Local Fetes and Festivals

For those who want to soak up some of the atmosphere of the area, there are many local fetes and festivals. Angles sur l'Anglin, Poitiers and Chatellerault each host several such attractions throughout the year.

Strolling jazz band and street entertainer - Book Fair, Angles sur l'Anglin

Local Village Fetes

Firework and Laser Display- August- Angles sur l'Anglin

Fireworks on the bridge.

The Animals

The animals are all doing well at present.

Fred (the rabbit) has just been introduced to his new 'friend' Betty. They're hoping to hear the pitter patter of tiny paws in a few weeks.

As the days get shorter and colder Bob and Sparky spend much more time in by the fire. (If they can get there before Scooby.)

Scooby's enjoying life as usual. He's getting plenty of walks and continues to guard us all - even the cats. Here he is pretending to be a cat (he's lying on the cat's rug by the fire).

Quassia and Pepito are making the most of the lush grass.

They seem to delight in getting very messy, rolling in the mud as soon as they're put out. We managed to take this photo before they had the chance to roll.

Birds seen in the area this year.

The local area is a haven for birds- those who stay all year round and those who stop off en route to or from sunnier climates.

Early on in the year we were delighted to discover a roost for a small colony of bats in our barn. The barn also provides a home for the Barn Owl and Little Owl.

Swallows congregating for the evening roost.

The swallows made an absolutely fabulous show this year. They arrived in flocks (a little later than usual), one or two families stayed in our buildings where they hatched their broods and then come September they chose our telephone wires to congregate in their huge flock. We were treated to a brilliant display each evening for a couple of weeks during late September before they left for warmer climes.

At the moment the wren, red tailed blackstart and robin are much in evidence along with a kestrel.

Autumn 2006

We have had a brilliant autumn. The weather has been much milder and sunnier than we expected with lots of misty early mornings and some fantastic sunsets.

We've been able to spend lots of time working in the garden and maintaining the outside of the buildings. The autumnal colours are spectacular with many of the trees only just beginning to lose their leaves.
We harvested the grapes in October and passed them to our neighbour who is using them to make wine.These photos were both taken in late October/ early November

An October evening sunset.

The view to the orchard with morning mist.

The River Gartempe at Vicq.