Week 18 2020

Hello!

Did you see it? It floated over our house over the weekend. As my lovely friend said... It looked like Father Christmas and his sleigh.

If you want to see the SpaceX Starlink satellites again, they are continually circling the earth, but they will be brightest again for us on 1 May.  See the full schedule for Bordeaux here.

Best wishes and stay safe,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Are you missing pizza?

Au four de la Rive

Lockdown takeaway

This Saturday we are lighting the wood-fired oven so you can enjoy a selection of our freshly made pizzas in your own home.

We are offering a limited takeaway service. All orders should preferably be made in advance to avoid an unnecessary wait or disappointment. 

Call +33 5 57 49 23 26 or message us before Friday to secure your collection slot. 

We will be open between 6pm and 9.30pm on Saturday 2nd May

To ensure your safety and the safety of our staff please respect distancing measures at the restaurant.

And finally...

When life gives you excess sourdough...

... make crumpets!

Week 17 2020

Hello!

I hope this finds you well and safe at home.  We live in a centre for tourism and the Covid 19 pandemic has hit us hard.  Time to diversify and share the skills we've been hiding for the world to see and embrace.

I'm excited to announce the opening of my new Etsy shop HWpotting. 

Follow the link here https://www.etsy.com/shop/HWpotting to visit and see what I have to sell, I'll be adding more items over the next few weeks.
The shipping/postal costs are a bit high, but if you contact me directly, we could work out a pick up/drop off option.  Please have a look, and spread the word about my ceramic range on Etsy, thank you.

Keep safe and stay at home and in isolation, and together we can beat this pandemic.

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

La Taverne du Belvedere - Juillac

The Taverne is open for Take Away!

Pick up something delicious - a touch of Japan, a touch of Brazil… 

Carol is cooking up your favourite recipes.

See the MENU on FaceBook  @tavernebelvedere.

Choose your Starter and Entrée - it’s easy to order online. 

Or call in your order at 05 24 24 75 92

La Taverne est ouvert!  Des délices à Emporter. 

Un bon moment de casser la routine!

Carol prepare vos plats préférés avec une touche japonaise, une touche brésilienne… 

Choisir votre MENU sur Facebook  @tavernebelvedere

ou telephoner:  05 24 24 75 92 

And finally... a message from Lorraine:

I have been using my lockdown time sewing masks. I joined a FB group 'Des Masques Dordogne (24)' as a volunteer, thinking I would be inundated with requests to supply. However, it seems to be a small group and my little corner of 24 has not had many requests. With the result I have lots of masks with no home. I wondered if any one may be interested in some?? They would have to be fairly local and able to make safe collection/delivery arrangements. The masks are 100% cotton, have a pocket to insert a filter, and meet all the requirements. 

Contact Lorraine at  hatchettlorraine@gmail.com

Week 16 2020

Hello!

Spring is certainly springing and we are so lucky to have a garden which is producing for us.  Chard, which was planted last year has survived the winter and has returned with enthusiasm - I thought it would just be a one season crop.  So along with herbs from the garden, we have ingredients for lunch.

Keep safe, stay at home, tend the garden, check on your friends and neighbours with a call or a message.  But most of all... stay at home!

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

And finally...

For the first time in many years we find ourselves with an empty hen house.  I'm looking for 4 hens to replenish our flock. If anyone knows how I can get hold of 'poule pondeuse' at this time I'd be very grateful.  🐔🐔🐔🐔

Des res for 4 hens, ready for occupancy.

Week 15 2020

Hello!

It's Easter this weekend, I'll be missing my annual sugar rush of delicious nougat from the Easter fair in Castillon.

As we head into week 3 of isolation, you may need inspiration for what to do with all those toilet rolls you bought... (by the way - commonly known as PQ here in France – from pécu which is short for papier cul i.e. bum paper. Literally!😜)

To watch the clip - click the link here

Keep safe, stay at home, check on your friends and neighbours with a call or a message.  But most of all... stay at home!

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

And with Easter this weekend, I'll be making a cake.  Here's the one I made on a previous Easter, I'll keep you posted on how the Simnel cake for 2020 turns out.

Week 14 2020

Hello!

In France, April Fool’s Day is simply known as the ‘1er avril’ but it is a day when people, mostly children, try to hook paper fish on the back of unwary victims which will then walk around with a paper fish on their backs without their knowledge. It is a day for pranks and jokes. When a prank is discovered, the prankster shouts out ‘poisson d’avril!’

There won't be much of that happening this year.  We made ceramic fish at my pottery workshop in March, in anticipation of the day.  Here they are, swimming around at my home as I can't deliver them to their creators.  They make a pretty shoal.

Stay safe, stay at home, stay busy in the garden if you can, stay in touch with friends and family, even if it's just a little message.

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheolidays@orange.fr

And finally...

A tiny posy of spring flowers in a minute vase