Week 18 2021

Hello!

Hooray!  I got the vaccine... completely by good luck.  I went to the vaccine centre in Sauveterre after seeing the signs through the town.  I couldn't find a site to book through, so I dropped in at the end of the day.  And, yes, it's true, they do use up the leftover doses at the end of the day.  I arrived at exactly the right time and they had 2 leftover doses. 

 

So, it's worth dropping into your local vaccine centre, if they don't have a spare dose that day, they explained that they have a waiting list - you can leave your number and they'll call you up if they have a surplus. 

I also got the chance to use my new carte de sejour... and I have the appointment for round 2.

The vaccine roll out has spread to the pharmacies too, my friend has just had hers there, without an appointment.

So, it seems that things are opening up slowly. Keep safe and take care in the Gironde and Dordogne regions.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

 

Week 18 and onwards...

8 May is a bank holiday - Fete de Victoire de 1945

Coming up...

And finally...

The Maison des Artisans boutique is still closed, but behind the scenes we have been busy in our studios.  Below is a timetable of workshops for May and June.  We are also planning a range of summer activities which will be perfect for both full time residents and summer visitors. So watch this space for more news on that.

Week 17 2021

 Hello!

The garden is bursting into life... what's for dinner?

 

Fingers crossed that the news is good, and France will open up safely in May.  

Please check ahead with organisers that the events that I have posted will go ahead.  Currently things are liable to change when restrictions are updated.

Take care and keep safe in the Gironde and Dordogne regions,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

 

Week 17 and beyond...

 

And finally...

 

The battle of Castillon is going ahead this summer and is looking for volunteers. Head up to the site of the Battle in Belves and find out more.  I loved being part of the show, it's a great way to meet new people and they're a lovely friendly crowd.

 

Week 16 2021

Hello!

Continuing on from the collaboration theme from last week, the wonderfully talented Amelie has been working alongside me in the studio creating beautiful lids for her containers.  Amelie works with calabashes, or gourds, making lamps, tealights and now lidded containers.  You can find her creations for sale at the Maison des Artisans in Sauveterre.

I love sharing my studio with other artists who bring their projects to the workshop. I have a wheel, a kiln, plenty of space and The Maison des Artisans is working towards opening up to visiting artists in the region.  

So, if you have a project in mind that involves clay, don't hesitate to get in touch, come and join me in the studio and make it happen.

Whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne region, keep well and safe.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 16 and onwards...

Please note - the date has changed

And finally...

 

We have swathes of bluebells in the garden.  The bees and other pollinators love them.  

 

Spot the bee...

 

Week 15 2021

 Hello!

I'm so excited to be working alongside another new female artisan.  Virginia at Atelier St Julien makes beautiful handmade soaps and skin care from her workshop just outside Eymet.  She uses organic, natural ingredients and age old techniques to produce her small batch ranges of soap, shampoo and skincare.

Virginia wanted to work with a local potter and we collaborated to make soap dishes that beautifully compliment her soaps. Each dish is wheel thrown and individually pierced, twice fired and glazed in a range of colours.  

Soap making is a slow process, each batch needs several weeks to cure and similarly, ceramics take time to make with several steps before completion.  I'm loving the collaboration.  If you want to find out more about Virginia's range of soaps and skincare, or perhaps you are looking for a local supplier for gite or B&B, then you can find her on her website or on Instagram.

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne region, take care, keep safe and stay at home if you can.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 15 and coming up...🤞

 

 

 

 And finally...

The flowers are out in the garden, despite the frosts.

 

Week 14 2021

Hello!

We've had frosty nights following the beautiful heatwave of last week.  The vineyards have raced to save their vines as the new shoots are young and fragile.  I've seen many options over the years, but 'hot' favourite in 2021 is the smoldering hay bail.

Chateau Petit Val

Take care, keep safe, stay in and have a good week.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Coming up...

The Battle of Castillon has released the summer season dates.

 

And finally...

The traditional Easter cake (and less authentic fluffy white wind-up chick!)

Week 13 2021

Hello!

Really... not much to say... plenty of time to work in the garden, and I'll be developing some new ash glazes for pots.  All pottery workshops and sessions are cancelled for the month of April.  

Here's a throwback photo of the days when Easter was filled with friends and family.

I love the sunny tablecloth.

Keep safe, keep well and take care.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 13

Coming up... maybe?

And finally...

Bloomin' marvelous! 

Week 12 2021

Hello!

French partridge

Many thanks for all your messages about the pretty little bird in the garden last week.  Turns out it is a red-legged partridge, sometimes known as a French partridge.  

I don't know whether it's because the river road is closed, or curfew restrictions (or both) but we have significantly less traffic, and the wildlife is moving in, I've even seen a fox in our garden for the first time this week - not at all ideal for the hens. 

Don't forget, the clocks spring forward this week, coinciding nicely with the extension of the curfew to 7pm.  An extra hour of sunlight in the evening to get out into the garden.

Whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne regions this week, keep well and safe.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholiday@orange.fr

 

Week 12 and beyond...

 

There are also Vide Greniers up and running.

The association of the Friends of the MediathèqueQuartier Latin du Bénin resumes the vide grenier. they will be at the Libourne flea market in front of the Maboul car park.

And finally...

This Saturday 27 March pottery workshop in Sauveterre is about making a personalised plaque. It could be a bedroom door sign... or laundry room... or bar!  It could be a house number or name sign... it could be a birthday message... or an anniversary... or something motivational.  There's no limit to your imagination, oh and the size it's about 18cmx18cm.

Here's a very basic example for my studio door.

Contact me to book a place, or if you and some friends would like to come another time to make one don't hesitate to get in touch. 06 30 89 85 36