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Let’s begin : )

Alethea x

Excuse the missed issue. I’m sure you’ve been on tenterhooks wondering what’s been going on in this little part of the world (!)…

TLS vs BDX

During canicule (heatwave) number three I spent a day in Toulouse to see my new neurologist. I wasn’t too excited about being in the city on a 40 degree day, but with its narrow, windy streets, plenty of trees and other shade the city is remarkably well set-up for the heat. Every time I visit, Toulouse jumps another few points ahead on my Bordeaux-versus-Toulouse barometer. I suspect this may require its own future post.

Bastille Day

While Paris was all military parades and fly-pasts, Bastille Day in this part of the country felt much more muted than usual – despite Les Bleus progress in the World Cup. Wildfire risk dispensed with fireworks displays, and even the traditional 14 Juillet brocantes were a bit blah. My lovely friend Harm and I decided we probably wouldn’t want to set-up a stand in the heat either.

However, we lucked out with a browse in a random vide-maison on the way home, our favourite finds being this collection of wonderfully chunky old records and two rather beautiful pre-plumbing sinks, which we agreed, would make a fabulous cocktail dispenser for a future party - mentally bookmarked!

We also did a brief recce of le marché des producteurs at Bouzic. A summer tradition, but a first time for both of us. Such a great idea, in a spot under and by the market hall, with trestle tables, live music, lots of fresh local produce, braais and extremely well-organised recycling!

Bring your own crockery, buy your dinner directly from local producers or simply buy the ingredients on-site and cook them yourself on the communal braai, grab a spot on the long trestle tables, listen to the music and settle in for the evening.

Brilliant for those (mostly men!) who like to braai, beer in hand while solving the world’s problems : )

Orage

Post-canicule number three something even less welcome arrived, on 16 July, one of the most violent storms I’ve ever experienced. The region is still recovering. This storm delivered the full gamut of storm weaponry: wind, hail, torrential and horizontal rain and rave-levels of flash lightning. Needless to say power went out in seconds.

Once it had passed, around 1am, the chainsaws revved up.

The scale of the damage was quite astonishing: every single road had been blocked by at least one fallen tree, many by more, telegraph lines were down everywhere, seemingly ripped up like a loose thread, huge walnut trees were splintered in two, rural roads washed away, tiles scattered etc – everyone had some damage. Fortunately, here, I only lost four small fenceline trees, one larger hazelnut tree, and some hefty branches from the big linden and oak trees.

By the following afternoon, every chainsaw in the commune appeared to be running simultaneously.

With power out, quickly followed by water, internet and feeble 3G, most of us were effectively incommunicado. However, there was great community spirit, everyone checking on everyone, the maire and his team doing the rounds. A friend brought round a chainsaw and even my lovely Airbnb guests helped move a tree : )

Later, we discovered the lightning had taken out a transformer, making it clear we’d be without power, and therefore water, for quite some time. Around 7,600 homes in Dordogne lost power, and the storm produced some of the most intense lightning activity ever recorded, with thousands of lightning strikes and more than 52,000 electrical discharges detected across France in just 24 hours 😱

With high temperatures, guests in La Petite Maison, a sick dog and no aircon it wasn’t the best - however, our village was one of the lucky ones with power and water restored after 24 hours, friends a few kilometres away had to wait almost three days.

BDX vs TLS

This week, I had to go to Aquivet, the Bordeaux vet hospital with Miss Romy. She’d become alarmingly breathless and listless, and our local vet found heart issues and high liver enzymes. Cue a lot of worry and upset. Investigations are ongoing.

While Aquivet is an extraordinary hospital (on a par with the amazing veterninary hospital in Utrecht), and one to which I will always be grateful, it may also be partly why Bordeaux lingers behind Toulouse on my favourites barometer - for me, the city has become rather too often associated with emergency vet hospital stays.

Leaving Bordeaux, we were also fortunate to avoid the big wildfire around Merignac, which had closed the airport. Terribly, two pompiers lost their lives in it. There are a number of huge wildfires in France, with one of the worst in the Landes, between Bordeaux and Arcachon where currently 20,000 people have been evacuated.

Other random things, primarily animal and wildlife related:

Need a peaceful rural retreat? There’s still two weeks availability for La Petite Maison in September – when it’s lovely and warm, but not blazing hot, and the colours are fabulous!

French Pharmacies are a vibe in general…whether you’re collecting your little paper bag of médicaments following a doctor’s visit (there always seems to be at least six things prescribed!), stocking up the home first-aid cabinet, hunting down some insanely good, and generally reasonably priced skincare, or just fancy a mini-rave under the fluorescent green cross signs…

There’s a certain mythology surrounding French pharmacies, particularly if you’re a foreigner, and especially if you come from a nation that’s perhaps a little less, um, medically enthusiastic! The sheer number of lotions, potions, creams, sprays, gels and mysterious remedies can be slightly overwhelming.  

That’s before we even get to their crazy illuminated green crosses. Flashing a mix of crosses, writhing medical serpents and (ridiculously high) temperatures 24/7 like tiny village nightclubs – always giving it large!

During my previous life as a beauty PR at L’Oréal, meetings in our General Manager’s office always involved a little distraction. One wall was lined, as you’d expect, with hero products from across their stable of brands, bien sûr. However, there was also a shelf devoted to competitor products deemed worthy of admiration. I’d often browse this, as it was full of brands I’d initially never heard of. The first time I asked, I remember someone saying: “Bergdorf is great, but our pharmacies are better.” I became an early French pharmacy convert :)

Even with that introduction, and many years spent working in the beauty industry, I’ve still bought my fair share of duds or rather, incorrect products, usually due to an over-confident translation. Anyone who’s ventured into the world of original K-beauty will probably understand the feeling. Gradually, over the years I’ve learnt which products really deserve a place in my bathroom.

French Pharmacies are perfect for: skincare lovers, frequent France visitors, and anyone who enjoys returning from any trip with something more useful than a fridge magnet.

Part of a new collection of A&A Local favourites – places or activities that either sit slightly under the radar or are so consistently good that they stand out from the tourist trail.

Given the recent encounter with what appear to be Madame’s resident serpent’s hatchlings (see video above), followed shortly afterwards by another tiny snake discovered motionless in the barn – possibly an inadvertent Nala toy – there have still been no sightings this summer of our original couleuvre serpent friend. Although I’m fairly sure she’s still about somewhere…

More Snapshots of the Domaine Les Plonges ‘journey’ next edition.

Possibly you found your way here via Instagram? @domainelesplonges? If so, an extra Bienvenue! You’ll already know I love a good visual…

If you’re interested in the tech I’m using for this, it’s Beehiiv. I did a LOT of research on platforms and I’m happy to explain why etc in more detail, just ask. They’ve also given me a partner link, and this gives anyone using the link a 30-day free trial and 20% off your first three months on any paid plan. Note, it’s an affiliate link and I may receive commission on any purchases made through it.

PS: A Beehiiv / Instagram glitch means I’m currently unable to share insta images - they will return!

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