Armistice Day 11.11.14

Armistice Day is a national holiday in France, no matter which day it falls on, unlike in the UK.

I switched on French television in the morning before leaving for the ceremony in Villefagnan to see the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and tomb of the unknown soldier bathed in sunshine.
The streets were clear with throngs of crowds at either side and there were flags bordering all along the Champs Elysee.(I hope they are still there for our forthcoming trip to Paris).
The build up to the ceremony was quite moving. An eternal flame has burned continuously since 1921, in memory of all who died in World War at the tomb of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe. Children were interviewed and showed a great understanding of the significance of this day.
We had to depart as we were commemorating the day in Villefagnan.
After meeting friends at the local cafe/bar we walked to our own monument. A short procession took place to the foot of the monument led by 4 flag bearers and followed by the mayor and villagers carrying flowers (not wreaths of red poppies but beautiful arrangements) to lay at the foot of the monument. Unlike our red poppies the blue cornflower - bleuet de France - is used as a symbol and buttonhole.

Blue cornflower

Flag bearers leading procession outside Mairie (town  hall)

The ceremony was very moving. The names of Villefagnanais who died during the wars are called out and following each name either how they died or that they died for their country. As many families of the dead who gave their lives live in the town it was very personal. After this some children read poems or letter that had been sent home from the front during the First World War.
The national Anthem was then played and a couple of medals were given. One to the husband of the Mayor for his part in the French Algerian war and another for a man who was a flag bearer.

Flag bearers 

Mayor and flower bearers

During La Marseillaise

After this the community went to the covered market place for drinks and nibbles. Although I visit the very small market occasionally I hadn't really noticed the beautiful arches inside before. Perhaps it was once an outdoor market place that had walls built around it?

Inside market place

We then went on to an amazing repas attended by about 50 people. This year for the first time I understand, it was open to everyone rather than just those who had a connection. i.e. fought in the Second World War.
We sat with our friend Paul and some lovely French people for a very long but wonderful meal.

The Menu

The repas

Chicken consomme

Seafood Vol au vent

We all ate far too much and drank too much as well. We wemt back to ours with some friends early evening having been at the repas for over 6 hours and...... carried on. Needless to say Phil had a slight sore head the following day but it was a truly wonderful day!

x

Visitors and our kitchen and living space come together

My sister and brother in law arrived with their beautiful girls for a few days before we had a chance to finish the living area.

We still had a concrete floor but popped a rug down and put together the corner settee we got from Ikea. I am thrilled with it as there is storage and it also turns into a double bed so we can have extra guests even if we have our B&B rooms let out.

The Whites

As you can see it was quite successful. We had a Raclette outside the first night - which was great fun. Cooking our own saussison, cold meats and veg with raclette cheese on top under the Raclette grill. A great social way to eat.

The cushions in various bright colours I have now decided against - going for something a bit more subtle. I'll be able to use the bright colours outside when we go back to outdoor living.

We had a wonderful few days with our guests and had great fun at various playgrounds. We also had amazing weather. We had a little visit to Nanteuil en Vallee - a beautiful little village with an arboretum and pretty garden. Here is a picture of the ancient wash-house.

Our few days culminated in a picnic by our lake at the Plan d'Eau on their last day followed by Halloween pumpkin making and a Halloween party at L'Etoile D'Or.

Fun at Plan d'Eau, Villefagnan

Tilly helping carve her pumpkin

The finished pumpkin - my talented sister designed the face

Witch on her broomstick

Ready to party...

Couldn't stop laughing at this

Painting

Tiling

Ceiling and beams

After many weeks work our kitchen and living space has come together. Whilst not totally finished it is lovely and cosy and I am looking forward to easting with friends and snuggling up to watch films over the winter months.
The floor as you know was levelled and concreted in July and a wall was knocked down transforming what was a stable into a nice large space.
This has now been plasterboarded, plastered, painted, tiled with a splashback and cupboards have been made by Phil. Doors are still required but there is space for plates, glasses, mugs and dried goods.An exposed area on the wall you can see has been made to house our TV.
The ceiling has been painted along with the beams and the search for tiles continued. We have been looking for months and even failed to find something we liked at a good price in the UK. So last week we got in the van and went to Brico Depot at Angouleme determined to come back with something. and what a bargain. We found these tiles at only €4.50 a square metre. Of course the adhesive and grout cost nearly as much as the tiles but we are so pleased with the effect.

The tiling was done in one day with grouting the next. Boy did our knees hurt.

Let the tiling commence

Ready for grouting

And now we can bring in the furniture

We have now moved furniture in and this is the (almost) finished room.

Our cosy space

A bientot!

x

Rouillac Market

A market is held in Rouillac on the 27th of every month so we went in October for the first time.
Nothing prepared us for the size of it.
we parked up, as the French do - anywhere - and it wasn't difficult to find somewhere even though the place was heaving.
As we walked towards the market I overheard a man behind me saying he was going to buy 33 chickens and 19 turkeys. I stifled a snigger.
On arriving at the first part of the market I was soon to eat my snigger, if such a thing is possible.
There were chickens everywhere. Not only hens and cockerels but turkeys, geese, ducks, parrots, canaries, love birds, cats, dogs and even a couple of pigs. There may have been even more earlier as we didn't arrive until around 11.00 ish.
I'm not sure how I feel about the selling of live animals. Made me feel a little strange to be honest.
Below are a selection of photos - the market sold just about everything. Lawn mowers, clothes, materials, things you need and things you probaly will never need. The only stalls missing were a butcher and fishmonger. Maybe something that is agreed so as to not impede business to local shops maybe?

Chrysanthemums abound everywhere - just prior to All Saint's Day
a lovely sight

Chooks

Birds

Ducks

Geese

Black and White turkeys

Dogs for Sale

Assortment of caps

Eels - they also cooked an eel dish in a huge paella pan

Wonderful selection of saucissons

Pumpkins

An eatery

Sitting in the sunshine taking a breather

On the way back to Villefagnan we passed a sign that said Pineau de Charentes so we came off the road and drove into a small hamlet and through a gate into a courtyard where a three legged black labrador came across the lawn to greet us. He was followed by a lovely lady who opened a door and took us inside to sample some Pineau that they make there.

Another couple arrived who live fairly locally to us and we spent a wonderful hour chatting and tasting Pineau des Charentes before buying a selection to take away.

We were also shown the back room where there were huge casks of Cognac that were maturing for 30 years before being bottled.

For anyone interested I absolutely recommend a visit. (they shut on Sundays)

Guy BONNAUD les Cailletières 16170 Gourville Téléphone: 05 45 21 73 30

http://www.cognac-bonnaud.com/

What a great day out. We shall certainly visit the market again. Maybe November - there may be a Christmas theme.

Until the next time.

Much love x