The next BBC golf event is planned for Tuesday 9th April at Gujan Mestras, near Arcachon. We need a group of 10 players to secure reduced rates. In view of the success of our recent trip to Lacanau, we plan to repeat the formula of 9 holes from 9h30 followed by a group lunch at 12 noon. Keen players may prefer 18 holes in the afternoon. Remember that non-players or friends of members are invited to walk the course or hire a « buggie ». Please note the terrain is basically flat.
To book for golf or just lunch, please contact pat.sanderson@orange.fr or tel: 05-57-17-22-65 ASAP
We aim to start our 2019 BBC golf season on Monday 18th February at the delightful Ardilouse course in Lacanau,
We need to have a minimum of 8 players to obtain a reduced fee of 36 euros (18 holes) and 24 euros (9 holes).
Tee off times at:
9.30 for 9 holes starting from the 10th hole
1.15pm for 18 holes starting from 1st hole.
This arrangement will allow us to have a group lunch about 12 noon,
Remember that non-players or friends of members are invited to walk the course or hire a « buggie »
Please note the terrain is basically flat and offers splendid views over the surrounding forest.
Booking
Please confirm your participation ASAP by contacting Patrick Sanderson by email or phone. Patrick’s contact details are in the Members area here (Please use your BBC password if a password is requested)
Burns Night at 19h00 on Saturday 26th January in Salle Gérard Philipe in Martignas
This is possibly the most popular event in the BBC calendar and it is extra special this year !
BOOKINGS CLOSE ON MONDAY 7th JANUARY
It’s that time when we celebrate the life of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns and the BBC always celebrates in the best possible style !
Some would say he was the greatest Scottish poet ever to have lived, and measured by the number of parties held around the world every year to celebrate his anniversary, that could be true. However, it may also have something to do with the whisky, which always flows freely and helps to drown the ‘Haggis Beasty’ !
BOOKINGS FOR THIS EVENT CLOSE ON MONDAY 7th JANUARY
Our Burns Night will have the traditional menu will of smoked salmon, haggis, neeps, tatties and fruit tart together with wine and whisky at the inclusive price of 20€ for adults and 10€ for children. Entertainment will include the pipes, some Burns recitation and the traditional ‘Address to the Haggis’ ( together with its stabbing! ) followed by optional dancing for all.
Every year Burns Night is a BBC favourite but there are disappointments as it is always overbooked due to space limitations. Problem solved this year as we are delighted to be invited to join forces with the Martingas Jumellage Association. We have no space restrictions this year and the event will take place in the excellent events room in Martignas.
Martingas Jumellage
Martingas are twinned with Aboyne which is a historic village on the edge of the Highlands in Aberdeenshire, on the River Dee, midway between the Cairngorms National Park and Aberdeen.
Starter: Smoked salmon, salad, slice of lemon and vinaigrette
Main course : Haggis, fresh mashed tatties and mashed neaps
Dessert: Apple and fruit tart
Coffee
Whisky, water and wine will be available.
Booking – Online
Booking deadline: Monday 7th January 2019.
20€ for adults and 10€ for children
The BBC uses the Helloasso online payments system.
The Helloasso system adds a voluntary ‘tip’ called a ‘Pourboire’, at the page which summarises your payment. If you do not wish to leave a tip, click ‘Modifier‘ and then click the feint box to the left of ‘Je ne souhaite pas laisser de pourboire‘. There is no obligation for you to add a tip.
Please have your bank card and mobile phone available. The number of the phone must be the one registered against your bank account and will be used by your bank to verify your payment.
2019 Piet de Bie Memorial Walk: Vendays — Saturday, 9th February
Ready for another brisk, bracing winter walk?
This year we will be meeting at the park bench in Vendays at around 10h45. Note, this is a change from what was originally announced.
There is off-road parking (Google Earth GPS coordinates : 45°21’24.00”N 1°05’23.00″ W) at the bench. Please click here for a map.
Format for the day
The day will kick off with a “tailgate party” to keep first arrivals cheery and warm while waiting for everyone to gather, so come prepared with a thermos flask of hot coffee (or, whatever…). We will then offer a toast to Piet before we strike out on our walk (approximately 4-5 km)
Once back at our cars, we will motor to lunch at the “Marin” restaurant in Montalivet (18, avenue de l’Océan, 33930 Vendays-Montalivet, Telephone : 05 56 41 46 33).
Those going straight to the restaurant can plan to meet us at 13h00. If it is pelting down rain, we’ll skip the walking part and go straight to the restaurant after our bench-side gathering and toast.
Menu Options
Menu complet à 20€ avec un verre de vin et un café
(Complete menu at 20€ includes : entrée+plat+dessert, 1 glass of wine and coffee)
Entrée
“Velouté de potimarron et crème de châtaignes”
(Creamy Pumpkin Soup with chestnut cream)
Plats
“Filet de poisson du marché”
(Fish of the day)
ou
“Rôti de canard farci”
(Stuffed Roast Duck)
Dessert
“Tarte aux pommes”
(Apple Tart)
* * *
Other menu formulae are :
Entrée + Plat
or
Plat + Dessert
* * *
Or you may order from their regular menu on arrival
Booking
When booking, please specify which main course (fish or duck) you would like if you are choosing one of the formulae (entrée+plat+dessert, entrée+plat, or plat+dessert),
or
If you prefer please specify in advance that you would like to order from the regular menu at the restaurant.
Please book direct, including your menu preferences, with Elizabeth whose contact details are here (Please use your BBC password if prompted for a password)
Driving directions to the walk
At the round-about in front of the church St. Seurin in Vendays, take the first exit, the Route de Montalivet (D102), as if going to Piet’s house.
At the traffic light, continue on for 1.36 km and just after the “Hôtel Les Acacias” turn left onto Route de Pey Mayan.
Follow this for 800 m then turn right at the intersection with Route de Pointon.
Continue on the Route de Pointon for 400 m to the park bench where we will be leaving our cars (it’s at the junction with Route de Mérin).
If you run into any difficulties, you can try calling Elizabeth on 06 99 80 69 30 and if that fails, try Chris (06 98 49 24 14) or Deirdre (06 35 91 20 53). See you there!
Tuesday, January 15th 2019 BBC Châteaux and Vineyards Walk-and-lunch at Mérignac with Alain
Mérignac hosts a number of pleasant 18th and 19th century houses, some of which were or still are surrounded by vineyards producing fine Pessac-Léognan. The day is organised in a flexible way, you are free to come to one, two or all activities.
Meeting Point
Meeting point and time: between 10 and 10.30 at the “Mérignac-centre” tram stop on the A tram line. There is a brasserie and café across rhe road.
Morning Walk
The morning walk will take us to the Mairie de Mérignac and its grounds, on to Parc Féau. If there is time, we’ll amble on to the Meltin’potes Caffé by the “Peychotte” A tram stop. If not we’ll hop onto tram A for 3 stops.
Lunch
Meltin’potes Caffé, 8 Allée des Conviviales, 33700 MERIGNAC
Aperitif, 3-course, wine and coffee 26€. This restaurant serves fresh cuisine du marché.
Punch maison.
Entrée:
Oeuf parfait, émulsion de parmesan et pétales de jambon fume
OU Velouté de butternut et copeaux de foie gras
Plat:
Magret de canard cuisson basse température, pommes grenaille et jus au thym
OU Pavé de saumon, purée de petits pois et frites de patates douces, crème de basilic
Dessert:
Entremet au chocolat lacté et croustillant de noix de pécan
OU Tartelette au citron meringuée
Vin: Bordeaux rouge ou rosé
Café.
Afternoon Walk
The afternoon walk will take us to Châteaux Pique-Caillou, Chêne Vert, Fantaisie, Tour de Veyrines, chartreuse de Marbotin, back to a stop on the A tram line.
Booking – Online
We use the Helloasso online payments system.
The Helloasso system adds a voluntary ‘tip’ called a ‘Pourboire’, at the page which summarises your payment. If you do not wish to leave a tip, click ‘Modifier‘ and then click the feint box to the left of ‘Je ne souhaite pas laisser de pourboire‘. There is no obligation for you to add a tip.
Please have your bank card, menu selections and mobile phone available. The number of the phone must be the one registered against your bank account and will be used by your bank to verify your payment.
New Year’s Walk or Cycle Ride and Lunch: Mios – Thursday 3rd January
Time for a little exercise following the holiday? A walk or cycle ride followed by lunch has been organised in the beautiful woods around and by the river Eyre in Mios. The foot paths are
well defined and level, it is not too strenuous and will take approx. 1hour 40 mins.
For those feeling more energetic, or keen to make up for the Christmas excesses, there will be a cycle ride
Meeting
Following a 10am meet at the hotel/restaurant LO’Berge, 27 Avenue du Val de l’Eyre, 33380 MIOS, ( Map )
10.30 coffee and 1pm lunch have been booked
Mios lies about 30 minutes SW of Bordeaux (Rocade), take A63 then A660 towards Arcachon and leave at first exit, signed to Mios. The hotel is in the town on D216, on left hand side just before the bridge over the river. From the south (Sanguinet) it is on the right just after the bridge.
Cyclists
The cyclists will join Phil cycling along the ‘green’ Mios to Bazas cycle track AF3V, (an old railway track – now tarmac!).
We would aim to reach Belin Beliet , 16km towards Bazas, and then 16km back, in time to meet the walkers for lunch. We might turn back earlier, depending on our cycling speed. This route is close to the canoeing route the BBC have taken (Salles to Biganos) in warmer times !
Walkers
Norma B will lead the walkers and meet up with the cyclists for lunch
Lunch
13:00 at LO’Berge, 27 Avenue du Val de l’Eyre, 33380 MIOS ( Map )
Mios lies about 30 minutes SW of Bordeaux (Rocade), take A63 then A660 towards Arcachon and leave at first exit, signed to Mios. The hotel is in the town on D216, on left hand side just before the bridge over the river. From the south (Sanguinet) it is on the right just after the bridge.
Afternoon
After lunch we could optionally make a shorter cycle excursion along the walkers’ morning route, perhaps to the Bassin- or perhaps relax and recover from the morning’s excursion!
Booking
The BBC uses the Helloasso online booking system to make it very easy for you to book and select any of the options for the event..
If you have not used Helloasso before, try it, it is easy !
NEW NEW: We are pleased to announce that this year we have Nadège, an excellent female singer/guitarist with a repertoire covering British and American Soul, Pop, Country, Folk, Rock, old classics, songs of romance and songs that are fun. Nadège will be singing during the welcome apero and afterwards before the disco. Nadege’s native language is English and she performs in English.
We are returning to the stunning Château La Chèze in Floirac for our annual Christmas Party and Dinner on Friday, 7th December.
The price for members is unbeatable value for at 45€ per BBC member for a fantastic evening. The price for member’s guests is 55€ per person. Very much an evening to suit everyone. Enjoy good food and wine. Be calm or to be energetic. The choice is yours. Oh ……. and also to enjoy great company in a beautiful environment!
Your evening commences at 7pm with a glass or two of kir petillant and canapes – an opportunity to meet up with friends and to welcome new members.
This year the drama group are taking a break. Many (Ed: at least one!) asked why? The answer is: “…. to preserve our artistic integrity and keep our air of mystery” !!! (We are planning something special as a replacement which will be announced soon)
Please order your choice of each of the three courses in advance.
After dinner there will be dancing to a selection of oldies and goodies and some up to date music into the wee hours of the morning. All those memories will come flooding back! The energetic can enjoy a boogie; maybe a smooch or two for the romantically inclined and we may be sure that some of the old faithfuls (music that is!) will make an appearance.
Or if you are not feeling energetic, just sit and chat with friends and do not worry as the drinks from the ‘Night Bar’ will not run out!
Be calm and chat, relax or be energetic and dance. The choice is totally yours !
* Venue
Château La Chèze – 27 Avenue Pierre Semirot, 33270 FLOIRAC.
The château was built in the late 19th century on the grounds of a former small fortified castle by a wealthy market gardener.
The art nouveau style mansion has been modernized to high standards whilst retaining many of the original charming features. The staff are always very helpful and friendly and they create a great ambience for us to enjoy.
Our food will be prepared and cooked by resident chef Jean-Baptiste Lévy and his team who served us well last time.
For directions and a map, please see the ‘Directions and Map‘ section at the very bottom of this page.
* Program for the Evening and Menu – fantastic value for only 45€ !
7:00 – Nadège performing a mix of well-known songs in English
7:30: Please take your seats for dinner
Dinner choices:
Entrée (to be chosen in advance):
Gâteau de lapin confit, pommes Granny Smith et tuiles parmesan
OR Velouté de châtaignes et pépites de lard
Main Course (to be chosen in advance):
Merlu, tagliatelles de légumes et crème citron
OR Sourie d’agneau confite au ras-el-hanout et caviar d’aubergines
Dessert (to be chosen in advance):
Pavlova aux fruits du moment
OR Travail autour du chocolat
Wines and water
Coffee accompanied by songs performed by Nadège
After Dinner
Optional dancing
Optional chatting
Optional ….. !
‘Night Bar’ – Crémant and wine ( Digestifs such as whisky and gin are available for purchase at the bar )
Unbeatable value for BBC Member’s price of 45€ !!
* Dress Code
Completely optional. Come dressed to enjoy yourself !
* Booking
If you require further information then please contact Avril or Ian whose contact details are here
We use the Helloasso online booking and payments system and they add a suggested ‘tip’ called a Pouboire, at the page which summarises your payment.
If you do not wish to leave a tip, please click ‘Modifier‘ and then click the feint box to the left of ‘Je ne souhaite pas laisser de pourboire‘. There is no obligation for you to add a tip.
Please have your bank or credit card available and also your mobile phone for payment verification.
There are are a number of good lower price local hotels available nearby. Some of these hotels are listed below. Prices will increase as we get closer to Christmas, so book early!
Recommend that you book your taxi in advance rather than waiting until you need it. When booking your taxi, please make sure that you have the château address to hand which is: Château la Chèze, 27 Avenue Pierre Semirot, 33270 FLOIRAC
The château reception will book your taxi but do not wait until the last minute !
A tour of various fountains, some well-known, others off the beaten tracks and a history of the
supply of water to the Bordelais over the centuries, une histoire qui n’a pas toujours coulé de source.
CONTACT FOR THE DAY: Alain MOUNOLOU, 06.44.80.43.22
Meeting place and time: between 10.30 and 11 a.m. at Café Brasserie Le Terminus opposite Gare St Jean, access via Tram C, buses 1, 9, 10, 11… arrêt Gare St Jean.
We start at 11:00 at fontaine des Beaux-Arts, de la Grave, de la Bourse, du Parlement, St Projet.
Lunch at Le Chaudron, 41-43 rue St Rémi close to Place de la Bourse.
See menu choices below, 21€ with wine and coffee.
In the afternoon: Fontaine Amédée Larrieu, Font d’Audeige (the hidden one and the visible one),fontaines du Monument aux Girondins place des Quinconces,
close to trams B and C and buses 2, 3, 6, 26, 29, 47
The BBC will supply you with a day-pass (5€) as we will be hopping on and off trams and buses. I’ll forward them to you so you can use them on your journeys in and out that day.
Menu Choices.
Entrées : 1) Rillettes de saumon or 2) Salade de gésiers or 3) Mesclun de Serrano. Plat : 1) Cuisse de poulet sauce diable or 2) Merlu or 3) Bavette sauce poivre. Dessert : 1) Tarte aux pommes or 2) Ile flottante or 3) Brownie au chocolat. 1⁄4 de vin, café
Booking and Payment
Please book before Monday 3rd September
Payment for 27€ (day pass + postage stamp + 21€ for lunch) per person
Book Online
We use the free Helloasso booking system and they add a suggested ‘tip’ called a Pouboire, at the page which summarises your payment.
If you do not wish to leave a tip, please click ‘Modifier‘ and then click the feint box to the left of ‘Je ne souhaite pas laisser de pourboire‘. There is no obligation for you to add a tip.
Come and enjoy a lovely afternoon next to the lake in Hourtin Port.
Bring your picnic and round up your friends and family.
There’s fun stuff for kids to do, a great wooden fort and playground, perfect for hide and seek, and we can organise cricket, badminton and other games or, for the less energetic, just relax in the sunshine.
Don’t forget to bring your own picnic and deck chairs!
Last year we all had a great time, so if you’re looking for something fun to do on a Sunday afternoon, and you’ve got family visiting for the holidays, come along and enjoy yourselves!
Meeting time and Place
The plan is to meet around 14h on the île aux enfants at Hourtin Port, parking is easy and there are some nice places for a gentle stroll if the fancy takes you.
Booking
Please reserve online below or direct with Sarah P.
We use the free Helloasso event booking system and and they add a suggested ‘tip’ called a Pouboire, at the final stage of your booking.
If you do not wish to leave a tip, click ‘Modifier‘ and click the feint box to the left of ‘Je ne souhaite pas laisser de pourboire‘. There is no obligation for you to add a tip.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, please 'click' here:
BBC Cookie Policy
The day will kick off with a “tailgate party” to keep first arrivals cheery and warm while waiting for everyone to gather, so come prepared with a thermos flask of hot coffee (or, whatever…). We will then offer a toast to Piet before we strike out on our walk (approximately 4-5 km)
NEW NEW: 
Château La Chèze – 27 Avenue Pierre Semirot, 33270 FLOIRAC.
Recommend that you book your taxi in advance rather than waiting until you need it. When booking your taxi, please make sure that you have the château address to hand which is: Château la Chèze, 27 Avenue Pierre Semirot, 33270 FLOIRAC
Come and enjoy a lovely afternoon next to the lake in Hourtin Port.
British Pound Exchange Rate