Week 24 2017

Hello!

Last weekend took me over to Sadirac and the pottery fair held at the pottery museum. A beautiful
hot sunny day and plenty to see.  I loved the 'field' of poppies and the man who made everything you could think of for the kitchen.

If you like pottery, there's a pottery fair in Castelmoron D'Albret this coming weekend.  It's a beautiful little village, said to be one of the oldest in the country, and there's a great tea shop with delicious cakes with a hidden garden at the top of the village.

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

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 24 2017

Monday 12 June

Tuesday 13 June

Wednesday 14 June

Thursday 15 June

Friday 16 June

16 June : Marche Gourmande in Ruch




















16 June : Secret Curry Club in Ste Foy la Grande

Saturday 17 June

17 June : Vide grenier in Puissegan

17 June : Free Wine Tasting every Saturday morning of wines from AOC Sainte Foy Cotes de Bordeaux at the Maison des Vins, Salle Brocca, in Sainte Foy, next door to the former Maison de la Presse. Each week will celebrate a different wine maker.

17 June 13h - 18h : There is a yarn bombing organised by the Café Tricot in Gensac.  All knitters are welcome to come and knit along with them in the afternoon at the Gensaké. See the village get dressed in wool!

17 June 15h & 20h30 : 'Vous avez du courrier' a dance show in Castillon at the Cenre Culturel, tickets €9/€5

17 June 18h30 : Marche Gourmande followed by an open air cinema at the Parc de l'Epinette in Libourne

17 June - 17 September : Art exhibition by 30 artiste in the Logis de Malet and the Tonnellerie Demptos in St Emilion

Sunday 18 June

18 June : Marche de Potiers in Castelmoron d'Albret

 18 June : Vide Grenier in Ste Foy

18 June : Ski Nautique for children 4 - 10 years old.  A free trial for the children.

18 June : Vide grenier in La Sauve

Coming up...

And finally... 

Have you noticed that there's something going on at the Belvedere on the hilltop behind Pessac?

The Sandifer family have been hard at work creating La Taverne du Belevedere.  With views over the beautiful Dordogne valley, local beers and wines and tapas plates, this is set to be a lovely place to visit.  See the story so far here and watch out for the opening date.

Week 23 2017

Hello!

Coming up next weekend is the Epicurials  in Bordeaux.  Taking Pop-up restaurants to the next level, Michelin rated chefs set up stalls in the open air. It's a festival of food!  Magnificent chefs from the region set up their kitchen restaurants in Allee du Tourney in the centre of Bordeaux.

It’s a great chance to sample menus from celebrated chefs.  It's best to book ahead for dinner, but at lunch time,  wander through the stands and choose a menu that takes your fancy.  here.
Michelin starred chefs create and experiment with their menus at this annual event.  Find out more

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a great time... and don't forget, if you hear of any night markets, please let me know.  I still don't know when the Castillon ones are.

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 23 2017

Don't forget, if you want to sample delicious dishes closer to home, Le Glass House at Chateau Carbonneau is now open  12h - 21h.

Monday 5 June

Tuesday 6 June

Wednesday 7 June

7 June 16h15 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
An English mother and teenage son spend a week in the South of France breaking up a summer home that has become one of the casualties of the boy's parents' crumbling marriage. Matters only become more complicated when an enigmatic local boy enters their lives. Starring Juliet Stevensen, Alex Lawther, Phenix Brossard.

7 - 17 June : Art Exhibition by Peter Thomas and Ute Burger in Aubeterre sur Dronne.


Thursday 8 June
8 June 13h45 & 16h15 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.


Friday 9 June
9 June 13h45 & 16h15 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

9 - 24 June : Les Epicuriales opens at the Place Tourny in Bordeaux today and showcases the best of this region's cuisine in the informal open-air setting.

9 June : Le Club Ephemere at Chateau La Fleur Picon has wines and cheeses this evening with folk music from Nao and Sofia Mustang.

9 - 10 - 11 June Pellegrue festival starts with a Belote tournament and a Comidy show in the evening.  Weekend activities include painting exhibitions, Bandas, pony rides, live music and and a vide grenier on Sunday.  See the full programme below.

Saturday 10 June

10 June : Vide grenier in the school at Castillon

10 June : Gensac relives a day in 1900. Activities all day long including theatre pieces and guided visits in the village.  Marche gourmande at lunch and dinner.

10 June : Vide grenier in Cabara

10 June : Vide grenier in Libourne at the Complexe du Gymnase Kany, 50 Avenue de Verdun

10 June 16h15 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

10 June : The Secret Curry Club in Dordogne pops-up in Vertieillac.  Reservation necessary.

Verteillac

10 - 20 June : Photo exhibition by Jean Francois Teoule at the Salle du Logis de Malet in St Emilion.

Sunday 11 June

11 June : Brocante Vide Grenier in Civrac sur Dordogne

11 June : Vide Grenier in Donnezac

11 June : Vide Grenier in Blasimon

11 June : Vide grenier in Le Pizou

11 June : Foire a tout in Pellegrue

11 June : Vide grenier in Lugaignac

11 June : Vide grenier in Saint Seurin sur l'Isle

11 June : VTT (cross country bike)  courses in and around Castillon. If they don't appeal, there is a
walking route too. See more here

 
11 June : The Grande Promenade Gastronmique in Rauzan.  Discover the countryside and enjoy the
local produce on the way!  Walking, eating and drinking...

11 June : Discover the wild orchids with your guide from the Office de Tourisme du Fronnsadais.

11June : 41eme Marathon de la Dordogne. Leaving from Porte Ste Foy at midday the participantscanoekayakportstefoy@orange.fr 05 53 24 86 12 / 06 70 74 56 21.
will take to the water heading down stream to either Pessac (14km) or the more ambitious Castillon (27km).  All welcome - canoeist, kayaking, or stand-up paddle board. Contact

11 June 16h15 & 18h15: Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.



Coming up...

12 June 17h45 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

13 June 17h45 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

And finally...

As this week is all about food, here's a delicious recipe for cherries, and served on a cherry plate no less!

These moist muffins are filled with sweet cherries and have a lovely almond scent. 

Ingredients

· 1¾ cups (250 grams/8.8 ounces) all-purpose flour

· 2 teaspoons baking powder

· ¼ teaspoon baking soda

· ¾ cup (150 grams/5.3 ounces) granulated sugar

· ¼ teaspoon salt

· 1 large egg, slightly beaten

· 1 cup yogurt

· ⅓ cup canola oil (or vegetable, safflower)

· ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

· 1 teaspoon almond extract*

· 1½ cups (300 grams/11 ounces) cherries, halved and pitted

· ½ cup slivered or sliced almonds (better if toasted), plus extra (not toasted) to sprinkle on top

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425F/220C. Butter 12 muffin cups or line with liner papers.

2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add sugar and mix to combine.

3. In a medium bowl, mix egg with yogurt, oil, vanilla, and almond extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula just until combined. Do not over mix. The batter should be quite thick and lumpy. Fold in almonds and cherries gently to prevent staining.

4. Divide the mixture between the muffin cups, filling almost fully to the top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds if desired. Bake for 3 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375F/190C. Continue to bake for an additional 12-17 minutes for standard muffins, or an additional 22-27 minutes for jumbo muffins. They are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. If they start to brown too much, cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Cool for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Muffins are best the same day they are made, but can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for an additional 1-2 days. Muffins can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

6. *If you don’t have almond extract, you can leave it out and have delicious cherry muffins instead.  Be aware French almond essence is very strong!

Week 22 2017

Hello!

Bright yellow signs went up outside out house last weekend as the 43rd Tour de Gironde was 
scheduled to go past on the race between St Emilion and Cenon - a rather circuitous 202km! Blink
and you'll miss them, but they whizzed by and made the double bend without incident.

The Tour de France is also coming to our region this summer on the here.
10 - 11 July. Périgueux / Bergerac on July 10th, and Eymet / Pau on July 11th. Find out more here

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a great time.
Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 22 2017

26 May - 4 June : Bordeaux Fete le Fleuve. 10 days of events in and around the waterfront in Bordeaux.  Including James Blunt and Texas in concert, meet the skippers about to set out on a 3 week race in the ocean - la Solitaire du Figaro, watch swimmers in the river, see a flotilla and a closing firework display. See the compete programme here.

Monday 29 May

Tuesday 30 May

30 May - 3 June : Foire aux Vins in Flaujagues. The Cave Co-operative is open for tasting and buying, promotions and great deals to set you up for the summer.

Wednesday 31 May 

31 May 13h45 & 19h30 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
An English mother and teenage son spend a week in the South of France breaking up a summer home that has become one of the casualties of the boy's parents' crumbling marriage. Matters only become more complicated when an enigmatic local boy enters their lives. Starring Juliet Stevensen, Alex Lawther, Phenix Brossard.

31 May 16h : A musical fairy tale for all at the Mediateques du Brannais.

31 May 16h15 : I am not your Negro is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.Starring Samuel L Jackson, JAmes Baldwin and Harry Belafonte.

31 May 18h : Alien: Covenant is showing in VO at the Eden Cinema in Monsegur.
The crew of a colony ship, bound for a remote planet, discover an uncharted paradise with a threat beyond their imagination, and must attempt a harrowing escape.Starrin Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston and Billy Crudup

31 May :

Wah gwaan or Whap'am
what's up or What's happening....at the Gensaké
Aloha or words to that effect, just to let you know we'll be hosting a Carribean Soirée this Wednesday evening menu is priced at 26€ pp. The menu is as follows:
Rum punch, nachos and salsa
Spicy Beef pasties and Accras
Jerk Chicken Rice and Peas
Spiced glazed Pineapple with cinnamon fomage frais
Book early we expect to be busy and tables outside are limited.
05 57 47 41 04

31 May : La Dordogne Vue par ses Habitants in Ste Foy la Grande in the Coeur de Bastide, 44 Rue Alsace Lorraine.  All welcome and it's free!

Thursday 1 June

1 June 13h45 & 19h30 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

1 June 16h15 : I am not your Negro is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

1 June 20h30 : Shining is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.
A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.  Starring Jack Nickolson, Shelly Duvall, Danny Lloyd

1 June 21h : Emily Dickinson: A quiet Passion is showing in VO at the Eden Cinema in Monsegur.
The story of American poet Emily Dickinson from her early days as a young schoolgirl to her later years as a reclusive, unrecognized artist. Starring Cynthia Nixon, Jennifer Ehle and Duncan Duff

Friday 2 June

2 June 13h45, 16h15 & 19h30 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

2 June 16h15 : I am not your Negro is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

2 June 16h15 : Shining is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

2 June : Big Ed and The Red Balls live in Concert at Le Mascaret Chez Rossi, Avenue du Port du Roy in Libourne.

2 - 3 - 4 June : Renedez Vous aux Jardins in La Sauve Majeur

2 - 5 June : Exhibition 'Formes et Coueurs' at l'Espace Culturel in Villefranche de Longchat.  Vernissage 3 June at 18h.

2 - 30 June : Art Exhibition by Nat Bross at l'espace Tourism et Vins in Pineuilh.  Vernissasge 2 June at 18h30.

Saturday 3 June

3 June : Les Broc a Puces, the first Saturday of every month at the Charette Bleue, Velines.

3 June : Cycle races in Pineuilh. 70km or 100km.

3 June 13h45 & 19h30 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

3 June 16h : 'La Nuit Electrique' A free show for children from 6 years old. Reservations
recommended.

3 June 16h15 : I am not your Negro is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

3 June : Night market at Saint Seurin de Prats

3 June : Night market at St Jean de Blaignac.  See below and in the links at the side for more night market information.

3 - 4 - 5 June : Fete de la Pentecote in Gensac.  Fun for all over the weekend and on to Monday.
Fireworks on Sunday night.

Sunday 4 June

4 June : Vide Grenier Brocante in Eymet

4 June : Vide Grenier in Capitourlan, east of Castillon.

4 June : Foire a tout in Montcaret.

4 June : Vide grenier in Pineuilh on the sports field.

4 June : Vins en Folie at la Cave de Lugon, find out more here.

4 June : Vide Grenier at the Parc Guadet in St Emilion

4 June 13h45 & 19h30 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

4 June 16h15 : I am not your Negro is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

4 June 14h : Grande Fete de la Famille at the Salle des Fetes in Blasimon

4 June 16h - 19h : Festiv 13 in St Geraud de Corps.  Entertainment for the children

4 June 17h : Concert de la Chorale at the Salle Paroissiale in Cancon

Coming up...

5 June is a Jour Ferie - lundi de Pentecôte ( the day after Pentecost Sunday. It is a public holiday)
It is listed as a legal holiday, so government offices and many businesses are closed. However some businesses remain open on this day.  Many Christians believe that on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus Christ's disciples.

5 June ; Vide grenier in Castillon in the rue du College (it's also market day)

5 June : Vide grenier in Coirac.

5 June 13h45, 18h15 & 30h30 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

5 June 16h15 : I am not your Negro is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

5 June 20h30 : Shining is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

6 June 15h : Shining is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne. 

6 June 15h & 20h30 : Departure is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Verteillac

And finally...

It’s almost June and the Marche Nocturne (Night Market) season is starting.  But what is a Night Market?  It’s certainly nothing like a farmer’s market.  Think of it as an open air food hall with added entertainment.  There are long communal benches in the centre and all around local food producers, restaurateurs and caterers have stands selling their produce – it’s like street food I guess, but with the added comfort of somewhere to sit.

How does it work?  You choose what you’d like to eat, buy it from the stand and take it back to the table to eat and share.  So, you can buy your bread from the baker, your wine from a local vineyard and choose whatever else you like the look of, perhaps a plate of charcuterie, a duck breast cooked on the wood from old vines, moules frites or an omelette with cepes.  You just never know what you might find…

Whenever we go, we like to be a little prepared, so, we have a ‘Night Market Kit’!  In my basket I have sharp knives and forks.  The cutlery provided can often be plastic, which can make a steak hard work… I also add wine glasses, a bottle of water and serviettes.  We have a tablecloth too, just for fun – and once I saw a group with a candelabra!

There’s a page on the blog here, specifically for the night markets – it’s an easily updated work in progress, so if your village or town is having a night market, or you’d like to recommend one, please let me know and I can include it.