The Deux-Sèvres Monthly - September 2024

Page 1


• LOCAL EVENTS

• LOCAL EVENTS

• GARDENING

• GARDENING

• FRENCH PHRASES

• FRENCH PHRASES

• BEEKEEPING

• BEEKEEPING

• CROSSWORDS

• CROSSWORDS

• RECIPES and more

• RECIPES and more

deVere France S a r l are regulated by ANACOFI- CIF and ORIAS which will only recommend French regulated produc ts.

Helen Booth works as a financial adviser for deVere France S.a.r.l. par t of deVere Group, one of the world’s leading independent financial consultancies Helen, who lives in the Deux-Sèvres region, worked in the financial ser vices industr y in the UK for 15 years and prides herself on being fully diploma- qualified for the ser vices she provides in France

With more than $10 billion of funds under its advice and administration, and with more than 80,000 clients around the world, deVere Group truly offers a myriad of unique produc ts and notes that are not available anywhere else in the market. This, as Helen puts it, gives clients the pick of the crop when it comes to investing.

deVere France can advise you on ways to help safeguard and increase your wealth, as well as helping with HMRC-recognised pension transfers to a Qualified Recognised O verseas Pensions scheme (QROPS) to give you potentially more flexibility in your pension plans

If you would like to k now more about how deVere France can help you, contac t

Helen Booth DipPFS , EFA

Mobile: +33 (0) 77 171 2879

Email: helen booth@devere -france fr

Dénomination sociale: deVere France S a r l, RCS B 528949837, 29 Rue Taitbout, 75009, Paris, France Gérant: Mr Jason Trowles Registre avec ANACOFI-CIF (Association Nationale des Conseils Financiers) Nombre enregistré: E008176, association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers Cour tier d’assurances

Welcome to the September issue of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly!

As I write this in early August, our printers are preparing for a two-week shutdown Downstairs, the Olympics are on TV while the upstairs feels like an oven, and as if that wasn’t enough, we experienced an earthquake this morning

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is still fresh in our minds Even if it wasn't to everyone’s taste, it was fascinating to watch and then rewatch to learn about all the the cultural references woven into it Just when we think we know enough about French culture and traditions, something comes along to challenge that knowledge But we keep on learning!

It always amazes me when we have visitors who are an expert in their subject area – last year we were visited by a retired tree surgeon who gave us a guided tour of all the trees in the department This year we were visited by a dedicated ‘twitcher” who has even written an article about all the birds that he spotted on his travels! There's also a handy page on French expressions relating to animals - we hope you find it useful!

On the cultural front, make a note of the journées du patrimoine (Heritage Days) on 21 and 22 September On this weekend, historic buildings, museums and cultural sites that are normally closed to the public open their doors and invite visitors to discover their hidden treasures It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore the rich history and architecture that surrounds us

This time of year is full of festivals, events and opportunities to immerse yourself in our local culture and heritage Whether you’re exploring historical sites or getting involved with local organisations, there are countless ways to enjoy this vibrant time of year

Our September What's On guide is packed full of local events, centred around the journées du patrimoine weekend, but we've included other activities too If you'd like to suggest events for our October issue, get in touch with us by emailing info@thedeuxsevresmonthly fr

We hope the sun continues to shine and look forward to seeing you in October!

Kathleen & Chris

tel: 07 86 99 16 17 email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

© K Butler-donnelly

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 siret: 90043034900028 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 issn: 2115-4848 dépôt légal: à purition

CHURCH NOTICES

The Filling Station - PoitouCharentes. 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 English service (translated into French) every week in the Salle Annexe behind Civray Mairie at 10 30am Contact 06 25 04 36 51 www vie-nouvellecivray com

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

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

Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 place des Halles

Le Tallud 79200 place de l'Église

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

Parthenay 79200 rue Jean-Jaurès

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

Saint-Loup-Lamairé place du Marché

THE ENGLISH 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.

www.escoval.jimdofree.com

Contact Geoff Cornwall : gdfrance6052@gmail.com

Jim Burrows : 05 49 22 41 78

Carole Taylor : mumsikins@hotmail.com

Regular venues including:

• Argentonnay 79150

• Funny Farm Cat Rescue 79200

• Genneton 79150

• Louin 79600

• Noirlieu 79300

Remember to pick up your copy of The Deux-Sèvres Monthly!

Find us on Facebook: Oh my Lord Franck’s fish and chips or email: lordmaurin@yahoo.com

Thénezay 79390 place de L'Hôtel de Ville

Local Markets in neighbouring departments

Monday a m Benet 85490 place du Champ de Foire

Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place du Champ de Foire

Tuesday a m Civray 86400 place Leclerc

Montrueil-Bellay 49260 place du Marché

Mortagne-sur-Sèvres 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

Pouzauges 85700 les Halles

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Friday a m Civray 86400 place Leclerc

Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place René Nicolas

La Châtaigneraie 85120 place de la République

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

Protecting Animals: France Launches Nationwide 3677 Hotline

France has recently launched a new hotline 3677 to report cases of animal mistreatment Managed by the National Council for Animal Welfare (CNPA) this free ser vice is accessible from landlines and mobile phones within mainland France It operates year-round from 9 am to 7 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5 pm at weekends

Calls to 3677 connect people with the appropriate authorities such as local police gendarmerie or veterinar y surgeries ensuring a swift response to reported incidents For animals in immediate danger or requiring urgent assistance, dial 17 to ensure the situation is addressed promptly

La Cachette

Designer boutique specialising in:

• Handbags, backpacks, travel bags

• Cosmetic bags, cardholders, wallets

• Leather and canvas bags

• Nightlights and stained glass lamps

• Tea towels and place mats

• French, American, and Italian candles

• Toiletry gift boxes

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, RELIGIOUS AND FEAST DAYS

Toussaint All Saints Day Friday 1 November 2024

Armistice de 1918 Armistice Day Monday 11 November 2024

Noël Christmas Day

Wednesday 25 December 2024

Jour de l'An New Year's Day

Wednesday 1 January 2025

Pâques Easter Sunday

Sunday 20 April 2025

Lundi de Pâques Easter Monday

Monday 21 April 2025

Fête du Travail Labour Day

Thursday 1 May 2025

Victoire de 1945 VE Day Thursday 8 May 2025

Ascension Ascension Day Thursday 29 May 2025

Dimanche de Pentecôte Whit Sunday Sunday 8 June 2025

Lundi de Pentecôte Whit Monday Monday 9 June 2025

Fête Nationale "Bastille Day" Monday 14 July 2025

Assomption Assumption Day Friday 15 August 2025

EXHIBITION “À LA RECHERCHE DE L'ARC PERDU”

Throughout September tumulus de Bougon

Travel back to the origins of Olympic archery in the Neolithic era Explore ancient burial mounds, discover millennia-old arrowheads, and compare primitive bows with modern counterparts The exhibition explores the evolution of archery from hunting tool to Olympic sport tumulus-de-bougon fr

BLUR THE EDGES, LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Throughout September Oiron

Sean Scully's monumental "Stone Tower" sculpture, inspired by 18th-century garden follies, will be unveiled at the Châtea uin autumn 2024 The exhibition "Blur The Edges, Love One Another" features his abstract paintings and Murano glass sculptures, exploring boundaries, love, and tolerance chateau-oiron.fr

"LA SCULPTURE, DÉCOR D'ARCHITECTURE"

Throughout September Parthenay

Discover the carved decorations on the buildings of the Parthenay-Gâtine region through stunning photographs and genuine sculptures This exhibition highlights the close ties between architecture and its decor, offering an artistic and engaging experience that will inspire you to visit these works in situ parthenay fr

ATELIER PROMENONS NOUS

Throughout September Oiron

An opportunity for children to investigate the chateau grounds and uncover history, fauna, flora, and produce art via a variety of interactive activities A booklet with all the information is provided to assist accompanying adults chateau-oiron fr

"AU TEMPS DE NOS GRANDS-MÈRES"

Throughout September Souvigné

Explore the daily life and significant events from the 1900s to the 1950s This exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing artefacts, photographs, and stories from an era that shaped our present Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with history and appreciate the experiences of our ancestors musee-souvigne com

PESCALIS SUMMER MARKET

1 & 8 September

Moncoutant-sur-Sevre

Enjoy the farmers' and craft market at Pescalis, complete with entertainment and on-site catering options pescalis com

LANDSCAPE GAME : HARO ON THE POISONER!

1, 8, 15 September

Saint-andre-sur-Sevre

Join the puzzle game "Haro on the Poisoner" to solve Lord Pierre de Montfaucon's poisoning Teams of 2-5 need an hour minimum to use observation, cooperation, and humour

The castle remains accessible with site maps and audio guides available chateau-saintmesmin com

TOUR OF THE EXTERIOR OF CHATEAU MAISONTIERS

1 – 13 September

Maisontiers

An opportunity not to be missed With an impressive 80m northern facade and a 40m-wide moat, this château holds great historical significance Explore the beautiful park adorned with centuries-old trees The exterior is open to visitors from 10am to 12pm and 2 30pm to 6 30pm with no entry fees avt-tourisme.fr

"DE PÉKIN À PARIS" DE MENG MENG

1 - 22 September

Château de Bressuire

Explore 180 photographs by Chinese photographer Meng Meng, showcasing her humanistic perspective from Beijing to Paris The exhibition features street photography that captures the cultural essence of both cities Free entry, Saturdays and Sundays 14h30 - 18h30 ville-bressuire fr

FESTIVAL PHOTO

1 - 29 September

Moncoutant sur Sèvre

This year, the photography festival is celebrating its 14th year and will welcome photojournalist Isabelle Serro (isabelleserro com) as guest of honour festivalphotomoncoutant fr

BIENNALE INTERNATIONALE D'ART

CONTEMPORAIN

1 - 29 September

Melle

The 10th Biennale Internationale d'Art Contemporain titled "Nous Merveillons " Featuring over 50 artists and curated by Evariste Richer, this edition partners with three Fonds Régionaux d'Art

Contemporain of Nouvelle Aquitaine mairie-melle fr

IDA GRINSPAN EXHIBITION

1 - 30 September

Fontivillié

This exhibition unveils the harrowing yet inspiring story of Ida FensterzabGrinspan, a young Jewish refugee in France Experience her life from Paris to Auschwitz through a profound display at the old school in Sompt Admission is free Visits by appointment To book, email mairie-fontivillie@paysmellois org fontivillie fr

VISIT TO THE TOARCIEN NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

2 September

Sainte-Verge

Join geologist and chief curator, Didier Poncet, to explore the Toarcian National Nature Reserve This reserve includes two open-pit quarries of global historical importance, preserving the Toarcian stratotype Witness three consecutive stages of the Jurassic period lhommeetlapierre.com

REACTION BOOK CLUB

4 September

Fenioux

The Reaction Book Club meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 3pm in the Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux, In September it will be ‘A Spy Alone’ by Charles Beaumont Everybody welcome reactiontheatre.eu

SENSORY TOUR

4 September

air vault

Come and discover the Petite Cité de Caractère of Airvault in a different way, through your 5 senses This fun tour offers workshops to explore the town's history Booking is necessary (limited number of places) 5€ for ages 12 and up, 2€ for ages 6 to 11, and free for children under 6

cc-avt fr

SOIRÉE DU PATRIMOINE DE GÂTINE

2024

6 September

amailloux

Join us for an evening of heritage at the Prieuré Saint-Etienne Enjoy refreshments from 19h00 and dance to the tunes of Cactus Riders from 21h00 Their vibrant 1950s show will get everyone moving Explore the historic priory with its charming granite portal and unique architectural features soirees-patrimoine-gatine.fr

80 ANS DE LA LIBÉRATION DE LA VILLE DE PARTHENAY

6 - 7 September

Parthenay

Celebrate the 80th anniversary of Parthenay's liberation with vintage vehicle parades, American camp reenactments, exhibitions, and thematic animations Highlights include a flag ceremony, cannon fire demonstrations, WWII-era stands, a cabaret evening, and a concert by Pacific Big Band parthenay.fr

SOIRÉE DU PATRIMOINE DE GÂTINE

2024

7 September

Pompaire

Join us for a heritage evening in Pompaire Enjoy refreshments on site from 19h00 and a free performance at 21:00 by The Kitchen Groovers, paying tribute to Amy Winehouse Discover the rich history of the Saint-Pierre church, featuring its stunning 19th-century architecture and murals soirees-patrimoine-gatine.fr

LA CHAPELLE EN FÊTE

7 September

La Chapelle St Laurent

Join the celebration at La Vallée Verte with an equestrian show from 11am to 6pm, a farmers' market, and a car boot sale From 7pm, enjoy moules frites (£12 per adult, £6 per child) bookable on Helloasso com The day concludes with a fireworks display at 10:30pm tourisme-bocage com

ARK 79 SUMMER FÊTE

7 September

Ste Soline

Join the ARK 79 Charity Fete at Ste Soline Lake/Park for a fun-filled day with a live auction, dog show, food, and music The event is held to raise funds for abused and abandoned animals Ark79 com

MARCHE GOURMANDE

7 September

aiffres

Join us for a "L'Aiffricaine" themed event

Starting from Jacques Michelet Stadium, embark on a 10k circuit to discover Aiffres Enjoy a delicious meal along the way (don't forget your cutlery!) Children can take part in a fun quiz Wear comfy shoes, bring a torch and a pen, and get ready for a fantastic evening niortmaraispoitevin com

FÊTE DE LA BIÈRE

7 September

Brion-Près-thouet

Join us for the 2nd Fête de la Bière! Enjoy a beer tasting session and live music performed by Cin's Faro and Watchi Watcha Savour delicious food from La P'tite Escale and La Bonne Bidoche Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration of beer, music, and great company! facebook.com/brionpresthouet

BROCANTE AMBIANCE VINTAGE

7 September

Coulonges sur l’autize

Join us for a Vintage Flea Market organised by the Union des

Commerçants, Artisans et Indépendants de Coulonges sur l’Autize Discover antiques with professional dealers Enjoy retro activities: classic cars display, pin-up parade, and temporary tattoo stand

Refreshments and food trucks available

Free entry facebook.com/coulongessurlautize

TRIATHLON DE NIORT

7 - 8 September 2024

Niort

Join the Triathlon de Niort with various event formats and a thousand runners expected Highlights include a team time trial on Saturday and an Olympic distance race on Sunday Suitable for all ages snt79 fr

BÉCELEUF EN FÊTE

7 - 8 September

Béceleuf

Join us for Béceleuf en fête! Saturday evening features French variety concerts and a producers' market, while Sunday offers a car boot sale and village association activities Refreshments available on site both days Free entry mairiebeceleuf fr

ASSOCIATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS FORUM

7 – 8 September

Bressuire

At the beginning of the school year, make sure to take part in plenty of local activities Discover the Forum of Associations and Volunteering at Bocapole, where you'll find over 100

Bressuiraise associations covering sports, charities, culture, practical life, twinning, and heritage Enjoy free demonstrations and introductory sessions ville-bressuire fr

80 ANS DE LA LIBÉRATION

8 - 22 September

Saint-Maixent-l’École

Join us for a commemoration ceremony, exhibition inauguration, republican picnic, and a Liberation-themed dance

Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation with community events, historical exhibitions, and guided tours Free entry for most activities saint-maixent-lecole fr

VISIT TO THE LOGIS DE BARROUX

11 - 22 September

air vault

Explore the Logis with its chapel, dovecote, medieval kitchen, garden, and bread oven The main courtyard contains defensive structures, a noble house, and stables - typical characteristics of regional architecture The visible traces of its history, which is closely linked to regional events such as the Wars of Religion and the Vendée War, can still be seen today cc-avt.fr

FÊTE DE LA BIÈRE

13 September

L absie

Join us for our 8th Beer Festival in Place du 14 Juillet, showcasing a wide selection of beer varieties! Enjoy live music from Lemon Furia, Les Voizins, and Banda El Gruppetto Free entry for children under 14 Come enjoy good vibes and great company!

facebook com/SCALMC

CHAURAY FOODTRUCKS FESTIVAL 79

13 - 15 September

Chauray

Welcome to a truly unique and generous festival that's all about food and fun

Chauray is excited to invite you to explore an amazing lineup of 50 food trucks, each offering creative and eclectic dishes that will take your taste buds on a gastronomic journey around the world chauray fr

130 ANS DE LA FROMAGERIE

21 September

Saint-Loup-Lamairé

Celebrate 130 years of the Fromagerie Lescure with a visit to the exterior of its historic buildings Producing 15,000 tonnes of cheese annually, this company, founded in 1894, has grown significantly Discover its rich history and current success with the prestigious "Saint-Loupsur-Thouet" brand saint-loup-lamaire.fr

MARCHE GOURMANDE

21 September

thénezay

Participants will cover around 10 kilometres with three breaks The menu includes an aperitif, starter, main course,

cheese selection, tart, and coffee

Remember to bring a hi-vis jacket, torch, and your own cutlery cc-parthenay-gatine fr

VOYAGE EN TRAIN À VAPEUR ET VISITE DU DÉPÔT

21 - 22 September

Mortagne-sur-Sèvre (85290)

Board the Steam Train from Mortagnesur-Sèvre to Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre for a guided tour of the Chemin de Fer de la Vendée depot Discover the railway world with workshops and a treasure hunt Reservation required vendeetrain fr

FESTIVAL BOC'N'GEEK

21 - 22 September

Bressuire, France

Enjoy almost 7,000 square metres of exhibitions and performances at the Bocapole dedicated to pop culture, Asia, and imaginary culture Features include cosplay contests, activities, workshops, concerts, and panel discussions for all ages horscadre org

GUIDED TOUR OF THE ABBEY

MUSEUM

21 – 22 September

Mauleon

Discover and delve into the fascinating collections of the museum with a knowledgeable guide, catering to both the young old and discover the exhibition "Savary de Mauléon" Part of the journées européennes du patrimoine agglo2b.fr

DÉCOUVERTE DU LOGIS DE PIERRE

LEVÉE

21 - 22 September

Bessines

Visit the Logis de Pierre Levée, discover its rich history and enjoy delicious recipes featuring Angelica, prepared by the chef Organised by Pierre Levée Mémoire & Patrimoine and Angélique Niort-Marais Poitevin logis-pierrelevee com

"ROUTES, NETWORKS, AND CONNECTIONS

21 - 22 September

thouars

For the 41st Journées Européennes du Patrimoine, explore the theme "Routes, Networks, and Connections" in Thouars

Discover key sites like the château chapel, Tourtenay and more Enjoy museum visits, animations, and open monuments Programme available early September maisonduthouarsais com

JOURNÉES EUROPÉENNES DU PATRIMOINE 21 - 22 September

Échiré

Explore the rich history of Château de Mursay, the childhood home of Françoise d'Aubigné, better known as Madame de Maintenon Enjoy a variety of guided and self-guided tours, photo exhibitions, 3D views, and activities for children

Refreshments available, and you can learn about eco-grazing practices featuring Vendéen sheep lesamisduchateaudemursay fr

EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS: CULINARY CHALLENGES

21 - 22 September

Saint-andre-sur-Sevre

Experience medieval flavours and nutrition with Jean Le Large's "healthy baking" lessons Learn how dietetics combine medicine and nutrition, an approach dating back to Hippocrates chateau-saintmesmin com

REACTION POETRY GROUP

25 September

Fenioux

An afternoon of poetry and drinks with Reaction Theatre members and friends

The Reaction Poem & Pints group meets every 3rd Wednesday at 3pm at Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux We share our favourite poems – this month's theme is Animals and Birds Everybody welcomecontact John Round on 05 49 95 03 65 reactiontheatre.eu

PORTES OUVERTES - ASSOCIATION GALIA

29 September

Fontenay le Comte (85200)

Join us for an adoption day dedicated to dogs and cats Enjoy games, shopping, and a vide grenier Food and beverages available on-site Support a great cause and find your new furry friend Please note this is a change of date from previously advertised association-galia fr

FÊTE DES PLANTES

6 October

Bressuire

The 14th Plant Festival at Bressuire

Château features over 60 professionals offering gardening advice, kids' games, bar and catering Families can enjoy plant sales, farm animals, garden shed sales, garden tours, and workshops

Proceeds support local associations via the Rotary Club of Bressuire Free for children under 18 fetedesplantes.net

The Olympics a global spectacle of human potential

Every four years, the world stops to marvel at the Olympic Games The best athletes from around the globe push the boundaries of human capability, setting new records and achieving the seemingly impossible

But here's a thought – what if we approached our personal growth with the same vigour and determination as these Olympians?

Welcome to Your Personal Olympics

Imagine that self-improvement is your own personal Olympic event The stadium is your life, the track is your daily routine, and the gold medal? Well, that's just a better version of you! In this arena, we're not competing against others, but against our own limitations and past selves And just like the athletes in Paris, we can train ourselves to be faster, stronger, and more resilient in the face of life's challenges

Faster:

Sprinting Away from Negativity

Take the 100-metre sprint, for instance Usain Bolt didn't become the fastest man alive by dwelling on past losses or letting setbacks slow him down In our personal Olympics, we can train ourselves to be faster at letting go of anger and resentment

Next time you feel that familiar burn of frustration rising, try this: Imagine you're at the starting blocks The gun goes off, and you sprint away from

that negative emotion as fast as you can With practice, you'll find yourself leaving those unproductive feelings in the dust more quickly each time

Slower: The Marathon of Patience

Now, consider the marathon runners

They know that victory doesn't come in a burst of speed, but through steady, measured progress In our day-to-day lives, we can learn to be slower to anger, slower to judge, and slower to give up on our goals When you feel impatience bubbling up, take a deep breath and channel your inner Eliud Kipchoge He didn't break the twohour marathon barrier by rushing; he did it through careful pacing and unwavering focus So too can we learn to take life's challenges one stride at a time, maintaining our composure even when the finish line seems impossibly far away

Stronger: Weightlifting for the Soul

The weightlifters of the Olympics show us what raw strength looks like But in our personal development, strength isn't just about muscle – it's about fortitude of spirit and strength of character

We can build this kind of strength by consistently challenging ourselves to step outside our comfort zones Each time we face a fear, have a difficult conversation, or stick to a commitment when we'd rather give

up, we’re adding another plate to our emotional barbell

Remember, even Olympic weightlifters don't start with the heaviest weights They build up gradually, just as we can build our resolve one small victory at a time

The Podium of Personal Growth

In the Olympics of life, there's no single gold medal moment Instead, we're constantly competing, constantly striving to beat our personal bests

Some days we'll smash records, other days we might stumble at the first hurdle But like any good Olympian, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get back in the race

So, as you watch the world's top athletes push the boundaries of human achievement, remember that you're on your own Olympic journey

You're training to be faster at letting go, slower to anger, stronger in your convictions, and more adept at overcoming life's hurdles

And the best part? In this Olympics, everyone who commits to the training wins gold Because with each small improvement, each personal best, you're becoming the champion you were always meant to be

Now, are you ready to take your mark and start your race to selfimprovement? On your marks get set grow!

Everyday yoga for everyone

In every class, there are always four main themes that are constantly running within our routines These are:

1 Body awareness

2 Targeted movements and postures

3 Conscious breathwork

4 Relaxation

All of the above are included in classical yoga practices; however, since these classes are tailored towards older clients, ‘Gentle Yoga’ best describes the style of the class Gentle is the approach that I encourage all my clients to take with themselves, in the way of an encouraging friendly guide In this context, gentle does not just mean not forcing your body to do things it doesn’t want to do It also means learning to be kind to yourself Like a rose that grows with the right conditions of soil, water, and sunlight, we also need conditions in order to bloom We cannot force the rose to open It blooms when it blooms It is inner gentleness combined with

curiosity and confidence that create the conditions for all real progress to occur

Within the targeted movements and postures, we focus on areas that often challenge us as we get older Since keeping our balance has much more critical implications as we get older, we always include some Balance and Equilibrium.

Since muscle weakness and general frailty can begin to limit us, we also work on Strength and Stability

Since stiffness and rigidity can challenge us to continue to move the way we once did, we work on Loosening and Motility

And, since years of unconscious habits can mean that we have come to hold our bodies in ways that are causing unnecessary wear and tear, we work on Posture and Alignment

In my classes, there are those with various limitations; some have weak hips, others can’t sit on their ankles, and

others who have never been able to sit cross-legged But each and every one of them has made meaningful and measurable improvement, and I am very proud of their efforts and greatly appreciate their willingness to take a step into terra incognita – unknown territory of body exploration

As we went into the summer break and shut down the classes for August, I asked some of my clients to give some feedback Here is what they had to say

Joan says that the classes have “enhanced flexibility, reduced joint pain, and improved my overall strength, resulting in gardening activities being more enjoyable and sustainable "

Sheila said that “Getting involved in 'yoga for oldies' has been a revelation I have always done gym and cardio exercises to keep the worst of arthritis at bay I now discover that the key for me was improving my flexibility, something I was convinced was beyond me Gentle yoga has made a huge difference to my quality of life and reduced chronic pain to manageable levels I recommend it to all for its life-changing effects ”

Ruth said: “In just a few weeks I realised there is still hope - never too old! I leave the sessions walking that little bit taller, more balanced both physically and mentally ”

And Brian reminds me that shifting energy is very much what yoga is about when he says, “I arrive at class sleepy and leave energised ”

We will start up the 10:15 Thursday morning classes on 5 September in Le Tallud You are most welcome to join us in our gentle pursuit of graceful aging To learn about group and private classes for yoga and breath coaching please email me at: lavieenyoga@gmail com

Respect yourself, explore yourself

Book Club

Tr ust the reader!

When we write, we hope that somewhere, in some way, somebody will read it and embrace the message we are sending When we receive an email from a reader saying they ‘get’ our concept and book world, or when a reader comes up to us at a book event and says it to our face, we experience a flow of delight and satisfaction

We feel we’ve hit the mark for those readers and formed a connection with them They trusted us to produce a book in which they were prepared to invest precious reading hours (and taxed money!)

But how did we induce that reader to trust us? The key is how we visualise potential readers as we’re writing For me, anybody who picks up a book and reads it is already a smart person But do we see a potential reader as bright and fully capable of intuition, discernment, and depth of feeling? Or do we think of her as a bit slower and less sensitive than us? Do we trust her enough to resist overexplaining everything we want her to feel?

Yet there’s a tendency, common to early writers but also affecting multiple-book authors, to punctuate every action with an interior reflection about what an

action or decision means, evokes, or portends It slows the pace and risks annoying the reader

Experiencing is much more powerful when one hasn’t been told a moment before what one is going to feel or is supposed to feel This extra telling diminishes the power of what preceded it If the writer has dragged me to the spot and insisted, repeatedly, that I look where she’s pointing, I feel as if I’m being lectured Much better if I’m so engrossed in the story-world she’s created that I can’t not feel it

So as I write, I keep saying to myself: ‘No, the reader is smarter than that Don’t disrespect her with lazy prose or an easy notion ’

How to avoid (or remedy) overwriting

When writing and even more when editing

Take a red pen to your words and mercilessly circle or cross out every place where you’ve conveyed a point more than once

• Stop and imagine a smart, sensitive reader Would she understand my words if I offered it simply and directly, in fewer words?

• How could I make those fewer words more potent rather than adding more words?

• If you need to add a back-up sentence to explain a word in the previous sentence, then using a different word in that previous sentence is better and you can cut the back-up

• Use dialogue – a tried and trusted technique which will feel more immediate to the reader

The opposite danger is under-writing

While I’m a huge fan of the Hemingway school of pared-down style, there’s a balance to be struck between being so succinct that nobody has the foggiest idea what your work is about and wandering, overdone prose

Underwriting assumes that we’ll automatically feel everything that happens to the protagonist the way he or she would But if we fail to give context that points the reader towards the character’s desires or woes, the reader will feel disconnected from the character We’ll have to explain it later, or the reader may misperceive the entire story and throw the book at the wall in frustration

Trust your reader!

Exposition works only when it challenges, surprises or in some way takes us, emotionally and mentally, somewhere new Respect the reader enough to participate in your story and its world by giving him or her something additional to process Your protagonist isn’t wearing a coat It’s winter and it’s snowing He’s soaked Then you write that he’s feeling miserable There’s no need Trust me, readers will work it out

Alison Morton

This month’s book reviews Book Club

The Riviera House Swap

Nina has hit crisis point Her divorce papers smother the 40th birthday cards on her doormat, the house she shared with her ex has been sold, so she’ ll have to move back to her parents, and she’s lost the excitement for her steady reliable job I felt for Nina Her best mate Bess has a husband children and a job she loves ever ything Nina is missing plus she s always there with a listening ear and sound advice to help pick Nina back up It’s no wonder Nina finds herself looking to the past and Pierre, hero of the life-changing French exchange when she was 17 Taking a break from work and returning to Cagnessur-Mer just along the Mediterranean cost from Nice, gives her the time to think about her future as she dips her toes back to her teenage past and reflects (a lot) about her life choices I loved the alternating chapters that relived her memories of the French exchange and the letters exchanged between her and Pierre Swapping houses with Jean-Luc gives her independence and space to plan what comes next with the bonus of his family on hand, if she needs a friendly face or a favour Some of the best bits of this book for me were the plotting that went on about how to find herself ‘just by chance’ at the same location as Pierre

A Love Letter to Paris

review by Jacqueline Brown Lilou was an easy character to fall in love with Her day job involved delving into the past, sourcing and selling antique letters and diaries that shared intimate information and spoke of long-ago romances She is oldfashioned enough to mourn the loss of the handwritten letter yet up to date enough to set up an online dating ser vice with a difference Paris Cupid Her idea is to take couples back to the slow and steady courtships found within the letters she sells, and she pours her heart into finding them the right match Add in characters with charm and humour, as well as interesting secrets, all set not just in Paris, but in the antique paradise that is the St Ouen market and I could happily have moved into the pages of this book and lived alongside them As the stor y progresses hearts are revealed and tantalising slowly, so is the myster y of the secret admirer who has been leaving letters for Lilou Ever y time I picked it up, I was wrapped in a warm fuzzy glow whisked away from real life and could feel the smile playing on my lips This has to be the most romantic book I ve read in a long while and yet there is barely a kiss

If you want to know if Nina was successful you will have to read the book but I will say Cagnes-surMer opened her mind and heart to what she really wanted from life, and I finished another Gillian Har vey book with a smile on my face

If you need the pick-me-up of sunshine on the Riviera an inspiring emotional journey and a heroine who learns a lot about herself then let the magic of The Riviera House Swap whisk you away

If you need a romantic break to Paris this summer, start with this book, it’s another cracking read from Rebecca Raisin

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La Vie en France

Dates for the diary

September in France is marked by two important events on the calendar, the infamous la rentrée, or back to school madness, and the culturally exciting journées

Européennes du patrimoine

The back-to-school build-up was never our favourite time of year when Ed was little We were that family who purposely avoided buying anything for the new school year until the last week in August, which both stretched out the summer holidays for as long as possible, and resulted in a headless chicken attack on what was left in the supermarket aisles Difficult as it is for my brain to comprehend, Ed is now working full time in Cultura, a shop I can lose myself in for hours as I browse books, films, music and (his speciality) guitars and musical instruments They even offer a service where organised parents hand in their list of requirements (x number of notebooks in one format and y in another - it was never as straightforward as eight notebooks) and the staff will prepare everything for you I can almost forgive them for having the back-to-school display at the front of the shop before the holidays had even begun If only I had discovered this years ago

This year, les journées Européennes du patrimoine will be celebrated on the 21st and 22nd of September Over these two days, many historical buildings (both public and privately owned) will be open, usually with free or reduced entries and often including special events The Château de Javarzay is always busy during this weekend, whatever the weather, and

I love the buzz of working then, sharing five hundred years of history and heritage with our visitors As well as reducedprice entry for everyone, this year we plan to have something special taking place inside each room, probably on the Saturday afternoon, to add to the visitor’s experience The season might be drawing to a close, but the château is still open daily (except Tuesdays) until the end of September

The one thing Adrian and I have been missing this year is our mini cycle touring adventures that were so much fun last year Just one or two nights away each month, cycling to places from the Loire down to the Dordogne, were such a boost for the mind and the body I’ve never really understood “cabin fever”, even during lockdown, but this year, it’s become a thing The urge to load the bikes up and set off for distant shores has never felt so strong, but September is the perfect time for us to get our maps out and start planning There is always somewhere new to add to my list of places to visit, so even if we can’t put firm dates in the diary just yet, it will do us good to research some route ideas and things to do In fact, I think I might even treat myself to a new notebook or two just for these dreams, assuming I can find any left in the shops now the schools are back

recovering from summer at the far m

I hope you all had a fabulous summer and enjoyed holidays, visitors, making memories and soaking up some sun Let’s not forget September still counts as the summer so enjoy ever y moment

At the farm, we welcomed hundreds of visitors who were all seeking fun with their favourite people and discovering the alpacas The glamping was full throughout July and August, which meant lots of check-ins where guests first step into the seven-metre bell tent and say “wow!” That never gets old for me I love it

With the gîte full too we balanced life through changeovers, doing our experiences with the alpacas throughout the day, and having our first summer fun as a family of three with Emilie discovering the joys of paddling pools ice cream cousins to play with on their summer holiday and local summer fêtes

We also welcomed three new alpacas to the farm at the beginning of July so we had to get used to the new dynamic of the herd and the new recruits too, to know what was normal for them as well as tr ying to make them feel at home and used to us and our visitors too

The new alpacas are exciting for us, not only because we love ever ything about alpacas, but these ones are slightly different too There are two breeds of alpacas; Huacaya and Suri The Huacaya alpacas wool is what you typically think of when you think of alpacas It grows like a teddy bear (okay, perhaps more like a sheep, but I like to think of them as big teddy bears!) Then you have the Suri breed whose wool similar to the Baudet du Poitou, grows into dreadlocks The wool of the Suri alpaca is hugely sought after being super-fine and produces a beautiful lustre when spun One of the new alpacas, Brooklyn, is a pure Suri Whilst the other two, Grouse and Bezzechi, are hybrids of the two breeds Typically speaking creating hybrids is not usual in the alpaca breeding world and it takes nine generations after creating a hybrid to make alpacas bred pure again However, if like us, you ’ re not in the alpaca world for breeding but for pleasure and the passion of the wool, it makes sense to know that this hybrid wool is the best of both worlds and creates something incredible I m so excited to start working with Grouse and Bezzechi s wool but I have to wait until late 2025 for the pleasure, as the first time we shear them will be spring 2025

The three newbies integrated beautifully into our herd and seemed to thrive in their new small world in Sanzay Enjoying warm days being fed by groups lazing under the shade of

the walnut trees, being sprinkled in cold water to help keep them cool and being fed treats over the fence by our glamping and gîte guests too The rest of the herd appeared to relish having new friends especially having new younger alpacas to make their place in the hierarchy higher than it was before Now September is here we will take the time to have a little rest and have our own holiday thanks to some wonderful farm sitters that will keep ever yone happy and safe whilst we take a well-earned rest It’s also time for the alpacas to rest too as the way I see it is if we need some quiet time, so do they Once we ’ re back, we ’ re quite busy again with accommodation bookings September seems to be the new high season and I understand why

We will now catch up on the landscaping and rest some fields, start to think about putting away the glamping for the winter season and the knitting will start for our winter produce But first, rest!

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Left to right; Bezzechi, Brooklyn and Grouse

Car r y O n Camping

After our first child was born, my wife, Anna, said ' never again two years later out popped number two The memor y is short So it was with our latest camping trip We perused our road atlas and La Tranche-sur-Mer was our agreed destination

The campsite was booked, tent and inflatable mattress lobbed into the back of the Dacia, the cat's rotating feeder filled and we were off to the seaside

I thought our last campsite was plush, this one was even plusher with swimming pool complex, café, boulangerie, gym there was even entertainment laid on in the shape of Clown Camembert (the French do love a clown), all for €28

It was such glorious weather we decided to only erect the internal section of our tent allowing for air to circulate as well as a view of the night sky through the netting Beautiful

La Tranche-sur-Mer is north of La Rochelle and the golden sandy beaches give a panoramic view of the Île de Ré The town itself is quite nice but does have a touch of Skegness about it with its shops selling the usual seaside paraphernalia

After a wonderful afternoon of people-watching and drinking too much it was moules-frites o 'clock We walked up and down the high street several times, eventually finding somewhere that passed ever y criterion on Anna s choosing-somewhere-to-eat list moules-frites was ordered We waited for half an hour with not so much as a bit of bread given to us, before the waitress apologised and said they had run out of moules-frites they didn't have any red wine either Instead, we had to watch ever yone else enjoy their crustaceans as we pushed our disappointing galettes around the plate sipping our rosé Nice one Anna!

As we staggered back to the campsite Camembert the Clown was performing his tight five in front of two children and a dog

We enjoyed a balmy evening sitting in our newly purchased camping chairs eating our body weight in crisps and drinking our emergency bottle of Les Ormes that Anna carries with her in the car for emergencies like a defibrillator

At six the next morning, we were awoken by an almighty bang and water hitting us in the face I stagge outside and threw the waterproof cover over the tent But the thunde and lightning increased in intensity and it started chucking it down Emergency action was needed and decided we would lob ever ything in the back of the car and go home early There followed a mad ten minutes of Anna and me slipping around like the Keystone Cops shrieking as we dismantled our tent in the deluge I could hear all our smug neighbours in their state-of-the-art motorhomes being smug Note to self: always check the weather forecast when camping

As we drove home in a steamed-up car with water running down my back I remembered another Carr y On Camping moment from my distant past My brother and I were on a cub camp in Ross-on-Wye We were having a great time making bows and arrows, playing with fire and whittling stuff The only ver y large cloud in an other wise blue sky was a morbidly obese boy called Nick May, whose only pleasure in life was giving boys half his size dead legs and kneeing them in the groin A thoroughly disagreeable bully who nobody liked We were sitting round the campfire drinking mugs of tea whilst toasting dough balls made from flour and water stuck on the end of a stick burnt to a cinder and then smothered in jam heaven After giving the small boy next to him a Chinese burn, May wobbled off to the WC tent to relieve himself Quick as a flash, my brother jumped up and relieved himself into Nick May's mug of tea, which he had left on the grass

On his return the collective pleasure was intense as twenty cub scouts watched Nick May down his frothy nightcap From all the sniggering and smirking, he knew something was up Nigel Beaumont, his creepy sidekick, shouted, “Shaw pissed in your tea!”

As I sat in the car soaking wet driving back to 79 I chortled to myself at the memor y of Nick May chasing my much faster brother around the cow field, for what seemed like hours, screaming, “I'm gonna kill you, Shaw!”

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

1 September 1985, a joint French-American expedition uncovers the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, seventy-three years after it sank to the depths of the North Atlantic The sunken liner is situated approximately 640 kilometres east of Newfoundland, resting at a depth of around 4,000 metres

5 September 1914, General Joseph Joffre readies his troops for an offensive against the advancing German forces at the River Marne in northeastern France With the backing of the British Expeditionar y Force the French initiate a coordinated attack The four-day Battle of the Marne successfully halts the German advance marking the beginning of a prolonged conflict

6 September 1944, the Deux-Sèvres is officially liberated as occupying troops withdraw Intense battles with Allied and French culminated in a wave of freedom by late August Towns and villages erupt in joy, celebrating with liberation parades that mark the end of occupation and the return of freedom

7 September 1911, French poet Guillaume Apollinaire is imprisoned on suspicion of stealing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre However no evidence links him to the crime and he is released after 5 days The real thief Vincenzo Peruggia is caught 2 years later The painting remains in the Louvre until 26 July 2024 when it is stolen by the Minions during an daring raid at the Olympics opening ceremony

10 September 1924, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb are found guilty of murdering 14-year-old Robert Franks, a crime dubbed "the crime of the centur y " Believing themselves above the law, these wealthy University of Chicago students shocked society with their meticulously planned kidnapping and murder The case influenced cinematic portrayals of criminal psychology, including Alfred Hitchcock's film "Rope "

11 September 1921, silent film star Fatty Arbuckle is accused of murdering aspiring actress Virginia Rappe Although he is eventually acquitted, the scandal profoundly impacts his career Born in 1887, Arbuckle initially gained fame in vaudeville before achieving recognition for his comedic roles in Keystone Cops comedies Despite efforts to revive his career he never fully regained his former success and died in 1933 at the age of 46

15 September 1971, activists embark on the Greenpeace boat to halt US nuclear bomb testing near Amchitka Island in Alaska Although their efforts are initially met with defeat this event marks the birth of Greenpeace The mission gains significant media attention ultimately contributing to the cessation of further nuclear testing Over time Greenpeace has emerged as a global leader in environmental activism

19 September 1893, New Zealand pioneers women s suffrage by becoming the first countr y to grant national voting rights to women This significant milestone is the outcome of suffragette gatherings held throughout the nation In contrast, the USA did not extend the right to vote to women until 1920, while Great Britain followed eight years later, in 1928

21 September 1792, in Revolutionar y France the French monarchy is officially abolished, establishing the First Republic This decision stemmed from economic crises and food shortages in 1789, sparking widespread discontent and the French Revolution The revolution leads to the king and queen ' s imprisonment and execution, radically transforming France's political landscape and striving for liberty, equality, and fraternity

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Rue Brisson, Niort: 6 September 1944
La Libertéguidant le peuple: Eugène Delacroix

Taking Better Photographs... G rass and Weed

Just in case there is suspicion in anyone ’ s mind, my title does not refer to those extracts of the cannabis plant that some of us may or may not have smoked and may or may not have inhaled Nor does it refer to the neat suburban lawns cleansed of anything that might be called a weed And I would ask you not to clear away the dandelions – not only do they provide early food for bees but once they have become seed heads they make wonderful photographic subjects

Rectangles of grass fit for a bowling green do not a good photograph make I like the disorder and chance that comes with grass that has been allowed to seed and weeds that have escaped The world is full of gorgeous flowers from dahlias to roses and daffodils to chr ysanthemums and these can make fabulous photographs But today they are not my subject

Grass and weeds are often considered unnecessar y and unwanted in our gardens and open plots They are the unwelcome and sometimes despised visitors to our green

spaces, but they can make powerful photographs whether on the edges of gardens or out in the countr yside

Individual specimens are often best, whether they are part of a larger mix or if they can be isolated from their brethren and the background I like the image of the stem amongst the corn leaves but it is subtle and takes a while for the eye to wander around and fully register Perhaps that is its charm

The single strand of yellowing grass against the green background stands out in a different way The colour difference emphasises that the background is ver y much alive whilst this specimen is dr ying and dying and preparing to shed its seeds to wind or animal And its right to left direction pushes against our reading and writing desire to go left to right

The angelica blooms are beginning to fade from white and I think the change of colour works to hint at their stor y – they are more than just an image; they are going somewhere And again, like so many plants, not just to death or seasonal

pause but to seeding and hopeful rebirth

The thistle, and I think it is a spear thistle almost demanded a black and white treatment It was long dead and almost all the colour had been drained from it Any attempt to retain that colour would I felt have create an insipid image

I note that all of these are photographs of dead or dying plants When they are green and flush with life they tend to blend in with the foliage of all the other plants It is only as they mature that they become worthy of your attention as a photographer

And this is a subject that takes time and care Go out and look Walking is the only viable pace to find potential subjects like these Then spend a little time moving around them I am not suggesting clambering through ditches or over barbed wire, but do assess your chosen variety from all available angles

Consider the background, especially for clutter and distractions Assess the light

My chosen images are essentially in sunlight but go around when you can and consider whether a backlit

photograph would be better – or equal and capture both

Some of my shots were taken on full manual and some on aperture priority –a setting I am tending to use more and more In most of these I deliberately wanted to blur the background making my subject stood out

I could have taken the first shot of the corn with a high aperture number –creating a small hole and a substantial depth of field, allowing most of the leaves behind my subject to be in focus

This would have created a different image – not better or worse just different As I did not take it I cannot make a comparison

And there is a lesson there Digital cameras allow us to take as many images as we wish, so it is worth considering if there are alternatives available – whether in front of us as here or from another angle

All of my examples were taken with a Nikon camera and could have been taken with a modern smartphone –provided I could get close enough and had mastered the controls that would allow management of the aperture

If you would like to discuss weeds or photographs, whether of grasses or something else with some fellow photographers please get in touch at stevemarshall128@gmail com

Old habits die hard…

Apparently we ’ re all creatures of habit When we were living in England for example we always headed down to the local chippy on a Friday evening for our weekly fish & chip treat Now that we re living in France our routine s just the same except that instead of the chippy, we head over to the pizza van in the town square Not quite so British perhaps, but old habits die hard

So it’s not surprising that our daily routine’s been strangely disrupted in the last few months since our house became dogless After nearly 40 years of having a canine companion, we said goodbye to our gorgeous labrador of 13 years soon after returning from our winter holidays in Spain (Regular readers of View from the Vendée will remember her photo in the April edition of the DSM) Our immediate reaction was to start trawling the local animal refuges for a replacement hound before common sense prevailed – with plans for a tour of the UK in the summer, and a trip to Australia in the autumn, this was not

the time to introduce a new dog into our household

But what about our daily routine?? No matter what the weather, we get up, have breakfast then take the dog for a walk (Well, to be fair, David usually volunteers for the wet walks!) My sister who s never had a dog in her life assures me that you can in fact go for a walk without a dog – really?? No we had to find an alternative and fast

So inspired by articles in this ver y magazine we dug our faithful old push bikes out of the garage pumped up the tyres and set off to explore our local area Fortunately we ’ ve recently moved to a town near the coast, so most of our routes are pretty flat around there – cycling for softies suits me just fine! Admittedly we regularly get overtaken by cyclists in lycra, but so far we ’ ve resisted the temptation to go electric And anyway, we needed to replace our twice daily walks with a bit of pedal power

But even so, 40 years of twice-daily dog walks is a hard habit to break

What a dilemma – we ’ re really beginning to love cycling, but there’s no doubt that we ’ re also feeling strangely lost without a dog

So that’s decided then – the next dog that we get needs to be fast enough to keep up with us on our bikes! A greyhound perhaps, or maybe even a dalmatian – watch this space!!

Expert Property Advice from Michelle Barlow

Michelle Barlow has worked in real estate since 2011, across the North Deux-Sèvres and Vendée areas where she has lived for over 20 years Here, she presents two of her properties:

Exclusive to Beaux Villages Immobilier This stunning duplex apartment, located on the first floor of an historic chateau, has everything and comes ready to occupy Set in the grounds of more than 8 hectares of wood and parkland, with a mature orchard, 2 tennis courts and a swimming pool, it is only a short walk to an 18-hole golf course with restaurant and bar

A fully-equipped kitchen and spacious lounge provide access to the private south facing terrace The terrace has uninterrupted views over the magnificent drive and the golf course and provides ample space for sunbeds and outdoor dining Upstairs the hall leads to a large bedroom, bathroom and separate WC The property is subject to the legal status of co-ownership (lots 28) and average annual amount of charges €5,200€ (provisional vendor's share) No current legal proceedings

REF: BVI68646 Exclusive Energy/Climate class: n/a Fees: 9% paid by the buyer Net price: €100,867

Exclusive to Beaux Villages Immobilier This lovely property comprises two homes and 2 fishing lakes rented by the current owners for fishing holidays The accommodation sits at either side of a large barn Both homes have a traditional, rustic feel with exposed beams, tiled flooring throughout and a wood burning stove The first has one bedroom, an open living area, a mezzanine level, a bathroom and WC, and its own private garden The second, with accommodation all on one level, sits overlooking the smaller fishing lake There is a large living area, two bedrooms, a large bathroom and a separate WC There is a large fenced garden and patio area with direct access to the lakes The centre of the stone barn is used for storage The two spring-fed fishing lakes (a coarse lake of 0 75 acres and specimen lake of 1 75 acres) are set in mature gardens

REF: BVI72823 Exclusive Energy class: E Climate class: B Fees: Paid by the vendor

€365,700
Fishing lakes with 2 houses in 2.1 ha Secondigny, Deux-Sèvres REF: BVI72823
€109,945 HAI
One bedroom apartment with balcony in a stunning Chateau Les Forges, Deux-Sèvres REF: BVI68646

Discover La Cachette a diverse boutique in Bressuire

Tucked away in the Passage de la Poste in Bressuire, La Cachette is a unique boutique that offers a delightful mix of quality products and distinctive styles from the United States and beyond

Pascaline Bouscaren, a seasoned retailer with over 20 years of experience in New York, returned to her native France and opened this exceptional leather goods and gift boutique in November 2023

When you enter La Cachette, you are greeted by an impressive selection of products sourced directly from American and European designers The selection is diverse and original, with a particular focus on handbags, backpacks, travel bags, cosmetic bags and cardholders and wallets from the famous USA based Nicole Lee brand

For those looking for a unique gift, La Cachette has plenty to offer Among the treasures you’ll find chic shopping bags woven from recycled plastic by various indigenous American

communities and native Mexicans There are also Italian bags made from genuine and vegan leather, handmade bags from recycled American military tent canvases, elegant evening bags and computer bags – something for every taste and budget

In addition to leather goods, La Cachette also offers a fascinating selection of gift ideas Here you’ll find foldable nightlights in the shape of books and animals, stained glass lamps from Italy and beautiful tea towels that can be used in the kitchen or as place mats The boutique also stocks natural French candles, distinctive American candles and ones made by an Italian master candlemaker Not to be missed are the stylish American braces and the gift boxes of toiletries from French brand Panier des Sens, which Pascaline has carefully selected to ensure that each product has both a story and an ethical background

Pascaline’s passion for curating exceptional products is clear when she explains: “I wanted to create a place where people can find unique products that tell a story and where the focus is on quality and sustainability La Cachette is about discovering treasures that you can’t find anywhere else ”

In fact, La Cachette is more than just a shop, it’s a place where every item has been carefully selected to bring joy and inspiration Whether you want to treat yourself or find the perfect gift for someone special, this boutique promises a wonderful shopping experience

Visit La Cachette at 7 rue de la Huchette, Passage de la Poste, 79300 Bressuire, and immerse yourself in a world of cosmopolitan elegance and unique finds

For enquiries, you can contact Pascalene by telephone on 05 49 74 24 38 or by email at shoplacachette79@pascalene com facebook.com/lacachette.bressuire Instagram @lacachette.bressuire

After all the rain and finally some warmth, I am sure your gardens are full of colour and flavour Hopefully you are enjoying the view and all the wildlife that is surrounding you, but here’s a great way to preserve a ‘taste of summer’ to enjoy on warm evenings or to save until winter nights infused vodka

Actually, you can infuse all sorts of alcohol gin and rum also work well and taste wonderful when you add fruits and spices Vodka doesn’t have such a strong flavour so makes the perfect base for infusing herbs and edible flowers, plus it helps preserve some of their healing properties so you can indulge a little for ‘medicinal’ purposes!

I tend to be a ‘garden nibbler’, so I can’t really complain when our garden visitors do the same I like to taste and smell our fresh herbs and flowers as I stroll between flower beds Two of my favourite flavours at the moment are verveine/lemon verbena and nasturtium

Verveine has a delicate lemon taste, both relaxing and also refreshing, and works really well as a tisane Nasturtiums have a wonderful peppery flavour with a zingy hit, and if you have eaten the flowers, maybe in salad, you will know that pepperiness has a sweetness to it (The whole nasturtium plant is edible and is a great source of vitamin C )

Infusing vodka is possibly one of the easiest things you can do simply pop your chosen herbs (a few leaves) or about 20-30 flowers (or fruits, spices, etc ) into the bottle and leave to infuse in a dark space for a couple of weeks You will want to test the infusion every few days to see if the flavour is strong enough for you, but three weeks should be enough

Give the bottles a shake each day Over time, the colour from your chosen plant will also infuse into the vodka You may want to add sugar to your finished infusion, so I would suggest adding a spoonful at a time if you are taste testing, don’t forget you are sipping neat vodka, so don’t get carried away!

Infused vodkas can add an extra element to your summer cocktails, so if you intend to mix with lemonade or something sweet, for example, you may not need to add sugar at all It’s all a matter of taste, so be experimental and see what delights you can create!

La Deuxième Chance

7 rue de la Croix Cholette 79120 Bois de Messé

Celebrating our 1st Anniversar y

On 31st August 2024, The Repair Shed celebrated its 1st Anniversary

For us, this milestone marker has been an opportunity to reflect on the past year A chance to take stock of all that has been achieved, as well as make plans for the year ahead

So firstly let’s summarise this year’s biggest achievements and share some plans for next year Well, the renovation work on the workshop and studio were completed at the beginning of the year which has allowed us to welcome many visitors to the Repair Shed HQ in La Coudre

Many of our visitors are surprised at the range of activities, tools and equipment that we have available for our members to use and we are always delighted when visitors ask to sign up as members We are open, by appointment, every Thursday and Saturday for visits

Work has started on the community gardens, with over 40 trees being planted in the orchard These fruit trees, which include Apple, Pear, Plum and Peach will all take time to become fully productive but it’s great to have these in place to start their journey Plans for the vegetable garden are in place and work will start on this in the Autumn

Our bi-monthly introduction workshops have continued to be very popular, many selling out within a week of being advertised So much so, we are now planning on hosting a different introduction workshop every month Dates for these are available on our website (www therepairshed fr ) or our Facebook page

In order to keep offering and space for people to c enjoy everything we offer raise our own funds as w do not have any governm or financing Any donatio receive are welcome and running a successful Vint sell the vast majority of o online Some of our dona repaired or upcycled and to help raise money too offering a donation collec which includes house cle you have any items that y like to donate that could please do get in touch

Finally, but most importa want to say a huge thank to our supporters and members Over the last 1 months, we have started to build a community of

incredibly talented, kind and selfless people, all of whom have played a part in our success Without you, The Repair Shed would not exist

Everyone who supports us, either by attending a workshop, sharing our story or making a donation all contribute to the daily running of our Association and without you, none of this would be

Association no: W792009382

Twittering about Noirlieu

Some reflections on bird watching in a new place

When we arranged a weekend visit to Kathleen and Chris, proprietors of this esteemed publication, my thoughts turned to what birds I might find there Fortunately, Cornell University’s global citizen science programme, eBird, is there to help

Visit https://ebird org/hotspots and zoom in to your area of interest to see what’s been recorded Unfortunately, the northern Deux-Sèvres is something of an eBird desert: either there aren’t many birds or nobody has been recording them Time would tell

Many experienced birders rely at least as much on their ears as their eyes to find and identify their quarry Almost everyone knows the call of the Cuckoo or the hoot of a Tawny Owl but how many have ever seen them? There are excellent field guides for identifying birds seen but written descriptions of ul ree pp ata on d alls e y

st, I found birds that might be expected in any countryside, such as Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Robin and Wren But things soon became much more interesting A couple that would make any day special: the ghostly Barn Owl over the house at last light and the electric flash of a Kingfisher Then there were those that only turn up in Britain as rare visitors: the exotic Hoopoe that Chris and Kathleen see in their garden, the plain but musical Melodious Warbler and the tiny Zitting Cisticola (Merlin was helpful for those two) Two more used to breed in southern England: Red-backed Shrike and Golden Oriole The shrike behaves like a miniature hawk, pouncing from a perch on large insects or sometimes shrews It earned its nickname butcher-bird from its habit of storing spare catches on thorns Before the war it was common but loss of prey and habitat through intensive agriculture did for it The oriole is a spectacular gold and black bird of woodlands with a rich fluty wolf-whistle, with the last pairs breeding in East Anglia around twenty years ago My last category was of birds that are in

serious trouble in the UK: red-listed I was alerted by the dreamy purr of a Turtle Dove, down by 95% in a generation, but common around Noirlieu Likewise, the jangly song of a Corn Bunting from a telephone wire, an unseen Quail calling from a cornfield and a brief snatch of Nightingale melody from roadside undergrowth Skylarks and Woodlarks singing simultaneously: birds that now occupy restricted and different habitats in Britain And, most surprisingly, standing in a bare field, a pair of Stone-curlews

These bear no similarity to the Curlew except for somewhat similar calls and are only hanging on in England through special conservation efforts

So, is Noirlieu special? Emphatically no! It’s not a nature reserve or conservation area but just a typical piece of the Deux-Sèvres bocage The reason that I found 59 species of birds is simply nature-friendly farming: a mix of crops, meadows, pastures, woodlands, ponds and scruffy bits There is no need for re-wilding or special measures With the right incentives, this approach could succeed anywhere to the benefit of Nature (of course including people) Anyhow, Noirlieu is now well and truly on the eBird map

And now, why not look for yourself and do record what you find

Good luck!

Knight Rider in France - we ’ re home!

We're home from the championship! And what a week it was

After much planning and many lists we thought we had things under control We were due to arrive on the Monday for Roxy to compete on the Tuesday Unfortunately, the show schedule changed and suddenly our plans went out the window because Roxy was now competing on the Monday! Thankfully quite late in the day but it didn't help with our stress levels or give Roxy and Éclair any time to find their feet

In the hunter championship, she and Éclair were a little out of their depth as the 2 stages included a derby-style exit from the sand arena to jump obstacles on a grass bank and some complicated footwork On the first day, Roxy was a bit overwhelmed by the course and the pressure got the better of her She didn’t ride well and Éclair was very confused as to what was being asked of him and ran out at the jump on the grass bank Their lack of experience in this discipline became evident and it was a steep learning curve! However, the second day was lots better Éclair still didn't like the grass bank though and this affected their score, so sadly they were not in the final

We all decided this was good practice and preparation for the poney elite (1m) show jumping and now that the hunter was finished, Roxy was ready to tackle her favourite event!

It was very exciting for everyone involved, Roxy has always dreamed of competing at the Championnat de France in poney elite (1m), her first round had been scheduled in the

“grand” arena and it was being filmed live The atmosphere was amazing and everyone was so proud that she was there

Roxy was in good spirits and the warmup went well She and Éclair jumped 8 obstacles near enough perfectly, including a huge triple combination, it was the best we’ve ever seen them go and for a few moments we all held our breath thinking they really stood a chance of going clear, when Éclair suddenly stopped and catapulted Roxy into the jump What had happened? Éclair never stops dead like that and Roxy never falls off! (Well maybe once a year) Not a great time for “firsts” One day we’ll laugh about it I’m sure but at that moment we all just cried We were so shocked Months and months of preparation and we never ever expected a refusal and a fall

Well, everyone cried except for Roxy She knew she had ridden her best and Éclair must have been very scared by something to stop, so she remained unbelievably positive

Having checked Éclair thoroughly and despite being hurt and bruised Roxy went into the second round on the next day Her coach and the organisers were a bit worried but, with our permission, off she went in the blistering heat This time they did it! They went clear within the allotted time (an achievement in itself) and were one of only 20 couples (out of 80!) to go clear with no time penalties A bittersweet result To end on a good note was amazing but due to the fall they were given a handicap of 62 points so she was out of

the competition and this time the final was not meant to be

We said we’d only do the championship once and that Roxy had to move onto horses next year but now it seems that no one is ready for them to end their story like that and that we will return in 2025

This experience has certainly left us better prepared for the next time

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported Roxy It is very much appreciated Also a huge thank you to the Deux-Sèvres Monthly for sharing our stories and thank YOU for reading

You can watch Roxy's videos of the championship on our YouTube channel “Horsing Around in France”

Autumn Angling

Summer fishing can often be a bit hit and miss with warm water temperatures resulting in the fish being less likely to feed

As the water temperature drops going into September and the days begin to shorten, fishing begins to improve In cooler weather, fish start feeding “normally” again, particularly carp, and sessions should be more successful

Fish can, however, be unpredictable at this time of year

Consequently, it is important to adopt a more flexible approach to fishing with varied rod options When fishing a competition, for most lake venues, I will always carry a float rod and feeder/ lead rod as well as a pole By fishing a range of rods, you will be able to get the best out of your day’s fishing

Too many times, I have seen anglers sticking to the same method for an entire session, only to blank and be disappointed By being flexible you can really increase the enjoyment of your day and the size of your haul! It is also important to switch between different lines and methods during the day, depending upon how the fish are feeding and the rate of catch

My standard approach is to fish the feeder/lead rod at a fixed distance to a feature -ie: an island or a bare area on a far bank Then to fish a float rod to the same area to improve your chances Try to ensure that the fixed distance is a comfortable range for a catapult so you can feed pellet or corn loose bait accurately Quite often, fish will respond to the sound of bait landing on the water so, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, feed little and often to keep the fish interested I will also set up a pole rig in or near the margins of the lake or to a margin feature, as well as another line directly out in front The idea being that you have some options to try throughout your session

Autumn angling requires a degree of watercraft to be able to spot the fish and read their feeding habits, which are often weather dependent Remember, fish have fins, they move all the time when feeding If the fish move out of the area you have been catching, rather than staying put and hoping for the best – learn to adapt your style and move with them

September’s top tip would be: fish flexibly

Don’t be afraid to change what you are doing, move areas and keep reading the conditions As always, practice makes perfect, so get out there and have some enjoyable and hopefully successful September sessions Till next month, tight lines!

Peter Lowth is an experienced angler with over 40 years of fishing knowledge in match, predator, coarse and fly fishing Growing up near Bath, fishing local rivers and ponds, he then transitioned to competitive fly fishing and in recent years competed on the UK match fishing circuit He opened Les Forges Fishing venue, located near Pescalis, in early 2023 –www lesforgesfishing com

When it all goes right
Pole setup
Feeder, lead and float setup

In this article, Anne Alonso invites you to discover the playful world of French animal expressions Have you ever heard of peeing cows or rabbit farts? These quirky expressions bring a dash of humour and colour to everyday French conversations, making them even more entertaining! It's a fun read that will brighten up your day, so dive in and enjoy! Bonne lecture!

Expressions Françaises autour des Animaux

“ Bonjour. Je vous propose un petit article amusant concernant les expressions sur les animaux que les français utilisent assez régulièrement dans le language familier Bonne lecture !”

Anne Alonso

Ces derniers temps on a eu l’occasiond’entendre souvent cette expression !!

Expression française La traduction littérale La signification “ I l p l e u t c o mme v a c h e q u i p i s s e ! ! ” It’s raining like a pissing cow It’s pouring down, it’s peeing it down!!

Quelques autres expressions autour du mot vache :

“ I l p a r l e f r a nça i s c o mme u n e v a c h e e s p a g n o l e ! ” He speaks French like a Spanish cow He murders the French language.

“Ah, l a v a c h e ! ” Ah, the cow! Wow! Oh my!

“ M a n g e r de l a v a c h e e n r a gée ! ” Eat mad cow To go through hard times.

Autres expressions amusantes autour de différents animaux :

À cause de la grande taille et la forme de notre bouche quand on rit be aucoup

O n re m p l a c e

s o u v e n t l e m o t “ D ie u ” d a n s l e s j u r o n s

p o u r év i t e r de b l a s p héme r p a r l e m o t “ c h ie n ”

“ R i re c o mme u n e b a l e i n e ! ”

Laugh like a whale Laugh like a drain, laugh your head off

“Av o i r u n e l a n g u e de v i père ! ” To have the tongue of a viper To have a vicious tongue.

“ Mu e t c o mme u n e c a r p e ! ” Mute as a carp Quiet as a mouse

“ I l f a i t u n v e n t à déc o r n e r l e s bœu f s ! ” Its a wind to dehorn the cows It blowing a gale

“Av o i r l a c h a i r de p o u l e ! ” To have the flesh of a chicken To go through hard times

“Av o i r de s f o u r m i s d a n s l e s j am b e s ” Have ants in your legs To have pins and needles in your legs.

“S e f e r me r c o mme u n e h uît re ! ” To close like an oyster To clam up.

“Av o i r l e c af a rd ! ” To have the cockroach To be down in the dumps

“ I l f a i t u n f r o i d de c a n a rd ! ” It’s a duck’s cold It's freezing cold or It's bitterly cold

“ N o m d ’ u n c h i e n ! ” Name of a dog Damn or blimey

“ I l f a i t u n t e m p s de c h i e n ! ” It's a dog's weather The weather is terrible.

“S e p re n d re l e b e c “ To grab by the beak To have an argument with someone.

Av o i r de s o u rs i n s d a n s l e s p o c h e s ! ” To have sea urchins in one's pockets

“Q u a n d l e s p o u l e s a u r o n t de s de n t s ! ”

“ M a n g e r c o mme u n c o c h o n ! ”

When hens have teeth

To eat like a pig

To be stingy or tight-fisted

Never in a month of Sundays

To be a messy eater

“Ça n e v a u t p a s u n p e t de l a p i n ! ” It's not worth a rabbit's fart It’s worthless

“Av o i r de s g re n o u i l l e s ! ”

To have frogs

Êt re s e r rés c o mme de s s a rd i n e s ! ” To be squeezed like sardines

“ Pu n a i s e ! ” Bug

To have a rumbling stomach.

Packed like sardines in a tin

To go through hard times “ P l e u re r de s l a r me s de c r o c o d i l e ! ” To cry crocodile tears

To cry crocodile tears

Que vaut un pet de lapin ?

Rien du tout, c’est du vent !

Le cafard est un animal noir qui fuit la lumière.

usy Buzzies!

mber is month –Don’t get t our work m our nd thriving, but late summer presents other challenges

The bees are very aware of the equinox and reduced hours of daylight, so the race is on to ensure they have foraged for enough nectar to turn into honey for their winter stores Of course, this is when we turn up, smacking our lips, ready to pinch this honey However, we are very careful to only harvest the surplus honey, the honey that has been stored in the separate ‘super’ box above the main hive (in our vertical hives like the one in the picture) Sometimes there isn’t very much to harvest, especially if the weather has been bad, so we just have to accept that there won’t be any for us We will check the brood box to see if there is honey stored there, at the top of the brood frames and all over the frames at the outer edges of the box If there doesn’t seem to be much (perhaps due to the bad

weather or Asian hornets preventing our foragers from doing their jobs), then we will offer them some food in the form of sugar syrup which they can take and store A colony of bees in a 10-frame French Dadant hive typically requires approximately 20kg of food to last until next year so by ‘hefting’ the hives (lifting and weighing) we can assess if they have enough

To make things a little more complicated, these numbers and processes change, depending on what type of hive the bees live in, with some providing a healthier environment from the get-go for our colonies We have five different hive types here at 13 Bees and it’s always fascinating to see which colonies fair better during the winter

On a warm late summer/early autumn day it seems strange to be thinking about temperatures close to zero, but this is what we have to do to help our bees prepare for the months ahead We will check that the hives are in good condition as, if anything needs replacing, now is the time to do it We are still able to open the hives and check for damage, rectifying it while we have the opportunity to do so

The future of a colony of bees depends on the queen being

healthy and fertile – no baby bees, no next generation By autumn the queen’s laying rate will have been decreasing for several weeks, from a peak of around 1500-2000 eggs a day, as too many mouths to feed in the winter would deplete the stores too rapidly The eggs that the queen lays in the autumn become what is now known as ‘winter bees’, a special caste of bees that are physically different from their summertime sisters and have longer lifespans We used to think that the bees that were in colonies over the winter lived longer simply because they didn’t have to work as hard No foraging or flying would conserve their energy However, it’s now been discovered that the winter bees are given a pollen-scarce diet compared to summertime larvae which means they develop extra fat reserves, changing their metabolism and enabling them to live for six months instead of six weeks It’s important that the colony recognises that winter is coming and instructs the queen to stop laying drones and begin to create female workers that will be fed this different diet The winter bees will eat the stored honey and keep the colony warm during the winter by ‘shivering’ their bodies When the queen starts laying again, slowly at first, the winter bees will feed the new larvae which will pupate into the bees that will replace them in the Spring

So, all of the above means that one of the checks we carry out is to ensure the queen is healthy and young enough that she will survive the winter By now we would hope that our colonies will have recognised a dwindling queen pheromone from an older queen and will have superseded (replaced) her, and we have noticed that several of our 3-year

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old queen bees have been replaced by younger models Hopefully these new queens mated well and will have long and fruitful lives, and we can check this by noting how much brood (eggs, larvae, and pupating bees) there is in each colony If there are any doubts then we can replace the queen by procuring a newly-mated queen from beekeeping colleagues or breeders It may seem harsh but it will ensure the survival of the colony

Once everything has been checked and we are satisfied that our bees are ready for winter, we can sit back and enjoy the rest of the summer!

If you’d like to find out more about keeping bees, please visit our website www 13bees co uk, phone us on 05 45 71 22 90, or email us on info@13bees co uk

Deliveries accepted on your behalf between 8am-4pm, Monday to Friday. French-speaking crew. Owner operated since 1995. International transport licence.

PLEASE CALL STEPHEN on +44 (0) 7966 287430 or email: smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

www.smartmovesremovals.com www.facebook.com/smartmovesukfrance

Amanda Baughen
2023 red-marked queen
Amanda and a tall healthy Warréhive
Harvest-ready hive
Kevin and a full-size horizontal Layens hive

Clare’s Garden Diary

I always have a back-to-school feeling in September The hot summer is drawing to a close, which I have mixed feelings about Did I do those summery things I planned to do? Or was I mainly inside with the fans on when the mercury got to 30 degrees? I don't do hot summers too well; I prefer some sunshine with some clouds and some rainy evenings too, which always smell amazing after a dry spell

September can be a time to start anew and refocus our energies; it may be a new hobby, it may be the year you start gardening! If so, welcome to the garden club! Using and enjoying our outside space has become more and more important for our mental health and also our physical health Remember to do some warm-ups and gentle stretches before launching into the autumn gardening jobs!

According to Helen Hunt Jackson, “By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, with Summer's best of weather and Autumn's best of cheer ” So what's the garden looking like after this mixed summer? At the time of writing in July, we have had a hot couple of weeks and no rain for over three

weeks in my corner of north Vienne

The stored water has been in use I haven't as many pots to water this year but still, my very big pots won't keep enough moisture for three weeks

The more drought-resistant plants which have been planted over a few years are looking good; the lavender, salvias, guaras, and pelargoniums are thriving A lot of my dahlias did not survive last January's cold snap; I recorded minus seven for a few nights running They had been overwintered outside in the ground with mulch over the top since 2018, but I expect the cold then excessive wet rotted them The ones which did survive are still putting on more blooms alongside my favourites, the roses The mulching, feeding, and deadheading certainly prove dividend with roses! Martin tells me I have enough roses now I didn't know there was a maximum, I reply!

Over the summer, I spot where the blackberries are doing well and then I like to go out in the early evening and pick some, late August and into September Some for the freezer for those winter days when there's less fresh fruit, and some for breakfast with

yoghurt, others will become blackberry and apple jam My mum makes a wonderful apple and blackberry crumble and always freezes the fruit together for when I am visiting, and we can enjoy eating it together Her damson crumble is legendary too; she picks from her neighbour’s tree, then makes them all puddings! Win-win for the neighbourhood

We have two apple trees here, which we planted together in 2018, teeny tiny

little sticks they were! Now, one, Belle de Boskoop, has produced lovely big tasty apples with a hint of red glow to them They are good eaters and will make a good baked apple too Our other tree is a Cox's, and took a few years to produce much fruit, now there is no stopping it! Smaller but tastier apples, and they make a lovely apple tarte layered thinly in the French manner

If the elderberries are ready and the start of the apples, then elderberry, onion and apple chutney is soon underway in our house! Great with a cheese sandwich or cold meats after a month or so in the jar I often make elderberry cordial too, which is high in vitamin C, great for over the winter months

September usually sees me picking our grapes and giving them away to the neighbours as I can't eat them as fast as they are ripe! The vendanges start too,

and one year we did help with hand harvesting the white Chenin grapes, in return for a hearty meal and a box of wine It's an experience, and my carpal tunnel syndrome did not fare well! If you get the chance to help, then do I'm sure Evie, The Loire Girl, will be telling you about her experiences soon

“Wine is the divine juice of September,” according to Voltaire

Jobs for September

• Collect ripe seeds, store them safely in paper bags or envelopes and make sure you label them for next year's spring colour

• Order spring flowering bulbs, either online or from garden centres Plant out late in the month, or for tulips into November is recommended

• Take photos around the garden so you can look back at successes and less successful areas Review what has worked well and why, and review what

hasn't, and again why Over autumn and winter can be time to make changes or clear areas ready for your new ideas

• Bare root fruit trees and roses can be ordered now, ready for planting later in autumn into winter Many more varieties are sold this way, so ensure you have the best selections available by searching now

• Take cuttings from fuchsias, salvias, pelargoniums and osteospermum, all fairly easy to do with a good strike rate Use a dab of hormone rooting powder if you have it

• You can divide healthy perennials this month to either create more for yourself or give away Heucheras, agapanthus, asters, helianthus, hostas, irises, sedum and verbena can be good choices

• You may be lucky to find some of the garden centres or Brico-style shops have sales or a reduced section now You may find some less-than-perfect looking perennials which can be planted into the still warm soil, watered well, and will most likely do well next year

• Replant autumn or winter baskets and pots I often see autumn crocus and autumn cyclamen and then add some variegated ivy, winter-flowering violas or pansies too; all make a pretty display by a doorway

• If you sowed spring flowering biennials, plant out during autumn

Keep deadheading dahlias, delphiniums, roses and penstemons to prolong flowering and colour all month

• Harvest lavender now, the later flowering variety can be picked in September, and then give them their annual tidyup Remember, don't cut back too far into the old wood

• In the greenhouse, you can prepare and plant amaryllis and hyacinth bulbs for Christmas displays, either into pots or glasses Keep them protected against cold nights as autumn sets in

• Clean out and hose down the outside and inside of greenhouses and cold frames at this time of year

• Sow sweet pea seeds for an early start in spring

• Sow hardy annuals like calendula, centaurea, poppies and limnanthus

• Harvest autumn raspberries, and enjoy their fresh tasty fruit, or if plenty, make some jam

• Potatoes (main crop) will be ready to harvest too, for eating now and for storage into winter

Help for Our Wildlife Friends

• Leave some sunflower heads on for the bird seeds A few teasel plants here and there through a garden will attract goldfinches to eat and nest nearby

• Add some autumn flowering plants like sedums and asters to the garden to bring nectar, and provide pollinators an extra few weeks of food as they prepare for the autumn and winter

• Leave some perennials to go to seed, to provide more seed heads for insects to overwinter in, and for the birds to eat Verbena bonariensis left tall becomes sculptural over the winter landscape and the birds will feast on the seeds too Well, I hope the autumn brings you good harvests and good times I will see you back in the garden in October À bientôt,

About Clare

Clare along with her husband Martin and their furr y family moved to North Vienne in 2017 With a passion for plants inherited from her family, Clare is currently studying Horticulture with the Royal Horticultural Society Previously working in corporate and private banking Clare now enjoys the tranquility of her garden where she experiments and nurtures her favorite plants, especially roses An animal lover, Clare shares her home with 4 rescue dogs and a mischievous puppy She also loves brocantes and vide greniers and is a Reiki Master Teacher and a Tai Chi/Qi Gong teacher

www.instagram.com/healing_gardener_clare

facebook.com/creatifpaysage

creatifpaysage@orange.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

Crafts, Community and Friendship We run regular workshops and events as well as offer community workshop space for crafting and making. Learn new skills and share your talents New members welcome Contact us for details: info@therepairshed.fr or telephone 05 49 80 39 57

Airvault Conversation - Come and practice your French with a friendly group of French 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

CONVERSAtION WORKShOP FRENCh/ENGLISh IN thOUARS

An opportunity to have a friendly contact, to form friendships,and improve mutual understandings of different cultures Come along every wednesday, from 7 30pm to 9pm, at Centre Socio-Culturel 21 avenue Victor Hugo 79100 THOUARS Contact : v venotbonnet@gmail com or eugene mc cabe@hotmail 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

CHORALE MELUSINE, PARTHENAY - French 4-part choir, established over 30 years (with 4 English members) and always looking for "new blood"! Excellent Musical Director. Come to a rehearsal on Tuesday evenings and see if it's for you. Contact Keith for info keithandcarol@orange.fr 0671 14 16 72

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

PLAY and LEARN ACOL BRIDGE

If you are interested in learning or playing acol Bridge at Pause Cafe, L’Absie, every second and fourth Friday at 2pm please contact philjan9@hotmail com

Vasles Netball Club - Want to keep fit, have fun & make new friends? Join us every Monday from 5.30 - 7pm & Thursday 6.30 - 8pm at the Salle Omnisports in Vasles Open to men & women of all abilities and experience Two free taster sessions FB @VaslesNetballClub Email: vaslesnetballclub@gmail com

Combined Services Support Group - CSSG is a community of ex services, police, and firefighters We meet socially and raise funds for ex-service charities For information, email Andrea Cornwall: andreacornwall79@icloud.com. For confidential welfare support contact Geoff Godfrey: geoffandhelen@hotmail co uk

Clair De Lune Montessori School, Xaintray. Opened September 2023, ideal for English-speaking families

Contact us at 06 01 88 54 37 or clairdelune pedagogie@gmail com

Learn more: clairdelune-ecolea.wixsite.com/accueil. Join our nurturing educational community

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

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 - contact barbarawhitehouse@yahoo co uk

Les Amis Solitaires is a group of people living alone in France We organise social events and meet for coffee at The Lemon Tree in Sauze Vaussais, 11am every 2nd and 4th Thursday Contact Pennie on pennietelford@hotmail.com

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

Are you single and living in the South Vendee? Would you like to meet others for social events with the emphasis on fun and not dating? We meet in Fontenay-le-Comte on the first Wednesday morning of each month Occasional weekend lunches Find us on Facebook SOLO EN FRANCE (Sud Vendée) or contact Rosalind at soloenfrance@outlook fr for further information

British and French cultural association consisting of theatre group, choir (Keynotes), book club and poetry appreciation Weekly choir rehearsals at Scillé Monthly book and poetry meetings at Fenioux New members warmly welcome

For more information email reactiontheatrefrance@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

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

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

Clubs & Associations

It’s a rainy day in July as I write this Let’s hope for a better autumn!

Whilst our groups are enjoying their summer holidays, it’s time to reflect and plan ahead

Keynotes concerts were well attended in July, especially at Le Retail church where we sang to a full house

Joining us were Courants d’Airs: a French choir directed by our joint choir master Liam Maguire Our introductions in French/English were very well received, especially for the participant for whom French speaking was clearly, “work in progress!”

Before ‘Poems and Pints’ took their summer break, they were asked, “What do you enjoy about this group?”

Here are some of the views expressed It allows us to: quietly reflect on issues we not have considered;

• enjoy researching and writing poems ourselves;

• discover new poets;

• remember favourites from school days; and

• appreciate the opportunity to discuss poems in a non-academic atmosphere

Vienne

Thank you for taking the time to consider the reasons for your support for this group

Looking ahead, we have exciting news! Reaction Theatre is planning our next shows:

‘It's Snowtime! Un Spectacle de Noël ’ It will be performed at The Foyer Theatre in L’Absie on Friday 29

November at 19h30, and Saturday 30 November at 15h00

For those who watched and enjoyed ‘It’s Showtime!’ this production will have a Winter/Christmas theme, with a varied performance of carols, songs, sketches and occasional monologues, with humour I am pleased to confirm that 2 of our most memorable acts will be re-appearing: ‘Cardinal Points’ and the ‘Cowgirls’ We are trying hard to strike a balance by appealing to both English and French audiences, without either losing interest Only the audience will be able to tell us if we succeed!

If you forget the dates, do not fear! I will be mentioning them again, and again, between now and November

Tickets will be available online, further details in the next edition of the Deux Sèvres Monthly

Contacts as always:

www Reaction Theatre eu email: reactiontheatrefrance@gmail com Facebook: Reaction Theatre Association

& Deux-Sèvres

As an association we are so fortunate to have a small team of volunteers who help clients with language support Generally this is in the form of accompanying the client at a consultation with a specialist during a hospital visit

In the past few years the National Committee has required us to change the title of this role to clarify any misconceptions The volunteers who offer this invaluable service are not specialists in their knowledge of different cancers and treatments What they do have, however, is sufficient command of the French language to assist the flow of a rendezvous at the hospital Much more than that they have metaphorically 'held the hand' of the client on the receiving end of difficult news and decisions

As with all our volunteers I value enormously the remit of each particular role I have a few examples of where those volunteers who give language support have gone over and above normal expectations in recent months

• A volunteer arrived at the hospital to meet her client for an early morning appointment The consequence of that appointment triggered a number of other necessary tests during the day The volunteer realised that she needed to give support and stayed all day

• In difficult circumstances, a volunteer informed our co-ordinator that it would be beneficial, if at all possible, to keep the same language support to enable continuity

• Outside the scenario of appointments, one family encountered difficulties with payments they had made and reimbursements were due Our volunteer signposted them to various agencies and proved to be excellent support to the family in ensuring that they received their entitlement

We are so fortunate to have the range of experience, skills and competencies amongst the people who volunteer for our association If you feel that you can help our group to flourish and be there for those who need our help, please contact the National Helpline and we will get back to you as soon as we can National Helpline 0800 240 200 email: helpline@cancersupportfrance org You can find more details about CSF Vienne & Deux-Sèvres by visiting: vienne cancersupportfrance org

Connecting Community Local Associations Unite

On 19 July 2024, an important meeting between representatives of local associations took place at the Café des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux The aim of the meeting was to promote cooperation and support between the various community groups

The meeting was attended by key representatives from several associations, including the Funny Farm Cat Rescue, CSSG, Association Violet, Reaction Theatre, and Get Together

The main objectives were clear: to support each other's fundraising activities, raise the profile of each organisation, encourage new membership, and pool ideas and resources

An important goal was also to encourage greater French participation

Each association gave an overview of its activities and presented a wide range of community-orientated initiatives

Reaction Theatre, with its choir, book club, poetry readings, and theatre performances, highlighted its active membership and structured fees

The Funny Farm Cat Rescue reported on its important work in rescuing and rehoming cats, as well as running a shop and café

Association Violet focuses on fundraising for equipment and treatment for disabled children, and organises quizzes, bingo, an annual garden party, and a Christmas market

The social group Get Together, with over 120 members, presented its wide range of activities, including walks, meals, a book club, days out, and historical talks

A large part of the meeting focussed on planning upcoming events to avoid clashes and improve communication

Each group presented their activities, from summer barbecues and Christmas fairs to regular quizzes, cream tea afternoons, and monthly walks

Key ideas included an email with news updates to share events across all associations, and using a central index for wider publicity

We also discussed sharing equipment and organising a joint "Proms in the Park" event in 2025, as well as possible joint events at Château Cherveux

At the end of the meeting, everyone agreed that the positive momentum should be maintained Each group will share other groups on their social media and newsletters, including goals, association details, and event dates This is just the start of a more connected and more supportive community network

The group decided to meet again in October

If you are a local association and would like to join our next meeting, please email any of us via reactiontheatrefrance@gmail com

Anne Friend

Seasonal Recipes

Cucumber and Melon Gazpacho

(serves 6 - starter or 4 - main)

With melons and cucumbers both in plentiful supply, this Cucumber and Melon Gazpacho is the perfect summer treat Combining crisp cucumber, sweet melons, fresh mint, and basil, this chilled soup is refreshing and flavourful Ideal as a light starter or main course, it’s hydrating and satisfying for hot days

INGREDIENTS

1 large cucumber

1 small Charentais melon

1 small honeydew melon

1/2 green pepper

1 small red onion

2 cloves garlic

A handful of fresh mint leaves

A handful of fresh basil leaves

4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

3 tbsp lime juice (or lemon if you prefer)

15 ml red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Cucumber slices, melon pieces, fresh mint or basil leaves

METHOD

• Peel and dice the cucumber Remove the skin, seeds, and dice the Charentais and honeydew melons Chop the green bell pepper and red onion, and crush the garlic Wash and prepare the fresh mint and basil leaves

• In a blender or food processor, combine the cucumber, melons, green pepper, red onion, garlic, mint leaves, and basil leaves Blend until smooth and well combined

• Add the extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, and red wine vinegar to the mixture in the blender Blend again until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the gazpacho has a smooth consistency

• Season the gazpacho with salt and pepper to taste Transfer to a large bowl or container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavours to mix together

• Before serving, stir the gazpacho to ensure it’s well mixed. Pour into bowls or glasses and garnish with thin cucumber slices, melon pieces, or fresh mint or basil leaves if desired

Cauliflower tacos (Serves 4)

Cauliflowers are cheap and abundant in France during September, making this a perfect late summer or early autumn dish This recipe with one cauliflower will serve approximately 4 people, with each person enjoying about 2 tacos These tacos can be served ready assembled or set out as a DIY where guests can assemble their own They are an excellent vegetarian option alongside meat or fish tacos, ensuring everyone has something delicious to enjoy

INGREDIENTS

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

8 radishes, thinly sliced

A handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered 1/4 small red cabbage, thinly sliced

100g mayonnaise

60ml sweet chilli sauce

Juice of 1 lime

8 small flour or corn tortillas

Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish (optional) Lime wedges, for serving

METHOD

• Preheat your oven to 220°C Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

• In a large mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until well coated

• Spread the seasoned cauliflower florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown

• In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, and lime juice until smooth and well combined Set aside

• Place the red cabbage in a bowl and add the juice of half a lime, along with a 1/2 tsp of salt and sugar Toss the ingredients together and leave to stand and drain and liquid just before serving

• When the cauliflower is finished roasting, warm the tortillas in a dry frying pan over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side, or until soft and pliable Alternatively, wrap them in foil and warm in the oven for a few minutes Place a few roasted cauliflower florets in the centre of each tortilla Top with sliced radishes, tomatoes and red cabbage Drizzle with the sweet chilli mayo Garnish each taco with fresh coriander leaves Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side

If you don't like coriander, you can use using fresh chopped parsley or thinly sliced green spring onions as an alternative garnish Both options will add a fresh burst of flavour without the distinct taste that some people don't enjoy

Fig and honey cheesecake (Serves 8)

When the summer heat makes you want to avoid turning on the oven for long periods of time, this orange and goat’s cheese cheesecake is just what you need Perfect for hot days, this effortless dessert offers a refreshing blend of creamy textures and tangy flavours Topped with the natural sweetness of honey and fresh figs, it’s a delightful treat that doesn’t require much effort Figs are at their best in September and October, making this cheesecake an ideal way to enjoy these seasonal fruits as summer transitions to autumn

INGREDIENTS

200g speculoos biscuits, crushed 100g unsalted butter, melted

300g cream cheese (fromage à tartiner)

100g soft goat cheese (chèvre doux)

200ml crème fraîche

150g icing sugar (sucre glace)

Zest of 2 oranges

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 fresh figs, sliced

3 tablespoons honey

A few fresh mint leaves (optional)

METHOD

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed speculoos biscuits and melted butter Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated with the butter

• Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 23cm (9-inch) springform pan to create the crust Place in the fridge to set while you prepare the filling

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and soft goat cheese together until smooth Add the crème fraîche, icing sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract Continue to beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined

• Remove the crust from the fridge Spoon the cheesecake filling over the chilled crust, spreading it evenly. Smooth the top with a spatula Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the cheesecake to set

• Just before serving, arrange the fresh fig slices on top of the cheesecake Drizzle honey over the figs, garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired and serve

TAKE A BREAK

Easy Crossword

ACROSS

1. Central keep of a castle eg Moncontour (6)

4 Mexican dish served sizzling hot (6)

8 US state known for potatoes (5)

9 Small incision technique for surgery (7)

10. An Italian woman, Dr Who's assistant (5)

11. Greek letter before pi (7)

12. Choosing to avoid (9)

15 Car window that opens to the sky (7)

16 Main character in The Avengers (5)

17 Lacking substance or intelligence (7)

18 Norwegian writer of "Hedda Gabler" (5)

19.Traditional Japanese performer (6)

20. First name of Marcos known for her shoes (6)

DOWN

2 Goldfinger's hat-throwing assistant (6)

3 19th-century Viennese composer (6,7)

5 English landscape painter of "The Hay Wain" (4,9)

6 Fat used to make soap and candles (6)

7. Famous German beer festival (12)

13. Gas used in lighters (6)

14. Myth or historical tale (6)

Cr yptic Crossword

(with many thanks to Mike Morris)

ACROSS

1 Having saved time, run over, but it's nobody's fault! (12)

7. Sit around with group of outlaws. (7)

9 Girl was among those married I thought? (5)

10. LP revolution brings sly look from one of your own class. (4)

11 Image presentation being about the queen in captivity (8)

12 Those showing off initially put on some extremely revealing shorts! (6)

14. Insider batting with final move on the board. (6)

17 This is not pretending; this is about everybody leading me to iron! (4, 4)

19. Not in extended family rules. (4)

22 Today's theme giving credit to different ways of expressing myself (5)

23. Thieving bishop found in dress on train line. (7)

24 Fleece sent in for management in the long term (4, 8)

DOWN

1. Miss note during orchestrated meal. (5)

2 Serious limitations of core of transgressors (7)

3. Leaders of development and investment society given a platform. (4)

4 Regularly started to give an offspring severe offence (7)

5. Heard precipitation forecast during time in charge? (5)

6 Could be entrance fee to see revolutionary about rag waving? (6)

8 Prised nucleus out for father? (4)

12. Symbol getting very suggestive of misconduct in the main? (6)

13 Go through it all again, but with drug this time for comfort? (7)

15. Town in Egypt can follow the Spanish lane I am constructing. (7)

7.

8.

Building & Renovation

Property Maintenance Service located in Coulonges-sur-l’Autize, covering a 50km radius. Our comprehensive range of services includes:

Call, Text or WhatsApp Owen on 06 73 50 14 41 email: kmpropertymaintenance@outlook.com

COUPLAND

< Boarding and Plastering

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< Groundwork, Patios and Paving < Kitchens (Howdens) & Bathrooms tel/WhatsApp: 06 29 62 81 26

hjrizzlor@hotmail.com

FOSSE AND GROUNDWORKS 79

Need a new fosse, or looking to install a swimming pool? We can offer:

• 2.5

Building & Renovation

Building & Renovation

Shop Open 10am to 4pm, Thursdays & 1st Sunday of the Month

2 Rte de Vauthion 79190 Sauzé Vaussais Furniture Barn Open 11am to 3pm, Thursdays & 1st Sunday of the Month

1 Rte de la Mare aux Loups Louba 79190 Clussais-le-Pommeraie

Email

shopseventynine4hope@gmail com Facebook Groups: Hope79 Sauze-Vaussais Furniture for Sale Hope Associaton Charity Shop 79 Magasin et Café Ouvert tous les mercredis de 11h à 16h

Oh my lord Francks fish and chips second Wednesday of the month from 12h00

SAMMY

&

FRANKIE

Sammy and Frankie are looking for new homes through no fault of their own

Shop and Café Open every Wednesday 11am - 4pm Shop and Café Open every Wednesday 11am - 4pm mercredi 17 juillet de 12h00

Donations welcome Magasin et Café Ouvert tous les mercredis de 11h à 16h

Oh my lord Francks fish and chips le 2ème mercredi du mois à partir de 12h00

Monday 10am - 12pm Wednesday 11am-3pm

Les dons sont les bienvenus les lundis 10h - 12h et mercredis de 11h à 15h

The boys are both two years old, full of fun but have had a good start so know how to listen to their humans If you're interested in learning more about either of these beautifully natured young dogs, please get in touch with us henri@assoenroute.com

ALLIANZ OBSEQUESFUNERAL COVER

Sorry to be gloomy this month. Here is one of our most popular policies which gives a lump sum to beneficiaries of your choice to help them pay for your funeral. Funnily enough, we all have house insurance in case our house burns down but not all of us have insurance on ourselves when we can be pretty certain we are all going to die one day! So, if you don’t have big savings, this is a must-have contract. (Unless you don’t like the person who is going to pay for the funeral!)

Criteria for subscribing : Anybody aged between 40 and 84 years old and who is a French resident. No health questionnaire.

How much can you be insured for : Between 3000€ and 10000€ without a health questionnaire. Average cost for a funeral in France is around 5000€. Cremation and burial are about the same. The lump sum you are insured for follows inflation because 5000€ today might not be worth the same in 10 years!

if you stop paying the premium. The last line shows how much is available if you want to shut down the policy completely. Or if one of you dies and the survivor of the couple wants to go back to the UK, you can cash in the value of your policy (amount shown on the third line of the yearly statement).

How much does it cost : As an example, a person born in 1950 and insured for 3000€ would pay around 27€ per month and we offer a 10% discount for a couple subscription (so then only 24€ each per month). For 5000€, it’s around 44€ and 10000€ it’s 88€ (for couples, 10% less).

« For anybody aged between 40 and 84 years old and who is a French resident. No health questionnaire.»

How does it work : The lump sum you are insured for is given to the funeral parlour (presentation of the bill) or to the person who has paid the funeral (presentation of the bill paid) and what is left is given to the beneficiaries you have named on the policy. You are not covered during the first year for disease or suicide, but you are covered for death by accident straight away. If you die of disease or take your own life in the first year, the insurance company pays back the amount you have paid in. It is not like a normal insurance policy whereby if you stop paying your premium you stop being insured. You receive a statement every year showing 3 lines. The first one shows how much you are insured for and how it follows inflation. The second line shows how much you are insured for

Conclusion : This is one of our most popular contracts. Allianz Funeral Insurance offers financial support to the insured’s loved one at the time of death through the designated capital. The payment is given very quickly once we have the death certificate, funeral bill, and the ID of the beneficiary.

For free quotes, all I need is your birth date and the amount you want to be insured for. To set up the contract, I need copies of passports, a RIB (French bank details), and the list of beneficiaries (date of birth, place of birth, surname, maiden name, and first name).

Check out our website www.bhassurances.fr/en for all my articles and register to receive our monthly newsletter.

Isabelle Want.

money matters

Retirement Planning is an Evolving Process

Retirement is not a once-off plan It is a multifaceted plan that evolves over time Retirement needs at twenty differ greatly from those at forty or even fifty Professionals' circumstances change throughout life, and so should their retirement plans It is vital that you have an experienced financial advisor to guide you through your retirement savings journey

Why do your retirement needs change?

Life happens, and priorities change At twenty, you don’t really have an idea of what your retirement will look like; you only have a vague picture in your head As you reach your forties and fifties, you know the kind of lifestyle you want to lead in retirement Events in life, like marriage, divorce, illness, etc , affect retirement Your priorities also change throughout life

At what age should you retire?

Deciding at what age to retire is a personal decision Many professionals’ ideal situation would be to retire early and enjoy life while they are still younger and have their health For others, it would mean working part-time during retirement

Of course, realistically, this depends on a person’s financial and health situation Retiring early means saving a more considerable amount of

money to provide for a longer retirement

Also, the age at which you start saving makes a difference Saving in your twenties gives you around forty years to accumulate wealth and let compound interest do its magic, while beginning in your thirties or forties means saving much more and earning less compound interest

How will your retirement savings be affected?

There are several factors that could influence your retirement savings Some can be planned for, but others are unforeseen Factors include:

• The country you will retire in The cost of living will determine your retirement needs

• Family has a significant effect on your retirement savings Children's expenses, like schooling and extracurricular activities, will drain your disposable income and leave less for retirement savings Even taking care of adult children or parents will put a strain on finances

• Life events like marriage, divorce, having children, or falling ill will affect financial requirements and commitments

• Wealth changes You might inherit money, which could have a significant impact on your retirement savings

Moving to another country could seriously affect your retirement

savings as the country in which you saved for retirement might have a lower or higher cost of living than the country you now live in or will retire in This means you might not have enough saved for retirement in your new country, e g , professionals moving from a weaker economy to one with a major currency, like moving from India to Europe The Indian Rupee is worth much less than the euro

Why should you review your retirement plan?

Life happens, and a retirement portfolio needs to be rebalanced and reviewed regularly to ensure it is on track according to retirement goals and risk profile Don’t forget the need for a good tax-efficient portfolio and structure Your financial advisor is essential in protecting and keeping your money working for you This means adapting to the changing financial markets and letting your retirement plan evolve

Contact Helen Booth at deVere France for a free, no-obligation consultation at: helen booth@devere-france fr

Please note, the above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice You should always contact your deVere adviser for a personal consultation

* No liability can be accepted for any actions taken or refrained from being taken, as a result of reading the above

Ask Amanda

I have an Individual Savings Account (ISA) in the UK and have been reading about the French Assurance Vie Is this something I should swap my ISA for?

When it comes to investing and saving for the future, two popular options in the UK and France are the ISA and the Assurance Vie While both ser ve as taxefficient ways to grow your money, there are key differences between the two that investors should be aware of In the UK , ISAs offer tax-free savings on interest dividends and capital gains

This means that any profits made within an ISA are shielded from UK tax, making it an attractive option for those looking to grow their wealth without the burden of taxes eating into their returns However if you are now living in France then any interest, dividends and capital gains will need to be declared on your French tax return

each year and this is not tax free in France

On the other hand, in France, the Assurance Vie is a life insurance policy that also offers tax advantages While the fees associated with an Assurance Vie may initially seem higher than those of an ISA the tax benefits can outweigh these costs in the long run With an Assurance Vie, any gains made within the policy are not subject to income tax until they are withdrawn, allowing your money to grow tax-free for an extended period of time If you would prefer to use your Assurance Vie to provide a regular income, this is also possible and you can choose whether you would prefer this to be paid, monthly quarterly six monthly or annually Once you have held an Assurance vie for 8 years you have an additional tax allowance of 4 600€ on withdrawals

Expert advice

One key advantage of the Assurance Vie over the ISA is the ability to hold the policy in the currency of your choice, including GBP This means that you can invest using your preferred currency providing flexibility and potentially reducing exchange rate Assurance Vie also provides generous Inheritance Tax allowances for transfer of wealth to your chosen beneficiaries

Many people who move to France hold on to their ISA investments without considering the benefits of transferring to an Assurance Vie By doing so they may be missing out on the potential tax advantages and currency flexibility that an Assurance Vie offers

Seek professional advice from a regulated adviser in France means you can assess which type of Assurance Vie is most suitable, and what investments to hold within it, taking into consideration attitude to risk portability and currency preference

Whether you want to register for our newsletter, attend one of our roadshow events or speak to me directly please call or email on the contacts below and I will be glad to help you

We do not charge for our financial planning reviews, reports or consultations

Amanda Johnson tel : 06 73 27 25 43 e-mail : amanda johnson@spectrum-ifa com www spectrum-ifa com/amanda-johnson

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

« The Spectrum IFA Group » is a registered trademark, exclusive rights to use in France granted to TSG Insurance Services S A R L Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 « Société de Courtage d'assurances » R C S Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384) Numéro d'immatriculation 07 025 332 - www orias fr « Conseiller en investissements financiers, référence sous le numéro E002440 par ANACOFI-CIF, association agréée par l Autorité des Marchés Financiers »

This month’s advertisers

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST

Our selection

of

properties for sale in the Deux-Sèvres

Chef-Boutonne €278,200

Ref: A29847 - 6-bedroom house with large garden, river frontage, and pool.

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

Chef-Boutonne

€171,200

Ref: A23657 - Lovingly renovated 2-bedroom house with large garden.

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

Gourgé €317,234

Ref: A28805 - Barn conversion with two properties, gîte and stables.

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

Azay-sur-Thouet

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: E Climate class: B Gîte Potential

€149,500

Ref: A17456 - Charming 4-bedroom house with terrace and garden.

La Chapelle-Pouilloux

Sauzé-Vaussais €195,000

Ref: A28071 - 4-bedroom house with garage, large outbuilding and garden.

Saint-Paul-en-Gâtine

€19,000

Ref: A08663 - Ruin for total renovation with land, CU obtained. Agency

Not required

€224,967

Ref: A31118 - Fabulous 3/4-bedroom property with outbuildings and barn.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: C Climate class: A Must See!

Assais-les-Jumeaux €171,400

Ref: A31148 - Charming 2-bedroom house with fabulous outbuildings.

9% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: D Climate class: B

Lezay

€214,000

Ref: A26953 - Renovated 3-bedroom home with garden, sheds and storage.

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

Neuvy-Bouin €82,500

Ref: A22587 - Cosy 2-bedroom cottage with courtyard, garage and land.

10% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: E Climate class: B

Boussais €249,000

Ref: A26974 - 3-bedroom farmhouse with gîte, outbuildings, pond and 2 acres.

6% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: E Climate class: B

Vernoux-en-Gâtine

9% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: E Climate class: B Priced to Sell!

€139,850

Ref: A24402 - Superb 3-bedroom renovated property with gardens.

We have helped 1000s of clients buy and sell property in France and have 8000+ properties listed on our website. If you are looking to sell, contact us for a freemarket appraisal.

Ref: BVI75923 Fabulous renovated 15th century house in the heart of a pretty village Fees: 6% paid by the buyer Net price: €225,000 Energy class: F Climate class: C

MOUTIERS-SOUS-ARGENTON

€258,100

BVI76074 Character house with pool and guest cottage on edge of pretty village Fees: Paid by the vendor Energy class: E Climate class: B

NERE, Charente-Maritime

€349,500

Ref: BVI73945 Spacious 3-bed village house with outbuildings and enclosed garden Fees: Paid by the vendor Energy class: D Climate class: D

BOUSSAIS

Ref: BVI69355 Single storey stone property in quiet hamlet overlooking a lake Fees: 10% paid by the buyer Net price: €68,182 Energy class: F Climate class: C

Ref: BVI71187 Superb 4-bed village house with extensive gardens and in-ground pool Fees: Paid by the vendor Energy class: C Climate class: A

€75,000 HAI

Ref: BVI76392 3-bed, 2-bath farmhouse with guest cottage, pool, well and pond Fees: 6% paid by the buyer Net price: €235,000 Energy class: E Climate class: B MONCONTOUR

AIRVAULT

€820,000

Ref: BVI67332 Renovated Medieval castle and chapel classed as an historic monument Fees: Paid by the vendor Energy class: E Climate class: E

VILLEFAGNAN, Charente-Maritime

€742,000

Ref: BVI72714 Fabulous longère set in landscaped grounds with pool and views Fees: Paid by the vendor Energy class: D Climate class: C

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