etcetera magazine July 2020

etcetera I’M FREE - TAKE ME, KEEP ME!

YOUR COMPANION FOR LIFE IN THE FRENCH COMMUNITY

JULY 2020

Wildlife Beetlemania

Flower Power Nature’s Wonders

Top 10 Tips Getting Your Health Back on Track

PLUS

CRAFT ANGLING EXPERT ADVICE

ASTRONOMY • PARLEZ FRANÇAIS • PUZZLES • RECIPES etcetera 1

hello & welcome

Contents 3

A note from the editors

4

What’s on

6

Craft

8

Language

10

Latest news

12

Recipes

16

Business & assistance

19

Health

24

Garden

32

Farm life

34

Fishing

36

Wildlife

39

Animal

This month also sees the planned launch of the new online application for residency cards for British passport holders resident in France. See our Latest News section for a quick round-up of details.

40

Night sky

Continue to keep safe, stay well!

42

Free time

44

Home & Specialist

47

Getting connected

52

Artisans

58

Motoring & removals

60

Property

64

Classified

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A Note from the Editors

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

etcetera magazine

@etceterafrance

Welcome to the July edition of etcetera magazine.

We are delighted to see a sense of some normality return, especially as summer is well and truly upon us. We are even happier to see so many of our advertisers back with us!

Gayle and Sam

EU

Useful numbers 15 17 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

etcetera 3

listing

not much!

4 etcetera

listing

etcetera 5

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

Herbal Bath Soaks USING FLOWERS FROM YOUR GARDEN OR GROWING WILD, THESE WONDERFUL HERBAL BATH SOAKS ARE GREAT FUN TO MAKE, FABULOUS FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND CAN BE TAILORED TO SUIT THE RECIPIENT. SIMPLY DROP THEM INTO THE BATH AND ENJOY!

T

hese are fantastic gifts for people, or why not just treat yourself?! You will find a lot of the flowers are available in your own gardens and you can always top up the contents from the usual retail outlets either locally or online.

MATERIALS ● Cotton Muslin bags (Plain cotton also works. If you prefer, you can sew them instead of making them as bags). ● Dried herbs and flowers Oats, Hops, Lavender and Chamomile to sooth and moisturise the skin, and would be perfect to have as a relaxing soak at the end of a hard day, or just before bed to promote a fabulous night’s sleep.

Linden Flowers, Meadowsweet, Hibiscus, Lemon Verbena, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Red Clover and Calendula for their beautifying, and anti-aging properties, as well as their wonderful fragrance.

6 etcetera

For more information on drying herbs and flowers, you can visit my blog: www.craftinvaders.co.uk/day-2830dayswild-drying-wild-herbsand-flowers Method: 1. Start by choosing which herbs you are going to put in each bag (remembering the properties each herb or flower holds) and then fill each bag. If you are making your own little bags by hand, just leave one edge open, fill the bag and then sew up the final section.

2. It’s a great idea to pop all of your herbal bath soaks into a larger cotton bag, make home-made cards and a little note telling the recipients about what is in their gift. You can label each individual smaller bag before you place them in the large gift bag.

Remember it is important to always provide a list of ingredients for all home-made gifts in case of any sensitivities.

craft

MR. PIANO MAN

Tues-Sat 11h-16h

Handmade Tiles - Jewellery - Candles

PIANO FINDERS

Freshly Made Hot & Cold Light Meals & Homemade Cakes

Siret 51033234100017

Former BBC London Tuner Complete piano renovations (grands specialist) TUNING & REPAIRS

Lots of NEW HANDMADE GIFTS now in stock

Get your beeswax and choose your fabrics We search for good quality grands at any size including baby and modern uprights - all in excellent condition. Guaranteed and delivered.

71 Grande rue, Sauzé Vaussais. T. 05 49 07 78 22 Debbie & David The Lemon Tree T. 06 75 89 95 55 Denise Eyre at The Craft Cabin.

Email: denise.eyre@wanadoo.fr www.thecraftcabin.webs.com

Telephone: 05 45 21 16 13 Email: mr-piano-man@hotmail.com

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Courtyard Now Open!

HUGE Step 5 CHOICE OF UPCYCLED FURNITURE ARTISAN CRAFTS - GIFTS CHALK PAINT - COURSES OFFERED

Opposite Terri’s Cafe and the Butchers Free delivery locally (on most items)

Email: rruss1@hotmail.co.uk

Please visit my FB page for opening hours and course details

Open Tue-Fri 10am-4pm & Sat 10am-2pm

T. 06 14 76 42 84 Fb@chiccreationscc Place de la Fontorse 16500 Confolens Siret 51887685900019

Café & Restaurant

Join our Online Community

Digital Version Every Month www.etceteraonline.org

Open for ceramic painting, full English breakfasts, plus hot & cold snack lunches, beer or wine available.

Step 7 - Sat 10am - 3pm for ceramic painting, Tues full English breakfasts, hot & cold snacks/meals

T: 05 45 30 69 56 E: enquiries@manotceramics.com www.manotceramics.com

FRAMING Encadrement d’Art

Siret: 493 623 00016

Boutique in the picturesque town of Magnac Laval

Quality Furniture English Material Soft Furnishings Homeware Gifts

Picture framers to La Galerie de Gabriel Due to the current situation we are open for business by appointment only, allowing us to adhere to the safety guidelines

1 Rue du 19 Mars 1962 87150 Oradour sur Vayres

Nick Wiggins - 05 87 41 65 78 email: nicktesswigg@yahoo.co.uk

etcetera 7

language and advice

Parlez Français

Language School Secretarial and Administration Services Certified Legal Interpreting & Translating Coaching 15 Place d’Armes 86150 L’Isle Jourdain Tél. 05 49 84 17 73 Email: isabelle@continental-horizons.com www.continental-horizons.com siret 483 146 353 00014

French conversation, vocabulary & traditions with Isabelle

Au jardin avec une voisine David et sa femme ont beaucoup travaillé dans leur jardin, surtout ces derniers mois, pendant et suite au confinement.

Leur voisine, Mme Durand Fabienne aperçoit David et le félicite.

David : Bonjour Mme Durand.

Fabienne : Ah ! Bonjour David. Comment allez-vous et votre femme ?

D. : Nous allons bien, merci. Et vous et votre mari ?

F. : Oui, tout va bien, merci. Vous allez travailler dans votre jardin aujourd’hui ?

D. : Oui. Je vais arroser les plantes de tomates. Je vais aussi retirer les mauvaises herbes.

F. : C’est très bien. Vous avez bien travaillé dans votre jardin.

Vous y avez passé beaucoup de temps récemment.

D. : Oui, c’est vrai.

Vu que nous ne pouvions aller nulle part à cause du confinement, au lieu de nous promener, ma femme et moi, nous avons passé tous

nos après-midis dans le jardin. Nous avons pu faire tout ce que nous voulions depuis très longtemps mais nous n’avions jamais eu le temps de les faire avant.

F. : Au moins le confinement a été positif pour vous et votre jardin !

D. : Oui, et maintenant, nous apprécions encore plus notre jardin. Nous avons créé un coin potager, une terrasse pour notre salon de jardin et de nouvelles platebandes pour les fleurs et les rosiers.

F. : Qu’est-ce que vous avez planté dans votre potager ?

D. : Eh bien, venez voir !

Ici, nous avons planté des tomates, des pommes de terre, des haricots verts, de la salade, des oignons, de l’ail, des radis, des poireaux et des carottes. Ma femme a aussi planté par-là les herbes aromatiques : du persil, du thym, de la ciboulette, de la menthe et de la basilique.

F. : C’est super. C’est toujours meilleur de manger ses propres légumes. Vous êtes de bons jardiniers.

D. : Non, mais nous apprenons surtout avec votre mari qui nous a donné des conseils.

F. : Oui, Jean-Pierre adore son potager et cela lui fait plaisir de vous aider.

D. : C’est très gentil. Venez par ici, je vais vous montrer les fleurs.

F. : Oh, c’est magnifique ! Vos rosiers sont très beaux.

D. : Merci. Nous les avons taillés à la fin de l’hiver. Nous retirons les fleurs mortes aussitôt et cela aide le rosier à produire d’autres fleurs.

F. : Vos arbustes sont en pleine forme. Les autres fleurs sont aussi belles, j’aime le parfum qu’elles dégagent. Quelles sont ces fleurs ?

D. : C’est un mélange de fleurs sauvages pour attirer les abeilles, nous les avons semées à partir de graines.

F. : Ah, c’est très bien. Cela a l’air de plaire aux papillons aussi. Votre gazon est bien entretenu.

D. : Merci. Avec la chaleur puis la pluie, l’herbe pousse vite alors je dois tondre le gazon toutes les semaines. J’espère qu’avec l’été, il y aura plus de soleil et l’herbe poussera moins vite.

F. : Merci David pour cette visite. Je dois rentrer chez moi. Moi aussi, je dois arroser mes géraniums. Bon courage et à bientôt !

D. : Merci. A bientôt !

FRENCH COMMUNICATION SERVICES In Champagnac la Rivière (87150) Every Monday & Tuesday With Sandrine Durand 05 55 78 16 21 / 06 83 07 66 98 r.sandrine.durand@orange.fr

8 etcetera

● Assistance with all admin needs ● Professional efficient & confidential service ● Competitive rates with flexible & friendly support Remy Hickman-Reed 06 37 76 56 51

remyhickmanreed@gmail.com

Comprehensive administration, translation and support services for English-speaking people in France…to make life easier.

Call Jenny 06 79 85 58 84 Mail: jenifer@wordsmithcoms.com www.facebook.com/frenchwordsmith Siret 504 587 924 00011

language and advice arroser (verb) to water

la menthe mint

une abeille a bee

retirer (verb) to remove

la basilique basil

semer (verb) to sow

les mauvaises herbes (f, pl) the weeds

un légume a vegetable

une graine a seed / a grain

retirer les mauvaises herbes to weed

un jardinier a gardener

passer (verb) du temps to spend time

un conseil an advice

cela a l’air de … it looks like / it seems to / it feels like / it smells like…

récemment (adverb) recently

cela fait plaisir it is a pleasure. / It is pleasing.

nulle part nowhere

montrer (verb) to show

au lieu de instead of

tailler (verb) to trim

apprécier (verb) to appreciate

retirer (verb) les fleurs mortes to deadhead

un coin a corner / an area

produire (verb) to produce

un potager a vegetable patch

un arbuste a bush

une platebande a flower bed

entretenu (adj) maintained / looked after

être (verb) en pleine forme to be fit / to be in good shape

la chaleur the heat

un rosier a rose bush

le parfum the perfume / the smell

la pluie the rain

planter (verb) to plant

un mélange a mix

l’herbe the grass

une pomme de terre a potato

une fleur sauvage a wild flower

pousser (verb) to grow

un haricot vert a French green bean

attirer (verb) to attract

tondre (verb) to mow

GET THE

VOCAB!

plaire (verb) to please / to like / to enjoy ces fleurs plaisent aux papillons the butterflies enjoy / like those flowers. cela a l’air de plaire aux papillons. it seems that the butterflies enjoy / like it / them. un gazon a lawn

l’ail (m) garlic un radis a radish un poireau / des poireaux a leek / leeks les herbes aromatiques (f, pl) aromatic herbs

Restez en forme en restant à la maison ! Utilisez ce moment pour améliore r votre français ! J’offre aussi des cours sur Skype.

Keep well by staying at home! Use this opportunity to improve your French!

I also provide lessons via Skype.

Broaden your horizons with CONTINENTAL HORIZONS! continen talhorizons@free.fr Isabelle works for CONTINENTAL HORIZONS Language Centre in L’Isle Jourdain and teaches French as a Foreign Language every day. Contact her on 05 49 84 17 73

le persil parsley

www.continental-horizons.com

la ciboulette chives

Bon courage ! Et à bientôt !

CHASSENEUIL BONNIEURE

Or French Classes Online!

Translation Services Help with Your Paperwork English & French Secondhand Books www.doclingua.fr Ingrid Vincent Tél : 06 08 06 01 80 Mail : ingrid.vincent@doclingua.fr

No SIRET 384 055 65300016

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Judicial Expert Near the Court of Appeal of Limoges Certified Translations Tel: 05 55 00 96 25 Email: henriette.faye@wanadoo.fr

Contact Alain 05 55 32 41 76 / 06 37 76 54 98 alain.rio@hvformations.org Siret: 824417364 00018

http://hvformations.org

etcetera 9

news

SUMMER

SALES

NEW DATES FOR THE SALES The new dates for the 2020 Summer Sales have now been announced as Wednesday 15th July to Tuesday 11th August, following the 4-week delayed start. The government has also authorized special in between sales: "Les Promotions" in light of the ongoing economic crisis, and have relaxed the rules therefore allowing outlets to hold unofficial sales in between the habitual periods as well. Look out for signs reading "Promotiones" (deals) or "Soldes Exceptionnels" (exceptional sales) in shop windows.

PLANT YOUR PANTS! Wondering about the biodiversity of your soil? Just pop a pair of cotton pants in your soil! Dig a hole, about 15cm deep, lay them flat, cover up and leave them for 2 months! The more holes there are when you dig them up - the better! You can use other cotton items, the underpants are useful as they have the elasticated band, making it easier to find when you dig them up! Check out this pdf for full details: www.ademe.fr/sites/default/files/assets/documents/planteton-slip-mode-demploi.pdf

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ONLINE APPLICATION FOR RESIDENCY CARDS While our thoughts have been a little preoccupied recently with other events and challenges, the clock is still ticking for Britons applying for their residency permits, who have until December 31st to become legally resident in France and then until the end of June next year to make the application.

The French government's new website for residency is set to go live this month, and all British people living in France will need to use it to apply for a carte de séjour (it’s expected to be call It is believed it will be similar to the website that was created last year for online applications in the event of a no deal. Your local prefecture will still be the one actually processing the applications but the initial application must be made online (there are expected exceptions to people without internet access). So, if you are resident in France right now and for anyone who becomes a resident by December 31st this year, this is the site you must use. Happily, there is no charge for the card.

If you don’t feel confident using the online application or don’t have a computer, reach out to friends or neighbours for help. The website will be user-friendly and the documents required are said to be much simpler than before. If you’re really stuck, you could see if the British consular service could help (Bordeaux: 05 57 22 21 10, Marseille: 05 57 22 21 10, Paris: 01 44 51 31 00) or contact one of the hand-holding services who advertise with us (please see the Language & Advice pages).

If you already have a carte de séjour permanent you will be able to use the site to swap it for the new card. The only documents you will likely need to give are proof of identify (passport) and a scan of your current 10-year EU citizen’s card. The only residents who don’t need to apply are those with dual nationality with another EU country.

The French government has also announced that anyone who applied for the residence permit on the no-deal website (which was live for a short time last October) will not have to make another online application.

Your application will have already been accounted for and will be processed the your local préfecture within the deadline dates. (Some of you may have already received an email advising you that your application is in the system and is to be processed.)

The new website will be bilingual and is rumoured to be easy to use and navigate. Once your application has been approved, there will be just one visit to the préfecture to have your fingerprint scanned and photographs.

It is believed the cards will be sent in the post.

The new application process will be available via the Brexit option (just click on the box on the website) as before on: http://invite.contacts-demarches.interieur.gouv.fr

news

We are now in the 3rd stage of deconfinement plans, as cinemas, theatres and sports halls are opening, or preparing to open. Strict sanitation rules must be adhered to and this will no doubt be the norm for a long time.

Cafes, bars and restaurants are open but masks are required, and the same on all public transport. Shops can still stipulate that you wear a mask to enter. Beaches are no longer “dynamic”, which meant people had to keep moving, you can now lie down.

Marriages can take place but guests must still be able to keep a metre apart. Funerals are taking place and the restrictions on numbers have been lifted. The virus is circulating but this time it is being claimed to be under control, Health Minister Olivier Véran said for the large part the virus is behind us.

France’s Sate of Emergency is set to end on Saturday 11th July, seeing stadiums and hippdromes reopening but with a capacity of no more than 5000. Any activity that involves over 1500 people must be declared beforehand and it is believed that venues will be doing staggered arrival times at events.

Festivals and exhibitions may see a return in September, depending on how the health figures are looking closer to the time.

TOUR DE FRANCE 2020

DOGGIE FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS The French often holiday in France (understandably!) and this year more than ever as we are all encouraged to take our vacations here instead of travelling abroad. Whether you are heading for the city, the beach or the mountains and you would prefer to take your pooch with you, there is a great website detailing dog-friendly holidays!

The Tour de France was moved to Saturday, August 29 - Sunday, September 20 and so far nothing has been communicated in the press to say otherwise.

There are no changes to the original route. For up-to-date details visit: https://www.letour.fr/en

At Emmène ton chien (Bring Your Dog), you will find information as detailed as how many dogs are authorised at any one time, what size dogs are welcome, if bowls or dog pads are included. www.emmenetonchien.com

TRAVEL INSURANCE The borders in France are now open for travel within Europe and it seems life has a sense of normalcy returning. The UK (at the time of print) is maintaining its advice against foreign travel for non-essential reasons. This means a lot of travel insurance policies risk being invalid for British coming coming for a holiday or to visit a second home.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has advised that if you travel against FCO advice, then you are likely to invalidate your cover.

This apparently applies to most British travel policies so it’s imperative people are checking their policies before they travel. At the time of print, the UK continues its obligatory 14-day quarantine for all arrivals until at least June 29. France’s voluntary selfquarantine for visitors from the UK will remain reciprocal until this is lifted. Visitors from the UK are being received into hotels, gîtes and other accommodation without any problems. Things picking up, with non-EU travel set to begin gradually from July 1.

HAND GEL & HEAT

Don’t forget about the new 100% Santé scheme (one of Macron’s election promises) that launched in France at the beginning of this year. Glasses and dental prosthetics can be very expensive, and this fantastic scheme can really help you get your eyes and teeth sorted. If you have a mutuelle (a top-up health insurance) you will most likely be eligble to get certain glasses and dental prosthetics free of charge. (Please note, if you have very high insurance cover for these health areas, you may not be covered, but the majority of policies are.)

There are concerns that heat and direct sunlight can degrade some of the ingredients in the hand sanitizer, causing the hand sanitizer to be less effective, but it really depends on the content of the hand sanitizer.

As a precaution, it might be wise not to leave the gel in your car (particularly on really hot days) or leave it in a shady part of the vehicle, out of direct sunlight. When buying hand sanitizer, it’s advisable to choose one which contains at least 60% of alcohol, and glycerin to protect the hands, and no perfume. The scented or ‘original’ gels are often more aggressive for the skin.

etcetera 11

food

Simply Seasonal NOTHING SIGNALS THE START OF SUMMER LIKE A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST OF HOMEGROWN TOMATOES AND COURGETTES

Hello from the accidental Chatelaine! I love to cook at any opportunity and delighted to be able to share that love with you

By Beli n

da Prin ce

Roasted Tomato Soup

Chateau Kitchen www.chateaumareuil.com

(derived originally from Ina Garten) A delicious soup that’s easy to make and very nutritious - even better if made with tomatoes from your own garden!

Ingredients 1.5kg ripe tomatoes, cut in half 60ml plus 30ml good olive oil 1 tbsps salt 1 1/2 tsps freshly ground black pepper 2 large onions, chopped 6 garlic cloves, crushed 30g butter 1/4 tsp crushed red chilli flakes 800g tinned plum tomatoes, with their juice Large bunch of fresh basil leaves, chopped 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 1 ltr chicken or vegetable stock Preheat the oven to 200c/180c fan Method 1. Mix together the tomatoes, 60ml of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the

12 etcetera

tomatoes in one layer on a baking tray and roast for 45 minutes.

2. In a large saucepan, gently fry the onions and garlic with 30ml of olive oil, the butter and chilli flakes for ten minutes or so until the onions just start to brown.

Add the tinned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken or vegetable stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes (you could remove the skins if you want a smoother soup), including the liquid on the baking tray. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes.

Courgette, Aubergine Tomato Tian This is a popular dish from sunny Provence and is incredibly easy to make.

Ingredients

Serve with drizzle of cream or fresh parmesan, maybe some chunky croutons...

olive oil 2 large onions, sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 aubergines 400g courgettes 500g tomatoes 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs (or dried) 100ml white wine (optional) 60g Gruyère or Parmesan cheese, grated

Serve hot or cold.

Preheat the oven to 180/200 degrees.

3. Transfer the soup to a food processor and process until smooth. Taste for salt and pepper.

food

Method 1. Brush a large baking dish with some olive oil. In a medium frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the onions over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until translucent.

2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to burn the garlic. Place the onions and garlic in the bottom of your baking dish.

3. Slice the aubergines, courgettes, and tomatoes into roughly 60mm thick slices. Layer them alternately in the dish on top of the onions and garlic, fitting them in tightly to make a single layer.

4. Pour over the wine if using, sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme leaves, and thyme sprigs and drizzle with 1 more tablespoon of olive oil.

5. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

6. Uncover the dish, remove the thyme sprigs, sprinkle the cheese on top, and bake for another 30 minutes, or until browned and bubbling.

Zucchini Parmigiana ) Layer slices of zucchini with mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil-infused bechamel Ingredients 6 large courgettes (approx) Olive Oil 2 Tins good quality chopped tomatoes/or 800g of fresh ones 2 packs mozzarella (150g each) 100 -120g grated parmesan Fresh basil (dried if not available) Salt, sugar Fresh breadcrumbs (not essential) Method: 1. Empty tomatoes into a saucepan, add 2 tsps each salt & sugar and some fresh chopped basil (or tsp dried).

Leave to simmer until thick and pulpy. If using fresh tomatoes, roughly chop and fry gently in a little olive oil, add sugar, salt and basil as

above and leave to simmer gently until thick and pulpy.

2. Slice courgettes thinly and brush each slice on both sides with olive oil.

3. Dry fry the courgettes in a hot pan (ideally a griddle pan) until nicely browned and softened.

4. Place a layer of cooked courgettes in a medium sized baking dish, followed by some sliced mozzarella, cooked tomatoes and a good sprinkling of parmesan.

5. Repeat layers until ingredients are used up finishing with a layer of courgettes.

6. Finish off with a final sprinkling of parmesan and/or fresh breadcrumbs.

7. Bake at about 180/200 degress for 30-40 mins until nice and golden and bubbling.

Herby Courgettes Peas A delicious way to make use of a glut of courgettes, serve as a starter with bread or as side dish with meat or fish Ingredients 4 medium courgettes (or 6 small) 100g frozen peas/petit pois 1 large shallot or spring onion (white part only) Olive Oil, for brushing

For the Dressing.......

1 clove crushed garlic 1 tsp salt ½ tsp ground black pepper Grated zest of 1 lemon 2 tbsps lemon juice 5 tbsps olive oil 2 tbsps chopped parsley 2 tbsps chopped mint

etcetera 13

food Method: 1. Make the dressing by combining all the dressing ingredients in a jar, shake well to combine.

2. Remove some of the skin from the courgettes with a vegetable peeler and slice thinly, lengthwise. Brush each slice lightly with a little olive oil.

3.

Griddle the courgette slices until tender and nicely scored. Boil the peas for about a minute, just to blanch, and place with the courgettes in a lidded container with the chopped shallot or spring onion, pour over the dressing and leave to marinate for a couple of hours or overnight.

4. Serve on pretty plates, maybe add a few more chopped herbs– voila!

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lerepos 14 etcetera

opinion

Merci Beat I

’m regularly dazzled by Mike George, etcetera’s resident naturalist. Ignorant of so many of nature’s complexities, I stand in awe of Mike’s vast knowledge and the consummate skill with which he imparts it. Especially since, should any friends be foolish enough to ask me to identify something impressive in our garden, my response is always, ‘plantimum floribunda’, which tends to derail any follow up questions.

So how to tip my hat to Mike this month while executing a subtle and not-at-alljarring segue into my own topic? And then it struck me – beetles! Or rather, Beatles.

(See what I did there?). More specifically, “Hydrochara caraboides” - silver beetles because that was, of course, the original choice of name for the world’s most influential group. They later ditched it, deciding that ‘The Hydrochara Caraboides Four’ wouldn’t fit on a marquee.

Incredibly, this year sees the 50th anniversary of both The Beatles’ last album and their subsequent break-up.

(Most of “Let It Be” was actually recorded in 1969 before the “Abbey Road” sessions but not released until the following year).

These days there is little comment anyone can add to the group’s gargantuan, genrebusting legacy. Their music has been covered and interpreted by everyone from Nana Mouskouri to Led Zeppelin to The London Symphony Orchestra. Good grief, even the Muppets had a crack at it.

But to the mountains of analysis and appreciation I can nevertheless contribute

one personal titbit: I saw The Beatles play live. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking.

The Cavern Club must have dwarfed the Pentagon to accommodate everyone who spuriously claims to have seen them before they were famous. Nonetheless, my tale is quite genuine.

Brian White lives in south Indre with his wife, too many moles and not enough guitars terrifying crescendo of music and screaming and (b) moving my hands in puzzled mimicry of the nearest Beatle, who wore his guitar the opposite way to how I held my own small plastic one at home. That’s about all I remember. Still, as memories go . . .

In the summer of 1963 with a couple of hits under their belt, the group were again touring the UK when what the press dubbed ‘Beatlemania’ exploded. Their For those of us who witnessed the shows catapulted from “full house” to excitement of The Beatles and the visceral hundreds outside fighting to get in. On 12 sadness, fifty years ago, of their breaking August they began a six-night residency in up, it’s been, yes, a long and winding road.

Llandudno, two shows a night. The next But it echoes still. On a summer evening morning the manager of The Odeon here in rural France, dinner on the terrace theatre, frantically trying to recruit with my wife and best friend, (that’s one additional staff to check tickets and man person, just to be the doors, bumped into my clear), a glass of father, who had previously On 12 August they began something done some plumbing work medicinal in hand a six-night residency for him. “Bring your two and “Rubber Soul” in Llandudno lads along tonight for the playing in the 6:30pm show”, he invited background. . . man, what a band. him, “One day they’ll be able to say they saw The Beatles.” He could see it coming.

I cannot imagine life without The Beatles.

In these swirling, uncertain times when So it was, that evening - I was seven, my the world seems off balance and brother nine – we stood in the wings stage preposterous incompetence masquerades right and watched The Beatles in concert. as leadership, I will still break into an (Over the following years my father, who idiotic grin at the open seconds of didn’t possess an atom of musicality, “Paperback Writer”. The Beatles bestrode remembered only accidentally shutting the my formative years and their music car door on my brother’s thumb when we resonates still with all the naïve optimism got home. Of the concert itself, nothing.) of a time when maybe, just maybe, all you I wish I could regale you with a set list and needed really was love. numerous captivating details of that longMerci, guys. ago evening. In fact, I recall only (a) the

etcetera 15

business and assistance

Financial Planning HELEN BOOTH

Post-Covid-19

The activity that is going on in the markets is to be expected short-term, so we INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER shouldn’t make immediate adjustments on deVere France our long-term plan based on what is going on here in the interim. There are however some great pro-active steps we can take that will enhance our long-term planning. hat should investors be doing right First, you can use this opportunity to reset now? What should we all be doing your balance sheet i.e., the re-building of financially, in the midst of a post your cash reserves. A re-evaluation of your pandemic situation? current pension plan and your options would be a great place to begin. You can One of the most challenging things and also start a new investment plan to move probably the best advice right now is not stagnant cash sitting in banks over to a to panic and just be still. When the world plan that sees positive is moving at the movement and a voracity and pace that healthy ROI. If your long-term goals it is right now, taking a haven’t changed, neither deep breath and being If you are fortunate, and still is probably the your income hasn’t should your planning most challenging thing changed, then your toward them to do. On the back of expenses have likely that, it’s advisable not gone down to let short-term phenomena impact your considerably, leaving you excess to invest. long-term planning. If your long-term And if you have saving and investment goals haven’t changed, neither should your plans already, it’s a good time to check that they are all up to date, tax efficient planning toward them.

W

16 etcetera

and relevant to your place of residency.

Asset re-allocation is another area that a fresh set of eyes can be highly beneficial.

There is one absolute inevitability in life, and that is… one day we will die.

Strangely, it is still very much a taboo topic to discuss openly but it really shouldn’t be. It is one of the most important and fundamental decisions we can make financially. It shows planning, care, and love for those we leave behind. A will is something we tend to put off over and over. Let’s change that! Now’s a great time to finally get this side of things in order. Once it’s done, we can rest assured in the knowledge that it’s all taken care of.

If you already have an IFA advising you, it’s time to give them a call and request a review – if not, now is certainly the time to consider getting in touch with one in your area. So, let’s dust the cobwebs off our portfolios and get them really working for us and our future. For more efficient, optimal long-term investment results with the added (and much needed) benefit of peace of mind when doing so.

business and assistance

Importance of Digital Literacy What is it and why do small business owners need it?

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he recent health crisis has certainly post/schedule content, understand changed the way we do things. etiquette and policies of that platform as Covid-19 had the power to disrupt but it well as understanding how to use from a gave us an opportunity to learn and use laptop or mobile device. Or they have a technology. The availability to access free website. They will need an understanding or low cost platforms has been a huge of data management – how they using benefit to small business owners over client data, how they are keeping it safe? recent months. Platforms have been able How a business was run 20 years ago is to capitalize on our usage during these different from today. While many ‘running challenging times and take advantage of a business the lack of digital literacy. principles’ are the Think Zoom and TikTok. We don’t need to be fluent in same, how we technology but it is helpful to connect and Digital literacy means being able to understand have a deeper understanding communicate, store and use technology. It information, and relates to the ability to market has changed find, use and create information online in drastically. As business owners we have a beneficial and useful way. “Digital likely just got on with it and used it literacy also means knowing the without necessarily understanding it. limitations of technology and Factors such as time and resistance stop understanding the dangers and small business owners from becoming precautions that the use of technology digitally literate. Some don’t want to, they requires” - Google want to preserve the old school, are quite For example: A small business owner happy doing what they have always done. creates a Facebook page. They will need to This kind of response can sometimes mask know how to create content and how to fear. Fear of not knowing what they are

MICALA WILKINS ALACIM SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

using, how to use it, what to do if it goes wrong.

The fact is digital is changing all of the time and will probably accelerate thanks to Covid-19. We don’t need to be fluent in technology but it is helpful to have a deeper understanding of what we are using and how it works in our business.

There are many positives for moving with the times with technology but there are also downsides such breaches of security and data management.

It is no longer enough to just have access to technology and use it. There will be times when we have to talk about them and of them with suppliers, customers, or outsourced services. An excellent place to start would be Google Digital Garage where there are dozens of great modules that you can work through at your own pace for free.

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

N°ORIAS 14001253

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

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

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

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business INSURANCE

ISABELLE WANT BH ASSURANCES

Allianz Plan Vie A Life Insurance created by Allianz

T

his is an assurance vie created by Allianz for people who have less than 30 000€ to invest or want to put some money into it every month. It has the same advantages as an assurance vie regarding death duties and income tax.

And we have obviously experienced quite a big loss in the market since the start of the year (due to Covid-19) so look at the longterm performances instead of just this year. In my view, now is the best time to invest as the market is low.

Who can invest in it: Anybody who is a French resident between 18 and 85 years old.

2. Fees: Entry fee of 4.50% negotiable of course + 12€ admin fee!! And yearly management fees of 0.93%.

How much you can invest: You can invest as little as 100€ per month or as little as a lump sum of 5 000€.

How it is invested: They are 4 main funds available from the more prudent (3 of out 7 in the risk scale) to the riskier (5.5 out of 7 in the risk scale).

You can change from one fund to another at any time. And you can also mix one or more funds like 20% on low risk and 80% on medium to high risk.

1. Performance: At the time of writing, the lower risk has lost 4.27% since the start of the year but gained +22.84% in 8 years and the higher risk - 5.13% since January 2020 and + 51.26% in the last 8 years. Allianz Multi Equilibre has made +78.46% in the last 8 years. Performances of the past are no promises for the future!

above the % of interest you get. If this happens, you actually lose money without realising it! This product is good for people who want to take advantages of the assurance vie savings account but do not have automatically a big lump sum to invest yet. Maybe you just want to put money aside for your future pension or leave some money to grandchildren.

Allianz has a solvability ratio that is one of the best on the market at 174% for Allianz France and 200% for Allianz Group so do not hesitate to contact me for any further 3. Availability: The money is available at information regarding our any time. You can add very large range to it whenever you Maybe you just want of investments. want and make partial to put money aside for withdrawal (even your future pension or And remember to check out regular monthly or our web site www.bhleave some money yearly) or a total assurances.fr/en for all my to grandchildren withdrawal whenever previous articles (“practical you want. You can information”) and register to access/monitor your investment online via receive our monthly Newsletter. You can your Allianz personal customer account. also follow us on Facebook: “Allianz You can even make the withdrawal Jacques Boulesteix et Romain Lesterpt” yourself online.

And don’t hesitate to contact me for any With interest rates being at their lowest other information or quote on subject ever, it is imperative to look at alternative such as funeral cover, inheritance law, investments that would bring more investments, car, house, professional and income. Especially if the inflation goes top up health insurance, etc…

There are no fees or penalties for taking the money out.

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

N° Orias 07021727/16005974

18 etcetera

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

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

10 Bd du 8 mai 1945 16110 La Rochefoucauld Tél:+33 (0)5 45 63 54 31

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

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

Top

By Saski Ford

Tips!

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

GETTING BACK ON TRACK I’VE SEEN MANY ONLINE POSTS ABOUT PEOPLE OVEREATING DURING LOCKDOWN, SO I WANT TO GIVE YOU 10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT!

1.

2.

3.

4.

Reduce the amount of junk you consume each day. If you reach for two packets of crisps per day or the family bag then consider cutting it down to one packet or half of what you would normally eat.

Don’t worry too much about skipping meals. As long as you are hitting the right amount of calories throughout the day with the right types of food, you can choose how many meals you have. For example, some people may prefer 2 larger meals and a small snack in between, or, 6 small snacks throughout the day. Do whatever works for you.

Hit 10,000 steps per day or more.

Most people have some kind of tracker these days which monitor your movement through the day.

Don’t fuss over the accuracy of these things, if you use the same one every day it’s accurate to you.

Try to ingrain different habits into your lifestyle that give you little ‘perks’. For example if you come home and want a glass of wine to help you feel “relaxed” why not opt for a bubble bath instead. If you want something that makes you

exercise. You need to be responsible for your own health, because nobody else will be responsible for yours. If you don’t want to eat something or you do want to exercise then say so and stick by it. People like to share the guilt, especially food to make themselves feel better about eating it. A problem shared is not a problem halved. It’s a problem that’s spread!

happy watch a comedy instead of going elbow deep in the biscuit tin.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Sleep more. Yes, 7-9 hours is optimal but whatever you’re getting if it’s not enough then try to increase it. You’re more likely to make better choices and exercise when you’re rested rather than shattered. Sleep is your best friend and if you can’t get it all in one go, then nap when you can.

Limit your junk food intake. It seems obvious, but you’ll be surprised how those calories can add at the end of the day. Aim for something like the 80:20 rule, so you’ll fill up on healthy foods for 80% of your intake.

Do an additional form of exercise on top of what you’re already doing. If you train once per week then increase it. If you train 3 times per week but you know you can train harder, put more effort in. (If you train lots and aren’t losing weight then revert back to previous points about eating less.)

Stop blaming other people for your problems. It’s nobody else’s fault that you may be carrying an extra pound or two. Learn to say no to the doughnuts and discipline yourself to

9.

Drink more water and less sugary drinks. Add fruit to water for taste and/or opt for zero drinks or sugar free squash. (Anybody who says they don’t like water has never been thirsty!)

10. Set aside time in your diary to take care of yourself. You know what time work is and you block out 8 hours to do it. You know what time your appointments are. You know what time your favourite tv show is on and how long you will watch it for. You know what time the pub opens and you know what time your hairdressers appointment is. Do you know what times you’ve set aside for some “me” time and time to exercise or prepare healthy meals? If not then you need to update your diary and include the bits where you take care of you.

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health

Living in Interesting Times Zero to Hero HOW YOU RESPOND TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CAN DEPEND ON YOUR EMOTIONAL BACKGROUND, YOUR SOCIAL SUPPORT FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS, YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION, YOUR HEALTH AND BACKGROUND

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Psychologue / Psychologist LOCKDOWN making you feel locked in or locked out? Are you feeling numb, lost something within yourself? Can’t seem to find a routine or struggling with sleep.

On edge, hyper, feeling unsafe?

Contact me, by phone / Skype The British Psychological Society

Recognizing your automatic thoughts is the first step to changing them

Mob. : 07 77 26 10 63 Email : psy.seagrave@free.fr

20 etcetera

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

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MICHAEL WILLIAM PARK

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

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

19 Place Charles de Gaulle. 87210 Le Dorat

T. 06 47 43 01 66

health

A

s we emerge from lockdown, we are surrounded by uncertainty and anxiety. Despite government advice, several friends have said that they do not want to see people, and are not sure when they will.

We are enveloped by strange sights and experiences; people wearing masks, social distancing and greetings without the usual French embrace. Given that we dislike uncertainty and most people often resist change, this does not help our mental health. In order to stay in a good place mentally, we need to pay attention to being optimistic and supporting our health and well-being.

‐ Write down any thoughts and note how your body is feeling (sometimes our inner dialogue is a physical experience - a tight chest, or a knot in your abdomen. Just keep writing down your thoughts until the ten minutes is up.

This type of reflection gives you access to your unconscious worries. It is a useful exercise as we are often unaware of consistent low level tension.

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

By Dr C athie Woodw ard

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

Time to analyse

Read through what you have written and ask yourself if you have control of the things that are worrying you - can you do anything Recently a study to fix the problem? If yes, showed that people We are often unaware make a plan to resolve the with a consistently of consistent low issue. If no, allow yourself negative inner to accept that some things level tension dialogue are more we just can’t change, and likely to get dementia, that they will be what they supporting the view that managing our will be. Having a calm and focussed inner inner dialogue is vital to our health. We dialogue will make them easier to deal need to practise being constructive with with, if and when it happens. ourselves. It does not come naturally, So, you manage it, rather than letting it and particularly not under the manage you. In order to do this you need present circumstances. to ensure that you are aware of what you In order to be control our thoughts and are telling yourself. (This all may sound feelings, we need to access our inner voice, obvious when reading this, but most so that we are aware of our reflections. people don’t allow themselves these We need to check to see if we are thought processes. They just react to being harmed by the present situations and don’t ask themselves why.) negative environment.

Reframe those thoughts A Time to Reflect Examples: Sit somewhere where you will not be ‐ Will my family and loved ones disturbed and set an alarm for get Covid-19? ten minutes.

‐ When will I feel happy to fly? ‐ Will there be another spike of Covid-19?

All of these are things that you can neither affect nor answer, so acknowledge the thought and remind yourself that you can’t control this.

Things you can affect: ‐ I am not sure how my business is going to be affected ‐ When can I start socialising again?

You can start marketing your business, contacting clients. You can gradually extend who you meet in line with the government advice, and personal preference. Mental health is like physical fitness, in order to attain it, you need to work, and practise. Put in the work and you can still flourish, however uncertain, or interesting, the times.

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health

Botanicals THROUGHOUT HISTORY, PLANTS HAVE PROVIDED US WITH MEDICINE AND SKIN CARE AND THESE DAYS MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO FACTORY-MADE PRODUCTS

T

he great thing is most of these are readily available to many of us – in fact all apart from 3 in this article I can collect from the garden or surrounding countryside. Applying herbs to your skin can potentially cause negative effects as well as the positive ones you are looking for, so as with any skin product it’s a good idea to test a small area first and if it does cause unwanted side effects stop using it.

Many botanicals are only available for a short season each year, so it’s a great idea to dry and store them so they are available to you all year.

▪ BLACKBERRY LEAF: Used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory both externally and internally, the astringent leaves have been used to treat wounds, bruises, swelling, eczema, burns and insect bites. Recent studies suggest that this botanical may help fight skin aging due to its elastin and collagen promoting properties – time to get gathering those leaves!

▪ BURDOCK ROOT: The anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties of burdock root make it a fabulous herbal remedy for a whole range of chronic skin conditions, including

22 etcetera

eczema, psoriasis and acne. Also believed to benefit dry and mature skin, it is another herb which is hailed as having ant-aging skin properties, and is used both externally, and internally to treat a whole host of health complaints.

▪ CALENDULA: Calendula, more commonly know as the Marigold is a beautiful, edible flower which has a long history of being used in skin preparations.

Believed to brighten the skin, and prevent blemishes, it is also used in wound healing, treating bruises, and burns, as well as skin infections and is known to be both nourishing and moisturising to skin.

It has antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is believed to discourage the formation of scar tissue.

Said to be one of the best botanicals for healing problem skin. It is also often added to hair rinses, where it brings out golden highlights.

▪ CHAMOMILE: Chamomile is well known for its calming properties, and these extend to the skin. It has the power to reduce redness, itchiness, puffiness and swelling, and reportedly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory herb is

perfect to add to bath products where it will also help to ease muscle tension and stress.

▪ COMFREY: has been used for centuries to promote rapid healing of wounds, burns. broken bones and rashes. It is also said to be useful topically in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as gout, rheumatism and arthritis due to its antiinflammatory, soothing and healing properties. Said to be a great botanical for the treatment of rough and dry skin, it is a great herb to add to a foot scrub. Please note, although traditionally Comfrey was taken internally for some conditions, the current advice is to only use externally, on unbroken skin due to some suggestions of it being toxic.

▪ ELDER: Elderflowers are mildly astringent, and are said to be of particular benefit for mature skin and people suffering from problem skin. Used for centuries to reduce skin inflammation, it is also used to fade freckles, skin blemishes and age spots. This botanical is also reportedly a great herb to use to treat sunburn.

▪ HIBISCUS: Hibiscus is considered a fabulous herb for mature skin, having

health

Clockwise from top left: Blackberry Leaf; Burdock Root; Calendula; Chamomile; Comfrey; Elder; Hibiscus; Honeysuckle; Lavender; meadowsweet; Plantain; Red clover; Rose; Rosemary; Sage; Self Heal.

FOR YOUR SKIN

emollient and mucilage properties which soften and hydrate the skin. The flowers also contain a firming agent which is said to smooth out wrinkles, and lift and firm.

The flowers also look divine, and are the most wonderful colour.

▪ HONEYSUCKLE: Honeysuckle is a nourishing and healing herb that has been long used to treat irritated skin due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and is said to be helpful in treating psoriasis, eczema and in particular acne.

▪ LAVENDER: As if its wonderful scent wasn’t enough, lavender is considered anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antifungal and antiseptic, making it a fantastic herb to use on problem skin. It has the ability to calm stressed skin, balance oil production in greasy skin, and promote new cell growth, encouraging healing.

▪ MEADOWSWEET: Meadowsweet is one of my favourite botanicals. It is a natural analgesic, anti-inflammatory and an astringent, and is believed to have fabulous anti-aging properties. It also smells divine!

▪ PLANTAIN: Plantain is another herb which has antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties. It is believed to draw out impurities from the skin, and revitalise tired skin. It also helps nourish, sooth and calm itchy, inflamed and irritated skin. This is one of the few botanicals that you can use it on fresh wounds as a natural plaster.

▪ RED CLOVER: Red Clover has long been used to treat the unpleasant symptoms of eczema – and is said to soothe itchy, scaly skin that it causes.

Believed to act as an anti-inflammatory, it has been used for centuries to treat many different skin complaints.

▪ ROSE: Rose Petals have cleansing, astringent, toning, stimulating and soothing properties. Although their nourishing and moisturising properties benefit all skin types, they are considered particularly useful for dry, sensitive skin, as well as mature skin due to decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

▪ ROSEMARY: Rosemary is an astringent botanical that is useful for treating oily skin, having a balancing affect on both the skin and scalp. Antimicrobial, antiseptic

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

and anti-inflammatory it it is considered useful on broken skin and for treating most skin conditions, as well as encouraging cell renewal and protecting against ageing. Known as the anti-aging herb it is even said to boost memory!

▪ SAGE: Sage is believed to have antiaging properties and also acts as an antiinflammatory, making it great for reducing puffiness. Used for its cleansing, pore tightening and stimulating properties.

▪ SELF HEAL: As its name suggests, Self Heal has long been used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, rashes and scarring. This botanical is believed to have anti-inflamatory, anti-bacterial, antiseptic and astringent properties.

Why not try mixing your own, unique blend of skin benefiting botanicals?

These herbs can be used in scrubs, bath fizzes, bath tea-bags and home-made soaps, all of which are super easy to produce, and make a fabulous and thoughtful home-made gift. So next time you’re thinking about a homemade gift, try looking in your garden first!

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garden

Grow Your Own

Organic Herbs

for tisanes and natural skin care 24 etcetera

garden I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A KEEN INTEREST IN HOME HERBALS, AROMATIC PLANTS AND ESSENTIAL OILS AND RECENTLY WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH GROWING OUR OWN HERBS FOR TISANES AND NATURAL WELL-BEING AND SKIN CARE AT LE JARDIN CRÉATIF

W

e have found that many of the common herbs do well in the climate and soil here and we have developed a new course looking at the cultivation of a range of herbs and aromatics and how to prepare them for use in teas, oils, salves and lotions.

the way of fertiliser as many grow naturally on poor, stony soils that have low nutrient value.

By Caroline Wright

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

You don’t need to grow them in a dedicated herb garden, many of them make an attractive addition to a mixed border. However, because most of them require the same conditions it is useful to grow them all together, it can also help with identification so that you don’t mistake a non-edible plant for a herb if your plant identification skills are not 100% reliable. For this reason it is also advisable to label them.

Many of the useful herbs and aromatic plants are perennial, they suit the hot dry climate and in fact the presence of essential oils in the plant and its strongly aromatic foliage is usually an indicator that they are adapted to hot dry conditions and strong sunlight – the oils protect the plant cells from desiccation For herbs where the leaves are harvested, and this is often coupled with silvery they are best harvested before the plant leaves that reflect the sun, narrow or tiny comes into flower (for example Lemon leaves with a small surface area also to Verbena, Lemon Balm, Thyme). This is prevent water loss or larger hairy leaves because the leaves can alter in flavour and that trap a layer of moisture around the vitamin/mineral content once the plant leaf to reduce transpiration. They manage goes into the reproductive phase (ie, starts on poor dry soils but the one thing that to flower) and therefore their properties they don’t enjoy is wet soils in the winter change. Harvest them regularly by cutting so this is one of the key things that you the stems back to a node (rather than might need to address before planting, stripping the leaves off the choosing a spot plant). They are best used that doesn’t get I cultivate calendula in fresh but you can dry them waterlogged in the potager as it attracts for later use, the dried herb winter and pollinators and is a good is more concentrated but making sure that will lose some of its companion to all drainage below potency over time. fruiting vegetables the root zone is adequate to When harvesting the prevent them flowers (e.g. chamomile, from standing in water. They can also be lavender) wait until they are in full flower grown in containers so that they can be or just as they start to fade. Flowers and moved around and those that benefit from petals can also be used fresh or dried. a little winter protection can be bought Roots (e.g. echinacea) are best harvested under cover during the cold wet months. during the dormant season because the Growing herbs organically is not difficult plant stores the nutrients in the roots over as they suffer from very few pests and the dormant period and this is when they diseases so you are unlikely to have many are most potent. problems, generally aromatic plants also You can make your own infusions very repel insects so they make good easily – this is done by pouring boiling companions to more susceptible plants, I water over the fresh or dried herb to make cultivate Calendula in the potager as it a tisane (herbal tea), herb and flower attracts pollinators and is a good waters for skin care and bathing, and for companion to all fruiting vegetables such using in the making of creams and lotions. as tomatoes and beans. The flowers are harvested and steeped in oil to make A decoction is used when the active calendula cream, used to sooth skin ingredients are more difficult to extract irritations, sunburn and rashes. Lemon (from bark and roots etc) and involves verbena and Lemon thyme; Thymus boiling the herb for a while. citriodorus are both excellent for repelling Macerating in alcohol is also a way to insects and can be used in oils to make extract the active ingredients for use in home made ‘citronella’ candles. various home remedies.

Almost all of the aromatic herbs are also Another method is to make oils using a melliferous (nectar providing) and are ‘solar’ technique where you leave the fresh beneficial to a wide range of butterflies or dried herb in a jar of good quality olive, and bees and therefore add greatly to the coconut or almond oil, in a sunny spot for biodiversity in your garden which is a few weeks. This can then be used in beneficial to the potager and ornamental lotions, salves and skin preparations. garden alike. They require very little in

Sorrel has long been known to be both edible and medicinal

Le Jardin Créatif lejardincreatif.net If you would like to find out more about cultivating herbs and preparing them for use in the kitchen and home we are holding workshops over the summer. Check out our ‘Courses and Events’ page for details of upcoming dates and availability.

We have a range of herbs and aromatics available on the nursery, we open every Saturday 10-4, the garden is also open during these times.

etcetera 25

garden

Camellia

First Impressions IF YOU’RE SELLING YOUR HOME, THERE IS SOME TOUGH COMPETITION OUT THERE - SO HOW DO YOUR GIVE YOUR PROPERTY THE EDGE? Lorn Tracy &

E

state agents always tell us that first impressions count with viewers so how can you ensure that your potential buyers fall in love with your property from the moment they set eyes on it?

However small it may be, the space in front of your house is important - it is the part of your garden that you (and all of your visitors) see whenever you leave or enter the house. It is also the area that you will see all year round so the pressure is there to keep it looking good through the seasons. So, it’s worth spending a little time, effort and money to ensure that it looks at its best. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to spruce of the front garden.

Whether your front garden is smaller than a postage stamp or a large space, it will give an overall good impression if it looks neat and tidy all year round, so large herbaceous borders and deciduous shrubs are probably not ideal for this space as they will look untidy over the winter months. It is a good idea to focus on evergreen planting for the front garden as this will look attractive even in the depths of winter. Some of these could be flowering evergreens and if some evergreen perennial plants are also carefully selected, it is possible to have a garden which will at least be attractive outside the summer season. However, if you are putting your house on the market right now, a few strategically-placed containers full of colourful annuals at this

26 etcetera

e

Taylor-M ade Garden s

time of year can make a huge difference to your kerb appeal. Here are a few rules to follow which may help.

perennial plants that will disappear underground over winter or evergreen perennials that look good all year round, KEEP IT TIDY so the borders don’t look untidy if you Anything that doesn’t contribute to the haven’t managed to sell by the time winter appeal of the house has to go. So arrives. If the front garden is sunny, then gardening tools need to be put away, balloon flowers (Platycodon) which may recycling bags, bins full of bottles and jars be white, blue or will look good. Rock and black bin liners should be moved to roses (Helianthemum) and Campanula the appropriate commune bins (pretty, blue bell-shaped flowers) are immediately. Children’s evergreen and spread toys need to be moved as very well to offer good soon as they finish playing ground cover in a Anything that doesn’t with them – even if it sunny site. Whilst contribute to the appeal of Gaura isn’t evergreen means chucking them in a shed just before a viewing. and doesn’t retreat the house has to go into the soil in winter, If you have a lawn, keep it it flowers prolifically tidy with regular mowing. between June and And get rid of weeds!

October, making it a useful plant for PRETTY PLANTING colour in a sunny front garden.

If the front entrance to the house looks stark, make it attractive and interesting very quickly by adding colourful flowering annuals in containers. For minimum effort, you can even buy such containers ready prepared. Remember to water them regularly – this may mean twice a day if the front of the house is south facing and also remember to feed the plants to keep them growing and regularly deadhead flowers to ensure that the blooms keep coming. If you have borders at the front of the house then plant them with attractive

If the front of the house is quite shady, there are perennial plants to suit such as the many varieties of Heuchera and Japanese anemone which will stand partial shade or sun. Astilbe, Hellebores, Pachysandra terminalis and Hostas will all stand deep to partial shade. All are either evergreen or disappear completely in winter and so are quite ‘tidy’ plants.

PARKING AREA If your parking area is at the front of the house, group a few container plants

garden

Rock Rose

strategically so as they will not interfere with moving your vehicles. Use tall evergreen plants easily seen through your rear-view mirror which means you shouldn’t forget that they are there! This will enhance the parking area by creating a bold but practical effect. Think of tall, slim junipers which can be underplanted with trailing annuals such as lobelia.

DON’T OVERCOMPLICATE If the front garden looks as though it is high maintenance with lots of annual plants in borders and complicated designs, this will put off potential buyers.

Balloon flower

If you need to disguise bins or other eyesores them pop some trellis in front of the eyesore and plant a colourful climber at its base. For a really quick fix use variegated ivy, which shouldn't take long to create a screen. You can buy semicircular trellis specifically designed to frame drainpipes and then attach climbers to train up it. If you don't have soil, you can always plant climbers such as Clematis armandii in pots and – provided you keep them well-watered and shade their roots by topping the pot of compost with decorative stones or gravel – they should soon start climbing. Clematis armandii has the most gorgeous fragrance in spring for spring viewers of your house and also retains its leaves all year round.

Evergreen shrubs and conifers add structure, texture and are seen as low maintenance. Certain flowering or otherwise interesting shrubs such as MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT Viburnum tinus (pink buds opening to YOU’VE GOT white flowers in winter), Photinia Red Ensure that what you already have Robin (new leaves are red), Hypericum growing in the front garden is kept pruned (yellow flowers in and tidy. Get rid of any summer), Escallonia dead branches and (available with a If you need to disguise an ensure that the shrubs variety of different are pruned after ugly fence, plant coloured flowers), flowering to ensure they evergreen honeysuckle at Abelia (pink, white or still look attractive. If you the base lilac flowers depending already have climbing upon variety), plants in your front Rhododendron and garden, make the most of them by Camellias (if you have an acid soil), or ensuring that they are tied in and kept Ceanothus ‘Skylark’ with indigo blue pruned. Wisteria growing into the flowers and hardy even down to -15 C are guttering will cause alarm bells to ring just a few examples. Escallonia and Abelia regarding the structural upkeep of would not be the choice if the front garden the house. is subject to strong, icy winds in winter as SOFTEN PAVED AND they are a little tender for these GRAVELED AREAS conditions. One word of caution if you are planting shrubs now. Be prepared to water If you have a lot of paving in the front and feed them very regularly or they will garden, think about the possibility of quickly start to look very poorly. lifting a couple of slabs in order to soften the area with thyme or campanula.

If you need to disguise an ugly fence, plant Likewise, if you have a large expanse of evergreen honeysuckle at the base which gravel. A little soft, ground-cover planting will rapidly cover the fence and offer a will break up the starkness. wonderful perfume when it flowers.

EVERGREEN PLANTS ARE KING These will carry your garden through from summer to winter and back again. If you don’t want the expense of planting and leaving these in your garden once it is sold then plant them into containers and take them with you when you move. Dwarf conifers are excellent for this purpose as are some small varieties of holly, laurel and poor mans box. Even some trees are suitable for container planting such as Acer palmatum (shade loving), Cotoneaster Hybridus pendulous and Salix Caprea ‘Kilmarnock’ Who knows, maybe you’ll get your garden looking so good you’ll decide to stay there!

etcetera 27

garden

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garden

By Ronnie Ogier

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

Jobs to Do If we get another hot dry summer our plants will need watering but prioritise the ones that need it most, it’s a precious resource.

Pots and baskets will need water at least once every day even if

it rains, as rainwater tends to drop off the leaves with little reaching the roots in the soil. In the borders target newly planted plants and water the roots, not the leaves.

In the flower garden ▪ Deadhead all flowering plants to encourage further flowering, and then feed with a general-purpose fertiliser sprinkled on the surface and watered in.

▪ Keep an eye out for pests on plants; early treatment is best, use water to blast aphids off.

▪ Mulch borders to retain moisture and keep down weeds. A really thick layer of mulch (5-7.5cm/2-3in) works best.

▪ Divide clumps of Bearded Iris so they will form roots and flower buds for next year.

▪ Plant autumn flowering bulbs such as crocuses, colchicums and sternbergias.

In the vegetable garden ▪ Young, small vegetables are much tastier than large old ones so pick them regularly, this also encourages more growth.

▪ Tie the long stems of cucumbers to vertical wires or poles.

▪ Pinch out tomato side shoots and the growing tips of aubergines, squashes and courgettes, applying a high-potash fertiliser once fruits start to form ▪ Watch out for greenfly, blackfly and cabbage white butterfly eggs on young shoots. Treat immediately.

In the fruit garden ▪ Cut back strawberry plants after fruiting. Water and weed between them.

▪ Prune gooseberries, redcurrants and whitecurrants.

▪ Reduce the number of small apple and pear fruits in a cluster, to one or two to improve the size and quality of the fruit.

▪ Tie in new blackberry and raspberry canes.

▪ Now is the time to prune stone fruit, to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease.

In the greenhouse.

▪ Ventilate your greenhouse, to lower humidity and reduce the spread of disease.

Looking after your lawn ▪ Keep mower blades high when cutting the lawn during dry weather.

▪ New areas of grass, sown or turfed, will need extra watering to keep them going.

Now sit back and relax all your hard work, there’s no point doing it all if you don’t get to enjoy it!

Enjoy your garden!

etcetera 31

Mangalitza Pigs

farm life Tamsin Cooper is a smallholder and writer with a keen interest in animal behaviour and welfare

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT FREE-RANGE PIG? MANGALITZAS ARE THE ULTIMATE HARDY, SELF-SUFFICIENT, FRIENDLY AND GREAT-TASTING SMALLHOLDER PIG.

T

he Mangalitza is an eastern European breed that is extremely vigorous, disease resistant, adaptable to different climates, and tolerant of humidity and temperature extremes. They can live outdoors all year round, as they grow thick curly coats in winter which they normally shed in spring. They are excellent foragers and attentive mothers.

Sows build nests in bushes or reeds and take sole care of their young. While they average only five to six piglets per litter, their mothering skills ensure that most survive. Their rugged constitution allows for minimal supplemental feeding, husbandry and vet bills, providing they have the land to fulfil their own needs.

This makes them an excellent choice for permaculture and sustainable farming, as well as for rewilding and nature reserve projects. Recently, an appreciation of their value on the farm and to the ecology, as well as their meat and fat, is growing.

Early Beginnings in Forests and Marshes It seems out of nowhere, these wildlooking, woolly pigs have emerged. In fact, we had a similar breed, the Lincolnshire Curly Coat – now extinct. Popularity dwindled due to the commercial move to raising fewer, leaner breeds after the War. Mangalitzas almost suffered a similar fate in their native lands of Hungary and Austria, as the fashion for lean meat shifted consumer demand.

Archduke’s estate they were crossed with with Hungarian landraces, improving the growth and fattening ability of their offspring. Further Serbian pigs were imported and crossed to develop the ‘Mangalica’ breed. The name referred to the pigs’ round shape and good appetite.

They became the predominant breed of the region until the 1950s.

Despite the intensification of farming methods, the pigs continued to roam estate forests and pastures with minimal management for farrowing and fattening.

In villages, each householder would send their few pigs out each morning with the village herdsman to graze communal lands and return them to the homestead at night.

While their popularity diminished after the 1950s, it has recently enjoyed a revival. The quality of their meat and fat has been rediscovered by ham producers, gourmet chefs, and black pudding makers.

Conservationists have realised their value in restoring natural landscapes.

Smallholders have found them ideal for environmentally-friendly agriculture.

Three Kinds of Hardy, Friendly Forager

Strictly speaking, they are three breeds, as confirmed by genetic testing. Initially the Blond Mangalitza was developed from Sumadian and Hungarian landrace breeds. These were crossed with Croatian Syrmian pigs to create a Black variety, They may look quite wild, now extinct, with their long, grey snouts although being Their rugged constitution and stripy piglets. But in recreated. The fact, they were developed allows for minimal Black was for a popular market. Lard supplemental feeding, crossed back to and salami made from their husbandry and vet bills, the Blond, which fat were in much demand developed into providing they have the land to in the late nineteenth and the distinctive fulfil their own needs early twentieth centuries. black and white Before this time, there were Swallow Bellied. many rustic local breeds in the Habsburg These two breeds are the hardiest. A Red Empire around present-day Hungary.

Mangalitza was created by crossing Many had curly coats and all were Hungarian Szalonta boars with Blond incredible survivors, running free range in sows. This breed is larger, meatier and hills, plains, woods and marshland, or faster growing. being herded through miles of acorn They need a large area or several forest. Historians believe they descended paddocks in a natural environment with from Slovene moorland pigs and wild trees, bushes and wallowing water. Here boar, and accompanied Avar settlers to they will thrive by foraging and expressing the Carpathian Basin in the ninth century. their natural behaviour. It is wise to In the nineteenth century, agricultural provide shelter for farrowing, but they advancements and demand for quality may go and find their own bush to nest in. lard products brought a change to swine They need little supplemental feed for management. The low output of tough fattening, but fresh water, as for all meat from local pigs did not suffice and animals, is important. Despite their wild steps were taken to breed for improved habits, they are easy to tame with treats yield, while supplementing feed with and gentle handling, and are endearing cereals. A breakthrough came in 1833 characters to work with. when the Prince of Serbia gifted nine sows Sows are ready to mate in their second and two boars of his native Sumadia breed year and come into heat in spring and to the Archduke of Austria. On the

By Tam sin Coo per

www.goatwriter.com

autumn. Litters are normally of five or six piglets. These must be raised until 16–24 months old to allow the meat to develop its characteristic marbling. These time periods are much longer than for most breeds of pigs. However, they are essential for the mouth-watering softness and rich flavour of their pork. Slow growth and maturity also confer the hardiness they need for free-range living. It is a sad rule of nature that if you breed for high productivity you will lose out on disease resistance and self-sufficiency. The body can only be pushed so far.

Why Mangalitza?

Many of us take to smallholding to improve the flavour and quality of our food, while having the assurance that the animals have enjoyable lives. Mangalitza pigs meet these goals where we have the land to let them live naturally. Although their meat is fattier than commercial pork, it has so much more flavour. It is also ideal for making sausages, bacon, ham, and black or white pudding.

Although it goes against the grain of modern diets to eat fatty meat, Mangalitza fat is mainly unsaturated oleic acid, which has health benefits. My solution to the health and environmental issues of meat eating is to consume less and combine a really high-quality product, such as Mangalitza pork, with plenty of fresh organic vegetables from the garden.

If you cannot bring yourself to eat such adorable animals, they also have a role as workers in eco-friendly land management.

They can prepare your vegetable beds or forage in woods and orchards, providing dung as fertiliser and turning over the soil to provide niches for new plant growth.

MAIN FEATURES: Hardy, disease-resistant Adaptable, climate-tolerant Excellent mothers Self-sufficient foragers Friendly and tractable Excellent flavour and texture of meat Lard-type (fat over 60% unsaturated) Slow-growing and maturing Fewer piglets and oestrus periods

etcetera 33

fishing

The Study of Water FOLLOWING ON FROM LAST MONTH’S HISTORICAL JAUNT DOWN SOME OF OUR LARGER RIVERS THIS MONTH I THOUGHT THAT WE COULD LOOK AT HYDROLOGY AND HOW IT AFFECTS OUR FISHING

By Clive Kenyon

M

uch of the Charente Department consists of limestone, or chalk.

You can see it in the old buildings and in the fields where small pieces of limestone litter the ploughed fields.

In some areas you will notice that some the buildings are made from white limestone and in other areas such as around Montbron the stone has a colour of honey. Whatever the type of limestone is evident in these areas you can be sure that it affects our fishing.

Back in England the famous Hampshire Avon gets it reputation as being a big fish water from the dissolved limestone in the river water.

Similarly the Test and Itchen rivers also benefit from being chalk streams and that band of limestone continues under the Channel and can be found in rivers in northern France such as the Somme and right down to Normandy and Brittany. Limestone, or chalk as it is referred to in the aquatic sense is extremely beneficial to the quality of the river. Alkaline water supports a better range of weed growth which in turn creates a better habitat for insect life and in turn 34 etcetera

creates a healthy larder for fish and bird life. Also the water tends to have a greater clarity compared to the rivers that carry earth based sediments downstream. And if that isn’t beneficial enough the limestone rock base also allows spring water to flow through it, sometimes bringing cooler water and other times warming the ambient river water dependent on the source.

Species like trout and pike prefer colder water in the summer months.

Fish will often be found under or downstream of weed beds during daylight in hot weather.

Another source of oxygen in water is where the water is disturbed by the actions of wind, also passing over shallow, rocky stretches or going over a weir. In high summer the lee shore of a lake on a windy day is the place to be and if you In high summer the are a river angler then the run off after a weir is a lee shore of a lake on good place to fish in hot weather. a windy day is the

During the heat of summer, fish can become lethargic and suffer from oxygen place to deprivation due to the lower levels of dissolved oxygen in warmer water. Chalk streams typically have more weed growth than freestone rivers and weed adds much needed oxygen to the water during daylight hours. Cold spring water will also have the effect of allowing a greater level of dissolved oxygen into the water. You will find clues as to where these cold springs are in place names such as ‘Puygellier’ or ‘Fond Froide’.

be

The downside of fishing in chalk areas is that the clarity of the water and the high level of natural food sometimes works against the angler. A lot of anglers fishing the Hampshire Avon could overcome these challenges by using a lot of maggots as loose feed to condition fish to accepting them more readily and by fishing fine in the clear water. Here in France you would need deep pockets to be able to afford maggots of the quantities required and fishing with fine tackle is asking

fishing

where they are as they will be after for one of the many large carp to accept your challenge and wipe the catching the same fish that you are. In floor with you. Sweetcorn is perhaps summer the deepest parts of a lake are one of the baits that can be used to generally devoid of oxygen and will good effect this month. Huge tins, not be populated by fish. more than enough for a day’s fishing, The free stone rivers found elsewhere can be found in supermarkets and if in our region; Vienne, Gartempe, the contents are mashed, blended or Creuse and upper Charente are a broken up and mixed with a binder different kettle of fish altogether. such as maize groundbait trotting for Unless there are secondary sources of roach and barbel becomes a feasible nutrition entering the option. In lakes water such as a roach can be found factory or sewage feeding around the Depth, flow and outlet these rivers will depth of the cover are the rarely have the thermocline and a luxuriant weed little experimenting keys to success growth seen on the with the depth of lower section of the your float tackle River Charente after should see you being it has entered the chalk areas. In times able to locate the feeding depth and of drought or low flows surface weeds drop a golden grain on the fish using a and algae sometimes take hold but waggler float. Windy days will be best these rarely add any benefit to our on still waters and the fish will be fishing other than acting as cover. On somewhere towards the lee shore.

How far will depend on the strength of these waters I find it best to use the extensive system of weirs and rocky wind and depth of water so be channels to locate fish where the flow prepared to move if your depth has increased the oxygen levels finding tactics initially draw a blank. without increasing the temperature of If there are water fowl such as grebes the water too much. Depth, flow and or cormorants on the water then fish

cover are the keys to success.

Fortunately there are many weirs on the rivers and these are places worth exploring.

There is an area of the Limousin locally called ‘The Land of a Thousand Lakes’. You get a good impression why it was named as such if you have a window seat on a flight out of or into Limoges Airport. These lakes are typically fed by spring water that originates in the higher ground. The water is fresh and cool and acts to prevent the water becoming deprived of oxygen through being too warm.

So, in a nutshell; at this time of year it pays to search out places where the fish will be most comfortable. In rivers the extensive systems of weirs and where applicable, locks give a wide variety of depths, flows and types of river bed whereas on lakes the wind is a critical factor on locating fish. Weed beds, or close to them are also a good place to fish as the will be replenishing the oxygen lost during hot weather.

Spending a little time finding the place where our quarry is likely to be will avoid many fruitless hours on the bank. etcetera 35

wildlife

Southern Green Shield bug with its young

Bug

Gendarme

or

Beetle?

WE USE THE TERM “BUG” VERY FREELY TO REFER TO ANYTHING SMALL, SINISTER AND UNPLEASANT. IT’S NOT ONLY CHILDREN AND UNKNOWING ADULTS WHO USE THIS TERM THIS WAY, YOU WILL EVEN HEAR SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS USE ‘BUG’ WHEN REFERRING TO A WIDE RANGE OF SMALL CREATURES

I

t can mean a listening device, a computer problem (remember the Millennium Bug?), an illness (anything from ‘flu to food poisoning), even an unspecified annoyance (“That bugs me!”).

It can also mean any insect that is somewhere we don’t want it (“In summer my house gets full of bugs” i.e. flies or mosquitoes).

In fact, to an entomologist, a bug is a specific order of insects – the Hemiptera that derive their nutrition by means of piercing mouth-parts. They are often referred to as “true bugs” to distinguish them from the dustbin definition. Their most noticeable feature is a rostrum, or beak, at the front of the head that protects the modified mandibles, which have become a long needle-like structure which can pierce a substrate and through which fluids can be taken up. It usually folds back under the body when not in use, and in some bugs is so long it extends the whole length of the body.

In most bugs the fluid they are interested in is plant-sap, but some bugs do feed on

36 etcetera

blood (for example the bed bug Cimex lectularius, which is a true bug).

Mosquitoes, midges, robber flies, etc. are NOT bugs. These are flies that belong to the order Diptera, and detailed examination of their fluid-collecting equipment shows it to be different from that of true bugs.

chosen environment, similar to the adult form but smaller and underdeveloped.

They pass through “instars” or stages between shedding skins, each instar becoming more like the final adult. This can result in some confusion, as the instar stages can in fact look markedly different from the final adult. The familiar Southern Green Shield Bug has young which pass Bugs tend to be unpopular with farmers through a range of shapes and colours on and horticulturalists as they weaken the the way to adulthood, which can confuse plants they feed on and can act as vectors the unwary, as not many recognition for spreading disease. books list all And nobody loves a This can result in some the variations. bed bug! confusion, as the instar stages Here in France we Some surprising can in fact look markedly have a number of creatures fall into the different from the final adult very attractive bugs. bug category. Cicadas Everyone knows the are classed as true bugs, Gendarme or Fire as are shield-beetles, pond-skaters, frogBug Pyrrhocoris apterus in its red-andhoppers and aphids, so you can see just grey livery, which appears in early spring how diverse the order is. and scuttles about, often in large numbers, Another thing that categorises the bugs is enjoying any patch of sunshine it can find. that they do not have larvae and pupae as The green or brown Shield-bugs, many other insect orders do. The young sometimes called Stink-bugs as they try to are born as “nymphs”, that is, mobile protect themselves with an offensive fluid creatures able to feed and survive in their if attacked, are quite familiar, flattened in

wildlife Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata

form with the outline of a knight’s shield.

These have a habit of dropping out of bushes onto your picnic. In recent years the Minstrel Bug Graphosoma lineatum, with its ruler-straight longitudinal red and grey stripes, has been unusually common.

I often see it in May and June, on the tall Queen Anne’s Lace plants.

In early summer some spectacular beetles are to be seen. One I am frequently asked about is the Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata.

This is a large, buzzy beetle about a couple of centimetres long, and metallic green in colour. It is related to the Cockchafer or Maybug (which is not a bug) Melolontha melolontha, which is larger, less colourful and even buzzier, and which can be unnerving in a confined space. Both are quite harmless, as are practically all beetles (as far as humans are concerned).

The problem with the chafers is that their larvae live underground for one or two years and eat roots, which can damage trees, crops and garden plants, and then the adult eats its way through leaves and flowers above-ground.

Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus

People get a bit worried about the Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus, which is the largest

The female, similar in size but with shorter, functional jaws, can in fact bite a human quite painfully if sufficiently annoyed native beetle you are likely to encounter (up to 5 cm long). The male is characterised by enormously enlarged jaws, which it waves about in a very fierce way, but with which it actually cannot deliver any serious bite. The female, similar in size but with shorter, functional jaws, can in fact bite a human quite painfully if sufficiently annoyed.

Bloody-nosed Beetle

etcetera 37

wildlife

Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca

Other black, glossy beetles can be very appealing if you get right down to study them closely. The Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcher tenebricosa is one such. You may see it scuttling across waste or rough ground, especially in limestone country, with its heavily-decorated legs and large feet. The name derives from its habit of exuding a red, unpleasant defensive fluid from its head when seriously annoyed, but I don’t recommend trying to annoy one!

I have mentioned a few colourful beetles, but there are others. The Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis, with its black body with horizontal yellow stripes, is trying to mimic a wasp to discourage predators. It even flies a bit like a wasp. It will not fool you, though, but then you have better eyesight than most of the beetle’s predators. which is no real problem to a human.

Of course, our dear old familiar Ladybird However, the Press made a big thing of it, beetle is well known to us all, and always and holidaymakers fled welcome as it and its larvae prey on pests in droves! like aphids. In my youth, it was the Twospot Ladybird. This was to some extent There are a few beetles that can produce a ousted by the Seven-spot. Now both are response that will hurt a human, at least under threat from the larger and more slightly. The Bombardier Beetle Brachinus variably-patterned Harlequin Ladybird, crepitans can squirt an almost boiling, which can out-breed irritating fluid from its and out-feed rear-end. It does this by They swarmed across beaches its rivals. mixing two chemicals

in huge clouds, and were which it stores separately There was a time reported as landing on people in its abdomen, which when ladybirds and biting them react to become a very struck fear into the hot, irritating solution.

British. In 1976, we The heating of the fluid forces out the had a summer like no other anyone could spray with a slight “pop” and the beetle remember, long, hot and dry, and this just has to aim. Charles Darwin was a coincided with an explosion in ladybird victim of this. Collecting beetles one day, numbers. They swarmed across beaches in he found his hands literally too full to pick huge clouds, and were reported as landing up a new specimen, so popped the beetle on people and biting them. This is highly in one hand into his mouth to keep it safe. unlikely. The most they can do to defend Unfortunately he chose the Bombardier themselves is to exude a red smelly and slightly acrid fluid from their leg-joints, Beetle, which objected to imprisonment in 38 etcetera

The Bombardier Beetle Brachinus crepitans

the dark, moist cavity and began to spray.

This brought Darwin’s collecting expedition to a swift end.

I have to say that one of my favourite beetles is the Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca. It is a beetle, despite the appearance of the poor flightless female – the male is far more beetle-like, but you rarely see one, since it flies at night. That tiny bead of greenish light that the female emits always cheers me up, usually in June or July when mating is uppermost in the Glow-worm’s mind.

So what books are available to help you?

There is the dear old, reliable but rather hard to use Field Guide to the Insects of Britain and Northern Europe, but with practice this should enable you to identify most common beetles and bugs. There are a number of French photographic guides in the Delachaux series – Guide photo des Insectes is very thorough, and explains well all the insect types.

animal

What to Look Out For in July ▪

▪

▪

Stag-beetles are around about now. You are most likely to see the females, with their powerful prominent jaws, but the males (which are the ones with the horns) do blunder about occasionally. They are awkward in flight; their size and the constraints of their wing-cases oblige them to adopt a sort of “head-up” posture. If one flies into you, you know it! However, they are unlikely to act aggressively unless you try provoking them.

Damselflies are to be seen, especially on sunny days. If you go down by the Charente (or any other clean river) you should see large numbers of the beautiful Violet Damselfly, with oval wing-patches and slender body of electric blue.

Dragonflies will be about as well. Don’t forget – damselflies fold their wings parallel to their bodies; dragonflies hold them always fully open. The only thing you may confuse with a dragonfly is an adult Ant-lion, but these are easily distinguished by the brown blotches on the wings and the short, clubbed antennae of the Ant-lion.

yellow wings, rather more orangey than the Brimstone (which should be absent at this season).

▪

I have seen few Swallowtail butterflies so far. Let’s hope things improve!

▪

There are some Humming-bird Hawk Moths around, although they were a bit slow starting. It is always cheering to see the way they hover in front of plants like Valerian, Buddleia etc. to drink nectar with their long tongues. Keep watch for Broad-bordered Bee Hawk Moth also, which is about the same size with a similar drinking routine but with a yellow “belt” around the body and redbordered transparent wings. Unlike the Hummingbird Hawk, the Bee Hawk rests it front feet on the flower it is feeding from.

▪

Don’t forget to keep an eye open for the Jersey Tiger Moth.

If something startlingly orange flies past you with a rather wind-milling flight, then suddenly disappears, the chances are it was a Jersey Tiger Moth. The chocolate and cream striped forewings are a perfect example of splintercamouflage; the stripes break up the outline of the moth rendering it invisible.

All the summer butterflies are getting into their stride. It looks like a good year for Painted Ladies. Look out too for the Clouded Yellow, a busy little butterfly with startlingly

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

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

By Clair Wardla e w

M13 KEYSTONE

Vega

Deneb

40 etcetera

Altair

astronomy

The

Night Sky SHORTER SUMMER NIGHTS BUT STILL SO MUCH TO ENJOY

A

s we anticipate what promises to be a dry hot summer here in France we will have fewer hours of true astronomical darkness, but we still have much to view and enjoy in the night sky. A few highlights to consider are; a bright triangular asterism (explanation to follow!) which points the way around some nearby constellations, increased meteor activity with bright fireballs, and Saturn and Jupiter dancing close to the Moon! I also want to introduce a new feature for this month's article for anyone who may have, or might be considering investing in some binoculars.

Star hopping from the Summer Triangle One of the brightest and easiest -to- find features of our summer skies is 'The Summer Triangle' ,which is rising to prominence again from the east this month. It will continue to dominate the southern sky throughout August and September so we have plenty of time to have a look for it. Each night it is possible to track the slow movement of 'The Summer Triangle' asterism (a prominent pattern or group of stars) moving from the east towards the southern sky. This triangle is formed by the three bright stars Deneb, Vega and Altair. Throughout the month you can spot the triangle which is formed by Deneb in Cygnus (The Swan), Vega in Lyra and Altair in Aquila (The Eagle). If you follow imaginary lines out from this triangle, in different directions you can spot many other constellations.

From Deneb, drawing a line to Vega you can extend this out towards Hercules.

Again, starting from Deneb you can follow the long side of the triangle out to Altair and beyond it to Sagittarius. Here in Sagittarius you can look for the 'Teapot' asterism. Starting next from Altair, which is the lead star of Aquilla, you can trace a line passed two other stars towards the beak of the eagle. The line we can follow on from here will take you towards the constellation of Aquarius, or The Water Carrier. Now back to Deneb, which sits on the tail of the Swan. When you find the central star of this constellation, draw a line from here to the wing star. Extend this line a little further and you will find the head of the constellation of Draco (The Dragon) After looking for these over many nights it can be so rewarding to be able to map out more and more of the night sky

using a few pointers to start an evening's stargazing.

The Moon and Planets this month The full Moon will be on 5th at 5.44am and it will seem to pass by the planets Jupiter and Saturn on the mornings of 5th, 6th and 7th. Look to the southsouthwest in the early mornings. The full moon this month is also known as the 'Full Buck Moon' or the 'Thunder Moon' - socalled because it is both the time of year when the Buck's horns are fully grown and it is the thunder storm season. There are other things to spot if you are an early riser ... On 11th and 12th the Moon and Mercury can be seen close to one another in the south east. Venus has left the evening skies now and has become an early morning object. She can be viewed low in the east before the sun rises on 12th. A lovely crescent Moon will be close to Venus in the eastern sky on the 17th.

Jupiter, the largest of the gas giants continues to appear close to Saturn in the morning sky. They will be rising in the south east each morning. This is a beautiful sight to the naked eye or through binoculars.

Rocket Launch Crew Dragon: History in the making It was a really moving experience for me, watching the launch on 30th May of the Nasa Space X Crew Dragon and Falcon 9.

It was the first launch from American soil since the end of the Apollo programme in 2011 as well as Space X's first mission involving astronauts. The live broadcasts of the launch and eventual docking with the International Space Station 19 hours later were such an emotional reminder for me of what amazing things we humans can achieve, particularly in this challenging year. I must admit that a few nights later when the Space Station made a six minute pass over the skies here in France I gave the two Crew Dragon astronauts - Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken - a wave. If you didn't get a chance to see the live broadcast, NASA Live has that and many other videos available.

Meteor Showers July sees an increase in meteor activity.

These meteor showers will radiate from the constellations of Capricornus and

Aquarius. These constellations are quite low on the southeastern horizon so meteors can be difficult to spot, but the first shower, the Alpha Capricornids, can often produce very bright fireballs. (A fireball is another term for a very bright meteor.) The bright, fast motion of these meteors suddenly appearing in the night sky can produce an illusion of being much closer to earth than they actually are. It has been said that airline pilots have swerved to avoid these bright objects which were in reality over 100 miles away.

To view the Alpha Capricornids this month, settle back into a reclining chair where you can view a wide open expanse of the sky. The shower is active from July 2nd and peaks on 29th.

'Two Eyes on the Sky' : A Binocular View Using binoculars, (or 'bins') is one of the best ways to start exploring and seeing more detail in the night sky. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to use and can provide beautiful views of so many more objects. They are also very portable and need no complicated setting up. You just need to let your eyes become darkadjusted for about 20 - 30 minutes then start to look up! I have found that when I am looking through my binoculars, either at an old favourite object or when I have found an object for the very first time, it seems like I am making a real visual connection with the night sky, it’s very humbling. These are just a few things to seek out over the next few weeks. First of all, to get your binoculars focused, find a bright star and adjust the focus wheel until it appears as a bright sharp point of light.

The most rewarding place to begin your binocular viewing will be to observe details on the Moon. Scan the surface of the Moon, whatever phase it is in, and try to identify some of the prominent features such as craters, Maria (seas) and Montes (large mountain chains). One of the easiest craters to spot is Copernicus which is towards the middle left of the Moon. It is 93km wide and surrounded by dramatic rays. During the phases when some of the Moon's surface is in darkness, it is fascinating to follow along the area which lies between the dark and lit areas. This is known as the 'Terminator!' (or Arnie!).

The longer you spend looking, the more detail you will see. The next target which can demand a 'WOW' reaction is seeing the planet Jupiter. You should, depending on the size of your binoculars, be able to spot four of the 67 moons which orbit this planet. The movement can be observed over the course of a few hours, sometimes in a straight line, sometimes disappearing behind the planet. Another challenge for your first mini binocular tour could be one of the deep sky clusters. M13 (The Great Globular Cluster) sits on the edge of the keystone in Hercules. It will appear as a fuzzy collection of stars.

zing!

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B

efore any of this month’s inane drivel, I would like to draw your attention to this month’s photo. No, it’s not me in my work attire (it looks a little tight), but a

I've mentioned it before, but given that the new Freesat+ receivers are available, I’ll say it again. If you plan to use a ‘sky’ wideband LNB with a French satellite dish, the chances are it will not fit the holder properly. The wideband LNBs I’ve seen to date have slightly oval necks, meaning that they do not fit snugly in a standard 40mm French LNB holder (which is round); that’s not to say that they can’t be made to fit, but it’s something to be aware of. I have seen a couple of instances where the LNB wasn’t clamped tight and moved in the wind. ‘I have no idea what a wideband LNB is.’ I hear you say. A wideband LNB is different from a standard LNB. In general, they will have two outputs, similar to, but very different from a twin LNB. One output is for all the ‘Horizontal’ signals with the other being for all the ‘Vertical’ signals. Within

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Tel: 05 45 30 04 97 Email : smith.dominic@orange.fr

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

www.facebook.com/d.smithdecoratingservices

Chris Ringguth

Siret 5285994590013

1 HOUR RADIUS 86400 CHAMPNIERS Siret 8423761 3900015

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

Les Effes, 86150 QUEAUX

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

Email leseffes@hotmail.co.uk T: 05 49 48 27 91 / 06 04 44 32 12

siret no 523 998 557 00020

ADRIAN AMOS

HILL TOP TILING

SPECIALIST CARPENTER/JOINER

Interior & exterior tiling Travertine, marble, cement Ceramic, porcelain, mosaics

DOORS-SHUTTERS-STAIRS-FLOORINGKITCHENS

BESPOKE JOINERY & RENOVATIONS

FULLY EQUIPPED WORKSHOP & 40 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE LOTS OF SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR REQUIREMENTS

Paul Hill 05 45 24 01 45 hilltoptiling@hotmail.co.uk

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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

hilltoptiling

SIRET : 508 248 747 000 18

Siret:530 444 496 00018

05 45 91 26 61 / 06 56 79 25 58 WE NOW CONSTRUCT

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

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

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

Support Local Business We all need each other 50 etcetera

artisans

Steve’s property maintenance

Petits travaux du Batiment

Stuart F Park Painter Decorator

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

Siret: 489 199 661 00013

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

FULLY INSURED

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

Contact 05.45.85.78.30 / 06.04.49.04.10 stuart.park@hotmail.fr

Siret 84223310800013

AC Kitchens & Bathrooms

Imajica Joinery

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

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

Free quotes

www.ackitchens.yolasite.com

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

Siret: 48115588500017

CORE CUT 87

Tout Batiment

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

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

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

Siret 489 815 258 00012

H TAYLOR KEITARTISAN Depts 79, 16 & 86

Javarzay 79110 Chef-Boutonne

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

House Renovations • Barn Conversions Roofing • Masonry • General Building

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

R & G Builders

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

● Renovations & new builds ● Tiling ● Plant hire

05 55 03 23 39

/ 06 67 98 38 89

Sun Terraces (traditional joinery),

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

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

Competitive rates, high quality & reliable workmanship guaranteed

Siret No 4825499610019

Call 07.78.40.93.83 Email corecut87@outlook.com

Siret 434972303RM87 tim_hartley@hotmail.com

Siret 82985718400016

One Builder

05 49 87 09 63

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

Digital Version

of etcetera EVERY MONTH WWW.ETCETERAONLINE.ORG

etcetera 51

Plasterboarding / Rendering Renovations

M&M Sandblasting ~ Services ~ Superior Services - Good Workmanship - Honesty

RUST REMOVAL - OAK BEAM BLASTING BRICK CLEANING - METAL - CONCRETE & STONE - TIMBER - CHIMNEY RESTORATION 3500 PSI HIGH PRESSURE CLEANER

05 55 63 58 85 / 06 42 23 38 57 mandmblastinglimousin@gmail.com www.mandmblasting.com Siret 82184631800011

ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Monique PEYNAUD

Advertise Your Business

French Architectural Designer

For as little as 35€ ttc

Insurance guarantee on all work. 15 years’ experience

Permis de construire Déclaration préalable

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

monique@dessinarchi.fr www.dessinarchi.fr

www.etceteraonline.org

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

06 30 91 81 84

Roofing / Renovations Roofing / Renovations ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING / RENDERING & POINTING - Zinc / PVC guttering - Anti-moss - Insulation & Plaster boarding - Interior / exterior renovations For a free quotation please contact: Howard (fully bilingual, living in France since 1990, 10 yr décennale Insurance)

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

J. W. Services Siret 832922447RM086

EXTERIOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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

Fully registered and insured Trading in France since 2007

Call Mark for a free quotation: T: 05 55 44 71 44 / M: 06 78 60 96 16 mumford.toiture@gmail.com Siret no. 493 159 412 00037

No Job Too Small

05 17 34 10 94 / 07 83 87 54 49

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

Siret: 80025145600011

Full English Scaffolding Service

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

Landscaping / Rubbish Removal Roof Repairs / Stonework

BUILDING / MULTI SERVICE

M C SCAFFOLDING

Safe, secure, adaptable. Meets all safety regs.

Covered by full public liability insurance.

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

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

Siret. 500 835 189 000 16

Small jobs no problem!

Siret: 502 353 675 00015

artisans

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

Andrew Hadfield Based 87330 References Available

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

Siret: 828 984 815 0013

Glyn Chubb

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

52 etcetera

Based in 87 - will travel

HUARD FONTAINE

Carpentry - Kitchen/Bathroom Fitting - Tiling & Plastering

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

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

artisans

Heart Mirror

10% DISCOUNT ‘etcetera10’

Dustless Floor Sanding 100% Guaranteed

Brad Quarless

86400 Savigne

Professional Floor Sanding Services Floor Renovation & Repairs Bespoke Furniture

Professional Floor Sanding ~ Cabinet Maker ~ Bespoke Furniture T. 07 86 72 08 91

E: info@bradquarless.com

www.bradquarless.com

BradQuarlesss

Covering All of France

siret 50428351600012

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

Le Beau Bois Carpentry, Rancon 87290

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

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

artisans

Siret: 842 248 692 00019

SARL

the roof, the whole roof and nothing but the roof

Experts in working with slate, clay & zinc

Over 40 years’ experience

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

Experience in re-slating English Heritage buildings and churches.

06 35 11 27 31

For a free estimation please call or email:

Strictly Roofing Malcolm Cooke

AABA ROOFING FRANCE Ecuras 16220

admin@strictlyroofing.fr

www.strictlyroofing.fr

Quality Roofing & Building for you

Assurance Décennale

New roofs ~ Slate and tiling Fiberglass flat roofing ~ Repairs Gutters and facias upvc or zinc All leadwork ~ Timberwork References available

aabaroofingfrance@gmail.com 05 45 63 52 88 / 07 80 08 85 76

www.aabaroofingfrance.com

Siret 53210969100024

After · New Build Specialists

· Barn Conversions

· Groundworks

· Roofing

· Planning & Design

· Fosses Séptiques

· 10 yr Décennale

· Public Liability Insurance

Guarantee

Before

After

Siret: 505 246 777 00039

Before

Before After

For more information, a free quotation, or to discuss your requirements

Visit: www.slm-construction.fr Email: slmconstruction.mcdonald@gmail.com 54 etcetera

or speak to Stuart on

06 38 68 60 14

artisans Siret 800 969 438 00020

JM Roofing

All Insurance work welcome

Carpentry ~ Roofing ■ Clay Tile Roofs ■ All Timberwork

■ Metal Sheet Hangars ■ All Zinc Work

Full 10 Year Décennal Insurance

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

French & English Speaking

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

www.artisancentral.fr/JMToitures

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

10 YEAR WARRANTY on all products installed

~ COVERING SOUTH WEST FRANCE ~

www.lionrouge.eu

Tel: 05 46 70 25 87

info@lionrouge.eu

etcetera 55

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

Siret: 49411778100018

Siret 88260964700012

artisans

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

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

Siret 804 330 89200014

ARTISAN TILING

◈ All

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

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

Plasterer

With over 20 years’ experience (8 in France)

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

56 etcetera

Siret 527 736 326 00010

artisans

Tel : 05.49.87.02.96 shepherd.timothy@orange.fr

Siret 82184631800011

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

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

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

Siret 752 049 932 00011

SARL

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

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

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

Minidigger, Driver & Tipper Truck

BECK CHERRY PICKER HIRE 17m tracked cherry picker for hire with working IPAF qualified operator All exterior works undertaken Hourly or Daily rates Will travel to all of etcetera’s distribution areas

Free estimates Gravel driveways, rubbish/ tree stump removals, trenches etc www.davesdiggers.com

www.beckcherrypickerhire.com beckcherrypickerhire@gmail.com

T: 07 84 12 44 97 Siret 82797863600013

TER MAC et COUV Siret : 484 738 166 00012

EXCAVATION SERVICES

Tim Shepherd

Email davesdiggers@aol.com Dave Good 0549 073358/ 0675 180913 Based near Couhé 86/79/16 siret 5250162590018

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

by SPANC

Can you trust your installation to anyone else!

With over 30 years’ experience

See all our work on

Siret 8234 2070 800013

southwestfrancefosse

Supporting Each Other www.etceteraonline.org

etcetera 57

motors & removals Walton Coachworks

MOTOR PARTS

87600 Vayres Nick Walton

CHARENTE

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

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

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

Delivery via UPS to your door in France

NEW

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

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

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

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

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

•

Fully equipped workshop with state of the art diagnostic equipment

•

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

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

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

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

Digital Version of etcetera EVERY MONTH WWW.ETCETERAONLINE.ORG

58 etcetera

Siret 8120 15386 00012

Typically 40% cheaper than French prices

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

siret 53821341400013

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

motors & removals

ROCKET VAN

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

Scott Marshall www.frenchvanman.eu

09 82 12 69 73 / 06 06 40 81 07

Charente based France UK Spain

Email: vanrouge@mail.com Website: themanwithavan.info

Dedicated loads France - UK - France.

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

Siret en cours

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

F RENCH V AN M AN

Siret: 53021364400012

● ● ● ●

PATRICK NICHOLLS

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local • Europe • UK - Full or part loads House/Barn clearances / Antiques Finding & Sales 15m3 capacity | 4m load length English & French spoken 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

siret: 48252490700011

TRANSITION REMOVALS Full and Part Loads To and From the UK

Family run business based in France which prides itself on a personal professional service.

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

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

Please call Phil and Jean Evans....

Phone (+33) 05 55 34 19 46 Mobile (+33) 06 80 75 87 14 Email p.evans@orange.fr Visit www.transitionremovals.net UK & OVERSEAS REMOVALS & STORAGE WEEKLY SERVICES UK - FRANCE - UK

Relocations in France UK Depot for Deliveries Storage Options Available 20m3 Luton Vans with Tail Lifts

Tel: 05 49 07 24 85

Est’d 2007

A Family Run Storage Firm in the Heart of the Limousin

Brexit-busting Super Low Prices!

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

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

● ● ● ● ● ●

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

66 03 52 89

Advertise Your Business For as little as 35€ ttc per month

New edition each month

Contact Sam or Gayle to discuss your advertising needs 05 16 32 13 42 editors.etcetera@gmail.com

etcetera 59

OVER 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

Safe Hands

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

FIXED PRICE MAINTENANCE

From

50€ pw *

No surprise ‘end of season’ bills

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

▪ An overflowing post box ▪ Weed infested drive and path

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

Put Your in Safe

House

Hands

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

PACKAGE INCLUDES

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

Call Lisa

06 33 14 81 08

E

E SIV U L XC

Selection Habitat Character Properties in France DPE: Vierge

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

E

E SIV U L XC

L’Isle Jourdain, Vienne, €170,000* 180 degree elevated view, near town centre.

Two ground-floor bedrooms, newly renovated, an acre and a half, gite, garage, and car port.

E

E SIV U L XC

DPE: Vierge

Nanteuil-en-Vallée, Charente, €

DPE: Vierge

L’Isle Jourdain, Vienne, €

,500*

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

E

E SIV U L XC

,000*

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

E

E SIV U L XC

DPE: Vierge

DPE: Vierge

L’Isle Jourdain, Vienne, €89,900*

St. Auvent, Haute-Vienne, €134,000*

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

Renovated 3-bedroom house with 135m2 barn and 4 acres, garage, double-glazing, central heating, modern electrics.

*agency fees charged to the seller

See more online: www.selectionhabitat.com

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

property Private Property Sellers

Étude de Me Christian COURIVAUD Notaire de Saint Junien

Homes for Sale in France

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

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

New roof. Central heating 255,000€

NO ESTATE AGENCY COMMISSION FEE

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

We can assist from offer through to completion of sale/purchase Low Cost International Advertising

www.bellefranceimmobilier.com

www.privatepropertysellers.com

Françoise 0683297593 / Rebekah 0616834510 W

IN A NI W NG AR SE D RV IC

Advertise Your Business

Freephone from France: 08 05 69 23 23 Selling your French home?

WE OFFER:

For as little as 35€ ttc

● ● ● ●

www.etceteraonline.org

E

www.beauxvillages.com

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

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

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

French Legal and Property Services

PROPERTY SALES IN FRANCE Private Property Sales with Expert Advice

Siret 812 798 668 00024

www.propertysalesinfrance.com

▪ ▪

Sell Your Home Privately on an Established Website With Excellent International Coverage

▪

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

Advertise Your Home FOR FREE

To advertise your property contact us on enquiries@propertysalesinfrance.com

Support Local Business We all need each other

www.etceteraonline.org 62 etcetera

NO SALE NO FEE

etcetera 63

listing

64 etcetera

listing

etcetera 65

DO YOU USE

OR

FOR HEATING?

DO YOUR BILLS KEEP RISING? HERE IS THE SOLUTION

Installation of an air to water heat pump * Are you eligible for the new "prime CEE coup de pouce pac" (3500€ or 5000€)?

IT is now deducted straight from your quote AND combinable with the grant MaPrimeRénov*

(up to 4000€)

*please note the MaPrimeRénov grant depends

upon approval from MaPrimeRénov, not New Wave Energies

REDUCE YOUR HEATING BILL

BY UP TO 70%

Visit our facebook page to see customer feedback and get tips on energy saving.

WE TAKE CARE OF ALL THE ADMINISTRATION

ENERGY SAVING (Heating)

Return form to: New Wave Energies, 51 Rue Descartes, 87000 Limoges

FAST RESPONSE

www.newwave-energies.com New Wave Energies • Siège social : 51, rue Descartes 87000 Limoges Tel : 0 981 324 237 • S.A.S.U. au capital de 50 000 euros • N° de Siret 800 247 274 00035 66 etcetera

ü ü ü ü ü ü

New Builds Approved Fosses Septiques Driveways / Land clearance Renovations Foundations Lake Conformity works Full Public Liability & Civil Décennale Insurance

Siret: 51760499700018

09.67.86.69.28 cesarconstructions@gmail.com www.facebook.com/cesarconstructions.btp.3

The Original …. and still the Best!

It will be great to see you all again!

TRADITIONAL FISH AND CHIPS

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12-2pm and 6-9pm

Serving all your traditional favourites As featured on BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Show

etcetera 268Av. de Saint Germain 16500 Confolens t. 06 76 95 87 39