iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

iiinova is part of the Atmosphere — an open, public network where you own your identity.

James Martin Groves

@gite-milvain.wsocial.eu

54 followers 45 following 103 posts

Retired scientist, engineer and small hotelier. I believe in fairness, justice and climate change

Posts Replies Media

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 19/10/2026

Cotinus Coggyria colouring up nicely for autumn.

Cotinus Coggyria - smoke bush - showing purplish red and green leaves all over. Quite the autumn display.

140 4

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 14/10/2026

Here's another one

000 0

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 14/10/2026

@stefancouper.wsocial.eu Sedum Spectabile looking good and feeding insects in autumn

Sedum Spectabile in late September, glowing pink on fleshy acid green leaves

260 6

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 10/10/2026

This was 4 years after "clearing" the bamboo - it been coming back every few weeks ever since. Have just about prevented it getting into the drainage fosse but it's tricky driving through Portuguese Laurel to find the shoots

Bamboo shoots, persistent and pesky, in the long grass area, (Phyllostachis Aurea?). Smoke bush in the background (Cotinus Coggyria).

050 5

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 08/10/2026

Apologies - but I can't get over how lovely it is to be able to look down our driveway from #GiteMilvain and see beautiful #horses, right there, in front!

050 5

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 07/10/2026

We have a cat in a box. His name's Teeny, not Schrödinger.

000 0

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 07/10/2026

The new horses in the paddock opposite our driveway filmed this afternoon. They're looking more relaxed now.

140 4

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 07/10/2026

New neighbours arrived this morning immediately across the lane from us. They're a little shy and exploring their brand new paddock. Two more to come, we hear. Denise is over the moon, she loves horses

New arrivals today. They are shy for now and perhaps wary of the fence.

The paddock has been cleared, fenced and tidied for weeks, awaiting these new horses to arrive

051 5

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 05/10/2026

Memorial in Fougerolles du Plessis to the French Resistance (FTPF) who suffered greatly in WW2 but who also contributed greatly to allied success in liberating France in WW2, including freeing Avranches after D-Day.

020 2

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 05/10/2026

Panama allied drop zone, for SOE to deliver 40 tons of weapons behind German lines, post D-Day, to FTPF near Fougerolles du Plessis, 8 minutes from Gite-Milvain (SOE = Special Operations Executive) (FTPF = Les Francs-tireurs et Partisans Francais, The Communist Wing of the French Resistance WW2)

The monument at Le Site Panama, an allied drop zone supplying regions in Northwest France following the D-Day landings

Memorial stone at the Panama drop zone, commemorating the cooperation of Allied and French Resistance forces in the liberation of France in WW2

The information board details the drops of allied supplies from 1943 till June 1944, critically important to French Resistance but sadly resulting in capture, torture and execution of the FTP leader, Raymonde Derenne, by remaining German forces

A poignant memento fixed to the Stele at Site de Panama.

120 2

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 03/10/2026

Spring at #Gite-Milvain from a few years ago

Early spring view from the lower lawn, over the driveway

030 3

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 02/10/2026

#GiteMilvain is a cosy, private double bed #rentalcottage in Northwest #Mayenne. We have a moderate size garden, with #butterflies, #birds and self-seed flowers with some #wildlife-friendly areas

The Gite is at the east end of our home, with its own private entrance, kitchenette, double bedroom, large shower room + all amenities

Some guests enjoying the Gite lawn, overlooking the rest of the garden

The Gite entrance, #5 - the main house is contiguous, #3 - so we are nearby in case of questions

030 3

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 01/10/2026

We got a new box. Therefore, we are not allowed to crush it up for recycling

110 1

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 01/10/2026

How to find Gite-Milvain. For UK travellers, it is easiest to come by Ferry, to Cherbourg or Saint Malo. By air, Rennes airport is most convenient. Travellers within France may head for Caen then Vire (from the east) or Rennes, then Fougeres or Le Mans, then Laval (from the South)

Gite-Milvain is easy to find travelling from the ferries - just head south and aim for Vire and Fougerolles du Plessis

Gite-Milvain is on the D102 route from Levare, near Gorron, to La Doree, near Fougerolles du Plessis, northwest region of Mayenne Department

020 2

James Martin Groves @gite-milvain.wsocial.eu · 01/10/2026

Welcome to Gite-Milvain, now on W Social. We are also on Bluesky, Pinkleap, Mastodon, Pixelfed and UpScrolled. Gite-Milvain is a cosy, peaceful cottage in rural surroundings of Northwest France - Milvain.fr

160 6