Week 5 2014

Hello,

It has been rather a soggy week!  Flooded roads and waterlogged fields are all around.  Wellingtons are no longer a fashion statement, they are a necessity!

I suggest heading for the city.  The first Sunday of the month in Bordeaux is car free, though you can drive along the waterfront, you can’t access the old centre with your car.  Take your umbrella and enjoy a change of scene.

 

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, keep dry and take care,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 5 2014

The 40^th Antique and Contemporary art Exhibition is on at Bordeaux Lac running from 25 January – 2 February. To find out more go to http://www.salon-antiquaires-bordeaux-lac.fr/index.html

Monday 27 January

Tuesday 28 January

28 January 14h15 : The Wolf of Wall Street is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.  Starring Leonado DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie

28 January 20h30 : The Selfish Giant (Le geante egoiste) is showing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

The Selfish Giant is a contemporary fable about two scrappy 13-year-old working-class friends in the UK who seek fortune by getting involved with a local scrap dealer and criminal, leading to tragic consequences.  Starring Conner Chapman, Shaun Thomas, Sean Guilder

Wednesday 29 January

Thursday 30 January

30 January 19h25 : To Kill a Mockingbird (Du Silence et Des Ombres) is showing at the Grandecran in Libourne.
Based on Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning book of 1961. Atticus Finch is a lawyer in a racially divided Alabama town in the 1930s. He agrees to defend a young black man who is accused of raping a white woman. Many of the townspeople try to get Atticus to pull out of the trial, but he decides to go ahead. How will the trial turn out - and will it change any of the racial tension in the town ?  Starring Gregory Peck, John Megna and Frank Overton 

Friday 31 January

Saturday 1 February

Sunday 2 February – la Chandeleur

‘Dimanche a Bordeaux sans voiture’ The first Sunday of the month in central Bordeaux is car free.  You will also find an open air market at Place Pey-Berland, a great long market stretching the length of the waterfront on the Quais and an antique/flea market at St Michel also on the waterfront, but at the other end, near to the stone bridge.

2 February : Brocante Marche aux puces in Bergerac at Place Cayla, Place de la Myrpe and surrounding streets.

2 February : Rauzan Marche des puces at the covered market in Rauzan opposite the school.

2 February 15h30 : Concert de la Chandeleur at the Chapelle Sainte Marguerite in Capitourlan, just to the east of Castillon.

2 February 18h15 : To Kill a Mockingbird (Du Silence et Des Ombres) is showing at the Grandecran in Libourne.

2 February 20h30 : Philomena is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
When former journalist Martin Sixsmith is dismissed from the Labour Party in disgrace, he is at a loss as to what do. That changes when a young Irish woman approaches him about a story of her mother, Philomena, who had her son taken away when she was a teenage inmate of a Catholic convent. Martin arranges a magazine assignment about her search for him that eventually leads to America. Along the way, Martin and Philomena discover as much about each other as about her son's fate. Furthermore, both find their basic beliefs challenged.  Starring Judy Dench and Steve Cougan

Coming up…

 

And finally…

The Catholic holiday of Candlemas, on 2 February, is a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of baby Jesus. In France, this holiday is called la Chandeleur, Fête de la Lumière, or jour des crêpes.

Not only do the French eat a lot of crêpes on Chandeleur, but they also do a bit of fortune telling while making them. It is traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other, and flip the crêpe into the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year.  There is also a train of thought that suggests you should keep this well flipped pancake on the top of the wardrobe for the year to doubly ensure good fortune…

Week 4 2014

Hello,

I like old cars, I don’t know much about them, but I like looking at them and imagining the journeys they have travelled, and the people and the places they have visited, so I was delighted when a whole fleet of them turned up in Rauzan on Sunday.

On a cautious note, I have been told by a few people about an internet scam.  An email is received, which appears to be from the EdF. It says that monthly payments have been declined by the bank and you need to click on a link to pay.  A phone call to EdF confirmed (eventually) that it is a scam and should be ignored – just be aware.

Have a great week – Burns Night is coming up, so have a wee dram and raise your glass to Robbie!

Best wishes for a good week,

From

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 4 2014

Wow, this is a week of films… so many to choose from.

Monday 20 January

Tuesday 21 January

21 January 14h15 : Blue Jasmine is ahowing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne. (At last a chance to use the 2 for 1 Orange offer http://www.grandecran.fr/libourne/cineday/ )

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 Sarsgaaard.

21 January 20h15 : Snowpiercer is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne. (Typical – 2 come along on the same day – another chance to use the 2 for 1 Orange offer http://www.grandecran.fr/libourne/cineday/ )

In a future where a failed global-warming experiment kills off most life on the planet, a class system evolves aboard the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe via a perpetual-motion engine.  Starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton and Jamie Bell.

21 January 20h30 : Mandela is showing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy la Grande.

A chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.  Starring Idris Elba, Naomie Harris and Terry Pheto

Wednesday 22 January

22 January 20h30 : The Selfish Giant (Le geante egoiste) is showing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

The Selfish Giant is a contemporary fable about two scrappy 13-year-old working-class friends in the UK who seek fortune by getting involved with a local scrap dealer and criminal, leading to tragic consequences.  Starring Conner Chapman, Shaun Thomas, Sean Guilder

Thursday 23 January

Friday 24 January

24 January 20h30 : The Wolf of Wall Street is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.  Starring Leonado DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie

24 January 20h45 : Inside Llewyn Davis is showing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

A week in the life of a young singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961.  Starring Oscar Issac, Carey Mulligan and John Goodman.

Saturday 25 January

25 January : Concert at the church in Gensac.  Pizzicati sings in aid of Restos du Coeur in Pays  Foyen.

25 January 19h30 : Burns Night Supper at the Rastaurant Nostalgair in Levignac de Guyenne.  For a truly Scottish evening call 05 53 84 95 21 to reserve, or find out more on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Restaurant-NostalgAir

Sunday 26 January

26 January : Exposition d'objets de Bars
Collection d'objets de bars, "Suze" et de cartes humoristiques sur le vin. Salle polyvalente d'Eymet de 9h30 à 17h. Entrée Gratuite.

26 January 20h30 : The Wolf of Wall Street is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

26 January 20h45 : The Selfish Giant (Le geante egoiste) is showing in VO at La Breche cinema in 

Ste Foy.

26 January : Les Puces du Rauzan.  You never know what you might find, anything from vintage cars to antique furniture.

Coming up…

28 January 14h15 : The Wolf of Wall Street is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne. (It’s that 2 for 1 Orange offer again!)

And finally…

I like a bit of Franglais… (thank you J&PL)

Subject: Francois Hollande et son alleged bit sur le side 

"François Hollande est dans un spot de bother. Il est dans un pickle. Franchement, il est dans l’eau chaud. Selon un magazine français, le président a been having une affaire très steamy avec une femme improbably belle. Et hier, slap bang dans le middle de cette scandale, il devait give un grand press conference. Quel luck rotten!

Mais il y avait un peu de bon news pour le pauvre homme: il est français. Et les français, apparently, ne care pas about les affaires steamy. En fait, un nouveau poll shows que depuis la scandale broke, le président a become plus populaire! En France, vous voyez, c’est seulement une scandale si un homme n’a pas une affaire.

En Paris, le press conference était complètement packed. En angleterre, les journalistesanglais ont regardé l’action à la télévision. Ils n’ont pas pu wait to écouter le gossip juicy about l’homme important et son bit sur le side.

En fin, le président – un petit fellow qui apparently a seulement un pair des chaussures – est arrivé. Pour once, il n’a pas porter son motorcycle helmet. Sans further ado, il a commencé parler about l’économie. Il a parlé about it pour un très long temps. Cinq minutes, dix minutes, vingt minutes, trente minutes – tout sour l’économie!
C’était tout terribly intéressant, mais je n’ai pas pu help but feel qu’il y avait un éléphant dans la salle.

Mais still il a continué de parler about l’économie, et le banking, et le social security, et so on et so on. Zut alors! Monsieur le Président certainement avait beaucoup à dire about sujets that a rien to do avec le steamy hot shagging.
“Je suis desolé pour going into such detail,” a dit le président. Il est such un tease.

Finalement il a fini parler about son dratted économie. Donc! C’était temps pour some questions about les sujets plus importants, such as le hanky-panky! Naughty Monsieur le Président a been jouer au Cachez le Saucisse! Les journalistes français would avoir beaucoup de choses à dire about ça!
“Excusez-moi, Monsieur le Président,” a dit un petit journaliste, très politely, “mais pouvez-vous possiblement tell nous, si ce n’est pas trop much trouble, qui at le moment est la ‘Première Femme’?”
“Non, je ne jolly well could pas,” a dit le président.
Et ça, apparently, était ça. Pas de further questions sur le rumpy-pumpy. Les journalistes français just voulaient to ask about le silly économie. Quel waste de temps ça was.

Week 3 2014

Hello,

Very confused forsythia

The weather (wherever you are in the world) seems to be the headlining topic of conversation.  We have been on river watch as the high tide has brought the water level up, but it is the unseasonal warmth that has really surprised us.  The bees are out and about collecting pollen, and some surprised plants have started sprouting blossom!

There are some interesting musical events coming up.  Hopefully something to suit everyone.

Also spotted in the garden

Thank you for all your continuing contributions, if you have an event that you would like listed please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 3 2014

Monday 13 January

Tuesday 14 January

Wednesday 15 January

15 January 16h : The Selfish Giant is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

An official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, The Selfish Giant is a contemporary fable about 13 year old Arbor (Conner Chapman) and his best friend Swifty (Shaun Thomas). Excluded from school and outsiders in their own neighborhood, the two boys meet Kitten (Sean Gilder), a local scrap dealer. Wandering their town with just a horse and a cart, they begin collecting scrap metal for him. Swifty has a natural gift with horses while Arbor emulates Kitten - keen to impress him and make some money. However, Kitten favors Swifty, leaving Arbor feeling hurt and excluded, driving a wedge between the boys. As Arbor becomes increasingly greedy and exploitative, tensions build, leading to a tragic event that transforms them all.  Starring Conner Chapman, Shaun Thomas and Sean Guilder.

15 January 20h30 : Mandela is showing  in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

A chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.  Starring Idris Elba, Naomie Harris and Terry Pheto.

Thursday 16 January

16 January 21h45 : The Selfish Giant is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Friday 17 January

17 January 13h50 : The Selfish Giant is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

17 January 18h45 : Apero Concert at Chateau de Chainchon starring Bertrand Leiris and others.  Entrance €8 including wine tasting!

17 January 19h30 : Le Jazz Club de L’Orient.  Upstairs at the Grand Café de l’Orient becomes a Jazz club once a month in the 3^rd Friday.  Free entry, but reservations are recommended.  05 57 51 17 59

17 January 20h15 : Verdi's Aida is showing live from Paris at the Grandecran cinema in Libourne.

Saturday 18 January

18 January 14h : Blue Jasmine is showing in VO at the Grandecran cinema in Libourne.

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 Peter Sarsgaard.

18 January 20h45 : The Aquitaine Philharmonic Orchestra accompanies Florian Sempey in a concert ‘Airs d’Opera. Reservation and Information : Office de tourisme 05 57 51 15 04 or Conservatoire de musique 05 57 51 13 48. Tickets €15 / €12

18 – 19 January 10h – 16h : A Book Sale Clearance in aid of Medecine Sans Frontiers at Boulevard du Colome, Mézin, for further information call Lesley 05 53 65 93 39

Sunday 19 January

19 January : Rauzan Marche des Puces.  There’s always something new to see and discover.

19 January 16h : Blue Jasmine is showing in VO at the Grandecran cinema in Libourne

19 January 20h30 : The Selfish Giant is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Coming up…

21 January 20h30 : Mandela is showing  in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

And finally…

For all my friends who have headed off for winter sun in the Caribbean, I was inspired to make Jamaican Banana Bread. 

Week 2 2014

Hello and Happy New Year!

Ooops – where did week 1 go?

Today is 12^th night – the last day of the Christmas season and traditionally the day Christmas decorations get taken down and packed away for next year.  The 12^th night is the day that the 3 wise men arrived in Bethlehem, taking gifts to the baby Jesus.

The French celebrate this day with a special cake called the ‘Galette des Rois’ (the King’s cake).   

This frangipane filled cake is served up according to tradition on 6^th January.  A lucky charm – known as a fève (originally a bean, but now more often a little porcelain figure) is baked into the cake.  As story goes, the cake is divided into enough slices as people present, and one extra, for the first poor person that passes by.  The youngest person in the group decides who has which slice, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day.  When you buy a Galette des Rois it usually comes complete with a paper crown.

So if you were wondering what to eat with your afternoon cup of tea, on 6^th January, it has to be a Galette des Rois!  Bon appétit!

Whatever you eat this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions – enjoy!

Happy New Year, sending best wishes for a happy and healthy 2014,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 2 2014

 The hibernating season is well under way!  If you hear of any events and activities happening, please let me know.  Even the local cinemas have very little choice.

Monday 6 January

Tuesday 7 January

Wednesday 8 January

The sales start today and last five weeks, finishing on 11 February.

 8 January 20h30 : The Immigrant is playing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

On the mean streets of Manhattan, Ewa falls prey to Bruno, a charming but wicked man who takes her in and forces her into prostitution.  Starring Jeremy Renner, Joaquin Phoenix and Marion Cotillard.

Thursday 9 January

Friday 10 January

Saturday 11 January

11 January 17h45 : The Immigrant is playing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

Sunday 12 January

12 January : Marche des Puces at Rauzan.  I really don’t know where else you can head to on a Sunday in the winter, nor do I know what’s happened to the little restaurant that used to serve food inside the Brocante.

12 January : Vide Grenier at Cadillac

Coming up…

And finally…

If you fancy having a go and making the famous Galette des Rois here is an English adaptation of the recipe http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5078/galette-des-rois