There is local fishing, enquiries need to be made at the local Mairie, at
Édon, who gives permits.
Canoeing can be done at Bourdeilles, about half an hour's drive away.
Canoeing is
also very popular at Brantome.
There is a large public swimming pool 1 km from the house, at the holiday village of Le Pontaroux.
Walking. There are excellent walks all around the area, including one at the Plateau of Argentine, where there are over 100 varieties of orchids. The house is on the route of one of the main walks in the area. The nearby Forest of Cludeau also has public walks in the forest.
Cycling. Two bikes are available for hire at the cottage, and the country lanes are secluded and excellent for cycling.
Bird watching - definitely bring your binoculars!
Golf - there are excellent golf courses at Cognac, Montbron, Saint
Séverin and
Angoulême.
Barbecues - the cottage has its own barbecue, and local shops sell excellent steaks etc
As well as the trees and flowers being very different from the UK,
the animals and birds are also. For example, there are many wild boar and deer in the nearby woods. Unusual
'ragondin', a bit like beavers, can be seen in local rivers.
There are wonderful butterflies and moths
There are almost no biting insects!
Local fields grow sunflowers, maize and wheat.
There are all varieties of wild flowers on the verges and ample open meadowland.
Local rivers and streams are unpolluted
and full of fish.
Birds - there are many birds of
prey in the area, honey buzzards, falcons, eagles for example - as a result
there are very few rabbits. There are hoopoes in the garden, cuckoos nearby,
and birds of prey almost always within sight. It is a bird-watcher's paradise!
Snakes are hardly ever seen, but could be in the long grass or forests in the summer. Good walking boots or shoes would be sensible if walking in long grass.
La Haute Faye
