photo shows a packet of lentilles corail slices by Fleury Michon. Its a bit like ham but vegetarian.

Not Just for Vegetarians: Eating Well and Eating Better in Rural France

Being environmentally minded, gentle folk, a significant percentage of our guests are vegetarian, and many others are trying to eat more healthily. Food and drink are an important part of a holiday, and it’s interesting to observe France catching up with the UK in its offer of vegetarian and plant-based foods. I thought I […]

by Heidi Smith
June 20, 2026
rewilding, Climate Change, Things to do, Animals, Environment, Nature, Uncategorized

Close-up of a bullfinch perched on a branch, showcasing its vibrant plumage and distinctive colors in a garden setting

Bullfinches – A Welcome Spring Surprise

Historical Impact of the Bullfinch and Its Role in Our Garden I was watching a bullfinch hopping around the garden this morning. A welcome distraction from my exercise bike torture, it was cheerfully moving around the unmown grass and occasionally checking out the peach and pear trees I’ve always liked them, but I was reminded […]

by Heidi Smith
February 16, 2025
Climate Change, Animals, Environment, Nature, Uncategorized

Mating meadow fritillaries at Le Moulin de Pensol, July 2024—showcasing how rewilding fights Shifting Baseline Syndrome and revitalizes biodiversity.

The tune of nature (in a minor key)

The tune of nature, (in a minor key.) Standing in the woods on a sunny July day with a visiting friend, we pause our discussion of natural history and what that bloke we used to work with is doing now, and just stop and listen. The woods seem to thrum with an intense buzzing – […]

by Heidi Smith
July 14, 2024
Animals, Environment, Nature, Uncategorized

Donkey, grazing, ungulate, rewilding, browsing.

Rewilding at Le Moulin de Pensol, a personal journey 1

I clean a lot of toilets and make a lot of beds. So many in fact, that I just do it on autopilot which leaves me a lot of time with my own thoughts. No one wants to be left with my thoughts, not even me, so I plug myself into BBC Sounds or Spotify […]

by Nik Smith
February 28, 2024
Climate Change, Animals, Environment, Nature, Uncategorized

Rewilding – a Personal Journey 2. Elephants and overfishing.

So where were we? Oh yes, I recall i was going to rewild and that would be that. As ever , though, the devil is in the detail. As mentioned we have donkeys, horses and a mule that can do a good job at eating grass. In fact one of the UK`s suppliers of wildflower […]

by Nik Smith
February 26, 2024
Climate Change, Animals, Environment, Nature, Uncategorized

Triathlon training with friends around Pensol, biking scenic trails and picturesque landscapes in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin.

The Ultimate Triathlon Holiday At Le Moulin De Pensol

Experience Triathlon Training and Relaxation at Le Moulin de Pensol Are you a passionate triathlete seeking the perfect getaway that combines exhilarating triathlon training with a serene and picturesque holiday for you and your loved ones? Look no further than Le Moulin de Pensol, where nature-loving athletes can immerse themselves in breathtaking surroundings, thrilling adventures, […]

by Heidi Smith
May 27, 2023
sport, triathlon, Travel, Things to do, Animals, Events, Nature

Photo shows harvest mouse on brambles by Jerry Kinsley

Harvest Mice at the Mill

What we did when we found Harvest Mice at the Mill If you own any amount of land in France, you also own quite a few brambles. They seem to grow bigger and meaner than they do in the UK, and somehow even the blackberries they provide don’t make them worth it. We quickly realised […]

by Heidi Smith
February 6, 2023
Animals, Environment, Nature

European Butterflies and Moths

Over 100 species of European butterflies and moths recorded at Le Moulin: the perfect place for a butterfly and moth enthusiast to come on holiday With over 100 species of European butterflies and moths recorded at Le Moulin, it’s the perfect place for a butterfly and moth enthusiast to come on holiday. When I left […]

by Heidi Smith
November 16, 2022
Things to do, Animals, Environment, Nature

The Problems of Buying Stuff Online

The problems of buying stuff online, and too much honey My latest blog post is about the problems of buying stuff online. To be more exact, the actual problems of buying stuff online that turn out to be miniature versions of the thing I actually wanted. Also, we are absolutely covered in honey! I had […]

Mule and the gang – mules, donkeys and horses

We acquired our mule purely by chance. A friend who runs Hee Haws donkey sanctuary was helping re-home the unwanted horses of a divorcing couple and amongst them was a mule….for free. I said “yes” – it seemed rude not to – and a few weeks later a large equine transport truck drove up from […]

by Heidi Smith
February 10, 2021
Animals

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Animals

Not Just for Vegetarians: Eating Well and Eating Better in Rural France

Bullfinches – A Welcome Spring Surprise

The tune of nature (in a minor key)

Rewilding at Le Moulin de Pensol, a personal journey 1

Rewilding – a Personal Journey 2. Elephants and overfishing.

The Ultimate Triathlon Holiday At Le Moulin De Pensol

Harvest Mice at the Mill

European Butterflies and Moths

The Problems of Buying Stuff Online

Mule and the gang – mules, donkeys and horses

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Not Just for Vegetarians: Eating Well and Eating Better in Rural France

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Bullfinches – A Welcome Spring Surprise

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