What we are helping to achieve in Bamako?

Look at these lovely little faces below and think you could help these youngsters on a path to a better life by helping build the school they can go to.
I have given the website of Via Sahel Enfants d' Afrique and supporting our jazz night here at Mas del Sol where all the money raised goes to this project will be a great way of enjoying yourselves whilst helping. Watch for news about the Picnic in the Park and book in.
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http://www.viasahel-enfantsdafrique.fr/les-actions/education/education.htm

Taxis may block Blagnac on Thursday

We have reported recently about the conflict between the government and taxi drivers about the use of smartphone apps to reserve VTC's (minicabs). This week taxi drivers have called for a day of action (inaction?) on Thursday and in Toulouse there will be demonstrations at various points, notably the railway station and airport.
Drivers say they will block access until the government blocks the apps, installing if necessary tents to enable them to stay night and day.
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"Tasered" for his own good

Police in Toulouse were called to a bridge where a young man was threatening to jump to his death. When the policemen tried to persuade him to descend, he took flight and tried to throw himself under on-coming traffic. The agents decided to immobilise him with a Taser, then took him to a psychiatric unit in a local hospital. Police in Toulouse have used Tasers before, but this was the first time for benevolent reasons.
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How do you spend your sunny day?

Is there anyone who did not enjoy the sunny weather yesterday?
My four donkeys say " us" we spent all day in the hut hiding from the sun and flies.
The dogs had an early morning walk and one late evening but then found niches in the grange to sleep in.
The cats sleep through the day and play at night, so when I asked them the question, they blinked and admitted they been asleep all day.
Now Malc he was busy making sausage rolls to take to a picnic organised by the Voices choir and me after a leisurely morning swim, coffee with a neighbour,  fell asleep with my book also in the grange.
Is there anyone who does not like relaxing?
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Draw International

Ce samedi 27 juin à 19h30 - quatre artistes en résidence ouvrent leurs ateliers.

DESSIN - INSTALLATION - PERFORMANCE

La soirée commence aux ateliers '1 rue de l'ancienne gendarmerie' suivi d'un petit tour du village 'la science et la sorcellerie - la médecine et de la magie' et se termine aux ateliers '8 rue du chateau.'

Venez nous joindre pour un moment de découverte et d’échange convivial.

Un apéritif en compagnie de nos artistes en résidence vous sera servi dans le jardin.

Amicalement,

John et Grete Mc

Nous sommes le mardi vingt trois juin

Balades et animations à Espinas

LES BALADES: tous les mercredis à 9h précises; départ place de l'église à Espinassauf précision ci-dessous; GRATUIT et sans inscription; durée 2h à2h30. Adaptées à enfants marcheurs dès 8 ans.

1 - mercredi 1 : (Gill et Peter) Espinas – Le Piboul – Cambarès – Rouby – La Millerie – Bach – Pech du Fournel – Espinas.( après : pique-nique libre au foirail /salle clé des champs si pluie)

2- mercredi 8 : (Nadette et René) Chemin de Lou Finot . 6KM. RDV à la fontaine, sortie du pont, Saint Antonin, puis covoiturage.

3- mercredi15 : (Shirley et Terry) PR1 Espinas - La Grésie - Cantenac

Nota : repas campagnard ensuite ; inscriptions lundi 12 à midi dernière limite. 10€. Réservé aux randonneurs exclusivement.

4- mercredi 22: ( Gill et Peter) Espinas – pech de Fournel – Vabre – Bach – La Boulbène – Barthe Redonde – Selgues – Chemin de la grange - Espinas .( après : pique-nique libre cf ci-dessus).

5- mercredi 29 (Dominique) Chemin de la loutre à Saint Antonin. RDV place du Pradel.

Avertissements respecter l’horaire; toujours bonnes chaussures, chapeau et boisson; chiens en laisse. Le S.I décline toute responsabilité, vérifiez la validité de votre assurance en responsabilité civile.

SOIREE ETOILES : jeudi 9 juillet. RDV à 9h30 place de l’église.

CONCERT samedi 18 juillet à 15h. Eglise paroissiale. Trois chœurs réunis pour un concert UNIQUE. Participation libre. Collecte reversée en partiepour la rénovation des orgues de Saint Antonin.

Renseignements siespinas@yahoo.fr; 05.63.68.20.19 /06.83.47.33.86IPNS – ne pas jeter sur la voie publique
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There is a problem with "les Anglais"

Xavier Bertrand who was a minister under the Sarkozy government says the problem with the migrants at Calais (a region where he is campaigning for the regional elections) is not that the UK welfare system is attractive, but that it is too easy to get low paid work.
England (as he calls it) has no identity cards and many low paid jobs which attract clandestine workers. David Cameron, he says, is asking Europe to limit migrant workers, but doing nothing to prevent the use of low paid jobs which are at the heart of the economic growth in the UK.
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The jet was going, why not take the kids?

Manuel Valls, a fan of his native Barcelona, faced a torrent of criticism for his visit to the game in the Olympic Stadium which did not appear on his official agenda.

   

He said he was invited by European football boss Michel Platini to discuss next year's Euro-2016 championships in France, but this did not calm the storm and Valls finally vowed to refund the cost of the trip for his two children.

   

His decision to take a Falcon jet to the game went down badly in a country where one in 10 is unemployed, and he later admitted it was a "blunder."

Val says  I would cut him a bit of slack, as the plane was going with empty seats, who would not take the kids?  The prime minister will at least have been happy with the result: his beloved Barca beat Italian giants Juventus 3-1.

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Petition against exam question

Thousands of pupils taking their baccalaureat  exam in English found one question too difficult and so could not answer it. The text being studied was Ian McEwen's "Atonement" and they were asked to explain how a character was "coping" with his concerns. Students complained that they did not understand the word "coping" so could not answer it.
So a petition has been set up on change.org asking the minister to cancel the exam question. Unfortunately the petition has been couched in language that is said to be "full of errors" - questioning the students' ability to understand their own language, let alone that of Shakespeare.
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News of the Varenly Regatta, this year Tuesday, the 18th of Aug

The 12th year of the Varenly Regatta, held in Varen by the camping ground by the Moulin. There are children's and adults' events all in a fun atmosphere. This year the event has been arranged on a Tuesday 18th of August. More details nearer the time but mark it in your diaries.
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Fête de la musique at Toulouse

In the streets at Toulouse yesterday, groups were playing in a festival atmosphere. We went to two music events over the week end and had three planned. How great it is in the summer to enjoy music all together, be it popular music or choirs and concerts.
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Nous sommes le lundi vingt deux juin

The first of the sweet peas, the scent is just lovely.
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Johnny Depp is saying goodbye to the South of France

Fans of Pirates of the Caribbean can grab a piece of film history; its star Johnny Depp has put his themed home up for sale in the French Riviera.

ADVERTISING

The actor is selling a sprawling 37-acre estate above St Tropez in the south of France for €23 million (£16.5 million) to “close the chapter” on his life with the French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11689480/Johnny-Depp-sells-entire-French-village-for-16.5-million.html
Val says it is also reported that Brad Pitt is looking for a Greek Island to buy so the family can have more privacy than here in France.

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Where are you?

Update 21/06/15  Well I just can’t understand this, here I am a month later still looking for a home !  I’ve got everything from the cutsie, tangled look to ticking all the boxes in what you want in a dog.  I promise I will be a Very Good Boy and a faithful loving friend. 

Looking for a bundle of fun ?  Then look no more, I’m your boy !  Jimmy by name and cuddle and bounce by nature !  I’m just about three months old and am looking for a home where I can just follow you everywhere.  I’m obediant and will get attached to you very quickly.  I love other dogs so would be great as a companion, but if it’s just you and me, well that’s fine too.

Contact Sue at Poorpaws

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

The youngsters of the Voices choir at Villefranche de Rouergue

Just got back hot and tired from listening to the Voices choirs at Villefranche in The Chapel of the Penitants Noir, what a beautiful interior, I have always admired the exterior but inside was just spectacular. We saw it on Racines et des Ailes, a French TV programme  a couple of weeks ago, so it was good to see it in the flesh so to speak. 
The church was packed, over packed in truth and family and friends supporting were spilling out in to the streets. I managed to get a seat simply because a French lady felt faint and when everyone nearby looked for a worthy person, I was chosen. I did ask was it because I was old, but was diplomatically told it was because all the others were young!
The singing started with an occitane choir and then three Voices choirs, covering all ages from 4 to 71. Did not know the four year old but I am married to the one at 71!
Friends and I really enjoyed the music and Becky Brown and Julie Gibergues the choir leaders had done a good job on their students, coaxing them into shape.
Well done to all who participated in this friendly family chorale event.
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Large curved desk for sale

Large curved desk.
L : 183 cm
H:  72 cm
W: 81 cm
& w: at curve 118 cm
60 euros
karen@rysuk.com
05 63 67 62 51
Thank you
Clever little touch that Karen with TAG on screen
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Bonny has heard it all before

Malc giving Eldo a training session on not jumping up. A  difficult but important lesson to learn. Bonny has been through it all before and is planning a nap as no biscuits seem to be on offer.
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A lovely musical evening at Sautou

Fête de la musique at Sautou

The most marvelous crowd at Sautou to enjoy an evening of music around the pool. Supporters of Jean Marie and Winnie Nosal were out in force to help raise funds for the school in Bamako. Jean Marie at 77 was just back on a flight from Cambodia, where he had been with a friend who raises money for projects in that country. Tired he must have been but he was there circulating, working the crowds, handing out bottles of wine and later in the evening bringing out a pile of his jackets and sweaters to distribute to the revelers, if they were cold.
The music was good and the multi national children dancing, singing and helping serve food was just charming.
You could not ask for a more lovely evening.
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It does not always end well

Listening on the BBC to the amazing rescue of one red arrow parachutist of another, what a great story. Then I read of someone in the Haute Garonne who was not so lucky when his paraglider failed and plunged to his death. In a separate incident a parapenteur crashed to the ground suffering serious leg injuries. he was helicoptered to a Toulouse  hospital.
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