Our little "Winter Wonderland" this morning

A bientôt
Peter et Donna

Our Sunday stroll and dinner

We do enjoy the colder months here in France, particularly after coming back from experiencing the hot and humid Summers in OZ every year. February this year has been a lovely month of sunshine combined with the cold, and today small flakes of snow. We are hoping to have some snow fall over night. Believe us, it is very cozy inside with 3 fireplaces to choose from, plus many glass windows and doors to let the sunlight in.



We had a leisurely walk today up the hill towards the small hamlet of  La Gandonnière, passing leafy green pastures, happy livestock, lakes full to the brim and the Châteaux La Roche aux Enfants. The view of Gourgé from La Gandonnière is breathtaking with the 10th Century Church steeple acting as a protector over the village.

Now it is time to get the vegetable soup cooking on the fireplace top, in the older kitchen. 




Dinner tonight for starters is vegetable soup, (10 different vegetables) with a touch of orange zest, topped with crème fraîche and accompanied by crusty French bread. For mains it is Turkey Osso Bucco topped with Gremolata. Both were delicious!

A bientôt
Peter et Donna

Noix St Jacques Lunch

One of the luxuries of living in France, is the amazing variety of quality foods, plus the added bonus of affordability.

Our lunch today cooked by moi, is Noix St Jacques on vegetable couscous


The scallops were seasoned, cooked in a little olive oil with a slight touch of chillie. A rosemary butter bomb was added for extra flavor and the pan deglazed with some delicious French white wine for the sauce. 8 of these large Noix St Jacques cost 4.65 € (euro). The vegetables in the couscous consisted of; garlic, écholates, ginger, sweet potato, pumpkin, parnsip and capicum. Yumm!

So, when are you coming to visit?

A bientôt
Peter et Donna

Places of Interest - Moncontour, Vienne

We visited Moncontour last week with our dear friends Di and David. Moncontour is just under a 30 minute drive away. A stunning village and a must see when you come and stay with us.

Moncontour village is a gem hidden amongst a sea of sunflowers and melon fields. An attractive, historical village on the border of the Vienne and Deux Sèvres Departments.

It is said to be the second sunniest area in France. Moncontour offers nature, culture, history and all the activities you could wish for.

Watched over protectively by it’s 11th century donjon (the main tower of a castle), Moncontour has a water sports lake and is surrounded by branches of the River Dive and beautiful forest and riverside walks.

The area is a nature lovers paradise - you can find deer, birds of prey and even a wild boar or two. If you bring a fishing rod, make sure it’s heavy duty and that you have chain mail for your arms – the fish are BIG!

Arrive in spring and the swallows will lead you to your destination. Or you may be lucky enough to spot a heron or two along your route, usually stealing a fish or two from the fishermen.

The grounds of the donjon, the village park and surrounding area play host to a number of events during the summer, including the largest Vide Grenier / Brocante in the region on 1st May each year; Le Dives Buissonieres – music and crafts middle of June each year ; the Fete de la Musique which occurs all over France on June 20th each year;

and the July 14th celebrations when you can watch the fireworks being set off from the donjon – just to name a few.

Plaques around the village of Moncontour describe journeys. Not just journeys of river and forest, but of history – the history of the 11th century donjon, the history of the ancient lavoirs (wash houses found along the rivers edge), and history of the region, of it’s people and of it’s patois (the language). More information on Moncontour can be found on the internet.A bientôt

Peter et Donna