On Hot Summer Nights

During the months of July and August the villages in the area host their “Marches Nocturnes”, which are a brilliant way of experiencing the local produce and culture of the region. What could be better on hot Summer nights than food, wine, music, dance and most of all excellent company.

During the evening markets tables are set up around a central square or along the main road of the villages and vendors sell everything you need for a good meal, including the excellent wine of the region. There is usually live music or a DJ and dancing well into the evening. Which is what we did in St Cyprien and St Pompon.

Saint Cyprien

Not even a rain shower stopped the revelry in St Cyprien.
 

Sherry and Angus ready for their dinner
 

Brilliant musicians topped the evening.
 

Saint Pompon

Such a delicious choice of food.
 

Wow, we had to try a selection of the scrumptious desserts above.
 

This gentleman danced around the bottles, sang, played an instrument of four harmonica’s, plus castanets.
 

You meet such a lot of interesting people. The couple at the end of our table were on holiday from the North of France. We were telling them about the places of interest in the area, including Daglan of course.
 

Angus and I had to get up and dance YMCA, great fun.
 

Boogie Night for Sherry and I. We had such a good time that we are all going to St Pompon again this Saturday… see you there.

You need to arrive early for a good seat and remember to take your own cutlery.
 
 

Events :-

It is that time of year again, four nights of no sleep but boy do we have fun.

 
 

Helping Hands.

My roving reporter Paul was on hand to capture the “helping hands” a few days ago. Imagine the scene if you will, a large lorry arrives in the square, loaded with stock for the Supermarket in the village. When voices were heard, “oh no we can not unload”, but in French off course.

What do you do?

Send out a distress call to the local builders yard of course.

Freytet, building material supplier.

Were soon on hand with a forklift truck.

I am always amazed at how helpful people are in our village. The stock unloaded and in the store is ready for another week of the tourist season.

Remember that for the summer season the 8 à Huit supermarket is open every day including lunch hour, except on Sunday when closes for lunch then opens again in the afternoon. They sell an excellent range of products from fresh, chilled, frozen and tinned foods, to wine, beer, milk etc.
 

Shared Garden Project

Shared gardens was developed by the children in the village Primary School has part of the common land development scheme, which was organised by our Marie this year in the residence of the convent.

All completely pesticide free and organic, grown to perfection.
 

Event :-

Promenade en Gastronomie this Sunday in Daglan.
Delicious food and wine to savour and enjoy. Will be served at the various stalls around the village this Sunday. Not to be missed is a truffle dog demonstration that will take place in La Place de la Liberty.

Have you seen the fairies dance upon a Summers night?

Marqueyssac by candlelight is amazing. Illuminated by over two thousand candles the gardens at Marqueyssac are a site to see. We arrived just before dusk and took refreshments at a table with a breath-taking view across the Dordogne valley where we could see Castelnaud, Fayrac and Beynac Château’s.

As dusk slowly arrived we walked through the candle lit gardens towards the increasing sound of music and children’s laughter. I would highly recommend anyone to visit the gardens at night, every Thursday evening in July and August from seven to midnight.

Fairies on stilts, “Les Marraines Fees” by the Lilous Company.

The faces of the children as they where sprinkled with fairy dust was brilliant. The costumes and the make up are outstanding.

A magical moment that the children will never forget.
 

Various niches, fountains and rocks around the garden are illuminated.
This particular fountain changed from yellow to purple to red and back again.
 

Jazz and blues on the Esplanade by Karima and Oliver. They are brilliant.
 

Classical music in a circle of light by DJamano.
 

I am unsure what dance Judith and I were performing in the above picture but we all had a terrific time. My friend Michelle was taking a selfy as light scattered around us.
 

At last we saw ‘Kan’ the L’allosaure which is new to the gardens this year.

 
 
Events:-
The Tour de France goes through Perigord on Tuesday, wow. 178Km from Périgueux, through Sarlat and on to Bergerac. Tour De France Stage 10

Daglan events;-

 

 
 

Forth Bridge?

Well our equivalent here in Daglan.

We have heard that some authorities and schools in England have banned the wearing of shorts in hot weather and that school boys have taken to wearing skirts in protest, good for them, you have our support boys.

While the temperature today has dropped down to the high twenties this team are painting the balustrade of Pont Neuf over the River Céou and I’m very glad to say no such restrictions are being enforced in our village.

Shorts or trousers?
 

I was going to take a close up picture of the trumpet flowers but the house is so gorgeous that I just had it take a picture of the whole building.
 

One of my favourite petite homes in Daglan village.
 

Several artisans are to be found in the village. Love the hand made hats and birds on sticks.
 

One of the three lovely restaurants in the village, the Petite Paris.
 

Daglan art exhibition looks brilliant with paintings, sculptures etc. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures inside the salle des fêtes but we did take pictures of the beautiful display of stained glass work at the Presbytery.
 
 

Once more, here is Sarlat.

For no other reason than I never get tied of taking pictures of this medieval/renaissance town, especially on market days. It is magical but you need to arrive early if you want to park your car during the tourist season. On a Saturday and Wednesday morning fresh produce is for sale along the pedestrianised Place de la Liberté which runs all the way down the old quarter, while on Saturday, along the main Rue de la République you can buy anything from shoes, leather goods, linen clothes, books, toys, tableware and more.

Ready to sell their fruit, vegetables, cheeses, bread and cakes.
 

A walnut grinder demonstration.
 

Fantastic display of mushrooms.
 

We always make a point of wondering the maze of side streets of Sarlat to find hidden gems. This gem of a courtyard was found down Rue Alberic Cahuet. I love the old stones which they used for planters and the olive tree centrepiece.
 

Second hidden gem, flower pots shaped to sit perfectly onto the iron rail. what a brilliant idea.
 
 

Events:-

Sarlat market days, Wednesday for fresh produce and Saturday for the full market.

Daglan, market every Sunday morning.

La Rogue-Gageac market every Friday morning.

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Brocante, 13th July 8:00 to 18:00

Marqueyssac – Candlelight evening with entertainment. Every Thursday from seven PM until midnight in July and August.

New to the Village of Daglan

Last year a prized flower was awarded to our village for enhancement to the commune and the environment that has improved the quality of life for all. From insects and plants to humans.

Successful communes are awarded one to four flowers which are awarded under strict criteria with a special and extremely rare ‘Fleur d’Or’ or golden flower which can be awarded to a small number of communes.

Although it has been nearly a year since we were awarded the flower the official signs have only recently arrived.

So proud seeing the new Village Fleuri sign for the first time.
 

Paul just ‘hanging around’, his joke not mine! Fitting our new hanging baskets at the front of our home.
 

Daglan has a new seat, the old wooden bench in the Place de la Liberté has been replace with a very comfortable metal bench with a lovely design but the seat does get hot in the current heat wave of over 35C
 

Not new but still gorgeous, What can be more refreshing than the river Céou sparkling in the sun.
 

Just taking a few minutes to relax and meditate
 
 

Event:- Not to be missed, Daglan art exhibition from this weekend
 
 

Summer comes to Daglan

Traffic has been steadily increasing for a few weeks but the real sign that summer is here is that the Supermarket next to our home is now open every day including Monday for the summer season, and “Wonder Woman”, our new name for Virginie due to the fact that she can lift the most heavy gas containers, is hard at work.

Virginie (Wonder Woman) looking good
 

People make time to stop and chat in the Sunday market.
 

This glorious display was for Mothers Day which fell on May 28th in France.
 

If you visit Daglan make a point of wondering the side streets where you will find some of the hidden gems. This picture was taken at the end of the lane at the side of our home.
 

A stunning array of roses in full bloom cascade down the side of this property.
 

Trying to hide from view. This is gorgeous Meemow, so named because she talks to you none stop.
 
 

Event:-

The Tour de France comes to the Perigord Noir on Tuesday, 11th July. Stage 10 begins at Perigueux, passes through Montignac, Sarlat, Vitrac, Domme, La Rogue-Gageac, Beynac, Saint Cyprien and on to Bargerac.

Check out the 178km route at http://www.cyclingnews.com/