Vide grenier at Espinas tomorrow

Morning Val and Malcolm,

Rain!! good for mushrooms! Hope you get plenty!

I will be at the vide grenier in Espinas tomorrow selling quiches (Lorriane and champignon) and tart au citron along with coffee and tea.  So despite the forecast of rain, I will be there.

Hope all is well!

xxJo


Joanne Schofield +33 (0)5 63 30 74 46

Nous sommes le samedi trente septembre

Jardin Noble Val tomorrow

Book and Dvd swap on Monday

Once again at the Gazpacho in St.Antonin, starting  at 10.30 am

Bring books and dvd's and swap for free.

taglines82@gmail.com

Lovely village house for sale

Charming house with a large fruit garden in edge of river Aveyron

This beautiful building of 230 m2 area, completely renovated in a style combining ancient and modern, is located in the village of Varen (82330) in the triangle Cordes, St Antonin Noble Val and Najac.
Its paved terrace, lined with apple trees trellised, is partly shaded by a magnificent wisteria.
The orchard perfectly closed 1000 m2 stretches to the edge of the river Aveyron.
The ground floor consists of a fully equipped kitchen that opens onto a living room with polished stone floor boasts a large fireplace and largely lit by 3 bay windows overlooking the terrace. The entrance hall gives access to the reserve, the toilet and the floors by a beautiful staircase.
On the first floor a bathroom with shower, sink and toilet, laundry and 4 spacious bedrooms, beech parquet floor.
On the second floor large open space with wardrobe of modular library room side and shelving side room to live. Separate toilet, bathroom with jacuzzi tub and double sinks. beech flooring. Large bay window with access to a 10 m2 terrace overlooking the garden and river.
Central heating fuel, drinking water softener, all windows are aluminum and double glazing, house connected to mains drainage.
The old stone barn of 54 m2 houses the garage and wine cellar.
Village with all services (hairdresser, grocery, pharmacy, medical center, school)

Additional pictures https://www.leboncoin.fr/ventes_immobilieres/934169702.htm 

Price : 259 900 €

Contact : Mme Dautriche 05 65 65 84 99  Mail : maite.dautriche@nordnet.fr

Conges d'automne for The Seye et Vous

« La Seye et vous » vous informe:

CONGES D'AUTOMNE

Fermeture du 4 au 16 octobre

Réouverture mercredi 18 octobre

Les horaires d’ouvertures hebdomadaires sont :

Lundi	11.00 – 14.00	Fermé le soir
Mardi	Fermé	Fermé
Mercredi	Fermé le matin	ouverture a 16.00
Jeudi	11.00 fin déjeuner	18.00 a fin diner
Vendredi	11.00 fin déjeuner	18.00 a fin diner
Samedi	11.00 fin déjeuner	18.00 a fin diner
Dimanche	10.00 fin déjeuner	18.00 a fin diner

Nous vous  proposons un menu déjeuner du jeudi au lundi et servons pour le diner du mercredi au dimanche.

Nous acceptons les paiements par carte bancaire.

A bientôt lors de votre prochaine visite.

Graffiti exhibition

c Clement Cerou

From tomorrow (Saturday 30th September) until 8th October an exhibition of graffiti and street art will be held in the Gallery 50cinq in Toulouse.
Called "Mister Freeze" the exhibition will feature the work of 45 artists, some well known, some less so.
Entrance is free, though a guided tour is available for 8 euros. Full details on the web site at http://expo-misterfreeze.com/

Nous sommes le vendredi vingt neuf

What a lovely sunny day yesterday and another one expected today. 

Enjoy the day

Everything has to go

Hi Val

We're getting rid of lots. 

Bedding. Linen. Nic naks, dvds. Kitchen things. Crockery. White goods and more

Anyone interested please come Saturday afternoon and/or Monday 

0563676251

00447397666171

Foyt

Le Bosc 

St Antonin 

karensweeting82@icloud.com

Cash and cheques taken.  Bring your friends and trailer.  It all has to go

Email or call if you need directions

Thank you

French/Italian agreement

The Italian ship builder Fincantieri has wanted to buy the French company STX, builder of ships on the Atlantic coast. So concerned was the last French government that they nationalised STX to prevent the owners selling out. This does not accord with Macron's more liberal economics, nor his vision of European cooperation.
So an agreement has been reached which will essentially allow Fincantieri a 50% stake in STX, and the French government will "lend" 1% of its stake, giving the Italian company control. The stated aim of the new company is to be capable of building warships in a more efficient and economic way. Workers at the shipyards of St Nazaire are understandably worried that the group will privilege Italian yards and cost jobs in France.
This comes at the same time as another of France's "crown jewels", Alstom who build trains amongst other things, is being merged with Siemens its German rival. Is this European industry gearing up to meet "America First" competition?
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Once again locals donate their time and expertise

Yesterday a local couple of cycling enthusiasts gave their time and expertise to come and teach the boys how to repair the bikes we had been given for them. The help was invaluable but it did work out that some of the boys knew what to do, they just lacked the tools. Another session is planned followed by a bike outing.

Nous sommes le jeudi vingt huit septembre

Country foraging, great when it is in your own field and even better when it is 10metres from the kitchen.

Poorpaws Autumn book sale

Morning Val,

 

Hope you have had a good Summer.  Poorpaws is again preparing the autumn Book sale – can’t believe it is already six months since the last one ! – so I wonder if you would be kind enough to put out the message on Tag.  Saturday 21st October 10 am at the St. Pantaleon Salle de Fetes here in the Lot just five minutes from Montcuq.  Books and dvds at 1 euro each together with the usual excellent offerings of home made cakes.  Lunch, with veggie option available too so you from ‘over the border’ could make a day of it.

 

As usual we are collecting books and dvds so if anyone has any to offer please get in touch with me, susan.glibbery@orange.fr to arrange delivery/collection.  If there are a few people offering perhaps there could be a collection point for me to come to.

 

All money goes to helping dogs in distress and to Cancer Support France.

 

Thanks Val, hope to see you soon.

 

With love,

 

Sue x

Local TV news to cease

Readers who regularly watch the local news bulletins on France 3 (generally 19.20 in the evening) with Tarn and Quercy-Rouergue editions may be losing these bulletins from next year. France TV says it will integrate the news into the regional bulletins (Occitanie Midi Pyrenees) and on-line. We UK expats regularly watch BBC local editions and it is noticeable how much more there is of local news, weather and traffic info than on the French equivalents. And the quality of the programmes is infinitely better, presumably because the BBC and ITV spend much more of their budgets on local programming.
Taglines picks a lot of its local stories from France 3 and we will be sorry to lose the rather endearing amateurishness of France 3 Tarn news. Perhaps more local broadcasting should be considered; we in T&G rely on Tarn or Quercy-Rouergue, neither being ideal.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le mercredi vingt sept septembre

The sun has got his hat on, hip, hip, hip hooray

The sun has got his hat on and its coming out today... and hopefully for the rest of the week 

I love the sun at this time of the year, lighting up the changing colours and not so hot that it wipes you out.

Working in the sun in the garden,my sort of day.

Enjoy yours working or lazing.

taglines82@gmail.com

Books for Festilit

Festilitt book donations.

Apologies to anyone who has contacted Maggie Tallentire by email for donating books to the Parisot literary festival. She has not been receiving emails as they are installing fibre optics around Cornusson!! Could people contact me and I will pass messages to Maggie. Many thanks!!

Hopefully the donations will now start rolling in!

Many thanks,

Debra

contact Debra Okitikpi on dokitikpi@googlemail.com

Record big fish

We cover the story of giant catfish each year, but the silure caught this week by Albigeois Jean-Christophe Conejero was the longest on record.

Measured officially by an expert at 2.74 metres this fish caught in the Tarn was 1cm longer than the previous record. 

The river Tarn clearly contains many of these enormous fish and M Conejero says he has caught "hundreds", but now having set the record thinks he has achieved his goal. A few years ago a film, used in a BBC wildlife documentary, showed silure attacking pigeons on the banks of the Tarn at Albi. We would be wary of taking a dip near there!

comments to taglines82@gmail.com

National championship of petanque

Senior triplettes (teams of three players over fifty) are signing on this morning for the French national championships. To be held over the next three days at Porte-Barcares, near Perpignan, the event is expected to attract over 400 participants. The game is the tenth most popular sport in France and attracts players of all ages. For seniors it is said to help maintain physical fitness, hand and eye coordination and concentration; many Taglines readers who play regularly can attest that coming up against some French octogenarian is no guarantee of a win - usually just the opposite.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Once again you have my thanks

Our first refugee baby and what a beauty he is.

Local people have given me so many clothes and toys not only are we able to help little Fanuel but we have sent a parcel off to the camps in Greece where a contact told us a child had been born and the mother had no baby clothes. Thank you to all who donated baby  clothes and I had a great day sorting out clothes, sizes and what was going where.

taglines82@gmail.com

Now the chasse is open..

should stronger health rules be introduced? Several associations for  the protection of wild animals are calling the government to introduce annual medical checks for licensed hunters and motorist style alcohol limits. They claim it is perfectly legal to go hunting with levels of alcohol so high that accidents are sure to happen: and the number of deaths due to hunting accidents seems to climb each year.
On the other hand since there are no annual check-ups for motorists, who kill far more people, it seems unlikely that such measures be introduced for hunters. But a level of alcohol could be defined which might reduced fatal shootings.
Our experience of chasseurs here at Mas del Sol is that they are very inconsiderate of people living in the proximity. Putting up signs urging us to be "prudent ensemble" then racing up and down the narrow country lanes in convoys of white vans and 4x4s presents far more risks to us and our pets that the actual discharge of firearms.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le mardi vingt six septembre

We must be able to do it for Nestor

I suppose little Nestor comes under the category of " give away"

Nestor's situation is now urgent!

10 year old little Nestor, who was saved from euthanasia, has now been examined by a vet who confirms that he is already blind in one eye and is beginning to lose the sight in his 'good' eye. It is now more urgent than ever that we find a good, permanent home so that he can get comfortable in his new surroundings in case he loses his sight completely. He is currently in foster living with several other dogs and cats with no problems except that he cannot stay there indefinitely. Please share throughout the midi-Pyrenees and find him his forever home asap. Thank you.

Val says contact me, Linda Walsh, Kathy or Maeva from Truffes et moustaches. 

This little lad needs rehoming asap.

taglines82@gmail.com

Université Populaire at Caussade

Hi Val,

I wanted to let your readers know about the Université Populaire in Caussade. It's a fantasic association which offers lots of different courses and activities, from cooking, to wood carving, mosaic making, Italian, stained glass window making and much more. They also organise free lectures throughout the year, on various different subjects.

The courses are subsidised and very reasonably priced. It seems to me that as well as learning something new, it's a great resource for English people who live here and who want to meet French people and improve their French. The current President, Madame Dejean-Servieres, is very keen to open the association up to a wider public, which is why I am writing about it.

I have to admit that I also have a personal reason, which is that I teach English there, and am running a new workshop - 'FRANGLAISCHANGE!' -  for English and French people to meet and chat, and practice the language they're learning. At the moment, six enthusiastic French people have enrolled, and not a single English person, which is sad. But I wonder if it's partly because people don't know about the Université.

So here's a link to their site, where you can download their 2017-2018 programme:  http://www.up-caussade.fr/

To enrol, you have to go to a 'permanence' on Monday or Thursday afternoon, but all the details are in the programme. The courses all start at the beginning of October. 

Best wishes,

Laetitia Lacey

Sheep milk producers to federate

Brebis of Larzac, Aveyron

After seven years of discussions and reflections (they don't rush these shepherds) the three main areas producing sheep's milk have decided to form an alliance to promote the advantages of traditional methods of raising the agneaux and utilising the milk produced. Over 50% of the this milk is in fact produced in Aveyron (Corsica and Pyrenees Atlantic being the other areas). With such names as Roquefort already protected, they stress the importance of keeping in touch with the land, lambs raised under the mother and pastoral care being the producers' main weapon against "industrialisation". The newly formed federation will promote these values of brebis products such as cheese, milk and lamb. It makes a change from discussing how to eradicate wolves and bears!
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Nous sommes le lundi vingt cinq septembre

As we noted yesterday there are "blocages" and "operations escargot" especially around petrol refineries this morning. Part of union protests at the government's implementation of  ordonnances bringing certain aspects of its reform of the "Code de travail".
President Macron declared that demonstrations in the streets were not a sign of democracy and far left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon retorted that street actions had achieved many improvements for the French, including the revolution, reform of the education system and a fourth week holiday. Mixing such important reforms with relatively trivial achievements does not seem to be an endorsement of general industrial unrest. But most controversially he said street action had defeated the nazis; to a general chorus of "what, on the beaches of Normandy?" Many allied troops gave their lives to defeat the nazis and liberate France and to rate this below the success of the Resistance in harassing an already defeated German army in Paris is worthy of the derision French people have bestowed on it, and an insult to the memory of the allied armies.
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Teddy bears protest

Readers may have seen pictures last week of masked anti-bear protestors threatening to initiate bear hunts in the Pyrenees. Now pro-bear organisations have hit back making an almost identical video, but replacing masked people with masked teddy bears. The "International Group for Bear Liberation" posted their tongue in cheek film to call attention to the fact that bears have rights as residents of the mountains as well as men and their flocks.

Armed and ready.

Tanker drivers to strike

Petrol deliveries may be affected from today (Monday 25th September) as delivery drivers affiliated to CGT and FO trades unions call for strike action against the government's labour laws.
Ministers have relaxed delivery companies' permitted hours by two hours per day in an attempt to avoid shortages.
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Pigeon shoot banned

Each year the maire of Beaumont de Lomagne (T&G) has authorised selected chasseurs to shoot pigeons in the town as a method of reducing numbers. The commune even supplies the ammunition and up to 5000 birds have been eradicated this way.

Pic: Serge Dijan

Now the public prosecutor has warned that allowing guns to be fired in the town like this is a danger to the rest of the population and must end. The maire claims that pigeons cost the commune about 10000 euros a year in cleaning costs and without the cull it would be worse.
The production of cereal crops around the town is attracting the birds, giving rise to spectacular flight displays each morning and evening. The maire contends that the "other methods" advised by the procureuse simply will not work. And imagine how much the chasseurs enjoy a clay pigeon shoot - with real pigeons!
On the other hand some residents seem to be subverting the efforts by feeding the birds and allowing them to perch in their attics.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le dimanche vingt quatre septembre

Mrs May does not speak for me. I am happy to live in the EU and be European and have always felt comfortable being European.

Galileo at FET

It seems obvious to us at the start of the 21^st century that the Earth goes round the Sun and not vice versa. But only 400 years ago a man was put on trial in Rome for suggesting that the Sun was the centre of the universe, and not the Earth.

That man was Galileo, a Florentine mathematician and astronomer who proved (to his own satisfaction) that Copernicus was right when he asserted that the Sun was the centre of our universe. Others had claimed the same, though without “proof”. Oddly, to our view, proof was the last thing the church wanted. “Proof” was a human construct, whereas the church knew the opposite was true – the scriptures said so.

In a riveting FET production at the Colombier theatre last night, RSC actor Tim Hardy illuminated the trial of Galileo before an Inquisition court. Never really saying what the trial was for: not heresy; not spreading Copernican views; simply contradicting the edict (written post facto) that such views were heretical.

For an hour the actor displayed a range of emotions and reactions as Galileo tried to convince us and the court (even Pope Urban himself) that he had done nothing wrong, but had added to human knowledge of the world in which we live. One complaint the church had was that Galileo’s book was written in Italian, the language of the common people (the trial was of course in Latin) and the writer reflected that by putting Hardy’s lines in 21^st century language, easier to spread the influence of the heretic, easier for us to grasp the argument in this essentially philosophical play.

This was a thought-provoking performance rightly praised throughout the theatrical universe – isn’t it a pity that such fundamentalist attitudes still persist in Christianity and Islam. The scriptures were a great basis for our values, but surely not to be swallowed wholesale because priests and imams say so.

A promising start to FET’s 2017/18 season.

Drill and grinder for sale

Hi Val.

Makita 2 speed hammer drill HP2051.65 euros.Angle grinder 220w 230mm.45euros.

Thanks again Derek

Email address on the post below

Framing equipment with better photos

If you look at an earlier post all this picture framing equipment is being offered for 200 euros, original cost was 700

There  are 17 sheets of Mountboard(815mm x 1200mm)and a full ream of backing board.

Contact Derek 

if interested, email address is derek.holmes@wanadoo.fr

Elections tomorrow

Readers will probably not have noticed that tomorrow there will be elections for the French parliament's upper chamber, the Senate. There are 348 senators, elected for six years and half the senate is renewed every three years. But there are no public elections as candidates are voted for by "grands electeurs", ie holders of elected public office, such as maires and departmental councillors.
Voting is compulsory in those seats up for renewal and about 75000 officials will be voting.
The Senate has a role very similar to the House of Lords in the UK, examining laws proposed by the Assembly and in the case of  local issues (affecting communes, departments or regions) the Senate may propose laws itself. Whilst senators are usually members of political parties, the senate elections are not generally fought on party lines. President Macron will be hoping that some candidates from his party will be elected, but the majority held by the right leaning Les Republicans will probably be unchanged as more than half of their 142 seats are not up for re-election. The Front National will be hoping for some success in the north east seats where Macron failed to convince voters during earlier elections and the socialists will be grateful for any seats.
comments to  taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le samedi vingt trois septembre

Anyone for bridge?

A group of mainly British card players (though other English speakers are more than welcome) meet each Thursday afternoon in Caylus to play duplicate bridge. The atmosphere is very informal, though we take it seriously. We welcome beginners and can arrange practice sessions if required. The most we can accommodate on any evening is about 20, though usually far fewer actually play.
Sessions usually run from 5pm until 9pm at the latest and there are often players looking for an occasional or permanent partner, especially in the winter months when many players return to the UK, or head to Spain. We play in the Bar Bascule so liquid refreshments are available, coffee only 1 euro a cup. Car sharing from St Antonin or Varen/Verfeil can be arranged.
So if you like the challenge of a good card game and one that stretches you mind more than gin rummy why not give us a try.
Contact Malcolm Johnstone on 0689 96 66 95 or email masdelsol82@outlook.com

T&G Senator prosecuted

Yves Collin is a Senator for Tarn and Garonne accused of using his position to get someone a job in exchange for 40000 euros, ostensibly to finance an election campaign. It is claimed that he did not honour the deal and even pocketed the money.

Yves Collin: photo Remi Gabalda/AFP

In a plot worthy of a Jeffrey Archer novel it is claimed that his rival, Jean-Michel Baylet (whom Collin beat in the 2014 Senatorial elections), used connections in the Montauban masonic lodge of which Collin and the supposed "corruptor" were both members to denounce the affair to the authorities.
The case is being heard in Lyon to avoid local bias and the prosecutor has demanded a sentence of 4 years in prison, with two suspended, and 30000 euro fine. The court has reserved judgement until 3rd November.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Autumn equinox

Today is the last day which will be longer than the night. From today the nights will be "drawing in". Speaking to a postman yesterday he said it will soon be winter, and when Malc pointed out it was a beautiful sunny day the postie replied "it wont last". What a pessimist! We have a whole autumn to go which can often be beautiful before winter (which is not necessarily all bad). So no winter drawers on just yet, thank you.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Rats in the belfry

We have a problem with rats in the grenier, the attic in the house. We sit on a night cringing at the scrapping and scratching with the cats interestedly looking up to the beams and wooden ceiling.

We cannot let the cats up there as it is stuffed with fibre glass insulation.

The only answer a we have tried traps without success is to put sachets of poison up there.

My big fear is that the rats die up there and smell terrible as they rot but even worse they come and die outside and make the cats ill by eating the rats carcasse.

Yesterday I found Fred starting to eat a rat on the grassy bank up to the house. Just in time I caught Fred, put him in the house whilst I disposed of the body. yuk! 

One of the joys of country living, but 3 cats and two dogs we should not have a rat problem, but the pets are too well fed to do their job properly.

taglines82@gmail.com

Hi Val

 

Are you sure they are rats in the loft and not loirs ?

 

If you Google this PIÈGE À RAT 300 MM FIXMAN 196052  you will find suppliers of a suitable trap for Loirs (and rats) which you then release a few km away from the house.  No dead ones in the loft bringing flies and smells and no poison to risk the cats.  Set the trap with a piece of fruit such as apple.  Loirs don’t eat rat poison sachets as far as I understand.

 

Best regards

 

John

Nous sommes le vendredi vingt deux septembre

Ça bouge à Verfeil

L'Oreal heiress dies

Liliane Bettencourt was France's richest woman, having inherited the cosmetic company founded by her father in 1909. L'Oreal has been the world's leading company in the cosmetic trade for the last 30 years and Mme Bettencourt has been the richest woman in the world for much of that time.
A controversial figure for most of her life, Ms Bettencourt has been embroiled in a legal battle with her daughter foe several years, her family considering that her state of mind was being exploited by unscrupulous advisers, who syphoned of billions of euros. Courts eventually granted her daughter guardianship and the heiress died today aged 94.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Mist in the valley morning

A lovely morning walk in the sun with the mist swirling down below in the valley.

taglines82@gmail.com

More things for sale

Hi Val.

Hope you both are well.Some more items for sale and free.The free items (I would like the persons taking them to contribute to your pet charity)include 3 tripods,2 office chairs.Also I would like to sell,2 angle poise lamps(brass finish)50 euros the 2.A slightly bizarre item,an escape ladder steel.We bought it for our son when he was at uni,the accomadation was a fire risk.Fortunatly it has never been used.25 euroes.An even more usual item,I used to frame all Barbara`s paintings but since she cannot paint anymore(she macular digeneration) i have no need of the equipment.I have everthing needed for framing and materials as well.It could be used commercialy or domesticly.Could be a new buisness for someone.The cost new for all the equipment and materials would be over 700euros my asking price is just 200euros.These 2 items are slightly unusual don`t you think.

Kind regards Derek     derek.holmes@wanadoo.fr

Split at top of Front National

Florian Phillipot, the vice president of the Front National, has resigned from the party. A couple of days after being relieved of his responsibilities for policy, he claims being "vice-president of nothing" leaves him open to ridicule, for which he has no taste.
After the debacle of the presidential election and humiliation of Marine le Pen, many supporters claimed the policy of "de-diabolisation" was going too far and his pro-EU stance was wrong. He formed his own think-tank to consider ideas and policies nearer to traditional Gaullism for the far right party in its aim to rid itself of its poisonous image.
The party, however, still has its core of hard nationalist and fascist leaning supporters, and Phillipot was recently pilloried on Twitter for choosing to eat couscous instead of choucroute when he was in Alsace. This kind of petty nationalism shows how far the party has to go to rid itself of its septic base.
And heaven forbid that there be any homophobic element of opposition to the party's gay ex vice-president.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le jeudi vingt et un septembre

This chilly, beautifully clear morning presages another "day of action", with many members of some unions taking to the streets against the government's new labour laws.
We at Mas del Sol are hoping for a day of "inaction". Naturally a few "taxi" journeys for boys, but a restaurant for lunch, a walk for the dogs, a bit of gardening, even an evening of playing cards for the sub-editor. With a warm sunny afternoon forecast maybe even a bit of sun-bathing.
Allez-y, enjoy your day despite the possible traffic jams and office closures.
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Theatre and vide grenier at Espinas

Samedi 30 sept. à 20h30 théâtre à voir en famille, par la troupe amateur de Blaye Les Mines (titre " Quel weekend!");entrée 5€ à partir de 12 ans; soupe au fromage offerte après la pièce ( a treat!!! really).
Dimanche 1er oct. vide-grenier de particuliers dans le village ( 2€/mètre. contact 05.63.68.20.88 / 07.80.55.96.55).
tous nos remerciements
Nadette et Sami
et le Comité des fêtes

Many of the French do not like the chasse

Some lovely homes in the area

One thing about being invited to help clear houses as people leave for England is you do get to look at some beautiful French houses.

This morning it was a large village house not too far from Albi, with a small garden and swimming pool.

Perhaps too large for us when we do eventually  downsize but it certainly was a lovely house. It is odd how you look at each house and fancy living there, until you remember dogs, cats and donkeys.

One can see why in summer immobiliers get fed up of showing holiday makers around who have nointention of  buying, they just enjoy looking and perhaps getting ideas how to decorate their home to remind them of their French holiday.

taglines82@gmail.com

Sebastien Bras to give up Michelin stars

Sebastien Bras

Le Suquet restaurant in Laguiole is the only 3 star Michelin establishment in the old Midi Pyrenees region. Established by Michel Bras in 1992 and with 3 Michelin stars since 1999, it is 10 years since Sebastien took over the reins.
Now he says he has asked Michelin not to include the restaurant in the 2018 guide. He considers that so much stress is placed on chefs and restaurants to maintain the standard that it distracts from the everyday job of providing fine food for their customers.
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An appeal to English speakers in and around the Gaillac area/region

Entente Cordiale Gaillacoise (www.ententecordiale81.org). Surviving cancer is possible – but not without research, and not without YOU

Entente Cordiale Gaillacoise is a Gaillac-based (81) association that was founded with the single aim of raising money for cancer research at the Claudius Regaud Institute, Toulouse.  Every €Euro raised by us is given to the Centre, and every centime is used by them in fundamental research into the causes of, and treatments for, cancer.
We all know of someone who has been affected by this terrible illness: and if you would like to give a little time to help us raise money to fight cancer, please contact us.

The association has become out of balance of French/English participants.
This is due to a number of reasons but mainly health issues and so we are looking for more English people to help us and who might bring some fresh ideas for us too.

We are not a regimented association as such, we are very relaxed and easy about what we do, how often we meet and what events we put on.
Our main fund raiser is an event held at the Salle des Fetes in Gaillac usually in February. Next 2018 it's the 3rd February. We have a English garden Party in the summer.  We try to have a Xmas fair and an occasional English book selling event.
Think you can help?  Spare a little time?
In the first instance call Martin, 06 46 60 67 81;  just for a chat and to see if this is something that can tempt you to make some extra time out of your busy schedule.
If you could we would be most grateful.

Martin

Nous sommes " out this morning"

It is the 20th, Wednesday and Malc is taking one boy to the Drs, another afterwards for an RDV. 

I am going with another picking up furniture for apartments. 

More from us later.

taglines82@gmail.com

Reports of death "exaggerated"

Famously Mark Twain said press reports of his death were exaggerated, but for an Albi man when the police said he was dead it led to more serious consequences. Pension payments suspended; bank account frozen; driving licence invalid; the whole panoply of administrative nightmares kicked in.
In fact Louis Palacios had allowed a homeless man to live in his caravan for some years and when his lifeless body was found neighbours assumed it was Louis and the police declared him to be deceased.
Now the late M Palacios has to go to court to overturn the death certificate, but it takes time and meantime he  has to try to get by pretending to be alive.
You may find that media reports of deaths are not always correct (the boulanger lives on) but if the police say you are dead - you are!
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Better be quick / SOLD

hi Val.

Hope you are both well.

Another item for you to sell.Singer Sewing Machine .Type Tradition 2273.Unwanted gift only used once.85 euros.

Kind Regards Derek     derek.holmes@wanadoo.fr

Repairing a reversible aircon

Is there anyone local who is qualified to repair a clim reversible? The house is in Saint Antonin. We have had two local people promise to turn up however haven’t.

If so can you email irena-marie@focus-wellbeing.com

Many thanks and much appreciated,

Irena

Ryanair flights

Amongst the 2000 flights cancelled by Ryanair from now until the end of October are just a few to Toulouse, mainly Saturday flights in October from Stansted. There are some Brussels/Toulouse flights affected, so best check with Ryanair if you are planning a trip. If you already have a flight booked Ryanair say they will contact you by email if it is cancelled but a full list is available on their website, which is currently difficult to access, but presumably will free up later.
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Is your printer really out of ink?

Those readers, as well as Taglines' editors, who regularly get messages indicating that their printer is out of ink may have noticed that by and large you can ignore it. In practice many printers continue to give good results long after they are supposed to be out of ink.
Perhaps it is like your car's fuel gauge which generally has fuel left when the warning light comes on (about 8 litres on our cars). But the printers dont say "you have 50 impressions left", simply "change your cartridge".
This is considered by a French association to be "planned obsolescence" and it is bringing a complaint against several companies under a law passed in 2015. Not only cartridges, but printers themselves are targetted, many considered to break down after a short time in order to boost sales of new products. The law provides for fines up to 300000 euros and two years imprisonment, but lawyers believe that proof will be very hard to find, so it will be interesting to see how the first case of its kind resolves.
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First aid: premiers secours

A day course of first aid will be given on Saturday 23rd September at the pompier centre in Laguepie.
Cost 60 euros, lunch not included (remember no restaurants open in Laguepie on Saturday lunchtime). Inscriptions with Marcia Scott at mmscott@orange.fr or 0563 02 18 02

Nous sommes le mardi dix neuf septembre

The weather is changing slowly this week, getting sunnier, Malc tells me.

Our two cats sit deciding if it is going to shower, in which case they will stay in. 

Just the best news

One good story after another

That's my boy

Well actually he is everybodys' boy. 

We first met Rahim  when he made friends with one of our Rehoboth boys at a CADA beyond Montauban.

When one of our lads went there I thought " who do I know who lives close?" and by a stroke of luck  Jacky Malotaux lived nearby. She took both boys under her wing and when through  an error Rahim ended up on the streets in Toulouse, Jacky went with a tent, some provisions and a bike. We all wondered what we could do for him and were delighted when Anais Rondeau, head of the refugees arranged for him live with the young people of Verfeil, who run a commune.

This is now their story, they have housed him, fed him, got him back into the system, raised money for a lawyer and given regular French lessons.

Rahim on his part has become a darling of the village, helping where he can. From never going to a school he has learnt to speak and write French, no mean feat.

For my part I can rely on him when I am collecting furniture for boys apartments to meet me at 9 am and work hard for as long as I need him.

Last week he said to me " I love this village, I want to live here forever with my wife and kids The people here have been so kind and after all the terrible things in my life I am at last happy."

Those young people of Verfeil have worked miracles on his behalf and I can tell you this he will never forget what they have done for him.

TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING HIM GETTING 10 YEARS ASYLUM

The picture was a day we went out, none of the others turned up but Rahim insisted we could manage just the two of us and bear in my mind I only drive the car and trailer.

 

Encore une belle nouvelle

C’est mon garçon.

En fait, il est le garçon de tout le monde.

Nous avons rencontré Rahim quand il est devenu l’ami  d’un de nos garçons de Rehoboth dans une CADA près de Montauban.

Quand un de nos garçons est allé là-bas, j'ai pensé "qui connais-je qui vit à proximité?" et d'un coup de chance, Jacky Malotaux habitait à proximité. Elle a pris les deux garçons sous son aile et, quand par une erreur, Rahim a fini dans les rues de Toulouse, Jacky y est allé avec une tente, des provisions et un vélo. Nous nous sommes tous demandés ce que nous pourrions faire pour lui et nous avons été ravis quand Anaïs Rondeau, le responsable des réfugiés, a arrangé qu’il pourrait vivre parmi les jeunes de Verfeil, qui dirigent une communité.

La suite de l'histoire est là : ils l'ont logé, l'ont nourri, l'ont réinséré dans le système, recueilli de l'argent pour un avocat et donné des cours de français réguliers.

Rahim de sa part est devenu un chouchou du village, aidant où il peut.  Jamais scolarisé, il a appris à parler et à écrire le français, un exploit formidable.

Pour ma part, je peux compter sur lui lorsque je collectionne des meubles pour les appartements des garçons, à me rencontrer dès 9 heures et travailler dur aussi longtemps que j'ai besoin de lui.

La semaine dernière, il m'a dit:  « J'adore ce village, je veux vivre ici pour toujours avec ma femme et mes enfants. Les gens ici ont été si gentils et, après toutes les choses terribles dans ma vie,  je suis enfin heureux »

Ces jeunes de Verfeil ont fait des miracles de sa part et je peux vous dire qu'il n'oubliera jamais ce qu'ils ont fait pour lui.

AUJOURD'HUI NOUS LE FELICITONS D’AVOIR OBTENU 10 ANS D'ASILE !

La photo a été un jour où nous sommes sortis, aucun des autres n’étant se présenté, mais Rahim a insisté que nous puissions nous débrouiller nous deux et rendez-vous compte que moi je ne fais que conduire la voiture et remorque.