Charente is home to my family, on a perfect autumn day we walked along the river taking us up to Angoulême. The light was amazing the river like silk and the trees theatrical…
a little corner of unspoilt French country side…
On Saturday we escaped to the country side, half an hour drive away from la Rochelle to visit our friends Nigel and Suzie. I love the place, it oozes serenity and beauty. They moved here in Landrais a few years ago with their three children. We stayed there once on holiday before we made the move to France ourselves and have become friends ever since. They have renovated their house and gites totally on their own . I have nothing but admiration for the standard of their work and sheer dedication. A swimming pool is next on the cards…no doubt Nigel will be building that too…
Easter treat
Easter Monday, we are spending the day with my auntie F and cousins in Angouleme.
My auntie F is the supreme French woman: stylish, 100% proficient in the cooking sphere, a strong minded individual with black spunky eyes. She described her food as true peasant style (a background she is very proud of). Peasants food was obviously excellent and consisted of stuffed goose neck, Hen’s stew*, the usual leafy salade, cheeseboard followed by Cornuelles, Oeufs au lait…all of it washed with a consistent amount of 
…
A pretty normal meal…”repas de circonstances” for Easter here in Charente.
* recipe transmitted from generation to generation and never ever written down by anyone…knowing that bit added extra flavour to the dish instantly!
