Mains Tendues in Varen, presenting a cheque to the school

1,000 euros cheque presented to the parents association at Varen school by tye new President of Mains Tendues,Jo Schofield

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Happy days

The happiest years of our life were spent at Mas del Sol, Malc and I and a variety of pets. Last night the new owner invited me up for aperos with some friends. It was as magical as it always was and the kestrels are nesting in the wall of the gite again.

Our twenty years in France and the happiest at this place, the tall cypress tree and the collection of buildings you can see in the distance was us.

So happy that the new owner likes it as much as we did,and to see Max our cat happy there again is so lovely

How priviliged we were, we knew we were just guarding it for the next ,as it has gone on through the years... and possibly with Kestrels nesting.

Today I saw two hoopos, i have seen and heard the golden oriole and the cuckoo. I was here for the  wild orchid display along the hedgerows and in the fields and now I am content for the next chapter.

Today I had some good news,I sign the procuration at the notaires for the sale of this house, tomorrow. The  lady buying has deposited the necessary funds and she will move in later in June.

The brilliant photo was taken by Gareth Brown

Handicraft shop in Varen,just opened

Give yourself that feel good factor

All the world news seems to be dire this morning, heartbreaking what is happening between Israelians and Palestinians. For heavens sake get around the Peace table and stop the killing.

Refugees being targeted not just in Glasgow but in England too by Priti Patel and her facist group. Many asylum seekers were moved yesterday when they should have been able to celebrate Eid, moved to worse accomodation at a moments notice. Often these refugees had doctor and dentists appointments and were in the middle of treatment. 

I post my stories with pretty chocolate cakes and pictures of our local smart restaurant about to reopen, our lives.... and we are so lucky.

YOU can say, what can we do?

Well you could do something.

Do you need ideas?

Help local charities raise money for refugees and people in need

Mains Tendues 82 in Varen asking for people to give up 2 hours of their time a week to help

You can give unwanted items to sell to raise money, I have just sent a car load with more to go

We have brilliant lives here  but helping others gives a real sense of worth.

Friends here and in the Uk I know many work for charities and feel the rewards but for others who perhaps are retired and need a challenge, find a charity that appeals to you.

It can be helping the homeless, Cancer charities ,anything ... 

if I am preaching to the converted forgive me, but we do need the world to change

I leave you with the message of ,help each other and give LOVE and joy.

You can have a laugh doing it .😂

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Saying good bye

As I think the majority of you know I am returning to the Uk after 20 years of not just living but energising in France.

Malc and I always said whatever happened we have had these  years.

20 years of being involved.

We created the monthly book swap which will be able to start again soon

The Varenly regatta, a yearly canoe race in Varen for Families

Monthly Folk and Jazz Evenings

Picnic in the Park yearly Jazz event raising money for Enfants d’Afrique , children in Bamako

Malc was President of the Caylus Bridge club 

Malc started the Friday boules group,

For awhile I was involved with Fifi as a committee member

I started the very popular on line local magazine Taglines,first as paper copies then Tag-on-line,Malc became so interested he  joined me with editorials

I helped rehomed animals with Truffes et Moustaches and started a face book page called Rehoming animals in Midi Pyrenees

When nearly 6 years ago refugees arrived in the area and we both then spent every minute doing what we could to help them.

When they started getting asylum and their own apartments we asked readers to give us furniture and funds to help us ,help them

We were so succesful we needed an association and created Mains Tendues 82,which proved a great success and I am proud and Malc would be too to know it is going to continue.

As you also know Malc died about 17 months ago, then we were plunged into covid. Because I am now 75 and feel I need family in 3 weeks I will return to the Uk.

I want to take this opportunity before I go to thank everyone for their love and kindness to us both. 

His time and my time have just been a blast... but we could not have enjoyed it without you all.

I am sure you will continue to hear of my exploits in the Uk

Joy and hope wished on this the first of May

 Muguet or Lily of the Valley in English,growing in my garden sent to wish you joy and hope

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A good time to spot wild orchids

http://www.orchideesdenajac.fr/orchidsframe.htm