A New Cafe in Daglan.

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Chris

Fabrice le Chef who owns and runs the excellent La Cantine restaurant in the centre of Daglan village across from the Marie, has now expanded his business to incorporate L’Annexe, a new cafe and bar which will offer a selection of snacks including tapas, burgers, pizzas and salads on the spot or to take away. The cafe has been granted a licence IV, meaning you can drop in for an alcoholic beverage or cocktail without ordering food. L’Annexe is expected to open later this week

.L’Annexe is to be found opposite what was once Le Thé Vert at the South East entrance to the village on the main (D60) road which leads to St Pompom.

A selection of snacks and drinks

Just picture collecting your food and drinks and sitting outside in the shade or gorgeous sunshine at the rear of the cafe.

L’Annexe

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Summer In Our Village.

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Chris

A few months ago when Paul and I where planting seed potatoes in pots in our courtyard I thought how good it was to live here. Spring was in the air, leaves and buds on our apple tree were starting to show themselves. The birds were singing as we walked to the the river Ceou about five minutes away. Spending our lives in a relatively small area without seeing our friends and family did not occur to me.

It all changed here due to the outbreak of Covid 19 just like England and other places around the world. One of the hardest changes was being isolated from family, friends and people in general. The French are very tactile and love to meet and greet people with a kiss on both cheeks and a hug, which we have adopted and love. Our food shopping habits had also changed, no self respecting French person would dream of buying fresh produce without looking, feeling and smelling the produce on offer. These are just a few of the simple pleasures that I have missed.

As the restrictions started to be lifted France was divide into different colour zones with the lifting of restrictions being delayed in orange zones. Perigord, being in the green zone made us very lucky indeed. Although we still had keep to social distancing guidelines, wearing of face masks and disinfecting everything in sight we were able to go outside to the newly re-opened Sunday market.

Now, my goodness we can talk to people (social distancing and masks of course) and it feels so good to just ask how they are, how have they been copying over the last few months etc.

This morning, just inside our gate, I discovered a present of lavender from our friends who recently arrived back at their Daglan home after several months in Germany. The perfume is gorgeous, thank you so much.

Daglan in bloom. Our new pink and white roses are next to our apple tree which looks like a good crop this year.

I love the courtyard of a friend of ours, it is always full of flowers of every description.

La Petit Paris is open for outside eating with the metre distancing restriction in place. So book early in order to insure a table.

Summer flowers adorn La Cantine, all ready to welcome you for lunchtime in the sunshine.

Bon appetit

A Dance Around The Supermarket…

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Chris

…or How We Live Through A Plague Situation.

Our first outing in a week for provisions was shall we say interesting but strange. We were on route to a supermarket in Sarlat when we were stopped in Cenac by a very friendly police officer who wanted to see our form (download here). Everyone must fill one out and take a completed form with them whereever they go, chemist, supermarket, walking etc. After reading through the form the officer asked if we were shopping for food and then sent us on our way.

On we traveled through deserted villages until we reached the supermarket. Where a queue had formed outside with people standing one or two meters away from each other. By the doors stood men looking like bouncers who were letting in a few people at a time. No arguments there.

A dance around the supermarket followed. Remembering that we needed to stay one metre away from the next person was interesting, for example, we turned into the cereal isle which was occupied by another person. What to do, stay still and wait or move to another place? … But the other person has spotted us and quickly vanished around the corner.

It reminded me of a very old Movie of the Scarlet Pimpernel, “We seek him here we seek him there”.

We could still buy what we wanted from fresh to frozen, even toilet rolls, which we are told are sold out in many shops in England! Only dried yeast for bread making and alcohol based hand gel were out of stock.

Back in Daglan the 8 á Huit is open as normal, with the 1 metre social distancing limit. Restaurants La Cantine and La Petite Paris are offering take out meals.

The take away menu at La Canteen yesterday.

The take away menu at La Petite Paris yesterday.

A great Idea for supporting the community in these strange times

Events:-throughout France are all cancelled including the Flower Festival which was to take place in Daglan this Sunday.

Next time, How we live through cabin fever.

Club De L’Amitie Daglanaise.

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Chris

An excellent first meal of the year was provided after the Club AGM yesterday, created by Chef Fabrice of La Cantine which is situated in Daglan village.

Of course it is not only the food which draws people, club business, projects, election of new committee members and it is a brilliant chance for a catch up with friends and a great opportunity to meet new people.

Excellent service, company, food and wine.

Bon Appetit.

My main course was a delicious vegetarian option. I must try and get the recipe from Fabrice.

The Three Musketeers.

Congratulations Elaine for your appointment to the Committee.

Presentation of flowers or a bottle of wine for Birthday celebrations.

Big hugs.

Gorgeous smiles. Look forward to our next meal together.

Event:-La Chandeleur will be celebrated on the 2nd February. It originates from an ancient Latin and Pagan festival. Later becoming the Christian celebration of Candlemas, bringing hope and warmth in the midst of Winter.

Traditionally in France It is when people make delicious crêpes for everyone to enjoy. You should hold a gold coin in one hand while flipping the crêpe in the pan with the other. If you succeed in flipping the crêpe, you will have a prosperous and fortunate year ahead.

What? No men in high heels!

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Chris

Le Fête de la Saint-Louis is a Fantastic Carnival weekend held at the end of August each year in Daglan. It transforms the the usually quiet village of Daglan into a four day Festival. The highlight of which is always the parade on a Sunday afternoon. The costumes and floats are amazing.

I must tell you a little story of what happened a few years ago when the theme of the parade was Carnival. The Familia decided to make the most fantastic float with men and ladies costumes for which they needed high heel shoes but found they were rather expensive in France. So one of the family members was sent over to England to buy the shoes. Once inside the store the person had to try on the shoes! Which was funny to the bemused crowd of onlookers and a little embarrassing for the person and for the store assistant who insisted “they suit you sir”. Having posted the shoes to Daglan he was informed that more shoes were needed. This time he went to the store just before closing time to avoid onlookers. All well and good until his return flight when he had to explain to a customs officer about the contents of his luggage.

No high heels needed this year, the theme was Video Games.

Los Amigos lead the parade through the streets of Daglan.