Week 2 2013

 

Hello!

My decorations are all taken down and stored away for another year, and the house looks so bare.  The only solution is to go out shopping – and yes, as luck would have it, the National Sales start on Wednesday 8 January at 8am!  If you thought that the sales had already started, apparently it is the word ‘Soldes’ that is the clue… shops can announce ‘Bonnes affaires!’ whenever they wish – but ‘Soldes’ are State regulated: twice a year and lasting up to 6 weeks.

If you haven’t seen Skyfall yet it’s showing in the original version on Friday in Ste Foy.  It’s an early showing (17h45), so why not combine it with dinner out, though I don’t know where I’d go for supper in Ste Foy – so all suggestions gratefully received.

Have a good week and keep warm,

Best wishes,

Helen

Notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 2 2013

3 – 24 January : Photo Exhibition by Pierre Bacogne at the Maison de Tourism at Eymet.  Photos showing the changing face of Eymet since the 20^th Century.

Monday 7 January

Tuesday 8 January

Wednesday 9 January

Thursday 10 January

Friday 11 January

11 January 18h : Opening of Claire Audierne’s painting exhibition at the Vitrine at Leclerc Grand Pineuilh,  to read more about the paintings go to http://www.sudouest.fr/2013/01/04/les-paysages-de-claire-audierne-924945-3038.php

11 January 17h45 : Skyfall is showing in Version Original (VO) at Cinema La Breche in Ste Foy.

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her, bringing MI6 under attack.  Starring Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem as the creepy, but excellent baddie!

11 January 20h15 : La Traviata is showing at the Grandecran, Libourne. 

To read a review of Richard Eyre’s production go to http://www.operatoday.com/content/2011/12/perceptive_la_t.php

Saturday 12 January

12 – 13 January : Salon des collectionneurs-Artisanats et Vide-Greniers Brocante at Salle de Fête de St Médard de Guizières - Place G Chastenet

Sunday 13 January

13 January : Rauzan Marche d’hiver.  Always worth a visit, and something to do on a Sunday afternoon – but remember to wrap up warm, and 2 pairs of socks…

13 January : Marche aux Puces at Esplanade de Maré, Marmande.  This flea market is held every 2^nd Sunday in the month.

13 January 20h30 : The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is showing in VO at Le Lascaux, Montpon-Menesterol.

A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on a "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim a their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.  Starring Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen

13 January 20h30 : Killing them Softly is showing in VO at the Eden Cinema in Monsegur..

Jackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.  Starring Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta and Richard Jenkins.

13 January 20h45: Skyfall is showing in Version Original (VO) at Cinema La Breche in Ste Foy.

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her, bringing MI6 under attack.  Starring Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem as the creepy, but excellent baddie!

Coming up…

Organized by the ski group N'PY in partnership with the Municipality, the Tourism Office, the Wine Council, Saint-Emilion and Chateau Cardinal-Villemaurine.
"Skiing is invited to Saint-Emilion" at the parking Villemaurine
Friday, January 18, 2013: Day for school
Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 10am to 16:30: free entertainment for all.
• Learning with the ski ESF and ESI instructors
• Wine tasting in the Chateau Cardinal Villemaurine cellars
• Discovery of the medieval city
4 visits "Tell me ¨ * Saint-Emilion for children 5 to 10 years accompanied by an adult.
• 11am: "Investigation of Underground ¨ (20 pers. Maxi)
• 14h to "Peter stonemason ¨ (40 pers. Maxi)
• 15h to "Funny stories ¨ (40 pers. Maxi)
• 16h to "Peter stonemason ¨ (40 pers. Maxi)
* Departure: Tourist Office.
No registration, tickets available at the Tourist Office or the Tourist Office Tél. 05 57 55 28 28

And finally…

The Mobile Pompidou exhibition is in its final few weeks at Libourne – I finally made it there.  It’s worth a quick visit, there is an English translation available to listen to if you can cope with the strangled pronunciation!  My favourite picture by Francois Morellet is made up of only 3 colours.

Week 1 2013

A beautiful message from CC

Hello!

Happy New Year !  

2012 was a really great year, and I hope that 2013 will be even better, it will be our 10^th year here in France – I can’t believe how time flies.

The Mobile Pompidou Exhibition is still open in Libourne and has holiday opening hours for this week.  Go to http://blog.ville-libourne.fr/ for details.

Thank you for all your continuing contributions.  If you have an event that you’d like to share on the blog then send me the information and I’ll add it in.

With best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Open until 20 January

Week 1 2013

Tuesday 1 January

Wednesday 2 January

Thursday 3 January

Friday 4 January

4 January 21h : The Hobbit is showing in English (VO – Version Original) at the Eden Cinema in Monsegur.

A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on a "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim a their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.   Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage.

Saturday 5 January

5 January 11h : Zumba at St Laurent des Combes €5.  After this holiday season I shall being doing my utmost to get there.  To find out more information about classes near you go to http://www.coachin.net/cours_collectifs.html

Sunday 6 January

6 January : Marche des Puces at Rauzan continues throughout the winter

6 January : Marché aux puces Brocante in Bergerac the 1^st Sunday of every month.  Places de Cayla 

et de la Mirpe, centre historique

6 January 15h : Concert de Chants de Noel at the church in Espiet.  Followed by hot chocolate and galette.  For information call 05 57 24 18 75 / 06 88 13 87 58

6 January 17h30 : Skyfall is playing in English at the Rex in La Reole.

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her, bringing MI6 under attack.  Starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem and Naomie Harris

6 January 20h30 : The Hobbit is showing in English (VO – Version Original) at the Eden Cinema in Monsegur.

A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on a "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim a their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.   Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage.

Coming up…

 

And finally…

The Pont Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux which joins Bacalan and Bastide opened to foot passengers yesterday.

Pont Chaban Delmas

 

Week 52 2012

Hello!

Just 1 'sleep' to go...

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year.

Thank you very much for your continued contributions and support.

Enjoy the holiday season and I'll be back with more activities and events in and around the Gironde and the Dordogne area at the beginning of January.

With very best wishes,

from Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Post lunch snooze...

Week 51 2012

  Can you ever have too many Christmas Trees?

Hello!

Only 8 ‘sleeps’ to go… Hope you have your trees up and decorations festooning the house – not to mention putting a strain on the National Grid with a light display in the garden!

Libourne begins their Christmas celebrations this week and they have an ice-rink at the Esplanade François Mitterrand.

Thanks to JC for the picture of the Village des Crèches at Castelmoron d’Albret.

Have a good week,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 51

There are some musical events and concerts in Bordeaux over the holiday period.  For more listings go to http://www.bordeaux.sortir.eu/classique

Monday 17 December

16 – 23 December : Marche de Noel at St Denis de Pile à la boulangerie PUJOS au rond-point de St Denis.

Tuesday 18 December

18 décembre 20h30 : Concert - Les Grandes Heures de Saint-Emilion . Château Cheval Blanc,

Mickaël Rudy, piano  Prokofiev, Moussorgski, Listz

Wednesday 19 December

19 -26  December : Ste Foy begins its week long Christmas festivities with Father Christmas in the centre of town, accompanied by his elves.  There will be hot wine, and in the Place de la Mairie you will find activities and displays.

19 – 30 December : Libourne celebrates Christmas with a ‘Village des animations’   To find the full programme go to http://www.ville-libourne.fr/ma-ville/la-ville-de-libourne/fetes-de-fin-d-annee/509-village-des-animations.html

Thursday 20 December

Friday 21 December

21 -  30 December :  For the fourth consecutive year, the town of Libourne has 160 m² of ice skating rink at the Esplanade François Mitterrand.
Open from 14h to 20h and Dec. 25 from 16h to 19h.

21st December :18.30

Songs for the Winter Season at Lauzun Church

Chansons pour la saison d'hiver

Carols and songs of past times with

The North South Divide

(estimated finish 19:45)

For those of you who don't know, The North South Divide is a five piece a capella group who sing Folk and Traditional Music. The Church in Lauzun will be chilly, so wrap up warm. Entry is free. All welcome.

21 December 18h – 21h : The Vitrine de Pays Foyen which is next door to the new big Pineuilh Leclerc is hosting a late night Christmas event with plenty of things to see, taste and do.  Including hot wine, roasted chestnuts, exhibitions and a quiz.

21 December  19h30 : An evening of Jazz Piano (with Anthony Sycamore from the Jazz Lamp) at La Terrasse de Duras (opposite the chateau in Duras). Their phone no is 0553842962, laterrassededuras@gmail.com, www.laterrassededuras.fr.

If you don't know it, it's quite a small restaurant (in winter) with great food and quite an intimate atmosphere.

Saturday 22 December

Sunday 23 December

23 December 10h – 20h : Marche de Noel au Salon De Coiffure, Le Clos, Libourne.

 

23 December : A Creche and Christmas Carols in the Rue de l’Eglise in Sainte Foy in the morning.

23 December : Marche des Puces at Rauzan.  Last chance to bag an original ‘up-cycled’ gift for Christmas!

Coming up…

And finally…

Please be careful if you are approached by official looking people holding clipboards and asking for money for charity.  There has been an unsettling incident outside the Leclerc in Castillon when scammers tried to part a kind hearted friend from her money.  They asked her for a donation, and then asked her for her credit card so that they could correctly copy her name.  If it hadn’t been for a warning shout from a passer-by in a car, the credit card would be long gone by now…  So please take care, we are all so busy this time of year and it’s so easy for these things to happen.

Week 50 2012

Hello!

Please excuse the delay in posting, I nipped over to the UK for a weekend with family and friends and it was lovely.  They have Christmas Markets too – with delicious street food which is so tempting!  Like a night market here in the summer, but with hats, scarves and gloves.

Lights at the airport

For those of us who like to count our ‘sleeps’ until Christmas M&S has a helpful Santa.  I couldn’t resist taking a photo…

There are lots of Christmassy event coming up. There are a few Carol concerts this week, but I haven’t heard of any happening in the week running up to Christmas.  If you hear of any, then please let me know.

In the meantime, enjoy all the upcoming event.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 50

 

Monday 10 December

Tuesday 11 December

11 December 18h : Christmas Carol Service at Saussignac Church.

Wednesday 12 December

12 December18h : Chants de Noel at Eymet Church, followed by hot wine at the Place de la Bastide.

Thursday 13 December

13 – 14 December 20h : ‘Monsieur Satie – l’homme qui avait un Petit Piano dans la Tête’ at the Centre Culturel de Castillon-la-Bataille.  Free entry

Friday 14 December

14 December 20h : ‘Monsieur Satie – l’homme qui avait un Petit Piano dans la Tête’ at the Centre Culturel de Castillon-la-Bataille.  Free entry

14 décembre 20h30 : Concert - Les Grandes Heures de Saint-Emilion

Château Faurie de Souchard,

Quatuor à cordes Matisse Haydn, Dvorak, Debussy

Saturday 15 December

15 décembre : Marche de Noel.  Organisé par le comité de Jumelage Port-Sainte-Foy / Plobsheim

Salle Jacques Prévert et Parking Rue Eugène Tricoche, 33220 Port-Sainte-Foy-et-Ponchapt

15 December 18h30 : Noel en Gospel a Capitourlan at the Chapelle Sainte Marguerite.  Entrance €5

15 décembre 20h : Concert de Jazz - Saint-Emilion - Chai Pascal,

Thierry Valette Quintet avec les musiciens : Serge Moulinier au piano et synthés, Christophe Jodet à la contrebasse, Didier Ottaviani à la batterie et leur invité d’honneur Carl Schlosser au saxophone ténor. Standards des années cinquante et improvisation jazz hard be-bop.
Prix d’entrée de 10 euros avec un verre de Clos Puy Arnaud offert par Thierry Valette.  For more information http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/fr/agenda.html?m=12&id=696

15 December 20h30 : Gospel Concert at the Church at Castelmoron d’Albret.  Entrance €12

15 – 16 – 17 December : Visit the Salle Cascante next to the Tourist Office in Castillon for the exhibition of seasonal arts and crafts.  Open daily from 10 – 13h and 14h30 – 18h.

15 - 16 December : Marche de Noel at Graves de Pompeyrat, Flaujagues.

Sunday 16 December

Christmas tree brocante style

16 December : The Rauzan Marche des Puces is open.  You might just find that unusual, one-off vintage gift you need.  I mean, can anyone ever have too many glass vases?

16 December : Marche de Noel at Eymet

16 December : Christmas Market at Bazas

16 December : Marche de Noel at Duras

16 December : Castelmoron d’Albret 33540 comes alive with the Village des Crèches.  There are Crèches displayed in house windows and more to be seen in the church.  Meanwhile there is a market in the streets and wandering entertainers.  Sounds like it’s worth a visit.  There is a carpark at the top of the village, but don’t try driving into the village as you might get stuck in the narrow lanes.

 

16 – 23 December : Marche de Noel at St Denis de Pile

Coming up…

18 – 31 December : Village Artisanal de Noel, Place Cayla, Maison des Vins and the Cloître des Recollets, Bergerac

 

And finally… A message from Jackie Henson

'I have a beautiful white fluffy kitten that need a good home. He is 11 weeks old and very tame.'

If you are interested please call her on

05 53 23 92 46 or e mail jackieinfrance@yahoo.co.uk

Many thanks

Jackie Henson

P.S.  I hired a car for the trip to the UK and there was an all-singing all-dancing in car stereo system that tried so hard to keep me up to date with what was playing...  Here is my favourite photo of my visit...