Monday 26 January 2015

Week 5 2015



Hello,


One of the lovely things about living here is that friends and neighbours always generously share the fruits of their gardens when they have a glut.

I was delighted therefore, when my friend called up to let me know she’d left some fruit on my doorstep… and what a fruit it was!  This is an enormous 6 ½ kg melon d’Espagne.  It is a late harvest melon and although common in the Gironde is relatively unknown in the rest of the world.  ‘You make jam’ was the only clue I had.
 
Frantic internet research followed and it’s true, the only real use for this melon (also known as pie melon or jam melon) is indeed jam!  The inside is reminiscent of a watermelon in smell, though the texture is denser and the colour quite different.

I have spent the day preparing the melon for jam making tomorrow.  Almost all the recipes recommend leaving the fruit and the sugar together overnight before boiling.  I shall keep you posted on the results.  Meanwhile, I have a huge amount of seed taken from the flesh, so if you’d like some to grow your own melons d’Espagne send me an email with your address and I’ll post you some. (see below for updates)

Whatever you do, visit or make this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a great week.

Best wishes,
Helen

Week 5 2015


Monday 26 January


Tuesday 27 January


Wednesday 28 January

28 January : Weekly Pool Competition at la Cave des Chevaliers, Villefranche de Longchat.  For more information call 05 57 19 10 78

28 January 21h45 : The Imitation Game is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.  Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly and Matthew Goode.

Thursday 29 January

29 January 19h45 : The Imitation Game is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Friday 30 January

30 January 13h45 : The Imitation Game is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

30 January : Weekly Quiz night at the Gensake in Gensac. We're getting ready for FRIDAY!! Get swatting ladies and gentlemen. We will have new teams and some stiff competition taking part in this Pub Quiz Challenge. Our Bamber Gascoigne of the week is Phil Bussell, so perhaps we'll have a few questions about Oz thrown in the bag..... errr can you name the Australian Prime Minister? Heads down, pens at the ready, a pint of beer and a curry with an onion bahji PLEASE!  

Call ahead to reserve a table and book your supper – homemade curry or fish’n’chips 05 57 47 41 04

Saturday 31 January

31 January : The Theatre Family day is offering a selection of dates in MOuliets et Villemartin.  Follow the link to show when you would be interested.

31 January 21h : Comic theatre at the Salle Leo Drouyn in Pujols. Entrance €5




















31 January 20h : The 2nd Edition of  Match D’Improvisation Theatrale organised BY Amicale Laique in La Reole.  Entrance €5
 
31 January – 1 February : Orchid Exhibition at the Salle Polyvalent in Ste Foy la Grande.  If you like all things orchid related, then this is the place for you.  The varieties of Orchid is amazing.

Sunday 1 February

1 February:  The Brocante at Place Cayla et place de la Mirpe in Bergerac.  I think this is held on the first Sunday of each month.

1 February : Bourse au vĂȘtements et Vide Poussette in Pujols.

1 February : Weekly flea market in Rauzan.  Still no proper restaurant, but you can get soups and snacks and oysters and wine and there is a regular organic produce stall just by the entrance.
 
1 February 15h30 : New Year concert given by the Orchestres d’Harmonie du Pays Castillonais et du Pays de Bergerac at the Centre Cultural, Castillon

1 February 15h30 :  Le Choeur Voyagers perform at the Grande eglise in Villefranch de Longchat.

 





1 February 20h30 : The Imitation Game is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.








 




Coming up…

RNA Aquitaine will be holding their monthly lunch on Wednesday 11th February.  The time is 1200' 
and the location, the Hotel du Nord, Tombeboeuf.
Membership of the Royal Naval Association is open to all serving and former members of the RN, RM, WRNS and QARNNS, and their families. Contact Ken Napier 0553 017280.





And finally…

The melon jam story so far...
Day 1 
   Cut up melon (removing all seeds), add diced confit ginger, sliced lemon peel and lemon juice.

   Pour over sugar and leave overnight

Day 2
   The sugar has drawn all the liquid out of the melon and so I transferred it to the jam pan and switched on the heat.













3 hours later the jam is showing no signs whatsoever of setting, I've added yet more lemon juice and grated in an apple and it's still runny.  In desperation I put it into the jars hoping it would set as it cools.

Day3
The jam has cooled and is still completely liquid.  I'm at a loss... sugary melon syrup anyone???

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Week 4 2015



Hello!

Chicory for sale in Castillon market
I do like Castillon market on a Monday morning.  It may not have the reputation or size of the Saturday morning market in Ste Foy la Grande, or the choice of produce you can find in Libourne (especially in the indoor market on a Friday and a Sunday), but it is a typical farmer’s market.

You won’t find strawberries in the market right now and I enjoy the seasonality of the produce, but one market trader who always fascinates me is the chicory (or endive) man.  His stall consists of a large carpet of chicory still growing in the compost. He picks the chicory to order – you can’t get much fresher than that!

Cooked chicory is not my favourite, perhaps I’ve never found a good recipe, but I like shredded chicory salad, a nice fresh crunch drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Wherever you shop, and whatever you eat this week, have a great time in the Gironde and Dordogne regions.

Best wishes,
Helen

Week 4 2015

50% off entrance to the Grandecran in Libourne all this week.


Monday 19 January

19 January 20h45 : La Famille Belier is showing in French at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.  But don’t be put off… here’s a report from one of my favourite contributors’ – Many thanks CE.

I went to see the film La Famille Belier which is showing at the Cinema La Breche in Ste. Foy la Grande - and can definitely recommend it.

It's another of those feel good factor films.  Set in rural France, it's sweet and very funny in places, and ends happily.   I struggled to follow the conversation in some of the scenes but realised it was not important as the main story line is easy to follow.  So if you like music (Michel Sardou) and have a basic understanding of French it's well worth it.

Tuesday 20 January


Wednesday 21 January

21 January 16h15 : Under the Skin is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
A mysterious woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. Events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.  Starring Scarlett Johanson, Antonia Campbell Hughes and Paul Brannigan

21 January 20h : Pool Tournement.  La Cave des Chevaliers has two super league pool tables and competitions will be held every other Wednesday starting 21st January. They will be joining the pool league next year too.  For more information contact lescavedeschevaliers@gmail.com

Thursday 22 January

22 January 16h10 : Unbroken (Invincible in France) is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he's caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.  Starring Jack O’Connell, Takamasa Ishihara and Domhnall Gleeson
 
22 January 20h : La Cave des Chevaliers in Villefranche de Longchat is holding a Franco/Anglo Quiz night.  Reservations and information 05 47 19 10 78

22 January 20h30 : La Famille Belier is showing in French at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy.

Friday 23 January

23 January 13h45 : Under the Skin is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

23 January : Weekly Friday night Pub Quiz and Fish'n'chips at the Gensake in Gensac.  Limited places available this week, so don't forget to reserve your table 05 57 47 41 04

Saturday 24 January

24 January 18 : La Famille Belier is showing in French at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy

24 January 19h30 : Rumba Fusion group Metisolea are staging a concert at the Centre Culturel in Castillon.  €10 includes entry and tapas.  Information and reservations 06 12 03 89 06

Sunday 25 January

25 January : Weekly flea market in Rauzan

 




25 January 18h15 : Under the Skin is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

25 January 19h : Celebrate Burns Night in traditional Scottish style with Haggis and the Fiddlesticks at La Cave des Chevaliers in Villefranche de Longchat.  For more information and reservations call 05 47 19 10 78

25 January 20h30: Unbroken (Invincible in France) is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Coming up…

31 January : The Theatre Family day is offering a selection of dates.  Follow the link to show when you would be interested.
http://doodle.com/tfn93eqvmuq5rfn7




















And finally…

I’m not sure that this is a gadget I want to see in action… I’m not even sure it’s legal?  But you can pick one up at a flea market near here!


Monday 12 January 2015

Week 3 2014



Hello!


Another wintry week – but this one was considerably brightened up by a fun and friendly evening in a pub.  Jennie and Gogo invite you to join them at the Gensake in Gensac for traditional fish’n’chips or a curry followed by a pub quiz each Friday through January and February.

We went along last week for the ‘test run’ and it was great fun.  Both the fish and chips and the Madras curry went down a treat on our table and the home made Lemon meringue pie was a triumph.
 
To join in the fun gather together a team of 3 – 6 people and call or email Jennie by Thursday evening to reserve a table and place your order.  Jennie prides herself on fresh produce locally sourced, so she’ll be out shopping on the Friday morning.  The menu will feature a different curry each week as well as the staple fish’n’chips with mushy peas – my personal favourite!

Contact Jennie on 05 57 47 41 04 or email legensake.restaurant@outlook.com

Look forward to seeing you there.

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

Best wishes,
Helen

Week 3 2015


5 January – 28 February : The Union of Producers in St Emilion is opening their year long art exhibitions by holding an exhibition by Patrick Bousquet called ‘Vago’ at the Galerie du Caveau.  Free entry.

Monday 12 January


Tuesday 13 January

Wednesday 14 January

Thursday 15 January

15 January 20h30 : Love is Strange is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy la Grande.
After Ben and George get married, George is fired from his teaching post, forcing them to stay with friends separately while they sell their place and look for cheaper housing -- a situation that weighs heavily on all involved.  Starring John Lithgow, Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei.

15 January 20h : Unbroken (Invincible in France) is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he's caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.  Starring Jack O’Connell, Takamasa Ishihara and Domhnall Gleeson

Friday 16 January

16 January 18h45 : Apero Concert Expo at Chateau Chainchon, Castillon.  Featuring Barry Schofield and his repertoire of English classics. For more info go to http://www.capitourlan.fr/




















16 January 19h : Photograph Exhibition at the Salle Foirail in Duras.  Michel Michelot and Marion Barreau present their exhibition ‘Objectif Duras’

16 January 19h : Fish and Chips, Curry and a pub quiz at the Gensake in Gensac.  To reserve by Thursday evening please call Jennie on 05 57 47 41 04

16 January : Recently refurbished and opened Bar/restaurant in Villefranche de Lonchat, La Cave des Chevaliers is hosting live music with Little Limmie and the Blue Beats performing funky blues and R & B.

Saturday 17 January

17 January 18h : Love is Strange is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy la Grande.

Sunday 18 January

18 January : Weekly Flea Market in Rauzan

18 January 15h : Something completely different – The silent black and white film Lady Winemere’sFan is being shown with live musical accompaniment.  3 talented musicians, a pianist, a saxophonist and a violinist will provide the soundtrack alongside the screening of the film in Perigueux.  For more information go to http://www.odyssee-perigueux.fr/la-saison-2/cine-concert

18 January 20h30 : Unbroken (Invincible in France) is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Coming up…

19 January 14h15 : Unbroken (Invincible in France) is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.




















And finally…

The support for those killed in the terror attacks in Paris last week has been overwhelming.  Here are just a few images of local marches supporting freedom of speech.


Ste Foy
Castillon

Libourne