Wonder if you can teach an old dog new tricks?

One morning while hanging out the washing I noticed a lady wandering down the road towards the boulangerie with a couple of dogs walking along side her, from a distance I could see that one of the dogs was an Irish Terrier (the same breed of dog we have at home in Australia), excited to see an Irish Terrier in France I waited for her to return along the road.  I couldn't believe my eyes when around the corner appeared the dog with a large baguette between its mouth.  What an absolutely glorious sight, I rushed inside the house, grabbed my camera and took this shot.

Dont think I would be able to trust our dog Kelsey with such a precious cargo!!

The Legend of the Little White Goat

Chateau Diable alight for the celebration of the white goat.

The legend of the little white goat!

It was Christmas the Lord was receiving his vassals.  A young girl, Marietta, asked to see him and he agreed.  She had come to plead the cause of her Grandmother who could no longer pay her land taxes.  Fascinated by the girls beauty, the lord tried to take advantage of her.  Feeling herself to be caught in a trap, Marietta hurled herself into the River Cele below.  The next day the region was invaded, the Chateau destroyed by fire and the Lord killed.  Ever since on Christmas night a little white goat climbs the cliff and suddenly disappears.   The legend believes this is the soul of Marietta.

Every August Cabrerets celebrate the Legend of the White Goat, the festival is held over three days, on the second night a light show followed by a fantastic firework display tells the story of Marietta.  We had been invited to a soiree in the village before the official celebration began.  Drinks and nibbles where served on beautiful platters, with fine linen napkins, the like you normally see in five star restaurants, candles and flowers dawned every table, magic was in the air.  New friends were discovered before beautiful music could be heard down in the valley, we made our way down into the crowd below, the weather was perfect, hot and still.  The music echoed off the cliff face as the White Goat appeared in the darkness and made its way down to the River.  Excited villagers cheer and reach out to touch the Goat as it is believed good luck will come to those that are lucky enough to touch the White Goat during the celebrations.  The story of Marietta is told over a loud speaker, first a knight on horse back is projected onto the cliff face, followed by the burning down of Chateau Diable, a cut out of a White Goat can be seen leaping off the cliff and into the water below.  A celebration of fireworks light the night sky, gasps and applause can be heard from the crowd shrouded in darkness.

Long after the firework display has finished we make our way back up the hill to continue to party well into the night!

Lazy Sunday morning

There is nothing more enjoyable than waking up on a sunny Sunday morning, collecting your wicker basket and heading to the produce markets that can be found in many little villages in France during the Summer months.  Limogne is one of our favourites, a beautiful village, a short car drive away.  The market spills out from the town square and meanders along tiny little streets and runs along the front of the church.  After browsing the stalls we stop for a cafe and watch the world pass by.  The church bells ring out to welcome you to the market.  While sipping on our short black we discuss the produce that has tempted our taste buds, menus for the evening meal are conjured up before we head back into the happy crowd to make our purchases.   The air smells of freshly baked bread, chickens cooked on a rotisserie, fresh flowers and freshly brewed coffee.  A macaron stall catches my eye, pyramids  of beautiful little macarons in at least a dozen different flavours fill the stall, Lemon, Hazelnut, Chocolate and Cassis are just begging me to take them home for afternoon tea.

A final stop to buy a cask of Rose as our supplies of Rose du Cabrerets seem to be disappearing at a rather alarming rate, before we drive back through the country side to Maison du Cele for a spot of lunch out in the courtyard.

Recipe for Rose Du Cabrerets


Bottle of Sparkling Rose (French if you can get it)
Red Grapefruit Juice (or Blood Orange if Grapefruit not available) Unsweetened is better

Mix is 5 parts Rose to 1 part Juice

Mix in glass jug with plenty of ice.  Wonderful on a hot summers day.  You can use still Rose if you wish its just as wonderful.

A perfect day....

A perfect day…..


It’s the White Goat Festival, Cabrerets is in full swing, and the temperature has soared into the high 30’s. The Marquee has been erected; long tables covered in pretty white table clothes with white daisy in glass jars have been laid out ready for the night’s festivities. The afternoon has seen a much contested boule competition, a very excited crowd gathered under the shade of the London Plain trees that are dotted around the village square to watch old friends playing against old friends, news of the day circulates amongst the players, sometimes interrupted by heated arguments over the measuring abilities of the other team, but always in jovial spirits, after all if you don’t win today, you’ll win tomorrow or next week!!

There is an air of anticipation as the evening approaches, a slow procession of villagers make their way to the village square dressed in their Sunday best. Laughter, music and wonderful French accents can be heard as glasses of Rose du Cabrerets are passed around. A delicious feast is served to the happy revellers, ripe succulent melon with a slice of ham, steak cooked over a campfire served with French fries and white bean casserole followed by ripe Cabecou with crusty bread. This is all washed down with plenty of wine, which is served in pottery jugs, ice cream sundaes complete the meal. Tables are quickly cleared away to make room for the dance floor. No one requires much persuasion to take to the floor, as we all have very full stomachs, a long conger line is formed which snakes around the dance floor, young and old alike join in as we make our way around chairs and tables, through the market square and back to the dance floor. Several hours of dancing follow before the night draws to a close, the air is still warm as we make our way back to Maison du Cele staggering slightly, for a much deserved rest, before tomorrows round of activities down on the River.

Summer in Cabrerets

Summer 

It’s the season of the fetes.  Every village has its own and Cabrerets is no different, the festival of the white goat takes place in August.  Skies are bright blue, geraniums fill every window box, sunflowers dance in the fields keeping their heads bowed to the sun.  Grapes hanging heavy on the vines almost ready for harvest, farm yard dogs lie panting in the shade of the old oak tree, life has taken on a relaxed pace.

Summer

Let’s talk about the Birds and the bees, 

golden fields of Sunflowers and Fragrant Lavender,  yes it’s that

glorious time of year when  nature, the outdoors and fresh air beckons.
Here comes the sun.