Praise for the French Health and Veterinary Services.

We have had a bit of everything this week but things are getting better. First my husband Paul had to have more tests at a excellent Jean Coulon hospital in Gourdon. Paul had an operation for prostate cancer a year ago, which I am pleased to say was a great success, he is now cancer free. But when more tests were needed this week due to passing a little blood, we were both worried once more. However, so pleased to report that after the tests were completed no cancer was found. Wow, de-stress was needed in the form of Yoga and a drink or two.

Secondly our little Angel was so ill last weekend that a visit to the Veterinary Clinic in Gourdon was needed first thing Monday morning. I hate going to any vets just in case it is bad news. However, the vet gave her a good checking over, Angel purred at the vets ministrations, she loves to have a massage and seems almost pleased to see him. No temperature and after two injections she was able to run back to her pet carrier. So armed with medication and a big sign of relief, we all returned home. More Yoga and more de-stress.

Angel is still not a hundred percent but she is slowly getting better each day and is now able now to go outside to relax in the sunshine.

And, unsuccessfully, hide in her box.
 

The veterinary service that we use is called Clinique Veterinaire Des Fauvettes on Route de Salviac in Gourdon. We highly recommend the service to everyone. Their help and advice is second to none.

They cover domestic and farm animals and are open everyday but Sunday. They have two consulting rooms, an ultra sound consulting room, x-ray, digital camera, surgery room for domestic and another room for farm animals, recovery rooms plus stables and paddock at the rear. There is a very handy shop in the reception area were you can buy a variety of products, for example food, dietary needs, medicine and pet toys etc.

Angel with her “I do not feel well” look on her face.

Glad to say that she is eating now and looking more like her normal self.

Bless her.
 

Events:-

Vide Grenier at Saint Cybranet, 8:00 to 18:00 on 7th October

 

Something New to Castlenaud, Knights Time with Massenie de Saint-Michel. The leisure activities and entertainments for the Lords and Ladies in the Medieval Period. 27th and 28th October.
 

Sarlat Movie Festival 17th and 18th November.
 
 

A Pomegranate Tree and ZZ Tops!

A rare combination I know, but wow, a pomegranate tree fruiting in The Place de la Liberte, I have never seen a pomegranate tree before. Yes, I really must get out more.

Looking truly delicious.
 

Sunday morning market in Daglan
Full of tempting delights. I can highly recommend the goats cheese.
 

Vide Grenier (empty attic)
I am still looking for a suitable box for my embroidery silks. The Vide Grenier in Daglan gave me a chance to continue my search, I did find one box but it was just too big, will keep on looking.
 

“Just need to tidy up then I am ready”.
 

This vendors magnificent beard reminded me of ZZ Tops. His stall displayed the most amazing coffee grinders and an antique Chinese vase.
 

We are very sorry that we could not attend the musical evening last night, hoping that everyone had a brilliant time.

The 8 à Huit Supermarket in Daglan will be closed from the 1st to the 8th October.
 
 

The Dark Knight from the Tower of London.

We had a brilliant afternoon last Saturday at Château de Castelnaud where a Medieval Heritage Weekend was being hosted.

There were artisans who make swords and armour, demonstrations of various techniques and moves in sword fighting and the why and when you would perform the moves in medieval combat. With the highlight being James Hester and Stephen Pasker Shellenbean giving their extremely interesting talks and demonstrations of sword fighting from the 13th and 14th Century.

James and Stephen are historical experts in Medieval combat. James was curator of Tower Collections at the Tower of London no less. Both of the men gave talks and demonstrations in English and it was translated into French.

James Hester the Dark knight.
 

Waiting to start the tournament.
 

Stephen and James demonstrating how to win against a larger and stronger opponent.
 

James stated that the swords were extremely light and that every part of the sword could be used in hand to hand combat. Unlike those epic tournaments depicted in movies a typical fight would only last three or four strokes of the blade. While Stephan talked about the education of the Medieval Knight which consisted of geography, sciences, Latin, mathematics and music. For example, mathematics for judging how near the opponent is to you, their arm span, height and weight. Music for timing and movement, so that you strike at the key moment and move quickly out of the way. But first a knight was taught wresting from a young age, which helped to build muscle and agility so that they could use the skills in the practice of sword combat.

The tournament begins with a challenge from Kevin. The score was calculated by how many strokes made contact with the opponent.
 

A presentation of civil fencing in the 12th to 14th centuries by Olivier Gourdon and Franck Cinato.
 

An artisan describing his work producing amazing custom made armour. You could have a complete set made and be armoured head to toe in only two months for a suit of plain armour, somewhat longer if a pattern was introduced.
 

Amazing work.
 

I have always pictured myself as the next Arogorn or Legolas from the Lord of the Rings. Well a girl can dream. This sword was perfect, so light allowing me to give a good swing, it was excellently balanced.
 
 

Event:- Daglan this Saturday evening at 7 o’clock – Soiree Cabaret with Paris-Londres at the Salle Des Fêtes. With an aperitif and nibbles. Ten euro per adult and three euro for children.

 
 

“The Envy Of The Whole World”.

This is how President Emmanuel Macron described the French baguette earlier this year when he backed calls to have it listed as a UNESCO cultural treasure.

Intrigued and delighted by this, I just had to find out more information about the baguette, why that shape, how did it become so popular in every corner of France, in short what is the history of the tradition French Baguette.

Delicious.

 

Starting around the 14th and 15th century people had to use a Communal oven to bake their bread, which was mostly round in shape. However, even though they were called Communal they did not belong to the Community. The oven was the property of the local Lord or the Church who would charge the surfs for baking their bread. Following the French Revolution, the ovens became the property of the village; no more fees.

Medieval bread making.

 

Once a week the oven was fired up and the locals would carry the dough they had prepared at home to the oven. Each family would mark the top of the bread with a distinctive cut to distinguish their bread from the other families.

Village bread oven.

 

The ash created during the baking was collected, mixed with water and used for the laundry.

Baguette’s really took off in the 1920’s after a new law prevented workers starting work before 4am. In older to get the bread baked in time for breakfast, bakers started to make long, thin ‘wand”s of bread. Although the dough at that time was still made at home and then taken to the Boulangerie to bake.

Antique bread oven at Cambremer, Pays d’Auge, France.

 

Bread oven’s can be seen all over France in the Boulangerie, or in the centre of the village, in the grounds of a property or in the property itself.

So if you are looking for a new home …

… why not pick one with a little je ne sais quoi.

 
 

Event:-Le château de Castlenaud celebrates the European Heritage Weekend on the 15th and 16th September with a Medieval Fencing Tournament.
 
 

Just for Monsieur Poirot!

Imagine the scene, Monsieur Poirot boarding the Orient Express and in his luggage was the above case all ready for his moustache preparation that evening.
This was my greatest find at the Brocante at La Rogue-Geanac this morning a Vintage and rare but sadly empty kit by Marcel Rochas. Which originally held three bottles containing cologne for Monsieur.

“Anytime you slip on a sleeveless bustier or slide your hands into your skirt pockets, send a silent thanks to the late fashion designer Marcel Rochas”, (Sophie Rochas 2015).

In the ‘40s and ‘50s, Rochas pioneered such silhouettes and helped define that “je ne sais quoi” of French glamour. During his 30-year career, which began with perfume, Rochas dressed the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich and Mae West.
 

“Hold me back”, I found another linen stall.
 

The morning shadows are getting longer but it is still a gorgeous view any time of the year.
 

Paul jokingly asked the stone mason if he started with a large block and it got reduced to the items at the front of the stall. A hearty laugh was the response.
 

I loved this vintage cart. You can imagine it full of gorgeous flowers.
 

Browsing complete, in need of a treat… hot chocolate with cream.
 

Here is my version of a moustache, delicious.