle can feel like sharing their seat with a large dog, whimpering and snarling at the same time.

Bauduen

We fancied tackling a more challenging hike, so we drove out to Bauduen, a very attractive village on the shores of an inlet of the stunning Lac de Sainte Croix. We called at the tourist information in the village to ask for maps of suitable hikes, and they provided us with a slip of paper covering 100² miles and the following instructions:

"Leave behind the wash house, follow blue markers. Leave early, the cliffs reflect the warmth in the gorge."

Lac de Sainte Croix

It was just gone noon when we set out in the heat of the sun, but mad dogs and all that. The wash house turned out to be a 17th-century spring once used by the locals and after 15 minutes, we found our first blue mark. The system works very well, once you are alert to looking for small blue marks in carefully hidden places, such as tree trucks - behind the foliage and on small rocks at the sides of paths. The walk was magnificent and challenging, walking through gorges, oak and pine woods and rising to 2300 ft to get great views of the lake and surrounding hills. All the while, we saw various

wildflowers, and a multitude of butterflies, and listened to the birdsong. Then, we suddenly stumbled upon a sudden full of beautiful poppies.

Descending through a Gorge

The next day we decided to try cycling. Cycling in Provence wasn't easy for us due to its mountainous terrain. We did cycle to the recommended nearby village of Baudinard sur Verdon (with great views apparently), only to find it shut and the views another 4 to 5 miles away involving some very steep hills. We cycled back.

In the evening we walked to the nearest village – Regusse, again to find it seemingly deserted. Until, on the far side of the town we found a street cordoned off and chairs laid out for a local fete, so we gatecrashed. After a couple of beers, we were joining in with the quiz, which involved identifying French pop songs and artists from the music, our knowledge being very limited, we were getting nowhere. Then came a round of identifying films from the theme tunes and we thought we had a chance. The problem was they wanted the French film titles which were usually completely different to the original. We scored a single point during the night when the theme tune to Jaws played, and we started gnashing our teeth and shouting "Le Grand Poisson". They seemed to allow it out of sympathy.

Moustiers-Ste-Marie

Moustiers-Ste-Marie has a real claim to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, with waterfalls in the centre, a chapel high on the cliff face and a multitude of tiny streets full of craft shops and restaurants; it is truly lovely.

Gorge du Verdon

The Gorge de Verdon is the deepest gorge in Europe at up to 800m (2600 ft) deep and it is spectacular. In places it is only 200m wide at the rim and as narrow as 8m at the level of the river. It’s worth driving around the rim even with the inevitable narrow roads, hairpins and unguarded edges. It can be stressful though, especially with the number of people who try to do this in a camper van.

On our way south to the Cote D’Azure we called in at Castellane, a lovely village under a 180m cliff face, we have visited and stayed at before. The impression this time was somewhat marred by the fair being in town, dodgems and hooka-duck did nothing to improve the treelined town square.

For the Cote D’Azure, we were based at Pegomas, just outside Cannes. However, in a masterpiece of planning I had bought tickets for the Rugby European Champions Cup Final in

Marseille, so on our first day there, we did a 230-mile round trip to the game. Marseille has a reputation for being a bit rough and shabby but we thoroughly enjoyed the day. Luckily enough, it was also a festival day in Marseille so the Vieux Port was full of colour and music. What impressed us was that the festival was initially led by groups of people with disabilities or learning difficulties. They were having a whale of a time, under the watchful eyes of their carers.

Marseille Festival

I had bought the rugby tickets in the vain hope that Sale Sharks would make the final. In the end, we watched a tense game between Leinster and La Rochelle, with La Rochelle winning in the last 2 minutes, 24 to 21. It was a great atmosphere though. Can’t wait for the World Cup in September, we have tickets for the games in Marseille. It’s all about timing, we decided to cycle into Cannes, still congratulating ourselves on accidentally catching Marseille festival, we found that the Cannes film festival had finished the day before and if we had gone to Monaco instead, we could have been watching the Grand Prix. So instead of tales of F1 glamour and film stars, I’ll talk about cycling around Cannes.

Pegomas is on a cycle route you can use to reach the centre of Cannes. It is called “De L’Olivier au Mimosa”, meaning from olive trees to mimosas, sounds delightful, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it takes you miles out of your way,

along the side of the motorway, around Cannes airport and Mandelieu- La Napoule, to then cycle along the seafront into Cannes. Still, this doesn’t sound too bad, except for when you see signs telling you the route has ended and you have to join the maelstrom of the Cote D’Azure traffic. At one point you join on a bend, leading through a tunnel under the motorway, just where the motorway traffic joins from the slip road. At Cannes tourist information I asked for a map of cycle routes, hoping to find a better way back and was given a map showing training routes for competitive cyclists, all around 50 miles long through the Provencal mountains. Not really for us.

Cannes Bus Station

Cannes is big but enjoyable, especially the old town.

There’s too much stuff for just one report, so I will follow up with a part 2 on Provence and the Cote D’Azure in the August Issue.

The Great Chimney Challenge

Baughen

Welcome back, we hope that you’re enjoying this issue of DSM after the break. We also wish Chris and Kathleen lots of luck with their new challenge!

So far 2023 has been a busy beekeeping year, with more people than ever becoming interested in either keeping bees or providing improved environments for pollinating insects. The Chelsea Flower Show’s theme of ‘re-wilding’ is one that gardeners can embrace to any extent they like, from allowing a few daisies to appear on their lawns, to actively planting wildflowers.

For those who wish to become beekeepers, one of the first questions is “how do I acquire a colony of bees?” There are several options, one of which is to collect a swarm. The past few months have seen several swarms and those who are ready, able and willing to collect them have profited from the bees’ urge to reproduce at a colony level. When we receive a ‘swarm call’ we have to ascertain a few facts before we race off to collect what may be a small cluster in a difficult-to-get-at

planning and is more difficult as the bees are quite happy where they are and don’t want to leave. Bee nests between shutters and windows are fairly straightforward affairs for us now, but bee nests in chimneys are a different challenge altogether. Typically they are not only extremely difficult to access, but it can be dangerous to be clambering around on a roof in full protective clothing, wielding extraction equipment.

However, recently we were asked to remove some bees that had only just arrived in a chimney, and even though the chimney was three floors up in a château, it was accessible via a door onto a large flat roof. Hmm, interesting…. we went to take a look before agreeing to anything. There were indeed bees in the chimney, about 80cm down from a small opening, but there was a parapet to stand on and a huge flat roof where all our equipment could be placed. We agreed to attempt the extraction on a day when the weather was a little less unsettled. You’ve guessed it, that day didn’t arrive for a week, in which time the bees had started to build a substantial nest, attaching beautiful clean wax comb onto the inside of the chimney. Bearing in mind the need for planning rather than racing straight in, we discussed what we could do and then practised it back at base.

opened the entrance so they could discover their new location, and later that week we inspected the hive to ensure all was going well. We located the queen and were pleased to note that new comb was being built. We are very grateful to the owners of the château for not wanting to kill the bees and for being so accommodating, allowing us to traipse

location, which may also leave well before we arrive. It’s tempting to think “free bees!” but it’s never that easy. Over the years we have learned that, as Mike Tyson the boxer famously said, “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”*…. so a second plan following the punch is required!

We often hear from people who have the next stage on from a swarm of bees, where the bees have actually found their new home and are busily working away constructing comb in which to store nectar and pollen and for the queen to lay eggs. This situation, the removal of an established nest, entails a lot more

Our idea was to vacuum out the bees using our homemade ‘bee vac’, then cut the wax away and collect it, placing the wax and bees in a small hive that we could then close up after dark and take home. We constructed a makeshift chimney out of hive boxes and realised that the vacuum hose needed to be stiffened to direct the suction. Cue lots of bamboo poles cut from the garden to which we tied the hose, and constructed a sharp-edged collection tray that we could lower into the chimney to obtain the wax. Having practised using all this equipment that would make W Heath Robinson envious, off we trotted to the château where we hauled all our equipment up to the roof.

The plan went well with only a slight punch in the mouth being that a lot of the removed bees attempted to regain access to the chimney. They were soon thwarted by covering the chimney top with a towel, and by nightfall, they had all gone into the hive. The next morning we placed them in our apiary and

Amanda

The Guys Vineyard

The Guys Vineyard

Is it going to be another hot year?

by Rob Brimfield and Seve McMahon

As summer approaches at Clos Vieux Rochers, the heat from last month is already making its presence felt. Owning a vineyard in South-West France is no easy feat, and though some thought we were crazy, we dove in headfirst. Eight years later, we still love it here, despite the occasional exhaustion. Hard days often end with us savouring our wine while enjoying the view or sharing stories with guests under the stars.

This spring, Channel 4's "A New Life In The Sun… Where are they now?" returned to catch up on our progress since their initial visit in 2016. Despite our workload, we continue hosting pop-up events like Dine in the Vines, Musique Dinatoire, and Afternoon Teas.

The recent global challenges have affected everyone, including the wine industry. Costs for fertilizers, bottles, and fuel have skyrocketed, but supermarket wine prices remain stable. As small producers need sales more than ever, we encourage you to support them this year by being mindful of your wine purchases.

So, what should you drink this summer? While trends can influence our choices, many of us return to our favourites. Bubbles are high on the list, with French Crémant and Champagne offering fantastic alternatives to Prosecco. Crémant, a sparkling wine produced using the traditional method, provides excellent value and can rival even the finest Champagne.

Rosé is another popular choice for summer, and crisp, dry options are ideal. Look for one with a richer colour, as there are many flavorful options beyond the blush rosé that dominates the market. These fuller-flavoured rosés enhance the dining experience rather than just lubricating it

Orange wines, which are white wines fermented on the skins, are also vying for a spot on the must-have list. This process results in an amber-coloured wine with a richer

flavour profile, similar to red wines. Though popular in the '50s and '60s, it fell out of favour as wine drinkers sought crisper, softer, sweeter whites.

Chilling red wine is a controversial topic, but it's worth noting that good French wines should never be chilled. They're best enjoyed at 17-18oC, even during hot summers.

The rise of zero and low-alcohol beverages has not gone unnoticed by the wine industry. While beer and spirit manufacturers have made strides in producing alcohol-free options, the wine industry still has a long way to go in creating a quality product that could replace a good bottle of French wine. For now, it's best to stick with traditional wines and explore other alternatives when looking to reduce alcohol consumption.

We hope to see you at Clos Vieux Rochers soon, and until next month, cheers!

Fortnightly deliveries to the Deux-Sèvres

Pedalling Through the Past

How the first Tour de France in 1903 shaped the World of Cycling today

The Tour de France is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world, attracting millions of fans and cyclists alike every year. But have you ever wondered how it all began? The first Tour de France took place in 1903, and it was a gruelling 2,428-kilometer race through the French countryside that lasted over three weeks. It was a groundbreaking event that not only revolutionized cycling but also had a significant impact on French culture and society.

From its humble beginnings to its current status as one of the world's premier sporting events, the Tour de France has a fascinating history. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how the first Tour de France in 1903 shaped the world of cycling and how it continues to inspire athletes and enthusiasts today. So, sit back, grab your bike, and get ready to pedal through the past!

The idea for the Tour de France was first proposed by a French newspaper, L'Auto, as a way to increase circulation. The newspaper's editor, Henri Desgrange, was a keen cyclist himself and saw the race as a way to promote the sport of cycling and to showcase France's countryside..

The first Tour de France started on July 1, 1903, in Montgeron, a south east suburb of Paris. The race was open to professional and amateur cyclists, although most of the participants were professionals. There were 60 cyclists who started the race, but only 21 finished.

After starting in Paris, the race went through cities such as Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux before returning to Paris for the final stage. The race was divided into six stages, with each stage covering a distance of between 275 and 471 kilometres and covered a total distance of 2,428 kilometres. The route took the riders through some of France's most beautiful countryside, including the Pyrenees and the Alps. The race lasted over three weeks and was won by Maurice Garin, a Frenchman who completed the course in just over 94 hours.

The first Tour de France was a groundbreaking event that had a significant impact on the sport of cycling. It not only helped to popularise the sport but also paved the way for more cyclists to turn professional. The race attracted a lot of attention from the media, and the riders became national heroes overnight.

The race also had a profound impact on French society and culture. It helped to promote a sense of national pride and unity, as people from all over France came together to support the race. The race also helped to promote tourism, as people travelled from all over the world to watch the race and explore the French landscape.

The Tour de France has come a long way since its

inception in 1903. It has grown in popularity and size, with more participants and spectators each year. The race has also become more international, with cyclists from all over the world participating.

The format of the race has also changed, with the race now consisting of 21 stages and covers a distance of around 3,500km. The stages are designed to test a variety of skills, including endurance, speed, and climbing ability. Riders have also become more technologically advanced over the years. Cyclists now use state-of-theart equipment, and the race is closely monitored using GPS technology and other tools.

The race has produced some of the most memorable

Tour Winner Lucien Petit-Breton, 1907

The first Tour de France, 1903

moments in

the history of cycling.

From epic battles between riders to dramatic crashes and triumphs, the race has seen it all. Some of the most famous moments in the history of the Tour de France include Eddy Merckx's five wins in the 1970s, and Bernard Hinault's five wins in the 1980s. The Tour has also produced some of the most iconic champions in the sport of cycling. These include Jacques Anquetil, who won the race five times in the 1950s and 1960s, Miguel Indurain, who won the race five times in the 1990s, and Chris Froome, who

has won the race four times since 2013. While British riders Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas have both been winners.

The Tour de France is a race that has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. From its humble beginnings in 1903 to its current status as one of the world's premier sporting events, the race has a fascinating history. Today, the Tour de France continues to inspire athletes and enthusiasts alike, and it remains one of the most important events in the world of cycling.

The Tour de France in The deux-SèvreS

Over the past few years, the Tour has visited several locations in the Deux-Sèvres, showcasing the Department’s natural beauty to the world. But where exactly has the Tour de France visited in the Deux-Sèvres in recent years?

2003 The 18th stage passed through The Deux-Sèvres from Brioux-surBoutonne and finished in SaintMaixent-l'Ecole.

2008 The 5th stage started in Cholet and went through Argentonnay, Thouars and on to Pas-de-Jeu

2020 Stage 11 touched Saint-Hilaire la Palud and weaved its way over 80 km to Vasles

2023 There are no stages in Deux-Sèvres this year. The closest place you can see the race this year is on July 8 on the route between Nontron and Limoges.

2024 There will be no stages in Deux-Sèvres. The race will begin in Nice and end in Florence due to the Paris Olympics. You can also check out the Tour 79, which runs from July 13-16 over 5 stages from Niort to Melle. For more information, visit www.tour79.fr

Geraint Thomas & Chris Froome Tour de France, 2018

Grn Genius Grn Genius

"I've booked you a place at an atelier beauté in the bar on Friday."

As it turned out, this was a demonstration at our local bar by an adviser from a manufacturer of eco-friendly health and cleaning products. There would also be chance to chat about products and order them from the host.

I have to admit that I have always been a bit wary about "parties" like this, remembering the 1980's where everyone's mum had a new plastic salad gadget every few months.

manufacturers of natural health and cleaning products in France, based just down the road in Nueilles-Aubiers (79250).

I grew up in the shadow of the chocolate factory in Bourneville, and ever since I read Willy Wonka, I have been fascinated by what is hidden behind the doors of any type of factory. Needless to say, I was delighted when we received an invitation for a tour a few days later.

Driving through Nueil-lesAubiers, you see a roundabout with a huge solar park in front of it. Right next to it, on the site of the old hamlet of La Vacherasse, is the headquarters of Science & Nature.

the 5-acre site, you can sense that this place is special.

There's a certain calm and quiet about the HQ building, as Olivier and Antoine Guilbaud walk around talking to people. You would never guess that they are are the heads of a multimillion-euro operation.

On a rainy Thursday night, we all sat round a table in the bar to make some of the products manufactured in the factory. We made a skin serum and also huddled around a raclette machine to melt wax for a lip balm.

At the end of the evening, I got chatting to Elisabeth Malblanc, who explained that she works for Science & Nature, one of the largest

Science and Nature is the umbrella company for highquality products such as Centifolia, La Guerande, and also Body Nature - almost every French person I have asked knows about this well respected French brand, which has been around for more than 50 years.

As soon as you enter the site, the eco credentials are everywhere to see. From the trees butting up to the buildings (the trees couldn't be moved), the natural pond, the hemp that's grown for the biodigester and the many plants that grow on

The first part of the tour takes place in the building where the whole enterprise began in 1972, after the family moved back to the family farm from Orleans. The tiles preserved on the walls are the same ones the founders worked with 50 years ago. A 10-minute video explains the entire ethos and history of the facility. There's a display of developments over the past 50 years and crossreferences important dates in the world of ecology, such as the Paris Accord in 2015. Having worked in companies

where only lip service was paid to the environment, there is a sense here that this is something very different. The place lives and breathes environment, sustainability and respect for nature.

But this is no hippy commune with Swampy hiding in a tree. Think of it more as a mini version of the Eden Project, and that's the feeling you get here. It reminds me of Neal's Yard or the early days of the Body Shop.

I really missed products like Ecover and Method when I first moved to France, and my own vinegar, vodka and

A behind the scenes tour inside Science & Nature's innovative and sustainable Headquarters

lavender concoctions have never been a big hit. If, like me, you have ever stood in front of the limited supply of eco cleaning products at the supermarket, you are looking in the wrong place. They do seem to exist, and they are something that every French person I’ve asked seems to know and love. I have often used Body Nature's hand wash or sprayed their air fresheners when we have been out and about, but I never realised how local and easily accessible they are to buy.

The research and development building has windows through which you can watch the scientists at work with their centrifuges, spectrometers and other high-tech equipment. Quality control is everywhere so you feel reassured that the products are both safe and well researched. Elisabeth explains that it takes around two years to develop a new product for the skin, and only 50% of ideas make it to market.

In the next room, employees dressed head-to-toe in PPE fill tubes, label bottles and check for quality issues, even a crooked label means the item will be rejected. The packing centre is the hub for all mail order products. Everything is packed by hand and scanned at every step of the process, while staff whizz round on mini forklifts and replenish stocks.

Odysee Nature is a purpose built building with its own kitchen, bathroom and living room areas, a bit like an Ikea showroom. This is used for parties to demonstrate the Body Nature Range and to train the network of 1600 consultants across France. You can also try the jus de raisin that is produced on site - the vines are grown for the leaves, but some of the grape juice is also bottled for sale too.

How easy is it if you don't speak much French? The website is in French, but works well with a translator if you need one. You can book visits online and also buy the products. The website also has a “find an adviser” / “Trouve une Conseillère” facility, if you enter your details this takes you to an email form to make contact if you find that easier than making a phone call. You can order the products

online or through your local advisor. Many of the advisers speak some English, so you can have a party in either English or French or a mix of the two.

From March to October, it is possible to book a guided tour of the site, which is also available in English if booked in advance. There are also events in the summer with many activities for children. If you want to show off your ecocredentials for anyone visiting in the summer, I recommend you visit this hidden gem right on our doorstep.

July is the perfect time to enjoy your garden with bright sunshine and warm summer temperatures. While warmer weather can be pleasant, it can also pose challenges for watering plants and maintaining their health. To promote your garden's well being while reducing water use, it is crucial to prioritise activities. Remember to take care of yourself while gardening by applying sun protection and drinking plenty of water.

In this brief guide, you will find information and practical tips for taking care of your garden in the month of July. From tending to delicate flowers and supporting foliage to harvesting fruits, here are some tips to help you keep your garden looking its best.

Because of the ongoing water restrictions this year we haven’t included any information about sowing and harvesting vegetables due to the lack of water available.

• Climbing roses and honeysuckle require extra care during this season. The recent heavy rain and strong winds may have damaged both the plants and their supports, so it's important to tie them up firmly and make any necessary repairs.

• You should prune flowering shrubs such as philadelphus and weigelia after they have finished blooming. Remove any old or damaged stems by cutting them down to ground level. Also, trim any healthy new growth on the lower part of the stems to promote optimal growth.

• Now is a good opportunity to trim your Wisteria plant. Identify the long and thin side branches and cut them down to approximately 20cm from where they sprout for the best results.

growth with a sturdy structure. Regular watering is important to avoid wilting and stress indicated by drooping leaves and dark stems. If you spot any diseased parts, remove them right away to prevent further spread of infection.

• Add some autumn colour to your garden or pots by planting nerines, colchicum, and sternbergia. These plants can continue to grow in the ground even after they finish flowering at the end of autumn.

• Prune your lupins and delphiniums to encourage a second burst of flowers.

• Keep your roses and peonies looking neat by removing dead flowers, and trim any dead, damaged, or diseased stems from rambling roses after the flowering season has ended.

• Divide the clumps of your bearded irises to improve their flowering next year. Cut the leaves to about 15cm, separate the rhizomes by breaking them into suitable pieces, and replant the healthiest ones in flowerbeds or pots. This will allow new roots to develop before the colder autumn weather sets in.

• For healthy clematis plants, ensure the roots are shaded and support new

• To prevent dandelions and herb Robert from spreading in your flowerbeds, make sure to remove them before they have a chance to seed.

• Herb Robert is a type of wild geranium that can be invasive and dominate quickly. Its roots grow almost horizontally on the soil and its small pink flowers have deep red lower stems. Even though it's pretty, it can take over your whole garden.

It’s still possible for a pool this Summer

• Now is the perfect time to get rid of ground elder and bindweed before they become too much to handle. You can use vinegar or an eco-friendly weed-killer to eradicate them, just make sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Water shortages

• Pinch out the tips of side shoots on fig trees where they have developed five leaves. Prune back blackcurrant bushes after harvesting .

• Butterflies and other pollinators are essential for a healthy garden. Plant butterfly-friendly plants like buddleia, verbena, and lavender to attract them to your garden.

• Marigolds and other flowers can also attract beneficial insects like hoverflies, which help control pests like aphids.

• Keep birdbaths topped up with fresh water and leave water and tinned cat food out for baby hedgehogs.

Most importantly, enjoy your garden! Don't forget your hat and sunscreen on hot days and stay hydrated with lots of cooling liquids.

Happy gardening!

The Deux-Sèvres region is already starting to face water restrictions again this year.

Here are some tips to help you:

• If you're already collecting rainwater with a water butt, you can use it for watering plants and reducing your reliance on tap water. If you haven't got one yet, it's worth considering setting one up to avoid future issues.

•'Greywater' is any used household water, except toilets. During droughts, you can reuse shower, sink, and laundry water in your garden. For non-edible plants, you can use cooled greywater from baths and showers – just make sure not to pour it directly onto the foliage.

• Opt for drought-resistant plants like lavender, rosemary, or thyme, which require less water. Native plants, adapted to local conditions, might also need less irrigation.

• Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, leaves, or straw, around your plants to help retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and suppress weed growth.

• When watering, use a can with a nozzle to direct water at the base of plants, targeting roots and minimising waste.

• Water plants during late evenings and early mornings to prevent water loss through evaporation.

• Don't worry if your lawn turns brown in dry weather –it's not dead and will usually bounce back once the rain returns.

Keep in mind that these methods not only benefit the environment but also help cut water bills and conserve energy.

For more information about water restrictions visit www.deux-sevres.gouv.fr

Clubs & Associations

Alcoholics Anonymous - South West France

If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are now a number of English-speaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous in the South West of France. Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share experiences, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for AA membership and AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. For help or information, telephone: 05 31 60 90 95 or visit: www.aafrance.net

Netball: Clessé Allstars - The Clessé Allstars netball club meets every Monday at Salle Omnisports, Clessé 79350 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. We welcome players and supporters of all ages and abilities. Join us for a free taster session before signing up. FB @clubdenetballclesse

Royal British Legion - Bordeaux & South West France Do you need help or advice?

Contact us at: rblbx.assistance@gmail.com www.facebook.com/groups/306085566632991

melleran Chanteurs - Amateur singing group that meets every Monday at 6:45 pm at the Salle des Fêtes in Melleran. French and English members singing in many languages. New voices are always welcome, especially tenor and bass. For more information, please contact Alison Hudson 05 49 29 65 31

Combined Services Support Group - CSSG is a group of mainly ex services people living in the area who meet socially whilst raising funds to support ex-service charities. Former UK servicemen and women, police and firefighters are invited to email Christine Hester at christine.hester10@gmail.com

Why Not joiN thE RAF FAmiLy?

RAFA Sud-Ouest France

Le Perail, 17250 BEURLAY, France Tel: 05 46 95 38 89 email: admin@rafasudouest.fr

AFVBC - The newly formed North Charente Maritime Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club meets the second Sunday of every month at 10:15 a.m. at the Relais d'Aulnay. Reservations with Ann and Allan at walpcs@yahoo.co.uk

www.avf.asso.fr

Acceuil des Villes Françaises - A French association dedicated to welcoming newcomers from all over France and abroad to their new surroundings; helping them integrate, speak French, and feel 'at home' through social events. pjhenderson@orange.fr

thouarStmed’Arts - Association that aims to bring together people from the historic town of Thouars (Quartier Saint Médard) for a new development of artistic activity. Exhibitions, galleries, brocantes, creators, cultural events, etc. Visit the website: thouarsaintmedarts79.asso-web.com

French Lessons for English Speakers

Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), 4 Place Leopold Bergeon, 79150 Argenton-les-Vallées

Classes: beginners or intermediate. Private lessons on request. Contact: rendez-vous79@orange.fr

Vasles Netball Club - Want to keep fit, have fun and make new friends? Join us at Vasles Netball Club every Monday from 5.307pm at the Salle Omnisports in Vasles. Open to men and women of all abilities and experience. Two free taster sessions. FB @VaslesNetballClub email: vaslesnetball@gmail.com @VaslesNetballClub email: vaslesnetball@gmail.com

dirty hands Gardening Club

Meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month in Coulonges-surl'Autize. For when, where, how and why of hands-on gardening contact Janette by email: fenhorizon1@gmail.com or call: 05 49 75 50 06.

Craft Café Creatif

We are a craft group who meet once a fortnight on a Wednesday afternoon at Pause Café, L'Absie. Our members knit,crochet,sew, embroider etc .We craft and socialize over a cup of tea. New members welcome.

Tai Chi classes - exercise for body and mind (and memory) for everyone. Classes are held Mondays at 7:30 pm in Bressuire and Wednesdays at 3:00 pm in Le Breuil Barret. Call Terry at 05 49 65 60 34, email chentaiji.fr@gmail.com or visit www.chentaiji-fr.com

BRidGE

A small, friendly bridge group is looking for new players in the Parthenay area. We are friendly and informal and welcome players of all skill levels. Contact Richard Knight by email richardknight@orange.fr or 05 49 69 18 65

Franglais Anglo-French Group thouars - Centre Socio-Culturel

We meet every Wednesday 7.30pm-9pm, at 7 rue Anne Desrays, for conversation in English & French, and to understand each other’s language and culture. Contact 05 49 66 35 11 or email jpc.allorent@orange.fr or eugene_mc_cabe@hotmail.com

National Helpline 0800 240 200 or email: helpline@cancersupportfrance.org

You can find more details about CSF Vienne & Deux-Sèvres by visiting: vienne.cancersupportfrance.org/vienne-home www.facebook.com/groups/1573102762990772

Airvault Conversation - Come and practice your French with a friendly group of Fench and English speakers. Every Wednesday at 7pm at the Salle CSC 16 rue Emmanuel Bonnet, 79600 AIRVAULT

Call Christian for more information: 05 49 63 04 78

Clubs & Associations Submission:include title and 40-word max entry (with contact details) and optional logos if space allows. Free ads rotate monthly; for guaranteed monthly printing, pay a 4.50€ monthly fee (54€ annually). Email submissions to: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

pLAyERS WANtEd

ALL ENQUIRIES ARE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE

Clubs & Associations

Vienne and Deux-Sèvres

Philip Buckley

The­number­of­volunteers­had­been­declining­in­the­DeuxSèvres­for­some­time.­During­the­time­of­the­pandemic,­the members­of­the­bureau­decided­that­something­had­to­be done.­It­became­apparent­that­the­only­way­forward­to maintain­an­association­for­the­Deux-Sèvres­was­to­merge with­another.­This­is­a­common­practise­throughout­the country.­The­Haute­Vienne­association,­for­example,­serves a­number­of­surrounding­regions.

In­October­2021,­a­proposal­was­made­to­merge­with­the Vienne,­and­this­became­a­reality­in­November­2022.­Since the­proposal,­we­have­held­several­joint­meetings­and­have arrived­at­a­format­that­seems­to­work­for­all­of­our members.­We­meet­three­times­a­year­in­Poitiers­in­a­room kindly­provided­by­La­Ligue.­There­is­a­business­meeting­in the­morning­and­a­training­session­for­our­‘Active­Listeners’ in­the­afternoon.­Lunch­at­a­local­restaurant­enables­us­to socialise­and­get­to­know­each­other­better. We­continue­to­raise­money­to­cover­our­costs­which include­affiliation­to­the­National­Cancer­Support Association,­insurance,­advertising,­and­the­cost­of­training new­‘Active­Listeners’.­Thank­you­to­readers­who­have donated­at­various­times­and­occasions­in­the­past.­We­are currently­running­a­‘Guess­the­Weight­of­the­Groceries’ competition.­If­you­have­taken­part­we­are­very­grateful because­‘every­little­bit­helps.”

As­the­new­president,­my­goal­is­to­make­this­merger­a success.­My­five­years­of­experience­with­the­organisation has­taught­me­that­cancer­can­touch­a­family­at­any­time, and­that­hopes­and­dreams­can­suddenly­be­shattered temporarily­or­permanently.­We­can­offer­help­in­a­variety of­ways­-­language­support,­phone­calls­or­email.­If­you­need ongoing­support­with­cancer­or­would­like­to­learn­more about­becoming­an­‘Active­Listeners’,­please­contact­us. You­can­get­in­touch­with­us­here:

National­Helpline­0800­240­200 email:­helpline@cancersupportfrance.org­

You­can­find­more­details­about­CSF­Vienne­and­DeuxSèvres­by­visiting:

vienne.cancersupportfrance.org/vienne-home www.facebook.com/groups/1573102762990772

Yin–Yang & Tai Chi

Almost­everyone­has­seen the­famous­Chinese­yinyang­symbol,­often represented­by­two­fishes­it­is­a­simple­design­behind which­are­some­interesting ideas…­In­nature,­often­one thing­is­followed­by­it’s opposite,­just­like­the­two fishes.­For­example:­

Inhale/exhale,­day/night,­life/death, attack/defence­etc.

Of­course,­there­are­exceptions,­hopefully love­is­never­followed­by­hate­…­but,­with care,­simply­grows­without­limit!­Sometimes, one­thing­naturally­causes­it’s­opposite­to occur.­For­example,­inhaling­will­inevitably result­in­its­opposite:­exhaling.­

Accepting­change­as­inevitable­In­Chinese philosophy,­these­opposite­pairs­are­classed as­yin­and­yang,­often­coloured­black­and white­respectively.­The­connecting­idea between­these­pairs­is­that­change­is inevitable­-­the­conclusion­being­that­we

The­Reaction­Theatre­Association­contains­many­different groups:­theatre,­Keynotes­choir,­book­club­and­poetry­&­pints group.­You­are­welcome­to­join­any­of­these,­or­like­many­of­us, all­of­them.­The­theatre­will­be­presenting­a­variety­show­later in­the­year.­The­choir­held­several­concerts­in­June­and­early July­and­will­be­performing­many­more­in­the­future,­with rehearsals­starting­again­for­our­winter­shows­in­September. We­have­both­French­and­British­choir­members­and­sing­in both­languages­(but­you­don’t­have­to­be­fluent­in­either!).

The­poetry­&­pints­group­is­also­taking­a­summer­break­and will­be­meeting­again­in­September.­There­will­be­more information­about­the­group­in­the­September­DSM.

The­Reaction­Theatre­book­club­and­poems­&­pints­groups meet­monthly­at­the­Café­des­Belles­Fleurs­in­Fenioux.­The book­club­is­usually­held­on­the­first­Wednesday­of­each­month at­3pm.­­Each­month­a­member­suggests­a­book­for­the­group to­read.­The­group­then­gathers­to­discuss­the­book­and­eat cake!­New­members­are­very­welcome­to­join­us.­­We­have read­a­variety­of­authors­over­the­past­year­from­Maggie O’Farrell­to­Andrew­Miller.­The­book­for­July­is­‘The­Nightingale’ by­American­author­Kristin­Hannah.­­

The­poetry­group­usually­meets­on­the­last­Wednesday­of­each month,­with­members­selecting­and­reading­poems­based­on an­agreed­theme.

The­book­club­and­poetry­sessions­are­free­for­Reaction Theatre­members.­

If­anybody­is­interested­in­joining­the­book­club­in­July,­taking part­in­any­of­our­other­activities­from­September,­or­if­you have­any­other­questions­please­contact info@reactiontheatre.eu

There­is­also­more­information­on­our­website: www.reactiontheatre.eu.­Please­also­see­the­‘What’s­On’ section­of­this­magazine­each­month­for­up­to­date­Reaction Theatre­news.­

should­accept­change­as­a­natural­aspect­in our­lives­rather­than­fight­against­it.­Also, these­natural­changes­are­often­gradual­and continuous­rather­than abrupt!

You’ll­notice­that­within the­white­yang­part there­is­also­an amount­of­yin­(the black­spot).­This­is meant­to­remind­us­to avoid­extremes­of­both­yin­andyang­both in­our­actions­and­our­lives­…­to­look­for harmonious­existence­in­all­that­we­do.­For example,­during­talking,­a­discussion­can allow­a­mutual­learning­to­take­place­whilst an­argument­often­simply­leads­to­conflict and­aggression.

Yin-yang in Taiji practice

In­the­practice­of­Taiji­(aka­Tai­Chi)­we­try­to put­these­ideas­into­practice,­dealing­with whatever­we­do­in­a­calm­and­harmonious manner.­Be­it­in­the­practice­of­solo­forms

where­we­attempt­to­get­to­know­ourselves better­–­or­in­a­pas­de­deux,­where­we­try­to discover­what­the­intentions­of­our­partner (or­aggressor)­are,­and­meet­them harmoniously­without­a­blunt,­insensitive force.

If­you­would­like­to learn­more­about the­ways­of­yin-yang and­Taiji,­you­can attend­the­(ess­entially)­free­Taiji classes­in­Bressuire (79)­and­Le­Breuil Barret­(85)­every Monday­and­Wed­nesday­respectively,between­September and­June.

Both­beginners­and­more­experienced­Taiji people­are­very­welcome.­Pour­aller­plus loin,­why­not­visit:­

https://chen-taiji-fr.jimdosite.com

Terry, with his Taiji Teacher: WANG Haijun

Terry Ryan

John Blair

Seasonal Recipes

Easy Raspberry GalettE - serves 4-6

This easy raspberry galette recipe is perfect for making use of fresh summer berries. The combination of sweet-tart raspberries and buttery pastry is sure to satisfy your dessert cravings. Give it a try and impress your family and friends with this delicious treat!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 roll of Pâte brisée pastry (from the fridge section of most supermarkets)

• 300g fresh raspberries (or other berries, eg blackberries, blueberries)

• 50g sugar

• 1 tbsp cornflour

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 egg, beaten

• Extra sugar, for sprinkling

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C.

2. In a bowl, mix together the raspberries, granulated sugar, cornflour and lemon juice until well combined.

3. Unroll the pasty and and place it on a baking sheet along with the parchment paper it's rolled in. Spoon the raspberry mixture onto the center of the pastry, leaving about 5cm around the edges.

4. Fold the edges of the pastry up and over the filling, pleating as you go. Brush the beaten egg over the crust, then sprinkle with sugar.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

6. Allow the galette to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, if desired.

To make a gluten-free version, use a roll of gluten-free pâte brisée instead of regular pastry.

Some rolls of pâte brisée pastry are suitable for vegans, check the ingredients and look for versions made with vegetable fats instead of butter. Rather than using egg, try brushing with a plant-based milk.

Lebanese style couscous salad

This recipe differs greatly from the ready made couscous found in French supermarkets. I originally learned of this recipe from Lebanese chef Anissa Helou when she demonstrated it at a food festival. Since then, it has been modified to incorporate ingredients more readily available in France. Traditionally, tabouleh is made with bulgur wheat, but couscous is a more accessible substitute.

This is a perfect side dish to serve with chicken, fish or grilled halloumi cheese. Make sure to chop the herbs finely and, and adjust the seasoning to your preference.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 a mug of fine couscous

• 3 medium tomatoes, diced into small cubes

• half a red onion, trimmed and very thinly sliced

• 1 bunch of flat leaf parsleywashed and dried including the stalks.

• a bunch of mint leaves, washed and dried, with no stalks (approx 20g)

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon lebanese sevenspice (optional)

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• Salt to taste

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 50ml extra-virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pop the couscous in a small bowl with an equal quantity of boiling water. Leave for 10 mins until all the water is absorbed and it goes fluffy.

2. Put the lemon juice, salt, pepper and onion in the base of a serving bowl.

3. Using a sharp knife, slice the parsley and mint leaves together until they are finely chopped.

4. Add the chopped herbs to the bowl, then add the drained tomatoes and finally the couscous.

5. Sprinkle the cinnamon and allspice (if using) over the couscous.

6. Drizzle over the olive oil.

7. Just before serving mix everything together and check the seasoning.

Gluten free - use quinoa (cook as directed on packet)

Seasonal Recipes

Melon, Cucumber, Tomato and Goats Cheese Saladserves 4

This simple melon, cucumber, tomato, and soft goats cheese salad with French dressing is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for dinner and is easy to scale up for a crowd. It's easy to make, and the combination of sweet melon, crisp cucumber, juicy tomato, and goats cheese is delicious.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 charentais melon

• 1/2 small cucumber

• 4 medium tomatoes

• 100g bûche de chèvre, sliced

• handful of shredded mint (optional)

For the French dressing:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.Peel, deseed and cut the melon into bite-sized pieces. Slice the cucumber into rounds - you can peel it if you want but it's not necessary. Slice the tomatoes.

Moroccan Carrot Salad

Bring the taste of Morocco to your table with this simple carrot salad that uses readily available ingredients.

I was taught to cook this dish by a Moroccan Chef in Marrakesh - thank you, Chef Kimista.

INGREDIENTS

• 250g carrots

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons sugar or honey

• 2 teaspoons orange flower water

• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Peel the carrots, slice them lengthways then chop into julienne (matchstick) strips

2. Add all the ingredients to a saucepan

3. Simmer together until the carrots are cooked water has disappeared (approx 10 mins)

4. Serve at room temperature or chilled – sprinkled with sesame seeds (optional)

Gluten free.

Vegan option – substitute olive oil for butter

2.Add the melon, cucumber, and tomato to a large serving platter.

3.Arrange the slices of goats cheese on top of the salad.

4.In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard until well combined.

5.Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.

6.Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.

7.Sprinkle with the shredded mint if you're using.

8. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Based on an original recipe by Rick Stein Gluten free.

For a vegan version replace the goats cheese with slices of avocado and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.

Easy Crossword

(with thanks to Rob Berry)

Clues ACross

1. ridiculous (6)

4. sturdy and strong in form (6)

8. wear away (5)

9. with no protection or shield (7)

10. The hair growing on the lower part of a man's face (5)

11. A large amount of wealth and prosperity (7)

12. upside down gymnastic position (9)

15. Jockey's foot support (7)

16. A sturdy hand shovel (5)

17. Austrian composer (1804-1849) (7)

18. Cutlery item (5)

19. showing a lack of respect or politeness in an amusing way (6)

20. Take into police custody (6)

Clues DowN

2. Hairdresser who also cuts 10 Across (6)

3. Framework of support for the body of a vehicle (13)

5. Absorbent material used to dry ink (8-5)

6. reddish brown pigment (6)

7. unable to hear anything (4-2-1-4)

13. Fasten by sewing (6)

14. extremely unpleasant (6)

Cryptic Crossword

(with thanks to Mike Morris)

Clues ACross

8. Puts out a groan; it gets my goat! (6)

9. Painter reported to be an observer of the countryside (8)

10. lines I put in locks to provide supports for plants. (10)

11. Atom bombs? ring for security. (4)

12. Nothing getting in through this, that's efficient. (8)

14. strains; these disorders about the onset of madness. (6)

15. sorry, he robs cool organisation, making basic mistakes. (9,6)

18. Fast pace doctor gets round everybody with oxygen. (6)

20. Companion cleans up some parts of the church. (8)

22. TV driver can be found in the dump? (4)

23. I am led by a con prepared to be fiendish. (10)

25. Its choir is assembled for an outstanding event. (8)

26. Flower of scotland perhaps a normal start for these people. (6)

Clues DowN

1. Marble perhaps is essential to upset Cain, making him rebellious. (8)

2. No entry to island, this must be paid. (4)

3. Album I put together on us resort. (6)

4. Traditional comedians represented by alma mater Dandys perhaps. (3-6, 6)

5. New estaminet has no end of rum to make liqueur? (8)

6. Not even my car is set to be serviced. (10)

7. Tell about the tale about..............? (6)

13. ............. high windows to see little marsupial escapes? (10)

16. once round I would shortly fire ray as stone carver. (8)

17. oliver perhaps split over fields being let out? (8)

19. reach a non-drinker disturbing scotsman? (6)

21. Girl is put on titleless double year book. (6)

22. Initially all children trying several elements of play. (4)

Decode the message

Our Furry Friends

Shop Open every Wednesday Monday & Wednesday 10am-2pm

Donations welcome 11am - 4pm

Tech Clinic with Ross Hendry

2nd Wednesday of every month

Magasin Ouvert tous les mercredis

Les dons sont les bienvenus de 11h à 16h

les lundis et mercredis de 10h à 14h

Clinique technique avec Ross Hendry

2e mercredi de chaque mois

Juno

Juno is a nine yr old victim of a marriage breakup. He's a lively boy who loves being with his people so we are looking for a family where someone is at home with him most of the time.

THE ASSOCIATION EN ROUTE tel: 07 69 18 56 81 or email: henri@assoenroute.com

He's great with kids, clean, well behaved in the house, car and on lead, sociable with other dogs, but needs a cat free home.

Please contact us if you'd like more infohenri@assoenroute.com

www.assoenroute.com

The Funny Farm Cat Rescue

The Funny Farm Cat Rescue, located in the countryside near St. Germain de Longue Chaume, is a sanctuary for over a hundred cats in need. The centre is operated by Heather, Holly, and a team of devoted volunteers who provide care for these cats, many of whom require extra attention and affection because of disabilities or health problems.

Every Wednesday, the Funny Farm welcomes visitors to the on-site café, where you can enjoy hot and cold drinks and delicious cakes. With many wonderful donations on display in the saleroom next door, you might find the perfect outfit, dish, set of mugs, or book you've been wanting to read. You can also visit the cats, donate food, or reserve a cat ready for adoption. You can also pick up the latest issue of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly from the café.

The Funny Farm is actively seeking adoptive families for cats with special needs. They have a wide variety of cats waiting to be adopted, including those with unique personalities,

shapes, sizes, and colours. One such cat is Hazel, who has a condition that requires daily medication. She is in desperate need of a home, especially if she can be adopted alongside her daughter, Freya.

Speedy is another cat looking for a new home. His owners had to move into assisted living, and he couldn't go with them. He is very talkative, and friendly, and loves playing and sleeping.

If you're interested in adopting a cat, whether as an indoor companion, a barn cat, a mouse catcher, or a playmate for another pet, the Funny Farm has many wonderful feline friends waiting for their forever homes.

Volunteers play a crucial role in the operation of the Funny Farm, helping care for the cats, sorting donations, and running the shop and café. The cats are well cared for, with large cages and trees to play on, regular vet visits, and sterilisation.

The Funny Farm Cat Rescue calls upon kind-hearted individuals to support their incredible work by adopting a special cat, volunteering their time, or simply visiting the café. By participating, you're contributing to the well being of these deserving felines and ensuring they have a brighter future.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these unique and special cats. The Funny Farm is open on Wednesdays from 11 am to 4 pm or arrange an alternative appointment to meet these adorable cats.

To get in touch, email: thefunnyfarmrescue@gmail.com or search for Funny Farm Cat Rescue on Facebook Do

money matters

Strategic financial planning for living in France

When was the last time you took a fresh look at your financial planning? One key reason to review your savings and investments, tax and estate planning is to check it is all up to date. Establish whether any tax or pensions rules or financial regulations have changed, and how the investment climate has evolved over the past year. Also consider if any developments in your personal and family circumstances mean you should adjust previous arrangements.

Many people only consider segments of their finances at a time. They may have bought shares in companies they like and/or invested in funds recommended by a financial adviser years ago. They may speak to a tax accountant to learn about French taxation and a lawyer about setting up a French will. At some point they may wonder if they should make changes to their pensions.

For truly effective financial planning, however, you need to consider all these various aspects together. How you hold your investments can make a difference to your French tax liabilities. Estate planning in France is no simple matter, with its complex succession tax regime and forced heirship rules, and how you own assets can impact on what you can achieve. And when deciding what to do with your pensions, look at all your retirement savings and what income they can generate for you.

Here is a summary of three key areas you should consider in your financial planning review.

French residency and taxation

The fact that you are resident in France, rather than the UK, has a significant impact on your financial planning.

Regardless of how effective your tax pl anning in the UK was, you pretty much need to start afresh in France. What was tax efficient across the Channel is unlikely to be tax efficient here. Explore the compliant arrangements that provide tax benefits in France. The assurance-vie savings vehicle, for example, can provide a range of advantages that go beyond lowering your tax bill.

Being a French resident can offer tax advantages, for example, if you are in a position to safely take your entire pension as a lump sum. While you are no longer eligible for the UK’s 25% tax-free lump sum, some people can limit taxation on the whole amount to just 7.5% (with a 10% allowance). This may be possible if your contributions were paid to a contributory scheme and if, after withdrawing a lump sum, you cannot take another capital lump sum from the fund.

Pension income and lump sums are also subject to 9.1% French social charges, but these do not apply if you hold Form S1.

Estate planning

Do not leave estate planning to the final stage of financial planning. The way you own property and investments in France impacts on how you can distribute your assets on death and how much tax your beneficiaries pay. So take this into consideration early on when buying assets and setting up investment arrangements.

by Catrina Ogilvie, Blevins Franks

Financial structuring for life in France

Perhaps the key rule for financial planning is that it must be specifically structured around your personal circumstances – your lifestyle today and plans for the future, family situation, income requirements, objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance.

If you do not already have a strategic financial plan in place, you may need to take a completely fresh look at all your savings and investments and consider if they are suitable for you today. Are they too risky? Do you have adequate diversification? Can they provide income without risking the capital? Could you consolidate shares and funds so they are easier to manage?

At the same time, consider your tax liabilities on investment income and gains and whether you could use alternative tax-efficient arrangements to hold your investments. Establish how best to hold your investments so they can easily, and tax-efficiently, pass to your chosen beneficiaries on death. Some assurance-vie allow you to hold your choice of investment assets while providing tax and estate planning benefits. There are various ones available so choose the one that works for you.

Every family is different. Your strategic financial planning must be carefully designed for you. All the various aspects should work cohesively together to create an overall wealth management plan that provides long-term financial security for yourself and achieves your wishes for your heirs. For peace of mind that you have covered everything and that making one financial decision will not have unexpected consequences on another, take expert, professional advice. The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfr anks.com.

Ask Amanda

I started writing for the DeuxSèvres magazine in January 2012 when Sarah Berry invited me to be part of this great regional magazine. It has had several owners since then and I was very happy when Chris and Kathleen contacted me to say that they were now taking on the publication. I wish them every success.

I thought for this July edition I would remind you of my very first article for the Deux-Sèvres and apart from my family now being very grown up and La Grande Galerie now longer open the rest of this article is still very relevant today as it was 11 years ago. There have been many changes since 2012, some have been good some not so good! but I like to think that Ask Amanda has been a constant source of help for the Deux-Sèvresreaders.

If you have a question that you would like to see in future publications, then please contact myself.

“I am Amanda Johnson and I have been invited to write regularly for the Deux-Sèvres Magazine and I wanted to start by introducing myself.

Having lived in the Loudun area with my young family for the past 5 years I am a regulated Financial Planner specialising in helping expatriates get the best from living in France. Bilingual, with 20 years of banking and regulated financial planning experience in the UK, I am authorised through Orias in France and work for a brokerage also registered with the AMF. Living in France is very rewarding but many of the rules and regulations, especially when it comes to taxation, inheritance, retirement planning, buying, and renovating your home, differ from the UK. Working closely with colleagues throughout France ensures I can share best practices and keep you current with any changes in French financial law. This is why it is very important to have regular face to face meetings.

I am frequently asked about Inheritance tax planning and feel that when you have lost a loved one why should you suffer a financial loss too? I can help you optimise your savings by offering a range of investments in sterling, Euros and US dollars, whichever you prefer, protecting them from inheritance tax should the worst happen. I can also review historic pension

arrangements giving best advice on future retirement income. For a Free Consultation, on Inheritance tax, investments, retirement planning and buying or renovating your home or to review your current circumstances, please call me on 05 49 98 97 46 or email

amanda.johnson@spectrum-ifa.com www.spectrum-ifa.com/johnsonloire.shtml

You can also find me each Tuesday morning between 10.30 and 12.15 at “La Grande Galerie” in Civray where I hold a free Financial Surgery which gives you the opportunity to meet me and have an informal chat.”

Amanda Johnson works as an Independent Financial Adviser with the Spectrum IFA Group tel: 05 49 98 97 46 or 06 73 27 25 43 or email: amanda.johnson@spectrum-ifa.com www.spectrum-ifa.com/amanda-johnson

Whether you want to register for a newsletter, attend a roadshow or speak Amanda directly, please call or email her, The Spectrum IFA Group do not charge for reviews, reports, or recommendations.

This month’s advertisers

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST

chalet villa château farmhouse apartment vineyard gîte cottage coast country city

EXCLUSIVE

Stunning views

Deux-Sèvres €190,000

Ref: A20227 - Charming 3/4-bedroom home, recently renovated, with sauna.

Agency fees to be paid by the seller.

DPE: In progress

EXCLUSIVE

Peaceful Hamlet

Deux-Sèvres €283,550

Ref: A20229 - 3/4-bedroom former mill with 1 bedroom gîte and woodland.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: E Climate class: B

EXCLUSIVE

Immediate Neighbours

Deux-Sèvres €194,400

Ref: A18100 - Renovated 4-bedroom cottage with 2½ acres of gardens.

8% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: D Climate class: B

EXCLUSIVE

Holiday Home

Deux-Sèvres €99,000

Ref: A19348 - Recently renovated 3bedroom village house with garden.

10% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: D Climate class: B

EXCLUSIVE

Country Escape

Deux-Sèvres €235,400

Ref: A20206 - Renovated 4-bedroom property in a small countryside hamlet

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: D Climate class: B

EXCLUSIVE

Income Potential

Charente-Maritime €230,050

Ref: A19277 - 6-bedroom property with 2 gîtes and a large garden.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: F Climate class: C

EXCLUSIVE

Hamlet Property

Deux-Sèvres €105,000

Ref: A19498 - 3-bedroom farm property with outbuildings and views.

9% agency fees included paid by the buyer. DPE: Not required

EXCLUSIVE

Beautifully Renovated

Deux-Sèvres €272,850

Ref: A20139 - Stunning 4-bedroom house with garden and gîte potential.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: E Climate class: E

EXCLUSIVE

Perfect for Horses

Deux-Sèvres €180,000

Ref: A19293 - 3-bedroom house in a quiet location with lots of outside space.

8% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: D Climate class: C

EXCLUSIVE

Village Property

Deux-Sèvres €235,000

Ref: A13772 - 4-bedroom house with 4 reception rooms and lovely garden.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: D Climate class: B

Space For Pool

Deux-Sèvres €267,500

Ref: A17176 - 4-bedroom farmhouse with garden and outbuildings.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: D Climate class: B

Business Potential

Deux-Sèvres €231,182

Ref: A16605 - 5-bedroom house with

Agency fees to be paid by the seller. Energy class: D Climate class: D

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