Monthly Archives: September 2013

Balloons over Daglan

Posted on September 25, 2013 by loren24250

People have been going up in hot air balloons in France since 1783, courtesy of the inventive Montgolfier brothers. Today, hot air ballooning is a popular tourist activity in the Greater Daglan Area — and our village often has some … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in southwest France, Sports, Sports in the Dordogne, Tourist attractions, Travels in and out of France, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Lunching above the vineyards of Monbazillac

Posted on September 24, 2013 by loren24250

The vineyards lining the slopes that lead up to Château Monbazillac, south of Bergerac, are among the most beautiful in the entire Bergerac wine-growing area — a region of more than 90 villages with more than a thousand grape growers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture in the Dordogne, French food, Restaurants in France, Restaurants in the Dordogne, Weather in the Dordogne, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The case for Saint-Emilion

Posted on September 17, 2013 by loren24250

In yesterday’s posting, I described the seafood lunch that my wife Jan and I enjoyed on Sunday (two days ago) at L’Huitrier-Pie in the beautiful town of Saint-Émilion, one of the planet’s 981 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today I’ll share … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and fauna, French food, Life in southwest France, Restaurants in France, Tourist attractions, Travels in and out of France, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A trip to wine country — for seafood

Posted on September 16, 2013 by loren24250

Yesterday’s journey shaped up quickly. My wife Jan started it by noting that we had no plans for Sunday, and suggesting that we should go for a long drive. Okay, but where? How about St. Émilion, one of France’s most … Continue reading →

Posted in French food, Life in southwest France, Restaurants in France, Tourist attractions, Travels in and out of France, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Surprises and delights at Le Grand Bleu (once again)

Posted on September 13, 2013 by loren24250

What more can be said about Le Grand Bleu, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Sarlat? I’ve written about it many times before, using words like “marvellous” and “wonderful” to describe our meals there. But it still has the ability to surprise … Continue reading →

Posted in French food, Life in southwest France, Restaurants in France, Restaurants in the Dordogne, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Variations on the theme of lamb shoulder

Posted on September 12, 2013 by loren24250

For several years, I have been tinkering with a French recipe for shoulder of lamb, trying to correct what might be called The Lemon Dilemma. Now I believe I have solved it. At this point, if you have no interest … Continue reading →

Posted in French food, Life in southwest France, Recipes, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The 2013 harvest — of tobacco

Posted on September 11, 2013 by loren24250

The département of the Dordogne — home to Daglan — has long been a major producer of tobacco, accounting for an estimated 23% of France’s production. Although the business of raising, harvesting, drying and then processing tobacco has been in … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture in the Dordogne, Life in southwest France, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Shutting down (2013 version)

Posted on September 10, 2013 by loren24250

Nothing says “End of Tourist Season” quite like a beautiful swimming pool with absolutely no one in or near it. That’s pretty much the story these days in all the campgrounds that surround Daglan. The campgrounds are either shutting down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling in the Dordogne, Camping in the Dordogne, Holidays in France, Life in southwest France, Tourist attractions, Travels in and out of France, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Encore presentation: Baked eggs in ham cups

Posted on September 8, 2013 by loren24250

A repeat performance of yesterday’s Birthday Breakfast seemed like the only sensible thing for today. For one thing, the morning was grey and rainy. For another, we had fresh mushrooms, several shallots and a few slices of ham available, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in southwest France, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A little something with the Champagne

Posted on September 7, 2013 by loren24250

For a Birthday Breakfast here at home in Daglan, Champagne with orange juice is just about mandatory. But it’s still important to eat something along with the drinkies. So today, for my wife Jan’s birthday, I made an egg dish … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in southwest France, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments