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14/7/2020 The River CharenteHenry IV considered the Charente to be the most beautiful river in his Kingdom and Brian Freeland's stunning photography helped us to imagine ourselves on its leafy banks during our first evening together of the year. Brian is a well-travelled theatre director, playwright and an accomplished public speaker who has lived in France. His intimate knowledge of the twists and turns of this magnificent 'fleuve' generated a fascinating evening. As we travelled the 371 kilometres from the source of the river at Cheronnac to its final destination at Rochefort we learned about the history of the towns and villages along the way. The strategic importance of the bridge crossings has left many fortifications, some in ruins and some now incorporated into other buildings. Industrial development has seen former mills transformed into hotels, restaurants or private residences all enjoying charming views. The touristic ambitions of inland municipalities has seen the creation of lakes dedicated to watersports and leisure.
Brian's talk encompassed not only history from Roman times and links with Britain but also the lives of the powerful and the poor, art and architecture, environmental issues and the traces left by conflict. Many of us were pleased to revisit places we knew. Comic strip fans noted the Festival de la bande dessinee at Angouleme every spring. We inhaled wistfully when Brian described 'The Angels' Share' which refers to the percentage of cognac which evaporates from the barrels in the cellars where it ages. The Roman city of Saintes is twinned with Salisbury and boasts the Arch of Germanicus from 7A.D. and the largest amphitheatre in Europe outside Italy. Brian's photograph put us into the sandals of a gladiator or slave emerging through the amphitheatre's tunnel into the ring. Anecdotes of daily life and stories of Brian's many friends brought us back down to earth which was a good thing as at one point we saw a photograph of Rochefort from space! Nor did life below the surface of the river go unmentioned as it seems the river is in good health and certain stretches are very popular with Natterjack Toads. We thank Brian for a very entertaining evening which left us with a thirst to explore France for ourselves. Brian kindly offered the group a signed copy of his book Meanderings: A River and a Life which was won in the raffle by Pauline. |
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