For those of you that like a bit of Cro-Magnon in your life (and who doesn’t!?) I came across this today.

Ok, it’s not exactly around the corner, but well worth a visit on the way down in the car.

And if it’s anything like the replica caves at Lascaux, it promises to be very impressive.

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

Is it true that everyone has at least one book to write?

I for one, wouldn’t have a clue where to start, but it would appear France is as good a starting point as any! For example, Peter Mayle, Helena Frith-Powell, that Colin Firth/Darcy fella in Love Actually, to name a few.

But here is a useful article by Samantha David in The Guardian, that outlines how to go about it. It seems that the number one pre-requisite is a sense of humour! 

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

Take a look at this chaps…..there’s progress for you!

Is that bright red and turquoise water specimen for real?

No wonder the Chinese River dolphin is now thought to be extinct…

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

It used to be that more traditional methods determined the value of your property. Such as, the location of good quality schools in the area, jobs, off-road parking, a lack of industrial units, the proximity of the train station etc.

Now, it seems, for many of us, it is having a Ryanair serviced airport in the region.

It is Morrocco now, that is rubbing its’ hands together in anticipation of the Brits arriving, looking for second/holiday home properties. Chi-ching!

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

This article caught my eye somewhere during my internet wanderings, I think it was the Knights Templar thing that first attracted me. And on closer inspection, I find it’s only up the road in Ste Foy La Grande.

Take a look at the agent’s spec…looks very nice too! Does anyone want to go halves on 1 300 000 euros? I am, of course, sadly, only joking!

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

I’ve been a bit quiet over the last few days and so here is a little treat for your ears. I have been wondering how I could splice this into my blog, as it doesn’t seem to fit any categories. So I shall invent a new one….the ‘Just because I like it’ category. (Won’t let me do it for some reason!)

I hope you do too!

Hands up if you think he collapses into a big heap at the end?

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

In my alerts today, I got two reports on the King of France, living in Bhopal, India. (Two reports…it must be true!) My curiosity was well and truly piqued!

Why should this story warm the cockles of my heart? I really don’t know, but I think it’s a great idea. Wouldn’t we love it to be true!? 

The Bourbon King of France, with an Indian passport…wow! Balthazar Napolean de Bourbon….I bet he got a ribbing at school! Apparantly, he was told from an early age of his regal, French heritage and has named all of his children with French names. Although he is of modest means, his ancestors in Bhopal were quite wealthy and influential. Balthazar is being brought to France by Prince Michael of Greece, who has published the book exposing all this, Le Rajah de Bourbon. He is to have DNA tests to see if any real proof can be found.

I find it quite ironic that India was the jewel in Britains crown and all that time was possibly harbouring the French royal family.

I also like the way that ‘things French’ has a world-wide reaching influence. I often get French connections from the most obscure and unexpected places, Bhopal being a good example.

It reminds me of the rumour in our family, that we are connected somewhere along the line to King Canute. I think our only connection is insanity!

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

When I first read about Ryanair charging extra for ‘larger’ passengers, I was quite unfazed by it…after all it is the sort of thing they would do!

But the more I chewed it over, the more I thought it was the sort of thing that my favourite news website, Newsbiscuit, would run. And lo and behold, it turns out it is a Newsbiscuit article and well worth reading too…it had me laughing anyway! I even laugh at the photo of the smiling Ryanair girl! Classic stuff!

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

The French health authorities, it would appear, are becoming concerned with the potential rise in childhood obesity levels and are introducing a warning system on food advertising.

The message is to be:  ‘Less fat, less sugar, less salt’.

So the idea that French people never get fat because they appreciate and savour their food is maybe a myth, or at least, a thing of the past.

I know in my experience of visiting France for the past 25 years, that the shops are now full of ready-made meals and the usual stuff that we buy here in Britain. I can remember when we couldn’t buy mince, we had to pick the steak and get the butcher to ‘hache’ it for us!

And in one year, France (Lot et Garonne anyway) cottoned on to roundabouts and McDonalds. We went home in the September and the next visit, Easter the following year, there were roundabouts and  associated McDonalds all over the place. I’m talking maybe 4 or 5 years ago.

And don’t get me started on Ikea!

Forget getting sentimental/maudlin about the loss of the local High Street and it’s individuality and uniqueness, we’re talking whole country’s here, disappearing into commercial sameness and uniformity. A national landscape, not shaped by geography but by commercialism.

This seems a long way from warnings on food advertisements, but I’m sure there is a connection somewhere!

It may be that the said Health authorities have taken a look at the state of the neighbouring British childrens’ health and decided to act before it has gone too far.

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email

I keep reading in the news about the Asian killer hornets, Vespa velutina, that are devastating the bee population of Aquitaine.

The hornets escaped from a consignment of Chinese pottery in 2004 and have been spreading North, enjoying the warm climate. Fears are that the hornets will eventually make their way up through France to England.

Although they can give a nasty sting, it is their ability to completely devastate the native bee population, that is the major concern. They ransack the bee hive, devouring the bees and feeding the larvae to their own.

Their football shaped hives are cropping up all over the forests of Aquitaine and are beginning to worry the bee-keepers of France, who’s honey production is already being challenged by pesticides and the long, hot weather.

At this stage, I am not sure what is being done about this. Do they need to be reported if you see them? Is there a programme of irradication in force? Is it advisable to try to tackle one of their hives yourself? Are they swottable? I must admit, I think I would avoid them at all cost.

Here is a little information about hornets from Wikipedia. I was right, they’re not to be messed with!

Subscribe to BEAUREGARD…The Blog by Email