Volunteers will soon discover that Monday is a very quiet day in France for small villages and towns like Brossac. Many shops and tourist sites are closed for the day, with the odd exception of the local patisserie or small general store that may open in the morning.

Chalais Market: Sunday 22 June

Volunteers regularly visit the Monday market at Chalais.

A short drive away from Brossac, local town Chalais holds a regular market each Monday, and all La Giraudiere volunteers will have the opportunity to visit during their stay. I’m told the streets are usually packed with traders and the busy hustle and bustle of locals and regulars alike.

However, after some dramatic storms on Sunday night, and waking up to a cool and rainy morning, the market was not as busy as usual. Understandably, many of the traders – and members of the public – had been put off by the weather forecast, deciding to stay indoors and keep dry instead.

It didn’t put us off though. And people from the surrounding towns and villages still came to buy their fruit and veg, and browse stalls full of clothes, jewellery and livestock. The umbrella stall probably did well that day too.

Petanque: Volunteer Versus Paul

On Monday evenings at around 8:30pm volunteers are welcome to come to Brossac village to join the locals in a game of Pétanque (Boules).

My first Pétanque game was quite an international match, with French, Dutch and English making up the teams.

Volunteers join a game of Pétanque in Brossac.

As it happens, I’m clearly a natural at this game. My first attempt was a great success, beating Paul 13-5. Beginners luck I think – as I’m the least sporty and least competitive person I know (usually)… although I was Sunderland City Discus Champion once when I was at school!

After defeating Paul, we joined in with the other teams, playing two long games until about 11pm.

The next Pétanque match is on Friday.