Bellebouche - Poitou-Charentes

Having spent far too much time in Paris recently (purely in an electronic sense), I decided to head out to pastures new.

I ended up in Poitou-Charentes at the lovely blog known as Bellebouche!

Bellebouche tells the ongoing tale of restoring an 1850′s farmhouse that was first spotted on a hot, sunny day in September 2004.

According to Adrian and Joan, it…. “looked like a great place that was in need of some TLC. Bits of it were more derelict than they looked, other parts less so.”

“As we go through the process of transforming it from borderline ramshackle heap through to something more modern and liveable we’re keeping a record here for our friends and families – it saves a lot of emailing time.”

The blog is not just about renovation though; since January 2008 it has included restaurant reviews, my favourite of which has to be… Les Jardins St Laurent – Parthenay although I do have to say that Joan certainly doesn’t pull her punches when she’s reviewing restaurants (see this review of Les Moules du Bouffay.)  Michael Winner, watch out!

Moving on; an eel fishing trip that resulted in a Catfish (I think) and a bag full of parasol mushrooms can be read about at If at first you don’t succeed, trap, trap again and in Chuckngham Palace, a guest blogger (an Elderly Aunt from Manchester) visits 8 chateaux and then describes the building of a chateau for the chickies!

Talking of places to see, there are plenty of those here too. I’ve selected Chateau Goulaine as a typical example.

Now, getting down to the important stuff… Food!

Au revoir, Oie is pure GooseFest!  GooseFest with dripping.  GooseFest sautéed in Goose Fat!

Pan fired Goose Liver, Ooh la la!  And those Bellebouche love sausages – can I come to tea?

I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I found it all rather mouthwatering!

I also enjoyed my visit to Piggy Hilton.  Am I the only person in the world who looks at a pig and sees Poitrine Roti, Bacon and Stuffed Trotters?

There’s even a reference to American Werewolf in London in I feel a bad moon rising – now, what more could you ask for?

Well, how about He’s beautiful, blind as a bat and not too lucky in love.  Ahh, don’t wives just say the loveliest things?

I really think that you should pay a  visit to Bellebouche to see what’s cooking (or growing in the garden.)

And me; well I off back to Bellebouche to have another bite of their Bellebouche love sausages!

All the best

4 Comments

• 

  By Adrian, March 24, 2010 @ 6:31 pm

  I say – what a delightful chap!

  I noticed a bundle of traffic coming our way from your site and in a few moments investigating – came across your writeup of our blog.

  How very kind of you to say such sweet things – I’m delighted you’ve found our online diary so captivating!

  We quite literally started blogging things just for our friends and family and the whole thing – five years and hundreds of posts later – has a bit of a following. I’m constantly surprised at just how many people swing by.

  The whole enterprise has a bit of a life of its own now and the odd bit of inbound traffic like this is very much appreciated – thankyou!

  – Adrian

• 

  By jacquie, March 24, 2010 @ 9:13 pm

  Have you tried Atelier vert? A web-site/blog. Love your blog!! thanks, jacquie

• 

  By jacquie, March 24, 2010 @ 9:20 pm

  Sorry! That’s, L’atelier vert

• 

  By Keith Eckstein, March 24, 2010 @ 10:04 pm

  Hi Jacquie

  If you mean http://www.frenchgardening.com then no, I’ve never come across that site but it certainly does look interesting!

  I’m going to have a good browse round tomorrow.

  All the best

  Keith

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