etcetera magazine June 2021

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JUNE 2021

The Sounds Summer

Classically in Tune Fête de la Musique Music in Nature

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Contents 3

A note from the editors

4

What’s on

8

Music

11

Opinion

12

Craft

14

Food

17

Language

20

Business & assistance

23

Latest news

24

Health

27

Garden

34

Farm life

36

Animal

At the time of print, things are very much looking on the up! Businesses are reopening, food and drink venues are gradually opening their doors (or terraces) and there are live music events happening, just in time for the good weather. While health measures still must be in place, it certainly feels as though we might all get to enjoy a summer with activities.

37

Angling

Keep safe, keep well.

38

Free time

40

Nature

46

Astronomy

48

Home & Specialist

50

Getting connected

53

Artisans

60

Motoring & removals

62

Property

64

Classified

email: editors.etcetera@gmail.com website: www.etceteraonline.org 17 rue des Chaumettes 86290 St Léomer

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MUNITY

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 - 09 74 75 36 46 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 Advice line.

CPAM English speaking Advice line: 09 74 75 36 46 (from France) 0033 974 75 36 46 (from other countries).

The line is open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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

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event

Bicentenary of the Javarzay Foire W

e are inviting stall holders, to participate on Saturday June 26 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the traditional Chef-Boutonne Foire. During the day, there will be street entertainment, food trucks and a fairground to celebrate this special anniversary alongside you as an exhibitor. (Please see the end of the article for booking and contact details.)

The 'Foire de Javarzay', in the town of Chef-Boutonne (79110) was created by a royal decree of Louis XVIII in 1821 to incorporate the 'Foire aux Pirons'

(goslings, in patois) and the pre-existing fair dating back to the middle ages. He gave a fixed date respecting the calendar of other fairs in the region, so that there are never two held on the same day. Cattle, ducks, pigs, mules and donkeys were sold there, sometimes from fairly remote regions, arriving via the Chef-Boutonne station. Agricultural machinery was also sold.

Traditionally, fairs have been an opportunity to discover new things, to haggle, to buy, to meet up, getting together

BOOK YOUR ST

Sat 26 June

ALL!

€ 1 per Linear M etre Registration befo re June 18 Open to all! to party, and the funfair brought fun and joy during this busy day. In the past, many attractions rivaled each other in originality, such as ‘La Sphere Diabolique’ and the ‘Le Mur de le Mort’, the ‘Headless Woman’ and the ‘Lady with the Snakes’.

There also a famous international animal tamer from Chef-Boutonne, Marfa La Corse known for her menagerie "La Jungle". Marfa traveled around the globe searching for animals to tame, including lions, panthers, bears, tigers, etc. The fair traditionally ended with a ball including an orchestra and the bonfire of Saint-Jean (le feu de la Saint-Jean), the pagan festival of the summer solstice.

This year, in order to properly celebrate the 200 years of the Javarzay Fair, the festivities will begin on Friday June 25 and end on Sunday June 27.

Friday June 25th Trad Concert with Le Groupe TEDAAL. Saturday June 26th Market fair & funfair. The Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou will be present in the fairground, with its traditional Poitou breeds such as Baudet and Trait Poitevin.

The day will finish with two rock concerts: the local Rock Metal group Gérald followed by the group Yarol (with Yarol Poupaud, Johnny Halliday's former guitarist).

Sunday June 27th Car Rally, organised by Aujourd'hui Tillou, driving through the commune of ChefBoutonne showing its heritage sites and beautiful countryside, plus an exhibition of vintage cars. To close this anniversary weekend, there will be a concert with the Jean Vincent Orchestra playing classic French music during the afternoon.

(Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions there will not be a firework display but we hope that we have managed to respect the great tradition of the French rural fair.)

Full details will be in our guide 'chefboutonne estival', available on the ChefBoutonne website: www.chef-boutonne.fr For all information plus bookings contact: the Mairie in Chef-Boutonne: 05 49 29 80 04 or in English, you can contact Amanda Holmes 06 02 35 90 53 or email mairie@chef-boutonne.fr € 1 per linear metre. Registration before June 18 please.

Subject to the governmental and health provisions in force under covid 19.

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music

ummertime oundtracks HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THAT EVERY SEASON HAS ITS SOUNDTRACK?

W

ith each change in the natural world around us, we see, feel and especially hear things differently, related to the changes in the temperature, the changing aspect of the countryside around us and how much of our day is spent outdoors, making the most what each season has to offer. Music is such a big part of how we experience the seasonal changes, and one of the best times in the year to tune in to your inner soundtrack is the summer!

This feeling of connection we have between music and summer is a long standing one. One of the earliest examples of a written piece of music, dating from between 1261-1264, about a hundred years before Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', is the beautiful song 'Sumer is icumen in', translating approximately to 'Summer

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has arrived' or also known as 'The Cuckoo Song'. (I would recommend listening to the song recorded by the fantastic 'Hilliard Ensemble' for a taste of medieval summer music!)

Every culture seems to have its own response and celebration of the arrival of summer, usually in the form of a festival.

'Bealtaine' (or 'May Festival') is the big Celtic festival beginning on May 5th, when the dark half of the year ends and the bright half of the year begins, and is celebrated with music and bonfires, marking an ancient time of purification and transition and heralding in the summer with the hope of a good harvest later in the year. (I still have great memories of the summer music festival of 'Bealtaine' in Ireland with my family and

when I hear the 'Afro Celt Sound System', it takes me right back to that time!)

Memory and music are so interconnected for us all, they can be a way of re-living our best experiences as well as making us feel more connected to the world around us. We all feel and respond to music differently - we pick certain pieces to be our favourites and we often associate them with the memory of a time of year.

Sometimes we feel an instant connection to a piece of music that we’ve never heard before, but which quickly becomes an old friend. Many composers have tapped into this feeling and particularly music's capacity to capture a moment of sound in time. Vivaldi’s well-loved 'Four Seasons' has been described as a tone-painting literally painting a picture in sound! This extraordinary journey through the seasons

music Lucy moved with her family to the Vienne region in 2018. An orchestral violinist in Dublin for many years, she now

By Lu plays in chambercy Per kins music ensembles based in Tours and teaches the violin both privately and in schools in Poitiers and Montmorillon

Poezyk, combining Slam Poetry and Baroque music. Right: Playing the classic ‘Will You’ in concert with Hazel O’Connor who performs regularly in France

recalls all the familiar sights and sounds of musical events up close and personal, nature and gives them musical life - from especially in France. Besides the glorious the dawn chorus of birds in the spring to weather and the beautiful countryside, one the still lazy feeling a summer afternoon, of the main attractions of France in whose stifling heat is broken only by a summertime has become the 'Fête de la violent summer storm. (I think that Musique'. This music festival first took anyone living in this region of France has place in Paris in 1982, when the Minister experienced that music first-hand!) of Culture had the idea of bringing people Though arguably now one of the most out into the streets to play and listen to popular pieces of classical music ever, it is music. Since then, it has grown hugely in all the more remarkable for having lain popularity, spreading throughout France forgotten on a library and eventually shelf for more than two becoming a hundred years! It was worldwide festival.

There’s really nothing like not until 1950, when a experiencing live music in all its Now June 21st is recording of the Four celebrated by concerts styles and forms, and there is so and events of live Seasons gained notice, much of this to look forward that its popularity music in 700 cities began to soar and and in over 120 continues to do so to countries, where this day. music performances are free and available to all.

Though my favourite recording - full of originality as well as stunning virtuosity Today, as nobody needs reminding, we are is that of violinist Fabio Biondi directing in need of this kind of experience more the Europa Galante ensemble, the work of than ever. Since the Covid pandemic hit, Max Richter and his 'Recomposition of it has been necessary for everybody to reVivaldi’s Four Seasons' is well worth a invent our connection to music, including listen. This imaginative and fresh take on our approach to live music and the way it an old classic blends contemporary is now presented to us. But change isn't classical and alternative popular music always a bad thing! Though concert halls styles, sometimes meeting in all over the world have had to close their unconventional ways! It mightn’t be to doors, live online concerts have been an everyone’s taste, but is so atmospheric amazing resource to tap into. (Check out and evocative of the natural world all Igudesman & Joo live-stream concerts or around us that I think Vivaldi would the BBC Music Magazine livestream have approved. calendar, among many others).

At no time is music and the outdoor life celebrated more than in the summer, when we have a chance to experience

Likewise, the style of musical events and their venues have also undergone change, but sometimes with really positive

outcomes! Last summer I had an opportunity to play chamber-music concerts that were specifically designed for smaller audiences, in beautiful venues that made the most of the summer evenings.

For me, a particular highlight was to perform Renaissance and Baroque music in the wonderful 12th century church in Thollet with its recently uncovered frescoes, with my colleagues from Tours, all on original instruments.

The programme ranged from Josquin des Prés to Marin Marais to Bach. We’re hoping to do similar concerts in Thollet and Montmorillion (both in 86) this August and still get to celebrate the summer with some live music, albeit on a smaller scale!

For me, there’s really nothing like experiencing live music in all its styles and forms, and there is so much of this to look forward to in France this summer. Is there anything nicer than wandering around your local town or city, in the sunshine, being surrounded by live music in parks, churches and on the streets... perhaps even an apéro thrown in along the way! There should be enough music around us this season in France to suit everyone’s taste. Or maybe the best soundtrack to summer still belongs to nature, entertaining us as much now as it did back in the 1300s!

“Summer is a-comin in, Loudly Sing Cuckoo!

The seed grows and the meadow blooms, and the wood springs anew, Sing Cuckoo!”

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music Despite the toll that the Covid pandemic has taken on our cultural life here in France, music festivals and associated musical events will be taking place in our region this summer. Though there will be some restrictions in terms of numbers and sanitary protocols, the department of the Vienne are going ahead with festivals such as 'Les Heures Vagabondes' in various locations throughout the Vienne. This is a fantastic free festival that epitomises the carefree nature of summer music festivals and has been allocated a budget of €200,000 to provide concerts with a huge variety of sounds including trad, folk, rock and world music, providing entertainment for all ages and tastes.

This summer, in the town of Montmorillon, there will be a series of outdoor concerts under the banner of 'Un été autrement, 2021' featuring free music events ranging in style from classical to jazz. Towns like Le Blanc and Chatellerault (with its brilliantly named jazz festival 'Jazzellerault') are also likely to provide music events, depending on the

One of the best and most inspirational musical events I have been to in France is held every summer under the banner of 'Résonance de Gartemps' restrictions. It's also worth keeping an eye on the events calendars in the various neighbouring departments such as Indre, Vienne and Haute Vienne - bearing in mind that it tends to be difficult to get centralised information and the best way not to miss out on events is to check each department's event guide separately.

Saint-Benoit du Sault, described as one of the prettiest towns in France, runs a fantastic Baroque festival with some other classical music concerts based around the recently restored cathedral and the picturesque town ramparts.

One of the best and most inspirational musical events I have been to in France is held every summer under the banner of 'Résonance de Gartemps'. This group unites five music associations - Figaro Si Figaro La, Le Festival Musique et Patrimoine en Vienne, Le Festival Les Chaises Musicales les Vicq sur Gartemps, Le Festival des Lumières de Montmorillon and La Ferme de Villefavard. It is worth checking out whether these festivals are going ahead in your local area, either online or in person in the relevant mairie.

A good place to start is the festival 'Musique et Patrimoine en Vienne' which is happening this summer in the beautiful UNESCO world heritage town of SaintSavin. It will feature an impressive line-up of artists of the highest calibre, performing a series of varied and exciting programmes ranging from a violin, guitar and flamenco dance ensemble and a cello/piano duo collaboration with tango dancers, to more traditional violin/piano and flute/piano recitals.

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Angouleme

opinion

Brian White lives in south Indre with his wife, too many moles and not enough guitars undesirable stakes - a Nazi before there were Nazis.

How about the art world? Caravaggio was the most famous painter of his time, his skill in contrasting light and shade is still studied today. But the guy himself was a thug. Caravaggio was a violent drunk who viciously attacked numerous people and killed at least one in a fight. (His paintings do feature a disturbing number of beheadings – the clues were there, people). So, genius or sociopath?

Chapter and Worse F

or me, understanding other people’s circumstances before judging them putting oneself in their shoes – is a lesson best taught by great fiction. When a novel drops us into the push-and-pull of another life, we ponder our own response. What would I have done? This can - and should – be unsettling.

Among my long list of favourites, two “American Pastoral” and “The Human Stain” - are the work of Philip Roth.

Despite admiring his awesome power on the page, I knew little about Mr Roth himself. However, a new biography of the author, who died in 2018, examines his shocking misogyny and ‘predatory’ behaviour. The man was a nightmare to live with. The revelations prompted one British tabloid (have a guess) to wonder if, in the age of the #MeToo movement, his work should be ‘cancelled’. I took this to mean some kind of posthumous blacklist an absurd suggestion, floated simply to provoke a response.

Nonetheless it prompts the question: Should it matter when an artist is shown to be less attractive than the work they create? A couple of years ago I wittered on in these pages about Frank Sinatra, having read an enthralling profile by Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan. It wasn’t pretty. The singer’s entanglement with, let’s call them ‘family guys’, was far more extensive than I had imagined and his

scarily vindictive nature was laid bare.

True, he could be heroically generous, but not if you crossed him.

Philip Roth aside, the literary Hall of Fame is a cavalcade of weirdos: fascists, serial philanderers, blackmailers etc. I grant you, not many can match Mary Shelley, (whose ‘Frankenstein’ was less bizarre than her private life), or Norman Mailer, who rather scuppered his effort to become the mayor of New York City when he stabbed his wife at a fundraising dinner. But there are plenty more not far behind.

We humans are contrary, shot through with high ideals and low skulduggery.

Complex lives of impressive achievement will inevitably feature a level of contradiction and cannot be reduced to mere caricature: hero or villain? Tick one box only.

Now, I’m not naïve enough to expect probity in the famous; talent and integrity are infrequent bedfellows, only one of Our opinion of an artist is often bruised them being when we look beneath the required for lasting carefully contrived image I’m not naïve enough to fame. However, the but it’s normally their reality was in such expect probity in the families who are the real violent conflict with famous; talent and integrity collateral damage. Back in the hip, ‘Ol’ Blue the 1940s, when Henry are infrequent bedfellows Eyes’ image that Mr Fonda was an A-list Sinatra projected, it Hollywood star - and hence was some time before I could listen to him rarely at home - his young daughter Jane breezing through “April In Paris” again. A watched him on TV playing the head of a talented guy, no question, but still.... loving household. “It must be wonderful to Maybe I’m being inconsistent. I’ve been have a Daddy like that”, she told devoted to music all my life, much of it her mother. created by as cheerful a bunch of I recall a long-ago BBC documentary degenerates as ever blinked. The most about Groucho Marx in which his son exhilarating concert performances I ever described the great comedian as a ‘cold witnessed, especially back in the 70s fish’. In poignant contrast to the muchwere they pharmaceutically assisted? Like a small branch of Boots the chemist, loved public persona, he portrayed his probably. Did that bother me? Not a jot. father as a detached and remote man who Because unlike Mr Sinatra, what I knew of struggled to show emotion with his those bands led me to expect nothing else. children. Reviewing the programme, TV Seeing Led Zeppelin at glorious full tilt in critic Herbert Kretzmer eloquently 1972 didn’t bring to my mind terms like assessed Groucho in a way equally ‘abstinence’ and ‘self-denial’. applicable to so many. “A cold fish he may have been,” wrote Mr Kretzmer, adding, Even the rarefied realm of classical music “but what ripples he made when has its share of lowlifes, although few surpassed Richard Wagner in the he swam”.

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

Upcycled Wine Glass FED UP WITH RANDOM GLASSES IN THE CUPBOARD? IN THIS EASY TUTORIAL I SHOW YOU HOW TO UPCYCLE A WINE GLASS INTO A PRETTY PLANTER THAT YOU’LL WANT ON DISPLAY

Materials Old wine glasses Plastic adhesive bumper sticks (the type for protective behind doors etc) Chalk spray paint

1. First of all, make sure the glasses have been washed and dried well.

2. Start by sticking the adhesive bumper pads around the glass. They should adhere well without having to use any extra glue.

3. Prepare the area for spray painting by protecting surfaces (it’s always better to spray outdoors where there’s plenty of ventilation). See my top tip!

4. For a professional look, it’s better to apply lots of thin layers. Make sure you allow each layer to dry before applying the next. Keep going until

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TOP TIP! Use a rotating cake stand protected with a plastic bag when spray painting, then turn as you spray rather than trying to move around the object

you have covered the entire area of the glass and are happy with how it looks (making sure you have covered any logos or lettering).

5. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly, and then decide what plant to place in there! (Don’t forget to add some stones or gravel for drainage.)

You can use this technique for different types of glasses too, use your imagation and get upcycling!

craft

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food

Simple Salads

By Beli n

www.chateaumareuil.com

Subscribe to the Chateau Mareuil channel on YouTube

SALADS HAVE PROBABLY BECOME MY VERY FAVOURITE TYPE OF DISH TO PREPARE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND I SEEM TO HAVE GATHERED A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF RECIPES!

T

hey are great all year round, using seasonal vegetables, grains, pulses, rice and pasta, maybe some cheese, crispy bacon, chicken or chopped ham. And then, my favourite part – the dressing, a seemingly endless array of tasty oils, vinegars, lemon or lime juice, shallots, garlic, capers, gherkins, herbs and spices, combined together to make the salad ingredients sing with flavour.

When I 'retired' from my full time London career 10 years ago, I was looking around for something to do and hit upon the idea of starting a food business; after all, I loved any opportunity to cook. It was more complex than it sounded, involved hard work, and most certainly didn’t make me rich, but I did learn all about salads.

My initial business research led me to checking out local farmers' markets in my part of Kent and specifically to the big twice-monthly market in Tunbridge Wells.

When I enquired about having a stall at the market, they asked what my product was and I simply asked back what it was they could do with. It was my luck that the 'Salad Lady' had just given up her business and so I became the new 'Salad Lady' there and at several other local markets in the surrounding towns and villages.

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A great accompaniment for chili con carne

da Prin ce

Belinda, the ‘Accidental Chatelaine’ loves to cook at any opportunity and is delighted to be able to share that love with you

Pomegranate and Pear Salsa Ingredients (Serves 4-6) 3 firm ripe pears, cored and diced 1 shallot, finely chopped ½ pomegranate, seeded Sea salt & pepper Small handful of coriander, roughly chopped 1-2 juicy limes 4tbsp olive oil Method 1. Combine the pears, shallot, pomegranate seeds and any pomegranate juice in a bowl. Season with plenty of sea salt and ground black pepper, taste before adding the coriander.

2. Finely grate the zest of the limes and add the lime juice (to your taste). Add to the bowl and drizzle over the olive oil. Combine together and serve.

Add a finely chopped chilli or sprinkle on some dried red chillies if you like a bit of a kick!

food New Potato Salad with Peas and Caper Dressing Ingredients (Serves 4-6) 1kg new potatoes, halved if necessary.

200g frozen peas or petit pois 4 salad onions, finely chopped Dressing 6tbsp olive oil 1 clove of garlic, crushed 1tbsp white wine vinegar 2tsps Dijon mustard 1tbsp capers, finely chopped Salt & freshly ground black pepper 1. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 1015 minutes until tender, adding the peas for the last 2-3 minutes. While the potatoes and peas are cooking, make the dressing by combining all the ingredients in a screw top jar and shaking until thoroughly combined.

Drain the vegetables and mix in the onions and dressing while still warm.

2. Dress with parsley, dill or other fresh herbs of your choice.

Serve at room temperature.

Cabbage Slaw Delicious with cold meats, bread and chutney!

Ingredients (Serves 8-10) ½ head red cabbage, thinly slice ½ head white cabbage, thinly sliced 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced 2 carrots, coarsely grated Optional: - Small handful sesame seeds, lightly toasted Small handful nigella or black onion seeds - Handful mint, chopped - Handful coriander, chopped

Dressing 2tbsps natural or Greek yoghurt 1tsp wholegrain mustard 1tsp Dijon mustard ½ lemon, rind and juice Glug of red or white wine vinegar Method 1. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients and season to taste.

2. Put all the vegetables in a large serving bowl, pour over the dressing and mix together with the seeds.

3. Scatter herbs (if using) and serve!

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food

Great barbecue salad or vegetarian main course

Moroccan Aubergine and Chickpea Salad Ingredients (Serves 4-6) 2 aubergines 2/3 tbsp olive oil 400g chickpeas, tinned Large bunch of fresh coriander, chopped 1 red onion, finely chopped

le rep

Dressing 1tsp paprika 1tsp ground cumin 1tsp clear honey 1 lemon, rind and juice 4tbsp olive oil

2. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and tip into a bowl with the aubergine, coriander and red onion. Mix the dressing ingredients together in a screw top jar, shake well, then use to dress the salad.

1. Thickly slice the aubergines, brush lightly with olive oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper and either grill or griddle until browned. Turn them over, brush and season again, then cook until tender (about 8-10 mins). Cut each slice into 3 or 4 pieces of roughly equal size.

s

We are so excited for this year’s line up of events and to see you all here. Campsite is also open for overnight stops!

- DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Sat 19 June - Live Music - My Generation. Our great house band kick start the season! 12€ Fish & Chip menu including dessert Sat 26 June - Quiz Night. 12€ Fish & Chip menu including dessert & quiz entry fee LAKE Sat 10 July - Live Music - No Direction, the fantastically entertaining band are back!

SETTING Wed 14 July - Fête Nationale - Live Music - The incredible Merlin with the STIFF band 7 Aug - Music Festival. We hope this can go ahead this summer! (Confirmation to be advised.)

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Open Thurs - Sun 10h - 22h

Parlez Français French conversation, vocabulary & traditions with Isabelle

apprenons ensemble

La fête de la musique : le 21 juin History / Histoire : La fête de la musique est une manifestation culturelle instaurée en 1982 par M. Jack LANG alors Ministre de la Culture, et qui a lieu tous les ans le 21 juin, jour du solstice d’été. L’idée de cette fête est de promouvoir la musique sous toutes ses formes (classique, folklorique, médiévale, techno, pop, rock, jazz, rap, hip-hop…).

Cette fête permet aux passionnés de s’exprimer et de jouer ce jour-là devant un public, aussi bien dans la rue et sur les places que dans un café, une salle des fêtes… Le principe de la journée reste le bénévolat. Il est possible aussi de chanter dans toutes les langues et tous les styles.

Ainsi, le 21 juin, la France entière vit au rythme de la musique.

Pendant la journée, de nombreuses manifestations sont organisées afin de faire découvrir la musique aux plus jeunes comme aux moins jeunes. Le soir venu, ce sont les rues des villes qui s’animent au son des concerts plus ou moins improvisés. Il est coutume de faire de la musique toute la nuit, entre le 21 et le 22 juin. Chaque année, près de 5 millions de musiciens professionnels et amateurs se produisent pour le plus grand plaisir de plus de 10 millions d’auditeurs.

Cette fête a été immédiatement un succès, et à partir de 1985, cette initiative française s’est exportée dans le monde entier.

Actuellement, elle existe dans 120 pays sur les cinq continents.

La fête de la musique, c’est la fête pour tous ! Que vous soyez amateurs ou professionnels, joueurs d’un instrument de musique, derrière une platine ou chanteurs, ou que vous soyez tout simplement amoureux de la musique, pour écouter, regarder et danser, la fête de la musique est pour vous. Je vous invite à aller le 21 juin en soirée, dans la grande ville de votre région, vous serez charmés et imprégnés de l’esprit de cette fête si joyeuse et si française !

N'oubliez pas le couvre-feu de 23 heures et le port obligatoire du masque !

Broaden your horizons with CONTINENTAL HORIZONS! Bon courage ! Et à bientôt !

Isabelle Broaden your horizons with CONTINENTAL HORIZONS! Mob. : 06 20 10 34 49 Email : continentalhorizons@free.fr Isabelle works for CONTINENTAL HORIZONS Language Centre in L’Isle Jourdain and teaches French as a Foreign Language every day in their many classrooms. Do not hesitate to contact her on 05 49 84 17 73. www.continental-horizons.com

etcetera 17

language & advice

Pull

Dialogue : Deux amis, Paul, Français, et John, Anglais, discutent de leur projet pour le 21 juin, jour de la fête de la musique.

Paul : Tu vas à la fête de la musique cette année ?

John : C’est quand ?

Paul : Comme chaque année, c’est le 21 juin. Il y a des concerts un peu partout dans les rues de la ville, dans les jardins publics…

John : Quel genre de musique ?

Paul : Toute sorte de musique : de la techno, de la pop, du rock, du classique…

Il y en a pour tous les goûts ! L’an dernier, je suis même allé à un concert de jazz avec des cornemuses.

John : Du jazz avec de la cornemuse ?

C’est… original comme mélange.

Paul : Mais c’est ça qui est bien avec la fête de la musique ! C’est la fête de toutes les musiques et de tous les instruments.

Moi, ce que je préfère, c’est de déambuler dans la ville pour écouter les musiques qui se mélangent. On peut même voir des spectacles de danse improvisés ou non.

John : Tu y vas tous les ans ?

Paul : Oui ! L’an dernier, j’étais à Bordeaux et l’année d’avant à Toulouse.

C’était super ! Cette année, je voulais aller à Annecy mais je ne vais pas pouvoir.

Paul : C’est une très bonne idée. Dommage que je ne peux pas venir avec vous !

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Paul : La philo, c’est la philosophie. Le Bac commence toujours par cette épreuve ! 4 heures pour plancher sur des sujets comme : « Savons-nous toujours ce que nous désirons ? » ou « Travailler moins, c’est vivre mieux ? »

Paul : Je dois surveiller les épreuves du Bac, cette année.

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John : La philo ? C’est quoi ?

John : Ah bon ? Pourquoi ?

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Paul : Ça commence le 15 juin avec la philo et ça finit le 22 juin.

John : La philo, ça fait réfléchir. … Je vais demander à mes amis s’ils veulent aller à Poitiers avec moi, le 21 juin au soir.

J’aimerais vraiment voir cette fête de la musique. Cela paraît super sympa.

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language and assistance be voca Get th nez le Appre ire ! la vocabu

un auditeur a listener

une cornemuse bagpipes

les auditeurs (m, pl) the audience

un mélange a mix

une manifestation culturelle a cultural event

s’exporter (verb) to be exported

déambuler to stroll

instauré (adj) introduced

le monde entier the entire world

avoir lieu (verb) to take place

C’est la fête pour tous !

It’s a party for everyone!

le solstice the solstice

“Que vous soyez…”

“May you be …”

promouvoir to promote

jouer (verb) d’un instrument de musique to play a musical instrument

sous toutes ses formes in all its forms permettre (verb) to allow un passionné / une passionnée an enthusiast le principe the principle le bénévolat voluntary work s’animer (verb) to come alive un concert a concert plus ou moins more or less improvisé (adj) improvised la coutume the custom près de (+ number) nearly (+ number) un amateur an amateur se produire (verb) (pour un musicien) to play live (for a musician)

derrière behind une platine (de disque) a deck, a disc player un chanteur a singer un amoureux / une amoureuse de la musique a music lover en soirée in the evening charmé (adj) charmed imprégné (adj) impregnated, immersed l’esprit (m) the spirit

l’année d’avant the year before surveiller to overlook une épreuve (here) a test le Bac ou le Baccalauréat the end of high school diploma la philo, la philosophie philosophy plancher (verb) sur quelque chose (familier) to work hard on something réfléchir (verb) to reflect, to think cela paraît … it seems to be … sympa (adj) (familier) nice, great dommage (here) it’s a shame On dansera, mais masqué !

We will dance, but masked!

n'oubliez pas le couvre-feu de 23 heures et le port obligatoire du masque !

Don’t forget the 11pm curfew and you must wear your mask! un peu partout a bit all over (the place) un genre de musique a type of music Il y en a pour tous les goûts.

There is something for every taste.

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etcetera 19

business FINANCE

HELEN BOOTH INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER deVere France

Are You Getting the Best Rate of Return for Your Savings?

H

aving savings stashed away for a rainy day or for investment purposes is an important part of your wealth building journey. But you need to ask if your savings are making money or costing you money.

With inflation running at the level that it is, and the lack of returns on savings accounts, you could in fact be losing money if you leave it to stagnate in a savings account.

Inflation could be higher than the interest earned and over time your money will depreciate.

▪ Do you still have money sitting in UK accounts that are earning minimal interest?

▪ Are you frustrated with the interest rate or lack thereof that you are getting on your savings accounts?

▪ Do you have spare money sitting in an account that you do not need access to?

20 etcetera

▪ Are you paying excessive tax on your savings accounts? (Currently, if you leave your money in your bank, you are taxed annually on any interest made - whether you have withdrawn it or not.)

If you answered yes to any of the above, then it is time to review your savings and look at other options where your money could be working harder for you. If you live in France, there are better options to look at depending on your risk tolerance.

Depending on the provider, you can invest in a range of currencies or different investment funds to potentially earn better returns, rather than leaving the money sitting in your bank account.

There are tax efficient vehicles where you could earn better returns and not have to pay capital gains or income tax on the returns received. There are also inheritance tax benefits when you want to pass on your money to your beneficiaries on your death.

An Assurance Vie is a type of insurance investment policy which offers permanent residents in France a tax efficient way of investing and withdrawing money with added inheritance tax advantages.

▪ Funds remaining within an Assurance Vie grow free of French income and capital gains tax.

▪ You have a choice of funds that could give much higher returns than a lowinterest savings account from a bank.

▪ Your funds are able to grow and you do not have to pay any taxes on them on an annual basis.

▪ There is no limit on the amount that can be invested.

▪ After 8 years, €4600 can be withdrawn annually free of tax (€9200 for a married couple) and anything over this is then subject to tax and social charges.

▪ It falls outside of your estate and can therefore be left directly to beneficiaries.

▪ As long as the policy is established before your 70th birthday, you can name as many beneficiaries on the plan as you like, each receiving up to €152,000 tax free on death of the assured (anything over this amount is taxed at 20%. If any premiums are paid or the policy is started after your 70th birthday, the amount goes down to €30,500 in total.)

▪ The Assurance Vie may also help reduce your wealth tax liability as there is a cap on the percentage of wealth tax you pay, based on your taxable income.

It is important that you review your savings to ensure it’s in a product that will give you maximum returns and be tax efficient. Your financial adviser can help you find the best vehicle for your money according to your individual savings goals and risk appetite.

business

De-confinement and Reconnecting with Your Consumers

I

t is time for businesses to re-emerge from the pandemic. It has been a year of uncertainty for many, experiencing a dramatic slowing down of business or a complete standstill. With confinement easing across France, small businesses will be seeking to overcome challenges of how they meet consumer needs.

they spend their money. With confinement easing, competition will increase. Consumers will want more bang for their buck. How can your business provide a more memorable experience?

If you as a business owner have invested in new ways of promoting your business during the pandemic, get your messaging and campaigns prepared and planned.

The pandemic has undoubtedly shifted the You will be looking to operate from a way consumers behave, with the stronger considerable increase of During the pandemic, consumer position with digital tools to navigate personal and professional spending habits changed for a more needs. Digital has become a number of reasons, and people efficiency. safe space for the consumer will be more mindful of where Ensure your while carefully navigating website reflects they spend their money essential offline activities. As any updates the world opens up, relating to your business and how it will vaccination programs ramped up; be operating, and how it will keep businesses need to provide consumers safe. communication and engagement that Consider investing in pull marketing in allows consumers to feel valued and safe. the form of Google or Facebook ad Consumers will be cautious. The world is campaigns to drive consumers to now different and how businesses interact your website. at a more personal, human level is crucial.

During the pandemic, consumer spending habits changed for a number of reasons, and people will be more mindful of where

Keep those social media spaces active.

Social media can often be the very first place a consumer will head to search for

MARKETING

MICALA WILKINS ALACIM SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

your business. These are ideal spaces to get to know consumers better. Ask questions and get involved in the responses.

Create a campaign for mail marketing and newsletters. Let subscribers know what is happening in your business, what can they expect as confinement eases. What new products and services will be on offer.

How a consumer did business with you pre-2020 is going to be different today.

Seek to understand your consumer's needs to feel more secure when venturing in and out of their local community. The last year or so has not been easy for both consumers and businesses. It's about surviving and thriving in a new way and at the same time connecting not just through digital but safe face-to-face human interaction, supporting the needs and confidence of your consumers that helps pave the way for a healthy and prosperous path forward.

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

Join Our Online Community Let’s talk currency

- EVERY MONTH www.etceteraonline.org

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

Advertise Your Business Contact Sam or Gayle: editors.etcetera@gmail.com etcetera 21

business INSURANCE

ISABELLE WANT BH ASSURANCES

S

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

(Unless you don’t like the person who is going to pay for the funeral!)

1.

Criteria for subscribing: Anybody aged between 50 and 84 and who is French resident. There is no health questionnaire.

2.

How much can you be insured for: Between 3000 and 10000 euros without a health questionnaire.

Average cost for a funeral in France is around 3 to 4000€. Cremation and burial are about the same. The lump sum you are insured for follows inflation because 3000€ today might not be worth the same in 10 years!

3.

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

The first one shows how much you are

Allianz Obseque Funeral Cover month in the example given). For insured for and it follows inflation.

The second line shows how much you 5000€, it’s around 42€ and 10000€ are insured for if you stop paying the it’s 84€ (for couples, 10% less). premium. The last line shows how Conclusion: It is a contract we do quite much is available if you want to shut often and the one we never have any down the policy completely. That problem with. There is no cheating with it, means that if you you are either are still alive after dead or alive!

10 or 15 years, you The lump sum you are insured So, no expert can afford to stop needed… And for is given to the funeral paying the no argument parlour or to the person who premium as you from the will have enough has paid for the funeral and insurance cover already. Or if what is left is given to the company for one of you dies and beneficiaries you have named paying! The the survivor of the on the policy payment is couple wants to go given very back to the UK, you quickly once we can cash in the have the death certificate, funeral bill and value of your policy (amount shown the ID of beneficiary (within 10 days). on the third line of the yearly statement).

For free quotes, all I need is your birthdate 4.

How much does it cost: As an example, a person born in 1947 and insured for 3000€ would pay around 26€ per month and we offer a 10% discount for couple subscription (so it would be only 23€ each per

and the amount you want to be insured for. To do the contract, I need copies of your passport, a RIB (French bank details) and the list of beneficiaries (date of birth, place of birth, name, maiden name and first name).

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

N° Orias 07021727/16005974

22 etcetera

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

news

LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS

FRENCH TAX PHISHING There is a new scam doing the rounds at the moment (we’ve also had it here at etcetera) from this email address: ne_pas_repondre@dgfipfinances.gouv.fr. The email advises you that you are owed a 490€ refund on your tax and that the initial attempt to reimburse you was unsuccessful due to a mismatch of postal codes. (Hear alarm bells ringing madly?).

The message, then asks you to click on a link to update your bank details. Please always remember that the Direction générale des finances publiques (DGFIP) will never ask you for your bank details in this way. If you are ever unsure, never follow links and take a copy of the email to your local tax office for verification or ask your mairie for help.

Attestation d'accueil?

There has been much talk lately over whether visitors from the UK will have to show an attestation d'accueil from their host’s mairie. At the time of print, media outlets are reporting

that this willl not be necessary.

Given how events and information can change overnight, it’s sensible to keep an eye on national news just to make sure you are fully informed with the latest updates.

As part of the government’s re-opening plan, on Wednesday 9 June we will enter the next phase.

This means the current curfew of 9pm will change to 11pm (11pm-6am), with the intend to remove the curfew entirely on Wednesday 30 June. Bars, cafés and restaurants will be able to open their indoor spaces on 9 June, with a maximum capacity of 50% and no more than 6 customers per table. From this date, cinemas and concerts can hold up to 5000 people, at a 65% capacity. Non-essential shops can open with a capacity of one customer every 4m2, with this lifting on 30 June. The end of June should also see the lifting of restrictions in museums, cinemas and concerts, religious ceremonies and outdoor terraces. Health protocols will remain in place for the indoor areas of bars and restaurants.

VACCINATIONS IN FRANCE - UPDATE As promised by the government, the French vaccination program (at the time of print) is on target for offering the vaccine to French residents. From 31 May, (2 weeks earlier than scheduled) anyone over 18 years of age can book an appointment. Visit www.doctolib.fr or www.sante.fr to book your first and second dose appointments or contact your doctor for advice. etcetera 23

health

The Secret Somethings in Salads

24 etcetera

health Louise works with the Fit for Life Association as a Clinical Weight Loss Coach. She is also a Hypnotherapy Practitioner Specialising in Hypnotic Gastric Band Therapy

DO YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT AND ARE PLANNING ON UPPING YOUR SALAD INTAKE? IT’S A GREAT CHOICE FOR LOTS OF REASONS, BUT BE CAREFUL, THERE CAN BE HIDDEN CALORIES THAT WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ACHIEVING YOUR DESIRED WEIGHT LOSS!

W

e are heading towards a time when we start to ditch the winter veg and head into the lovely world of fresh salads.

My husband is really not a fan and tells me regularly that salads make you fat. He bases this statement on the fact that he is convinced that you never see ‘skinny people’ eating salad.

What is a salad? The Oxford Language Dictionary defines it as “a cold dish of various mixtures of raw or cooked vegetables, usually seasoned with oil, vinegar or other dressing”.

Based on this definition any combination of vegetables and/or fruit can be a salad.

Traditionally salads have been the go-to food when you are wanting to lose weight, but over time are they really helpful or is it that we have just allowed the contents and specifically the coverings of this previously mundane dish to get out of control?

Before you start shouting at this page, I am not discussing the nutritional value of your salads, my aim is to point out some of the pitfalls of using anything that contains the word ‘salad’ as an automatic slimming aid.

Enjoyment of textures, flavours, colour and good nutrition is key to a healthy lifestyle Many supermarket products or recipes that contain the word salad do not really give us the whole picture as far as the calorie content is concerned. Two of the classic summer salads that always comes to mind are the old favourites of potato salad and coleslaw, both of which have an average of 150 calories per 100g portion.

Not to mention mixed bean salad or tuna pasta salad all of which will have high calorie counts per portion. Then of course you start to look at things like couscous, quinoa, bulgur wheat and lentils. All good for you, but high in carbohydrates and high in calories.

I do not believe that any foods should be off limits. Enjoyment of textures, flavours, colour and good nutrition is key to a healthy lifestyle.

What is the answer? How can you transform what some may consider a boring plate of vegetables into a delicious but still healthy meal?

A few tips to help you on your way

� Limit the intake of salads that are mayonnaise based. If making your

By Louise Cotton

own swap to low fat mayonnaise or dressings and mix in some natural yogurt to make the dressing go further.

email: louise@fitforlife.one

� Portion control is key. Where the

� Restrict the amount of salad on your

calorie count is higher, allocate yourself a small portion and put the rest away ensuring your ‘diet’ remains balanced.

plate that contains wholegrains, beans or pasta and take care of your portions.

� When using fabulous ingredients like

� Never dress all your salad. Put the dressing is a jug or bottle. Add it to your meal as you need it. Dressed salad does not keep and the temptation is to eat it all as you do not want it to go to waste.

Undressed, it will keep in the fridge for your lunch tomorrow.

beetroot and avocado, don’t go mad, they are so good for you, but boost calories significantly.

� Use green vegetables as part of your salads - broccoli, green beans and courgettes. They are low in calories and carbs. You can bulk up on them to help you feel fuller.

Food should be a source of enjoyment and finding small ways to reduce calories will keep it so. Salads should be no exception, but be careful, they can be dangerous!

� Try something new like fennel, chicory, some raw mushrooms and bean sprouts.

� Buy less, but buy better. Yellow, black and green tomatoes have so much more flavour when in season.

They are more expensive, but worth the money. Buy bio whenever you can. You will taste the difference!

� Adding a few nuts, seeds or goji berries to mixed leaves gives texture.

� Be aware of your dressing! � See the table below for some examples of simple swaps you can make when counting calories.

� Try making your own dressings using lemon or lime juice, chili, tabasco and one of the flavoured vinegars like mango or raspberry. You are then in control of the contents. Add some olive, avocado or pumpkin seed oil if you want to, you are in control.

� For a creamer dressing, try natural yogurt with lime, adding mint or coriander. *Calories per serving will vary depending on the brand

Full Fat Caesar Dressing

Per tablespoon

90

Fat Free Caesar Dressing

Per tablespoon

12

Blue Cheese Dressing

Per tablespoon

69

Low Fat Blue Cheese Dressing

Per tablespoon

14

Full Fat Mayonnaise

Per tablespoon

92

Light Mayonnaise

Per tablespoon

44

etcetera 25

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26 etcetera

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garden Miscanthus seed heads in the morning light

Ornamental Grasses THEY CAN BE USED TO ADD A CALMING EFFECT TO YOUR OUTSIDE SPACE OR IN CONTRAST ADD A REAL WOW FACTOR TO A GARDEN

I

they are induced into flowering by the n summer ornamental grasses are the lengthening days of late spring and early stars of the show here at Le Jardin summer and don’t really start to come into Créatif. When the spring flowering growth until after the spring equinox in herbaceous perennials are over and before March when the day length becomes the autumn colours of the deciduous longer than the hours of darkness. shrubs, late flowering chrysanthemums Because of this they are ‘late starters’ and and asters come in to their own, the are only just beginning to put on new grasses stand up to the heat and their shoots when many of decorative flower the herbaceous spikes and fluffy perennials and shrubs seed heads dance in There are many varieties are already in full the sunlight. that will happily grow in full flower. This is why They are easy to sun, hot, dry soils, poor and they are perfect for care for and tolerate stony soils taking on the leading all that the extreme role in your planting weather here throws schemes during the summer and early at them and have a very long season autumn, filling the gap - a few well-chosen of interest. species will give you an interesting display Most grasses that have evolved in of different heights, colours and textures. temperate climates are what are known as Some are evergreen and will continue to add texture and structure throughout the ‘long day plants’. What this means is that

By Caroline Wright

Caroline has been a lecturer in horticulture for 20 years and is now running a nursery and 'garden craft' courses in the Haute-Vienne at Le jardin creatif Lejardincreatif.net

winter months and others are deciduous and can be cut right back in late autumn or winter to promote fresh new growth the following season.

There are many varieties that will happily grow in full sun, hot, dry soils, poor and stony soils and are not fussy about the pH. They can be planted amongst herbaceous perennials or in a mixed border, in a gravel garden or even in containers or if you have the space, they are stunning grown en masse in a ‘prairie’ type planting scheme, where they are planted in large drifts interspersed with tall flowering herbaceous perennials. This type of planting scheme was brought into popularity by the leading garden designer Piet Oudolf in the late 1990s. We use grasses and perennials on a much smaller scale, but they still add plenty of impact.

Let us take a look at some of the best

etcetera 27

garden

Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Grass)

Festuca glauca

Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' (Oriental Fountain Grass)

Piet Oudolf style prairie planting scheme

28 etcetera

garden

Mixed containers with pink Mandevilla, Purple feather grass (Pennisetum rubrum), Stipa 'Ponytails' and petunias

varieties that we have found to be well suited to the climate here:

Calamagrostis brachytricha (commonly known as the Korean Feather Grass) is another late flowering grass producing a low clump of slender green foliage followed by tall spires of soft pink flowers and buff seed heads up to 120cm high that last well into the autumn.

Our No. 1 ornamental grass has to be ‘Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’ (the Oriental Fountain Grass) which produces masses of fluffy dusky pink ‘fox tail’ flower heads from June right through to October. It is a On a smaller scale Festuca glauca is a deciduous clump-forming grass that clump-forming grass with very fine spreads as it grows and reaches about 80slender glaucous blue foliage forming a 100cm in height. It rarely self-seeds so it is neat mound from which dusky purple very well behaved, the only real flower spikes are produced in summer. It maintenance required is to cut it hard is evergreen so makes a good choice for back in late winter and divide the clump the front of the border, smaller gravel every 3-4 years. Some Pennisetum species gardens, containers and rock gardens with are a little tender but this one is perfectly its year-round hardy and doesn’t structure and colour. seem to mind the At 30 x 30cm it is wet season either.

The tall flower spikes add neat, well behaved, movement to the border as they Next on the ‘must and low maintenance. have’ list is blow gently in the wind creating Stipa tenuissima Eragrostis elliottii, further interest ‘Pony Tails’ is a very another deciduous popular grass, its grass but this tactile fluffy seed species produces a heads are its most attractive feature above low clump of fine, glaucous bluey grey slender, upright green foliage. This is leaves topped with tall, loose silvery flower another grass that really adds movement spikes in summer with an ethereal quality, and texture, is medium height (making so they work well planted mid border with around 40-45cm) and looks well along the other grasses or perennials around them. edge of paths, middle of the border, The tall flower spikes add movement to containers, or prairie planting schemes. the border as they blow gently in the wind creating further interest. We also love Miscanthus species are generally tall Eragrostis spectabilis which is not so tall clump forming grasses coming into their but produces a mass of pinky red flower own in the late summer and autumn when spikes in late summer/early autumn.

the fluffy seed heads develop and catch the sunlight, lasting well into the winter.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ does ‘exactly what is says on the tin’ and is best planted where the low morning rays illuminate the seed heads. Miscanthus ‘Zebrinus’ is similar but with decorative variegated foliage both making up to 1.8 metres tall. On a smaller scale Miscanthus ‘Little Kitten’ is a cute, compact version.

We produce a range of grasses, herbaceous perennials, herbs and aromatics on our nursery and are happy to give planting advice for customers.

le jardin creatif…

We are open every Saturday 10am-4pm from March to October and our garden is open for nursery customers to browse and gain inspiration.

Have a look at our website for details, our plant list is also available to browse which you can download from our ‘Nursery and Garden’ page. www.lejardincreatif.net

etcetera 29

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garden

This Month In our gardens…

WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT JUNE? THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER, AND TEMPERATURES ARE RISING WHICH IS THE PERFECT COMBINATION FOR PLANT GROWTH IN OUR GARDENS. AND WITH THE SUMMER SOLSTICE THIS MONTH THERE ARE PLENTY OF LIGHTFILLED HOURS TO BE OUT IN THE GARDEN

B

appealing! Greenfly can be a pest in y June the danger of frosts should be warmer conditions once plants are inside, well over and it is the time to fill your but when the plants are finally moved flower borders, where there is space, with outdoors permanently natural predators tender summer plants. But do make the such as ladybirds and hoverfly larvae will move outdoors for these plants a gradual help control their numbers. Be vigilant one; even plants you purchase from and treat infestations at an early stage. garden centres or flower shows may well have been cultivated inside, and a sudden Another activity in the garden in June is to change in conditions can cause stress to prune shrubs that have flowered on last the plants. As a rule of thumb tender year’s growth. These shrubs include lilac, plants - including bedding plants, weigela, philadelphus (Mock Orange), tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and rosemary and euonymus. These can all be courgettes - should be protected until pruned once they have finished flowering, temperatures no longer fall below 10oC. and this will allow the shrub enough time The process of introducing plants to the to develop new growth and flower buds for ‘big world’ outside is known as ‘hardening next year. For most of these plants cut off’. It is a step-by-step method that back to remove the spent flowers and encourages plants to develop tougher reshape the shrub; it’s possible to remove leaves to prepare them for life in the up to a third of stems down to ground garden. Begin the hardening off process level to encourage light and air into the on a dull, calm overcast day when there plant and encourage new growth. will be less stress from direct sun. Put the Roses also plants outside during need a style the day and each of pruning, as evening return the plants to somewhere If the spent flowers are not removed the flowers die back they under cover. And take and rose hips form early in the need your time; be prepared season, as far as the plant is removing to to devote two to three concerned, it’s ‘job done’, and fewer encourage weeks to the process. new flowers will be formed more to grow.

If you don’t have a The plant’s greenhouse or a cold purpose in frame put your plants producing in a sheltered position and cover with flowers is to attract insects to pollinate, well-secured horticultural fleece. Even this in turn produces ‘seeds’ for future with the best of intentions it’s possible to generations. If the spent flowers are not misjudge hardening off, so look out for removed and rose hips form early in the signs of stress. Cold stressed tomatoes season, as far as the plant is concerned, it’s may develop a purple tinge, peppers and ‘job done’, and fewer new flowers will be aubergines go greyish and leaves of formed. Do more than just remove the courgettes and other cucurbits may go spent flower - cut back to the first leaf crisp. If this happens, the plants can be below the fading flower. At the same time, saved by removing the damaged parts and when looking at your roses keep an eye out extending the hardening off process. for suckers - if left they will grow very vigorously and take strength from the When hardening off, ensure your plants remaining plant. Suckers are not the same are well watered to reduced drought as the cultivar you are growing for flowers stress. The best way to water your plants is and fragrance. They can be easily from below, so stand them in water for an recognised as they always appear from the hour or so to absorb what they need. Don’t roots, rather than above ground, and often forget to protect plants from pests when occur a little way from the plant. They moving them outside. Slugs, snails and should be pulled out of the ground rather birds will find young tender growth most

32 etcetera

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!

than cut at ground level as this will just prune them and stimulate more growth.

As an aside, the same applies to fruit trees that sometimes throw up suckers some distance from the tree, and these should be treated in the same way.

Whilst on the subject of fruit take a look at all fruit bushes and other soft fruit to check their growth and development.

Strawberry plants are likely to be sending off their first runners. These will divert energy from the developing fruit, so it’s best to remove them. If you want to expand or renovate your strawberries you can save the plants on runners later in the season. Similarly, blackberries, tayberries and raspberries will be showing new canes. If you wish to retain these, tie them in as they start to grow, but keep an eye out for ‘stragglers’ appearing some distance from the parent plants and take these out, including the roots that are veering away from the row of plants.

Fruit trees frequently produce more fruit than they can sustain or that you can use.

Some fruit will drop naturally, but be prepared to thin out as this will improve fruit size and quality, promote more even ripening, lessen the risk of branches breaking under the weight of fruit and help reduce the spread of pests and diseases.

Back in the ornamental garden it’s not too late to introduce more containers with plants in them. These can add a new and exciting dimension offering the chance to introduce theatre and magic. They can offer a new sense of freedom! Planting in borders is controlled by soil type (heavy clay or light and sandy) but in a container you can put the soil to suit the plants you want to grow. It gives you the chance to use flowers that are spectacular, or that you particularly like but which have only a short period of interest. Put them in a container, and then when the show is over, put them somewhere out of sight to die back and re-energise for another year.

Containers can also be useful for ‘garden thugs’. We all use a container to grow mint to prevent it from taking over the whole

garden garden, but there are also border plants that have the same habit. Putting those in a container will control them.

So, start by buying or growing your plants - you can be as adventurous as you want!

When you choose a container firstly consider where you are going to place the finished article. If you intend to have it ‘on display’ the style of the container is important and should be purchased to augment the plants to go into it and where you intend to place it; if you’re going to use it to fill temporary gaps in a border, or for short season impact in a border, then hopefully the container will be masked by other plants or sunk into the ground, and plastic pots can be used. Whichever type you use, the bigger the better; larger pots give more scope for planting. They’re easier to sustain growth and will encourage the plants to give of their best.

They also require less watering! Large display pots are better placed in situ before filling as they can be extremely heavy when full of compost and plants!

For large pots you can reduce the amount of compost you use by filling the bottom third with broken plastic pots or polystyrene, topped with part of an old compost bag that you’ve punched holes in

When you remove the spent blossoms, you interrupt the fruiting cycle and stimulate the plant to fruit again, producing another bloom cycle

Another idea is to line porous pots with old compost bags, again with drainage holes in them, to improve water retention. for drainage. Another idea is to line porous pots with old compost bags, again with drainage holes in them, to improve water retention.

Obviously plants in pots do need a bit more attention – they will dry out quicker, so it helps to use water retaining crystals at the filling stage. They also rely on you for all their nutrients. You can add slowrelease fertiliser, or you can make you own feed from nettles or comfrey. Putting some form of mulch – wood chips, cocoa bean shells, chanvre or even stones – will help reduce surface evaporation.

Container plantings can add a splash of colour to areas in your garden

If you don't harden off your plants, the tender plants will get burned by the sun, the shock of cold, or the wind

All that’s left now is for you to let your imagination loose and grow for colour, added interest and perhaps something very different. A large strategically placed pot can also be changed during the year to suit the season, giving interest the whole year round from early bulbs in January to evergreens and winter flowering hellebore through the colder months. A new dimension!

There is always something to do in the garden, but we should remember we plant our gardens for pleasure, as well as for food, so do make time in the warmer days to sit down, relax and look around at all that you have achieved, though if you’re anything like me at the same time you’ll be planning what you might be able to do in future years!

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farm life

Limousine sheep.

Photo credit: BiacheB CC BY-SA 3.0 (creativecommons.org)

Old Breeds for Modern Farmers IT’S TIME FOR TRADITIONAL BREEDS TO SHINE AGAIN, AS AGRICULTURE MUST BECOME MORE ECO-FRIENDLY

R

egional livestock breeds have be a part of that solution, in that they can be employed to manage the landscape, struggled to survive since the Second enhance biodiversity, and provide World War, as high-yielding commercial nutrient-rich food more efficiently. strains have taken centre stage in the food system. Fortunately, these rare breeds Why Native Breeds Thrive Better have been saved by devotees who have Native breeds are often used for formed societies dedicated to protecting a conservation grazing because they need viable population (ASP: associations de little labour or input, being self-sufficient sauvegarde et de promotion). Now, as on natural flora and being hardy to local environmental experts and organisations, conditions. Their natural adaptation to the including the UN, are pressing for reform local landscape of agricultural practices, rare breeds Their natural adaptation to the means they make the of native may come to local landscape means they make most vegetation and can the rescue. the most of native vegetation and meet their own needs The intensification of can meet their own needs in in natural agriculture has surroundings. They natural surroundings provided a steady can actually thrive in supply of cheap food, extreme conditions, but at a terrible cost to the environment. because this is how they lived for many This can be resolved by radically changing centuries, before we started building barns farming methods to reduce pollution, and growing cereals for farm animals. enhance carbon capture and restore Can Native Breeds Provide Income? biodiversity. Environmental advisers, such as France’s IDDRI, present practical But native breeds can do so much more solutions to meet such a challenge. A than just conservation grazing. Even major part of the solution is to adopt breeds previously type-cast as semi-feral are rediscovering a place on the farm. healthier diets. Native livestock breeds can

34 etcetera

Farmers interested in preserving traditional breeds benefit from enhanced flavour and character in their products.

They also appreciate their ease of management, hardiness, and adaptability to different environments. The animals mature more slowly and the initial yield is lower, but in the long term the return evens out. Firstly, they provide higher quality products. They process native flora more efficiently, and produce more nutrient-rich products on this diet, including a higher omega-3 content.

Secondly, they live longer productive lives, as many sheep, goats and cattle continue to reproduce into their teens. Thirdly, expenses are greatly reduced, as they need less purchased food, veterinary care and facilities. These benefits depend on access to adequate natural pasture and resources.

Currently, many rare breed farmers transform their own products - for example cheese - and market them under special labels, such as organic, AOP or AOC. This enhances their product to bring in extra income. For many, still, other forms of income are required, such as tourism. These small farms generally

farm life

Poitevine goats. Photo credit: ADDCP (www.chevre-poitevine.org)

manage small natural pastures with trees, that enhance the local ecology, and have low carbon footprints. Government schemes are starting to reward their efforts as stewards of nature-friendly landscapes.

How Native Breeds Help Regenerative Agriculture Regenerative methods are needed in agriculture to improve the soil and biodiversity, capture carbon and reduce pollution. This means moving away from monocultures, planting more varied crops, allowing tree growth, minimising pesticides and fertiliser, and less intensive land use. Native breeds are well suited to a managed grazing system, where they graze each area for a short time and each pasture is given time to recover fully. Their lighter weight and lower stocking density leaves less impact on the landscape.

The pasture-fed system has a lower carbon footprint than cereal-fed systems and there is no need to buy in soya products. As more local resources are used, less transport is required.

How Native Breeds Meet Climate Challenges

Native breeds live outdoors all year round and have no need to be housed indoors over winter. Exceptions are if there is not enough land to support them or during lambing or kidding where there are predators, such as foxes.

In the latter case, The pasture-fed system has a breeding can be The pasture should lower carbon footprint than coordinated so that contain a variety of families can be kept in for cereal-fed systems and there is no natural species, the first three weeks after need to buy in soya products rather than be birth. Pasturing all year sown with a round means that dung monoculture, such does not accumulate in one place and as ryegrass. Trees and bushes provide require transportation. In addition, the natural shelter as well as nutritional spread of dung over the landscape supplements. As tree roots grow deeper, naturally fertilises the ground and enriches their leaves provide nutrients otherwise habitats for many beneficial insects. unavailable in the sward. Native breeds know how to balance their diet and use trees for medicinal purposes, including against parasitic worms. There is less or no need to use pharmaceutical wormers, which are damaging to insects that form a vital part of the ecosystem. As the animals are moved on quickly to new pastures, trees do not suffer excess damage, and vegetation can recover. Combining sheep or goats with cattle or horses enhances the system, as the species eat different plants.

Horses and cattle are not susceptible to parasitic worms that infect goats and sheep, but they clear the pasture of them, and vice-versa.

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

The land itself can be used for multiple purposes, thus enhancing biodiversity: animals can graze among trees grown for forestry or fruit. Pigs can clear the ground of windfalls or leftovers after the harvest is done.

Genetic diversity is key to surviving challenging and changing conditions. Rare breeds conserve diverse genes and hardiness traits for tolerance of weather, parasites and disease resistance.

Commercial breeds have been bred for high yield and have lost a lot of hardiness as a result. Through maintaining functional native breeds we are preserving a variety of genes that will be key to surviving and thriving in future conditions.

As temperatures rise, tick-borne diseases are foreseen to proliferate and spread.

Genetic diversity is necessary to find

By Tam s

www.goatwriter.com in Coop er

strains of animals with resistance to future diseases.

Local adaptation of species provides animals with healthy resilience. Farming with these animals for the local market provides economic resilience to the community and security to its food supply, a need that has been much highlighted during the current pandemic.

LOCAL BREEDS: ● Sheep: Charmoise, Limousine, Solognote, Vendéen, Berrichon de l’Indre ● Goats: Poitevine ● Pigs: Cul Noir Limousin ● Cattle: Parthenaise, Maraîchine, Limousine Sources: ADDCP: Association pour la Défence et le Développement de la Chèvre Poitevine (www.chevre-poitevine.org) IDDRI: (www.iddri.org) Rare Breeds Survival Trust (rbst.org.uk) Peart, G., Genetic Advantage of Native Breeds (thesis presentation).

Grampian Graziers (www.grampiangraziers.co.uk)

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36 etcetera

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angling

PRESENT TENCH THE LAST 15 MONTHS HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT CHALLENGING AND I AM SURE THAT WE ARE ALL HOPING THAT THE WORST IS BEHIND US

By Clive Kenyon

J

une is a lovely time of year for anglers with just about every species being in season. The obvious exception being the American Black Bass. But for most of us old timers June meant tench fishing and a midnight start as the church bells chimed on June 16th. In Yorkshire we had what was called the Stolen Fortnight in that the coarse fish season ended two weeks earlier than the rest of the country and also commenced earlier on June 1st. For some anglers tench fishing was the highlight of the year and it would be nice to find an old fashioned estate lake full of green tench to be able to put the clock back to those halcyon days.

As it is tench are in short supply out here and perhaps the best place to find them is in the area of the Marais Poitevin west of this region where tench and carrasin, the French crucian carp, abound in great numbers.

Tench are stocky fish, olive green through to dark gold in colour with rounded fins and a small reddish eye. They were used as stock fish by the Normans and were stocked by them as far afield as Sicily during their voyages in the Middle Ages.

Their roe is a seasonal delicacy in some parts of Spain. Historically tench were also called ‘The Doctor Fish’ as it was believed that their slime had medicinal properties and was sought out by injured fish who would rub their wounds along the tench’s body.

Typically tench favour still or slow moving water and can often be located by looking for their tell-tale small bubbles which are emitted from the soft mud they disturb whilst feeding on bloodworm and other buried insects. They like weedy areas especially near to lily pads. Traditional baits include lob worms, bread, maggots and casters. In recent years small boilies have proved successful particularly in strawberry flavour. Another good bait is sweetcorn, natural or that has been strained and flavoured with strawberry syrup obtained from the baking products aisle of a supermarket. Tench feed on the bottom and that is where your bait should be presented. Ledgering has gained popularity in recent years using small boilies of maggot feeders with some grubs on the hook. Float fishing is another good method of fishing for tench. The float should be set slightly over depth and a medium sized lead shot pinched a few inches from the hook. The float will dance and tremble before sliding under and only then should the strike be made.

In my personal experience you can often catch tench right under your rod top. They come almost to the water’s edge when feeding. Not just the small ones either!

Just the Ticket I know from speaking to my clients that many of you will be eagerly looking forward to your friends and family once again being able to visit. And many of these visitors will be hoping to fish in France and possibly land a few of the 60lb carp and 100lb catfish that can be found in every river and lake over here. If only!

At this time of year, in normal circumstances, I receive requests for information about access to fishing waters for holiday anglers so I thought that I would get in early and pass on the information.

more open to night fishing, but in this region night fishing is restricted to locations that can be found on the fisheries department website. Also be aware that when night fishing you can only use baits suitable for carp. Boilies and pellets are fine. But no dead baiting is allowed.

Another major divergence from UK regulations is that in France you can lawfully access river banks via fields.

Legally farmers should leave a 3 metre margin alongside the river for anglers to use. In practice that is rarely adhered to or enforced, but you can still access the river bank via a field as long as you cause no damage or disturb livestock. There is an old saying that in France you can fish where you want. You can’t always rely on that as sometimes people buy riverside access and make it private (privée). Or in In order to legally fish any river or public the case of some trout rivers the commune lake in France you need a Carte de Pêche. or a club have fishing rights and a permit This is the equivalent of an English Rod is needed. But these Licence. You can buy instances are rare a CdP for a day for Once armed with the permit to compared to the €16, a week for €33, thousands of fish it is possible to fish any or a year for €100, the kilometres of bank annual licence river or public lake that does available. However, running from 1st not have any signs displayed when faced with January to 31st stating Pêche Interdite, accessing a lovely December. They are Privée or similar looking swim over a available from fishing field full of tackle shops, most Limousin heifers with calves, the saying tabacs, some supermarket reception desks that “In France you can fish where you and all Tourist Information Offices. The want” should be followed by “...but you latter is also a good source of local might not want to fish where you can!” information that is often given in English.

You can also buy a CdP online by typing in As well as fishing tackle shops some gun the word “Pêche” followed by your dealers also stock fishing tackle and bait department number into a Google search. and you can buy maggots and worms from Once you have been directed to the local supermarkets. The cost however is fisheries office website just follow the prohibitive if you want the sort of quantity links to the Carte de Pêche page. For that British anglers are used to. private lakes you may not need a CdP, but Sweetcorn will catch most species and is check with the owner first. cheaper and more convenient – and it won’t escape and result in house flies that Once armed with the permit to fish it is will be annoying you all winter. possible to fish any river or public lake that does not have any signs displayed stating Pêche Interdite, Privée or similar.

As in any country it is your responsibility to ensure that you fish within the regulations and these can be found on the departmental fisheries website and often on notice boards along the banks. The main differences from the UK is that once you have a CdP you do not need a separate day ticket or club membership on rivers or public lakes and that night fishing is only allowed in certain locations that are usually marked with ‘Carpe de Nuit’ signs.

Some departments such as the Lot (41) are

Carp addicts can find all sorts of seeds and grains to use as bait in garden centres such as Gamm Vert or in many Bricos.

Sometimes the type of seeds or grains required are not on open display but kept in a warehouse so it pays to ask. Whole and crushed maize grains are readily available in supermarkets. Luncheon meat is sometimes found in some supermarkets and also in British Food Shops, and the Hope Charity Shop in Confolens often has some. If all else fails there are always the large retailers such as Pacific Pêche and Decathlon.

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free time

38 etcetera

free time

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nature

A Nightingale pours forth his liquid song.

One of the most evocative sounds in Nature

‘Duetto Buffo di Due Gatti’ is a humorous performance piece often sang as part of a concert encore Sergei Prokofiev, in an unusually relaxed pose, in about 1920, 15 years before he wrote "Peter and the Wolf"

A Nightingale pours forth his liquid song. One of the most evocative sounds in Nature.

A European Skylark prepares to soar aloft to sing his love-song

40 etcetera

Camille Saint-Saens, with his beloved dog Dalila. He wrote the opera "Samson and Delilah" in 1877, whence the name of the dog (Dalila is French for Delilah)

nature

Music of the Spheres

By Mik

e Geo r ge

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

MUSIC EVENTS WILL BE HAPPENING OVER FRANCE THIS SUMMER (FINGERS CROSSED!). JUST THE TIME FOR A LOOK AT WHAT INFLUENCE THE WORLD OF NATURE HAS HAD ON THE WORLD OF MUSIC

W

hen my Editor suggested that I wrote about nature in music, I gulped, but, of course, agreed. Who can resist a challenge? The fact that I have Van Gogh’s ear for music is not going to help.

However, I have taken up the Sisyphean task, and can only hope that the rock will not roll back to crush me!

Part of my problem is that, for me, music stopped in about 1950. Between then and Sergeant Pepper I have no comment; after Sergeant Pepper there is nothing to comment about, so I shall confine myself to (what is sometimes dismissively called) “Classical Music”.

Birds of every feather The first subject that springs to mind is birds. They are themselves (for the most part) considered musical, so what more natural than that their songs should feature in music? The odd thing is, they hardly ever do. Admittedly the odd cuckoo note turns up, but generally it is the distinctive note-pair rather than any attempt at actual imitation. Delius had more sense than to issue bird-callers to his hapless woodwind artists to enable them to depict “The First Cuckoo of Spring” - he uses the Oboe and the Clarinet.

Ottorino Respighi tried a bit harder with his "Gli Ucelli” (The Birds) in 1927. Here he orchestrated five older piano and harpsichord pieces that had been inspired by birds. The Dove, the Hen the Nightingale and, of course, the Cuckoo, get an outing, with their songs and characters drawn at length.

The composer who tried the hardest was Olivier Messiaen. He had always been passionately interested in birdsongs, and is known to have spent hours in solitude in rural places in order to note the songs down accurately, even sleeping in old barns to be sure to be early enough for a good display. During the 1950s he wrote several concerti for piano and a small orchestra of eighteen players. It is an unusual orchestra, for it eliminates all strings and instead consists of eight woodwinds (piccolo, flute, oboe, E-flat

clarinet, two B-flat clarinets, bass clarinet, twittering. Very evocative and charming, and bassoon), three brass (trumpet and but to my untutored ear, quite far from the two horns), plus glockenspiel, xylophone, sounds that Vaughan Williams puts into and percussion. His first attempt was Le his music. But unquestionably the music Merle noir (“The Blackbird,” 1952). does make one think of the lark when one Among other pieces he wrote were Réveil hears it. Is it the suggestion implanted by des oiseaux (“Wakening of Birds,” 1953), the title? Partly, perhaps, but in fact I Oiseaux exotiques (“Exotic Birds,” 1956), think what affects the listener is the liquid and Catalogue d'oiseaux (“Catalog of flow of the music conjuring up the Birds,” 1958). An American music critic freedom of the soaring bird. What the lark wrote of these pieces, “This music is full of is actually doing, of course, is the joyful sound of birds, and audiences demonstrating his stamina to any listening will do best not to look for this score’s female lark; the longer he sings, the formal structure but to enjoy the many stronger he is. He is on something of a treadmill dictated by his hormones. But birdsongs, to listen for the brilliance of the that is the sad thing about the science of colours, and to ride along the waves of its nature – it takes all the romance out of complex rhythms. This music makes the situation. virtuoso demands on its performers, particularly on the pianist, who has five Adorable furry animals brief cadenzas along the way, each of these If we leave the birds and their songs, we scrupulously based on the call of a are on shakier ground. Most animals do particular bird. Bird-lovers may take not make a lot of noise, or if they do, it is particular pleasure in identifying the calls something one cannot easily portray in of specific birds, but all audiences are music. One glaring exception, of course, is caught up in the colour, the energy, and the mew of a cat. the joy of this Gioachino Rossini is music.” One gains One cannot listen to the glorious, generally credited the impression that drawn-out caterwauling of these with writing “Duetto the critic considered the pieces as an early two singers, who are so obviously Buffo di Due Gatti” (The Cats’ Duet), attempt to produce a enjoying themselves, without although the music birdsong seeing two pampered Persians was actually drawn identification stretched lazily on cushions in the from his 1817 opera exercise rather than sun and disputing gently "Otello" and reas music! (As is the purposed as a duet case with all genres for two sopranos of music, these pieces might not be to (though other combinations of voices have everyone’s taste!) sung it). The best recording is What about the Lark? undoubtedly that by Elisabeth Schwartzkopf and Victoria de Los Angeles, When the subject of birds in music is with Gerald Moore at the piano, first raised, most people’s first thought will be issued in 1969 and reissued in 2003. It “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughan consists entirely of the one word, “Miau”, Williams. This was written in 1914, repeated on pitch. One cannot listen to the inspired by a poem of the same title by glorious, drawn-out caterwauling of these George Meredith, and the soaring violin two singers, who are so obviously enjoying makes everyone think of the freedom of themselves, without seeing two pampered the lark, soaring over open country and Persians stretched lazily on cushions in singing for all he is worth. the sun and disputing gently. (If you However, if you actually stand in the haven’t heard it before, I do suggest you country where the larks are singing, the listen to it, there are recordings on YouTube, this one is easily my favourite.) song you hear is really a rather complex

etcetera 41

nature Music without backbone You would expect invertebrates to be lacking completely from this list. In fact, a few make it through, but only just! In the field of “popular” music there is a lovely little piece written in 1933 called “Butterflies in the Rain”. Of course, it is the evocation of the dancing insects and the raindrops that enliven the music, and there is even a verse of song, but today it is mostly played as a light orchestral piece.

You will have heard it many times!

In the world of more serious music lies Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee”. This in fact comes from his opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”, and depicts the moment when a character is turned into a bumblebee so that he can visit his father to prove that he is still alive.

It is usually played today as an exhibition piece, since when performed at full tempo it is fiendishly difficult to play.

Composer Camille SaintSaëns, with some of the characters he depicted in his "Carnival of the Animals"

their motion (kangaroos, fish, wild But with most other animals, it is the donkeys) or the impression they make on characteristics – size, status, peculiarity of the watcher. The cleverest movement, to movement - that the music must convey. my (geologist’s) heart, is “Fossils”. Here, Consider Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Saint-Saëns takes his own, chilling “Danse Wolf”. Here we have a whole range of Macabre” (remember the theme music to animals – a bird, a cat, a duck, a wolf, ‘Jonathan Creek’?), speeds it up Grandad, Peter and the Hunters – none of considerably and has it played on a whose voices are used, but whose status as xylophone, giving the impression of predator, victim, timid onlooker, avenger skeletons running about and rattling. One etc. are laid out in music, together with a section depicts fish strong suggestion of swimming in an their styles of Film composer aquarium, and the film movement – slinking, composer John Williams John Williams admitted waddling, skulking, admitted that this music skipping and so on. that this music inspired his inspired his “Hedwig’s Sadly, the music is “Hedwig’s Theme” for the Theme” for the Harry often overshadowed by Harry Potter movie Potter movie. the narration, when the speaker has been The most familiar known to show off rather to the detriment movement is “The Swan", a glorious of the piece. The purpose of the piece is depiction of a stately creature on moving similar to Benjamin Brittan's “Young water, brilliantly depicted. You can even Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”. Prokofiev visualise the paddling feet! Sadly, this has was commissioned in 1936 to write a been literally done to death as a result of symphony for children introducing the having been used by Anna Pavlova, the various instruments from the orchestra, Russian ballerina, for her depiction of the but also to have a good Communist “Dying Swan, which has also imparted a message about the triumph of Soviet Man rather grim feeling to the movement.

(Peter) conquering Nature (the Wolf) Interestingly, this was the only movement despite the objections of the Older that Saint-Saëns would permit to be Generation (Grandpa). It is now the most performed in his lifetime. He was a most performed of all Prokofiev's works, but to serious musician, and he had created the my mind Brittan’s piece appeals more on “Carnival” in 1886 for his own amusement. both the teaching and the entertainment He feared that his reputation would be fronts.Perhaps the champion depiction of a harmed if it become public property. whole range of creatures is Camille SaintIncidentally, the clever little poems that are Saëns' “Carnival of the Animals” (“Le often spoken by a narrator before each Carnaval des Animaux,”). This consists of movement are a later addition by the 14 movements, each intended to depict an American poet Ogden Nash. While, as a animal or group of animals. Sometimes lover of the English Language and those there is a suggestion of the animal’s that use it with consummate skill, I will vocalisation (the growl of a lion, the hear no word against Ogden Nash, I feel crowing of a rooster, a donkey’s bray) but mostly it is the character of the animals, or the “Carnival” is actually better unadorned.

42 etcetera

Ralph Vaughan Williams re-appears at last to supply us with a rather surprising piece, “The Wasps”. This seems at first sight to be an invocation of the true insects, and in quantity, as the strings at the start of the five-movement work hum and buzz on a rising and falling sequence which is eerily evocative of the sound of a swarm of wasps or bees. However, the music then explores other themes, and never returns to the insects. In fact, the music was composed in 1909 as incidental music for a Cambridge University performance of the Greek playwright Aristophanes’ comedy “The Wasps”, which has nothing beyond its title to do with insects, and is in fact a satire on Greek law and lawyers, who are the wasps in question.

Working on a larger scale Two celebrated orchestral pieces deserve mention. Beethoven (who else) decided to portray nature on a grand scale in his "Pastoral Symphony". Anyone who has seen Disney's Fantasia, with its storms, adorable creatures from legend and surging trees married to the sublime music, will never forget the experience.

Richard Wagner, never a composer to shy away from a challenge, wrote for his opera "Siegfried", third part of the Ring Cycle of operas, the great pastoral evocation “Waldweben” (Forest Murmurs), where Siegfried the hero, waiting outside the cave of the dragon Fafnir for a showdown, lies back and listens to the sounds of the forest and the song of the bird above him. It is a strangely evocative and pleasing piece from a composer more usually noted for Sturm und Drang.

Coda Again, I am not a musician, so I hope those who are, or whose knowledge of music is far deeper than mine, will forgive anything I have omitted or misrepresented. But I do hope you have enjoyed reading it, as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

nature

Swallowtail Butterflies (Summer must be here!)

A Machaon displaying its underside; the colours are slightly paler than the upper side, but the pattern is much the same

I OFTEN WRITE ABOUT BUTTERFLIES, MAINLY BECAUSE I LOVE THEM AND FIND THEM ENDLESSLY FASCINATING, BUT ALSO BECAUSE I GET ASKED ABOUT THEM MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

H

owever, reviewing things I have written about lately, I discovered that I haven’t said much about my very favourite butterflies, so I plan to indulge myself!

and that particular stretch of the Norfolk Broads was the only suitable place. Even there it has to be cosseted and nurtured.

The French version, of course, suffers from no such inhibition.

By Mik

e Geo r ge

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

Very upper-class butterflies

As you will see from our illustrations, the two species of butterfly look strangely In April two very superior-looking similar yet distinctly different. The butterflies make their appearance - the Machaon is marginally the larger on Swallowtail and the Scarce Swallowtail (in average with a quoted wingspan of 55-90 French, le Machaon or Grand porte-queue mm; the Flambé ranges from 50-85 mm. and le Flambé respectively). Strangely, As usual, males tend to despite their be smaller than females.

English names, the Both are marked with The scientists finally worked Scarce Swallowtail brown on a yellowish out that the male’s mating is marginally the background. The commoner of the apparatus would only work in Machaon has a regular two here in France; situations of high humidity netted pattern of its name refers to and moderate temperature markings, while the its occurrence in Flambé has markings England, which is that are more streaks parallel to the body. virtually zero. There was a native British It looks as though someone has played an version of the Swallowtail, but for the last uneven flame over its wings, hence its century at least it has been restricted to a French name – the burned one. small corner of the Norfolk Broads. Not for any particular crime that it had Why the strange wings? committed; it just didn’t like living There is another characteristic that marks anywhere else. The scientists finally them out. Both have the trailing corner of worked out that the male’s mating the hind-wings drawn out into a apparatus would only work in situations of prominent tail. This has a very practical high humidity and moderate temperature,

purpose – it mimics the antennae at the other end of the butterfly. This effect is enhanced by the presence of a colourful spot at the base of each tail, mimicking an eye. Several people have asked me what the strange butterfly is that flies backwards, so the mimicry can even fool a human!

Of course, the purpose is to save the butterfly’s life. The insect is big, and no bird is going to miss seeing it fly past. In such a case, a bird will aim for the head of the butterfly, as this is the surest way to subdue it. However, the tails with their eyespot look like a large head, and the bird will attack that end instead. Its beak will not get a good grip, the wing will tear, and the butterfly can escape. The back-end of the wings can take quite a lot of such punishment and the insect will still be able to fly relatively unhampered.

etcetera 43

A superb, fresh Flambé on a buddleia flower, showing the effect of the eyespots as a deterrent camouflage

A stately Machaon feeding on cherry blossom. The red eyespots act both as a distraction and a deterrent to predators

44 etcetera

The caterpillars of the Flambé (left) and the Machaon (right) look quite different

Twins The similar appearance of the two species is what led to their peculiar scientific names. When Linnaeus first named them, he gave them both the generic name Papilio, which is Latin for butterfly, then looked for twins in classical mythology for the specific names. He chose Machaon and Podalirius, who were the twin sons of Asclepius, the founder of Greek medicine (you can find them in Homer’s Iliad).

Subsequently, some meddling taxonomist has decided that they are not close enough to be considered exactly the same genus, and the Flambé now has the generic name Iphiclides. I don’t know who Iphiclides may have been. Please don’t get me onto the subject of taxonomists!

As large butterflies, their flight is often described as strong or rapid. This does not do it justice. The flight of the Swallowtail butterflies in better described as “kiting”.

They both seem to float like paper aeroplanes. A few gentle flaps, then an insouciant glide for some distance before another sustaining flap. It is very restful to watch. However, when male and female involve each other is a kiss-chase, things can get considerably more exciting. I have seen a male and female Flambé chase each other the length and breadth of my garden, then flop down into the grass and lie side-by-side getting their breath back!

The caterpillar – nothing like the end-product The tastes of the caterpillars of the two butterflies are quite different. The Machaon lays its eggs on fennel, dill, parsley and rue, or other plants of these families. On the other hand, the Flambé prefers trees of the Prunus family, including plum, Mirabelle, cherry and even apple and sloe-trees. The caterpillars are, unsurprisingly, large. The Machaon caterpillar, in its final stage, is 5 cm long and green with prominent red and black markings. It is active by day. The Flambé caterpillar also eats by day, but is more usually active after dark. It is flatter in appearance than that of the Machaon, 4 cm long and predominantly green.

The caterpillars of all the Swallowtail butterflies have one curious distinguishing feature: just behind the head, in all stages,

is a y-shaped orange organ, the osmaterium, which is normally hidden in the caterpillar’s body but which the larva can erect, and which emits an unpleasant odour to deter ants, spiders and even mantids. To humans the odour is not offensive.

as you can – although, as I say, with a Machaon this can be difficult.

A medical end-piece

One other strange story is linked to the Swallowtail butterfly. In the mid-20th century, a professional medical geneticist and amateur lepidopterist was indulging Both caterpillars pupate on the stem of the his passion for lepidoptery by breeding foodplant. The chrysalis is held in place by swallowtail butterflies in his home in a silk band around the middle. During England. His name was Dr Cyril Clarke. winter the butterfly He and his wife had survives as a chrysalis, perfected a technique in summer, the for “hand-mating” the The Machaon is shy, and if butterfly will normally it sees you approaching with butterflies by placing emerge two months their abdomens after pupating. your camera will behave together and then like Greta Garbo In the north of the letting them do their range of these thing. This meant that butterflies, one brood they could be certain per year is the norm. Throughout most of which butterfly had mated with which, as the range, however (which included our the females do not tend to be promiscuous part of France), two broods per year is (unlike the males!). This meant that one usual. The first appearance is usually in could do genetic studies on them, and he April, and the last in September. May and drew some very useful conclusions on the July are the two peak periods during way genetic information was passed. which these butterflies are often seen, but To fund his hobby, he sold excess pupae to you may catch sight of the odd specimen other lepidopterists, and in this way met any time during summer. another medical geneticist, Dr Philip The photography challenge Sheppard. The two became friends, and pursued both their hobby and their Photographing these butterflies can be professional studies together. The fun. The two species seem, in my knowledge they had gained and the experience, to have opposite attitudes to genetic studies they had made enabled the camera. The Machaon is shy, and if it them to work out a system for dealing with sees you approaching with your camera a serious medical problem in humans – will behave like Greta Garbo. It will hide Rhesus Haemolytic Disease. In this behind the flower, it will dart away at just disease, a woman whose blood is Rhthe wrong moment, in fact the only way I negative, if she carries a Rh-positive baby, have had any success is with a long lens can often be sensitised to the Rh-factor. If and trying to pretend I’m not interested. she then becomes pregnant with another The Flambé, however, will act like Rh-positive baby, the antibodies she has Madonna. Many times, one has spread built up can have a serious, even fatal, itself on a stone wall, or perched on a effect on the foetus she carries. Drs Clarke plant, and displayed its wings ideally for and Sheppard devised a treatment for the camera. this condition which saw the death-rate Your best chance of capturing them on of such children fall dramatically, until film is, in fact, when they are feeding. in developed countries it sank to They both love buddleia and other nectar negligible levels. plants, though the Machaon will visit So when you see a Swallowtail butterfly almost any flower that is large enough to insouciantly kiting through your garden, support it. Take plenty of time and lurk spare a thought for thousands of children near a well-flowering buddleia bush, who made it into the world as a result of especially if it is a pale lilac colour – these an unlikely friendship, sparked by seem to be more attractive than dark purple or white flowers. And get in as close a butterfly.

etcetera 45

astronomy

The Night Sky WELCOME TO THE START OF OUR SUMMER SKIES HERE IN FRANCE!

T

he Summer Solstice will be on the 21st and is the time when the Sun makes its longest journey across our skies here in the northern hemisphere. The longest day and the start of summer. Even though the nights are all too short to enjoy long spells under truly dark skies we can still experience so many grand things this month. To check out when your skies will be clear and dark enough for some star gazing you can explore the website www.clearoutside.com. You can enter your own location and find out details of darkness hours, observing conditions, moon phases, International Space Station passes and lots more. It is a site I use often when planning a night out (of astronomy that is!). June will be a great month to view the return of Jupiter and Saturn in the mornings, and Venus and Mars in the evening. We can view another Supermoon towards the end of the month and a partial Solar Eclipse on the 10th - making sure of course, you NEVER look directly at the sun.

The Moon and Planets this month (and a beautiful Supermoon) The second Full Supermoon of the year will be on the 24th. A Supermoon occurs when the full Moon coincides with the Moon's closests approach to Earth.

This is also known as 'Lunar Perigee' when the distance

Here in France we will experience a partial eclipse when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun

of the Moon from Earth will be 359,956km. While it may not be apparent when viewing, the Supermoon will be 30% brighter than a full Moon when it is at its farthest point from the Earth. This is sometimes referred to - rather nicely I think - as a 'Minimoon'.

This month's Supermoon is also known as the 'Strawberry Moon' as this is the time when strawberries begin to appear. It is always inspiring to try and catch the full Moon at these times, even if it won't be strawberry coloured! I hope others are inspired to do a little moongazing too. The exact moonrise times will of course depend on your own latitude. To check this and a host of many other things before stargazing or imaging I use the really helpful site www.telescopius.com. You can enter your details

46 etcetera

and find out when to get ready for the moonrise over the horizon, a view I never tire of. The New Moon this month will be on the 10th, which marks some of the best stargazing times. On the evenings of the 12th and 13th it may be possible to spot the planets Venus and Mars close to the Geminid stars Castor and Pollux while a thin crescent Moon passes by. Wait for the Sun to set and look low in the west-northwest. Early in the mornings of the 27th to the 29th a bright Gibbous Moon will pass by the planets Saturn and Jupiter. Look towards the south. Although Mars has now faded in

astronomy

By Clair Wardla e w

Claire Wardlaw, originally from Edinburgh, lives in the Charente with her husband. Since their move nearly 6 years ago, Claire has become passionate about astronomy.

Join us Facebook group Astronomy and Astrophotography France We’re very excited to have started up this group, a place to share experiences of the night sky in France, for English-speaking residents.

passage of the Moon across the top edge of the Sun around mid morning (depending on your view and the weather, of course!) for around two hours. Please do take great care NEVER to look at the sun directly or while using a camera or binoculars as this can cause blindness. It is possible to view the partial eclipse using specially designed solar glasses which are readily available online.

Astronomy and Space News When the most recent mission 'Perseverance Rover' landed on the surface of the planet Mars earlier this year, it seemed to me such a positive and uplifting space event in these most difficult times.

Looking back through the developments in space exploration it is amazing to realise how far we have gone and how far we have come in the expansion of our knowledge and understanding of the universe. On the 14th of June 1965, Mariner 4 launched towards the planet Mars with the aim of 'simply' carrying out the first flyby (Mariner 3 failed in its attempt). Mariner 4 delivered our very first close up images of the red planet and having only expected to survive for the eight

Recently enough data was collected to confirm a new meteor shower which has been named the Gamma Draconids

brightness its red hue can still be seen and compared in colour with Castor and Pollux as they line up in the northwest during the evening of the 2nd.

A Partial Solar Eclipse While the eclipse will be 'annular' or total for folks in the high latitudes of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, here in France we will experience a partial eclipse when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. What you can observe will again depend on your latitude. For my position here in the Charente just under 10% of the Sun will be occluded by the Moon, starting just after 11am. It will be possible to view the

month journey it continued to provide data for the following 3 years. Another event in space history can be marked on the 16th June 1963 when Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. At the age of 26 and only two years after Youri Gagarine had made history, the young Russian flew into orbit in a Vostok-6 spacecraft.

Meteor Showers in June Although the June Bootids, which peak on the 28th, are quite variable with slow speeds it is always worth having a look. Any Bootid meteors you see will seem to radiate from the constellation of Bootes. You will need to wait until it is properly dark for your best chance of seeing any meteors. Ensure you have a wide open view of the sky before lying back in a comfortable position.

In other meteor related news, a new meteor shower has

etcetera 47

has been recently discovered. The Global Meteor Network was set up in 2018 to monitor - amongst other things - meteor activity, collect data to discover new meteor showers, and aid with the recovery of meteorites when they land on Earth.

Recently enough data was collected to confirm a new meteor shower which has been named the Gamma Draconids. The data was collated from 3rd - 5th April so perhaps it will be one to look out for next year.

Shining a light on Astro Jargon Baily's Beads This month we focus on a phenomenon which can occur during a Solar eclipse.

When the three bodies - the Sun, Earth and the Moon – align, a total eclipse will be visible. The Sun is the largest of these and is 400 times larger than the Moon. Is it a coincidence that the Sun is also 400 times further away (that isn't for this article methinks!). These two facts mean that they appear almost exactly the same size. So during the 'totality' of an eclipse the Moon just about covers the Sun. At the beginning and end of the eclipse, the bumpy, irregular, mountainous surface of the Moon lets little bursts of sunlight through. These are known as 'Baily's beads'. They are named after the English astronomer Francis Baily, who explained the effect in 1836.

constellation forms a kite shape, sitting above this star. Mid-month Bootes can be seen high up in the sky facing a southerly direction. Bootes is the 13th largest constellation in the modern catalogue of 88.

Object of the Month - The Sun The Sun is the star closest to the Earth and was formed around 4.5 billion years ago from a cloud of dust and gas and is classed as a yellow dwarf star. The mass of the Sun is made from 70.6 % Hydrogen and 27.4% helium. It is thought to be about halfway through its life. Eventually in several billion years' time - it will expand into what is known as a red giant star. When looking safely (through special solar scopes or filters) at the Sun we are seeing its photosphere - light sphere which has a temperature of 5,500 degrees

centigrade. At its core though the temperature is 15.5 million degrees centigrade. Compared to many other stars in the universe our Sun is unremarkable.

For us however it plays a central role in that it holds the planets in orbit around it and provides us with life-giving energy. It accounts for 99.86% of the mass of the solar system. If it were empty, over 1 million Earths could fit inside it. The Sun produces nuclear fusion energy at its core and is travelling at 220 km per second! A simple way to view an eclipse or partial eclipse, is to use two pieces of card. Make a small hole in the top one and hold it above the other. If you adjust the distance between the two pieces of card a sharp image of the eclipse will appear on the lower one when the sun shines through the small hole.

Happy Stargazing!

Constellation of the Month - Bootes This is a great time of the year to observe the constellation of Bootes, the Herdsman or ox-driver. There are many mythological stories surrounding this constellation but it is usually thought to depict a herdsman with his two hunting dogs following the Plough around the pole star. You can identify Bootes - pronounced boo-OH-tees - by following the arc from the base of the Plough (Ursa Major) until you arrive at one of the brightest stars in the sky, Arcturus. This is 'alpha bootis' or the lead star of the constellation and is a bright and beautiful golden colour. It is also known as a red giant star and is currently 25 times the diameter of our Sun (about 40 million kilometers!). The rest of the

Bootes, the herdsman of the sky

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getting connected SATELLITE TV

STUART WALLACE THE FRENCH HOUSE

M

y word! June? Where does the time go? I know of course that there is a perfectly logical answer to the question, but still, June already? I very much hope you’re all keeping well.

Hello and welcome.

How are you all doing?

Well, I hope. thelike heat Well, the good news isSurviving that if you and the continuing requirement to football, UEFA Euro 2020 starts thiswear masks?Yes, I’ve the actually told month. namebeen could do that with a little wearing a mask makes me more attractive. work, but in fairness, they did have a bit of not sure if that's in a '50 itShades aI’m problem trying to organise for lastof Grey' scenario, or, more it’s anto summer.

So, if your otherlikely, half wants insult.Emmerdale Still, I don’twhilst care. I’ve thick watch you got want to watch skin.

Which I guess, is another downside Austria v North Macedonia (13th June, to my 6pm onfeatures.

ITV by the way) then now might be the time to get yourself a second digibox installed. Connected to your dish, using the

50 etcetera

appropriate LNB, and you’ll be able to have another TV working independently from the An increasing amount of new TVs have a other. See, we’re like marriage counsellors satellite tuner already built into them. as well. The bad news is that if you don’t like This means that you do not need to use a football, Euro 2020 starts seperateUEFA satellite receiver (Sky box, this month.

(Did I mention Freesat box etc) for UK TVthat?) reception. You

to France. So, that’s not really that much use. Another seller is Currys/PC World, who also don’t deliver here.

And, it’s still not the same as Freeview.

will know if itthe hassame one by a) looking for Freesat is not as Freeview.

DVB-S on IfA practical, it may be worth a Onwards wethe go.specifications or, more little late to the party, as Iperforming wasn’t likely, b) by looking to see if it has a periodic check of the condition ofarticle your had notified until after last month’s Just a quick reminder for those use threaded male connection pointwho next to satellite dish. Notbut justattopresent, make sure it’sare not been submitted, there either satellite internet 4G to stream the traditional push fitor aerial socket.

If it rusty and the arm Tooway isn’t going to snap off, no new domestic (satellite services like good Netflix Amazon Video (though definitely do that) but to see if the has, you’re to or go.They arePrime sometimes internet) activations. This is due to the little TV. less Your user friendly something toa your package than is almost certainly dish fact that coversEspecially our entire itselfBeam is still15, in which good shape. like acapped’ Freesatand box,this but ‘data region of France, is at in the case of larger you can create a have a means that if you full capacity. you dishes, 80 cmIfand If your dish has flexed or bent, favourites list to make 4K TV and stream at a Tooway upwards, strongsystem, winds it is likely to lead to a reduction have lifemaximum easier. Do not be the you maythe welldish have can flex and told you have to buy in signal quality and therefore noticed resolution to make thea cause it it torunning lose its seperate receiver box, potential picture break up slower the most of your TV’s originalduring appearance.

If you don’t. lockdown and capabilities, you are your dish has flexed or subsequent schoolin going to burn through bent, it is likely to lead to a reduction holidays.

Business tariffs remain available your allowance very quickly.(the Forones signal quality and therefore potential The data new 4K Freesat+ receivers but these cost more money and are example, Netflix says that a 4K Ultra-HD picture break up. The dish is shaped to that record stuff) are now available from advertised H.T. the (hors taxe)back meaning stream can useHowever, up to 7GBthey perwon’t hour.deliver Not a perfectly reflect signals to thethat Amazon UK. problem if your service is unlimited, but LNB. If some of the signal misses the LNB, it won’t reach your satellite receiver. pretty chunky if it isn’t.

getting connected

Domestic, Public & Industrial Work Computer technician French Speaking Offers good free advice 87190 Magnac Laval T: 05 55 68 08 13 M: 06 25 20 99 13

david.read@wanadoo.fr Siret 490820859RM87

I offer free &

Hedley Marsh 86150 Moussac sur Vienne Tel: 05 49 48 35 49 Mobile: 06 45 74 25 36 Email: hedleymarsh@orange.fr

Electricité Générale French Electrician - fluent English Speaker Based in Bellac - covering 87 & parts of 86,16 & 23 Siret: 51190455900024

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

CHARLES HODENCQ

Simple jobs Complete renovations New builds Conformity checks Emergency Call outs Fully insured 10yr guarantee

For all your electrical needs - safety checks, re-wires, new builds, upgrades and complete renovations 05 55 68 62 26 / 06 24 27 01 86 charleselec@gmail.com Siret No: 503121279 00015

La Maladrerie, Lussac les Eglises 87360

T: 05 55 68 62 73 / 06 18 32 91 36 E: markspearing@orange.fr

Siret 499653269 00013

PETER AMOR

etcetera magazine

siret: 48002659000012

ELECTRICIAN

Supporting Local Business SINCE 2006

Tel: 05 49 91 85 54 etcetera 51

section connected getting

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

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

ANDREW LONGMAN

Siret 509 768 693 00012

siret 440 419 018 00013

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

3 Rue des Terrasses 87310 St. Auvent

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

Siret. 80438547400015

GARY MOORE

OIL

HEATING

GAS SOLID FUEL Siret: 491827705 00022

PARTENAIRE

INSTALLATION SERVICING

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

REPAIRS

Siret 488 401 290 00017

Kev Pope, the Computer Man Plumbing and Tiling Services ▪ Complete renovation and new build plumbing installations ▪ Bedroom to bathroom conversions ▪ Italian shower installations, made to measure…..

Visit our website for examples of previous and current projects

PC repairs, upgrades, internet, home service

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

DARREN LUCKHURST

www.reneauve.online Email: reneauve@sfr.fr Mobile 06 80 05 17 60 Landline 05 45 31 51 23 Established, fully insured, French registered Artisan.

Check us out with Artisan Central

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

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

OPEN MON TO SAT 9AM / 8PM

52 etcetera etcetera 52

Email sales@anglocomputers.com

Piegut-Pluviers, Dordogne

Siret 49239708800021

I’m free…. But I could be yours Advertise Your Business From just 35€ ttc per month

www.etceteraonline.org

artisans 35 years’ experience

Depts 86 & 87

All Aspects of Internal and External Plastering and Specialist Renders T: 0780 633 374 E: superspread37@hotmail.com

Siret 89161807600014

MALCOLM ANDREWS PLASTERING SERVICES

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

Tom Turnbull

ODD JOB TOM 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

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

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

,

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artisans

H TAYLOR KEITARTISAN

Petits travaux du Batiment

Stuart F Park Painter Decorator

Depts 79, 16 & 86

Building - Renovation - Carpentry

Siret: 489 199 661 00013

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

Fully qualified stone mason with 25 years’ experience

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

Contact 05.45.85.78.30 / 06.04.49.04.10 stuart.park@hotmail.fr

Charente / Haute-Vienne / Vienne

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

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

www.ackitchens.fr

Free quotes

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

05 49 87 09 63 Siret: 48115588500017

ADRIAN AMOS SPECIALIST CARPENTER/JOINER BESPOKE JOINERY & RENOVATIONS DOORS-SHUTTERS-STAIRS-FLOORINGKITCHENS FULLY EQUIPPED WORKSHOP & 40 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE LOTS OF SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR REQUIREMENTS REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

05 45 31 14 58 / 06 63 20 24 93 adrian.luke.amos@gmail.com SIRET : 508 248 747 000 18

ARCHITECT Siret. 500 835 189 000 16

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

GLEN VINEY

Monique PEYNAUD

French Architectural Designer

Plasterer

With over 20 years’ experience (8 in France)

Permis de construire Déclaration préalable

Plasterboarding; stud work; rail; skimming boards existing walls; rendering; floor screeding; tiling floors and walls

monique@dessinarchi.fr www.dessinarchi.fr

T: 06 45 18 86 10 Email: anitaviney1@btinternet.com

54 etcetera

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

AC Kitchens & Bathrooms

Imajica Joinery

06 30 91 81 84

Javarzay 79110 Chef-Boutonne

Decennale insured

Siret 527 736 326 00010

artisans

Steve’s property maintenance

BUILDING / MULTI SERVICE

Troy Davey

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

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

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

Andrew Hadfield Based 87330 References Available

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

FULLY INSURED

T. 05 55 50 52 02 E: lowe.steven@orange.fr Siret 84223310800013

One Builder

Tout Batiment

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

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

Siret 434972303RM87 tim_hartley@hotmail.com

M C SCAFFOLDING Siret: 80025145600011

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

Covered by full public liability insurance.

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

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

etcetera 55

artisans

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artisans

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

etcetera 57

artisans Siret 489 815 258 00012

Sun Terraces (traditional joinery),

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

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

Advertise Your Business From as little as 35€ ttc

New edition - every month

Contact Sam or Gayle: editors.etcetera@gmail.com

58 etcetera

Siret: 49411778100018

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

artisans

Roofing / Renovatio Roofing / Renovations

ROOFING SPECIALISTS Insurance guarantee on all work. 15 years’ experience

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

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)

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

Tel: 05.55.60.23.70 / 06.85.43.13.58 Email: rcc87@live.fr

Based Saint-Junien. Covering Depts 87-16-24

Depts: 87,86,16 & 23 Siret: 799 894 860 000 11

Siret : 531 655 231 00 11

Minidigger, Driver & Tipper Truck Free estimates

www.davesdiggers.com Email davesdiggers@aol.com Dave Good 0549 073358/ 0675 180913

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Siret 82184631800011

Gravel driveways, rubbish/ tree stump removals, trenches etc

M&M CONSTRUCTION

Based near Couhé 86/79/16 siret 5250162590018

For more information and a quote

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

South West France Fosse Trained-Approved-Recommended

by SPANC

Etudes * Conception * Surveys Maintenance * Service * Remedial

See all our work on

Siret 8234 2070 800013

southwestfrancefosse

etcetera 59

artisans / motors & removals

Read the digital version every month

www.etceteraonline.org motors & removals Walton Coachworks 87600 Vayres Nick Walton 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

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NEW

• 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

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

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

60 etcetera

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 A Family Run Storage Firm in the Heart of the Limousin Brexit-busting Super Low Prices!

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

Visit

66 03 52 89

siret: 48252490700011

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

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

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

Please call Phil and Jean Evans....

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

Siret 502 021 660 00019

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property

PROPERTY SALES IN FRANCE Private Property Sales with Expert Advice

www.propertysalesinfrance.com

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

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listing

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listing

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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

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