Thursday, 11 July 2024

Week 28 2024

 Hello!

We're into July and the Marche Nocturne (Night Market) season is underway.  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 I go, I like to be a little prepared, so, I 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.  I have a tablecloth too, just for fun – and once I saw a group with a candelabra! This year I think I'll be adding a fan and a umbrella, you never can tell what the weather will bring.  I also have a little thermal ice cube carrier - as everyone who knows me, knows I love ice in my rose!
 
I look forward to catching up with you at a night market soon.  This weekend there is so much going on as it's the 14th July too - France's biggest holiday.
 
Whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a great time. 
Best wishes,
Helen
 

Week 28

 

Eden cinema


13 July

 

 






 
 

14 July

 
We have a Fete National this week, perhaps the biggest of the year, Le 14 Juillet, though in English it's known as Bastille Day.  It's a day to celebrate the French Republic and in Paris there is a large military parade.  The Bastille was a medieval fortress and prison in Paris and was stormed by troops on 14 July 1789, thus leading to the beginning of the French Revolution.

A politician named Benjamin Raspail proposed that 14 July should become a holiday in France in 1880. Bastille Day was a public holiday for the first time on 14 July 1880.
Nowadays France celebrates with the military parade in Paris and all across the country towns and villages have communal meals, dances and fireworks.

There are plenty of options in and around us, and not just on 14th July, but the 13th and 15th too.  You won't have to travel very far to find fireworks this week! 
 





 



 Coming up...






 

And finally...

 
I've been making tumblers with mocha diffusion decoration.  I thought you might like to see how it works...
 


Thursday, 27 June 2024

Week 26 2024

 Hello!

 Castillon has a painted wall not far from the library, and every year or so, an artist is invited to paint the wall. This year, the guest artist is Adrien Zammit.  I love this one...

 

The sun is finally out - so whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a great week.
Best wishes,
Helen
 

Week 26

 


 



29 June








30 June



Coming up...








And finally...

As always, the very talented potters that come into the studio in Sauveterre continue to create.  There's something fishy going on here!

If you fancy having a go, or have a project in mind, don't hesitate to get in touch - you are very welcome.




Friday, 21 June 2024

Week 25 2024

 Hello!

Hear ye, hear ye, good men and gentle ladies!

https://www.sauveterre-de-guyenne.fr/fete-medievale/


Our beautiful Medieval Festival is back in 2024!
A brand new edition of the Sauveterre-de-Guyenne Medieval Fair will be held on 23 June 2024, from 10am to 11pm, at the Place de la République.
Shine up your armour, clean up your costumes and get out your best finery for this new edition.
On the programme: a craft and medieval market, entertainment for all, on-site catering, falconry, shows and music! Admission is free.
Young and old alike will have a great time enjoying the festivities.
We look forward to seeing you there! 

Come and say Hello!  I'll have a clay activity with red clay, instead of my usual white clay.

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

Week 25

 

21 June - Fete de la MusiqueIt's worth trying to check ahead, some of these events may have been cancelled due to the weather conditions.

 










Also 21st...



22 June










23 June








Coming up...







And finally...

The summer pottery programme is ready.  Choose from a project on the flyer, gather a group of friends and family, contact me, and book a session - it's as easy and fun as that.

 

Choose from a noughts and crosses game, a mug with leaf and flower prints or an animal bell. Though, if there's another project that I've offered in the past that you'd like to do, then that's not a problem. Helen 📞06 30 89 8536