Monday 28 October 2013

Week 44 2013



Hello,

Flaujagues and the falling leaves
A beautiful weekend, with a sunny Sunday and we headed out to the brocantes in Flaujagues and the centre of Ste Foy.  It was great to see people out and about in T-shirts as October draws to a close.

This is possibly the quietest week I have ever known… The events are particularly sparse (not even any films at the local cinemas), so please if you hear of anything, let me know and I’ll add it in, even if it’s really short notice.  It feels like the changing of the clocks has sent the Gironde and Dordogne regions into hibernation!
The centre of Ste Foy - full of folks

Have a great week – keep busy, even if it’s just sweeping leaves!

Best wishes,

Helen


Week 44 2013


Monday 28 October


Tuesday 29 October


Wednesday 30 October


Thursday 31 October


Friday 1 November

1 November is a public holiday called La Toussaint.  Today many French people honour the lives of their deceased relatives by putting flowers on the family graves – traditionally chrysanthemums.  Most shops and restaurants will be closed as people generally try and spend the day with their family.  By the way, even though you might think that chrysanthemums would make a great gift – don’t try offering them to a French person, here they are flowers for the dead.

1 - 30 November : Pottery Exhibition at the Vitrine du Pays Foyen.  Pop in and have a look next time you are shopping at the big Leclerc at Pineuilh.
 




Saturday 2 November

2 – 3 November : Issigeac Christmas Fair organised by MADS.  Held at Issigeac Chateau.

2 November 11h30 :  Opening of the Pottery Exhibition at the Vitrine next to the Grand Pineuilh Leclerc.  All welcome.


 









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 November : Piano concert by a premier Russian concert pianist, Anait Karpova from the Moscow Conservatory to celebrate the church bell benediction at Castelmoron-d'Albret.
To find out more and to reserve tickets call 06 07 78 62 16.  Entrance €20






Sunday 3 November
 









Traffic free Sunday in Bordeaux – the roads are closed for the first Sunday of the month.

 
3 November : Concert in the church at Ste Foy featuring David Olaizola and les Chanteurs Pyreneens de Tarbes.  Entrance €12




Coming up…


And finally… Not a lot of people know this… (Thank you J&PL)
 
"The ending  '-ac' exists not only in the Dordogne, but in the Auvergne, the Massif Central, Lot, Aveyron and Tarn which were Celtic before the Roman invasions '-ac' means 'village'

Or possibly the suffix derived from -iacus, a latin suffix of the Gallo-Roman period, denoting simply possession. For example, "the villa of Aurelius" was written as Aureliacum, which became Aurillac.

In the particular case of South-western France today the city names combine very often the celtic '-ac' or the Roman '-Iacus' and the name of the first Roman colonist to whom the estate was granted - 

Examples:
 
Marminiac - village of Marminius
Souillac - village of Solius
Salviac - village of Salvius ( Salge )
 
Segonzac - village of Secundus


etc.etc
 
Sometimes we have named items after the villages.

Examples:
Armagnac
Cognac
Cadillac
Coulibiac
Bivouac
Almanac
Shellac
Celeriac
Zodiac
Lilac
Tarmac
and
Yashmac

In other cases the type of person residing in the village gave the town its name - 

Examples:
Bulimiac
Amnesiac
Bibliomaniac
Haemophiliac
Egomaniac
Pyromaniac
Hypochondriac
etc.etc.


Monday 21 October 2013

Week 43 2013



Hello!

Castillon was alive with activity last week when a film crew from TF1 descended on the town to film scenes for an upcoming programme called ‘Resistance’.  Thank you to KG for the beautiful photos.

Action took place on both sides of the river, with German soldiers in action in the rain on the first day and then civilian events in the sunshine on the second day.
 
For those of you keen on authenticity, you will be pleased to find out that they removed all the modern road signs and paved over the white lines on the road.  Unfortunately, the stone bridge in Castillon was destroyed (by the French themselves) during the war, so the bridge you see now was rebuilt after the war…

Lots to do next weekend, the Saffron Farm looks interesting… I’ve never tried a Saffron cocktail!

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne region, have a good week,

Best wishes,
 Helen

Week 43 2013

19 October – 14 December : The Pays Foyen Tourist Office in Ste Foy, in partnership with the Vitrine du Pays Foyen (next door to the Grand Pineuilh Leclerc) is organising an amateur photo contest – free and for all ages.  From 19 October to 14 December you are invited to submit up to 3 photographs taken anywhere within the 15 surrounding communes on the theme of “Regards sur le Pays Foyen” (‘Pays Foyen at a Glance’ – that’s my take on the translation…).  The winning photos will be displayed in an exhibition at the Vitrine on 20th December and will remain on show throughout January.  If you would like to find out more, please go to the Tourist Office, or http://tourisme-dordogne-paysfoyen.com/concours-photo-amateur-regards-sur-le-pays-foyen-du-19-octobre-au-14-decembre-2013

Monday 21 October


Tuesday 22 October

22 October 14h15 : Prisoners is showing at the Grandecran in Libourne in VO.
When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?  Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis.

22 October 16h : Blue Jasmin is showing at the Grandecran in Libourne in VO.
Jasmine French used to be on the top of the heap as a New York socialite, but now is returning to her estranged sister in San Francisco utterly ruined. As Jasmine struggles with her haunting memories of a privileged past bearing dark realities she ignored, she tries to recover in her present. Unfortunately, it all proves a losing battle as Jasmine's narcissistic hangups and their consequences begin to overwhelm her. In doing so, her old pretensions and new deceits begin to foul up everyone's lives, especially her own.  Starring Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and directed by Woody Allen.

Wednesday 23 October

23rd October 20h30 : Blue Jasmine is showing at La Breche, Ste Foy in VO

Thursday 24 October


Friday 25 October

25 October – 8 November :’Hommage a Jean Chiquet’ An Exhibition featuring over 15 artists at the Salle Cascante in Castillon la Bataille.  Free entry.

25 – 26 – 27 October : Fete de la St Martin at Flaujagues.

Saturday 26 October

26 October 10h : A discovery trail leaves from Micouleau (a hamlet of Flaujagues, on the riverside heading towards Castillon) as part  of the Fete de St Martin at Flaujagues. For more information call 05 57 40 25 70 or 05 57 40 08 33




26 October : The Great Phoenix Book Fair at the Salle Municipal, Campsegret 24140.  Phoenix https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance
Association is a Dordogne based animal rescue charity. To see what the Phoenix Association as all about go to
Over 18,000 well-sorted and recent books, CDs and DVDs will once again be available to all for only €1 a piece! The popular crime and non-fiction sections will be even bigger than before and even a good assortment of French books will be on offer for those who wish to polish their language skills.
For the first time, brand new, high quality books will be available for a steal at €2.50 each!
As if many thousands of books, CDs and DVDs isn't enough, there will also be stalls with our famous Tombola, family puzzles and games, bric-a-brac, specialist antiquarian and children's books and lots more!
Delicious home-made €1 savouries, tasty cakes, scones and other assorted goodies, along with hot and cold drinks.

26 October 17h45 : Blue Jasmine is showing at La Breche, Ste Foy in VO

26 October 20h : Soiree Oriental Dansante in Ste Radagonde Salle des Fetes.  Menu includes apéritif, couscous Royal et machoui d’agneau, tiramisu, and Cotes de Castillon wine.  €25/adult.  Gather together some friends, book a table and no-one need worry about the washing up!  Information and reservations 05 57 40 76 91

26 October 20h30 : Flaujagues Dinner Dance as part of the Fete de St Martin.  Price €14.  Reservations 05 57 40 29 94 / 05 57 40 25 70

26 – 27 October: Portes Overtes at Terr’a Safran, Nerigean 33750.  If you have ever wondered abouthttp://www.terrasafran.fr/
the story of Saffron, the valuable spice from the crocus flower, head over to Terr’a Safran to find out more.

 














 


26 – 27 October : Fete du vin nouveau & de la brocante in the Chartrons, Bordeaux.  Plenty to see, including antiques, brocante, contemporary art, vin nouveau, hot chestnuts…

26 October – 11 November : The funfair is in Libourne in the Course Tourny, so beware that parking will be at a premium in the centre of town

The clocks go back in the night between Saturday and Sunday - we get an extra hour in bed...















Sunday 27 October
27 October : Brocante Vide grenier at Flaujagues.

27 October : Les Puces de la Bastide.  Flea market in the centre of Ste Foy.

Sunday 27 20h45 : Liberace (Behind the Candelabra) is showing at La Breche, Ste Foy in VO
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his   Starring Matt Damon, Michael Douglas and Scott Bakula.
(much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.













Coming up…






And Finally…


Not what I usually expect to see when I whizz into Castillon...

Monday 14 October 2013

Week 42 2013



Hello!
Plenty to see and buy in Rauzan.
We put the heating on and lit the first fire of the season, I think that autumn has arrived!  We did have good luck when we went to the Brocante at Rauzan on Friday, the sun shone and we happily wandered round the stalls outside. 
Anything and everything...

This weekend the Cercle Esprit 77, a group of 12 women in Castillon, are holding their first Salon du bien-être et de la beauté.  This event consists of 26 stands celebrating all things beauty and well-being for the body and soul.  There will be plenty of opportunities to meet and try various treatments and therapies such as reflexology and the use of essential oils, massage and even a medium.

During the day they will be joined by groups from l’Amicale laïque who offer dance classes as well as yoga and taï-chi throughout the year.  It’s free to visit, and living in rural France it’s a rare chance to have such a collection of therapies under the same roof, and at the same time!  To find out more see the article in the Sud-Ouest http://www.sudouest.fr/2013/10/14/le-bien-etre-tient-salon-a-la-campagne-1198372-2820.php
 
Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne have a great week – I’m always on the look out for events to publicise, so please don’t hesitate to send me any events you’d like included.

Best wishes,

Helen


Week 42 2013


Monday 14 October


Tuesday 15 October


Wednesday 16 October

16 October 16h : Blue Jasmine is playing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne. http://www.grandecran.fr/libourne/
A New York socialite deeply troubled and in denial, arrives in San Francisco to impose upon her sister. She looks a million, but isn't bringing money, peace, or love...  Starring Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Peter Sarsgaard.

Thursday 17 October

17 October 19h : Jeudis du Jazz.  The 13/14 season of Thursday Jazz starts with a free concert at the Espace Culturel de Creon.  Featuring Akoda Quintet (Afro Jazz) and Chateau de la Ligne (tasting).  To find out more and how to reserve (recommended) go to http://www.larural.fr/spectacle/akoda-quintet/

17 October 19h30 : Blue Jasmine is playing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.  
 
Friday 18 October

18 October 14h : Blue Jasmine is playing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne. http://www.grandecran.fr/libourne/

18 – 19 – 20 October : Les Mongolfiades de St Emilion.  Starting on Friday evening at 18h there is a free Night Glow Show at Chateau Soutard in St Emilion. The show features a choreographed musical display by the balloonists.  There are 5 opportunities to take a ride in a balloon, 3 evenings and 2 mornings over the weekend.  To find out more go to http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/fr/agenda.html?m=10&id=839

Saturday 19 October

19 October 10h – 18h : Salon du Bien Etre et de la Beaute. Held at the Centre Cultural in Castillon.  Free entry.

19 October 16h : Blue Jasmine is playing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne. http://www.grandecran.fr/libourne/

19 – 20 October : Vide Grenier at the Stade de Rugby in Coutras

 

















19 – 20 October : Concours de pistage français organisé par l’Amicale canine.  Organised by the Dog Training group in Pineuilh, this weekend they are hosting A Dog tracking event. To find out more go to http://amicale-canine-pineuilh.e-monsite.com/
 
Sunday 20 October

20 October : Marche d’Automne at St Magne de Castillon.

20 October : Marché fermier d'automne, vide-grenier, at Le Pizou.  Over 100 stands

20 October : St Emilion semi marathon (also a 5km race).  It’s not too late to subscribe to the marathon (you can even just turn up on the day) which starts and finishes in Montagne and passes through Lussac and Puisseguin.  To find out more, go to http://www.semimarathon-sat-st-emilion.com/





















20 October 15h30 : A Concert featuring the Chorale des Bastides at the Church (not the Temple) in Pessac.  Entrance €7


Coming up…

 



















And finally…

 
Our last home-grown tomato salad.