the deux-sevres monthly - december 2012

THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY

CONTENTSWelcome! to ‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’ magazine.. .Christmas Special 2012.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed putting together this festive issue, but of course it does mean that I think it’s already Christmas and have to wait another month until the real thing!

Not a bad thing actually -‐ as we are not yet finished with our barn conversion! We met our

first deadline and the wood burner is fitted, now we have lots of painting and floor tiling, before we can bring out our furniture from storage. Our family can relax....we will make it for Christmas Dinner!

Whether you are staying in France or off to visit family in the UK, Rob and I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Email: [email protected] or Tel: 05 49 70 26 21.

THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS 79 Renovations..........................................................................................A Cut Above Mobile Hairdressing with Jilly..............................................A La Bonne Vie (Restaurant)......................................................................Ace Pneus (Tyre Supplier & Fitter)............................................................Affordable UK Designs (Kitchens & UPVC D/Glazing)...............................AKE Petits Travaux (Builder)......................................................................Alan Pearce (Plumbing & Heating)............................................................Andrew Longman (Plumber).....................................................................An English Nursery in France (Garden Centre).........................................Angie Weston Mosaic Courses..................................................................Antiquites Decoration & Galerie du 309...................................................Architect anglais en France (Vaughan Abbott)..........................................Blevins Franks Financial Management Ltd................................................Bois Nature Energie (Firewood Supplier)..................................................British Mobile Mechanic (John Purchase).................................................Cafe Cour du Miracle.................................................................................Café des Belles Fleurs................................................................................Caniclôture (Hidden fencing).....................................................................Charente Hair & Bridal (Mobile & Bridal Hairdressing)............................Chris Bassett Construction........................................................................Christies (English Book Shop and Tea Room)............................................Cottage Services (Garden Maintenance)..................................................CSB Construction.......................................................................................Cut 46 (Hair Salon).....................................................................................Dave Bowring (Electrician)........................................................................D J Maintenance (Handyman)...................................................................David Watkins (Chimney Sweep)..............................................................Delux Canine Hotel....................................................................................deVere Group (Financial Advisors)............................................................Energie-‐79..................................................................................................Fresco Interiors (Interior Design)..............................................................Garage Planchet........................................................................................Gardening & Cleaning Services (Dean Smalley)........................................George Rayner Computers........................................................................Glass 2 France (uPVC Windows & Doors).................................................Hair by Janet..............................................................................................Hallmark Electronique (Electricians & Sat. Engineers)..............................Homes in France (Estate Agent)................................................................Ian & Sue Parrington Woodburning Stoves...............................................Insink Plumbing.........................................................................................Institut de Beauté Myriam........................................................................James Harris (Plasterer).............................................................................JMH French Solutions................................................................................John Etherington (Home and Garden)......................................................John Snee (Groundworks & Septic Tanks).................................................John Spray Maçonnerie (Stonemason).....................................................Julie’s Cleaning Services............................................................................La Deuxieme Chance (Annie Sloan chalk paint supplier)..........................La Joie de Vivre..........................................................................................Leggett Immobilier....................................................................................Le Relais Délice (Restaurant).....................................................................Mad Hatter’s Kitchen (Restaurant)...........................................................Magnetic Double Glazing..........................................................................Maisonette de Michelle (Silicone moulds)...............................................Man & Van.................................................................................................Michael Glover (Plasterer, Renderer & Tiler)............................................Michael Hobson (Painter & Decorator).....................................................MKR Mobile Beauty...................................................................................ML Computers...........................................................................................MS Electrique (Electrician)........................................................................Mutuelle de Poitiers Assurances...............................................................Nathan Foster Building Services................................................................Pamela Irving (Massage & Reflexology)....................................................Pascale Matéo (French Lessons)...............................................................Pause! Cafe l’Absie.....................................................................................Philip Irving (Mini Digger hire)..................................................................Poitou Property Services...........................................................................Premier Autos -‐ Mike Lane (Mechanic).....................................................RDK Roofing & Building Services...............................................................Rob Berry (Plasterer).................................................................................Robert Walker Plomberie (Plumbing, Heating, Air con)...........................Ross Hendry (Interface Consulting & Engineering)...................................Sally Cox Stained Glass..............................................................................Salumba with Sally Lanario.......................................................................Samantha Matthews (Nail Technician & Make-‐up Artist)........................Satellite TV (Nigel Gubb)...........................................................................sarl Down to Earth (Groundwork & Construction)...................................Siddalls (Financial Advisors)......................................................................Simon The Tiler..........................................................................................Spectrum IFA Group (Amanda Johnson)...................................................Steve Enderby............................................................................................Sue Burgess (French Courses & Translation)............................................Taylor Electricté.........................................................................................The English Mechanic & Son -‐ Tony Eyre...................................................The Market (Luché-‐sur-‐Brioux).................................................................Thompson Interiors (Dry-‐lining and plastering)........................................Total Renovation Services (Michael Dominey).........................................Tracey Bowring (Hairdressing & Nails)......................................................Traducteurs Assermentés sarl (Sworn Translators)...................................Trisha Mobile Hairdresser..........................................................................Val Assist (Translation Services)................................................................VMP & Steve Reid (Windows & Doors)....................................................

Emergency Numbers:15 SAMU, Medical17 Gendarmes, Police18 Pompiers, Fire

112 European emergency113 Drugs and alcohol

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<<The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly>> est édité par Sarah Berry, La Bartière, 79130, Secondigny. Tél: 05 49 70 26 21. Directeur de la publication et rédacteur en chef: Sarah Berry. Crédits photos: Sarah Berry, Clkr et morgeufile.com. Impression: Raynaud Imprimeurs, zone industrielle, BP13, 79160, Coulonges-‐sur-‐l’Autize. Dépôt légal: decembre 2012 -‐ Tirage: 4 500 exemplaires. Siret: 515 249 738 00011 ISSN: 2115-‐4848

© Sarah Berry 2012. All rights reserved.Material may not be reproduced without permission. While care is taken to ensure that articles and features are accurate, Sarah Berry accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction. The opinions expressed and experiences shared are given by individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the publisher.Please ensure you verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere.

à plus, Sarah.

What’s On.......................................................................................................4Hobbies, Clubs & Associations.......................................................................6Getting Out & About......................................................................................7Take a Festive Break......................................................................................15Health, Beauty & Fitness..............................................................................16Our Furry Friends..........................................................................................18The Great Outdoors......................................................................................20French Life, Food & Drink.............................................................................22French Adventures.......................................................................................25Motoring.......................................................................................................26Communications...........................................................................................28Building & Renovation..................................................................................30Business, Finance & Property.......................................................................35

Annual Subscription.If you would like to receive a copy of ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ magazine by post each month, please complete this form and send to La Bartière, 79130 Secondigny. Please enclose a cheque to cover postage for the year.28€ within France, 18€ to addresses in UK.(Unfortunately the cheaper ‘printed papers’ rate cannot be applied to addresses within France, only when sending abroad)

Full Name:Postal Address:

Please make cheques payable to SARAH BERRY.

Postcode: Country:

Tel:

Email:


Monthly services in the English speaking Anglican Church in the Vendée:

Puy de SerreAll Saints, Vendée holds two services each month, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St. Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11am. After each service, tea and coffee is served in the parish room and everyone is invited to a ‘bring and share’ lunch.

Other services are held in the west of the Vendée, in La Chapelle Achard and La Chapelle Palluau. For details of these, please check the website: www.allsaintsvendee.fr

English speaking 2012 Christmas Services across the Poitou-‐Charentes:10th December St Jean d’Angély (17) at 18.30 Ecumenical celebration ~ 9 Lessons & Carols12th December Parthenay (79) at 19.00 Ecumenical celebration ~ 9 Lessons & Carols13th December Cognac (16) at 18.00 Ecumenical celebration ~ 9 Lessons & Carols16th December Verteuil (16) at 10.30 Christmas Celebration16th December Montbron(16) at 17.30 Ecumenical Celebrahon ~ 9 Lessons & Carols17th December Civray (86) at 19.00 Ecumenical celebration ~ 9 Lessons & Carols18th December St Dizant (17) at 18.30 Ecumenical celebration ~ 9 Lessons & Carols23rd December Janac Temple (16) 10.30 Ecumenical Celebration ~ 9 Lessons & Carols24th December Alloue (16) at 18.00 Christmas Eve Holy Communion25th December Genouillé (86) at10.30 Christmas Day Holy Communion

2012 Christmas Services are supported by the Anglican Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-‐Charentes. For more information please take a look at our service pages on http://www.church-‐in-‐france.com or contact Valerie on 05 49 97 04 21 or [email protected].

A VERY WARM WELCOME awaits you at ESCOVAL (The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire). Communion Services are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at La Chapelle de la Bonne Dame de Ranton at 11.30am followed by a Bring and Share lunch. Full details of how to find us may be found on our website at: www.escoval.org or please telephone us at: 05 49 66 79 14. Our GPS address is 46˚59'25.30 N 0˚02'06.22 W.

What’s On... December 2012

Contact ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’

La Bartière, 79130, Secondigny.Telephone: 05 49 70 26 21

or email: [email protected] see our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

1st December -‐ English Speaking Church Christmas BazaarAt Salle Polyvalente, Savigne (86) 10.30am-‐3.30pm. Including Christmas gifts, toys, jewellery, collectibles, cakes, sweets, cards, books, raffle, produce and a visit from Santa! Please email: [email protected] for more details.1st & 2nd December -‐ St Loup Christmas MarketOpen Saturday at 3pm-‐midnight, Sunday 10am-‐7pm.1st & 2nd December -‐ Old King Cole -‐ The PantoEncore Theatre perform a festive show at Foyer Rural, Loulay. For more information please see www.encore-‐theatre.org2nd December -‐ Christmas Fair.At Melleran, 11am -‐ 5pm in aid of Cancer Support Deux-‐Sèvres. For further informahon please contact Ann Ashwell on 05 49 27 22 83 or email [email protected] December -‐ Christmas FayreAt La Grande Galerie, Civray. Info at: www.grandegaleriefrance.com.6th December -‐ Christmas Quiz and Fish & ChipsAt Bar le Cabane de Vouhé, Vouhé. Starts at 7.30pm Fish and Chips available. Please call 05 49 64 15 31 to book.7th December -‐ Christmas MarketAt the Tipsy Bar, Coulonges-‐sur-‐l’Autize, 3.30pm-‐6pm. With a variety of stalls incl. soaps and candles, spice giftpacks, cards & crackers, jewellery and more. Mulled wine, crépes & mince pies. Email: [email protected] for info.7th December -‐ Xmas Trivia Quiz & Indian MealAt Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. 8pm. Please see advert on P.24 for more information.9th-‐24th December -‐ Christmas Market in Niort30 chalets selling artisant’s made products and produce. They are split between the newly modernised Place du Temple near the Breche square and the newly completed square close to the covered Market.9th December -‐ Bilingual ConcertAt the Lutheran Church in Prailles (79370, next to the school and Mairie) at 3.00pm. Free entrance. Welcome coffee served afterwards. You’re warmly invited! Contact: Thomas Constantini 06 21 33 21 78, [email protected], blog: elpsfb.blogspot.org9th December -‐ Christmas Dinner with JazzAt Restaurant des Canards, Chef Boutonne. Booking is advised. Tel: 05 49 29 73 46.12th December -‐ Carols, mince pies and mulled wine.All welcome at The Filling Station -‐ Vendee South. 6.30pm for 7.30pm. La Grange, 39 rue du Centre, Thouarsais Bouildroux, 85410. Contact 09 60 49 78 50.14th-‐16th December -‐ Marché de NoëlAt La Mothe St Héray. Please see P.7 for more information.14th December -‐ Music/Bistro NightAt the Mad Hatter’s Kitchen, Caunay. Music by A Vee and Andy Em. See page 24 for more details.14th December -‐ Carols by CandlelightAt l’eglise Sainte-‐Marthe, Puy de Serre at 7pm. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the Salle Paroissale. 15th December -‐ Christmas FayreAt The Market, Luché sur Brioux. Stallholder space available.Please see advert on P.7 for more details.15th December -‐ 2 day Christmas Fair.At the Maillezais Abbey 2pm -‐ 8pm and on Sunday 16th December from 10.30am to 7pm. Entry is Free. Enquiries at Tel: 0251 87 22 80. or www.vendee.fr15th December -‐ Xmas Fancy Dress Party & Live MusicAt Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. Please see details on P.24. 15th December -‐ Terves Christmas MarketOrganised by Association Aidez. Please find more details on P.7.16th December -‐ Marché de NoelIn Gençay, 86160, from 8am-‐6pm. Lots to see and do...21st December -‐ Live Music with ‘The French Connection’Celebrate Christmas with the areas no.1 band at the bar/restaurant ‘Au fil de l'eau’, Mervent. Enjoy a great meal or just come along for a drink and a dance. Table reservations necessary on 02 51 00 00 04.31st December -‐ New Year’s Eve Dinner DanceWith Live Music at Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. For more information, please see advert on P.24.

http://www.church-in-france.com/




http://www.vendee.fr/

http://www.vendee.fr/


Congratulations to this month’s competition

winner,Helen Tait-Wright, 79290

WINNER!

‘The DSM’ Monthly Photograph Competition

Paperback Jan Books in English 2nd Dec: Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux . 2 -‐ 4pm5th Dec: Cafe Cour de Miracle, Vouvant. 2.30 -‐ 4.30pm6th Dec: Bar le Palais, St Aubin le Cloud. 2 -‐ 5pm6th Dec: Bar La Cabane de Vouhé, Vouhé. 6.30 -‐ 8pm*7th Dec: Bar de la Paix, Thouars. 12.00 -‐ 2pm7th Dec: Le Tipsy Bar, Coulonges-‐sur-‐l’Autize. 4 -‐ 6pm8th Dec: Cafe Le Chauray, St Maixent l’Ecole. 10.00am -‐ 1pm9th Dec: Pause! Christmas Market, L’Absie. 2 -‐ 5pm13th Dec: Pause! Cafe, L’Absie. 2-‐ 5pm14th Dec: Jan’s home, La Ferrière-‐en-‐Parthenay. 11am -‐ 4pm15th Dec: Christmas Market, Church Hall, Terves . From 11am.21st Dec: Le P’tit Boucard, Menigoute. 4 -‐ 6pm27th Dec: Joie de Vivre, Moncoutant. 2 -‐ 5pm

For more info contact Jan on:06 08 30 73 29 or email: [email protected]

Reel Fish & Chips Traditional English style Fish & Chips We have no Fish and Chips venues this month. Instead we will be delivering ‘The DSM’ to the following places for collection at any time during the month.

*Bar Tabac PMU, Bouille-‐Loretz *Bar 'au bon accueil', St Martin de Sanzay

Tel: 06 04 14 23 94, or visit: www.reelfishandchips.net

Fish 4 Chip Fish, Chips & mushy peas!

Mondays: Bar Tilleuls, Champniers (near Civray)Tuesdays: Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square & can be eaten in local bar)Wednesdays:Chef Boutonne (near Chateau)Thursdays: Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square & can be eaten in local bar)Fridays: Mansle (Car park of Simply Supermarket)

Tel: 06 37 53 56 20, or visit: www.mobilefishandchipsfrance.com

Open 6-8pm

La Vendee Chippy Traditional Fish & Chips in France!

Wednesdays (Dec 5th and 12th only)Bar ‘Auberge le St Vincent’, St Vincent SterlangesFridays (Dec 7th and 14th only)Bar ‘Au Bon Coin’, Thoursais BouildrouxLa Vendee Chippy will be Under New Management from the New Year. Venues will resume as normal in February 2013.For more info please email: [email protected]

Open 6-8pm

Local MarketsMondays:

Tuesdays:

Wednesdays:Thursdays:

Fridays:

Saturdays:

Sundays:

• Lencloitre (1st Monday in month)

(dept.86)• Lezay• Coulonges-sur-l’Autize• Thouars• Parthenay• Sauzé Vaussais• Niort• Thouars• Melle• Chef Boutonne• Airvault• Niort• St. Maixent l’École• Fontenay le Comte• Neuville (dept.86)

Pho

to: L

isa

Ro

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ts

Christmas Day (Noël)Tuesday 25 December...........

The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days 2012 (remaining):

*+ Quiz & Fish and Chips

Mr T’s Friterie Plat à Emporter Traditionnel Britannique With regular venues at:• Aulnay (Open from 6pm) • Beauvoir Sur Niort• Gourville • Loulay

See www.frying2nite.com for details or call 06 02 22 44 74* Please note Winter opening hours

Open 6.30-8.30pm*• Matha • St Hilaire de Villefranche• St Jean d’Angély

*Shopi -‐ Argenton Les Vallees. *Bar Tabac -‐ Genneton

For a full list of our advertising rates, please phone for an

advertising pack or download from our website.

Tel: 05 49 70 26 21www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

This compehhon has now come to an end and we would like to say a huge Thank You to all who have entered over the last 17 months.

Which was your favourite? We will be offering a prize for the best cover photograph, as voted by ‘The DSM’ readers.

If you would like to view all winning photographs and place a vote for your favourite, please go to our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr .

(Closing date 31st December 2012).


Alone in France?We are a group of people living alone in the L'Absie area who meet regularly for coffee and lunches. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am for coffee at the Pause cafe in L'Absie. Our lunches are at different venues each month. There's a warm welcome if you'd like to join us. More details from Frank 05 49 69 80 47.

Association Meridien GreenWe are an Anglo-‐French group which was founded in 2001 for mutual understanding of each other's language and culture. We meet twice weekly in the Salle des Associations in St Coutant, 79120. The best way to find out more is to visit our website -‐ www.meridiengreen.asso.fr or contact Maureen Dalby: 05 49 29 94 50.The name of our group comes from the fact that St Coutant is on the Greenwich Meridian!

Hobbies, Clubs & Associations...

The Filling Station Poitou-‐CharentesMeetings at The Little Stone Church, 14b Avenue de d’Hôtel de Ville. 79110 Chef Boutonne. ALL WELCOME. Interested to find out more? Please view the website: www.thefillingstation.org.uk or contact Mike Willis 05 49 87 89 16. [email protected] Filling Station, Vendee SouthNext meeting 12th Dec, 6.30pm at La Grange, 39 rue du centre, Thouarsais Bouildroux 85410. Telephone Chris & Julie on Tel: 0960 497850 and view website: thefillingstation.org.uk

CRAFT CAFE CREATIFIf you enjoy sewing, knitting, crochet or any crafts, you are invited to bring along your current project to our venue in L’Absie and join a like-minded group of women, for friendship and to exchange ideas over a cup of tea. For further information contact: [email protected].

2nd Sunday Motorcycle Clubwww.2ndsundayclub.fr

If you would like to attend our coffee mornings please contact us via the website........New members always welcome!

Franglais ThouarsThe Thouars ‘Franglais’ group meets every Wednesday from 19.30h to 21.00h, in the Association’s centre at 7 rue Anne Desrays, Thouars, for conversation in English and French.We welcome those of all nationalities who would like to participate. Either come along to see us one evening, or contact us at: Mobile: 06 52 21 92 34 ~ Email: [email protected]

The Harmonics based in the Salle d'Annexe behind the mairie in Civray are looking for singers. We meet each Wednesday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. No experience necessary just a willingness and commitment to learn. We sing all sorts of music, from stage and screen, gospel, classical, country songs, madrigals and in several languages, whatever the music dictates.We are a small and friendly group who would love to meet you.Contact: Dolly Ait Boualou:05 45 22 89 32email [email protected] or Margaret Gomersall on 05 49 48 09 02, email: [email protected]

Book Group....meeting 2nd Thursday of the month from 3pm at Christies Tea Room & Bookshop, Gençay, 86160.Take a look at the Book Group page on the website: www.chezchristies.com for more information.

Secondigny Running Club...Put the bounce back in your step.Join our friendly and supportive running group.All abilities welcome.Email Kelly for more details: [email protected]

LA CHAPELLE GAUDIN CRAFT GROUPWe are a small group of ladies who are keen to meet other like minded people to form a craft circle.All crafts are welcome -‐ needlecraft, paper craft -‐ anything goes!If you are interested, please contact HELEN AURELIUS HADDOCK: [email protected] or join us on FACEBOOK(search: LaChappelleGaudinCraftGroup)

I speak English and 4 other European languages (all self taught) and I am looking for somebody to speak face to face and by telephone to practice my English. I live in Chauray, 79180Please contact me by email: [email protected]. or by telephone: 06 47 33 74 34.

International journalist, Consultant for unemployed seniors and professional speaker.

Beginnersʼ lessons: Rock ʻnʼ Roll: Fridays at 8pm.Cha cha cha and Waltz: Mondays at 7pmSalle Leo Lagrange in Parthenay.For details of other classes and social events contact: [email protected]

or call Chris on: 05 49 94 20 23

Through the Lens GroupLocal photography group who meets on the last Monday in each month to chat about all things photography! New members welcome. For further information contact:Ian Gawn: 02 51 00 84 52 or Brian Preece: 05 49 72 09 94

Les Amis Solitaires

We are a group of people living alone in France. We meet up for coffee mornings from 11am.1st Tuesday: The Gallery, Civray (coinciding with market day).Every 2nd & 4th Thursday, The Lemon Tree, Sauzé Vaussais.Every 3rd Thursday, Sports Bar, Confolens. More details from Gwen Shepherd 05 49 87 91 79

Le Tallud Boules en bois are offering sessions every Wednesday from 16h to 18h from April through to September 2013 at the parc de Loisirs, Le Tallud. Everyone is welcome to come and play or learn the game of boules en bois. We have all the equipment, just turn up for half an

hour or more for a bit of exercise and socialising. Details from Rosemary Williamson [email protected]

http://www.thefillingstation.org.uk/

http://www.thefillingstation.org.uk/

mailto:[email protected]








https://www.facebook.com/LaChappelleGaudinCraftGroup?ref=hl





Christmas Market & Truffle Market in La Mothe St-Héray...On Sunday 16th December, 80 exhibitors comprising producers, artisans and associations, invite you to discover their activities in the streets and halls of our small characterful village. There will be many ideas for filling those christmas stockings !

The Truffle market starts from 9:30am and gives place of honour to this small "black diamond" with chefs using the truffle in recipes both sweet and savoury in front of your eyes. Unfamiliar with truffles ? Don't miss the opportunity to come and taste.

During the day, a selection of activities for young and old alike: street entertainment christmas stories at 11.00am at the library, concerts of all genres, photos with santa, visit the mill, restaurants, bars and much more! For further information: 05.49.05.06.05. / www.la-‐mothe-‐saint-‐heray.fr

Getting Out & About...

Page 7

What’s Your Favourite Christmas Film?My personal favourite movie for the festive season is the Polar Express, but it got me wondering what others would say....

So I asked the ladies of L.I.F.T and here are their Top 10:

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

2. Love Actually (2003)

3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

4. The Polar Express (2004)5. The Muppet Christmas Carol

(1992)6. White Christmas (1954)7. The Holiday8. Elf (2003)9. Chronicles of Narnia (2005)10.Wizard of Oz (1939)

What is L.I.F.T?L.I.F.T is a ladies only group that can be found on Facebook. It is Social Networking at its best....and let’s face it in the quiet areas of rural France it’s lovely to have that connection!

The group now has 887 members, from all areas of France. The ladies in this area generally meet up once a month for a lunch and a natter, and if you are new to the area it is the perfect way to find new friends and ask questions about how things are done.

The group is open to anyone with a Facebook account. Just search for: LIFT -‐ Ladies in France Together and click to request to become a member. Once accepted, sit back and read the many posts on the forum. It’s definitely a lively page!


Christmas Gift Ideas...1. Ian & Sue Parrington Woodburning Stoves, 79340 VaslesJewellery, scarves & cashmere pashminas, ornaments, pictures, clocks, metal art, handmade chocolates, children’s gifts, mugs & tea pots, the list goes on....We are open 10.00 – 12.30 / 14.30 – 17.30, Tuesday – Saturday.

2. Institut de Beauté Myriam, 79240 L’AbsieFacials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, make up and body care.Open Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am-12pm and 2pm-6pm. Saturday 9am-12pm. Appointments are also available outside of these hours by arrangement.

3. La Joie de Vivre, 79320 MoncoutantIf you're looking for Christmas presents then come & visit La Joie de Vivre in Moncoutant (SW of Bressuire, 79). You'll find beautiful gifts at extremely reasonable prices. ~ Unique mosaic side/garden tables, bowls, trays & other stylish pieces. Stunning cockerel pottery platters, jugs, mugs & more all hand made in Deux Sevres. Also many other gift ideas large & small from attractive furniture & furnishings, photo frames & unusual wall art to adorable cuddly toys looking for new homes for Christmas!

Enjoy a browse around the shop & a drink in our salon de thé.

4. Angie Weston Mosaic Courses.Are looking for an unusual Christmas gift? Angie’s mosaics are on sale at many retail outlets throughout the department including the Melle Tourist Office, and La Joie de Vivre in Moncoutant.

Why not treat someone to a mosaic lesson this Christmas or make your own mosaic christmas presents for your family and friends. Perhaps mosaic a garden table ready for spring. Large Projects can be created over a number of weeks or months and kept on site in the studio from week to week , smaller projects can be finished in a couple of sessions. Explore your creativity.

5. Maisonette de MichelleDo you want to give someone a gift with a difference this year? Maybe you know someone who loves to be creative. Or maybe you're the one with the creative touch? Then maybe one of our silicone moulds are just what you are looking for? Thanks to their versatility, silicone moulds can be used to make a whole range of different things. From cakes to muffins, Chocolates, sweets and unique ice cubes. Soaps and candles, Jewellery or even casting in plaster of Paris. ~ So why not have a go and make your very own handmade gifts this Christmas?


6. Christie’s Book Shop & Tea Room, 86160 Gençay.Christmas at Christie’s! A genuine welcome with delicious seasonal Tea Room offerings that make ideal gifts: our well-‐loved Rich & Boozy Christmas Cakes, Mince Pies and Christmas Pudding Truffles.

We’ve beautiful, practical gifts too, all carefully-‐selected and reasonably-‐priced: lovely fine bone china mugs; charming hand-‐painted wine glasses; bejewelled handbag holders; chic tapestry bags; eye-‐catching pens and torches; Christmas Puzzles and lots more!

9. www.jmhfrenchsolutions.euMany unique Christmas gifts ava i l a b l e on l i n e . I t ems including garden pots, wine racks, mirrors and money boxes to name a few.

10. Sally Cox Stained Glass.See me at St Loup Christmas Market 1st & 2nd December & Pierrefitte Christmas Market on Sunday 16th December.

New Gift Idea for Christmas!Why not buy a gift certificate which the recipient can spend on the stained glass course of their choice?

7. La Deuxieme Chance, 79240 Vernoux-‐en-‐Gatine. A range of items to delight and inspire you! Hand-‐made Christmas decorations, Christmas Wreaths, Annie Sloan books, Paints and Waxes, Workshops Vouchers.

Market Dates: Nov 29th: Open Day @ Les Belles Foyes,79240, Vernoux en Gatine ~ Dec 4th: La

Grande Galerie, Civray ~ Dec 7th: Tipsey bar, Coulonges-‐sur-‐ L’Autize ~ Dec 9th: Pause Café, L’Absie ~ Dec 15th: Terves ~ Dec 16th: La Mothe St-‐Héray .

8. Antiquites Decoration & Galerie du 309, NiortWelcome to Antiquités Décoration! Vintage items make great gifts because they are unique! So if you are an antique or vintage lover, here you can find an affordable assortment of Christmas gifts. A wide variety of antique furniture and decorative objects as well as paintings and artwork.For further information visit our website: antiquite-‐decoration-‐galerie309.com

http://antiquite-decoration-galerie309.com/




THE DEUX-SÉVRES MONTHLY

What is the Pays de Gâtine? The Pays de Gâtine is the French equivalent of a district council. The office is situated in Parthenay and the Gâtine covers 100 communes. It stretches from La Vendée to La Vienne, down to Mazière-‐en-‐Gâtine and as far north as Airvault. It is the largest ‘Pays’ in Poitou-‐Charentes and has always had a reputation for being dynamic.

The Pays aim is to co-‐ordinate people and projects coming under its charter (2000). That means directly advising and financially helping communes, communuates des communes, associations and individuals. To do this also involves working with the Conseil Régional, the State and Europe. My colleagues work in the areas of housing and urbanism, local economy, social welfare and child care, cultural events, unemployment and agriculture. I fit in as someone who helps to welcome newcomers to the area.

Why was the job set up? This job was actually created in 2003 when the mayors noticed a lot of English speaking newcomers arriving and then finding it very difficult to integrate. Mr Favreau, the President of the Pays de Gâtine, wanted to ease this situation for all concerned.

What does the job entail? On a part-‐time basis, I am here to help you by pointing you in the right direction so that you can get the answers to your questions about your new life in France. I do not accompany people or translate and neither can I say which shop or business to go to. I am not allowed to advertise commercial events or to be directly involved in commercial undertaking. On the other hand, I can tell you where to go and who to speak to in order to get the advice or information you need.

I work closely with the mayors and French offices such as the job centre, tax office, with French social assistants and welfare offices, language centres, the chambers of Agriculture, Commerce and 'Metiers' and the office that covers services for the elderly. I help and advise the British associations that have been set up in France and maintain regular contact with the French associations, particularly as they often want to include the British in their events. My colleagues from the Pays de Gatine offices often consult me when dealing with projects that involve newcomers to France. I also have regular contact with the British consulate in Bordeaux and the various charities that can help people when in difficulty. To help further, I keep in touch with other areas of France also affected by new populations arriving and we swap ideas and meet up occasionally.

I also set up meetings to let people know what is available and these have covered subjects such as, looking for work locally, the auto-‐entrepreneur scheme, Age Concern and returning to Great Britain, Inheritance laws and the difference between France and the UK. There are yearly meetings for the various British associations and the press is invited to try to increase awareness of what is available and to keep open a network of communication.

To try and keep 'my finger on the pulse' I have a group of volunteers (the European Working Group) who come into the office every 6 weeks, we chew over ideas for meetings and ideas to help make your life easier over here. Last year saw the launching of the “In Case of Emergency” leaflet (‘The DSM’ Aug. 2012 ?) and The Nattering Network (‘The DSM’ Oct. 2012). However, if you think that something is missing, which might help others like yourselves who have moved to the Gâtine, or if you have an idea for a subject for a meeting, please feel free to let me know.

Further information can be found on www.gatine.org.

by Julia SALVAT

Julia SALVAT, Pays de Gatine. 46 bld Edgar Quinet, BP 505, 79208, Parthenay.

Tel: 05 49 64 25 49 ~ Email: [email protected]

Reality Christmasby Caroline Roxburgh-Abbs

Christmas is coming, The dog is getting fat,

There's frost upon the window pane,The cat upon the mat..

The fire's burning, warm and snug,The Sloe Gin's nearly there,

If the cake gets more brandy,There won’t be one to share!

3 months now 'The Day' awaits.....the children with bated breath.

Days crossed off and talked aboutUntil Mums are sick to death..!!

The Halloween pumpkins had baubles on,There's snow talk every day,

"Does Santa come down the chimney Mum?""Or through the window?" they say!

They've argued out the advent days,Before they've even started!

And Mum says, " He wont come if you do that""And it's not the dog that's farted!"

A Christmas list - ha ha ha ha!Who needs such things these days!"Amazon has it all in a wish list!"She says with her eyebrows raised.

Oh to be a joy filled child,No idea of the bills flooding in,

No wonder we feel so riled!Although in mind, there's the cake...and the gin!

Oh yes, I believe in Santa Claus,Father Christmas or St Nick,He has A LOT to answer for,Cursed mincepie dog sick!!

So, when the stockings are "hung by the chimney with care",

Please make sure the fire is cool,Else there'll be 20 red Santa Pompiers,

Making you feel the fool!

Alors, we've remembered the mince pie and pineau,

All presents are wrapped and cards sent,The stockings are hung...at the end of

their beds!!!It is now, the end of advent!

Plonk, we sit down to watch a fab movie,Children's eyes animated with glee,

The Polar Express thunders into the room,On our newly cracked plasma tv!

Enjoy the festive season!Stay warm and laugh a lot!

Merry Christmas ... and New Year too!And...try not to...lose the plot!!!

http://www.gatine.org/

http://www.gatine.org/


Same DifferenceThe versatile, useful French word «même» can be an indefinite adjective, indefinite pronoun, or adverb. The word is also used in some expressions.

When used as an indefinite adjective, the meaning of the word «même» differs according to whether the word precedes or follows the noun. Before a noun, «même» means "same": «C'est la même chose !» (It's the same thing!) «J'ai lu le même livre» (I read the same book).

After a noun or pronoun, «même» emphasizes that thing and means "(one)self": «Il a perdu la bague même». He lost the ring itself. “J'aurai dû le faire moi-‐même” (I should have done it myself).

«Le même» means "the same" and may be singular or plural. «C'est le même». (It's the same). As an adverb, «même» means "even" «Même Jacques est venu.» (Even Jacques came). «Il avait même acheté un billet.» (He even went so far as to buy a ticket).

«Pareil, pareille, pareils, pareilles» -‐ an adjective, meaning equal or similar when comparing two people or two things. « Je voudrais une étoffe pareille à celle que vous m'avez montrée » (I'd like some material that is the same as the material you showed me). « On n'a rien vu de pareil ». (We've never seen anything like it).

« Sans pareil » means unequalled. « C'est un homme sans pareil ». « Pareil » can also mean of the same type. « Comment avoir commis une pareille faute ? » (How could you have made such a mistake / that type of mistake?)

« Les pareils », a masculine plural noun is used to mean people from the same country, state or with the same character as the person you are talking about. « Vous pareils ne comportent pas de la même façon que vous ». (Your peers do not behave in the same way as you ). « La pareille » means the same treatment that you have received from someone or that you have dealt out. « je vous rendrai la pareille » (I 'll do the same thing to you ).

«Différent, différente, différent, différentes » -‐ adjective that means unlike, different, distinct. It can also refer to something that has changed or to something that is new or unknown. «Elle est très différente de sa soeur » (She is very different from her sister) « Après 20 ans à l'étranger, j'ai trouvé le quartier bien différent ». (After 20 years abroad, I found the district very different to what it used to be).

« Enfin une émission différente ». (At last, a new type of programme).

by Sue Burgess Vocabulary / Vocabulaire

à même.................................... in position

quand même........................... even so, anyway

tout de même.......................... even so

C'est du pareil au même........... (informal) It's always the same; Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Encore ...................................... another one, more

La même chose ........................ exactly the same thing

Autant de ….. que..................... the same number of … as

aussi ….. que............................. as …. as

à nul autre pareil (literary)...... extraordinary

Rester pareil à soi-‐même......... to stay as you are, despite trials and tribulations

à la différence de ..................... in opposition to

Le droit à la différence.............. The right to be different

La différence d'âge.................... The difference in age

La différence d'avis................... Difference of opinion

à une différence près................ With one small difference

Letters for the ToiletOn arrival in France, Blair McKewen got a knock on the door and the 'facteur' asked "Où est votre boîte à lettres?" Blair thought that the postman was asking "Où est votre toilette" and led him down the entrance hall and through the kitchen.

Maybe you have several such short funny stories of misunderstandings in French? If you send them to Peter ([email protected]) and he receives enough good ones, he will print them in a new column starting in the new year. Please add your name and whether you'd like it printed or not.




Fire Safety in the HomeMy name is John Hoyland & I live in Parthenay with my wife Maureen. My purpose of writing this article is simple, to draw your attention to, and perhaps to remind you of, the importance of FIRE SAFETY.

Let me explain. As a retired Fire Officer from Hertfordshire with 30 yrs service including time as an instructor, it was natural to me to show some interest as to how the French Fire services operated. It started unexpectedly, we bought a house with a French professional fireman living next door!!! Of course as you do, we became friends. At the time he worked in the Charente department but after a couple of years transferred to Deux-‐Sèvres. At this time I was asked by my ex-‐Fire Brigade if I could write an article for the UK magazine about the way things are over here. Not that I knew anything at that time!!

So off I went to what was now the NEW fire station in Parthenay to find out a bit more. I did wonder how I would be received, but fears were quickly dispelled as I was offered every assistance they could give, even to service transport over to Niort to HQ for fact finding. End result of all of this? Numerous articles for a UK magazine & the Department’s own magazine here in Deux-‐Sèvres! followed by joining the retired members’ association, which is both local & nationally based.

Things took a further step forward (I think!) when I was asked to join the ‘Equipe de Soutien’. The support team. They then put me in a Sapeurs-‐Pompier uniform. I must be the oldest recruit they have had -‐ let alone the first Brit.

Now for those of you who speak French well, it’s not too much of a problem to go to meetings etc, but me, well at best I have a Mr. Bricolage grasp of French and it became an education! But so many of the service personnel went out of their way to put me at ease & explain things. So the scene was set for things to move on.

I was quite surprised at the time to find that they were not too pro-‐active in publicity aimed towards households in the field of Fire Safety & domestic smoke alarms. So, I got on my high horse and kept digging and I eventually found myself in schools around Niort giving the pupils a lesson in Fire Safety (was it a case of put up or shut up? I’ll never know!)

So moving on to the subject in hand, I brought up the subject of the English speaking community and we agreed that this magazine would be a good start. So I would like to remind you of the importance of good Fire Safety, GET a SMOKE DETECTOR & think DAFF! This stands for Detector Autonome Avertisseur de fumees.

Here in France there are difficulties in fire emergencies that are different to the UK. 95% of operational persons are volunteers, there are vast distances to travel plus the isolation of some properties and other issues which mean response times are longer, so buy yourself some precious time with a properly sited detector.

With the kind support of the editor of this magazine I will go into things in a bit more detail in the next issue. Hopefully there will be some things of interest to you. After all, it may be interesting to know where some of your taxes go!

Until next time, my best wishes to you all.

by John Hoyland.




Wishing you a veryMerry Christmas!


page 13

Notes from the North

As usual, November is a very busy month for The Royal British Legion. We have the culmination of the annual Poppy Appeal, the ceremonies around Remembrance Day and then the collecting and counting of the monies donated for the Poppies.

The 11th November saw a fairly large contingent of British people (including members of the RBL) at the commemoration in Parthenay. The Northern Group’s new Union Standard was on parade, and for the first time the RBL was given the honour of laying a wreath alongside the French floral arrangements laid by representatives of the town and department. Will Rowe, Chairman of the Northern Group, laid the wreath.

The monies raised by the Northern Section will be counted with that collected by the whole Branch. May we take this opportunity to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to those who donated money, and also to those of you who helped in the distribution and collection of the Poppy boxes, your efforts are truly appreciated. The monies raised by the Poppy Appeal go directly to The Royal British Legion for the care and welfare of Service personnel or their families, both past and present. This year the national and international target is £42,000,000 and your donations will help in the effort to reach this amount.

The 22nd November, 2012 is the designated date for the AGM of the Linazy-‐Poitou Charantes Branch. As this article has been written prior to that meeting I cannot, therefore, comment on any changes there might be to the committee. The website will be updated to advise of any changes made at this meeting. The AGM is followed by the annual Christmas Lunch and is usually a very entertaining event, with the appearance of Santa Claus (Yes, I know – we never grow up!).

Some members of the group will be at the Terves Christmas Market on 15th December, with a ‘Name the Teddy’ challenge, and we look forward to seeing many of you there. Funds raised will go to the Poppy Appeal.

Once again, on behalf of the Northern Group of the Linazay-‐Poitou Charantes Branch, The Royal British Legion – THANK YOU.

Terri Laverick, PRO Northern Section.

UPDATE

Adieu La Vie...Author, Peter Robert Scott has lived and worked in France since 1990, following a twenty-‐five year career as an actor/writer in the UK. He now presents his latest novel (91,000 words) set in the Marais Poitevin between the years 1939 – 2000.

Adieu La Vie: In a quiet village in western France a woman is murdered. She and her son have lived as outcasts since the Occupation, reviled by fellow villagers -‐ she for cohabiting with a German officer, he for being fathered by him -‐ and no one is surprised when the son is convicted of the murder. Years later, an unassuming widow tries to kill an old man in a nursing home. Even at the dawn of the new millennium there are accounts to be settled.

• Available in paperback on amazon.co.uk at £6.29. Eligible for free delivery in mainland UK.• Available in paperback on amazon.fr at €8.12 (Livres Anglais et étrangers) Eligible for free delivery in France. • Available in Kindle format on both sites.

Walking the Hexagon, an escape around France on foot by Terry Cudbird, published by Signal Books.Why did I retire from a job and take off on a unique 4,000 mile walk around France? What possessed me to wear out my sixty-‐year-‐old hips and knees when I could have sat in comfort at home?

In this book I reveal the obsession which is long distance walking -‐ the intoxicating freedom to go where you want, the escape from the complications and paraphernalia of everyday life, the unpredictable encounters. My itinerary covered the six sides of the French hexagon. In a year’s walking I passed through the Pyrenees, the Languedoc, Provence, the Alps, the Jura, Alsace, Lorraine, Picardy, Normandy, Brittany and Aquitaine. En route I discovered the astonishing variety of France’s regions; their culture, history, languages, architecture and food. I also saw many different landscapes, from the majesty of the Alps, to the bleak plains of the North.

I relate the highs and lows of a sometimes gruelling trek: the unexpected acts of kindness but also the guard dogs, snorers in hikers’ refuges, storms, man-‐eating insects, blisters, exhausted limbs, lack of water and a rucksack which was always too heavy. I met hundreds of French people, many with an unusual outlook on life and interesting stories to tell; hermits, hippies, pilgrims, monks and farmers to name but a few. My book is also, in part, the story of an individual coming to terms with his parents’ old age and growing dementia. Through walking I found not only a source of endless new horizons but also the means of accepting the past and its loss.

I studied history at Cambridge and French history at University College London and in France. I have enjoyed long distance walking all my life, having also trekked in New Zealand, Tibet, Mexico and the UK. My web site www.walkingaroundfrance.com describes my route in detail with map references for those who are interested.

Terry Cudbird on the Col de Mary Hautes Alpes

http://www.walkingaroundfrance.com/

http://www.walkingaroundfrance.com/


More from Alison Morton.. Please see back issues of ‘The DSM’ if you would like to see previous articles.

Self Publishing the DIY wayLast month, I outlined the traditional route to getting your book published. The other end of the spectrum is DIY self-‐publishing.

The pros of self-‐publishing include: keeping all the profits after any expenses such as cover design and editing; control over when to publish, cover design, book design and layout, pricing; ability to upload the eBook version very quickly; and most importantly, retaining all the rights. These rights include different formats (large print, audio, paperback); media (film, television, radio); translation versions, etc. and can become a substantial part of an author’s income.

The cons? Of course there are some; tracking down a good editor and skilled cover designer – both essential for a quality book; learning to format and typeset; educating yourself about electronic and physical book distributors; learning about ISBNs, registrations, Nielsen listing; if you produce a print version, getting it stocked in bookshops; running your own marketing campaign; dealing with the prejudice against the self-‐published book.

Some facts about self-‐publishing: • The Taleist survey of 1,007 self-‐published authors says the average yearly earning in 2011 was $10,000

• Half of writers earned less than $500• Romance writers earned 170% more than in other genres• The worst earners were science fiction and literary• The highest earners wrote over 2,000 words a day• Self-‐publishers who received help with story editing, copy editing and proofreading made 13% more than the average.

• Help with cover design increased earnings by 34%.

Some hard questions to ask yourself:• Do you have a novel you believe in? • Have you had somebody else other than friends and family cast a critical eye over it?

• Are you willing to invest financial resources into editing and cover design?

• Are you willing to invest a huge amount of time to promote on social and other media?

• Are you prepared to educate yourself about the industry and interact with other authors, either online or in a writers’ group?

• Are you looking at self-‐publishing as part of a career plan, and not just a get-‐rich-‐quick scheme or because of frustration?

So where do you start? When you are sure you have polished your book, you need to think whether you want to publish just as an eBook – now the most popular way to publish a novel – or as a printed book, or both. Next, I strongly recommend visiting Smashwords, the ebook distributor (www.smashwords.com) which offers free guides and Amazon (kdp.amazon.com) which gives you a mountain of information. Best of all is Catherine Ryan Howard’s Self-‐Printed: The Sane Person's Guide to Self-‐Publishing (2nd Edition) in paperback and Kindle editions.

For a printed book, one of the most popular choices these days for any DIY self-‐publisher is Amazon’s CreateSpace (www.createspace.com) which produces Print On Demand (POD) books which means your book i s on ly

printed and shipped when a customer orders it. Although a little more expensive per book, you avoid a garage-‐full of wilting books.

But if full DIY is a bit daunting, you could buy in specialist publishing services, either piecemeal or in a package. But that’s for next month…


YOUR Book Reviews...

L’Allée du Roi’ (‘The Way of the King’)by Françoise ChandernagorPublished by Julliard 1981

This is a book particularly relevant to our area of France, particularly that area of the Deux-Sèvres, north of Niort, for it tells the story of Françoise de Maintenon the secret wife of ‘The Sun King’ Louis XIV.

Although a novel, this is the nearest thing that the modern reader will have to an autobiography of this long-lived and powerful lady, who had such a marked effect on French history at the end of the 17th century, drawing, as it does, on her own writings and those of her contemporaries. It takes us from her early days as a little girl growing up in the prison at Niort where her father was incarcerated, to the chateau at Mursay where she looked after her aunt’s turkeys, and to the West Indies where she spent her formative years. Then on to her days at the French court, her marriage to the invalid poet and satirist Paul Scarron, and her rise through court circles to become the governess of Louis’ children by Madame de Montespan. Finally, it tells the story of the mutual attraction between Françoise and the French King, their secret marriage, and so on until the end of his long reign.

It is a particularly poignant book for those who have homes in the Deux-Sèvres, for we can still visit many of the places mentioned in the story, such as the ruined chateau at Mursay, and imagine what it was like there in those far-off days.

British history in particular has not been kind to Madame de Maintenon, but this book shows the human side of this educated and powerful lady who rose from ‘goose-girl’ to be the virtual Queen of France.

The book is best read in the original French, but there is an English version available entitled ‘The Way of the King’.

Thank you to Chris Thompson for this review...

Alison Morton writes alternative history thrillers, blogs about writing and Romans at http://alison-‐morton.com/blog/ and is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors.

We would love to show more of YOUR Book Reviews. If you would like to share one with us,

please send it on an email to: [email protected]

http://www.createspace.com/

http://www.createspace.com/


Across:8. Add another phone line to force out what could exceptionally be seasonal weather. (7)9. Follower of a star in misalignment. (5)10. His Christmas house party? (5)11. Kind of salts needed as a result of 3? (7)12. Unusual seat of origin of three far from foolish. (4)13. Let’s adore him! For old-‐fashioned language used when mixing rum soda? (8)16. Err badly about a new level of party -‐goer. (8)19. Chap seen accommodating possible location of crib scene. (4)22. Evidently 15 with presents, judging by sounds of delight. (7)23. See 17. 24. Verbal appeal to type of Christmas tree to have your say? (5)25. He who puts up the tree gives the direction to the vicar. (7)

Please see website: w

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Across:8. Sound of any kind (5)9. A driver who obstructs others (7)10. Gift bearing sages (4-‐3)11. English dynasty from Henry VII to Elizabeth I (5)12. A person kinned by blood or marriage (8)13. Very dainty or refined (4)15. Tiny or scarcely detectable amount (4)17. Christmas time (4-‐4)21. Target sport, 501, double finish! (5)22. A disciple (7)24. Green gem (7)25. An additional payment (5)

Down:1. Winter weather (4)2. Xmas decoration (6)3. Liqueur made of white wine and absinthe (7)4. In a punctual manner (6)5. Father Christmas (5)6. An unilluminated area (6)7. Give pain or sorrow to (8)12. Rudolph (8)14. Regard with fear, to dread, also a stronghold (7)16. Festive poultry (6)18. African country (6)19. In thought -‐ wholly absorbed (6)20. Written composition (5)23. The direction 10 across came from (4)

Sudoku Corner...Easy Challenging

With thanks to M.Morris

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Down:1. He’s on the pull at Christmas time! (8)2. Parents go without a lot, for those we should think of at this Wme? (6) 3. Obese given two directions to find the spread. (5)4. Reformed aristocrat in high definition brings us the good news. (6)5. Those usually doing well at Christmas starred in new production.(7)6. Adoration involved when family meets eastern travellers, going the wrong way. (6)7. Paper comes first in way to dress for dinner at this time. (4)14. Female finding parking for some animals and producing an early witness to 17,23. (8)15. Sad, peel off to invoke reaction to receiving gifts. (7)17&23. Five right in rib reconstruction, aiming for pure beginning. (6,5)18. Follows from what’s seen around us in upheaval. (6)20. Following rat pie recipe for occupation of one pantomime villain. (6)21. Stable door holds one way to describe the fully functional. (5)22. Point to this moment as cause of downfall. (4)

Take a Festive Break...

Toughie Crossword ~ Christmas themed!

DSM Easy Crossword ~ Christmas themed!


Health, Beauty & Fitness...

Hair & Make up Christmas Special Samantha Matthews and Emma Willett, from Charente Hair and Make up are here to bring you some Christmas inspiration and keep you up to date with current trends and our favorite products.

Samantha“My favourite Christmas make up look is the famous black liquid eyeliner and lushious red lipstick. Always apply foundation over the lip to stop the lipstick bleeding. And always apply small delicate strokes with your liquid eyeliner making sure you take it right to the base of the lashes. This look is easily achieved and always creates the WOW factor.

Or for the more natural look I recommend smokey eyes using bronzes and browns with a beautiful nude lip gloss to finish. Always blend darker colours into the outer corner of your eyes, blending is the key to this look.”

Why not add some glamour to your nails having a natural French manicure or an outrageous red sparkling gel?

Samantha’s recommended Christmas product is Yves Rocher colour pallet box set with all the colours to take you from season to season.

Emma“Big is back this festive season, whatever your length of hair volume is essential. For long hair add layers to help create volume and bounce. If you have fine hair or looking to do a simple up do, try using an easy back combing technique. This will give you height, body and the right texture in creating your desired look.

In order to gain the maximum volume by blow drying, it helps to have a good brush. The best brush to use is a large, round with vents to allow the air to flow through. Metal brushes are best, as they retain the heat of the drier which helps increase the volume. Your blow drier should be set on high heat. More heat will create more volume.”

The colour change is in the air with deep brunette and auburn colours leading the way. Whilst a classic blonde may wish to add some subtle low lights for depth and dimension.

Emma’s recommended Christmas product is L’oreal’s mousse volume coiffant studio line indestructible, available at most supermarkets.


Namaste.Now that you have established a smooth comfortable level of breath with the ratio of 1;1, whatever it maybe, you could have a level of 5 in and 5 out, good just so long

as you do not struggle, just easy conscious breathing. Take your awareness to the movement of the breath in the body, as you breath in you will notice an upward motion, navel to throat and as you breath out you will notice a downward movement throat to navel. Imagine a tube with water and as you breath in the tube fills and as you breath out the tube empties, just awareness of up and down. Try to do this for 5 mins each day.

Next month we will add throat constriction to experience :

Ujjayi Pranayama om tat sat.

Classes at ‘Maison pour tous’, L’Absie. 7pm - 8.30pm and Salle de millenaire, rue

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Our Furry Friends...

The Buck Stops HereOne advantage of belonging to a big association is that policy is set on high, by people who don't have direct contact with the animals. So they can make the difficult decisions without being confronted by a pet or its owner. Unfortunately, we don't have that luxury. All our decisions are made at the intimate level of knowing the animal and/or its owner.

One thorny issue for associations is what to do with cats that are FIV positive: some associations have them put down as a matter of course as they don't think that they can be adopted. We had a cat up for adoption, Harry, who turned out to be FIV positive. What do we do with him? Conventional wisdom is that he is unadoptable so should be put down. But we couldn't do that to such a lovely, friendly cat, so he went to a foster home. And now after a number of months he has been reserved and by the time you read this, will be preparing for Christmas in his new home.

FIV is the cat equivalent of AIDS in humans. In general, it is transmitted by bite wounds and sexual intercourse, so intact males who go outside are most at risk. Cats with FIV may not show any symptoms and can live a normal life for years. The only sure way to detect FIV is with a blood test.If you are concerned about FIV, then please discuss it with your vet.

And talking of adoptions, here's a plug for a regal lady called Caprice:

She's only a year old and adores being cuddled. But she does have one character flaw: she doesn't like being around other cats. She does like to go outside. She is neu te red , m i c ro -‐ ch i pped , vaccinated and very clean. She has tested negative for FeIV and FIV.

More details can be found here:www.nosamislesanimaux.com/les-‐animaux.php

Nos Amis Les Animaux 85480 (NALA 85480). Tel: 07 70 31 54 59 ~ Email: [email protected]

Give your Dog a Holiday!Leaving your beloved dog in the care of someone else while you take a holiday, or go back to the UK to see your family, can be a worry. Will the cage be big enough? Will it be warm enough? What about proper exercise? Will he like the food they feed him? Will she be lonely and miss me as much as I miss her? All of these are questions we dog lovers have asked ourselves.

Well, now there is an answer, in the form of a Dog Hotel, situated in the Deux-‐Sèvres, on the border of la Vienne. The owners, Pat and Brian Leeson have decided to register their house as a Dog Hotel and offer a deluxe service for those dog owners who would prefer to know that their dog is living in a warm house; in the company of other dogs; with a free run in a large front courtyard, or larger rear garden -‐ all of which is enclosed and completely secure.

The canine guests at this registered establishment are never locked in cages or barns. As the picture in the ad shows, the dogs have their own well appointed lounge. Guests eat their own particular favourite food, as supplied by their owners. And if the journey is too far for the owners, there is a collection and delivery service to homes, stations, or to airports.

Rates are reasonable. Dogs up to 15 kg are charged at 10 Euros per day, dogs from 16 to 25 kilos are 12.50 Euros per day and from 26 kg to 50 kg, 15.00 Euros per day.

There are superb walks all around and a friendly welcome awaits all guests. Many references are available and visits by prospective clients are welcomed. Why not give it a try?

[email protected] or [email protected]




http://www.nosamislesanimaux.com/les-animaux.php





Family with garden needed for little abandoned cat.This little cat is approx. 6 months old and in great need of attention and is craving love and cuddles. She does not appear to be vaccinated or sterilised and is currently living in Vernoux-‐en-‐Gatine until a forever home can be found.

If you think you may be able to help, please email [email protected]

L’Association Galia is a recognized public utility aiding the adoption of dogs in the shelter of Fontenay Le Comte. We help dogs out of impound, found stray or abandoned to find new families.

Refuge de l'association GaliaChemin des perchées (ancienne déchetterie), 85200 Fontenay Le ComteTel : 02 51 52 06 19 or 06 28 18 13 72, [email protected]

This animal refuge in Saintes has more than 200 dogs and 100 cats seeking forever homes.

Refuge SPA de SAINTESroute des GAUTHIERS, 17100 SAINTES

Tel: 05 46 93 47 65 ~ www.spa.de.saintes.free.fr/

Equine Rescue FranceWe are always looking for new members and we are in need of donations so we may continue to help equines in France. Please support the ERF.

Please contact the Equine Rescue on Tel: 05 49 48 27 91 or visit our website www.equinerescue.org

HOOF (Horse Orientated Open Forum)HOOF is open to anyone with an equine interest.

You do not need to own a horse! We meet about once a month for talks, visits etc. Interested?

Contact Jo Rowe on: 05 49 64 22 67 oremail: [email protected].

The 1901 association MAYDAY MES AMIS was formed in 2011 to bring assistance to animals in need in the l'Absie area. The association recently held its first AGM.

During it's first year Mayday Mes Amis has raised over 4000 Euros in donations and through fund-‐raising events (stall at the l'Absie Braderie, Bernie's quiz at Bar de la Poste and coffee evenings). The money is mainly used for veterinary fees and animal food. The accounts are available for all to see at Bar de la Poste along with the minutes of the AGM.

Over the past 12 months, Mayday Mes Amis has found forever homes for over 15 animals (13 directly by the association and others by word of mouth – putting people in touch with potential adopters). Veterinary care for 19 animals has been paid for. Membership costs a token 1 Euro and members receive a monthly newsletter with updates of fund-‐raising events and animals in need of re-‐homing.For more information, please email : [email protected]

Mayday Mes Amis has been formed to help animals in need in l'Absie and the surrounding area.

MAYDAY MES AMISAPPEAL

This 2 year old boy, Georgy, is very gentle but needs good fencing. He was found wandering about so we don't know much else about him.

If you can offer Georgy a forever home, please contact Julia Hunt at [email protected] or telephone 06 24 07 69 33.

Please remember a pet is for life, not just for Christmas.

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTIONPEACE – 7 Month Old Calico Girl

Poor Peace was dumped in a carrier bag, but luckily was found and is safely in Phoenix foster care. Peace is a confident girl, typically inquisitive, playful and mischievous, she gets on well with all the other cats and likes humans too. A lovely girl with very pretty markings.

Please contact Lynda Atkins, Foster Carer, on:Tel: 05 53 81 30 44Email: [email protected]

For other Phoenix animals available for adoption, please check out: www.phoenixasso.com orwww.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

Phoenix AssociationRegistered charity to help abused and abandoned animals in France.

www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

http://www.phoenixasso.com/


http://www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

http://www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance




The Great Outdoors...

Page 20

by Peter & Jenny Sebborn.Life on the Farm...It’s December already, where has the year gone? Christmas is just around the corner and it’s a busy time for us here on the farm with orders to fulfill for the festive season. If I get my way this year we will be tucking into a 5 bird roast on Christmas day. Jen refused to let me do 12 birds as it feeds 125 people and we only have 7 for dinner. I am thinking turkey stuffed with a duck, chicken, partridge and quail.

Winter can be tough for anyone with animals. It’s either raining and we are up to our ears in mud or it’s so cold that we are constantly defrosting drinking water and making sure all the animals are dry and warm with plenty of straw for bedding.

In readiness for the arrival of our new lambs, we carefully moved Beavis the ram to the orchard with a wether (castrated male sheep) as a companion. To show his dislike about leaving his girls he promptly head butted a wooden fence post until it snapped in two.

By the time you read this, and after five months of waiting (the gestation period for sheep), we should have the first of this season’s lambs. We decided to mate two ewes earlier than the rest of the flock as we wanted to stagger our availability of lambs next year. As we have to provide extra food for the sheep during the colder months and to make sure we get big strong healthy lambs, we have put in a nice big cattle trough (which Eanie likes to climb in) and we have made a hay rack from an old ladder which the kittens are very fond of and can often be found snoozing in the hay. They don’t seem to be at all fazed when the odd sheep pops its head in for a little snack!

After so much rain the poor pigs were up to their bellies in mud so we evacuated them to the pig pen and put the three pigs (NomNom, Beetroot and Turnip) in an undercover temporary pen. As soon as it’s dried out they can be back digging in the dirt.

Peggy our Gloucestershire Old Spot pig, is due to give birth later this month. Pigs are pregnant for three months, three weeks and three days. We are really looking forward to the patter of tiny trotters. It is always a special moment when another new life enters the world.

We are waiting for the arrival of our new polytunnel which we’ll be putting up in the early spring. We want to be better prepared and have our plants ready earlier next year, so we’ll be propagating our seeds and with the help of the polytunnel we will also prolong our growing season. When the season’s over we’ll pop in a few chickens or ducks for them to have a peck around and clear up any bugs and slugs.

All the fodder beet has been dug and stored in clamps for the winter. We made our clamps from old oak barrels filled with straw to keep the frost at bay. It will keep our pigs happy during the winter months. Also, we have been given some big tree stumps

from a friend who was affected by the tornado which caused a lot of damage in their village and took down several big pine trees – we have put them in the goat enclosure -‐ ideal for the goats to play on!

As you can see, we re-‐use, recycle and waste next to nothing here on the farm, as well as swapping and bartering with friends and other smallholders. In these tough financial times why pay when you can swap or exchange? Bartering is a great way to use your surplus produce, spare time (not that we have much of that!) or expertise in exchange for other products or services.

So as I raise a glass of home made eau de vie (swapped for some eggs) we would like to wish all our readers and customers a very Merry Christmas and we’ll see you again in the new year with news of our new arrivals.

AbeillesWe had our last harvest of Tournesol (Sunflower) honey in September. Since then we have fed the bees with liquid syrup that we buy from our local bee shop ensuring they have a good store to see them through the winter.

During this time the bee population has changed. All the male bees have been thrown out to save feeding them and the Queen has produced bees that will last the winter. Usually ‘worker’ bees only live 6 weeks. Also we have treated the hives with a Varoa treatment which we have to do again in 8 weeks time.

The bees will be given a Christmas present of Candi to help them through the long dark nights.....

We would like to thank everyone who has contacted us with regards the bees. We would especially like to thank one of your readers for the feedback on our first article regarding the hornet traps which have been very successful. (We will republish this again in the spring).

Background Photo: A frame full of lovely Tournesol honey.

Peter & Jenny Sebborn. Breeders of pigs, lambs and poultry. La Gauteliere, 79220, Pamplie. Tel: 05 49 28 38 57.

UPDATEby Tania Dominey


THE AMATEUR GARDENERWell, Christmas is almost upon us, and if you are anything like me the garden must take second place to preparations for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. I shall only be be doing the bare essentials this month -‐ just keeping everything tidy and 'pottering' when the weather is nice enough.

Indoors you will have some nice fragrant corners to look forward to if you managed to find time to pot the Hyacinth bulbs. Don't worry if you didn't get around to it, they are readily available in the garden centres.

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are the favourite indoor plants for this time of the year. No fragrance but wonderful vibrant green and red foliage. They are native to Mexico where, in their natural habitat, they can grow up to 16 ft. The plant bears beautiful dark green leaves and coloured bracts -‐ most often bright red but they can be orange, pink, cream or white. These bracts are often mistaken for flower petals because of the colour, but actually they are leaves. The real flowers, or 'cyathia', are small, yellow clusters in the centre of each leaf bunch which do not attract pollinators. The colours of the bracts are created through 'photoperiodism' ie the plant needs darkness (12 hours at a time) in order to change colour. They also need plenty of daylight during the day to maintain a nice bright colour but don't like draughts (a bit like me!!).

It is possible to keep Poinsettias from one year to another. The red bracts should be pruned and the plant moved outdoors after the last frost. Before the first autumn frosts you can bring it back indoors to a room which is kept dark during the evenings. The plant will need a couple of months of uninterrupted long, dark nights for the coloured bracts to develop. Drain well after watering -‐ do not allow the pot to sit in water.

While we are all enjoying ourselves indoors we mustn't forget our feathered friends. Please remember to keep the bird feeders topped up and in frosty weather be sure to defrost the bird bath so they can have a drink. Also in frosty weather keep a tennis ball or something similar floating in your fish pond so that gases can escape. An alternative is to use a saucepan of hot water -‐ just rest it on the surface of the pond long enough to melt the ice. Lastly, remember to check for hibernating hedgehogs before you start a bonfire.

All that remains now is for me to say 'Happy Christmas' to you all and to send my very best wishes for the New Year 2013 -‐ let's hope it's a good one.

by Vanda Lawrence


French Life, Food & Drink...

Vive la DifferenceIt may come as a bit of a surprise to you (especially those of you who have been reading my articles over the last 20 months), to know that I am actually returning to the UK. I am not leaving because I am unhappy or I do not like where I live; I have no money problems; and my health is fine. It is just that my husband and I feel that it is time for us to have another adventure, and this time it will be in the UK.

We have lived very happily here in the Deux-‐Sèvres for the last 7 or so years. We have embraced the slow pace of life, the people, the houses, the culture, the festivals and well, really everything I have ever written about. I am leaving with my head held high, and I would say to anybody that if they feel they would really like to be back in England then go for it. You can go back with pride, you do not have to think that people will think any the less of you, (that is if you care what people do think!) because you have done it. You came out here, knowing no-‐one, not speaking the language and tried something new. It does not matter how old or young you are, whether it was for you or not – you gave it a go, you will never say “if only”.

I can guarantee this will not be the last time I set foot in the Deux-‐Sèvres. I have made many friends both French and English and I am sure many of them will be friends for life. I have learnt a great deal; not only the language. I have learnt that possessions count for nothing, that people matter and that nature and the weather does affect our day-‐to-‐day living and that this does not have to change when you go back to England.

I still intend to cook my food from scratch, grow what I can, lead the slow life – you will not find me in a supermarket or shopping centre on a Saturday – but you may well find me walking along a coastal path and stopping at a small cafe for some lunch.

I would like to thank Sarah for giving me the opportunity to write for the magazine, it has given me much pleasure and I have met some lovely people through it and been on French TV – now that was an experience!

So it is not Au revoir.....more à bientôt mes amis.

by Gilly Hunt

I’d like to say a huge Thank You to Gilly for her contributions and commitment to the magazine for nearly 2 years. Her input has been invaluable and the articles, both funny and interesting to read. I hope you have all enjoyed reading them as much as I have.....

We wish Gilly and her husband all the very best for their next

adventure. Bonne chance!

by Jacqueline Brown.French Village DiariesI will admit that autumn and winter are not my favourite seasons, but I had forgoPen just how beauQful the colours can be at this Qme of year, especially when we are lucky enough to have those sunny, vivid blue skies days. I am also sure there have been more dramaQc sunrises and sunsets than normal this year -‐ or maybe I have just been more observant. However, the temperatures have taken a turn for the worse and my favourite way of heaQng the kitchen is to put the oven on, choose a recipe, assemble the ingredients and get baking.

As it is December, we have finally arrived at mince pie season. I couldn’t be happier as it is one of my favourite times of year in terms of feel-‐good food and baking. The mincemeat I made with the garden apples, walnuts and a generous splash of Cognac back in September has matured nicely and I am now in full pie production mode. The kitchen smells very festive thanks to the regular batches of traditional mince pies that keep popping out of the oven. I also make a cherry and mincemeat upside down cake -‐ a festive twist to my fat free sponge cake recipe. Every year I save at least one plate of mince pies (from our 12 year old son who would quite happily eat them all) and take them down to one of our village meetings to share with my French and English friends. Even if I do say so myself, they always go down well and especially with the French, who despite having a vast array of delicious patisseries, didn't know the mince pie until I introduced them. A cultural relations moment I will always be very proud of.

We mustn’t forget that French Christmas treats are delicious too, and as a chocoholic I’m as partial to a good Bûche de Noël as the next person, but a chocolate log isn’t quite a mince pie. I think there is just something very comforting and Christmassy about the fruity spicy flavours and aromas of our traditional British Christmas treats.

Last year there was a new lady on one of the committees, so when offered the plate of mince pies she was understandably unsure. I explained they were English and traditionally made at Christmas time. Encouraged by her fellow countrymen and women who were tucking in nicely she bravely took one. As I was handing out the rest I overheard another French friend saying to her "they're English, but they're nice". I laughed and thanked Héléne – I’m taking that as a real compliment!

I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year, and to thank you for reading.

All of my favourite recipes can be found on my website http://www.frenchvillagediaries.com.

You can contact me at [email protected] I am always happy to try to answer any food related questions you may have.

Follow Jacqui’s blog at hrp://www.frenchvillagediaries.com

Page 22

http://www.frenchvillagediaries.com/









The Perils of Parkerby Dr John WatsonHolmes stood at the window, gazing down on Baker Street. A saxophone wailed eerily through the smog. Mrs Hudson showed in a young lady, clearly well-‐to-‐do, dressed in silks, sobbing distractedly.

“Mr Holmes, I have been deceived. I cannot now expect restitution, but I wish you, sir, to explain how I came to commit such folly and to help me and other poor souls like me avoid such grievous misadventure.”

“I see, Madame, that you are a lover of wine but with little real knowledge. You are too ready to trust strangers, particularly those with foreign accents, who use fanciful words and ersatz statistics. You are also left-‐handed, have a Venezuelan housemaid, and spent several years as a child in the sub-‐continent.”

“My God, Mr Holmes, how could you know…?”

I smiled in my avuncular way and assured Madame X (for that was her name) that Holmes had always been a lucky guesser, but that he knew a thing or two about wine and the dastardly clan of ‘wine critics’. Holmes asked Mrs Hudson to bring in a bottle of cooking wine and one of Latour. Hudson knew what was afoot and smiled infuriatingly.

“Madame X,” said Holmes, “you are basing your wine purchasing decisions on the opinions of a stranger. An American from Baltimore.” Holmes paused for emphasis and X’s shoulders sagged. “An American by the name of Parker.” It’s difficult to hiss a word with no s’s, but Holmes did it.

“Parker’s system, Madame X, is indeed devilish, and you should not blame yourself for falling for it. First, and as a nod towards scientific accuracy, which I will shortly show to be entirely spurious, he makes his marking system out of 100. Hah! Schoolboy stuff, schoolboy fears played upon.”

Holmes’ eyes glared and as he struck a match to put to his Meerschaum pipe, his hand shook slightly. He inhaled languidly, but as he exhaled his expression changed, almost to a snarl.

“Understand, Madame, that this 100-‐point system is nothing of the kind: it starts at 50. That is to say you get 50 points for squeezing some grapes, waiting a while, and putting the result in a bottle. Nothing is considered worthy of note below 80, so, voilà, we have a 20 point system built on the sandiest of ground.”

Mrs Hudson tottered in with two unmarked carafes and two tasting glasses. She poured and set them both before Madame X, who tasted each carefully. Holmes leant forward with a piercing glance.

“Cooking wine or Latour, Madame. What’s your poison? Bear in mind that if you chose the one you really like but it’s been marked down by Parkerrrrr [Holmes, astutely, had realised it was easier to roll r’s than hiss non-‐existent s’s] then you risk social obloquy.”

“Mr Holmes, please advise me, give me a clue.”

“Dear lady, if I did that I would be committing the same sin as our American cousin. Make your own decision. All you need to know is in your eyes nose and mouth.”

Then I woke up…

by John Sherwin

John Sherwin, French Wine ToursEmail: [email protected] ~ www.french-wine-tours.com

Page 23


RESTAURANT REVIEWS...If you have positive restaurant experiences to share, we would love to print them here.

Please email to: [email protected] for inclusion into future issues.

CHRISTMAS BOOK AND COFFEE MORNINGWEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2012, 10.30am -‐ 12.30pm45 RUE DU BOIS BAUDRON, 79100 MAUZE THOUARSAIS2 BOOKS FOR 1 EURO

Since our last update in The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly, we have had two more book mornings in September and October. September was an unqualified success and our best so far with over 60 people attending, selling over 300 books and raising nearly 250 euros for the Helianthus Association. Many thanks to all those who came and it was lucky I made that extra cake!

Our October morning was very quiet, mainly I think because it was either half term and people were visiting the UK or they seemed to be suffering the virus like colds going around. However, many thanks to those who came. In the meantime we have taken delivery of more books, many of which seem to be almost new and at 2 books for 1 euro, you can't go wrong!.

The December book morning will have a Christmas theme and you will have a choice of cake or homemade mince pies with your coffee. As usual, Jo from Phoenix Cards will be here along with Heather and her gemstone and fashion jewellery.

We hope you will be able to come along before you rush off to the UK or start receiving visitors to stay for Christmas. If you do have friends or family staying, bring them along. You don't need to buy any books, just come for a coffee, mince pie and a chat.

Just a reminder about what the charity is all about. The money raised goes to the Helianthus Association based in Mayenne. Founded in 2008, the aim of the association is to help stray, abandoned and endangered animals, and to assist elderly people on low income to care for their pets. They are not an animal refuge but help with veterinary costs such as spaying, worming and testing, which can all encourage the adoption of an animal. Because of the ever-‐increasing demands for help, Helianthus extended its fund-‐raising means by opening its own Charity Shop which is run by both French and English volunteers. You will find more information on their website www.helianthus-‐asso.org.We look forward to seeing you in December.

http://-asso.org/

http://-asso.org/


French Adventures...

Page 25

We had many great holidays in France and were looking for somewhere affordable & suitable. Then, finally in September 2008, we had our own land to build a home with facilities for our caravan & friends, plus a B&B.

Friends Cathy & Clive found this gem on a French Immobilier site, they emailed details and 2 days later we were viewing. It was a quick visit but it was perfect & within our budget, a rural area but not isolated and all the services were in the road. A barn was included in

the price & a small stone building with mains water connected.

The land hadn’t been worked on for 15 years, it was a potager & rabbits kept in hutches in the barn & the small stone building housed a 'copper' probably for hot water as the lavoir is adjacent. The previous owner was a blacksmith (we

even found a couple of horseshoes & saved them for good luck!).

Firstly we had to cut back the bushes which stopped the gate opening & cut lower branches off the trees so that we could get the caravan in, then tackle weeds and unruly rose bushes and fruit trees -‐ not to mention the brambles. A shower room was built & the stone building converted into a summer kitchen by Nathan Foster Building Services. Strangely he’d lived in the same village as us near Stafford (such a small world). We have used Nathan on several occasions for various jobs.

We thought long and hard about a suitable name for the property, it was Dave's suggestion to call it 'Le Petit Logis' as we could only afford to build a small home, so the translation works well and the ‘Grand Logis’ is just around the corner.

While saving to start the house build we submitted a 'declaration prealable' to change the facade of the barn to make it more attractive: 2 new windows & a door were added. We completed the application ourselves with a little help from a couple of French friends for the translation & were pleased when it was passed in 10 days. We are now getting to grips with the French system!!!.

While waiting for the electricity to be connected we kept busy by treating woodwork for termites, painting walls & trying to tame the garden. We were comfortable in the caravan but the shower was useless so we christened the newly built shower by using a watering can and boiled kettles of water on the gas stove -‐ now that was novel!

One Thursday in June 2009 electricity was connected, we arrived on the Saturday and Jan’s parents, Marion & Allan, arrived on the Monday -‐ their mission was to de-‐weed. Friends from Spain called for a few days too. Extra pairs of hands came in handy, Val kept us fed & watered while David busied himself with the chainsaw & seeking out ant’s nests and burning them -‐ he is a bit of a pyromaniac but that’s another story. Our neighbour Bernard saw us struggle with the brambles so he arranged for a man to come with a tractor & flailer. We had 3 rows of old pear trees that had wires running through to train them, we were instructed to remove the wires before he arrived. He arrived French style (a day late) and soon set to work, from start to finish it took one and a quarter hours! From wilderness to prairie, it was chopped into mulch. A great team effort.

Winter 2009-‐10 was very cold, -‐11 degrees in some areas. Being hardy caravanners & having an opportunity of cheap flights, we flew out for a long weekend. Friends thought we were crazy -‐ we had several offers of accommodation because they thought we'd be cold. In a caravan with the gas heater on it gets hot and with the radiators in the new kitchen & shower room we were very cosy.

Two years to the day since we bought the land, the builders of the house, Mella Construction (Parthenay) started the foundations. Dealing with a French Company when we were living in the UK was challenging but also very rewarding – the language was occasionally a problem where detail was concerned but with the help of French speaking friends these hurdles were overcome. We are extremely happy with the finished job.

Dave painted the entire interior of the house and fitted out the kitchen and bathrooms which kept to budget – it was always Dave’s dream to d e s i g n a n d b u i l d somewhere to retire to but the costs in the UK made it unaffordable for us.

Christmas Eve 2011 we moved in, furniture travelled in a trailer and our other belongings in the car. Christmas morning was ‘different’, we unloaded everything with the help of our friend Roy -‐ once that was done we went to celebrate Christmas with Donna & Roy.

Boxing Day we rose early -‐ now the kitchen could be completed -‐ France Telecom had installed the phone line so cupboards & the cooker could be fitted. For a change everything fell into place nicely. The dining room furniture blends in beautifully with the kitchen and the sofas chairs and other furniture looked like it was made-‐to-‐ measure.

The 27th December 2011 was a sad day, the 'arborist' who should have pruned the trees asked to come immediately about the old willow tree. His apprentice spoke English and said the tree was diseased and too old and dangerous to leave in place. It turned out to be 32 years old. Bernard our friend was generous and gifted us a baby willow tree -‐ 8 feet tall – hopefully in a few years we can sit in the shade again and have a glass or two!

Now the properties are finished, and the B&B almost ready for guests, we are registered with the Gatine Tourist Office and are excited about opening Easter 2013.

We love our little place in France, the neighbours & the Maire’s office in our small village couldn't have been more friendly, helpful or welcoming.

Jan & Dave Thorpe, Neuvy Bouin If you are interested in reading more about the project, please visit www.le-‐petit-‐logis.com

Thank you to Jan & Dave Thorpe for sharing their ‘French Adventure’ with us. If you would like to share your story, please email it to [email protected] for inclusion into a future issue.


by Helen Tait-‐Wright

Motoring...

Badass JaguarWith the latest Bond movie recently hitting the cinemas, and featuring the comeback of the iconic Bond Aston Martin DB5, the most famous British Secret Agent and his cars have been much in the news recently.

Every Bond movie has fast cars as one of its vital ingredients, along with the girls, the baddies and a vodka Martini. James’s cars normally feature a range of high-‐tech gadgets from Q, but his nemesis’ cars aren’t too shoddy either. In my opinion, the best Bond villain car ever was driven by the evil Zao in the 2002 film ‘Die Another Day’, and is the stunning Jaguar XKR.

In the film Bond drove an Aston Martin Vanquish, while the villain, Zao, drove a highly modified Jaguar XKR equipped with a Gatling gun mounted centrally behind the seats, missiles firing from the front grilles, rocket launchers in the doors and mortars in the boot. No less than eight XKRs were used for filming, all of which were formerly Jaguar Cars engineering development fleet vehicles that were converted by Jaguar’s own Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) in conjunction with Pinewood Studios’ in-‐house special effects team.

I was lucky enough to spend a day in the company of one of those actual cars used in the film, in 2003, and it started my own love affair with the XKR.

Jaguar launched the XK range in 1996, as a successor to the XJ-‐S and added the supercharged version, the XKR in 1998. Although the car was billed as an XJ-‐S replacement, Geoff Lawson’s styling owes much to the legendary E type, with the long nose and elegant lines, and interestingly the Jaguar notation for the E Type was in fact XK-‐E. The XK recaptured Jaguar’s traditional image of speed with style – top end performance with veneer on the dash (and luckily due to the cash injection from the new owners at the time, Ford, the veneer stayed on!)

Although the XK range has had a few facelifts since its launch and now features an aluminium body, it captures the essence of the British Grand Tourer and remains a timelessly beautiful car. In a recent ‘Telegraph’ survey of 3500 classic car owners, the XK’s are in the top 10 of cars most likely to become future classics, in all the model variants, XK8, Convertible and XKR.

I got my first XK, an XK8, in 2004, and although she was totally gorgeous, she didn’t quite match my driving style and I hankered after a stiffer, more sporty set up. In 2006 I was lucky enough to get an XKR, which I have had ever since. I love everything about the car (except possibly the bills for the fuel and tyres) and driving it is an absolute pleasure.

The Jaguar marque has much more prestige in France than in the UK, and are much sought after. We have sold two Jaguars here, achieving much better prices than we would have in England. However, unless Santa can find an Aston Martin V8 Vanquish to put in my stocking this year (unlikely) the XKR will be staying for a long time to come!

Contact Helen at: [email protected].


ADVERTISE YOUR VEHICLE FOR SALE

Cost: 15€ incl. photograph.

Simply email details to usfor entry into the next issue.

4L TROPHY – MCS RACINGOn the 14 of February 2013, about 1400 crews consisting exclusively of students, will try to cross 6000km of tests in Renault 4L. We will leave for this amazing adventure from Paris or Saint Jean de Luz in France and will drive through Spain. Our destination: Morocco…

The « 4L trophy » is the biggest charity sporting event in the whole of Europe. The rally lasts ten days; seven of these are spent driving in the desert of Morocco. Every team of two students makes a commitment take a minimum of 50kg of school stationery in its luggage. On our arrival at Fes, we will give part of these supplies to The Moroccan League of Child welfare, within the framework of a partnership between the 4L Trophy and the UNICEF. As for the other part; it will be distributed in schools and villages along the journey. We desperately need your help to finance our project. Any donation will help and sponsorship can be arranged.

If you would like further information, I would be delighted to explain in more detail. Please contact me:

Keenan Dominey,MCS RACING, 8 rue de la Violette , Chaignepain, 79190 Les AlleudsTel : 06.29.72.33.94 ~ 05.17.23.13.43Email: mcs-‐[email protected]


Getting the most from your PCs - Home Networking.Hands up -‐ how many of you have more than one computer? Did you know that using your LiveBox or similar router, you are able to build a home network?

Why? I hear you ask. It is simple. You are able to share files and printers on a network. This means that even if you do not have a wireless printer you are able to share the printer connected to your desktop with other computers on your network, even if your other computer is a laptop connecting via WiFi.

Other benefits are sharing your files including Photos, Music and Video files as well as your documents. Your visitors may be afforded access to your printer easily via this feature and if they are able to connect to your internet connection, they may also talk to your printer, smart phone, tablet, games console, etc.

Many games consoles such as the Xbox, Wii and Nintendo PS will also network, I am sure you will have seen the adverts on the TV for Netflix and LoveFilm that will enable you to watch movies etc via the internet, so you more than likely have many products in your home that will connect to each other.

For example : I have a Freesat recorder connected to my television. It is also connected via a cable to my Livebox and via this I am able to share pictures, music and videos to and from my computers. It means that programmes that I record on my Freesat recorder maybe watched in other rooms in my house using my computer screens and in the case of WiFi connected computers without any cable connection. Many TV recorders now have this facility as indeed do the new Smart TVs.

So how is it achieved?You need a router/modem with WiFi and preferably network cable sockets, more than one computer, your printer (either a WiFi one or a simple cable connecting one -‐ either USB or Parallel type cable). Your computers should be running Windows XP, Vista Windows 7 or 8. Microsoft Window versions have all of the features needed to create a network already built in. The computers should also have a WiFi feature or a Network Adapter (as used to connect your LiveBox to your computer by cable -‐ But not the USB type). Via the WiFi feature Smart mobile telephones, iPads and Tablet computers can also benefit from your home network's sharing ability. Most of these do not run Microsoft

Windows but are "network" compatible. The same is true of the many game consoles.

Creating the network can be very frustrating as older versions of Windows do not easily talk to the newer ones. Unless you are very computer savvy, I would strongly recommend that you ask the person/technician who looks after your computer to do this for you. Simple networks should not take more than a hour or so to construct.

If you feel you are up to the task, simply search in Google for "how do I create a home network?". There are many good websites that will give you easy to follow instructions on what to do.

Here are some of the better ones :1. h�p://www.microso�.com/athome/

organizahonwirelesssetup.aspx#�id=3dsGdMP_cuT2. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375207,00.asp3. h�p://www.pcworld.com/arhcle/102461/

how_to_set_up_your_home_network.html

and on You Tube :4. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=LmB2slsEBTY&feature=related5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o8u1gneOpM&feature=related6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q5q4ItACys&feature=related

There are many other websites to help you, just remember if you have a LiveBox, Neufbox, Netgear, Linksys or Free.fr Modem/router you have the most crucial component. Your network may be just for computers or for many other devices.

Once set up you will not have to copy a file to a disk/CD or USB stick to print it or transfer it to your laptop, you should be able to print or view files on almost any device you have on your network. Your computer screens will be able to show TV programs either streamed via the internet or stored on your television's recorder anywhere in or around your home. Good luck and happy networking.

Ross Hendry is the proprietor of Interface Consult ing and Engineering, who has over 42 y e a r s e x p e r i e n c e i n Communications, Computer Te c h n o l o g y a n d D i r e c t Marketing. (See advert below for more information).

by Ross Hendry

Communications...


A-Z of the Communes of the Deux-Sèvres.

LA CHAPELLE BERTRANDAbout 1300, la Chapelle-‐Bertrand was known as Capella Bertrandi but the village had become known as La Chapelle-‐Bertrand by the 15th century. The church is dedicated to Saint Saturnun. Prehistoric man left traces of his presence in the vicinity and near to l’Orgère, "La Pierre Levée" (the standing stone) indicates the existence at some time of a menhir. As for the name «l'Orgère», it makes us think about the presence of old gold mines.

The commune is situated on the Armorican massif, at the foot of the highest point of the Deux-‐Sèvres -‐ "Le Terrier du Fouilloux", at 272m. La Chapelle-‐Bertrand, a rural commune of 418 inhabitants, extends over a surface area of 1905 hectares and is part of the canton of Parthenay. La Chapelle Bertrand is situated just 5 km from Parthenay in the « Gâtine ». The word « Gatine » indicates an area of «terres gâtées» (spoilt lands), that is to say poor, not very fertile lands.

A VOIR / MUST SEE• Saint-‐Saturnin Church (not open to the public)The parish church was a priory church dependent on Parthenay Le Vieux. The church which was built near the château, was restored in the 19th century.

• The private château which is classified as a historical monument and is occasionally open to the public on special occasions.

• Château du bourg. The first known lord of La Chapelle Bertrand was the knight Louis Normandin. He was suceeded by Jehan Bonnet, who was also lord of Saint-‐Lin and La Boissière-‐en-‐Gâtine. A long alley of trees leads to the château. The current owners began restoration work in 2002.

• Château de La Touche-‐Ory. Touche-‐Aury (Touche-‐Ory) gets its name from a place name with a pre latin origin that means “wood that has been kept between clearings” and to distinguish “la Touche” from other places with the same name, the name of a person, generally the owner of the land, was added.

LA CHAPELLE GAUDINLa Chapelle Gaudin is a commune situated between Bressuire and Thouars. According to the most recent census in 2008, there were 222 Chapellais and Chapellaises. Legend has it that the commune owes its name to a chapel built by a certain sire Gaudin. From 1166 onwards, the existence of the parish of Capella Gaudin can be found in the documents of Saint-‐Pierre of Thouars.

The archives of the 15th century château of Vermette are a witness to the close links between La Chapelle Gaudin and Thouars. Hugues Cartier who built Vermette, was the personal secretary of Louis II, Viscount of Trémoille.

The ancient church of St Pierre and St Paul was replaced by a more modern building, also dedicated to St Pierre and St Paul, in the 18th century. This building was partly restored in 2010.

A VOIR / MUST SEEThe ruins of the château de Montfermier, the château of Vermette (private property which is open in September for visits during « les Journées du Patrimoine »), the fortified house of la Lionnière and Villeneuve farm dating from the middle ages.The war memorial by the church with its painted statue of Joan of Arc (it is very unusual for Joan of Arc to top a war memorial – usually one finds a soldier from the First World War or more rarely a cockerel).

by Sue Burgess

More ‘A-‐Z of the Communes of the Deux-‐Sèvres.’next month...

A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres La Chapelle Be - Ga




MerryChristmasto you all.


ARTISANS & TRADESMEN...Do you have any top tips you can share with our readers?

We would love to include them in this section!

For more details, please see the ‘Written Contributions’ page on our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

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It’s Time Not Timing That Reaps Rewards

“Is this a good time to invest?” is is one question we are frequently asked. e answer is “yes” more often than not. To protect the value of your savings from inflation for your financial security through retirement, it is generally better to be invested for the long-term rather than wait for a ‘right time’ to invest or trying to time the markets.

Unpredictable events and investor sentiment can have a negative or positive impact on markets, often unexpectedly, and no-one can predict the future. To successfully time the markets you need to accurately identify both the best time to buy and the best time to sell, and even very experienced investors cannot get this right.

Time in the markets is the wiser strategy for most investors. Market cycles have up and down days. Often a few very good days account for a large part of the total returns over a cycle. e risk of market timing is missing out on these best performing days.

ere are many statistical examples to illustrate the cost of being out of the market.

One illustration by BlackRock shows that a hypothetical £100,000 investment in the FTSE All-Share index would have grown to £598,478 over 20 years from January 1991 to August 2011. If you missed the five best days your return would be £186,738 less. If you missed the 25 best days your investment would only have grown to £172,955.

Short-term declines should not detract from the long-term potential of stockmarket investing. Another chart by Blackrock traces the S&P 500 equity index from December 1985 to December 2010. Even with the 1987 stockmarket crash, Gulf wars, September 11th and the subprime crisis, an investment in the index on 31st December 1985 would have grown over 10 times in 25 years.

Emotions also cause people to effectively try and time the market. Fear makes them sell in falling markets so they lock in their losses. Markets often suddenly rebound from their lows, but they miss out.

Portfolio performance is more significantly determined by asset allocation and diversification than market timing. A wealth management professional like Blevins Franks would review your investments and objectives and help you develop an effective tailor-made strategy going forward.

To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

by Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins FranksBusiness, Finance & Property...

http://www.blevinsfranks.com/

http://www.blevinsfranks.com/


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Contact David Hardy, Regional Manager: Tel: 05 56 34 71 77Email: [email protected] ~ www.siddalls.fr

SiddallsFrench tax and inheritance rules are very different to the UK and are one of the main sources of worry when planning your new life in France. Income tax is supplemented by other taxes which do not exist in the UK and inheritance rules may well mean that your stated wishes will not be met.

As independent financial advisers to the British community in France for the last 16 years, Siddalls are specialised in tax, inheritance, investment and pension planning, for your life in France, and are fully regulated by the French authorities.

More importantly, because our salaried consultants are bilingual and bicultural, we can explain French tax and inheritance rules and how they will affect you in a language you will understand. We can analyse how the rules will affect your worldwide income and assets.

Our role is therefore to recommend a suitable strategy for your future in France, to ensure that your wishes are met and tax bills are kept to a minimum.

An initial consultation is without charge or obligation, during which we discuss the issues and decide together on the way forward.

For further information or should you have any other financial areas you wish to confidentially review, please contact David Hardy, Regional Manager at our head office in Bordeaux.


Amanda Johnson, The Spectrum IFA Group. Tel: 05 49 98 97 46

Email: amanda.johnson@spectrum-‐ifa.comor “Ask Amanda” at

[email protected]

Ask Amanda.

ourselves and deliver the right approach to its clients.

During this time, we must ask in what kind of situation we are in? Is our financial plan creating the results we are expecting and have things changed since first embarking on our financial strategy?

As an internationally thinking individual, you may be investing in different international markets and you may not be aware of the kind of changes that took place as a result of political issues or due to economic reasons. Accordingly, the end of the year is the ideal time to review your finances and delineate whether you are still on the right financial track.

Global markets are diverse, volatile and complex, more so to someone who may not be familiar with how this world operates, hence, it is best that when reviewing your finances, you seek the advice of a professional international financial adviser who will have a thorough knowledge of the global markets and who will know if there have been any changes in regulations that may have effected your financial investments.

At deVere Group, the world’s largest independent financial advisory, our expert international financial advisers help clients create customised strategic plans by finding for them the best saving options, investments or financial products with excellent rates since unlike banks, the independent status of deVere gives the IFAs more freedom for their clients.

While encouraging you to start next year on the right financial footing, we at the deVere Group wish you all the best for the coming year.

Reviewing your financial strategic planIt seems to be a general tradition for people to review their lives when the year is coming to an end. Some review their work-‐life, others their habits or their diets but few seem to review their finances, thus dismissing an important factor that will significantly determine their future circumstances.

While the New Year brings about festivities and relaxation, this period of the year demands us to question whether our finances are being strategically used to create a financially stable future for


How to sell your house in a “buyers’ market”We all know that times are tough, both locally in the Deux-‐Sèvres and throughout the world in general -‐ it’s a buyers’ market and cash is king.

If you are currently trying to sell your house or thinking of doing so in 2013 then there are a few things that you can do to give yourself an edge. The first is to think positively – although sales volumes are down there will still have been over 700,000 houses bought & sold within France this year.

Here are a few ideas to help you present your house in the best possible way:

• The most important thing is to ensure that you price your house sensibly. It’s human nature to think that your house is worth more than it actually is. Don’t be offended if your agents give you a lower valuation than you expect – price your house too high and it won’t sell. It must appear to be good value when compared with similar properties. All other points are irrelevant unless your house is priced to sell. It needs to be competitive.

• Ask your agent if they can create a “virtual tour” of your house on their website. Our analytics show that houses with virtual tours receive far more “hits” than those without – the more virtual visits you receive the more likely it is that these will lead to real life viewings & hopefully offers.

• De-‐Clutter and concentrate on first impressions. Paint your front gate and your front door, plant up the driveway and garden path. Remove all the clutter from the front garden and for goodness sake,§ get rid of any parked cars, caravans or boats that obstruct the view of your house.

• Tidy the inside of the house. Remove clutter to ensure rooms look as big as possible. Make sure that paintwork is fresh and put the lights on during viewings wherever necessary.

• Work with your agent to ensure the photos are the best they can be.

• Make sure you are able to give all the information required to market your house. Your agent will be able to supply you with a list of all documents required and help you through the complex minefield of selling your French property on today's market.

• Ask your agent if he/she is marketing to international buyers as well as locals. The world is getting smaller and French property marketing should be more than sticking a faded photo in the shop window and taking a small ad on SeLoger!

Follow these few important steps and although we can’t guarantee a sale, we can guarantee you will be giving it your best shot. Allow the agent to do their work and remain patient – don’t forget it only takes one person to buy your home.

by Trevor Leggett, Chief Executive

Leggett Immobilier is one of the leading estate agents in France. You can access all their local property listings and articles atwww.frenchestateagents.com/poitou-‐charentes-‐property.

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the deux-sevres monthly - december 2012

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