Week 7 2024

 Hello!

We're having some wonderful mild weather and now’s the time to set your hornet traps.  They are easy to build and amazingly successful, just don’t empty them out, top them up with more bait, it’s true, nothing seems to be more effective at attracting another hornet, than a trapped one!  Though the first traps should be laced with a mixture of beer, dry white wine and syrup (grenadine flavour is good, but any sweet syrup will work).  The beer and syrup attract the hornet and the white wine will repel the bees.

And how about this for a big scary poster... please get building those hornet traps.

Many thanks for all your continued support, whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a lovely time.

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 7

https://www.cinema-pays-foyen.com/

Coming up...

And finally...

I have so many talented potters working in my studio.  Many people have never worked with clay before, but just have a hankering to try, or have always wanted to give it ago.  Here's a beautiful shoal of fish bowl made by a complete beginner...

If you have a hankering to give clay a go, then give me a call, it really is the most peaceful and mindful activity. 📞06 30 89 85 36

Week 6 2024

 Hello!

The most beautiful animated film has just been released in France.  Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, Kensuke's Kingdom is showing in Ste Foy.

The incredible story of Michael, 11, who set off on a round-the-world sailing trip with his parents, before a terrible storm swept him and his dog Stella overboard. Stranded on a desert island, how are they to survive? A mysterious stranger comes to their rescue, offering them food and drink. He is Kensuké, a former Japanese soldier who has been living alone on the island with his orang-utan friends since the war. He opens the doors of his kingdom to Michael, and when monkey traffickers try to invade the island, they join forces to save this paradise...

It's showing over the school holiday's too, so plenty of chances to get to see it.

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

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

 

Week 6

 

https://www.cinema-pays-foyen.com/

 

 

Coming up...

And Finally...

We welcomed the children from a local school into the Maison des Artisans in Sauveterre this week.  They all made dream catchers with separate elements made from calabash, felted wools and clay.

February 2024 Week 5

 Hello!

Did you know that the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, on 2 February, is a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of baby Jesus. In France, this holiday is called la Chandeleur, Fête de la Lumière, or jour des crêpes.

Not only do the French eat a lot of crêpes on Chandeleur, but they also do a bit of fortune telling while making them. It is traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other, and flip the crêpe into the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year.  There is also a train of thought that suggests you should keep this well flipped pancake on the top of the wardrobe for the year to doubly ensure good fortune…

Enjoy your pancakes and whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions – keep warm and safe and have a great week.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

 

 

February 2024

Week 5

Coming up...

And finally...

We're making St Valentine's hearts in the studio on Saturday 3 February.  Create your own hearts, decorate them with flowers and textures, then add a name if you wish and choose a colour for the glaze.

Contact me if you'd like to join in the hour long sessions - 📞06 30 89 85 36