Week 27 2014

Hello!

On the terrace at Lily Lodge

It must be 20 years since I last spent a night under canvas, so it was not without trepidation that we set off for a night ‘glamping’ in the forests of Les Landes.  What a revelation!     

Tucked away in 20 hectares of landscaped forest are half a dozen Maharajah Hunting Lodges.  Made to measure in India and shipped over by Marie and Patrick, this takes camping to a completely different level.  Each tent Lodge has been erected on a wooden platform and has a terrace at one end overlooking the forest and the lake – perfect for the pre-dinner drinks.

Luxurious comfort inside

We dined together with the charming hosts on delicious home-made local delicacies including a tasty pate to start with and a yummy cherry clafoutis to finish.  I never thought I’d be converted to camping, but sleeping on a real bed with rugs on the floor and curtains at the windows is the way to go.  Even the thunder storm outside didn’t upset me – I was snug as the proverbial bug…

You can find out more about this fantastic hidden marvel at http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/france/aquitaine/landes/palika-lodge/lily-lodge#back For sure we’ll be returning in the next few months.

Whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne regions (even Aquitaine) have a great week.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 27 2014

Monday 30 June

Tuesday 1 July

1 July 20h30 : Maps to the Stars is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy.  You will be entitled to the Orange special offer of 2 for the price of one on this showing.

A tour into the heart of a Hollywood family chasing celebrity, one another and the relentless ghosts of their pasts. Starring Robert Pattinson, Carrie Fisher and Julianna Moore.

 

Wednesday 2 July

Thursday 3 July

3 - 15 July : Oil and watercolour exhibition at the Salle de Cascante in Castillon

Friday 4 July

4 July 16h15 : Jersey Boys is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

The story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.  Starring John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen and Michael Lomenda

4 July : Marche Gourmand at Les Guinot Cave in Flaujagues

4 July 20h : Repas Sur Le Pont at Pont Montaigne, Port-Sainte-Foy-et-Ponchapt, take your meal and your cutlery and join in the party.

4 July : Workshop in the vineyard of Chateau Vieux Mougnac.  Take part in the life of a vineyard and work and learn alongside a vigneron.  For more details  Château Vieux Mougnac 33 570 Petit-Palais et Cornemps email : vieuxmougnac@gmail.com Tel / Fax : 00 33 (0)5 57 69 72 85

4 – 5 – 6 July : 24 heures du Swing in Monsegur.  Tickets start from €6 which will get you access to the village and freedom to walk around and listen to the street Jazz.  Tickets to the concerts in the centre are extra.  If you have never been and you are partial to a little jazz then it’s a lovely idea to go and strole through the village in the afternoon and take in the atmospheres over a glass of something cold or a coffee. To find out more go to http://www.swing-monsegur.com/les-24-heures-du-swing-2014/

4 – 5 – 6 July : Fete Local in Rauzan

4 July : Night market in Rauzan

Saturday 5 July

5 July : Melo day Vide Grenier at Blasimon

Sunday 6 July - the day of a million vide-greniers...

6 July : Vide Greniers at Camarsac 33750

6 July : Brocante Vide Greniers at Flaujagues

6 July : Vide greniers at the school in Fronsac

6 July : Vide greniers around the church in Mouliets et Villemartin 33350

6 July : Vide greniers at Place du Général de Gaulle in Pineuilh  

6 July : Vide Grenier and Fete locale in Rauzan

6 July : Vide Greniers at St Antoine de Breuilh

 

 Coming up…

Hello All

My next visit in your direction is Tuesday 8th July in St.Méard de Gurçon between 1.30 and 2.30 by the church or preceeded by a delivery route going through Minzac, Villefranche de Lonchat and down towards Castillon la Bataille. If you know what you would like to purchase please place an order in advance so I can be sure I have it available.

For those who like to visit me at the markets I am at Ste Foy la Grande on a Saturday morning on Rue Alsace Lorraine/Louis Pasteur next to the kitchen shop or Starting on Wednesday 2nd July Montpon Menesterol Market place to be advised.

See you somewhere

Helen

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And finally…

If you yearn for a taste of Britain, head over to the Gensake in Gensac and have an all-day Irish breakfast available from 11am on a Sunday.  The Irish black and white puddings were delicious and the bacon was superb.  There’s even Guinness for a truly authentic Irish experience.

Week 26 2014

Hello!

You know that the Tour de France is round the corner when bicycles are popping up for sale!  These ones were out at the brocante in Juillac.  One was made in 1926 – not sure how well that one would do in a race, it even had a pedal for the back brake.

Can you cook?  Would you like a week in by the beach?  A holidaying family of 8 is looking for someone to cook for them in Lacanau from 12 – 19 July, accommodation is provided. If this interests you, or you have any further questions please contact Lune Vergette on 06 80 52 78 58.  I think it sounds like a great adventure.

There’s so much to do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions – get out and  have a great time.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 26 2014

The terrace in St Meard De Gurcon is open for the summer, situated opposite the local shop next to 12th Century church that lets you sit in the shade with glass wine/beer or icecream and watch the world go by. A lovely way to start the weekend.  Iit is open Tues/Weds/Thurs/Frid/Sat 7.30am -12.30 3.30pm-7.30pm Sunday 7.30-12.30. You can get free wifi on the terrace if you buy a drink and ask for code and big bonus he sells fresh milk (Thanks RR)

Monday 23 June

Tuesday 24 June

24 June 14h15 : Jersey Boys is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

The story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.  Starring John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen and Michael Lomenda

24 June 14h15 : The Two Faces of January is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.  I think in this case VO is English, Turkish and Greek.

A thriller centred on a con artist, his wife, and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective.  Starring Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Isaac

24 June : Celebrate the Feu de St Jean in Duras.  Tradition says that you hold your loved one by the hand and leap over the fire.  If you land unscathed then happiness awaits!

24 June 20h30 : The Homesman is showing in VO at La Breche Cinema in Ste Foy..

A claim jumper and a pioneer woman team up to escort three insane women from Nebraska to Iowa.  Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank and Maryl Streep.

24 June : Eymet - Marché Nocturne

Wednesday 25 June

25 June : Night Market in Monsegur

25 June 22h10 : The Two Faces of January is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.  I think in this case VO is English, Turkish and Greek.

Thursday 26 June

Friday 27 June

27 June 16h15 : The Two Faces of January is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.  I think in this case VO is English, Turkish and Greek.

 

27 June 16h15 : Jersey Boys is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

27 June 18h15 : Maps to the Stars is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy

A tour into the heart of a Hollywood family chasing celebrity, one another and the relentless ghosts of their pasts. Starring Robert Pattinson, Carrie Fisher and Julianna Moore.

27 June : Kermess held at the Salle des Fetes de Saint Remy sur Lidoire in partnership with the

school in St Martin.  Fun for all ages.

27 – 28 – 29 June : Menesplet village Festival with attractions for children, meals, and gigs with rock and blues bands.

Saturday 28 June

28 June : Concert and Marche Gourmande – Rauzan

28 June : Fete de la Musique in Civrac sur Dordogne – 4 groups play love music.

28 June : Night Market in Saint Pey de Castets

28 – 29 June : Brocante Vide Greniers in Espiet

28 – 29 June : Les Salles de Castillion village festivités

28 – 28 : Photo Exhibition at Chageau Bomale in Saint Denis de Pile.

Sunday 29 June

29 June : Vide Grenier at the Lake in Lamothe Montravel

29 juin :VIDE GRENIER MONTPEYROUX Place du Village 8h à 18h.30
Exposition de peintures au foyer rural de 10h à 19h
A la decouverte de Montpeyroux

 

29 June : Vide Greniers at Port Sainte Foy et Ponchapt

29 June : Borocante Vide Grenier at Menesplet

 

29 June : Doulezon Concert

Coming up…

 

And finally…

A fisherman’s Tale…

Week 25 2014

Hello!

So many stands to browse.

Yesterday we went over to Sadirac to see the Pottery Festival.  There were over 30 stands with potters from France, Spain, Portugal and Russia.  There was a medieval kiln outside which was fired up with wood and topped with broken terracotta and the heat radiating from it was quite considerable.

A Medieval style kiln

Many of the potters had submitted a piece of their work for a competition and the public could vote for their favourite exhibit.  It was a tricky choice – which would you have chosen?

The weather is set to stay beautiful throughout the week, with another scorching weekend ahead.  So whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne regions have a great time.

Which one would you choose?

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 25 2014

From 12 – 29 June the Allees de Tourney in Bordeaux becomes a huge open air food extravaganza! For the 5^th year a selection of renowned chefs set up their restaurants in the centre of the city and offer a chance to dine with them in a more informal atmosphere. It’s a great experience, head over there and enjoy the superb food.  For more information go to http://www.epicuriales.com/   (I’ve just discovered that a group of cooks is a hastiness… though I think that these guys would rather be referred to as chefs, and there’s no collective noun for a group of chefs… a smorgasbord of chefs perhaps?)  

 

Monday 16 June

Tuesday 17 June

Wednesday 18 June

18 June 16h : Jersey Boys is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

The story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.  Starring John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen and Michael Lomenda

18 June 16h : The Two Faces of January is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.  I think in this case VO is English, Turkish and Greek.

A thriller centred on a con artist, his wife, and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective.  Starrin Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Isaac

Thursday 19 June

19 June 19h30 : The Two Faces of January is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne

19 June 20h15 : Jersey Boys is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

19 June 20h30 : The Homesman is showing in VO at La Breche Cinema in Ste Foy..

A claim jumper and a pioneer woman team up to escort three insane women from Nebraska to Iowa.  Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank and Maryl Streep.

Friday 20 June

20 June 14h : The Two Faces of January is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne

20 June 14h15 : Jersey Boys is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

20 June : Pellegrue Night market

20 June : Night Market at St. Geraud de Corps 

20 June : Fete de la Musique at Le Chai in Ste Foy la Grande, live music from some local groups.

Saturday 21 June – La Fete de la Musique

The Fete de la Musique is traditionally held in France on midsummer’s day.  It all began in 1982 when the then Minister of Culture Jack Lang decided to revive the pagan Festival of St Jean.  He invited musicians from all walks of life to join together and give free concerts.  Over 30 years later the event has spread throughout the world.

There will be a concert near you to enjoy this weekend – have a good time.

21 June : St Seurin de Prats Marche Gourmand (Night Market)
 

 

21 June : Fete de La Musique in the centre of Castillon la Bataille.

21 June : Mouliets et Villemartin Marche Gourmand and Fete de la Musique

21 June : Fete de la Music et Marche Nocturne - Pujols

Sunday 22 June

22 June : Vide grenier Espace de Convivialité - Rue de Toussaint - 33500 Libourne

22 June : Vide greniers at Juillac 33890

22 June : Vide Grenier at Capitourlan just outside Castillon on the road to Villefranche.

22 June : Les Puces Du Coeur De La Bastide in Ste Foy La Grande

22 June : The Fête de la Musique at St Laurent des Hommes (between Montpon and Mussidan, just north of the N89) will be on Sunday 22nd June from 5pm. 
A very varied programme, it includes the very first public concert of Les Belles aux Bois, (a new saxophone quartet - they would really appreciate seeing lots of friendly faces !) then the fantastic Dan Jones on guitare, followed by the Polysons choir and then finished off regally by the Mozaic Jazz Band.  At the end, eats and drinks for everyone, provided by the town. 
Everybody welcome, everything free.

 

22 June 11h : Fete les Vins Naturels at Chateau Vieux Mougnac at Petit Palais et Cornemps.  Lots going on including a demonstration with horses.  To find out more go to http://wwww.vieuxmougnac.com/pages/actualites-chateau-vieux-mougnac

22 June 20h30 : Jersey Boys is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

22 June20h30  : The Two Faces of January is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne

Coming up… 

And finally…

The Night Market page is up and running, you can get to it by clicking on the link at the side of the blog.  It is a work in progress and easily updated, so if you hear of any markets not listed then please let me know and I can add it in.

Castillon night market.