The fire at Lexos

Photos Sapeurs pompiers de Laguepie
15 houses were evacuated, 5 pompiers were injured, many hectares burnt.

The ground is tinder dry.

Be careful lighting fires.

taglines82@gmail.com

Fire at Lexos

https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/tarn-et-garonne/montauban/tarn-garonne-98-pompiers-mobilises-incendie-proximite-champ-panneaux-photovoltaiques-1861824.html 

The ups and ups of Mains Tendues

Next week will see our last week end in the Old Hotel in Varen,

We have been very happy there and thrived, even with the building being in a bit of a state ( to say the least ) The owners now need to have the roof and chimneys made safe .

We have had super  items to sell and we have sold and sold whilst there.

We have a great team, always willing to help and have ideas, we are growing into a really international group.

The good news, although we will not be in the same position,  we will  in the building  next to us ,the old town hall and taking over all of the building.

We may need to be closed for two or three weekends until we get the stock transfer done and this is when we might need your help.

We will be doing dechetterie runs, packing, moving carpets, goods, shelves, tables, indeed everything we have.

If you can help us after August 23 th contact us, all help gratefully received.

We are on course if all goes as it should to BUY the building. The thought of being a permanent fixture in Varen, always here to help makes us so excited.

We are planning on a fund raiser so we can buy the old mairie totally but may need some extra funds . Anyone who wants to donate can contact us for bank details or where to send a cheque to.

We are also going to do a fundraiser on line.

But basically if you can donate time or money to Mains Tendues , to help others we would be so happy.

Love Val , Terence, Sarah and Jill, the bureau at Mains Tendues 82

taglines82@ gmail.com

Every Wed esday on show at Laguepie

Do not drink and drive.

Driving with more than 0.8g/l of alcohol in the blood can lead to a two-year jail sentence, a three-year driving ban or installing an EAD in the vehicle, and a fine of up to €4,500. The above punishment can also be handed out to anyone who refuses to take a breathalyser test.

Be careful everyone if you are thinking of drinking and driving.

The penalties in France can be severe. 

 Posting because of a local accident where car drivers were injured.

Marche Gourmand

Worth going to see

Exposition Nicole Pfund 

du 1er au 23 août

Place de l'Hôpital 81140 Castelnau de Montmiral

Ouvert tous les jours  11h-13h // 15h-19h

Wear your mask

Wearing masks in St Antonin

 

As from today August 4 until September 6 everybody from the age of 11 has to wear masks in the roads of the walking area in St Antonin. This is on all days from 11.00 until 19.00h and on Sundays on the whole market from 6.00 until 15.00h (in the walking area still until 19.00h).

This decision has been made by the local council and is confirmed by the prefect.

Stay Safe!

 

Hans Buijserd

It all happens in Varen

Barbara

Expo a Feneyrols

Gone dead Train at Begayne

Gone Dead Train (version duo) Rock, pop, reggae and a bit of Folk (as in this song)..just original material, no covers. At Begayne (near Ginals) on Sunday 2 nd August ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqhXyTMo8FU

Wear a mask

Relooking, old material to make hats

You meet some very interesting people in the frip some indulging their hobbies and passions. A customer we had today is in an association called « Marieckou, chapeaux animations »

She makes hats out of material she buys, not just hats when we got talking but recycling old material to make something new.

I thought there was probably quite a few sewers who would be interested on this site.

www.Marieckou.com

A Moulinex with history

Hi Val, this morning I bought a Moulinex equipment for kitchen in Mains Tendues...the same than my mother's during all my childlife.

 It was almost new even if dusty...In the (genuine) box, there was a letter, written on July 1965 (I was 1 month) to a Mme Roux, living on Mourenx, Pyrénées Atlantiques (20 min from my house):she had won this wonderful equipment ('Robot Jeannette') offered by Sud-Ouest Newspaper...and clearly, hardly used it some times.

I always dream of knowing the history  of things and this morning, it was a real dream! Thank you so much for this sign of destiny...thank you to your assistant too, who checked it (That sound! Same effect for me than a Harley Davidson for an Angel) and said 'C'est fou comme les madeleines ont parfois de drôles de forme' or something like that. 

Here is the photo of The treasure of 55 years old which wil have still a long, long life...

Again: thank you to Mains Tendues!

Citrus, Laguepie

House hunting

Hi Val

Almost bought an old farmhouse but the mud brick walls had serious problems (a leaking roof had seen  to that). The whole building had become structurally challenged (not signalled by the owners or the agent) - a nice way of saying it was falling down in parts.

Again on the hunt for a character property in Tarn et Garonne if anyone knows of one or is thinking of selling up ..max 240,000  euros with garden and no very near neighbours.  (our house is sold so we're cash buyers)

Looking for at least  two bedrooms. Not Moissac (bloody idiots have elected an FN maire) or anywhere near Golfech. (a nuclear site that's incomptetently run these past few years and plagued with problems). Not more than 30 km max from Montauban either, exception being anywhere leading up to Saint Antonin (but no further) on 'le causse' rather than down in the valley.

Thankyou if you can help .... Tony Smith

If you contact   taglines@gmail.com i will pass on your message.

Lost dog

Concerts a St Antonin

Un piano sous les etoiles

Fete a Laguepie

Vide Hangar at Montauban

Back to being open Saturday morning

The Mains Tendues group know how to party

Here celebrating just being together, but delighted with the news we can now be open Saturday morning market day.

Note our times.

This week only

Wed. 15 h to 17 h

Frid 15 h to 17 h

Sat 9 to 12

Next week we will be back to normal times

Friday 15 h to 17 h

Sat 9 to 12

An important political step

Michèle Rubirola, the first woman to be Maire of Marseille 

The new Maire of Marseille 

A Maire to the left and the green party.

The tide is slowly turning

Some good news this morning

Université Occitane de Laguepie

The tide is turning for the Green parties

The second round of local elections 

Candidates from green party Europe Ecologie-Les Verts (EELV) swept to victory in the second round of local elections in cities across France yesterday including Lyon (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Bordeaux (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Strasbourg (Grand Est), Besançon (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté), Poitiers (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Annecy (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) and Tours (Centre-Val de Loire).

However, results showed voter turnout in the election was historically low. Only 40-41% of those eligible to vote did so, compared with 62.1% in the last local elections in 2014.

This may be a result of voters being reluctant to go to polling stations in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, despite health and safety measures being in place.

But critics have pointed out that the first round of voting (which took place on March 15, one day before Covid-19 lockdown began) also saw a very low turnout. 

The second round of elections was originally supposed to take place on March 22 but was postponed following confinement in France. 

Green is buzzword for France’s local elections

Taken from the Connexion

Two little mittens, / Home found together

Ok we have two little kittens at Najac needing homes they will be chipped and later sterilised 

If anyone is intetested in one of these cuties let me know and I will pass you onto the French friend

Bonjour Val, je m'excuse de te déranger et de te solliciter. Une chatte errante a fait ses 5 petits chatons chez moi dans ma nouvelle maison à Najac il y a 2 mois, je m'en suis occupée de mon mieux et leur ai trouvé des acquéreurs, mais une des personnes qui devait en prendre 2, n'a pas pu finalement et je pars dimanche m'occuper de ma mère pendant le mois de juillet , alors je cherche quelqu'un qui les adopterait d'ici la fin de la semaine ! Ils sont adorables, propres, mangent et boivent seuls , jouent bcp ensemble et sont très habitués aux humains, ils sont très sociables...je t'envoie 2 photos, le tigré est un male et la petite isabelle une femelle...Merci de me dire si tu as une idée de ce que je peux faire...J'ai tout essayé avec l'association Chats Libres de Najac, mais nous n'avons trouvé personne...Merci d'avance et à bientôt.

Contact taglines82@ gmail.com

Festilit Parisot

David Nicholls Thursday 25 June 17h00 France/16h00 UK  A reminder that our last LockdownLit of the summer will take place on Thursday instead of the usual Friday slot.  Join us to hear David, the best-selling author of One Day, Starter for Ten, The Understudy and Us talk about his latest novel Sweet Sorrow, a wonderfully funny, tender and nostalgic tale of first love.

Join the session

LockdownLit, like Festilitt, our festival in October, is completely free of charge.  We make this possible by working hard throughout the year to raise funds, but this year's restrictions and social distancing requirements will make that more challenging than usual.  If you would like to help secure the future of the festival, please sign up to be a friend or patron and give us much-needed financial support.  Thank you!

Click here to support us

Civil Funeral Celebrant

Art at Parisot

A painting by Tudor Powell

A painting by my brother in law of the route to Mas del Sol in Varen. It was painted from a photo

taken 8 years ago. The trees have since been cut down.

Pique nique musical

The new outside dining area at the bar in Varen

A follow up to the Mains Tendues story

What a fabulous photo to wake up to.

Besha Ahmed returns after his travels

I cannot tell you how much love and respect not just I, but friends and family hold him in.

If ever I am a bit low I will remember this photo 💖

Besha says

« Even kids when you hug them feel like you need cuddles and not them nothing is more honest, beautiful and influential as a baby smile. »

One of the young men who arrived here from Sudan, escaping being killed, was Besha. He made an immediate impression, cooking for everyone ,making meals sometimes for 50, in the waiting stations, waiting for asylum.

He has a passion for cooking and when he got his asylum papers with a bit of help from a friend of mine who has a big hotel in Toulouse on the Place Capitol, a job was secured as a cook in a restaurant on the Place Capitol. He spends two days at cookery school and even with the struggles with his now third language French, he comes top in his exams.

He has saved his wages to go to Ethopia next to Sudan and arranged for his mother and sister to meet him there. He had not seen them for nearly five years.

Life in France has never been so diverse. I have learnt not just about France but life around the world, and feel enriched by it all

taglines82@gmail.com

How Mains Tendues 82 came to be

How Mains Tendues 82 was formed

These lads did not know it but then again neither did we. This was the start leading us towards our association Mains Tendues.

Malc and I started gathering clothes, shoes, tents and bedding and sending up lorries and vans to Calais. Our house was packed with stuff as it neared the time for it to go. A couple Laura and Sid even took things up and helped to build chalets.

Then we heard as the Calais Camp was being disbanded  we had 

17 refugees arriving in St. Antonin at a site called Reoboth.

Sarah Brown and I joined a group of  mainly French volunteers and started making up beds and packs of toiletries, bedside lamps and plugs in each bedroom for phones. I remember how all the group were nervous but so keen to help.

We had people who could teach French, and English speakers were particularly useful as the common language was English.

Well they arrived and for 4 months what fun we had, finding them clothes, shoes, bikes to get around, gym equipment, teaching them about life in France and showing them the area. . As I already had a blog, Tag on line I could summon up help and funds. Malc who in a previous life had been a tax inspector and Sarah Brown who had been a lawyer, between us all we monitored funds and kept records, as at this stage we had no association to funnel the cash through. 

Our first young men were dispersed through out France,  at this point whilst they waited for asylum. As we had a gite we often had a houseful of lads as those who could, came back for weekends.

Then we heard another larger group were coming and would be housed at Verfeil.

The three of us decided we needed an association to run the money through and we had started by my constant posts and badgering to get not just money but articles needed.

That was basically how and why Mains Tendues 82 was formed.

When we started selling in the old mairie in Varen, the pace of the association went up a step. We got more volunteers we got plenty to sell and we started talking about not just helping refugees but anyone in need.

With myself, Terence Harker, Sarah Brown,Jill Williamson, we make up the bureau and have the most brilliant committee members French, Dutch and English.

We have achieved a lot for others in the area, including other

 associations that help people and animals.

My heart will always be with my lads who brought so much joy to our lives, they were grateful we helped them, but we were grateful for what they brought to us.

In conclusion

Mains Tendues 82 , what a team. 

May we grow from strength to strength.

One of our next projects will be helping young families in the camps In Greece.

Look at the photos of the young men and smile that for the most part their lives are safe,they have jobs, some partners, one a beautiful baby girl, and they can look forward without fear.

Learn more about refugees in Greece, article to follow

Friend Simon  Farmer talking to some of Mains Tendues committee about helping refugees in Chios in Varen today. An interesting morning listen to Simon who was spurred on to go and help refugees in the Greek Island in sept 2015 when the picture of the small  child  washed up dead on the beach was shown around the world. The childs name was Aylan Kurdi

A picture most of us will never forget

Simon will write a piece about his work soon and if you want to see the association he is involved with look at Offene Arme e,V./CESRT

In German it means Open Arms, appropriate that our symbol is Hands outstretched.  / helping  hands

Along with other associations we help, this one will be added to our list.

Bouncing Nero

Nero  has a bounce, but he does  not have anyone to bounce with

He is stuck in Figeac refuge, so sad for a boy who wants to be loved and is happy to play. If we local people all share this fun picture I am sure we could find him a home  with someone amongst us.

You need to contact San Baro from Helping Homeless Hounds, for more information and arrange to meet him

He is chipped, vacinated and castrated.

Mains Tendues 82  will pay any rehoming fee.

Mains Tendues 82, Varen

Mains Tendues 82 , Varen,  opens this afternoon,

14.30 to 17 h

Come with your mask please

Excited? we at Mains Tendues are.

The Old Smoke House

What a fantastic opening day yesterday at our new retail shop in St Antonin Noble Val. - it was so successful that we had to re-stock our fridge by 11.00am !

A huge thank you to all of our old and new customers and we look forward to seeing you next Sunday 9.00 - 1.00

[www.theoldsmokehousenajac.com](http://www.theoldsmokehousenajac.com

Le Bal des Chateaux, Bruniquel

Fêtes des Meres

The restaurants that are open will be full of French families today. I passed  The Moulin de Varen this morning whilst walking the dogs and Patrick the chef and staff were putting everything in order ready  for a busy lunchtime on the terrace. Full except for two tables of French families I was told.

The weather is a bit indifferent but warm enough to be outside with a cardigan. Do men wear cardigans ? Oh yes they do, Malc had two  or three he wore and looked liked  “a proper grandad”

taglines82@ gmail.com

Rioting on the streets of Paris last night

And a lot of my friends fit into this category. Their lives were in danger, in for example Sudan, where the blacker your skin the more likely you were to be targeted by the Arab government and killed. Having escaped here with many of their families and compatriots killed, I want them to be safe and not feel second class citizens. The saddest thing I heard when one of my boys was being harrassed, said «  my skin is black but my heart is white « 

No one should ever have to say something like that. 

We are Equal.

The rioting on the streets last night was against racism and the way black lives do not seem to matter to some.

We know they do matter.

This bundle of fun awaits... maybe you

Well all you animal lovers who support Mains Tendues 82  raise funds to rehome cats and dogs , look at this joyous chappie. He is at Figeac refuge and San Barto who works so hard for Helping Homeless Hounds, knows it is the time for him to find a home. i like him because I smile just looking at his face, I laugh out loud seeing his bounce. Who is there for this boy?

I can NOT believe that nobody has fallen for these ears yet!!!

I mean, come on... they're gorgeous! Silky soft...

Néron was found and I was 100% percent convinced his owner would show up in no time... how wrong was I?

I was then 100% convinced that Néron would 'fly' out of the refuge as he is just so gorgeous... how wrong was I again?

But what I am not wrong about is that Néron will make you laugh every day he is around you. He loves life! And I know that he would much rather be in your home than stuck in our kennels... so who is going to prove me right on this?  😉

Néron is in Figeac (Lot, 46) and is chipped, vaccinated and castrated.

Sue at Poorpaws says in reply to a donation from Mains Tendues 82

Val says, I do just love what we do. Reply from Sue  at Poorpaws

Val ?!  Wow !!  Are you sure ?  It's a huge donation !  I can hardly believe it.  Thank you so, so much from Danielle and me.  As you will know, not being able to do our book sale earlier in the year was a huge financial disaster for us and food and vet bills were coming out of our pockets.  I'm NOT complaining, for my part it was my decision to keep the 15 dogs who weren't adopted,  and I assume that responsibility.  I know Danielle has been struggling, no-one was going away so no dogs going 'en pension' which is an important part of her income, yet she continued to take in waifs and strays and, thankfully, adoptions have been good.  I will call her later to give her the good news and see who she wants her cheque made out to.

I will get down to see you soon to collect the books - my little shed is sinking under the weight but I'm not turning them away.  We have the idea of doing a two day sale, if possible, in October.

So glad you are happy in your house and that confinement was not too bad.  I have had to be dragged out kicking and screaming after spending a blissful two months gardening and sitting reading in my greenhouse !

I'm sure Danielle joins me in sending much love and so many thanks to you and the wonderful Mains Tendues team.

Sue

Poorpaws

St. Antonin is open again

Another donation to animals

After having a stonking week selling on line for Mains Tendues 82, we were delighted to take over 800 euros. People were giving a 2 eurod donation extra and got a new hat from a Caussade hat maker. They were asked how they would like their money to be spent and overall cats and dogs came top.

As we have recently given 1,000 euros to Amis des Animaux, today we will be organising another donation.

The best part comes now

Giving money away

1,000 euros going to Poorpaws who works alongside Mere des bêtes

You indicated from your donations you were animal lovers

Sue Glibbery was unable to organise her spring book sale which raises money to rehome animals and also for Cancer research.

So nice we can support these two rehomers I have known a long time and had friends animals helped over  the years.

Sue Glibbery was going long before many of the current dog charities

Danielle Dickzy who runs Mere des Bêtes is also an Inspector for the Brigitte Bardot foundation.

Mains Tendues 82

http://www.poorpaws.com/category/adoptions/

Civil Funeral Celebrant

Funeral info, one day ,it could be useful

I am often asked things on Tag on line and since Malc died I am asked about funerals, how to organise, who can perform the ceremony and most importantly funeral costs. Tonight receiving the message below reminded me to tell you my experiences which may be helpful.

Malc died in hospital at Albi and we arranged with one of the nursing staff who has the job to help you with onward steps. We had decided he would be cremated in an Albi crematorium. The body was picked up and taken straight there. The funeral has to be arranged with a week unless exceptional circumstances, which certainly puts the pressure on. I did not want a French celebrant to hold the service as ones we had seen before were so impersonable and one kept even getting the name of the deceased wrong.

A friend who was good at public speaking did it for me , he will never be forgotten💕

When we went to organise the funeral you need to make it clear what you want. We had talked it over before Malc died and he wanted the cheapest possible funeral so money could be given to refugees.

The cost of coffins can differ tremendously,they did not have cardboard coffins but you can get them. In the end we went for the cheapest wooden coffin with rope handles and no fancy lined insides, it cost 1,000 euros

The urn we chose was cardboard and cost 30 euros, the ashes were scattered the next day in the countryside where we enjoyed walking.

We had no expense of cars except the body delivery from hospital to crematorium. The final cost was 2, 400 euos but many spend up to 5,000

Tonight when the post below came I thought I would certainly promote this man as the info he sent looked good. 

More info to come.

By the way the charge for advertising on Tag for 3 months is now made payable to Mains Tendues 82

His message

I have started to provide a service  as an English speaking Funeral Celebrant and am keen to ensure that knowledge of this service is made widely known throughout our region and "Tag on-Line seems to me to offer that possibility. I would like to take an advertisement in your publication and I understnd that your charge for this is €35 for three months which is payable to the five charities mentioned on your site. I was not clear how the  payment is made - Do I choose my charity or do you collect all the contribitions and then divide them across the chosen charities?

 I would be happy to provide advertorial content if you want it and enclose herewith a pdf version of my brochure for you to better understand the service offered. 

I look forward to hearing from you and to joining your band of advertisers.

Posted by my liberal hero Guy Verhofstadt

Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends

Save la Place des Moines

Sachez que l'avenir de la Place des Moines devant la Poste de Saint-Antonin est toujours en jeu. Le nouveau conseil municipal a toujours l'intention de détruire les balustrades, de mettre du parking sur la place, etc. La Société des Amis du Vieux Saint Antonin et d'autres continuent de faire campagne contre cela. Veuillez consulter l'historique des contours et les nouveaux plans proposés sur ce lien et nous prêter tout le soutien que vous pouvez contre eux!

Please be aware the future of the Place des Moines in front of the Post Office in Saint Antonin still hangs in the balance. The new conseil municipal still intend to go ahead with destroying the balustrades, putting some parking places into the square etc. The Societé des Amis du Vieux Saint Antonin and others are continuing to campaign against this. Please see the outline history and proposed new plans on this link and lend us any support you can against them!

Taglines82@ gmail.com

Apparently you can walk by the rivers

You can walk by rivers but you cannot stop and sit on benches or have picnics.

Lovely walking along the river banks in Varen this morning.

taglines 82@ gmail.com

Can we walk by rivers now?

This photo was taken down by the river in Varen of some people having a picnic.

Have I got  it wrong? I thought rivers and river banks were still out of bounds ?

Lovely photo though taken by  Gareth Brown

I will let you know when I find out

taglines82@gmail.com

How many of us feel like this ?

Sunday 10 th of May, storm warning

Tarn et Garonne

A storm is now forecast this afternoon ,this evening and possibly tomorrow

In another department there was thunder, lightening and hailstones as big as golf balls. The friend reporting had seedlings and newly planted plants smashed.

I have just been round the garden covering vunerable plants and moving chairs to safety

Stay safe not only from the virus but from storms ❤️🌺

From the British Embassy in France

The following has been issued by the British Embassy in Paris; 

Covid Update - 8 May

British Embassy Paris·Friday, 8 May 2020·7 minutes

A further update for British citizens in France following Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s press conference with ministers on de-confinement yesterday

Deconfinement Summary

The Prime Minister confirmed that a very gradual de-confinement process will begin on Monday 11 May for all of France.  Over the coming weeks, a balance will have to be struck between resuming ‘normal’ life and respecting the health measures which protect us. Further detail will be made public in the coming days. The objective is to be able to live with the virus and learn how to protect ourselves without a vaccine, treatment or collective immunity. Monday 11 May will mark a new phase. Collective responsibility, including by respecting social distancing measures, is even more important in de-confinement.

The de-confinement strategy has been guided by three key indicators in each département: the level of the virus circulating, the strain on hospitals and the capacity for testing. As we previously reported, this has resulted in some parts of the country being designated green, and others red (l'Ile-de-France, les Hauts-de-France, le Grand Est et la Bourgogne-Franche-Comté). However, the epidemic evolves daily and the red and green areas of the map could change. If green départements continue to see a low number of cases over the next three weeks, they will enter a further stage of de-confinement which could see lycées, restaurants, and cafés re-open from 2 June in line with health measures. The less good news is that red départements will adhere to stricter and slower de-confinement measures – parks and gardens will not re-open next week, and collèges will not open from 18 May.

There will be no compulsory confinement for the most vulnerable, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. However, these groups should continue to observe strict prudence, resembling the measures of the last two months, in order to protect themselves and others.

Health

If you have Covid symptoms, act immediately: contact your doctor or call 15. After answering some questions, a test will be made available to you at a lab, hospital, drive-through or at home – you should stay at home to await results. Self-isolate until two days after you recover (between 8-10 days). The cost of the test will be 100% covered by l’Assurance Maladie. If you test positive, you will be taken care of and l’Assurance Maladie will begin an investigation into who you have been in contact with. When self-isolating, stay in one room if you share a home, do not touch others or objects they might touch, air the room frequently, disinfect objects you touch, wash your hands regularly, do not accept visitors unless from doctors, and wear a mask. If you are contacted by l’Assurance Maladie because you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you should self-isolate, take your temperature twice a day, and work from home if possible. After seven days, if you test negative, you will self-isolate for a further sevendays. If self-isolation is not possible at home, you will be directed to a designated hotel.

Visits to retirement homes will be possible but limited as carers progressively return to work. For non Covid-19 illnesses, consult a doctor over the phone, and go to hospital for emergencies. If you are vulnerable, you should always wear a mask outside of home. Consultations are 100% covered by l’Assurance Maladie. Contact the Red Cross if you need help for loneliness (and take a look at our previous post on health and wellbeing).

Education

A strict health protocol has been implemented to re-open schools – you can access this on the education ministry’s website – and classes will be limited to 15 students (or 10 in maternelle). In green départements, on Monday 11 May primaires will re-open, and on 18 May collèges will re-open. On 11 May all elementary school teachers will return to work (or 12 May depending on the size and location of the school); however, students will not all return to school at the same time. Priority will be given to children of key workers, disabled children and children at risk of marginalisation. Parents will be informed this week as to the gradual return of their children’s schools. Four different educational options vary from home schooling to returning to school, depending on the local situation. Between 80-85% of schools will re-open to a little over one million students from 12 May.

Transport

The French government wants to achieve a resumption of ‘normal’ services by 2 June, whilst continuing social distancing measures. RATP will increase its services from 30% today to 75% from Monday 11 May. In the Ile-de-France, transport will be limited at rush hours to those with an attestation for essential travel, for example, for childcare, healthcare or work. Some stations will be closed to avoid overcrowding. Travelling on a TGV or on transport in the Ile de France at rush hour without an attestation will result in a fine. Those who can continue to work from home should do so.

To avoid traffic and keep pollution low car-sharing schemes or bicycles are recommended. Transport to other regions will be very limited, with TGV and Intercité services rising from 7% to 20-30% by Monday 11 May and 100% by the end of the month. Train capacity will be limited at 50% and tickets must be booked in advance. Travellers over the age of 11 must wear masks or face a fine of €135. Masks and hand sanitiser will be made available. Floor markings will be put in place to aid social distancing measures, and all means of transport (trains, busses, trams and metros) will be disinfected at least once a day.

Travel & Social

You will be free to travel up to 100km (as the crow flies) from your home, including outside your home département, or to travel more than 100km if your trip remains within your home département, without restriction or attestation. If you are stopped by the police, carrying proof of address, e.g. insurance documents, will suffice. In order to travel more than 100km from home, you will need a new type of online or paper attestation, which you can find on the Interior Ministry website from 11 May. Travelling more than 100km for urgent family or work reasons is permitted, e.g. to help an elderly parent, attend a funeral, for childcare, but travelling to a second home or travelling for leisure would not count. 20,000 police and gendarmes will be checking attestations at stations, tourist locations, and on the roads, and you may be fined €135 if you travel more than 100km without the attestation. If you travel, you will need to carry proof of address. Anyone who has been in confinement away from home, e.g. at a second home, is now allowed to travel home.

Libraries and small museums will re-open from Monday. Cinemas, music venues and indoor sports halls will remain closed. Individual outdoor sport will be permitted. Gatherings will be limited to 10 people, and you must observe social distancing measures. There will be no events of over 5,000 people until September. Beaches and lakes remain closed, unless re-opened by mayors and préféctures if they can guarantee social distancing measures – please check with your local authority in the first instance. A discussion on re-opening places of worship for services will take place at the end of the month.

Border restrictions on arrivals from outside Europe remain in place until further notice, and current measures at the border with neighbouring European countries will remain in place until 15 June. There will be some exceptions, for example for essential schooling,  or for workers, for example seasonal agricultural workers.  Borders will re-open to European countries through joint decisions as the health situation improves.

Business and Working Practices

All business will re-open on Monday 11 May, except for those designed as social spaces such as cafés, bars and restaurants - the date for these will be determined at the end of May. 400,000 businesses will re-open on Monday, from hairdressers to clothes shops and florists to book shops. Large shopping centres of 40,000m² will re-open, except in the Ile-de-France. Factories will re-open. The self-employed and SMEs will continue to have access to solidarity funds until the end of May even if they re-open for business. Social charges for businesses which closed from March, April and May will not be maintained.

Health precautions such as social distancing will be implemented at work. Masks will be made available in shops, mairies, pharmacies, online and at work with VAT at 5.5%. People should continue to work remotely if possible – this is especially crucial in the Ile-de-France. Staggered working hours will be brought in to avoid rush hours. 54 online guides are available for businesses such as hairdressers. A separate guide for apprenticeships will be made available.

Travelling more than 100 kms

You can get the certificate on the interieur.gouv.fr website.  For moving more than 100kms 

For example I had an inqury for going to an appointment from St.Antonin area to Toulouse, I felt your appointment letter would be enough to show but for belt and braces this document may be best to have

Latest update

Thanks to the Connexion once again. Latest update from President Macron

Lockdown measures will be eased in France from Monday May 11 as hoped, the prime minster has announced.

The rules explained today are largely as previously announced, though with new details – for example to travel more than 100km leaving your own department, you will need a new kind of attestation form indicating that it is for an urgent work or family reason.

 As expected, France has been divided into green (good) or red (bad) areas depending on factors including numbers of new cases of people testing postive for Covid-19, how well the hospitals are coping, and availability of testing.

Areas classed as red are Ile-de-France, Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Hauts-de-France.

In green areas, parks and gardens may reopen and collèges (early age secondary schools) may reopen from May 18.

In red areas collèges will remain closed this month, however in all areas primary schools will reopen in May, in most cases from Monday, though parents can choose whether or not to keep children at home in distance learning.

For the most part however the same rules will apply everywhere.

Beaches and lakes and water sports centres will remain closed, unless prefects decide otherwise. 

There will also be a need for particular vigilance in Mayotte and Ile-de-France, the prime minister said, as Covid-19 cases are increasing in the former while in the latter they are not reducing as quickly as had been hoped.

The situation will be reevaluated at the end of May in hopes of further relaxation of rules from June 2.

There will be no obligatory confinement for ‘at risk’ groups, and no more attestation forms for ordinary trips outside the home.

However those who know they are likely to be more vulnerable due to advanced age or chronic health conditions should nonetheless continue as far as possible to maintain similar measures to during the confinement period or for example they should use masks if having occasional visitors.

Anyone experiencing likely symptoms such as a persistent dry cough, breathing difficulties or loss of taste or smell should contact their GP, a duty doctor or call 15 (Samu). You may be asked to take a free test in a hospital, test lab, in a drive-through service or at home. If you test positive your doctor will also alert the Assurance Maladie, who will make enquiries as to who you have had recent contact with.

These people will be contacted if necessary will be asked to self-isolate (and will be able to obtain free masks at pharmacies) and if will have the option of isolation away from home such as in a hotel room if it is difficult at home.

They will be asked to take sick leave from work if they cannot work from home.

They will be tested seven days after their last contact with the infected person, but even if testing negative will be asked to observe one more week of isolation so as to be sure.

A free number on 0800 130 000 remains in place if you have questions related to the epidemic and what you need to do.

With regard to struggling small businesses, the fonds de solidarité help will be renewed for May and employers’ social charges will be cancelled from March to May for all sectors that were forced to close.

Some 70 guides to work sectors will be available from the end of the week on the Work Ministry’s website, as well as a national framework on matters like physical distance at work. Homeworking is still recommended where possible.

Spanish Flu, there are similarities

And people stayed at home

And read books

And listened

And they rested

And did exercises

And made art and played

And learned new ways of being

And stopped and listened

More deeply

Someone meditated, someone prayed

Someone met their shadow

And people began to think differently

And people healed.

And in the absence of people who

Lived in ignorant ways

Dangerous, meaningless and heartless,

The earth also began to heal

And when the danger ended and

People found themselves

They grieved for the dead

And made new choices

And dreamed of new visions

And created new ways of living

And completely healed the earth

Pandemic, 1919

Photo taken during Spanish flu

The first of May

White rabbits

Wishing you all to be safe and well,and making the most of each precious day we have.