I was sat there listening to the taxi radio when the operator shouted up a driver and there was no response. She then shouted another driver and again there was no response. This went on for about 4 different drivers then all of a sudden all I heard over the radio from the operator was
"Is anyone rogering me tonight or not" I think I knew what she meant but the way iot came out sounded more like something else if you know what I mean. I just went into fits of laughter
Roger - Over and out
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Monday, June 28
Sunday, June 27
Franco-British Film Festival in the Dordogne!
Only its second year, and already the noted Franco-British Film Festival has become one of the highlights of the summer cultural programme in the Dordogne-Perigord. From 21 to 24 July Bergerac, Montpon, Ste Foye la Grande and Mussidan become the centre of a multi-cultural cinematic fest.
This film festival offers a forum for the French and British communities who live in this region to exchange ideas in a spirit of respect and mutual recognition. The films screened during the festival are chosen to echo one another, with a French film and a British film shown on the same evening. All films are shown in their original version with subtitles.
In typical laid-back French style, there are two open-air films -- one at the beginning of the festival at the spectacular venue, the chateau Montbazillac, the other at the end in the historic centre of the town of Bergerac -- and an open-air concert that will add yet another festive touch to the event. A snack bar with musical entertainment in the Cloître des Récollets offers visitors a venue in which to discuss films and meet film directors in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Last year, film directors Stephen Frears and Jacques Audiard honoured us with their presence. Once again this year, two renowned directors are invited to the festival. They are Bertrand Tavernier who has just been showered with accolades at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival for his latest work, "La Princesse de Montpensier" -- which will be premiered at the Bergerac Festival!
In turn, Tavernier was given carte blanche to invite a British film director of his choice. We are thrilled to announce that he director he has chosen to invite is Pawel Pawlikovski, . the young and upcoming Polish-born cinéaste who has already made a name for himself with only two full-length films and is currently working on his third. 
Part of the programme are short films and documentaries about these two film directors, as well as Tavernier and Pawlikovski themselves speaking about their work..Make a note of the dates -- more details about the exciting programme soon!
Click on Link:
Friday, June 25
Walnut Wine and Truffle Groves - Culinary adventures in the Dordogne
Last night, after a gruelling journey down from Brussels by road, the ever-gorgeous Kimberley Lovato arrived at Chateau Lalinde!It seems that Everyone, as well as her aunt, her dog and her delinquent great nieces were on the French roads yesterday -- NOT a good day to be travelling across the length and breadth of La Belle France! But Kimberley arrived safely and we spent a perfect evening on the terrace, enjoying food and wine, the sound of the river below us, the rising of the almost-full moon -- and all-things-good-about-life-in-the-Dordogne.
Kinberley Lovato is at Chateau Lalinde for the local Dordogne launch of her runaway-success book, "Walnut Wine and Truffle Groves":
France the way it should be visited: one bite at a time. Walnut Wine & Truffle Groves is a culinary travel book that navigates the back roads—as well as the menus and markets—of southwestern France with newfound excitement . . . and a knife and fork! Through interviews with home cooks and chefs; visits to local farms, historic sites, and wineries; and serendipitous detours to out-of-the way places and unique destinations, author Kimberley Lovato provides a rare glimpse into this captivating region. The alluring recipes and stunning photographs let you discover the true jewels in France’s culinary crown, and the profiles and stories take you to the heart and hearth of the country’s most beautiful and mysterious province.
The book is beautiful. Kimberley, with her intense love for the region and its heritage and people, her bubbling spontaneity and enthusiasm for the food and the cuisine and the products of this area, her winning open smile and warm personality, has managed to capture in the pages of this book the colour, the sounds, the smells and the flavours of the Dordogne. Being a lover of this unique region myself, I am always on the lookout for new publications about the Dordogne -- and, the Dordogne being the Dordogne, there is a plethora of books about this region.
finally capture the essence of the Dordogne.
Kimberley's easy writing style and keen talent for observation managed to convey to the reader what this region is about. She describes the places she visits, recounts the anecdotes of the interesting people that she interviews, makes us feel under our own feet the little cobble streets she wanders through, lets us sip the wine that she drinks, invites us to taste the food that she savours and smell the aroma coming from the kitchens she works in -- and she does all this so well, that holding the book in your hands is like being transported to this beautiful corner of La Belle France.
Does this sound like I am gushing? Then it must be because I AM gushing! I am so excited about this book! In it is something for everyone -- history and information, origin of food and recipes -- all tested by master chef, Laura Schmalhorst, the do's and don'ts of the French Table, dining customs and traditions, colloquial expressions that will facilitate your way through the intricate eating experience in France as well as endear you to the hearts of all the locals you encounter, the timetables of the fresh produce markets of the region -- and who to see and where to go to make sure you enjoy every moment of your visit to the Dordogne -- and much more. The recipes are all representative of the very best of the best -- and made easy and straight forward -- and beautifully complemented and illustrated with excellent photographs. I could go on -- and on -- for that is what this book does to one. Holding it makes your heart beat faster -- it makes you excited, and it makes you impatient to read it from cover to cover -- and then go back and re-visit this photograph, that little anecdote, this fascinating little tidbit.
Kimberley explains her motivation for the book in the opening pages :
-- and I say exactly the same about this book "Walnut Wine and Truffle Groves" -- what's the fun in knowing that this book will delight everyone of you, if I cannot share that knowledge with you?
Walnut Wine & Truffle Groves
Publisher: Running Press
www.runningpresscooks.com
Buy it on Amazon
Monday, 28 June 2010
7pm - 9pm
Chateau Lalinde
1 rue de Verdun
Lalinde
If you would like to come join us for a glass of champagne on the terrace of the chateau and meet Kimberley Lovato in person and have her sign your copy of the book, call, +33 (0)689 38 68 22 or email : twoxscotch@gmail.com
Click on Link:
Saturday, June 19
It is the day of music again in France!
Once again, as happens every year in June, France celebrate The Day of Music -- and everywhere in France, in every big city and every smallest village, everyone makes music -- music of every kind, genre and taste.
Music/arts - Concert
Start Time:
Monday, 21 June 2010 at 21:00
End Time:
Tuesday, 22 June 2010 at 01:00
Venue: Place Pelissière
Bergerac, France
Click on Link:
Wednesday, June 9
Motorway Madness
A few times in the last 3 or 4 week I have had reason to make use of Britain's motorway network. Now consider these are suppose to be the safest roads to drive on then there should be no problem with a nice easy drive as you head out on your journey.
Speeds on motorways in the UK are 70mph (around 120kmh) and the roads are wider, usually 3 lanes or more. All traffic goes in one direction, no roundabouts or traffic lights, no pedestrians or cyclists and all you need do is obey the rules oif the road and you should be OK.
One of my pet hates when motorway driving is idiots that come right up behind you, (Tailgating). Its dangerous as they are not leaving a large enough gap to stop in time should you need to brake hard but this last few week its not been the tailgater, Its been the white van driver and the sales reps.
They think they own the road and feel that its ok to not use their mirrors, pull out without indicating, overtake without warning, undertake and generally swerve from lane to lane.
Each one I actually managed to drive passed I looked at them and everyone of them had a mobile phone to their ear and driving with one hand on the wheel and obviously by their manner of driving they were not concentrating.
One lady driver had a mobile phone to her ear and a map laid out in front of her whilst she was driving.
Perish the thought of an accident waiting to happen. Every single person that weaved or drove erratically was on the phone at the time. The fine is £60 and and endorsement on the licence but this doesn't seem to deter these people.
Speeds on motorways in the UK are 70mph (around 120kmh) and the roads are wider, usually 3 lanes or more. All traffic goes in one direction, no roundabouts or traffic lights, no pedestrians or cyclists and all you need do is obey the rules oif the road and you should be OK.
One of my pet hates when motorway driving is idiots that come right up behind you, (Tailgating). Its dangerous as they are not leaving a large enough gap to stop in time should you need to brake hard but this last few week its not been the tailgater, Its been the white van driver and the sales reps.
They think they own the road and feel that its ok to not use their mirrors, pull out without indicating, overtake without warning, undertake and generally swerve from lane to lane.
Each one I actually managed to drive passed I looked at them and everyone of them had a mobile phone to their ear and driving with one hand on the wheel and obviously by their manner of driving they were not concentrating.
One lady driver had a mobile phone to her ear and a map laid out in front of her whilst she was driving.
Perish the thought of an accident waiting to happen. Every single person that weaved or drove erratically was on the phone at the time. The fine is £60 and and endorsement on the licence but this doesn't seem to deter these people.
Friday, June 4
Airport Journeys
Recently I have done a few airport runs picking up foreigners who need to be brought to the home town. Its not a bad run down the motorway and the journey can be completed in 2 hours each way so there's always a time for a good craic with the passengers assuming they speak good English.
This is actually usually the case and you can talk about all sorts of things with them and feel that after a 2 hour journey that you know them. Some just talk about work and some just grunt the odd English word at you.
One guy I picked up this week couldn't stop eyeing up the girls. It was beautiful weather and the girls were out wearing next to nothing and every female we past no matter what age or what they look like, he remarked saying that English girls very beautiful.
Another gentleman I picked up who couldn't speak much English was listening to music on the car radio and he kept joining in with English songs and words but well out of tune. I think he was trying to learn the language
The best of the lot really is what most foreign passengers do when you take them to the car... They try and get in the drivers side as they are not used to the fact that we drive on the left.
This is actually usually the case and you can talk about all sorts of things with them and feel that after a 2 hour journey that you know them. Some just talk about work and some just grunt the odd English word at you.
One guy I picked up this week couldn't stop eyeing up the girls. It was beautiful weather and the girls were out wearing next to nothing and every female we past no matter what age or what they look like, he remarked saying that English girls very beautiful.
Another gentleman I picked up who couldn't speak much English was listening to music on the car radio and he kept joining in with English songs and words but well out of tune. I think he was trying to learn the language
The best of the lot really is what most foreign passengers do when you take them to the car... They try and get in the drivers side as they are not used to the fact that we drive on the left.
