Jardins de I’Imaginaire.

The Perigord has many different types of gardens that are open to the public, all of which are stunningly beautiful. This particular garden stands out as one of my favourites, it is stated in the guide ‘that it is a unique site in France’, and on our first visit I could see why.

Covering six hectares and thirteen gardens in the Perigord Noir, in the heart of the old town of Terrasson-Lavilledieu which over looks the Vezere Valley. These gardens created by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, show the art and imagination of humans from the Greek and Roman Periods. Which depict the element of water and wind, that interact with the plants to give a relaxed and meditative approach to the various gardens.

Roman fountain is to be found just before the entrance to the gardens.

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From the beginning of the route is a golden ribbon which is wrapped around the trees and leads you up higher and higher through a tunnel towards the first of the gardens.

This is a magical garden of Perigord stone and forest, It was once believed to be the home of elf’s and other creatures of the forest. I of course had an image of the elf’s from the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, well they are gardens of the imagination.

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The green theatre is based on the Greek and Roman open theatres, which over looks the town of Terrasson -Lavilledieu.

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Further along you can choose to walk down the stone steps to the rose garden or walk through the fountains. Here you can sit and mediate among the fragrant roses.

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Paul and I decided to meander through the fountains which was wonderful and cooling on a hot day.

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Waterfalls cascade down from the top of the stone wall and disappear underneath the footpath.

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Events:-

Belves air Show 15^th August.

53^rd Antiques Fair 19^th and 20^th August Villefranche – du-Perigord.

Relive the twenties and become spectators or actors at the Marquise, Sarlat on the 15^th and 22^nd of August.

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October In The Perigord.

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ (Ode to Autumn, John Keats) is one of my favourite English poems which applies equally to France, if not more so. It is a tranquil time when the tourist crowds dwindle and we see the last of the large motor homes leave the area until next year.

Look no forest.

Bright sunshine through in the afternoon is still here, which is a welcome relief from the often misty and chilly start to the day. It is a gathering time from the last of the grape harvest and the start of the gorgeous walnut and mushroom picking period of the year.

until later in the day

One morning you can wake to sky’s of azure blue and a frosting of ice, the next day to bitter cold and damp ‘pea soup,’ (dense fog) that hides the buildings, church and the forest from view. There is a plus side to this time of year which I love, first is the roaring of the stag, that low deep noise is just amazing. Secondly, is the ‘mist’ which caused the illusion of castles in the sky, a truly magical experience.

Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle floating above the mist.

Thirdly, is the gorgeous colouring of the changing leaves from green to the splendid russet colour.

Later on in the month much of the forest will also change to a gorgeous golden colour before the leaves fall to the ground. To create habitats for creatures to burrow under to escape the winter chill.

Gorgeous views when the sun is bright in the afternoon.

Over the years I have become accustomed to planning for winter a lot more than I ever did in England. Do we have enough wood and oil to last us through the winter months. A good stock of candles is a must just in case we have power cuts. Plenty of bread flour, yeast, jams, chutney to be stored in the pantry. Not forgetting a good supply of cat food just in case we get iced or snowed in and we cannot get to the big supermarket. Last but not least, buying vegetables to freeze for the winter months ahead. Yesterday for example we made pumpkin soup, today vegetable soup and tomorrow potato and leek soup. Which all adds to our winter store of seasonal vegetables.

It is still possible to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.

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Maisons à Empilage (stacking houses).

We have driven past this structure many times on the road to Sarlat and I have often wondered how old the building is and what is its purpose. At first a large barn comes to mind but I have never seen anyone use it until today. Curiosity got the better of me and I had to research into the subject and I made a very interesting discovery.

An example of a Maisons à Empilage.

You can not see clearly, being so far away, but it has one wooden stuttered window at the side and a door at the front. It is believed that the building was used as a home at the front and a barn at the rear.

Maisons a Empilage are some of the oldest habitations in this part of France. This particular one is in good condition and could be 600 years old, which places them after the Hundred Years War in the 1400’s. They are built like a log cabin with timbers squared off and are often extended at a later date. The walls are made of oak, cut with an axe and stacked horizontally. About ten long oak beams of 20×30 cm in section.

These particular structures are historical monuments and are believed to have been built on the site of an ancient oak forest.
 
 

Autumn Leaves.

We have just started our second week of lock down and are already suffering from cabin fever. So here are a few pictures of the gorgeous Autumnal changes taking place in the local area to cheer us a little.

Red, Gold and brown falling, swirling drifting down.
 

Shorter days, frosty and wet. Winter is around the corner, but not quite yet.
 

Vivid red, gold and rusty brown bring autumn colours to the vistas around Daglan.
 

Foggy mornings damp, cold and grey soon turn to sunshine with the heat of the day.
 

We have had lovely bright autumn days with temperatures in the high teens and low twenties by the afternoon but the mornings are very cold indeed.

Stay safe and healthy.
 
 

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.