Bonjour
Hope you had a great week!
Here in my village in the middle-of-nowhere France I am apparently the talk of the town because of my ducks. Last week my neighbours came to dinner and mentioned that one of my Barbary ducks had flown into their garden. They were astonished they said, they have never seen such a fat duck. “What never ever?” I asked. “They are the fattest ducks in France” came the answer. They were quite disappointed I think that we didn’t have duck for dinner but my birds are pets and I explained that several of them were bought up by me in the house as they were abandoned by their mums. I think that may have really sealed my reputation here as a loony Brit, especially when I told them that Lucky The Little Ducky used to like watching TV with me at night!
Anyway, as far as I know everyone survived my cooking but they all want to swap ducks with me.
This weekend I’m off to one of the very best Christmas events in France – the Licques Turkey Festival. 100 turkeys run rampage (well actually they sort of waddle) along the old main street of the little town of Licques in northern France. It’s a quirky affair, the locals are lovely and welcoming and the turkeys get to escape being Christmas dinner. This is where I buy specialities for Christmas like Champagne direct from the producers (Reims is only a couple of hours away) and wine from Alsace, cheese, sweets and a whole lot more. If you can, pop mid-December in your diary for next year’s annual turkey town treat!
Whatever you’ve got planned for this weekend I wish you much fun!
Bisous from France
Janine
Editor
Don’t miss on the website this week:
Win your own vineyard in France: I’m not kidding, my lovely friends at my3dVines.com are giving 2 lucky winners the choice of a row of vines in 10 of the most iconic vineyards in France, plus a bottle of wine made from the grapes in the owners row! Just click on the link – you’ve got to be in it to win it!
Win tickets for France Show: Every January The France Show offers a taste of France in London, I’ve got 5 pairs of tickets to give away, just click on the link to enter the draw.
How to make the perfect cheeseboard: Chef Guy Wolley shares his favourite cheeses for a French style cheeseboard for Christmas.
Christmas in Paris from your armchair: Lovely photos of the City of Light twinkling for the festive season, the next best thing to being there!
The Marais Poitevin and the Marais St Omer: Roger St Pierre visits the marshlands of France and finds they’re seriously special.
How to make a Christmas cheese wreath: Karen Burns Booth shows you how to put together a festive cheese wreath with wow factor in minutes…
