Week 18 2014

Hello!

With summer just around the corner, what better way to spend the afternoon than in the peaceful surroundings of the Glass House at Chateau Carbonneau in Pessac.  With a choice between tea and cakes, or wine and cheese, there’s something for everyone.

The magnificent Napoleon III Glass House is a stunning backdrop for Jacquie’s homemade cakes and scones served with a selection of teas.   Alternatively you can have a glass (or bottle!) of Carbonneau wine with Bayonne ham and Ossau Iraty cheese direct from the producer - two other partners with Bienvenue à la Ferme.

Prices range from €3 for a glass of wine through to €12.50 for a large plate of cheese and ham.

Opening on 1 May Jacquie and Morgane look forward to welcoming you to the tempting treats available in the unique and charming Glass House right in the heart of the vineyard - open from May to September on Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday, from 2pm to 6pm  http://www.chateau-carbonneau.com/

Whatever you do this week, have a good time in the Gironde and Dordogne regions.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 18 2014

Monday 28 April

 

Tuesday 29 April

Wednesday 30 April

30 April 21h45 : Joe is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

An ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin.  Starring Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheriden and Gary Poulter

30 April – 1 May : Salon combining Art, wine and food at Chateau du Grand Puch in Saint Germain du Puch.  See more details at http://chateau-du-grand-puch.fr/

Thursday 1 May

1 May : Vide Greniers in Frontenac 33760

1 May : Vide Grenier at Place Gambetta in Bergerac

1 May : Vide Greniers at Saint Meard de Gurcon – I think this one is a plant and flower market too.

1 May : Fete des Fleurs et Vide Greniers in La Reole 33190

1 May : Marche aux Fleurs et a l'artisanat in Pellegrue

1 May : Vide Greniers at Villefranche de Longchat

1 May : Vide Greniers at Moulon 33420

1 May : Vide Greniers at Saint Etienne de Lisse

1 May : Portes Ouvertes at Château Maine Pascaud and Bresserie Mascaret in Rions

1 May  : May day fete in Lauzun. Jo will be there with her pots.














 

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 May : Saint Emilion Portes Ouvertes.  To view the full programme over the 4 days go to http://en.vins-saint-emilion.com/

Friday 2 May

2 May 13h45 : Joe is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

2 May 20h45 : Her is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy

A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need. Starring Jauquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Scarlett Johansson.

 

Saturday 3 May

3 May : Foire aux fleurs et au miel in the square in the middle of Libourne.

3 May 17h45 : Her is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy

3 – 4 May : Antiquite Brocante at the Salle des Fetes in Coutras

3 May 20h30 : Cirque aux Ecuries.  The Poney Club de Ste Foy present a new Show and  Concert at Les Leves et Thoumeyragues.  Find out more at http://cirqueauxecuries.revolublog.com/

Sunday 4 May

4 May : Brocante Vide Grenier at Cadillac

4 May : Brocante Marche aux Puces at Place Cayla, Place de la Myrpe et rues à proximité in Bergerac.

4 May : Vide Greniers at the school in Pineuilh

4 May : Vide Grenier at Mussidan 24400

4 May : Grand Vide Grenier at St Magne de Castillon

4 May 14h30 : Quine at Gensac salle in aid of the Gensac Chambre Orchestra – brush up on your number skills and you might win one of the 42 prizes!

Coming up…

And finally…

This time of year is a busy time for the bees – the explosion of blossoms all around sends them out and about in search of pollen.  There is also a population explosion in the hive with hundreds of new bees born every day.  This can lead to a new Queen being born and ‘buzzing’ off with half the population of the hive in search of a new home.  Last year we successfully  ‘re-homed’ 2 swarms of bees.

So, if you see a swarm of bees ‘between homes’ please let us know and we’ll come and take them away – we have an empty hive all ready and waiting.  When the bees are all together in a tree like those in the photo, they are actually quite docile and easy to move.  Sometimes they take up residence between the shutters and the windows in houses which have been closed up for the winter as the gap is the ideal size for a natural hive.

Anyway, if you find one, be amazed at the natural world, then get in touch and we’ll take it away!

A top bar hive

Week 17 2014

Hello!                                                                                                               

Easter for me doesn’t just mean chocolate… it’s also time for hot cross buns and Simnel cake.  I’m not a huge fan of marzipan, but the rest of the cake is delicious!

Home made Simnel cake

I’ve had a request from a holiday home owner near Rauzan looking for a local cook, someone who can cook up a local, traditional meal and deliver it to holiday guests.  If you could do this, or know someone who would be interested, please get in touch with me at the address below.

Have a great week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr                                                             

Week 17 2014

Monday 21 April – Easter Monday

21 April : The big Easter Market and Funfair in Castillon.

Tuesday 22 April

Wednesday 23 April

Thursday 24 April

24 April 20h30 : Nebraska is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy la Grande.

An ageing, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize.  "NEBRASKA" is a father and son road trip, from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska that gets waylaid at a small town in central Nebraska, where the father grew up and has scores to settle. Told with deadpan humour and a unique visual style, it's ultimately the story of a son trying to get through to a father he doesn't understand.  Starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb

Friday 25 April

25 April – 11 May : Foire de Printemps.  The giant Antiques fair held twice a year at the Quinconces on the waterfront in Bordeaux.  The spring fair also has a large plant and flower market attached.  If you go by tram then there’s a stop right at Quinconces.

Saturday 26 April

26 April 17h45 : Nebraska is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy la Grande.

Sunday 27 April

27 April : Vide Greniers at Saint Philippe du Seignal

27 April : Parcours Pedestre – Place des Saveurs.  A Walking tour for foodies, or is it a tasting tour 

for walkers?  Whichever, join in the friendly company, leaving from Ste Florence at 9h30.

27 April : Flea Market in the centre of Sainte Foy la Grande, organised by Les Puces de la Bastide.

27 April – Vide Grenier in Ste Radegonde 33350

27 April : Brocante Vide Grenier in Sainte Terre as part of their Fete de la Lamproie.

 

27 April : Brocante Vide Grenier at Sauveterre de Guyenne

27 April : Flower Market in La Sauvetat du Dropt

27 April 20h45 : Nebraska is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy la Grande.

Coming up…

And finally…

You can never see him… but we have a nightingale singing his heart out on the riverbank by us.

Week 16 2014

Hello!

I know that it’s spring because the asparagus are here!  For me, that little window of time when green asparagus are available always heralds the beginning of the summertime. I’m not a big fan of the white ones, but green ones are a little moment of taste-bud heaven!  Served steamed with a soft

boiled egg to dip into, or grilled on the barbecue, or roasted in the oven… delicious – how do you like your asparagus?

Whatever you eat, or whatever you do – have a great Easter week / weekend in the Gironde and Dordogne.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 16 2014

Monday 14 April

14 April 16h10 & 21h45 : Her is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need.  Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Scarlett Johansson.

14 April 21h45 : Nebraska is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize.  "NEBRASKA" is a father and son road trip, from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska that gets waylaid at a small town in central Nebraska, where the father grew up and has scores to settle. Told with deadpan humour and a unique visual style, it's ultimately the story of a son trying to get through to a father he doesn't understand.  Starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb

Tuesday 15 April

14 April 16h10 & 21h45 : Her is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

15 April 21h45 : Nebraska is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Wednesday 16 April

Thursday 17 April

Friday 18 April - Good Friday

18 – 27 April : Art Exhibition at the Salle Cascante in Castillon.  Free entry.

Saturday 19 April

19 April 15h – 17h : Wines and Chocolates – a fabulous combination for Easter when there’s chocolate everywhere you look.  To reserve your place by 16th April contact Frédérique LEUSIE
" Association des Vignes aux Vins en Pays Foyen"
  VITRINE DU PAYS FOYEN

  Centre commercial Grand Pineuilh

  Avenue de la Résistance
  33220 PINEUILH
  T- 05.57.41.21.79
  Mail - vignesauxvins@gmail.com

19 – 21 April : Baseball Tournement in Pinuilh at the pitch next to the Lidl.  Free entry, go along and watch the teams play – if you don’t know the rules there will be someone to help you understand.  (Just don’t park your car too close to the pitch!)

19 April : Following the success of the last Bread Making course Jan and Nki Demaitre Vermassen have extended the course -  L’Atelier du Pain. A chance to learn how to make bread from a master baker in Civrac sur Dordogne.  To find out more contact 05 57 41 48 86 / 06 79 74 34 30

19 – 20 – 21 April : Les Printemps de Duras.  Lots and lots going on in and around Duras this Easter weekend.  To see the full programme go to http://durasprintemps.wordpress.com/category/accueil/

19 - 20 - 21 April : Grand Easter Fair in Castillon.  Something for everyone!  The Stone Bridge over Castillon will be closed on Easter Monday

 

Sunday 20 April - Easter Sunday

20 April : Marche aux Fleurs and Vide Greniers in Duras.

20 April : Bric a Brac in Gardonne 24680

20 April : Something for the children - Easter Egg Hunt at Chateau Soutard.  Reservations recommended at booking.soutard.com  or call 05 57 24 71 41

20 April 14h - 17h : Take your basket and head over to Chateau de Vayres for a great Easter Egg Hunt.  

 

Coming up…

And finally…

Pâques (Easter) is celebrated with a plethora of chocolate, including eggs, bunnies, chickens, ducks, fish and bells. 

Hmmm… fish and bells?  Well, apparently, the fish are carried over from the 1 April which often falls on or around Easter weekend and tradition dictates that mischievous children stick paper fish on the backs of unsuspecting adults – who reward them with chocolate fish!

The bells - Cloche volants – Flying Bells have a religious significance, because on Good Friday all the bells in France fly off to the Vatican in Rome taking with them the grief of those mourning Christ’s Crucifixion.  The church bells in France are then silent until Easter Sunday when they return and ring out to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.  They also spread chocolate and decorated eggs over the gardens of France which the children collect when they hear the bells.

So, chocolate fish and bells – who knew?