Chez Freddie

23/07/2019

39 degrees in the shade today. Keep hydrated folks. Curtains and windows closed to keep the heat out during daytime will benefit you all of an evening. 😁

16/05/2019

Watch this space for news of the upcoming holiday season.

16/11/2017

Shea (Chez) and Freida (Freddie) 💕

30/04/2017

19/04/2017

06/01/2017

This egret accompanied us on our riverside walk this morning.

01/01/2017

24/12/2016

A very happy Christmas to all our friends!

14/12/2016

Sunrise over the river Boutonne

10/12/2016

Now that all the leaves have fallen, the swimming pool was finally prepared for overwintering yesterday. Many thanks to Alan Pearce for a smooth and efficient operation. It's looking very clean and tranquil in the setting sun, although at 5°C you wouldn't want a dip in the water!

03/12/2016

Christmas is definitely coming - this weekend there are Christmas markets in towns across the region. Always fun to visit: a great atmosphere and, of course, lots of goodies and presents.

C'est parti ! Dès ce week-end des 3 et 4 décembre, les marchés de Noël se multiplient un peu partout en Deux-Sèvres. Un bon moyen de remplir la hotte de cadeaux ... ou de se promener dans des centres-villes illuminés.

26/11/2016

Juliette helping to gather up the last of the autumn leaves.

17/11/2016

A trailer for a forthcoming programme on local TV, this video captures the magic of the Marais Poitevin: the only place in France where cattle are transported by boat.

13/11/2016

This weekend's guests, from Toulouse, were well impressed by the quality of the food at this local restaurant. It's just a shame that for an evening visit they couldn't fully appreciate the beautiful riverside setting.
http://www.laroussille.com/

28/10/2016

The dogs' camouflage is near perfect.

21/10/2016

The countryside is starting to show its Autumn colours, and woodland walks are a symphony of green and gold. The dogs love rustling through the leaves and finding sticks.

17/09/2016

Today and tomorrow are the "Journées du Patrimoine", when buildings and sites classed as part of the French national heritage are open to the public. A chance to visit the beautiful 'Château de la Villedieu de Comblé', near La Mothe-Saint-Heray, which was also hosting a craft exhibition. This renaissance château is privately owned, and the family dog was there to supervise proceedings.

14/08/2016

The swimming pool has a new look this week. Is there something happening in Brazil?

05/08/2016

Just some of the cute residents at Zoodyssée ready to welcome visitors

Avis de beau temps et de bonne humeur à Zoodyssée! NOus vous y attendons nombreux!

22/07/2016

The painters painted! This weekend is the annual painting festival at Magné, in the Marais Poitevin. A chance to see lots of talented artists in a very beautiful setting.

19/07/2016

It's officially a heatwave, and the bees are busy making sunflower honey (miel de tournesol)

14/07/2016

Bonne fête nationale!

05/07/2016

The cows in the field behind the house had a visit this morning from a flock of egrets. For one Limousine lady, it was the opportunity for a quick facial.

26/06/2016

The cornflower, or 'Bleuet' in French, is in full flower right now. Like the poppy in the UK, it is the symbol of war veterans and victims of war, and is worn on Armistice Day. 'Bleuet' was the term given to French soldiers born in 1895 who were recruited to fight in the Great War (their uniform was blue). In the language of flowers, the bleuet is "the messenger of all pure, naive or delicate feelings".

18/06/2016

I'd love to see this - sadly, it was not programmed when we visited Mouton Village at Vasles last year. A sheepdog demonstration with a difference!

Avez vous vu ces canards fous à Mouton Village ? En ce moment, grattez Dédé sur leur site pour gagner une entrée enfant ! + d'infos http://goo.gl/KUNG5T

05/06/2016

The hedgerows and waysides are now host to a huge variety of wild flowers. As well as the more familiar dog rose, corn poppy and white campion, here are some more unusual ones. I've tentatively identified these as Corn Mint, Pyramid Orchid, St Bernard Lily and Bristly Oxtongue, but would welcome any corrections!