Time and time again, I have to question France’s reputation as the culinary capital of the world. In my humble opinion, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Just look at the dairy products, for example. Fine, there is no doubting that French cheese is hard to beat in terms of quality and variety. But do you think that you could get decent milk or cream here? I find the fresh milk quite watery, and real whipping cream is nigh on impossible to find. Often the only option is U.H.T. cream. And you know what the Irish milkman thinks of that…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBwwcU2c3u4

Fortunately, there are compensations. Like French wine. No need to elaborate further. But here’s something that many people may not have come across: Pineau des Charentes. This is a wonderful aperitif, basically a fortified wine made from a blend of unfermented grape juice and cognac. As the name suggests, it is a local Charentaise speciality and is little known outside this area. Truly delicious chilled and served in a Charentais melon. Mmmmmm!

Although I sometimes think that the Oldies only have eyes for the chateaus on wine labels, they occasionally take time out to take a look at the real thing. What a choice there is. Chateaus everywhere! There reputedly 1001 chateaus in the Dordogne alone, an area about the size of Wales. One of my favourites here in the Charente is the chateau of La Rochefoucauld. It’s a classic. What with its turrets and towers and twiddly bits, its commanding position on a hill overlooking the Tardoire river, it is more like the type of chateau you’d expect to see in the Loire Valley. Gorgeous!

La Rochefoucauld town itself, at first glance, is quite charming with its ancient churches and convent and rows of dinky shops and cafes along the Grand’ Rue, many of which have been nicely restored. Just pop around the corner though, and there you have it again, that shocking neglect and decay. I really don’t get it. You humans build all these ‘nests’ for yourselves. Why do you not take care of them? 

I must say though that I love the new hospital in La Rochefoucauld which has been built in the grounds of the old convent in the old town centre. Its contemporary design is a spectacular contrast to the chateau.

Now this is something I also can’t understand. This enormous factory, just a couple of hundred metres from the chateau, which has been lying empty and derelict for decades. Frightening! Hang on, it is not entirely empty. There are actually a couple of companies operating out of there. That’s even more frightening! Would you like to work here?

Now, like all seagulls, there’s nothing I like better than an industrial building. Miles of roofs and dozens of chimney stacks to perch on. Wonderful. I suspect that you humans might find this one a bit of an eyesore though. What do you think? Supposedly there are plans afoot to redevelop the entire site. Might happen. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Great news! The Oldies have finally finished renovating the house. We’re celebrating tonight by toasting our toes in front of the traditional ‘floorboard fire’, where they burn the leftover wood from the job. About time too. The weather has become quite autumnal and the evenings are chilly. His Lordship has promised that we will move on from here as soon as the wood has been used up.

Why do I find myself constantly humming this song: ‘Keep the home fires burning…’?