If you're interested in visiting gardens, this year's Rendez-vous aux Jardins event (like the British Yellow Book) will take place over the weekend 1-3 June. Hundreds of public and private gardens will be open. The brochures for the Poitou-Charentes have appeared and should be available in Tourist Offices. There is also a website at www.poitou-charentes.culture.gouv.fr/pages/section6/jardins/fr/index.html

Our garden in Chez Blanchard, 16460 Ventouse, will be open from 2-6 pm on Friday 1 June and from 10 am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday 2 and 3 June. Entrance will be 2E, children free and there will be afternoon teas. There will also be a plant stall and an English book stall. The profits from the event will be given to the Hope Association which rescues and rehomes unwanted and abandoned animals.