How big are the mushrooms in France?!!

My neighbour gave us 2 mushrooms last week. He found them in his fields where he keeps his cows! They are ok to eat - so he said!!

They are called 'Vesse-de-loup géante' in French.

The Latin name is 'Calvatia gigantea'. They were as big as a rugby ball. A lot lighter though.

Unfortunately when we cut them they were off. The middle was yellow. We were looking forward to a mushroom omelet!! Next time!

When you move to France you might find a new hobby: Mushroom picking.

If you are unsure about eating them, you can take them to a chemist in France and they will tell you if they are ok to eat.
It is best to be safe than sorry!

Giant runner beans

When you move to France you might find some spare time to grow vegetables!

One vegetable that I can recommend is the Giant Runner Bean!!

It is 35 to 40 cm long. You only need 1 or 2 per person without sounding too mean!

They are rather easy to grow and you will a good crop. When I get too many, I chop them in small pieces and freeze them so I can enjoy them in the winter.

If you live in France, you might have difficulties to find seeds so get a packet next time you visit the UK.

I got my seeds from an English friends who lives in Brittany.

Ballroom and Latin American dance classes near Dinan in Brittany

June and Philip are offering some ballroom and Latin American dance classes this year again!

Based in Evran, near Dinan in Brittany.

Every Tuesday afternoon at 3pm

at La Salle Communale
17 rue de la Liberation
Evran (10 min South of Dinan)

Beginners to experienced dancers

Free lessons!!

Contact June on 02 96 82 29 78 for more info

Joining a club is a great way to meet people and improve your French!

C’est la Rentrée!

Children in France are back at school beginning of September and it is the beginning of a new school year. All the associations are also starting at the same time. It is La Rentrée for all of us in France!

This year I am joining the same club again. I am part of the Gym Club in St Judoce near Evran.

It is only €55 for the year and the teacher is so experienced. We do a mix of Pilates, relaxation, stretching, etc. We never have the same class twice. I don’t go home feeling exhausted but relaxed and supple.

Why don’t you join a club yourself this year? It is the best way to meet people and improve your French.

If you live around Dinan, you are welcome to join our Club. Even if your French is not so good. You will feel very welcome! Email me for more information or come to St Judoce Salle des fêtes (near Church) on a Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Emergencies in France – what an efficient service

I recently had to visit the emergencies in Dinan with Chris who badly hurt his finger doing some DIY. Once we got there I noticed 5 people in the waiting room. I thought we would have had to wait a while. But by the time we ‘checked in’ (showed our Carte Vitale) it was already our turn to see a doctor! We didn’t even have time to sit down!

A nurse and a doctor looked after him. He was sent for an X ray (he broke one of his fingers) then had 5 stitches on his finger.

On the way home, we picked up some pain killers and antibiotics from our local chemist’s.

All this done in less than 2 hours! And the best thing was……. we didn’t have to fill in any paperwork or pay anything towards the operation, X Ray or tablets.

I can once more conclude that the French Health service is really efficient!

Chimney sweeping

The weather has suddenly changed. In Brittany, it has been raining nonstop for a few days, the sun has gone… The winter is on its way. Although it is not cold, we like to light the fire in the evening.

Before the winter, it is a good idea to have the chimney swept by a professional.

In France chimney sweeping (ramonage) is done by a roofer (couvreur). If you don’t know any, look in the French Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes) under COUVREUR or ask your local mairie. They might be able to give you a list of the local Couvreurs.

The price for chimney sweeping is around €75. You will have to pay on the day and the roofer will give you an invoice which is the proof that the Ramonage has been done. In case of a fire, the insurance may ask you for it. If you haven’t had the chimney swept, the insurance might not cover you.

Recipe for apple jelly

Apples, apples and more apples!! They grow so well in Brittany that everyone seems to have apples coming out of their ears!! I use mine in various ways.

One of them being apple and quince jelly.

I use:

1.5 kg of apples

2 quinces

1 l of water

750 g of sugar

Juice of 1 lemon

Cinnamon and cardamom

I wash then cut the apples and quinces into quarters. I don’t remove the skin or core.

I put all the ingredients (apart from sugar) in a big pan. Once the fruits are cooked, I don’t let them strain overnight. I put the fruits through a strainer straight away. I then bring to the boil the juice and the sugar until the jelly sets. It takes about 25 minutes.

The problem I have is that this recipe only makes 2 jars! It is eaten quicker than I can make it!! It is nice on toast or pancakes…

Anyone who has a recipe to share, please feel free to contribute!