Judgement of Pétassou 2019.

Bathed in spring sunshine the Judgement of Pétassou was performed by the children of three local Primary Schools. In true Carnival spirit the beating of a drum is heard in the distance as the Carnival begins to meander its way through the streets of Daglan.

Pétassou is placed onto the trailer towed behind the decorated tractor which leads the procession.
 

Children follow the tractor in their amazing costumes which show the various cultures of the world.
So cute and gorgeous.
 

Helped along by the teachers and parents.
 
Cowboys, Native Americans, Spanish etc.
 

Time to sing and dance and ward off evil spirits for another year.
 

Pétassou is then placed onto the bonfire for his sins. Winter is gone, Spring is here and good times are ahead.
 
 

Events at Castlenaud-6th April to the 5th May. Guided tour and firing of the trebuchet and new this year, the shooting of the cross bow. Plus, face to face with an arquebusier of the Religious War. Both offensive and defensive equipment of an arquebusier.
Le château de Castelnaud

So forget Brexit and come and have fun and enjoyment in the Perigord.
 
 

Reserve Zoologique de Calviac.

If you are visiting the area one place that we can highly recommend people to visit is the Reserve Zoologique de Calviac. It is about 10km from Sarlat on the D704A to Souiliac and is set in woodland. It is unique in its conservation of the approximately 200 animals which come from Europe, Madagascar, South America and Oceania.

Such a gorgeous character welcoms you into the reserve.
 

One feature that I love is that you are able to walk through some of the enclosures. Proximity to animals like the lemurs, wallabies and ibis are a real treat.

I adore Lemurs.
 

They approached Paul and I as we walked through their enclosure. Obviously, no touching or feeding of any of the animals.
 

Manned Wolf have the most gorgeous long legs.

The sign on the Maned Wolf enclosure tells you that “they eat bananas, apples, pears, chicken and rabbit but not children. But to keep on the safe side, keep children behind the fence”.
 

No luck for the Black Headed Squirrel Monkey, who was trying to steel from a litter bin.
 

Vibrant colours of this Goura of Victoria Bird.
 

You can choose which animal you like best or make a donation to sponsor an animal. The Zoologists travel to different zoos in Europe to offer advice and give talks on the conservation of animals and their ecological system. It is a none profit organisation and any donation is very welcome.

They have held seminars at Blackpool Zoo which is situated very near to where Paul and I once lived in the North of England.
 

You may also meet this very friendly cat on your way out. The markings and colouring of which are so like our own cat Cleo. The picture was taken just outside of the gift shop.
 
 

Event:-Children’s Carnival in Daglan on the 29th March at 2 o’clock.
 
 

Fête du Printemps

You do not need to wait until May to see the flowers in bloom.

From the moment that March begins signs of Spring are all around. From lighter mornings and evenings, to the multitude of gorgeous flowers, plants and trees emergeing into bloom as soon as the sun begins to shine.

Our Spring delight is of course the Daglan Flower Festival. Which this morning was brimming with vivid colours and intriguingly inviting perfumes of new blooms.
 

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet,
but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

From a song written in the 1930s by Will Holt.

This one on sale today was magnificent.

I love lemons:- Reminders of Lemoncello which we drank for the first time on a very hot day in Sorrento, gorgeous. Lemon flavoured cakes, puddings, main courses the list is endless.
 

Every flower that you could possibly think of was for sale today, plus exotic trees and shrubs, herbs and honey.
 

Hush, you can hear it?
The rustling in the grass.
Bringing you the welcome news that Winter’s day is long past.
Soft, can you feel it?
The warm caressing breeze,
Telling you that the buds are bursting from on the trees.
Look, can you see them?
The primrose, daffodil and rose.
Now you must believe it, Spring is here again.

It Must Be Spring by May Fenn 2014.
 

From Exotic trees and shrubs…

… to gorgeous perfumed roses – and everything in between.
 

All of the proceeds from this cakes, biscuits and drinks stall go to the local schools of Daglan, Castlenaud, and St Cyprian.
 

There was also potpourri mineral, packets of seeds, ornaments, garden equipment, pots and in the Ancien Presbytere, talks and information on orchids and bee keeping.

Not forgetting books for sale in the Salle de Fetes were you could also buy hot or cold drinks.
 
 

Event:-

Terre Sauvage.

Unfortunately Christine cannot write a blog this week due to swelling around her eyes so this one comes from Paul. Chris has seen two doctors and had x-rays to eliminate alleges and sinus problems, she will be seeing an eye specialist next week. So we are keeping fingers crossed that normal service can be will soon be resumed and all will be well before the Daglan Spring Flower Festival and Sarlat Chocolate Festival in 2 weeks time.

Yesterday we popped into Belves, on our return we stopped for a few moments to admire the amazing sculptures at Terre Sauvage in Vaurez.

Their recycled creations are made entirely by hand from recycled metal drums, car body and refrigerator panels.

Elephants, giraffes, rhinos, boar, horses, birds and more can be found in the garden of Laurent Picherit. Here are a few examples of his wonderful work.

A Stag
 

A Peacock
 

The menagerie including a galloping turkey and a prancing horse.
 
 

News

The 8 à Huit in Daglan will be closed 9th and 10th March
 

Events