Tag: lifestyle

8 Days in South West France

EVERY HOLIDAY HAS ITS STORY 

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We had quite a challenge recently, when friends came to visit us for just over a week from Florida. It was the first time they had been away from the USA and so this was one of those ‘trips of a lifetime’. The big question was, what to do, and where to take them during their 8 days here? They knew they wanted to experience real French life, but they also wanted to make sense of its long history, and see as much as they could about the country. Continue reading “8 Days in South West France”

by ourfrenchoasis

Summer and a Day That Could Change Our Lives

 

IMG_7515As I sit here writing this post gazing down our long garden, it’s a scene that probably hasn’t changed much in a hundred years. Yet so much could alter today, the day Britain votes to either remain or leave the EU. In London it’s pouring with rain, there are lightning strikes, and storms and flooding have caused travel chaos. Here in the Charente Maritime the hot sun continues to shine, the skies remain resolutely blue, and life continues as normal. Continue reading “Summer and a Day That Could Change Our Lives”

by ourfrenchoasis

AUDREY – A short Summer Story – Part II

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The summer passed quickly on the campsite above the beach. The weather was glorious and Audrey worked with a goal in mind, saving every centime as the weeks passed. There were moments of great fun, sharing a campfire and a jug of wine until dawn with new friends, and moments of disaster like the day an August gale swept along the coastline and barrelled away with two tents over a fence into a field packed with cows. She served beer most evenings, fending off advances from tipsy campers and lovelorn boys from the village, protected when needed by the burly bar-owner who adored Audrey for her punctuality and thoroughness. Continue reading “AUDREY – A short Summer Story – Part II”

by ourfrenchoasis

Our Garden Tour

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All of our doors lead directly into the garden and now that summer has arrived they are permanently open and the garden has become an extension of the house, a space to be enjoyed and lived in. It is in fact a series of rooms, and it occurred to me that I haven’t taken you on a tour of it for quite a long while.

Continue reading “Our Garden Tour”

by ourfrenchoasis

Spring-Chicken Fever

 

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Who knew that keeping chickens could take us to so many places?  We’ve driven down roads scarcely fit for a car in search of eggs and covered two départements buying our chickens over the past two years and it’s turned out to be a far more technical business than I realised. Along the way I’ve expanded my French vocabulary as we have dealt with species, sexes, ailments and treatments. All of this for the love of chickens, our own organic free range eggs and the excitement of newly-born chicks.   Continue reading “Spring-Chicken Fever”

by ourfrenchoasis

A French Street Party

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The French are exceptionally good at street parties. I remember going to my very first one in a village somewhere in southern France when I was about 20 years old and I have been hooked on them ever since. Throughout the summer little signs appear all over the place announcing the dates that each village will be having a party, or be “en fête“. In any given area during the summer months there is nearly always somewhere to go each weekend for fun, dancing, outdoor food and other entertainment. Continue reading “A French Street Party”

by ourfrenchoasis

Could you create the Perfect Garden?

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When we think of the word ‘renovation’ we tend to think of houses and buildings, but it can equally be applied to gardens. For those of us in the northern hemisphere it’s late spring and the whole show has moved outdoors. So I thought I would feature a garden renovation which is quite remarkable and is a complete transformation from a sea of earth and weeds to a series of spaces overflowing with roses and an enormous variety of plants. Continue reading “Could you create the Perfect Garden?”

by ourfrenchoasis

The Gigi Post!

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May is a month full of public holidays in France.  I admit that I get just as excited as the children at the prospect of three days without school, or maybe my excitement is just the fact that the children are going to be home for three days. Either way, the extra 24 hours is always an added bonus. At this time of year there is so much to enjoy in the Charente Maritime. This is how I love to spend a long weekend.

Continue reading “The Gigi Post!”

by ourfrenchoasis