Le Vieux Logis

Le Vieux Logis is a hotel and Michelin starred restaurant located in the pretty village of Tremolat some twenty minutes away from Le Banquet.    We like to wander around the grounds, a haven of peace and tranquility with its clipped Box spheres and triangular Yew.

All this calming green belies a landcape beyond that is parched and tawny following a particularly hot and dry July and August. A landscape more reminiscent of the Mediterranean basin than the gentle Dordogne, though not so at Le Vieux Logis, somebody does a good job of irrigating Le Jardin. 

We actually need some rain. There have been wildfires around and water reserves are under pressure, but there's nothing in the forecast and temperatures are set to rise this week, the start to September is a continuation of Summer and looks  that way for the next two weeks or more.

Rambling Rosie

The climbing roses that cloak the pergola are now in their seventh year. I cant believe it was that long ago when I constructed the arbour, ordered the bare root plants and started this blog.

There are some who question the wisdom of putting red and pink together, but I think they work just fine and for around four or five weeks in early summer, the pathway which leads to La Forge is flanked by the flowering magnificence of 'Rambling Rosie' and 'American Pillar' (rosie is red, pillar pink) both ofwhich I bought from Peter Beales roses in the UK.

Present from Heligan

Got back from shopping late last week to find a new plant sitting on the terrace from a mystery donor.
I really had no idea who it might be from. Perhaps a gift from someone who had come along to the garden visit earlier that week, but who?

All became clear when Ian and Anne Collett, guests from a previous year at Le Banquet paid a surprise visit as they were staying in a different part of the department. They'd dropped by earlier when we were out but returned on the Saturday as they were visiting an antiques fair in the area. They'd picked up the plant, a Libertia Grandiflora at the nursery shop at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall.

I'm absolutely knocked out. Thanks so much Ian and Anne!

L'Abbaye Nouvelle

L'Abbaye Nouvelle (the new abbey, although it dates from the 13th century) between Sarlat and Gourdon, is the most beautiful venue imaginable in which to hold a garden/plant fete. It's also the biggest of the local plant fairs with a fifty plus nurserys and horticulteurs from all over France.

The sun shone last Sunday.

Willy de Wilde was there from Pepiniere du Lac des Joncs, I've blogged about him before here

Les Senteurs du Quercy, specialists in plants for dry places plus holding an enormous collection of Iris, were doing a brisk trade. I've bought on-line from them previously, the plants always arrive swiftly and in excellent condition. I say this not in receipt for anything from them, just simply because they're passionate about what they do.

A very pleasant way to spend a weekend, there are a few more plant fairs scheduled until the end of June and then again in the Autumn, beginning in early October.

Short Video Tour

I took a quick video tour of part of the garden but was unable to load it up on blogger??? However I loaded it successfully to facebook. to view click here.

Les Printanières de la Brande

The first weekend in May heralds the start of the garden fair season throughout France. We always make a visit to the fete at La Brande, Fouleix which is about thirty minutes drive from here at Le Banquet.

The Jardins de la Brande is a specialist shrub nursery which hosts this two day plant fair in beautiful surroundings known as the woodland gardens of 'Hortus and Sylve'. 

With a huge selection of plants from over forty specialist 'producteurs', together with artisans, artists and crafts people Les Printanières de la Brande  is one of the most interesting places to spend a weekend in the glorious May sunshine! 

Fete de la Truffe - Sarlat 2016

It's that time of year again when Sarlat celebrates all things truffle. The annual Truffle fair, organised and in conjunction with the Académie Culinere, is a gastronomic treat which in the words of the academy 'is defended jealously to the point of dedicating the entire weekend to the truffle and foie gras'. That's the translation from the French, you get the picture, this is a serious business.

Suffice to say that this event is one culinary extravaganza - so I'll let the photos do the talking.

I have no idea who this is. I guess he's a very noble fella.

2016 is off to a good start!