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Brexit and the Parable of the Good Shepherd
Are UK leaders acting like good shepherds for the British people in Brexit? Would a hard Brexit or membership of the EU benefit the poor, the weak, the sick? Which provides security and prosperity?
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How to Repoint a Stone Wall
EXACTLY how to repoint an stone wall. I am repointing an old stone wall in Limousin, France using traditional chalk mortar. A step-by-step guide to repairing old walls - an art as well as a skill.
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Skipwith Village and Skipwith Common North Yorkshire UK
Skipwith village, situated near Selby and York is a pretty North Yorkshire village. Near by is Skipwith Common, home to the famous Exmoor ponies. See the church of Saint Helens and Skipwith Manor.
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French Castles Chateau de Lastours Limousin France Medieval Festival
Every years the castle of Lastours in Limousin France holds several medieval days and festivals. Discover every day life in the Middle Ages at the château de Lastours.
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How To Find the Setting Point in Jam Making
How to find the setting point in jam making. Finding the setting point is the hardest part of producing your own homemade preserves. The recipe to successful homemade jam and jelly making every time.
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Medlar Jelly Recipe
Easy, step-by-step medlar jelly recipe instructions with illustrations. Medlars are back in fashion and medlar jellies are delicious conserves to eat with sweet and savory dishes.
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Medlar Cheesecake Recipe
This medlar cheesecake recipe is perfect for the Christmas and New Year festive season. Medlars are back in fashion but it's hard to know how to use medlars. Try this cheesecake and see what you think
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Stuffed Grapevine Leaves Turkish Dolma Recipe
This delicious stuffed grape vine leaf recipe is easy and has a touch of the exotic. Like stuffed cabbage rolls, this traditional Turkish Dolma Recipe, is also a good vegetarian and vegan recipe.
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The Horsemeat Scandal
Horsemeat found in beef burgers food world-wide health scandal. Pork found in halal meat given to Muslim prisoners in the UK. What is in the meat we eat and who is checking what goes into our food.
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Cassinomagus Roman Archeological Site at Chassenon The Charente South West France
Cassinomagus is one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in France and possibly Europe. This well- preserved site includes Roman baths, or thermes, gardens, temples and amphitheatre. Situated in Chassenon, the Charente, South West France, you can visit these archaeological discoveries...
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Oil Painting for Beginners - Tools and Materials
Oil painting tools and materials for beginners. Which are the best oil painting materials and tools to buy for a new artist? How do you choose the best art supplies? How do you avoid buying art materials that you don't need? This guide will help you get started with oil painting - economically.
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Pie Birds and Blackbird Pie Funnels - how to bake the perfect pie
Pie birds, pie funnels, pie whistles, pie chimneys and pie vents are all one of the same and they are enjoying a revival as people collect them and buy them as gifts. The recent interest in traditional cooking and baking have also helped to popularise the pie bird. So what exactly is it?
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Caves in Brantome France
Brantome is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Situated in the Dordogne region of S W France, it is famous for its caves, monestary, church and water ways that run throughout the ancient town.
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Brantome Dordogne, France is a Story of Stone
Brantome is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Situated in the Dordogne, it is an ancient town surrounded by water and entered by five bridges. It has been called the Venice of the Perigord.
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How to Bend a Copper Pipe With and Without Plumbing Tools
There are several ways to bend copper pipes, but it is useful to know which are the best tools for your job and how to bend pipes without special tools. Every plumbing job made easy.
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My Training as a French Plumber in AFPA Limousin Campus
An account of my training in plumbing as an adult. Re-training in plumbing in France at the age of 52 was a big step, but worth every minute. This account of the course will help you decide if you would like to qualify as a plumber and if training in France is for you.
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French Castles - Chateau de Peyras Roumazieres-Loubert
If you enjoy French Castles, you'll love the Chateau de Peyras, Roumazieres-Loubert, Charente, S W France. It is about twenty minutes from our Bed and Breakfast near Rochechouart, Limousin. This is an account of a guided tour given by the owner and organised by Tourisme Lacs Haute Charente.
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The Romance of the Black Tulip
The romance of the black garden led me to the black tulip. Here I found a path that took me to Alexandre Dumas, to the Impossible Black Tulip Map of ancient China and to the anti-war memorial in Yekaterinburg (also known as Ekaterinburg) Russia. Does the black tulip really exist? Will I ever design...
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War of the Buttons The Book and the Movies
La Guerre des Boutons or War of the Buttons, was a novel written by Louis Perfaud which has been made into movies in France and Ireland. The first film version was in 1936 under the title of La Guerre des Gosses (the war of the kids) by Jacques Daroy and Eugène Deslaw. The directors were Yves...
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Limousin Cattle in Limousin. World Famous French Beef Cattle Breeds
The Limousin cattle breed is world famous for its wonderful meat and Limousin bulls and cows are exported all over the world. Limousin pastures are beatuiful and Limousine cattle are grass fed. Grass fed beef, especially Limousin grass fed beef, is a highly prized commodity. You only have to taste...
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Gites de France can help you find your ideal holiday home in France
Gites de France, or the 'Federation of Gites de France' is an organisation that promotes tourism in France and labels tourist accommodation to ensure that holiday homes, camp site and guest houses are of a high standard;
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Limoges Porcelain Eggs for Easter
Limoges porcelain decorative eggs are the perfect gift for easter. The link between Limoges, Fabergé and eggs goes back to the 19th century. The tradition started when Czar Alexander III commissioned the Russian jewellers to make an Easter Egg as a gift for his wife, the Empress Maria. Find out...
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Easter Egg Hunts - The Vital Clues for an Easter Game
How to organise an Easter egg hunt for kids. Ideas for rhyming clues. How to avoid disasters and encourage sharing. Children love Easter egg hunts.
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Traditional French Stuffed Cabbage Recipe From Limousin France
Stuffed cabbage is one of the many traditional, frugal, and absolutely delicious recipes from Limousin, the rural heart of France. This recipe transforms regular ingredients into a feast!
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Moist, Gluten-Free Almond and Orange Cake Recipe
Not only is this cake an easy, delicious, and moist almond and orange cake that is also gluten-free!
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Best Chocolate Cake Recipe Ever for a Wickedly Moist French Dessert
This is a wonderfully moist chocolate cake and one of the best chocolate cake recipe ever! And it’s such an easy cake to make. This French recipe has been passed around my circle of friends and is definately a winner with adults and kids alike. You melt the butter and chocolate together and...
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Videix, A Lake Side Village in South West France
Videix is a charming hamlet deep in the heart of S W France. It is exactly half way between Limoges and Angouleme and, near the lakes of the Haute-Charente, it is an ideal family holiday destination. Only ten minutes from the medieval town of Rochechouart and half an hour from Saint Junien and La...
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What is Pastel? The History of Oil Pastel and Chalk Pastel.
Artists have long used chalk pastels, and more recently, oil pastels for drawing and sketching. The medium can be used in a linear manner, or in a painterly way, so you can talk of pastel drawings or using pastels to creat pastel paintings, and as oil pastel is a particularly painterly medium, you...
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What's on in and around Rochechouart, Limousin - Events
There is so much going on around Videix and Rochechouart in Limousin, S W France, but it is very hard to find the information. Here I've started to gather some of the events together in an on-going article. Please feel free to add to it.
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Ryanair - Low Cost Carrier - What you need to know about cutting costs of budget flights and avoiding traps
With Ryanair you really can find cheap flights but take care, there are many traps. This is a guide to getting bargain flights with low cost carriers and avoiding the pitfalls.
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Visit Bishopthorpe, York
Bishopthorpe is a beautiful, little village just outside York. Not far from York racecourse, its main claim to fame is the Bishopthorpe Palace, home to the Archbishop of York. It is handy for York Designer Outlet, York College and has excellent transport links to the City of York itself.
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How to Mark a Route on Google Maps and Save Personalized Maps
How to mark a route on Google Maps. This is a simple, illustrated explanation which will save you time and effort. Use add a route or add a shape to mark boundaries, walks, roads and areas. Useful for me to mark footpaths in and around our B&B in France
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Why Buy Property in Limousin France
Why buy property in Limousin? You can own your own dream house, because in Limousin, south west France property is cheap. You can buy fantastic properties with land, or tiny cottages for a song, and here are many reasons why you should take the plunge and move to France.
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How to Make a Rat-Shaped Novelty Cake
This easy, no-bake chocolate truffle cake is the perfect celebration cake for children, for a Halloween treat, or for the fat rat in your life. Great cake for birthdays and feasts.
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Limoges porcelain lamps
Limoges porcelain lamps are very special. Beautiful lamps made from the famous Limoges porcelain. Some are traditional oil lamps, others hand painted lamps. Some of the most interesting use the translucent quality of Limoges porcelain to creat wonderfully luminous lamps. Let the light into your...
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Lampe Berger or Berger Lamps
Lampe Berger or Berger Lamps are charming collectables with a history and even more attractive when made from the famous Limoges porcelain. The Berger lamp today is prized as an object of beauty and curiosity as usful to freshen and pefume the air. Add perfumed oils to the Berger lamp and you have...
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Spicy Winter Fruit Pudding for Christmas
An easy, no-bake recipe is a winter version summer pudding made with figs, dried fruits, medlars, prunes and peaches. It is perfect for Christmas served cold with a hot sauce. Illustrated, step-by-step guide.
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Stir Up Sunday Christmas Puddings Day
Stir-up Sunday is just one of many English Christmas traditions surrounding the Christmas Pudding. Find out more about the traditions, folklore and history of the English Christmas Pudding.
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Traditional English Christmas Cake Recipe
This is a real, traditional English Christmas cake recipe passed down to me from my Great Aunt. It is a wonderfully moist, heavy fruit cake that we used to cover in marzipan and ice. We also gave it to first footers at New Year.
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Best French Limoges porcelain boxes
Beautiful decorative eggs at La Vie en Rose Porcelain factory in Saint Junien, S W France make the perfect gift. French Limoges porcelain boxes are very collectable and each is a veritable little gem.
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How to Grow Medlars
Grow your own medlars. The common Medlar, Mespilus germanica is an easy tree to grow and makes a pretty, flowering garden specimen. A hardy tree or shrub, a flowering tree and a fruit tree. This is an easy How to grow your own medlars guide with video and pictures.
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How to Make Medlar Jam
This Medlar jam recipe makes a wonderfully special and spicy Medlar cheese which is perfect for Christmas breakfasts (we serve this jam in our bed and breakfast near Rochechouart, S W France.) The Common Medlar (Mespilus germanica) is an old fashioned fruit much prized by the Victorians..
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What is a Medlar Fruit (Musmula)?
The Medlar, (Mespilus), belongs to the Rosaceae family. There are two species, The Common Medlar (Mespilus germanica)and Stern's Medlar (Mespilus canescens. They are pretty, small trees with an attractive habit, beautiful flowers and attractive and tasty fruit. Medlars are unusual additions to the...
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Molly, An English Pointer Puppy in France
Our English Pointer puppy was adorable and she's grown into a fine hunting dog! English pointers are beautiful, medium sized dogs that make great family pets if you can give them enough excercise. Molly, our English pointer, went on to have her own puppies, and thereby hangs a tale or two.
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Best Childrens Classic Books for Christmas Gifts
Childrens Classic Books make perfect Christmas gifts for children, birthday gifts or simple every day presents. My son grew up with Harry Potter but there are so many other great classic stories. Buy your child a Childrens Classic and they will treasure it all their lives.
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Best Gifts for Painters and Artists Part 2 - charcoal, conte and oil paint
What are the best gifts for painters and artists? At Les Trois Chenes Bed and Breakfast near Rochechouart, Limousin, France, we run painting holidays and art courses so we know just what an artist would love to receive for that special gift. Christmas, birthday, wedding anniversary or just to say...
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Best Gifts for Painters and Artists Part 1
This art gift guide, drawn up by a professional artist, makes finding the perfect gift for artists easy. It takes the guess-workout of choosing. There are basic starter art materials and art equipment for beginner artists, and sumptuously luxurious gifts for more advanced students or professionals....
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York, City of Sweets and Chocolate - the Story of Cravens, Rowntrees and Terrys in the Chocolate Industry UK
York has long been a centre for chocolate. The great chocolate names of Bettys, Rowntrees, Thorntons and Cravens have all been associated with the historic city of York. More recently we could add the names of Lush, Chocoate Hotel, Chocolate Heaven and Fudge Kitchen. Time move on but we all still...
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Secret Things to See and Do in the City of York
York is full of surprises. Everyone has heard of York Minster, but there are many secret things to see and do as well. Discover York's snickets, observatory, and chocolate trail.
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Gustav Metzger and Contemporary Art in the Chateau of Rochechouart France
Rochechouart Castle in south west France is now a Centre for Contemporary Art. The Chateau provided the perfect venue for works of art and takes a delight in juxtaposing the old with the new. Rochechouart is situated between the cities of Limoges and Angouleme in south west France. To the south is...
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The Pilgrim Route Journey of St Jacques of Santiago de Compostela and the Church of Saint Eutrope
The Church of Saint-Eutrope in Les Salles Lavauguyon, Limousin, France is an established stopping point on the famous long distance footpath, the Pilgrim route of St Jacques de Compostelle (or in English the Way of Saint James of Santiago de Compostela). Walking and rambling in France with a...
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Where to Buy Limoges Porcelain in Limousin, France
Buying Limoges porcelain in Limousin is fun. Explore this hidden and beautiful region, visit porcelain museums, see the china being made and even see the old kilns, but above all visiting Limousin is about choice and price. Why not take a porcelain vacation in France and bag a bargain at the same...
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Where to Eat in France - the Lakes of the Haute Charente
Find restaurants near Rochechouart and Massignac. Food is a serious matter in France and no less so in Limousin and in the Charente, south west France. The lakes of the Haute Charente have their share of excellent restaurants to suit all tastes. There is a range of prices but all offer very good...
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Limousin - Favourite family holiday destination in France 2017
Limousin is a favourite holiday destination for families because this beautiful region of south west France is so family-friendly. The accommodation is cheap, restaurants very reasonable, the roads are empty and there are lots of outdoor activities and things to do for everyone.
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Pain Perdu a Quick & Easy Sweet or Savoury: French Toast Recipe
Quick and easy recipes for French toast. Savoury French toast makes a super supper snack and sweet French toast makes an instant dessert. Most children love Fench toast and it can be jazzed up a little to make a great dinner party pudding. Have a go at these French toast recipes and see just how...
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Cherry Clafouti is a Traditional French Dessert Recipe From Limousin
Cherry Clafoutis, or clafoutis, is a traditional French dessert and a speciality of Limousin. Serve as a hot pudding or cold as a cake. It is most often made with cherries, but you can replace the cherries with other fruits. When apples are used it's called flognarde. Variations on a fruit...
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Edible flowers - Elderflower and Acacia Flower Fritters
The edible flowers elderflower and acacia make wonderfully fragrant flower fritters. Unusual nibbles or starters. This flower fritter recipe is easy and cheap and can be used for other flowers. Elderflowers have many other uses, cordials, champagne, syrups, beauty treatments and medicaments.
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What is a Tagine, (or Tajine) Pot?
A tajine, or tagine pot is a north African clay cooking pot with an attractive and distinctive shape. Tajine pots were traditionally used by nomads to cook stews over charcoal fires. Should you buy a tajine pot or would an ordinary casserole do just as well?
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How to make sugar edible flowers to decorate cakes
Sugared flowers make beautiful, natural and edible cake decorations. Why have sugar flowers when you can have the real thing? Sometimes called candied flowers, crystallized flowers or frosted flowers, sugared flowers make perfect cupcake, Valentines Day cake or wedding cake decorations. What could...
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Tagine (Tajine) Pot versus French Casserole for Cooking Chicken
Do you need a tajine pot to cook tajines? I tested the tagine and the French Casserole and as far as I could tell the food was the same. Where the tajine pot wins is in presentation, exoticism and romance.
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Eat Flowers! Flowers are vegetables too
Edible flowers are nutritious and tasty. Fresh flowers make great cake decorations. put them in salads, sugar them for cake decorations, garnish desserts or make flower fritters. Cook with flowers!
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Mushrooms from the Wild - Collecting Wild Fungi in France
Autumn is the time for mushrooms in Limousin, France, but is it safe to eat them? Last year we picked baskets of this delicious wild harvest from the fields around Les Trois Chenes Bed and Breakfast, Videix and made mushroom tarts, soups, cassaroles and so much more!
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How to Make Weed Soup - how to make a nutritious soup from wild herbs
At Les Trois Chenes Bed and Breakfast, near Rochechouart, Limousin, France, we love nutritious and tasty wild food and wild herbs, or weeds. Just on the borders of the Charente and Dordogne, our climate is perfect for growing wild plants! Did you know, though, that you can cook with many garden...
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Myths and Legends of Limousin: Werewolves, Witches and Vampires
Limousin in south west France is a land "of savage beauty, ancient castles, werewolves and witches – a land of magical obscurity”. (The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova). Witches, werewoves, wolves and healers all feature in the legends of Limousin. The Werewolf of Rochechouart is just one of...
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French Castles - The Chateau of Montbrun, France
The chateau or castle of Montbrun is on the Route of King Richard the Lionheart. It is near the village of Dournazac, Limousin near the Dordogne border. It is about thirty minutes from Les Trois Chenes Bed and Breakfast at Videix. The rich history and beautiful countryside, forests and lakes make...
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How to Organise an Easter Egg Hunt
Organize an Easter eggs hunt! Spring here means chicks and Easter egg hunt! How to prepare and decorate your eggs, and how to organise the hunt and how to write rhyming clues.
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The Route of King Richard the Lion Heart
Limousin is a land of lakes and legends, of enchantement and mystery, of castles and chateaux. In medieval France Richard the Lionheart fought and died, and left a little of himself here in Limousin. Discover the middle ages and follow The Route of Richard the Lion Heart (or Richard Coeur de Lion)...
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The Medieval Festival of Rochechouart in Limousin, France
The medieval festival of Rochechoaurt, (or the fête Médiévale de Rochechourt), is held every year the quaint medieval town in Limousin, France. The festival, held at the foot of the magnificent medieval chateau of Rochechouart, brings to life the middle ages in song, music, craft, feasting,...
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Painting Limousin - Monet Painted in Limousin
Did you know that the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet painted in Limousin and that Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot painted at Saint Junien? Auguste Renoir, one of the other leaders of the Impressionist movement, was born in Limoges and some of his paintings are displayed there. Did you know...
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How to Make Your Own Natural Yogurt (Yoghurt)
A step-by-step guide to making your own natural yoghurt. No special equipment needed for homemade yogurt. Save money, have lots of good, healthy food. It is easy to add your own fruit as well.
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How To Save Your Money and Cut Household Expenses
How to cut your household expenses and save your money when times are tough and money is tight . Here are some thrifty tips to cut your spending in half. Reduce waste and keep a tight grip on expenditure. More frugal living can save you from debt. Save by buying less, using less, wasting less, by...
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Ecological Lawn Mowers - using geese as a lawnmower
Looking for ecological lawn mowers or labour-free lawn mowers? Why not try geese? Keeping geese can help you manage your grass, but they are not just good for grass cutting. They lay wonderful eggs, are good watch dogs and provide an excellent Christmas dinner. Interested?
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China White Plates of Limoges, Princess of Porcelain
The beautiful French city of Limoges in Limousin, South West France is famous for its porcelain production. You can still buy this lovely china through its factory shops in Limoges, Saint Junien, Aix-sur-Vienne and the many exclusive boutiques in Limoges centre. Visit Limoges for tourisme, holidays...
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Rochechouart France, the land of the meteorite
The historic city of Rochechouart, Limousin, France, is dominated by a magnificent chateau, now a centre for modern art. The second most prominent building is the church, famous for its twisted spire. The surrounding countryside is ideal for fishing, walking, riding and cycling and there are many...
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Flognarde - Traditional Limousin Apple Dessert Recipe
Clafoutis and Flognarde are specialities of the Limousin and Auvergne region, and we serve this dish, along with other regional food and wine, at Les Trois Chenes chambres d'hotes, Limousin, France.
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Bee-keeping for beginners. Why keep bees?
Bee keeping is fascinating, ecologically essential and produces pounds of deliciously healthy honey. Recent worldwide bee colony losses have worried experts who are calling on ordinary people to set up hives in their back gardens.
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Fish for Friday - easy one pot fish dish meals
Looking for a tasty, easy fish dish for Fridays? This is our tried and tested one pot recipe. Quick to prepare, healthy and a great diet dish for slimmers. Foolproof way to get your five a day.
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How to Make Peach Jam
Peach jam is a wonderful way to use that autumn glut of fruit. This delicious preserve is easy to make following this step by step illustrated guide.
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How to make easy baked peaches dessert recipe
Baked peaches; this is such a delicious, quick and easy way to use up that glut of fruit in Autumn. Peach deserts are a nutritious pudding and served with yoghurt or icecream make a cool sweet for summer nights.
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The Story of our Pointer Puppies
Here I am living the good life at our farm house bed and breakfast in deepest rural Limousin, France, and our pet dog, Molly,an English pointer, makes a fair contibution to...
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How to Make Marrow and Ginger jam
Marrow and ginger jam is a delicious way to use up all those overgrown courgettes. An old fashioned, traditional conserve recipe but well worth the effort.
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How To Run a Bed and Breakfast In France
Change your life - buy a B&B in France. I ran a four bedroom chambres d'hotes and three star gite in Limousin and these are my tips for how to run a bed and breakfast in France. Live the dream!
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The Autumn fruit and vegetable garden in France
The French autumn fruit and vegetable garden. Autumn vegetables and fruits for jams, jellies and chutneys. Gather wild food, plant flowers, vegetables , buy cookbooks, seeds and plants foe next year.
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I live in Limousin, France and, since moving here I've turned my hand to any things: running Les Trois Chenes B&B and gite, training as a plumber, renovating houses, learning a smattering of French and generally enjoying the good life.
See more of our life in France, follow me on Twitter and Facebook - I'd love to meet you.
Index of my on-line writing Find an article by Les Trois Chenes Trying to keep tabs on my Hubs. I put my collection of the easiest, most economical, most delicious and most foolproof recipes that I cook here at LTC into my On-line Cookbook called (rather unimaginatively) The Les Trois Chenes Recipe Book It's organised seasonally, to fit into the years natural rhythms.
Life on HubPages Why bother to write articles on HubPages? Is it worth it? Well, many people clearly get something out of it and in this article I try to assess exactly what I gain from being a member of the HubPages community: Do I see benefits from my HubPages?
Joining in is part of being a member of HubPages. It's always fun to enter the HubPages competitions, and a great way to meet new Hubbers. Why You Should Participate in HubPages Competitions
Prize winning articles: these hubs have won prizes in the HubPages contests
Where to buy Limoges Porcelain in Limousin, France (Overall winner September 2010)
The City of York - Tips for a Vacation on a Budget (Staff 'Pick of the Day' January 2011 Money Grows On Hubs)
Tips for a budget Friendly Holiday in S W France (Staff 'Pick of the Day' January 2011 Money Grows On Hubs)
How to Bend Copper Pipes With or Without Plumbing Tools (staff pick winner Sept 2011 Clogs to Coins)
Cassinomagus Roman Archeological Site at Chassenon The Charente South West France (Week 3 winner of the Rigorous Review Contest November 2012)
Hub of the Day
Hurray, I was thrilled when these hubs were selected as 'Hub of the Day':
12 July 2011 The City of York - Tips for a Vacation on a Budget
20 July 2011 Where to buy Limoges Porcelain in Limousin France
25 December 2011 (Yes Christmas Day!) An Illustrated Guide to the Town of Brantome, in the Dordogne, South West France
21 September 2012 York, City of Chocolate - the Story of Cravens, Rowntrees and Terrys in the Chocolate Industry UK