Rosemary Border Rabson

In 2005 Rosemary Border Rabson and husband John Rabson emigrated to the Morvan in rural Burgundy, where few other Brits have ventured. Their chief preoccupation is Charity Cottage, a holiday home-from-home in their garden at Maré le Bas which they run in aid of Combat Stress (money donations) and Help for Heroes (free accommodation). Since 2012, when Charity Cottage won the Daily Telegraph’s Best British Charity award, the total amount raised for Combat Stress, comprising UK royalties and donations from visitors to Charity Cottage, is nudging £10,000.

November in the Morvan

I am typing this on 30 October. As always at this time of year, our local shops and markets are full of potted chrysanthemums.La Toussaint, November 1, is the day when families put flowers on the graves of their departed

Autumn In The Morvan

29 September here, and as I write we are enjoying an Indian summer. There is a great deal going on – wine festivals, antique fairs, exhibitions and much more. Find out more here. I, however, am typing this surrounded by

Mutterings From The Morvan

Black Friday The last weekend of July is a time of massive traffic congestion, caused by les juilletistes – the people who go on holiday in July – on their way home, and les aoûtiens – the August holidaymakers –

Summer In The Morvan

‘Quelle canicule!’ everyone exclaimed: ‘What a scorcher!’ June was exceptionally hot and dry, and I took to recycling our bath water to wash the car and water the geraniums on the patio. Then, on June 27, just as we were

Flaming June In The Morvan

I am typing this on May 30, during a heatwave – une canicule as they say here. It ain’t half hot, Mum, and John has taken to wearing shorts, while I hang out the washing at 6 am to take

May in the Morvan

You know May is on the way when the bluebells appear in the woods along the road to Lormes. They overflow onto the verges and compete for attention with delicate white stitchwort and red campion. Truly tricolore, just in time

April Fools’ Day In The Morvan

Here in France, April Fools are called Poissons d’Avril . Children try to stick a paper fish on the back of an unsuspecting person. While nobody seems to know why fish would be associated with April 1, many think it

En Marche?

Mars, actually, but I do enjoy a good pun and En Marche! is the slogan of one of the contenders for the French Presidency. Digression: Despite rendering unto Le Fisc that which is due unto Le Fisc, John and I

February In The Morvan

January brought snow. Our birds and squirrels cost us a fortune in grain and fat balls. Squirrels? Yes: far from hibernating, Tufty and Tess visit our kitchen windowsill daily. John took this photograph through the window.We have had photovoltaic panels