Dont forget 84 Charing Cross Road at FET

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Dear FET friends,

We are delighted that our next show, on Saturday the 21st of May, is the much-loved stage adaptation of Helene Hanff's best-selling memoir,84 Charing Cross Road.

The funny, touching and true story of trans-Atlantic friendship between a book-seller and a book-lover was made into a highly successful 1980s film starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins.

This production is brought to you by Leslie Clack and Patricia Kesslerof Paris-based theatre company Dear Conjunction, whose play about Oscar Wilde was very well received by our FET audience last year.

The performance starts at 7pm and the bar will be open from 6pm, so do join us for a drink.

To book your tickets, please email: fetatlecolombier@gmail.com

Members € 25 Non-Members € 30

NB: your reservation will only be confirmed on receipt of your cheque

Julie Pearson FET Bookings and Membership Secretary

Belle Combe, 81170 Frausseilles. Tarn

Cash in the Toulouse attic

Numerous daytime TV programmes show how some thing hidden away for years can be worth more than you think. But attic repairs to a large house near Toulouse revealed not a mere Clarice Cliff or Moorcroft vase (staples of Flog it! et al) but a Caravaggio which has not been seen for 400 years.
The painting of Judith and Holofernes has been authenticated, though some experts, agreeing it came from the master's studio, suggest it may not be his actual work. The painting has been valued at 120 million euros and an export ban has been placed on it allowing museums to raise the money.

Image France 2 TV

Comedy play at Castelnau de Montmiral

Laguepie Saturday 16 Avril

Celui-ci sera remplacé par un
Concert du groupe Jell-oO !

Hé oui, un membre des "Vieilles Pies" peut en cacher un autre et le bassiste du groupe, Vincent Barrau viendra nous partager ce duo.

L'univers de Jell-oO pioche autant dans la folk et la soul que dans la pop et la chanson. Le timbre chaleureux et la maîtrise vocale exceptionnelle de Johanna Luz (chant-ukulélé), se combine au jeu fluide de Vincent Barrau (guitare-chant).

Ils ont beaucoup tourné en France, assurant notamment des premières parties de personnalités telles que Goran Bregovic, Ben l'Oncle Soul, Maurane, Mariana Ramos, Axel Bauer ou encore Claudia Tagbo...

Une musique à découvrir sur :
http://www.jell-oo.com/jell-oo-videos.html

On maintient donc le même programme.

Samedi 16 avril à la Salle des Fêtes de Laguépie :
19h Repas partagé avec ce que chacun aura amené.
20h Concert 

Participation Libre au chapeau

  Contribution suggérée 8 euros

Infos et réservations : 06 98 01 07 81

Poster coming up

Good afternoon Val 
Please forgive the informality when we have not even exchanged emails never mind met but I was just told to write to Val and so I have !

Whilst trying to drum up support for a forthcoming stage play in Castlenau de Montmiral I happened across 6 charming ladies who each took a flyer and then asked for more AND suggested I write to you as you may have been able to spread the word. I live near Salvagnac and have persuaded our “troop” (old visioned word I know ) to add another venue to our performance this year - Castlenau - we are an amateur group , an offshoot of the Panto group in Toulouse, and each year we put on comedy play/plays.
What do I do to enable you to broadcast the details please
Tim Hope
Val says  all you do is contact us and we try to help. Promoting local activities is what we like to do.

"German occupation not so inhumane"

Said obviously by Jean Marie le Pen and when challenged that this was praise for the Gestapo the honorary President of th Front National decided to sue his accuser for defamation. But the court decided that the interpretation of those words could indeed underline the effect of the Gestapo during the Occupation. M le Pen was ordered to pay 3000 euros to m Montebourg for "frivolous action".
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SW France tick heaven

When we left we made sure the pet sitter knew where the tick fork was as it had already been in use.
Last night the dogs were well brushed and tick free but the cats both had two tiny ticks attached and Max when he arrived back in with the storm had an unattached one walking over his face.
We think,the cats pick them up from the donkeys hay which they sometimes curl up on through the day.
Be aware that it is promising to be a bad tick year and keep an eye on your pets and yourself if you walk in the countryside.
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Nous sommes le mercredi treize avril

Welcomed back home with a storm, no grele , no noticeable damage and more importantly we still have internet and phone.

Very mild this morning and a watery sun but a good week ahead forecast. 

All pets are present and correct and a note from the pet sitter saying all the pets are adorable... well we knew that.

Now what French news can we report?

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Charlie Chaplin is not dead

Back home safely but only just!
As Malc has a bad knee making things difficult when you have an artificial leg we had booked the assistance  of a wheelchair at the airports. Heathrow was exemplary but when we got back to Toulouse.. nothing there for him, no wheelchair help.
Malc decided he probably could walk but it is a long way when one has one painful knee taking all the weight.
We got to near the baggage retrieval were there is an escalator. I went first followed by Malc, suddenly I heard " oh! sh*t " as Malc toppled down two of the moving stairs. He managed to right himself but I being concerned and having turned round to see if I could help, reached the end and was catapulted to the floor. Helped up by other concerned passengers, I felt such a fool but later after saying "I am fine , thank you etc." I admitted to Malc I had banged my hand and leg.
It made me cross as if we had received the ask for help it would never have happened.
Getting elderly is not much fun.
Sitting at home now I can see the funny side, it was a bit like a Charlie Chaplin silent movie but with swear words.
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Patchwork at Laguepie

last week was difficult

Hi,
I saw your post on TAG - are there problems this week and is there a strike planned for this Thursday 14th April do you know. A friend tells me she saw a post on TAG saying so
but I can’t find anything. I rang the airport and they don’t know of any intended strike this Thursday.
Regards,
Denise Latham
Val says it was last week, we have not heard of anymore this week.
taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le mardi douze avril

We start back for home this afternoon, wondering if we will have any storm damage, or if indeed the storm passed our way.
We will miss our family when we leave but know we will have very excited pets glad to see us home.
TAG on tour will be back on track as from tomorrow, assuming if there was a storm we still have telephone connection!!
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Graham and his van going to the UK

Hi val,

 would you be so kind as to put a note on tag for me.   I am driving the van over to the uk 8 May to pick up some furniture for my son. My journey will be to Essex so if anyone wants anything taken over to Essex area early May, please telephone me on 0563656243, or email on grahamspokes@btinternet.com.  I just need to cover the diesel and ferry, so can offer a good price.

Many thanks and best regards,

Graham.    grahamspokes@btinternet.com

Jazz in the summer

Nous sommes le lundi onze avril

Trying to type with WIFI that cuts out every few seconds, drives one mad.
Ours at home may not be the fastest but trying to write with internet that breaks for a few seconds then re establishes itself is really difficult.
Hope the weather is good there and normal service will be resumed on Wednesday with TAG.
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The French bookshop in St. Antonin

The French book shop in St Antonin

If you like browsing with lots of books and cards,and improving your French then you will enjoy Aurièl Lets bookshop

The wonderful Puycelsi concerts

Hi Val

Having effectively finished the Baptismal chapel, the Puycelsi Choir are singing next Sunday, April 17th at 18.00 to mark the start of fundraising for the Lady Chapel. They will be singing Mozarts Solomn Vespers and Durante's Magnificat. As always there will be a spectacular organ solo by Nicholas O'Neill.  The four soloists will be the best students of the Toulouse Conservatoire and as usual it will be conducted by Mark Opstad

Tickets are priced €15.00 for adults €10.00 for students and free for those under 12 years

After the concert two of the Puycelsi restaurants, the Roc Cafe and the Fleur des Lys will be open if anyone wants a coffee, drink or meal before going home.

Unlike last year which was struck by a torrential thunderstorm, the long range weather forecast for next Sunday is warm and sunny with just a few showers.

Thank you

Ginny

Vide grenier at Verfeil

Nous sommes le dimanche dix avril

No news is good news. We have not heard that the dogs or donkeys have escaped so we are assuming all is well at home in France.
Today we have a long day in Oxford at an athletic competion which both our granddaughters are entered into. I think we have 100 metre sprints, 600 metres, long jumps and javelin to watch. The youngest at nine throws a howler instead of a javelin.,The last howler she brought to France to practise with,  Eldo our dog ran off with and it became his best doggy toy!!
I am off to pack a picnic.
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Bourse de printemps

Sharki in training

Sharki at the front in training. Tomorrow we will be in Oxford for an athletics competition which both grandchildren are competing in.
When our daughter was the same age as they are now, we were into sailing and were at our club, a civil service sailing club or in competition up and down the country.
Sorry about the lack of French news.
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Nous sommes le samedi, something of avril

Feeling mixed up with dates and time, that hour difference and having  no calendar on the wall throws me.
I only know today we have to get a child to a athletics training at Maidenhead for 10 am
Tomorrow is an athletics meet at Oxford for both girls which is an all day event so TAG will be pretty sparse this weekend, sorry.
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Stop tax dodging

Dear Val Johnstone,

You have heard it again on the news. The wealthiest amongst us enjoying the privilege of tax dodging. Whether it is the UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s father, football player Messi or European Commissioner Cañete - those with the millions make cunning deals with banks to dodge taxes. [1]

The hundreds of cases exposed by the Panama Papers are just another example of how rich individuals and corporations are hiding their money in tax havens.

After years of pressure from people like us, the European Union is now looking into forcing corporations to be transparent about how much tax they pay. That way everyone can see if they have tried to hide profits and how much they actually owe. Next Tuesday the European Commission will come up with a proposal. Corporations are fighting hard to water it down, to the point where it’s useless in the fight against tax dodging.

Our voice must be louder than that of the lobbyists if we want the Commissioners to hear our message!

Sign now to make big businesses pay their fair share in taxes too

If the final directive ends up with the type of reporting corporations want, we would get weak data that couldn’t reveal whether corporations are engaged in aggressive tax planning and profit shifting, and we’d get it from fewer than 15% of all companies. [2, 3] It would mean that corporations and wealthy individuals can simply shift their profits to tax havens outside the EU and continue to dodge tax.

If the Commission and its President, Mr Juncker, side with the European people it will  show they are serious about providing solutions by cracking down on corporate tax dodging.

Siding with us means ensuring the proposal next Tuesday has teeth. It means all companies in the EU are obliged to report publicly, no matter where their headquarters are; that they report on their activities in all countries, not just EU countries; and that 85% of companies are not exempted from reporting. [4]

We only have a few days to challenge this.

Make your voice heard: total transparency is needed from corporations for fair taxation

Thank you for standing up for tax justice,

Rebecca (London), Virginia (Madrid), Olga (Rome), Jörg (Hamburg) and the WeMove.EU Team

This petition is run in partnership with the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad)

High Court hearing over expats exclusion

Dear Val,

I forwarded some earlier material to you on this vital issue.  Would you mind circulating to Taglines members once again?  We are (almost) all concerned – the ‘almost’ for those who have not fallen foul of the Thatcher 15-year rule and can still vote, but which is otherwise deeply undemocratic for the rest of us.  

The idea that we lose native rights, even if not regular voters – but over an issue of this importance – is truly shocking and unacceptable.  Those who have had the courage and the means to instruct this legal challenge invite our respect, in my view.

With best regards,

Christopher Pike  

Les Maillets 

Frausseilles          Direct    + 335 6353 2498

81170  France     Mobile  + 336 7065 7252

Val says I will search out the post again

The two Black Beauties we saved

The two ponys, four years old we saved from being sent to the abattoir. Thank you everyone who contributed. I know there is a horse meat trade but 4 years old when a home had been found was just plain sad.
Well we did it and here are the black beauties.
Carol says

Val I am so happy, this is wonderful, my pony I had for 33 years was black and there are likenesses. Well done to everyone xx thank you for the photos.
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Wonderful books

New indoor pool at Caussade

indoor swimming pool opening this Monday at Caussade by Intermarche roundabout, day of 'decouverte' Sunday. Here's the website!
http://www.vert-marine.com/quercyo-caussade-82/piscine.php

Plane flight over our beautiful area

Have you got your tickets ?

Tree pollen at a high this weekend

We are warned that the birch tree pollen will peak this weekend, following on from the cypress, ash and plane trees. Tag's sub editor can attest that pollen allergies are having effect already on eyes and nose. Experts recommend that you avoid walking in the woods, close windows and wash your eyes and nose after being outside.
Of course tree pollen is just the start - how lovely spring can be (not).
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"Must see" film?

The first part of a documentary on the fall of the Saddam Hussain regime made by a local film maker, which has been highly acclaimed by the press will be shown at the Gaillac cinema next Monday. Dealing with the situation before the "chute" there will be only one screening.
Click the link for details.
http://www.cine81.com/?na=v&id=37&nk=2184-6ca8ab1bba

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Lez 'Art Festival

Nous sommes le vendredi huit avril

Woke up to sun in Henley, hope you also have the sun. I suspect ours will not last as there are clouds and yesterday proved to be a very showery day with the odd bright interval.
We are enjoying our time with grandchildren and also doing thing like optician visits and shopping for essential food supplies to bring back.. always trying to keep in mind we are flying.
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Patchwork expo

Vert tige at Bruniquel

France has a new law on sex

France has now criminalised paying for sex
The move makes France one of only a handful of European countries to follow the Nordic model of criminalising consumers rather than sex workers. These include Norway and Iceland. Last year, Northern Ireland introduced legislation to make it the only part of the UK where people can be convicted of paying for sex.
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and the responchous talked about

These pictures should really accompany Rana's article

Saint Antonin demain keeps us informed

Vals says
I will give a reminder nearer the time but the  very proactive group in St. Antonin who publish  a regular information sheet on news of St. Antonin would like to ask  our opinions on Brexit / leaving or staying in the European Union. As Thierry Le Roy the editor and Laure Rose who is helping him both speak good English they would like to come to the book swap and find out if we are for or against  being in Europe. I have said I know no one here who is against but could be wrong.
We have arranged they come to seek opinions at the book swap on Monday 2nd of May.
If you cannot make the swap but would like to give your opinion in French or English
Mails would also be welcome, of course, people are welcome to send them to saint.antonin.demain@gmail.com

The real Charlotte Grays

Some readers may remember seeing Martyn make this presentation a couple of years ago in Le Riols and just how fascinating it was. It is well worth seeing the stories of these remarkable women, so make a note in your diary for Saturday 24th April at Parisot Salle des Fetes. 

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The French villa at the heart of a scandal

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/06/panama-papers-french-villa-heart-chinese-scandal-bo-xilai
All these revelations brought about by the panama papers are a real eye opener in to how the very rich of the world manage their money. Where there are large amounts of money you can often find crooks but I find all these revelations just amazing.
Here is yet another story including this pretty French villa.
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Nous sommes le jeudi sept avril

Forecast 10 degrees and showery in Henley, whilst I hear that it is warm and sunny there.
We are wondering this morning how everyone is managing our pets at home.
A Frenchman from Normandy looking after the dogs and  cats and our French neighbour looking after the donkeys.
One thing is for sure the donkeys will be well fed. Norbert the neighbour knows cows who I think must eat more than donkeys. We always return to find hay depleted, piles of hay in their field and fat contented looking girls.
Difficult writing French news from here.
After a food shopping trip yesterday the difference in what one could buy here and
 how much cheaper food is  was noticeable.
On the other hand the traffic everywhere is horrendous.
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Spring, the time for responchons

Hi Val
I hope you have got your lovely real face back LOL 😊
I ve just written a short piece about responchons
This may be of interest to TAG readers x

FOOD FOR FREE
It's that time of year when the first responchons ( Occitan ) shoots of (Tamier ) suddenly adorn the hedrerows and ancient bridlepaths surrounding the Alchemy Garden.
Prized by the Aveyron and Tarn throughout France, in April-May, lovers of wild food collect them and cook them as an asparagus.
Often you will see the elders..the old folk of the countryside in the most unusual places in the middle of nowhere... feet rooted waist high amongst the nettles reaching up to pick the perennial vine.
It becomes addictive.
Once you see one responchons you start seeing them everywhere and collecting them seems to call you out into the rich moist hedgerows along with the nettles and the sound of the cuckoo calling.
Spring is here again!
.... As I said above, this is a perennial vine . It grows from the ground and attaches to another plant or shrub branches, by twisting around, much like bindweed . Naturally, it thrives in rural hedges and bushy areas of hawthorn , wild rose , blackthorn , , hazel , alder ... Other identification key: the leaves are heart-shaped , light green and smooth
In the small village of Cordes-sur-Ciel (one of the most beautiful villages in France ) there is a responchons festival with a competition of the best responchons recipes.
Eat them with a vinaigrette and grilled country bread slices...
In a potato salad with lots of shallots or an omelet (add them at the last moment)
I like to eat them lightly steamed with a drizzle of garlic and olive oil YUM !
NOTE Black Bryony/Tamus Vulgaris are the English and latin names; The plant is poisonous at a later stage so never eat the berries. It is best to steam them but I ve been eating them raw for many years with no problems as long as I pick them when they are tender.
Rana

Nous sommes le mercredi six avril

A morning laugh

Wonderful having grandchildren. They thought some of our young lads who are still waiting for asylum news needed cheering up and thought this nice picture of Granny would do the trick.
Well it made me smile and Malc is still chuckling.
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Taking over the Moulin

Hi Val

Can you please post my response on your site ? 

Campbell

It is with great regret that i have to announce that the strippers and lap dancers have lost their appeals and are now on a boat back to Turkey. If i can find suitable replacements i will keep you posted. Please assure our many prepaid members that they will receive a full refund.!!!

Cameron

Val says  before posting I checked that this was the response Cameron / Campbell wanted to pass on to readers about his forthcoming venture taking over the Moulin.

I have asked if he would like to pass on more information about his plans. Warm friendly atmosphere, good simple food etc.

Ella says
That response just makes me want to steer clear even more! If you want business take Vals advice about what food will be offered, atmosphere etc. all getting a bit childish and offensive now in my view. Sorry
Ella/Nell

Sally Clegg says speculation is such fun


Chris Bond says
Way to go Campbell love it please let me know when opening night is so I can book!!!

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Delays all week going to Toulouse

 Hi Val,

According to my husband who works at Airbus, the blocks are happening all week.

Unfortunately for him and his colleagues, they are needing to start work at 5am instead of 7am to avoid the delays!!

Jane x

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We thought we were safe

Yesterday taxis blocked the airport and we told you about it.,Today we were not expecting it but chaos reigned at 9 am in Toulouse at Blagnac. We were in queues so long that we thought the car was starting to overheat, taxis were blocking the road into the airport and we had to drive in round the back.. really scared we would miss our flight. So even though blockages are not reported if you are flying from Toulouse this week give yourself an extra hour to be safe.
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La Seye et vous in concert

Vendredi 8 avril, à La Seye et vous, nous avons le plaisir d'accueillir à nouveau DOUBLE HAPPAX en concert à partir de    

20h.

Performance rhétorique et musicale, un spectacle de Double Hapax tient à la fois du concert de rock, avec le son, la sueur et les tripes – de la performance poétique – de l’opéra rock portatif – de la fusion organique de deux one-man-shows, Kestekop l’homme-orchestre et Jikabo l’homme-verbe – bref, de l’Objet Scénique Non Identifié, aussi bien susceptible de faire frémir les tentures d’un théâtre à l’italienne que d’enflammer les rockers les plus intransigeants dans un rade crasseux perdu au milieu d’une friche industrielle. Après une soixantaine de concerts et deux albums, Oxymore ou vif sorti en 2011 et Cabaret étrange, double album live CD & DVD sorti en 2014, Double Hapax s’est attelé aux enregistrements de son troisième opus de poésie brutale sur pneuma zeugma rock’n’roll. 

http://kestekop.com/

 A manger : Truffade et saucisse de porc pour les uns ou truffade et saucisse de tofu pour les végétariens.

                   Et aussi des desserts.

Renseignement : 05 63 65 22 18

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Plant swap at Les Jardins des Espiemonts

Message Body

Hi all
It's the plant swap this month,  so let's hope the rain stops!

Monday 18th April, 2 p.m. at our place.

As usual,  you don't have to bring anything to come along,  but if you do have any plants or seeds, then bring them along for swapping. So far, I've dug up some hemerocalis, iris, Kniphofia & yucca. The more the merrier, so please tell your friends and neighbours, all are welcome. This is a great opportunity to let people know how great the fifi gardening group is and to increase group member numbers. There are some lovely activities throughout the rest of the year, with trips to interesting local gardens!

Xx
Debbie Les jardins des Espiemonts

Concours photo

Jardin Noble Val

Nous sommes " on the way to the UK"

More from TAG later in the day.
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Irish passport applications rise from UK

Hi Val

Irish passport applications rise from UK -  Reports say rise due to eligible people in UK wanting EU passport in event of Brexit

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-passport-wait-times-lengthen-as-uk-applications-rise-1.2596656

David from Montricoux

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French cherries under threat

Tarn and Garonne is a major producer of fruit, including cherries and the trees are coming nicely into bloom. But producers are warning that a fly originally from Asia can decimate crops and could mean no French cherries within three years. This is because they claim the only effective insecticide is banned in France from this year, but not in Italy or Spain, the main competitors. The government considers the spray to be injurious to health and is asking the EU to impose a Europe wide ban, but producers fear it may be too late.
Our little cherry tree has nice buds and gave a small crop of lovely fruit last year, but we wont be spraying.
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Avoid Blagnac this morning

The continuing bras de fer between the government and taxi drivers has provoked a major demonstration today at Toulouse airport. Taxi drivers from all over France are descending on the airport today and early TV reports show traffic backed up on all approach roads.
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Nous sommes le lundi quatre avril

Malc reports a chilly morning in the fields but with the prospect of sun and temperatures of 17 to 18 later.
The book swap this morning and help will be needed. I cannot come but Malc will bring some books and the DVD's. I will ask you all to take home a bag of books to come back next time and for someone to check everything is tidy and all books and DVD's are collected. Malc will explain when he pops in but he cannot stay.
Have a good swap.
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Bees in the wall

Hi Val,
Discovered honey bees in my daughters bedroom wall over the Easter break. The are coming in through a gap in the window and must have hive in insulated wall. Does anyone know how to remove them without just blocking the gap?
David from Montricoux
Val says  you need to find a local bee keeper. Susan Pirie lives over your way. I will check her contact details
susan.pirie@sfr.fr

Kestrels mating

Kestrels are mating in the tree next to the gite and their nest.
Now this is an event taking place in a different tree. Each year we have down the field a tree we call the mating tree and each year it is used. I wonder if this year it means one of the brood from earlier years is taking over the patch.
It would be so interesting to know but we have to be happy with speculation.
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Not a "poisson d'avril"?

Residents of a quiet Toulouse square were fed up of people using the bollards, erected by the city council to restrict traffic, as seats for picnics or illicit street vending. So the council welded uncomfortable crosses onto the top of the bollards to make them unusable.

Now an opposition group has called for people to come on 9th April for an "apero qui fait mal aux fesses" - roughly translated as a "pain in the a**e picnic" . Those interested are invited to bring a cushion, or perhaps a pot of flowers to decorate a bollard.
The invitation, published on Facebook on 1st April, has attracted 25 party-goers so far.
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Spooky

A sad story, but newsworthy only because of the circumstances. A maintenance worker at Disneyland Paris was discovered dead in the Haunted House attraction this weekend. Investigations suggest that the death was caused by an electrical fault and nothing more sinister.
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We are bee friendly

We have a beekeeper who brings around 20 hives to a nearby field. At the moment there is rape / colza the yellow plant that gives rape seed oil  but the bees fertilise it. Then of course we have our fields of dandelions.
The nicest honey is when our lime trees flower and the bees are there on mass.The honey afterwards has the best taste ever. Although when the chestnut trees flower, that is another distinctive taste. The local honey sold in boulangeries is often from our local bees, certainly in Varen.
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Starts tonight with Verfeil

Nous sommes le dimanche trois avril

A cold breeze from the west this morning as I fed the donkeys. Kestrel activity and a magpie causing trouble in the skies. One magpie can be seen off by the kestrel pair, it is when the magpies mass that there are problems.
Tonight remember there is a " bal in the halle " at Verfeil. I will repost the poster.
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Lac du Parisot

Hi Val

We went down to the lake this evening to walk the dog and saw the
bird, which we are pretty sure was an oystercatcher,

We then went into the cafe to support the new patrons, only to find
they don't allow dogs in, which seems very strange for any French
cafe, but particularly one situated at a lake where many people walk
their dogs.  We're hoping that they'll change their minds when they
realise how many people they will be turning away,

Best wishes
Richard and Val
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Is this a rare visitor?

Hi Val
We saw an unusual bird today at lunchtime as we walked around the Lac du Parisot.  On researching it when we got home, it appears to be an Oyster Catcher.  Has anyone else seen one around here before?
Anne in Castanet
Val says TAG bird enthusiast is out putting up a fence I will ask whenhe comes in Anyone else know?
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Affordable insurance (belated answer to question on blog early March)

Hi Val

Just back from 4 weeks back in Edinburgh and catching up on your blog - best insurance I found was EHICPlus but 60 days is maximum, also EHICPlus Expand which covers you for everything except declared medical problems (in case of refusal prior to this).  Have done huge amounts of Internet research on this.  Cannot find any for longer than 60 days.

Best wishes

Nicola Baxter
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Help needed at the book swap

As our book carrying car will be in the garage having its electrics sorted, we will only have the sports version. So we will bring some books and DVDs, ones we can fit in ... but will need others to pack up and take away the books till next time. If everyone can take a bag of books or some take 2 it will be sorted.
Thanks for your understanding.
See you Monday
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Varen rumours?

Hi Val
Well apparently the 'word on the street' in Varen is that the Moulin will be taken over by Axel from the bar and a Scot called Campbell and his wife. (I don't know Campbell but I'm told they live opp the pharmacy in Varen)
Plans are to offer full English breakfasts all day and a 'not just French' menu - so 'they' say.
Interesting if it's true. 
Enjoy your week away
Love
L xXx
Val says - all very possible as Martine has been trying to find someone to take over the Moulin for some time. It is rented from the Mairie.
Axel has had some experience working in restaurants in the Uk.
Cameron a recent arrival in the village is often in the bar with his lovely partner.
Not sure about a full English breakfast but might be worth it, if it has the Mayor  "spitting feathers"

Kim says
Great idea if true I hear a warm fire great ales games and a great atmosphere fingers crossed it's true .


Ella says
Sounds good. I know Axel, he has made the bar des sports a great social part of Varen. Also Cambell and Lydia are friends of the family and would be a great asset to the Moulin.   Nice friendly people and I love the sound of a full English Brekkie nom nom xx

Richard says

Lovely - Full English Breakfasts by the River Averyron!  Where did it all go so wrong?

Val says-  as long as I can get coffee and  croissant on a morning I will be happy
Lots of interest with this post I will find out more.
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Caylus school fundraising

Hi Val,
Today at Caylus market we are fundraising for the local primary school. There will be a stand selling cakes and savouries made by the parents, and all of the profits go to Ecole publique "Camp del Bosc" Caylus. We are also donating half of all our plant sales from the market today to the school.

It's a bit wet outside, but hopefully people will brave the rain for a bit of shopping and a tasty snack at this lovely local market at the lavoir, Caylus! 

Xx
Debbie

Nous sommes le samedi deux avril

Fortunately we got all the furniture moved yesterday for the apartment for the boys whilst it was dry.
Today it is raining .
We had a few adventures along the way.
Arriving at Milhars to pick up a washing maching from Sally, the car lost all electrics, so we drove home and swapped cars. Then on to near La Fouillade for a freezer, bike, and some super framed pictures, thanks Austyn. Whilst with Austyn his lovely dog pinched my glove easily recovered. Malc demolished a solar light which we were told was not working... it is defintely not working now. Along the way we had lost the trailer cover!!
Lunch at the Relais de Mont Viaur which was excellent and the boys ate everything.
Then on to St. Antonin where Max and Jacky had a super gate legged table and four chairs.
Lastly at Anke's at Moulin de Druilhe to pick up a microwave from friend Lisa. Anke already donating a bunk bed, cupboard and bedding.
Unloaded at the flat and home to collapse.
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And don't forget Parisot on Sunday

Click the link for details of the concert in the church at Parisot on Sunday

http://tag-on-line.blogspot.fr/2016/03/two-choirsone-concert.html

Book now for unmissable concert

The Puycelsi Choir will be giving its spring concert on Sunday 17th April at 18.00hrs at the church of St Corneille Puycelsi. They will be singing Mozarts Solomn Vespers and Durant's Magnificat. The four soloists are the brightest and best singers from the Conservatoire at Toulouse and as usual all the singers will be conducted by the inimitable Mark Opstad. Nicolas Oneill is once again playing the organ, firstly to accompany the choir and then showing his skills as a player in a solo which currently is being kept secret even from us.

Having finished the Baptistry, We are now moving on to the resoration of the Lady Chapel. Starting the fundraising this year and making the grant applications and then hopefully work will start next year.

Tickets are €15.00 and can be reserved in advance from Ross and Ginny Jenkins on 05 63 33 15 84. If you are reserving a ticket please make sure that you arrive at the church at least 15 minutes before the concert starts to pay and collect them.

Nous sommes le vendredi, premier avril.

April fools day or poisson d'avril. We try to make each other April fools and the French try to stick a fish on your back!

Rushing out all day again today doing furniture removals. An elderly disabled man and an elderly woman with a bad back from gardening are driving around the countryside with two, hopefully fit young men picking up furniture.
Malc wonders how we get into these things and oddly enough blames me.
Have a good day and cross fingers it is not raining for us all
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