Week 19 2013

Hello!

I think I may have worked out why Bradley Wiggins had the edge over the French in recent races… These bikes were spotted in Castillon at the vide grenier.

The week ahead is full of things to do (see below to find out more about the national holidays this week)

Thank you to everyone who has sent me contributions, if I have accidentally missed something out, please let me know.  There have also been some new items added to the For Sale page since last week.

Have a great week,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidas@orange.fr

Week 19 2013

Monday 6 May

Tuesday 7 May

Wednesday 8 May – Victory Day

8 May : Brocante Vide Grenier at Colombier, 8km south of Bergerac.

8 May : Brocante Vide grenier at Pessac Sur Dordogne

8 May : Brocante Vide grenier at Montpon Menesterol

8 May 10h : Marche a la Ferme at Chateauu Bonhoste, St Jean de Blaignac

8 May : Le marché aux Fleurs de Bazas.  For more information go to   http://www.ville-bazas.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=229&Itemid=97

8 May 12h : Omelette a l’aillet at the Salle des Fetes in Lamothe Montravel. €6 no reservation necessary.

8 May 9h : Troc Plantes at Nerigean.  Take some plants to swap and talk to other plant passionate people.  For more information go to http://www.nerigean.fr/

8 May 14h : Orchid Walk. Start at Saussignac Church 2pm. Return at 5.30 to refreshments.
Guided by Madame Puygauthier Member of Orchid Soc of France.
Tour done in cars with walks to the individual sites.
Particularly good orchids this year.  2 Euros. Please book 05 53 27 25 13

Thursday 9 May – Ascension

9 May : Course de Cote de Velines. Timed Car hill climb on the slopes of Veline.  Take a deck chair and a picnic, find a spot and settle down for a day of petrol fumes and speedy cars.

Friday 10 May

10 – 12 – 13 May : Le Josem S’Eclate at La Sauve. The Young Symphony Orchestra from Entre Deux Mers has a 3 day event.  For the full programme go to http://www.josem.org/le-josem-s-eclate-programmation 

 

10 – 11 – 12 May : Rallye du Saint Emilion.  A 3 day event with all things automobile. Go to http://www.rallye-saint-emilion.net/ to find out more.

Saturday 11 May

11 May 20h : Dinner and Entertainment by Christian Vagnard at Lac de la Cadie, Mouiets et Villemartin.  €22 per person.

11 My 20h30 : Procession aux flambeaux  (Torch-lit procession) in St Emilion, starting at Cloître de la Collégiale. Organised by la Communauté franco-portugaise du Secteur Pastoral de Saint-Emilion Lussac.

Sunday 12 May

12 May : Vide Greniers at Pineuilh in the Cour de l'école élémentaire.

12 May : Floralies and Vide Grenier Brocante at Le Fleix, this should be a Huge event, with between 200 – 300 stands.

12 May : 36^th National Dog Show is being held at the Parc de l’Epinette in Libourne.  To find out all about the Show, go to http://www.scc.asso.fr/mediatheque/Feuillexpos/2013/Libourne2013.pdf

Coming up…

Les Grandes Heures de Saint-Emilion have three concerts in May.  For more details go to http://www.grandesheuresdesaintemilion.fr/Page_daccueil.html

 

If you or your friends are interested then please contact elacharris@live.co.uk or jacquifr@yahoo.com as soon as possible. THE CLOSING DAY FOR ENTRIES IS 11th MAY 2013

 

And finally…

Ascension Day (Ascension) marks the day that Jesus ascended to heaven following his crucifixion and resurrection, according to Christian belief. It is the 40th day of Easter and is ten days before Pentecost Sunday. It is a public holiday in France. Ascension Day falls on a Thursday so many people take a day of their annual leave on Friday to make the ‘pont’, and so enjoy a four-day weekend. This year it falls next to the WWII Victory Day (la fête de la victoire, le jour de la libération) which is a holiday to celebrate the end of World War II and the French people's freedom. It is the anniversary of when Charles de Gaulle announced the end of World War II in France on May 8, 1945.

Therefore, the 2 holidays back to back plus the ‘pont’ makes this week more of a holiday than a working week. Enjoy…

Week 18 2013

 Hello!

We had a lovely visit to Bordeaux on what was certainly the hottest day of the year so far (I hope we’ll have a hotter one!) 

Sunset at the Bourse in Bordeaux

Patricia McBain was our charming and knowledgeable guide who lead us from the Grand Theatre through the streets of Bordeaux and past the one remaining Roman Wall Tower. I’m not going to tell you where it was – you need to take the tour to discover it, along with other beautiful architectural secrets that I never knew Bordeaux held!   

To find out more go to http://www.bordeauxwalkingtours.com/ If you take one of Patricia’s tours please mention my name and tell her that we had a great time.

With Patricia in Bordeaux

There’s so much to do this week, Wednesday offers a host of venues selling plants for the garden and should inspire you to get out with the trowel…

Whatever you do, have a great week,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

PS : Check out the For Sale page as there are some more new items.

 

Week 18 2013

Monday 29 April

Tuesday 30 April

30 April – 1 May : Salon Art & Vin Gastronomy at St Germain du Puch.  To find out more go to http://www.id2sorties.com/sorties/2130995_salon-art-vin-et-gastronomie.aspx

Wednesday 1 May – Fete du Travail

 

1 May : Vide Grenier at Castillon la Bataille at Place Champ de Foire. 

1 May : Vide Grenier at Frontenac 33760

1 May : Fete des Fleurs et Vide Grenier on the quais at La Reole 33190

1 May : Vide Grenier at Moulon 33420

1 May : La Charrette Bleu Antique Barn at Velines is holding a Brocante.

1 May : Vide Greniers et Floralie at Saint Meard de Gurcon.  Last year the choice and quality of 

plants was excellent.

1 May : Marche aux fleurs et artisanat at Pellegrue 33790

1 May 20h30 : Promised land  is showing in VO at la Breche Cinema in Ste Foy.

A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.  Starring Matt Damen, Hal Holbrook and Frances McDormand.

Thursday 2 May

2 May 18h : Vernissage for Corynne Montamat’s Exhibition in Branne at the Halte Nautique, Route de Cabara.  Exhibition runs from 1 – 30 May.

 

Friday 3 May

2 May 19h : Choeur d’Hommes perform Les Amicroches at the Church in Jugazon.  Entrance €12, with a drink at the end.

Saturday 4 May

4 May : Foire aux fleurs et aux miels in Libourne.

4 May : Grand Vide Grenier at the  Place de la Mairie, St Magne de Castillon.

4 May 17h45 : Promised land  is showing in VO at la Breche Cinema in Ste Foy.

A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.  Starring Matt Damen, Hal Holbrook and Frances McDormand.

4 – 19 May : Scen’Arts Exhibition at Salle Cascante in Castillon la Bataille.  15 Artists are featured in the Exhibition.  Vernisage at 18h30.

4 May : Gluten Freaks are playing at LEMB@RZIQUE CAFE - 31, route de Périgueux 24100 LEMBRAS
Tél : 05 53 57 70 53
Free Entrance.
This café is dedicated to music, with a billard pool.

4 May 20h : Dinner/Dance at Lac de la Cadie, Mouliets et Villemartin to open the summer season.  Tickets €25 including a cocktail, the meal with wine and entertainment by Valerie Combard.  For further details go to http://www.lacdelacadie.com/

4 – 5 May : Portes Ouvertes at St Emilion.  2 days to discover the vineyards of St Emilion.  Many of the usually shy and retiring Chateaux open their door to visitors.  Visit http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/fr/agenda.html?m=5&id=66 to see the full programme.  Not to be missed it the ‘Diner Vigneron’ held at the Salle des Dominicans.  We went last time and had a wonderful evening with the ceremony of the Jirade as well as the tasting of many delicious St Emilion wines. For more details go to http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/reservation/fr/visites/15/76-diner-vigneron-portes-ouvertes-2013.html

 

4 – 5 May : 22^nd Coupe de France Rowing Competition at Dagueys in Libourne.  To see the full agenda and some facts and figures go to http://www.ville-libourne.fr/173-actualites/1025-coupe-de-france-d-aviron-2013.html

Sunday 5 May

5 May : Parcours des Saveurs.  A 15km gourmet walking tour starting in Ste Florence discovering 

wins, honey, beer, ice-cream and much more on the way with a picnic part way through.  

Coming up…

And finally…

May 1 is the Fete du Travail (Labour Day) in France and they celebrate by giving small sprigs Lily of the Valley (muguet).  Apparently the custom dates back to the 16^th Century when wedding banns were posted at the beginning of May and wreaths of lily of the valley were hung in the doorways of the brides-to-be. 

Towards the end of the 19^th Century the international workers movement took 1^st May as their Labour Day and in France the workers and their followers wore lily of the valley to show their support. 

These days, French tradition says that you must offer au moins un brin de muguet (”at least one sprig of Lily of the Valley”) to loved ones on May Day…

Week 17 2013

Hello!

Notjustfortheholidays has been on holiday! 

Here are some holiday snaps!  Do you recognise it?  We had a lovely time, though we may have eaten just a little bit too much!

Now we're back, and all set for a busy week.  We're heading into Bordeaux for a walking tour on Thursday - I've never done one before, so, fingers crossed for good weather!

Whatever you do, have a good week,

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr 

Week 17 2013

 
19 April – 5 May : Foire de Printemps at Bordeaux Quinconces.  Over 200 stands selling all sorts of antiques and collectables, from tiny little nic-nacs to enormous items of furniture.

Monday 22 April

22 April : Emmanuel Rossfelder in Concert  at the Theatre Liburnia, organised by the Rotary Club of Libourne and St Emilion.

Tuesday 23 April

23 April 21h : Rebel without a Cause is playing in VO at the Eden Cinema in Monsegur.

A classic from 1955 starring James Dean. Jim Stark is the new kid in town. He has been in trouble elsewhere; that's why his family has had to move before. Here he hopes to find the love he doesn't get from his middle-class family. Though he finds some of this in his relation with Judy, and a form of it in both Plato's adulation and Ray's real concern for him, Jim must still prove himself to his peers in switchblade knife fights and "chickie" games in which cars race toward a seaside cliff.

Wednesday 24 April

Thursday 25 April

25 – 26 – 27 April : Shakespeare as you have never seen it in France!  MADS presents ‘Codpieces’ by Perry Pontac – a hilarious set of first rate parodies based on three well known Shakespeare plays.  Tickets €10 on Thursday and Friday, €12 including canapés on Saturday.  To find out more go to http://mads-theatre.org/MADS/Events_Bookings.html

Friday 26 April

26 April 20h : ‘Codpieces’ performed by MADS at Issigeac Chateau.

26 – 27 – 28 April : Lamproie en Fete at St Terre.  The annual celebration of all things lamprey.  To find out more, including the menu for the meal go to http://www.jardindelalamproie.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=5

26 – 27 – 28 April : ‘The Show Must Go On’ 3 concerts at the Salle des fetes in Eymet.  Entrance €7.

Saturday 27 April

27 April 10h : In conjunction with the Gironde Horticultural Society, Domaine Franc in St Magne de Castillon is hosting an Open Garden Day.  You are invited to take along plants to swap, or you can just go to look and visit.  There will also be the opportunity to buy plants too.

27 April 19h30 : ‘Codpieces’ performed by MADS at Issigeac Chateau.

27 April 19h : Soiree Marocaine at Harveys restaurant in Moncaret.  To book go to http://harveysmontcaret.blogspot.fr/

27 April : Gluten Freaks will be playing at La Poutre (Steven Francis) in Beaupouyet 24400, Place de la Mairie, telephone 05 53 80 29 54.  They will be there before supper, and play a short set for the aperitif, and after the meal, Off they go !

They have added new songs to their list, and some friends may go by and have a jam with them.

27 – 28 April : Portes Ouvertes Lalande de Pomerol.  To find out more, including who and when go to http://www.lalande-pomerol.com/pdf/portes-ouvertes-2013-lalande-pomerol.pdf

Sunday 28 April

28 April : Vide Grenier at Saint Philippe du Seignal

28 April : Les Puces au Coeur de Bastide in Ste Foy la Grande

28 April : Foire aux Affaires at Montpon.

28 April : The Fete du Lamproie in St Terre continues with a brocante and regional produce market as well as the ‘Repas Gastronomique’ at midday.

Coming up…

And finally…

We ate the most delicious tomato salad whist we were away...

... made from Raf tomatoes.  If you know where I can get the seeds (or even better the plants) for these tomatoes I would be delighted. 

Week 16 2013

Hello!

Hooray, the sun is shining and we’ve been out enjoying the spring weather.  We went over to the Spring market in Pomerol to have a look and get some ideas for the garden.  It was great to be out and about in the 25 degree sunshine!

The bees are settling in, and there’s plenty of activity around the hives.  So far so good…

Keep enjoying the beautiful weather when you are out and about in the Gironde and Dordogne area, and please let me know of any upcoming activities.

Have a good week,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 16 2013

Monday 15 April

Tuesday 16 April

16 April 20h30 : Des Abeilles et des Hommes is showing in French at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy. 

Between 50 and 90% of the world’s bees have disappeared in the last 15 years.  This film explores the problem and tries to discover why.

Wednesday 17 April

Thursday 18 April

Friday 19 April

 

19 April – 5 May : Foire de Printemps at the Quinconces in Bordeaux.  There is also a Plant fair and a Ham fair at the same venue.  Free entry.  Certainly enough to keep you busy for half a day, if not more…

19 April : Jazz Swing concert by ‘Les Tiller Men’ at the Restaurant NostalgAir, Levignac de Guyenne 47120.  For reservations call 05 53 84 95 21

Saturday 20 April

 

 

20 April : Spring Fayre at the Restaurant NostalgAir in Levignac de Guyenne, raising money for Phoenix Association. To find out more on Facebook go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Restaurant-NostalgAir/144018198979490  

20 April 20h : Concert by l’Ecole de la CDC de Castillon-Pujols at the Salle des Fetes in Castillon, entrance €4.

20 - 21 April : Portes Ouvertes and Exhibitions at Chateau les Farcies du Puch, Pecharment, Bergerac.

Sunday 21 April

21 April 9h : Belles de Swing at Golf des Vigiers.

21 April : Brocante vide-greniers Sous les arcades et la place de la république at Sauveterre de Guyenne.

 

21 April Brocante Vide Grenier de Printemps in the Salle des fetes parking at Coutras.

21 April : Marche Fermier de Printemps, Vide Grenier at Le Pizou 24700

21 April 18h : Traditions 1950’s Jazz Concert at the Salle des Fetes in St Andre et Appelles, 33220.  Organised by the Lions Club ‘Ste Foy la Grande Aquitania’ for their 20^th Birthday.  Tickets €12,  reservations 05 57 40 31 56.

Coming up…

And finally…

Whilst visiting the Spring market in Pomerol it was lovely to see that the vines were beginning to shoot, but what are these little capsules added to the vines?  Why are they there and what are they for?