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

guests arriving at Le Moulin de Pensol and being given the key by the hosts.

No Trump supporters here please

New customer policy: We regret that Le Moulin de Pensol is no longer able to accommodate Trump supporters, climate change deniers or Tesla drivers. If you voted for Trump, or would have done had you had the opportunity, if you have found yourself saying things like “oh he’s not too bad at least he’s getting […]

by Heidi Smith
April 5, 2025
Climate Change, Travel, Business, Environment, Nature

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

a man holds a large bolete mushroom, commonly known as a cep and excellent to eat.

The Autumn Half Dozen – Six things to do in Pensol in Autumn

La rentrée brings the start of my favourite time of the year – Autumn! The sun is still shining although we’ve had some much needed rain and it’s a lovely time to visit the region. Here are six things to do around Pensol in Autumn. Walk walk walk As the chestnut trees turn golden and […]

by Heidi Smith
September 5, 2023
rewilding, sport, triathlon, Travel, Things to do, Nature

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

Walking the GR4

The walking season has started and we are starting to receive gortex-clad guests who have walked in from our local Grand Randonnee footpath, the GR4. Walkers are some of my favourite guests. Because they have come here slowly, through the chestnut woods of Limousin they are already in tune with the tenor of the place […]

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

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Nature

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

No Trump supporters here please

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 Autumn Half Dozen – Six things to do in Pensol in Autumn

The Ultimate Triathlon Holiday At Le Moulin De Pensol

Walking the GR4

Harvest Mice at the Mill

Latest Posts

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

No Trump supporters here please

Bullfinches – A Welcome Spring Surprise

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