French Founded Association 1989 3035 May 2015 Newsletter Events, activities, news and reports for members Square in St Emilion CALENDAR OF EVENTS Book Club Mon 4th May 2 – 4.00 pm St Pardoux Reading Circle Wed 6th May 2.30 pm La Lande Walk Sat 9th May 10.30 am St Coutant Quiz Night Thurs 21st May 7.00 pm Menigoute Second Circle Tues 26th May 10.00 am Scille Walk Fri 29th May 10.00 am Moncoutant Book Club Mon 1st June 2 – 4.00 om Le Tallud Walk Sat 6th June 10.30 am Caunay Garden Party Sat 13th June Saint Coutant Walk Fri 26th June 10.30 am Fenery Garden Party Sat 11th July 12.30 pm Scille BBQ Sun 26th July Le Tallud Next Committee Meeting Tuesday 19th May, Chez Sewell Final Copy Date for Newsletter Items Monday 25th May ([email protected]) Page 1 of 8 http://www.getogether-france.org Remember to keep your cameras at the ready as we will be announcing the theme of this year’s calendar competition in the next Newsletter! FORTHCOMING EVENTS Book Club Mon 4th May 2 – 4.00 pm St Pardoux The May book club is kindly being hosted by Kath & David Scown. Reading Wed 6th May 2.30 pm La Lande Circle This month we shall be discussing The Husband's Secret by Australian author Liane Moriarty. Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband's hand it says: to be opened only in the event of my death. But he is still very much alive, so what should she do? A gripping retelling of the Pandora's box story. All our reviews can be found on the website. Walk Sat 9th May 10.30 am St Coutant There will be a walk of approximately 8km and a shorter one of around 4km set in the gently undulating countryside surrounding the village. The walk starts in the parking of the Salle des Associations in St Coutant which can be found south of Lezay. Follow the road from Lezay, direction St Vincent Le Chatre (D105), skirting the village of Ruisseau. At the brow of the hill turn right towards St Coutant. Follow the road passing the “garden centre” on the right and take the next right just after the St Coutant Sign. Then take the first left signed “Salle des Associations”. (46⁰ 13’ 50.31”N 0⁰ 00’ 45.48”). The walk is around 7km with a shorter option. As ever, stout footwear should be worn. Lunch is booked at Berlands in the centre of Lezay and will consist of aperitif, goat’s cheese salad, a choice of chicken or fish, fruit desert, wine and coffee at a cost of 18€. Quiz Night Thurs 21st 7.00 pm Menigoute History Group May Committee This quiz evening will be held at the Auberge des Voyageurs, Menigoute and organised by members of the History Group but rest assured it will be a general knowledge quiz with just a few questions on History from previous History Group talks. The proceeds from the evening will go towards a contribution to local charities chosen by Carol Andrews for the 250 history book collection kindly donated to GT by Carol on behalf of her late husband, Keith. The quiz will start promptly at 7.00 pm but the doors will be open from 6.30 pm for those wishing to stimulate their brain cells with a pre-quiz drink. Your quiz master will be Jonathan Townsend assisted by Jackie Luckett. There will be a break halfway Page 2 of 8 http://www.getogether-france.org through for supper. Maximum of four quizzers per table with an entry fee of 4€ per person. Supper will cost 10€ each and consist of a main course plus desert followed by tea or coffee. Details to follow but fish and vegetarian options will be available. The scores will be added up at the end and prizes will be awarded. Just imagine a luxury weekend for two in Paris..... Well, dream on; because we could not get the GT committee to agree to this one. But rewards of a more modest nature will go to the winning team plus a booby prize for the 'also rans'. Directions to Auberge des Voyageurs in Menigoute. From North (Parthenay), exit towards Pompaire then via Vausseroux and La Pagerie, on mainly D176 and D21. From South (Lezay), via D45 and D5 through Chey, La Mothe Saint Heray and Saint Germier. From West (Champdeniers), via Saint Georges de Noisne, Chantecorps and La Pagerie, mainly D329. From East (Poitiers), via La Torchaise and Sanxay, mainly D3. The restaurant itself is in the centre of the Bourg, opposite the small chapel. Second Tues 26th May 10.00 am Scille Circle The next meeting of the Second Circle reading group will be at 10.00 am on Tuesday 26th May, at Joyce Robert's home near Scille. We will be discussing Pigs in Heaven, a novel by Barbara Kingsolver. Walk Fri 29th May 10.00 am Moncoutant This 8km walk starts in the car park of Pescalis; it loops around the fishing lakes before climbing gently towards Moncoutant, passing an old water mill and the ‘Ferme Découverte’ des Noues de Puy Jean before arriving in the town itself. We pass through the town to rejoin the country paths, circling back to Pescalis. The off road terrain could be wet and muddy, so wear suitable shoes and clothing. There is a reasonable amount of shade, but hopefully the glorious sunshine will mean hats and suntan cream are advisable. It is a fairly easy walk, with interesting scenery and views of Pescalis and the Sèvre Nantaise valley. There is a short walk option. Lunch will be at ‘Chez Chantal’ in L’Absie from 12.30 pm. Starter, Main course, cheese, dessert, wine and coffee all for 12.50€! Please indicate when booking if you would prefer meat, fish or vegetarian and of course non-walkers are more than welcome to join us for lunch. All booking in by Monday 25 May 2015. Please note that anyone cancelling at the last minute may still be required to pay for the meal. Directions: Aim for Moncoutant. Arriving from the south, on the D744 coming from L’Absie.: at the Pescalis roundabout, turn left into the nature park. Take the first right and follow the short road alongside the lake to the car park. There are picnic benches for non-walkers and toilet facilities. Page 3 of 8 http://www.getogether-france.org Arriving from the north: leave Moncoutant on the D744, signposted towards Niort. Drive south and turn right at the Pescalis roundabout. Take the first right and follow the short road alongside the lake to the car park where there are picnic benches and toilets. Chez Chantal is on the D744, heading south from L’Absie to Niort. As you leave L’Absie the restaurant and its large car park are on the right, just past the park on the right. Arriving from Niort, Chez Chantal is on the left at the junction with the D136, signposted St Hilaire de Vouste. It is shown on Google maps! Book Club Mon 1st June 2 – 4.00 pm Le Tallud June’s Book Club/Library will be held at Chez Mousdale. Walk Sat 6th June 10.30 am Caunay The walk starts at the Marie in the centre of Caunay and passes around the village and through the nearby forests. It will be 8kms long with a choice to return after 5kms. Dependent upon the weather the tracks through the forest may well be wet so suitable footwear is recommended. It is all in the flat. There are toilets at the start of the walk. Lunch will be at the Mad Hatters restaurant close to Caunay and will be 4 courses including a 1/4 litre of wine each at a cost of 15€ each. When booking it is not necessary to specify meat or fish, there will be choices on the day for each. Directions to Caunay; Postcode 79190, off the D 15 between Lezay and Sauze Vaussais. It is well signposted off this road whichever direction you drive from. Garden Party Sat 13th June Saint Coutant A date for your diaries! Noreena & Steve Parker will be hosting a garden party on 13th June and will also have an English gardener offering unusual plants for sale on the day too! More details to follow. Walk Fri 26th June 10.30 am Fenery We will meet at the old station (La Gare) car park in Fenery – sign posted ‘La Voie Verte’. Rue de La Gare, Fenery, 79450. NOTE THE LATER START TIME (so you can have a lie-in!) The walk will be approx. 8kms, with a shorter route also available. It will mainly be on quiet roads and some tracks and should be fairly flat. So appropriate footwear Page 4 of 8 http://www.getogether-france.org needed etc. We will eat at La Parth de Boeuf, 5 Route de Moncoutant, St Germain de Longue Chaume 79200 From the South; from Secondigny take D949 towards Parthenay, at Azey-sur- Thouet; take D139 left to St Aubin le Cloud. From the North; from Parthenay take D140 to St Aubin le Cloud. Then from centre ville St Aubin, take D139 to Fenery. As you approach Fenery follow the signs for La Voie Verte. In the centre of Fenery, go past the Mairie’s on your right, keep left & you will see a sign on your left for the 'La Voie Verte'.