07/07/07
Today is our first anniversary. We’ve been here a whole year now….phew! That went fast!
And what a year it’s been…and what of the years to come?
BEAUREGARD…The Blog
….France,Family,Friends….
Happy Birthday Boy
Today is The Boys 6th birthday.
A birthday full of dinosaurs…those you make fossils out of, those that you bash to get fossils out of, those you read about, those you bury in the sand pit, a wooden crocodile model and a watering can…yep, a watering can. A fancy, pump-action, pressurised one, that is perfect for watering flowers and sisters.
A birthday full of sandwiches, pretzels, jelly and ice cream, coka-float…remember them? and an explosion of a birthday cake.
A lovely birthday……
Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email
Poppies
The poppies are in full bloom at the moment and look beautiful. Fields and hedgerows scattered with scarlet petals.
This photo is of Duras chateau….stunning! (Thanks Paula!)
You will notice too, the verdant green of the grass, due in no uncertain terms, to the unusually wet weather we are experiencing at the moment…where, oh where, is the sunshine?
Les 24 Heures du Swing, Monsegur
The marketing of the annual Jazz Festival at Monsegur is well and truly gathering pace at the moment. Posters, leaflets and flyers everywhere.
It is the 19th anniversary this year and the festival has evolved into a well organised, lively jazz-experience. The streets come alive over 3 days with bands and acts to suit every jazz taste. The dates this year are 4th July to 6th July.
Just the thing for a summer-time shimmy, a glass or two of Bordeaux and time spent in the company of friends.
Re-vamps and Make-overs
We have been very busy here over the last few weeks doing a make-over on the bedrooms in the gite. It was decided that a complete paint job and re-work was required.
Here is a picture of the twin room..we’re very pleased with our efforts, so far!
In Recognition of Upupa epops…
For 25 years, I have been hearing the virtues of the Hoopoe. How distinctive they are, how pretty, once seen never forgotten and of course, the ’oo-poo’ call they utter as they fly about their business.
Have I ever seen one? No! Never!
I began to think they were a joke, a figment of someones imagination, a bluff. Ok, I knew they exist, I have looked them up in the ‘Birds of Britain and Europe’ book. In fact, I know quite alot about them…but quite frankly, I thought I would have more chance of seeing an emu or a Lyre bird strolling about.
But I have had to change my opinion now. They are everywhere this year. In fact, I can barely leave the house now without one nearly flying into the car or driving with one flying alongside. And, yes, it’s true, they are distinctive and beautiful. I have yet to hear the song or a crest in full crestfulness, but it’s only a matter of time.
Thank You….
Thank you to everyone for your comments, cards, warm thoughts and flowers. They have been so appreciated by us all here at Beauregard.
We have had two long, busy, odd weeks. Too busy to dwell too much, but plenty of time for memories, tears, laughter. We have seen people that we haven’t seen for years and been well supported by friends and family.
It is odd in the way that we have been immersed in sadness and shock, with so much love and support. We have had to remain calm and organised, in a chaotic and traumatic time. Communicating in woefully inadequate French, in a situation that has been emotional and frustrating. But we managed….
So thank you once again to all our friends….you have helped to make a sad situation much more bearable, less isolating and fraught.
Mum
A light went out at Beauregard today and we have stumbled around in the dark all day.
Agen Hospital phoned this morning to say that Mum had died in the early hours.
Tongue Twisters a la Francaise
Diddy has come home from school today with a page full of French tongue-twisters.
I thought I would share some with you…..you won’t be thanking me!
Now, with your best French accents, say the following, as fast as possible…..
- Six souris roses ont suserre que seize chats siamois ont chuchote cent six secrets chaque soir sans sourciller
- Pepin part pour Pampelune prendre perroquet pour Penelope
- Croc le croco croque la queue de Keke le criquet
- J’ai le houquet bilboquet passe la rue je ne l’ai plus!
This one has to be learnt by heart for Thursday…
- Tas de riz tas de rats, tas de riz tentant tas de rats tentes, tas de riz tentant tenta tas de rats tas de rats tentes tas de rats tentes tata tas de riz tentant
Not sure what they mean, (Google translate hasn’t helped much), so if anyone can throw some light on it….
FYI…in my English/French dictionary there are two translations of ‘tongue-twister’ into French: 1) ‘une phrase difficile a prononcer’ (’a phrase difficult to pronounce’ )….nah…boring!…. and 2) ‘une phrase a decrocher la machoire’ (’a phrase that dislocates/unhooks your jaw’)….much more interesting!
Have fun!
Lost In Translation
Diddy had a girly day out on Saturday, with her friend, Hannah. They went to Bergerac, shopping with Hannahs Mum and did what girls do on tenth birthdays. A fun time was had by all.
Diddy did say though, that the clothes shop had a strange name for a clothes shop…Tati. I can only assume it is a subsidiary of Shmutters and Rags.
During my shop at Intermarche yesterday, I noticed a hair conditioner going by the name of ‘Bad Creme’….don’t think it would go down very well on the shelves at Sainsbury. Plus, a bright orange fizzy drink called ‘Diablo’….which is probably what our little angels turn into after one sniff. As for ‘Pshitt’….still going strong.
And on the way to Intermarche, I pass Mutant. I haven’t yet plucked up courage to do a shop there….the name’s just too off-putting!
