Week 29 2014

Hello,

STOP PRESS!  The Battle of Castillon is Cancelled on Friday 18th and Saturday 19 July due to Severe Weather Warnings from Meteo France.  A replacement performance is scheduled for Thursday 24th July
If you have tickets for the cancelled performances please contact the Battle Office in Castillon 05 57 40 14 53, or go there in person, it's at road level to the right of the church.

561 years ago Castillon was the site of the last battle of the Hundred Years War (which actually lasted 116 years).  The Battle was won by the French due to their superior weapons including canons and guns, whereas the English only had bows and arrows.  The English were also battle weary and tired as they had marched hard to arrive in Castillon and the French caught them napping!  It all depends on which version of the story you choose to believe.

Castillon celebrates the Battle each year with an amazing show which runs over 5 weekends through July and August. Over 500 volunteers join together in this marvellous re-enactment which includes over 100 animals, with a pack of hunting hounds, farm animals and horses. The production itself is held in Belves de Castillon on a 7 hectare site with a raised grandstand giving all the audience a great view of the action from all angles.

To find out more please go to http://www.batailledecastillon.com/

Opening night is this Friday 18 July – Have you got your tickets yet?

And finally, yes, all you clever pig fanciers out there, you were right; the pigs are a cross with Gloucester Old Spots and Tamworth.

Whatever else you do this week in the Dordogne and Gironde, have a great time.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 29 2014

Monday 14 July

14 July : La Fete de l’esturgeon et de la riviere at Montpon Menesterol.  Who knew that there was caviar produced just up the road?  Find out all about it at this festival

14 July : Veline hosts it’s 23^rd Foire a tout!  It’s a big one taking all the village.

14 July : Vide grenier at Eymet

Tuesday 15 July

15 July 18h : Night Moves is showing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy la Grande.

Three radical environmentalists look to execute the protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam.  Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning and Peter Sarsgaard.

15 July : Monteton night market

15 July : Eymet - Marché Nocturne

Wednesday 16 July

16 July 10h – 16h : Coffee Morning and Table Top Sale in St Meard de Gurcon.  All Proceeds in aid of the Phoenix Association which takes care of animals.

16 July : Monsegur night market 

16 July : Blasimon night market

Thursday 17 July

17 July : Duras Night Market
 

17 July : Ste Foy la Grande -  Terrasse François Mitterrand – Marche des Producteurs
 

17 July : Eymet - Les Jeudis Gourmands

17 July 20h30 : Free Concert by the St John’s College, Durham Choir at the Eglise Collegiale in St Emilion.

Friday 18 July

18 July : Opening night of the Battle of Castillon http://www.batailledecastillon.com/

18 July : Pellegrue Night Market

18 July:  Lévignac de Guyenne Night market

 

Saturday 19 July

19 July  16h : Music and Wine tasting at the Salle de Dominicains in St Emilion as part of the Jazz ferstival

19 July : The Battle of Castillon http://www.batailledecastillon.com/

19 July : Repas Du Chasse at Les Salles de Castillon

19 July : Mouliets et Villemartin Marche Gourmonde 

19 July : St Jean de Blaignac Night Market beside the river
 

19 – 20 July : St Emilion Jazz Festival. Free concerts at Parc Guadet which is at the top of the village by the roundabout. Find out more http://www.saint-emilion-jazz-festival.com/

19 – 20 – 21 July : Ruch en Fete.  Activities all weekend with this Village Festival. Including a Night 

Market on Saturday

 

Sunday 20 July

20 July : Vide greniers Vide Jardins at Naujan et Postiac

20 July : Les Puces au Cœur de la Bastide in Ste Foy la Grande

20 July : Vide Grenier Brocante in St  Sulplice de Guillerauges (between La Reole and Monsegur)

 

20 - 21 July : Come and see my favourite potter in her workshop in St Gerard de Corps, 4km east of St Remy. So, hope you can all make it for a cuppa or glass of wine and a chat whilst looking at the Pottery!!  There may even be some students at work on the wheel.

 20, 23, 25 July : Classical Concerts au Château Vilatte de
Puynormand and aux Caves de la Tour du Roy à Saint-Emilion.  To see the full programme please go to http://histoirepuynormand.jimdo.com/concerts/

Coming up…

In two weeks’ time the Festival de Gensac presented by the Chambre Orchestra of Gironde under the direction of Scott Sandmeier, will present the 27^th edition of classical music programmes for all to enjoy. Concerts this year will take place in La Pouyade, Gensac , Pellegrue, St Vincent de Pertignas and for the first time in the village of Grezillac. You can also sit in on rehearsals from Wednesday 23 July and the programme for these will be available on the orchestra web site at www.ocg.gensac.fr

 

And finally…

Almost harvest time...

 Or maybe not...

Week 28 2014

Hello

Les Guinots held their first Night Market on Friday, and there were worried eyes watching the heavens, but someone was smiling as the evening stayed dry and it was a great success.

The car park in front of the the Cave co-operative was the ideal size for the event and the tables soon filled up with a great mix of people (though a football match did delay the start of proceedings for some).

We watched the sun go down over the vines and the energetic amongst us danced throughout the evening.  Night market season has arrived!

Thank you JS for the great sunset photo

If you know if a night market near you, or you have another event that you’d like mentioned on the blog then please send me some information.  It’s never too late, I can update the blog any time even after posting it.  I still don't have dates for Castillon or Blasimon.

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

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 28 2014

Monday 7 July

Tuesday 8 July

8 July : Night market in Eymet

8 July 20h30 : L'Orchestre de chambre de l'université de Cambridge, sous la direction du Chef d'orchestre Patrick Milne.

Mozart: ouverture de la flûte enchantée - Bartok: Dance Romanian - Ligeti - Concerto Romanian - Beethoven : Symphonie n°3

Entrée : 20€

Réduit : 15€

Gratuit pour les moins de 16 ans

Organisé dans le cadre des Collégiades de Saint-Emilion.

Wednesday 9 July

9 July : Night Market in Monsegur

Thursday 10 July

10 July : Night markets in Duras and Eymet

Friday 11 July

L’Exposition de l’association St Avit Sénieur Arts

Ouvre ses portes

Du 06 au 20 juillet 2014

Tous les jours de 14h00 à 18h00

Martine Sandoz

Peintures et dessins  www.martinesandoz.blogspot.com

Corine Oosterlee

Photographies  www.corineoosterleephoto.com

François Moscardini

Prospectives artistiques

Sylvie Hénot

Techniques mixtes  www.sylviehenot.com

Vernissage vendredi 11 juillet à 18h00

Vous êtes les Bienvenus !

11 July : Night market in Lévignac de Guyenne

Saturday 12 July

12 July : The Sardinade at Lamothe Montravel

12 – 13 July : If you like a bit of Reggae, then the 2^nd Bergerac Reggae Festival is being held at the Complexe Sportife de Mezieres Pierre Lart in Port Sainte Foy et Ponchapt and Sainte Foy la Grande this weekend.  Find out all about it here http://www.festivalreggaedebergerac.com/en/#.U7rLDLGH9gs

Sunday 13 July

 

13 July : Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a golfer?  There’s a pitch and putt competition at Golf de St Meard.  Find out more here http://saintmeardgolfclub.com/saintmeardgolfclub.com/Bienvenue.html

13 July : Vide grenier in Caplong 33220

13 July : Brocante Vide grenier at the Plage at Sainte Terre.

13 July : Night Market in Pessac

13 July : Grande Fete Populaire at Flaujagues.  After the meal there is a procession through the village ending at the water’s edge with a firework display.

 

 

13 July : Soiree Moules Frites in Montpon Menesterol

13 July 20h30 : Night Moves is showing in VO at La Breche cinema in Ste Foy

Three radical environmentalists look to execute the protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam.  Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning and Peter Sarsgaard.

13 July 23h: Fireworks from the Tour du Roy in St Emilion

Coming up…

14 July : This is Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorating the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and the beginning of the French Revolution.  It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the birth of the sovereign Nation, and, eventually, the creation of the (First) Republic, in 1792.  But to me it will always be French Firework Night, and most towns and villages have their own displays.  If you know of a good one near you, then let me know.  Castillon always has a super display on the stone bridge at around 22h30.  Watch it from the waterfront in front of the Chai au Quai to get the best view.

 

14 July : La Fete de l’esturgeon et de la riviere at Montpon Menesterol.  Who knew that there was caviar produced just up the road?  Find out all about it at this festival

14 July : Veline hosts it’s 23^rd Foire a tout!  It’s a big one taking all the village.

14 July : Vide grenier at Eymet

And finally…

We became part owners of a pig this week.  Not your ordinary common or garden pink pig, but these spotted ginger pigs!  We met them for the first time last week and will be feeding them apples and carrots until the autumn. They are a cross from two traditional British breeds – but can you tell which ones?

Many thanks to K&M for including us in their fabulous pig project.

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.