Week 19 2015

Hello!

Firsts...

It’s been a week of firsts and lasts (see below for the lasts).

The first little buds on the grapevines, first strawberries from my garden and the first flowering rose.  Also, the first chance this year to have tea and cake (and wine) at the Glass House at Chateau Carbonneau. 

Set in the chai, or outside on the terrace overlooking the garden and the vines, join Jacquie and her team for a delicious slice of cake, with either a cup of tea (there’s plenty of choice) or a glass of wine.  They are now open from Thursday to Sunday 14h – 18h.  A perfect place to catch up with friends, enjoy the view and relax.

Wherever you go to relax this week, have a great time in the Gironde and Dordogne regions.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 19 2015

Monday 4 May

Tuesday 5 May

Wednesday 6 May

6 May 20h30 : Birdman is showing at the Espace Cultural in Eymet, entrance €6

A washed-up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of his Broadway play.  Starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis and Edward Norton

6 May 21h45 : A Little Chaos (Les Jardins du Roi) is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

A romantic drama following Sabine, a talented landscape designer, who is building a garden at Versailles for King Louis XIV. Sabine struggles with class barriers as she becomes romantically entangled with the court's renowned landscape artist. Starring Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Stanley Tucci

Thursday 7 May

7 May 14h : Still Life (Une Belle Fin) is showing in VO at the Grandecranin Libourne

Still Life is a poignant, quixotic tale of life, love and the afterlife. Meticulous and organized to the point of obsession, John May (Eddie Marsan) is a council worker charged with finding the next of kin of those who have died alone. When his department is downsized, John must up his efforts on his final case, taking him on a liberating journey that allows him to start living life at last.  Starring Eddie Marsan, Joanne Froggatt and Karen Drury

7 May 16h10 : A Little Chaos (Les Jardins du Roi) is showing in Vo at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Friday 8 May – Fete de la Victoire – Many villages will have ceremonies at their war memorials.

8 May 10h : Marche al a Ferme at Chateau de Bonhoste.

 


















8 May : Troc Plantes at Nerigean.  Take some plants along to the church in Nerigean and meet up  and swap you plants with other gardeners.

8 May : Brocante Vide Greniers in Coutras

Race ready in Velines

8 May : Vide Grenier at Marche des Puces in Montpon-Menesterol

8 May : Vintage and collectors car time trials on the hills behind Velines.  Take a chair, an umbrella (well, could be sun or rain) and a picnic lunch and spend the day on the 'cote' immersed in engine noises and smells.

8 May : Vide Grenier in Pessac

8 May 19h : Banda and Barbecue at the Salle des Fetes de Belves

 

Saturday 9 May

Sunday 10 May

10 – 19 May : 50% reduction on all cinema tickets at the Grandecran in Libourne.

10 May : Brocante du Quartier de la Gare in Langon

10 May : Foire aux Chapeaux in Monteton 47120 – all things hats

10 May : Floralies, brocante and vide grenier at Le Fleix

10 May : Vide grenier and flea market at Le Pizou

10 May : Vide grenier at Pineuilh at the elementary school

 

10 May : Vide grenier at St Laurent des Hommes

10 May : Vide grenier at Saint Philippe du Seignal (I’m not sure if this is the one that usually has antique tractors on display)

10 May 18h15 : Still Life (Une Belle Fin) is showing in VO at the Grandecranin Libourne

10 May 20h30 : A Little Chaos (Les Jardins du Roi) is showing in Vo at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Coming up…

Monday 11 May 14h15 : A Little Chaos (Les Jardins du Roi) is showing in Vo at the Grandecran in 

Libourne.

Monday 11 May 14h15 & 20h15 : Still Life (Une Belle Fin) is showing in VO at the Grandecranin Libourne

Tuesday 12 May 14h15 : Still Life (Une Belle Fin) is showing in VO at the Grandecranin Libourne

And finally…

A sad au revoir to the Battle of Castillon.  Following the cancellation of 2 performances due to the bad weather and some mismanagement of funds within the association, the Battle of Castillon had no choice but to close down. 

The Battle will return.

The Battle of Castillon was run as an Association and by volunteers and was a victim of its own success.  What started with a handful of enthusiastic folk grew to over 500 independent individuals.   We may not have a Battle this year, but the village Mairie is convinced that the ‘Spectacle’ will re-open in the future albeit with a different financial set-up.

Week18 2015

Hello,

A top bar hive

We keep bees, and on Wednesday at midday, I was roused from my lunch by the tremendous sound of buzzing.  Rushing out to the garden I was met by a cloud of bees as they were in mid swarm!  The hive had increased in number, causing the queen to lay a queen egg which had now hatched and she had taken half the swarm with her.  This is the way that swarms multiply and now is the time that it is happening. 

The bees that are about to head off with their new queen stock up on a big meal of honey and set out in search of a new home.  At this stage they are not dangerous (nor are you when you’ve just had a giant meal) and will fly to a nearby resting place whilst seeking bees look for a good home.  Bee keepers are all interested as they want this new swarm in their empty hives. 

We currently have 2 empty hives; a traditional square hive and an African top bar hive and are on the lookout for new swarms.  If you find a swarm has arrived in your garden, don’t worry, they’re not dangerous.  They won’t thank you for poking them with a stick, but you can get quite close and they shouldn’t bother you, or be worried by you.  Typically they will be hanging from a branch of a tree or a vine.

Bee suit at the ready...

If you drop me an email, or give me a call, then Tom or another bee-keeping friend will come and take them away and re-home them.  Bees are essential for the survival of our flowering plants and trees. We need to protect them and help them flourish.

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde or Dordogne, have a great week and enjoy the Friday holiday.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholiday@orange.fr

06 30 89 85 36

Week 18 2015

The Foire de Printemps on the Quinconces in Bordeaux runs from 24 April - 10 May.

Monday 27 April

Tuesday 28 April

28 April 20h30 : Big Eyes is showing in VO at La Breche Cinema in Ste Foy.

A drama about the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s. Starring Amy Adams, Christoph Walz and Krysten Ritter

Wednesday 29 April

Thursday 30 April

Friday 1 May – Holiday (Journee International du Travail/Labour Day – when no-one works!)

1 May : Flower Market, Arts and Crafts and Vide grenier in Pellegrue

1 May : The Fabulous Flower market and Vide Grenier in St Meard de Gurcon

1 May : Vide grenier in Merignas

1 May : Vide grenier in Villefranche de Longchat

1 May : Vide Grenier in Frontenac

1 May : Fete des Fleures Vide Greniers on the Quais in La Reole

1 May : Brocante Vide Greniers in Moulon

1 – 2 May : Le Club Ephemere at Château La Fleur Picon hosts Tapas and concerts followed by DJs 

from 18h30. Visit their Facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/events/810001982413073/

 

 

1 -2 May : Craft Market in Lauzun .  Find out more here http://folkforum47.com/eventsevenements/

1 – 3 May : Portes Ouvertes in St Emilion. A golden opportunity to take a break in the vines and honour the unmissable invitation from the winegrowers of the Saint-Émilion, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Lussac Saint-Émilion and Puisseguin Saint-Émilion appellations, who are opening their doors from to welcome visitors, share their passion and introduce them to their wines with a tasting. 

You can find the programme here http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/uk/7-agenda/907-saint-emilion-portes-ouvertes-des-chateaux.html

 

1 – 3 May : UDP (L’Union de Producers de Saint Emilion) welcome visitors to their chai with craft exhibitions and stands and produce stalls as well as visits to their cellar and wine tastings.

Saturday 2 May

2 – 9 May : Exhibition ‘Les Femme Pendent la Deuxieme Guerre Mondial’ (Women during WW2) at the Salle Cascante in Castillon.

2 – 3 May : Exhibition ‘Cicatrice de Guerres’ at the Salle Polyvalent next to the river in Flaujagues

2 May : Opening of the Restaurant and Bar at Guingette d’Espiet with a Concert with What the Funk  http://whatthefunk.fr/

Sunday 3 May

3 May 9h30 – 17h : Exhibition and Craft Sale in the Salle Communale in Les Salles de Castillon

3 May : Vide Grenier in Lamothe Montravel

3 May : Vide Grenier and Flea market in Saint Etienne de Lisse

3 May : Vide grenier Foire a tout des crampons du vignoble in Saint Magne de Castillon

3 May : Phoenix Home Grown Plant Sale in Lieu dit Vignas, 24600 Vanxains

3 May 15h : The Association for the Restoration of the Church Saint-Etienne of Branne and the City of Branne invite you to a free concert on May, the 3rd at 3 PM at Branne's Church.

The pipe organ and trumpet duo formed by Caroline Dubroca-Chaudru and Yannick Belkanichi, will revisit Bach, Haendel, Vivaldi, Clarke, Delerue, Torelli and Hovhaness.

PROGRAM : 

Opening up of the " Indes Galantes " of J.P. Rameau

Prayer d’Alan Hovhaness

Cantata de Georges Delerue

Gothic minuet of Léon Boellmann

Elegy of G. Thalben-Ball

Grand Chœur de J.J. Beauvarlet-Charpentier

Ave Maria of Caccini

Intermission of 10 mn

Elevation of L.J.A. Lefébure-Wely

Atalanta of Haendel

Concerto en ré majeur of G. Torelli

1st movement of the 3rd Sonate for keyboard layout C.P.E. Bach

Concerto en ré mineur of Vivaldi/Bach

Prelude en sol mineur of D. Buxtehude

Coming up…

And finally…

Bank holidays in May…

The month of May in France is infamous for the number of national holidays that often fall in this month, and this year is no exception.  Be prepared, shops and offices will be closed and public transport will have limited services.

Friday 1 May is La Fête du Travail (Labour Day) or sometimes called La Fête du Muguet (Lily-of-the-valley Day).  It’s a day when the French traditionally campaign for and celebrate workers’ rights, but more easy to spot is the tradition of giving Lily-of-the-valley to loved ones. Historically Charles IX of France was presented with lily-of-the-valley flowers on May 1, 1561. He liked the gift and decided to present lily-of-the-valley flowers to the ladies of his court each year on May 1. By around 1900, men started to present a bouquet of lily-of-the-valley flowers to women to express their affection.

Friday 8 May is WW2 Victory Day.  This day marks the anniversary of the official end of World War II and is a public holiday in France.  Many people attend parades and church services, they also sing patriotic songs and display the French national flag on their homes and public buildings.

Thursday 14 May is Ascension. This holiday marks the day that Jesus ascended to heaven, according to Christian belief.  Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday so many people take a day of their annual leave on Friday and so enjoy a four-day weekend, this is known at the pont (bridge).

Sunday 24 May is Pentecost and is 50 days after Easter Sunday. It marks the Holy Spirit's descent onto Jesus' followers, according to Christian belief.

And finally finally…

Monday 25 May is Pentecost Monday, or Whit Monday and is the day after Pentecost. Pentecost Monday was a public holiday in France until 2005 and again from 2008. The holiday was reintroduced after about 15,000 elderly people died in a heatwave in the summer of 2003. The French government made a commitment to financially support the elderly and people with disabilities by deciding that Pentecost Monday would no longer be a public holiday from 2005 onwards.

The public holiday was replaced with the Day of Solidarity. On this day people worked for no pay. Their wages were collected to assist the elderly and persons with disabilities. However, there were demonstrations and Pentecost Monday became a public holiday again in 2008.

Week 17 2015

Hello!

Monday Market day in Castillon was a hive of activity, school holidays have started and the rain has stopped.  But I was there for the asparagus.  The white asparagus, with delicate purple tips, have been available for a few weeks, but this week the delicious green asparagus arrived.  Locally they are grown in Blaye and whist we can, we indulge… roasted, steamed and in soups and salads, and possibly my favourite is on the barbeque.

Whatever you eat this week, have a great time in the Dordogne and Gironde regions.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 17 2015

Monday 20 April

20 April 14h : Shaun the Sheep is showing at the Grandecran in Libourne all week at 14h – it doesn’t have words does it?

When Shaun decides to take the day off and have some fun, he gets a little more action than he bargained for. A mix up with the Farmer, a caravan and a very steep hill lead them all to the Big City and it's up to Shaun and the flock to return everyone safely to the green grass of home.

Tuesday 21 April

Wednesday 22 April

Thursday 23 April

Friday 24 April

24 April : Live music with Boom Shaker in a free concert at La Cave des Chevaliers in Villefrnche de Longchat.

Saturday 25 April

25 April 20h30 : ‘Hommes et Femmes du Landais’ a second performance at the Salle Paul Broca in Ste Foy la Grande,

25 – 26 April : Ste Terre holds their 25^th Fete de la Lamproie.  Everything to do with the famous Dordogne ‘fish’ (or is it an eel?)  Last year we bought some delicious Lamproie rillettes. There is a produce market on the Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, also there are workshops and presentations about the history and cuisine of this rare delicacy. Please see the website and the timetable http://www.jardindelalamproie.fr/index.php

Timetable of events in Ste Terre

25 – 26 April : Floralie Guizieroise at St Medard de Guizieres – flowers, plants and garden items at this weekend fete.

Sunday 26 April

Ste Terre also has a flower market

26 April : Brocante and flower market at Ste Terre as part of the Fete de la Lampoire

26 April : Vide Grenier de Montlau at Moulon

26 April : Les Puces de la Bastide at Ste Foy la Grande.  Spread throughout the centre of the town this is a monthly Brocante/flea market.

26 April : Brocante Vide greniers a the Place de la Bastide under the arcades in Sauveterre de Guyenne

26 April : Eymet is having a Fete des Fleurs et des abeilles – a festival of flowers and bees.  Workshops, exhibitions and advice are all available alongside a plant and seed swap.  Plenty to see and do for all the family.

Coming up…

And finally…

The wisteria this year is amazing.