Week 37 2023

 Hello!

The wine harvest is underway.  A challenging year for our winemakers, early cold snaps,rain at random times leading to mildew, and then a too late dry spell.  Many wineries are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best.

Take care on the roads, there are slow moving grape harvesters and tractors with trailers lurking around the corners of our peaceful country lanes.

It's also the Journees du Patrimoine on 16th and 17th  September.  Many historical monuments and museums are open to the public  Have a look here to find out more https://www.journees-du-patrimoine.com

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

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 37

15 September

16 September

17 September

Coming up...

I'll have my wheel in the square - have a try at throwing a pot!

And finally...

It was deep clean day in the studio.  I'm changing over to a different white earthenware clay, this new one comes from France, whereas the one I have been using is a blend from various counties. I don't want to cross contaminate between the two clays, hence the deep clean.  I'm excited to see how it performs in the varied uses in the studio.  So far tests have been both positive and interesting, so watch this space...

I didn't realise how many different clay tools I had collected over the years.

Week 34 2022

 Hello!

The grape harvest is starting early this year.  There are already slow moving vehicles on the road collecting their precious harvest.

 

What will the 2022 vintage be like?  Fingers crossed that after all the challenges this year has sent to the grape growers and wine makers, they will have a good end product!

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

 

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 34

24 August

25 August

26 August

27 August

28 August

There are a couple of Vide greniers in central Ste Foy la Grande

Coming up...

It's back to school on 1st September, so many of the summer season activities will be coming to an end, including open air swimming and summer restaurants and bars.

 

And finally...

It's just typical! The day we decide to head to the beach for an adventure, is the first day for months with rain! But it was a great escape - Castillon to Arcachon on the train, lovely lunch on the beach, a swim in the sea, a wander round the shops, a glass of rose or 2 and return on the train... no traffic jams, no parking problems... a grand day out!