Category Archives: Flora and fauna

Heat, sun and a plenitude on the plate

Posted on August 8, 2020 by loren24250

How hot has it been in Daglan, I can almost hear you asking. Well, if this were The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon would ask: “And how hot was it, Johnny?” And Johnny would say something like, “Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals in France, Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France, Restaurants in France, Restaurants in the Dordogne, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sunshine, on a cloudy day

Posted on July 15, 2020 by loren24250

Today started off a bit cloudy, and then proceeded to become more and more overcast as the morning unfolded. As I drove north from Daglan into St. Cybranet around 11 a.m., I saw something that reminded me of the  opening … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture in the Dordogne, Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Our reluctant shrub bursts forth

Posted on May 11, 2020 by loren24250

Jan and I have a glossy green-leaved shrub in a blue ceramic planter on the front steps of our home in Daglan, and we had been getting pretty tired of waiting for it to bloom. But now it’s truly burst … Continue reading →

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Notes from our lock-down, April 24

Posted on April 24, 2020 by loren24250

As I’m sure you know, or can guess, life here in the small village of Daglan tends to be pretty quiet — but these days we are setting new records for quiet. Bird song seems louder, and we perk up … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France, Restaurants in France, Restaurants in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A few Monday brighteners

Posted on March 23, 2020 by loren24250

As the Covid-19 pandemic has cast a pall over much of daily life, I thought it would be worthwhile to write a short post featuring some bright spots — namely some early signs of spring arriving in the Greater Daglan … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The sounds of (near) silence

Posted on November 30, 2019 by loren24250

You may have wondered, how quiet is our village at this time of year? My answer: Very. The only occasional loud noises occur when a large truck or tractor rumbles through Daglan on the main street, or when someone is … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Another way to learn patience

Posted on August 3, 2019 by loren24250

There are several proven ways to learn how to be patient, and I’ve tried a few. For example: Fly-fishing for salmon in a Scottish river (salmon caught? zero). Putting up wallpaper (aaargghh). Taking part in a 24-hour police stake-out (okay, … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Plenty of sunshine, coming our way…

Posted on July 22, 2019 by loren24250

We are currently enduring what the French call a canicule and we English-speakers call a heat wave. The entire southwest of France (in which we reside) is under a weather warning, and the papers are full of advice about staying … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture in the Dordogne, Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hip, hip, hooray! And hoopoe!

Posted on July 3, 2019 by loren24250

Not too many days ago, I saw a hoopoe — actually, three of them — for the first time since moving to France nearly nine years ago. I can just imagine you asking: And what is a hoopoe, pray tell? … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Pop … pop … poppies!

Posted on May 30, 2019 by loren24250

Today has been a national holiday in France (Ascension). Which meant that most businesses have been closed for at least a half day, if not the whole day. Which meant that the Othentic Spa in Costeraste is closed. Which meant … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture in the Dordogne, Exercise and fitness, Flora and fauna, Life in southwest France, Walking in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment