Fred and Ethel!

It is pouring with rain today so a walk down the many pretty lanes near our village is out of the question. However, we did take some pictures a few days ago on our cold but sunny morning walk.

Walk through our village of Daglan and turn tight in the direction of Saint-Cybranet you will see Fred and Ethel guarding one of the local fields.

Fred and Ethel, as you can see are stick people relaxed and leaning backwards, Fred on the left and Ethel on the right. I really should get out more!
 

After taking the picture of Fred and Ethel I realised that the local stable ‘Les Écuries Du Claud’ looks like it is sinking slowly into the mire!

The stables are build below road level but the effect is quite unusual. You can see Peyruzel on top of the hill in the background.
 

Turn right at Les Euries du Claud and it will take you along a lovely country lane.
You will walk alongside the river Céou on the left and see more horses on the right.
 

Passing the time of day chatting with one of the locals.
 

Walk a little further and you arrive at a park, there are wooden benches here so that you can sit and enjoy the view.

Spring is in the air, Catkins by the turbulent river.
 

Back into Daglan and a gorgeous array of colour.

The Three Musketeers.

Last Sunday we were invited to the general assembly of the Club de L’Amitie Daglanaise, which incorporated the Annual General Meeting followed by a luncheon.

Each year there are celebrations and presents for any member of the Club de L’Amitie Daglanaise who’s birthday ends in a zero or a five. Our village Musketeers who are all boules champions and who have great tales to tell of their life experiences look happy indeed.

Happy trio.

I must say that the French know how to enjoy their food, three hours of eating, drinking and being a little merry is the norm, wonderful.

Menu

Aperitif
Kir and bowels of snacks

Soup
Pearls of Japan carcass broth (not for me being a vegetarian) but Paul thought it was delicious

Starter
Bites of seafood (this did look good, pastry filled with sea food) Could not eat due to animal fat in the pastry so I had smoked trout with salad which was gorgeous

Main Dish
Supreme of guinea fowl with sauce, peas and gratin dauphinois
My main was fish cooked to perfection, with the peas and gratin dauphinois. It was so filling that I could not eat it all.

Cheese
Green salad with three different cheeses

Dessert
Caramel cream, raspberry tiramisu, chocolate cake, wow delicious.

All the above served with white or red wine

Coffee

Our president of the Club, Lydie Pasquet.

Sucking a lemon! No just pulling a face at Paul

It was great to meet new people and to catch up with others that we have met previously at the club.

Events :-

Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, re-opens after its winter break for a guided tour on the theme of a fortified castle under attack on 5th March.

Daglan, holds its Second Spring Festival on 19th March

Heather Fishwick

I am saddened to say that one of our dear friends has died suddenly while on holiday in Spain. I shall miss the many hugs that we shared, the laughter and the tears. I shall in particular miss her holiday adventures, which had me laughing so much that I cried. You brought joy and I shall miss you.

Heather with her husband Mike. Our thoughts are with you.

Party time at Café de la Fleur.

Robin and Charlotte have worked wonders on this property, transforming a neglected bistro into something quite special. They have worked extremely hard to renovate the first floor bar area/restaurant and the second floor which is now open for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Party’s etc. Most of the village attended the grand official opening last Saturday night.
 

Robin and Charlotte.
 

Everyone was given a warm welcome with free wine and party food.
 
Gorgeous oak beams and interesting wallpaper made from newspaper and magazine cuttings.

and a very welcoming fire on a cold evening.
 

All girls together. I am the Hobbit size person wearing the Doctor Who scarf.
 

Bonne Chance Robin, Charlotte and Café de la Fleur.

 

Event:- I am so excited, towards the end of last year I was asked to write a article for French Property News magazine about our buying experience, the renovation of our property, our village and the area in general. I can not tell you how nervous I was after sending the article to the editor but she loved it and a few days ago I was sent a copy to read complete with our pictures. Wow, the article is in the March issue.

Winter months in Daglan

A few people have asked me what we find to do in the Winter months here in Daglan. Last year we spent most of our time on renovation projects. This year we have been taking it a lot easier and we have found more time to do the things that we love. Of course the renovation is still on going but it can wait a few more weeks.

Paul has been working on a new web site for an artist who lives in Beynac, he had an exhibition here in Daglan last year. His name is Dominique Allaërt who paints in watercolours to create the most gorgeous and atmospheric paintings of the Perigord Noir.

Here he is.

On our first meeting to discuss his web site he was up early in order to bake Paul and I cakes, how nice is that?

Here is Dominique at work in the square last Summer.

So if anyone is interested in his art please check out the web site https://www.art.ourfrenchdream.com/

He will be in Daglan during the Spring Festival on March 19th exhibiting his painting at the Old Presbytery and a further exhibition at the same place in August.

If you are interested in a new web design please contact us.
 

To refresh and develop my skills in various media I have returned to my design work and have focused on embroidery in particular silk stitch and cross stitch. At first I embroidered basic flowers on a cushion, white and red roses which represents Yorkshire for me and Lancashire for Paul.

The Wars of the Roses

Happy with the outcome I let my imagination take hold and started to plan out the Elven King from the Hobbit films. It took quite a long time to complete but really relaxing and rewarding.

The Elven King
 

Events :

24th February Clement Bouscarel. Admission 10€, children under 12 free. Cake and Wine after the performance.

22nd March Carnival parade through the roads of Daglan by the schools of the Céou valley