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.

The Rustle of Spring in the Morvan

The wonderful solo piano piece The Rustle of Spring by Norwegian composer Christian Sinding says it all.See and hear a real virtuoso perform it here. Here spring started rustling early this year. We have had an unseasonably mild winter, with

Hearts and Pancakes in the Morvan

As I type we are gearing up for La Chandeleur. Expat Focus faithfuls may remember my February 2015 piece, February Frolics? and recall that February 2 is La Chandeleur, Candlemas, when pancakes are obligatory. This year Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras,

The Morvan Greets 2016

Twelfth Night – time for John and me to take down the Christmas decorations. Not so our friend Christopher in California. His Christmas tree will remain on display until the spring. In his Christmas greeting he says: “Instead of pulling

Greetings From The Morvan

I have a new Expat Focus editor, and before I embark on my monthly effusion I’d like to thank her predecessor Carole Hill for our happy collaboration. Enjoy your retirement, Carole. The season of Christmas markets, concerts and Réveillon blowouts

La Toussaint In The Morvan

We don’t do Hallowe’en here in the Morvan. In 10 years at Maré le Bas I have never opened the door to a troupe of trick-or-treaters. The shops are full of pumpkins, but we cook with them rather than hollowing

Why The Rabsons Missed Out On The Journées Européennes du Patrimoine 2015

The third weekend in September marks the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine – let’s call them European Cultural Heritage Days. Since their inception in 1984 they have been organised by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. They went Europe-wide in

Summer Socialising In The Morvan

Charity Cottage, the holiday home we run in aid of Combat Stress, stood empty throughout May, June and July. We do not advertise in tourist guides because this could affect those whose livelihood depends on their gîtes. Well, several people

Charity Cottage In Rural Burgundy – How to Meet People

My Expat Focus regulars know all about Charity Cottage, the holiday home in rural Burgundy that we run in aid of Combat Stress. Check out www.charity-cottage.org.uk. Well, one day I found my way to the Daily Telegraph Expat section. They

The Re-enactment Of The Flottage Du Bois In The Morvan

Long before Monty Python’s lumberjacks leapt from tree to tree as they floated down the mighty rivers of British Columbia, les flotteurs de bois were active in the Morvan. By 1550 the population of Paris had tripled over just 50

Daily Bread

I enjoy cooking, but I leave bread-making to the professionals. We were given a bread machine when we lived in Suffolk and John occasionally made herb bread for parties. Soon after we arrived in the Morvan, however, we lost one