Tag Archives: nature

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

A tree shrinks in Daglan

Posted on December 23, 2019 by loren24250

Considering the title of this posting, those among you of a literary persuasion may nod knowingly and admire the subtle reference to Betty Smith’s semi-autobiographical novel of 1943, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” Others of you may simply wonder how … Continue reading →

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

Timber!

Posted on December 22, 2019 by loren24250

We’ve had some awfully wet weather lately, as previously reported in Radio Free Daglan (December 15). Sometimes we’ve had gentle showers, other times we’ve had hard rain. Unfortunately, some days we’ve also been hit with serious storms, bringing strong winds … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays in France, Life in southwest France, Weather in the Dordogne | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 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

Mowing on a grand scale

Posted on May 15, 2019 by loren24250

As we’re now well and truly into spring, we’ve had weeks and weeks of alternating rain and bright sunshine. And once again, that means we’re into the season of mowing on a grand scale — known in France as fauchage. … Continue reading →

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