Jardin des Paradis needs financial and physical help

A letter from Pauline at the Jardin des Paradis
It's a rare thing that I send out a begging letter but I'm having to do so now.

 As most of you know, I'm a volunteer at the Jardin des Paradis in Cordes.

 This is an educational garden open to the public which manages to cram

many

different ideas and events in an area of only 2500 sq metres.

The garden costs over 100,000 euros a year to run and our subvention is a

 measly 8000 euros from the Government.

We manage to run with a staff of one full timer, two part timers and

whatever time the volunteers can give. Basically if we don't get more

 funding and more physical help we are going to have to close which would

be 

a pity not only for the 3 youngsters employed there, but also for the parties of kids and disabled people we welcome every year.  At our recent Conseil d'Administration meeting we decided to launch a 

membership scheme and we are now looking for "adhérents" - basically

 people who help support the garden financially (and physically if they

wish)

and are then given free access to the garden whenever they want and a free

 invitation to all the social events. The cost is just 10 euros a year per

person.

So…... would any of you be prepared to help us out please? I'm not asking

 for money now, just a promise to support us. If we can get enough

promises,

 it will give us the means and the encouragement to continue next year. For

your 10 euros, you'll get free access whenever you wish to visit and for

many of you who have to cart visitors around during the summer and rack

their brains what to do with them, it could be very useful, even if you

just

 sit in the garden with a cold beer while your visitors walk around. If you

want to you can also join us on our volunteer days or just come along to

potter in the garden - great for anyone who wants to practise French or

 learn anything about gardening. You'll also get free entry to our annual

plant sale (we sell our surplus perennial and shrub stock in October each

year - everything priced at between one and four euros) and our proposed

 vegetable plant exchange (in spring everyone comes with their surplus

small

plants and swaps them with others).

If anyone is prepared to help us out by becoming an "adhérent", I'd be

 really grateful. Just let me know and I'll add your name to the list and

when the time comes, arrange to collect your money and have a card printed

with your photo.

 Many thanks for taking the time to read this and for those of you who

don't

 know the garden please have a look at our website

 *www.jardindesparadis.eu*

Best wishes, Pauline

Meteo Passion

If you are avid followers of weather and weather predications in France a TAGlines  reader Howard Williams of Chez Phillipe in Varen has suggested you look at
http://www.meteopassion.com/
I now know I will have to fight for the computer as Malcolm has marked it up on favourites and is very interested having kept his own weather measurements in past years.

Organic/bio farm near Najac

Jamie Stickler runs an organic/ bio farm ''La Singlarie' near Najac. He has for sale beef, pork, sausages, bacon,chickens,eggs and  you can order your Turkey for Christmas.
Click below for more information.
http://www.lasinglarie.fr/index.htm

Sapeurs/pompiers need new blood.

At the moment the local Pompiers are asking for new recruits and this article for Taglines written 6 years ago by Malcolm Johnstone  shows why it is such a rewarding job.

''Sauver une vie, c'est genial''

Saving a life would please any of us, but to the sapeurs/pompiers it can be a regular but still rewarding experience.

No sooner had I arrived for my appointment with  Laguépie chef de service, Yves Farjounel, than his bleeper went off and he left for the caserne – the fire station. Fortunately, an adequate replacement in the shape of  pompier Emmanuel Cros, arrived to take over. [Emmanuel, son in law of Yves Farjounel has now taken over the position of Chef]. A typical cameo in the life of village sapeurs/pompiers (don’t ask what the difference is – it’s philosophical).

I had wanted to find out what the men – and women – who make up the fire service in our region thought about their mission and how they were organised. Under their chef, the 24 personnel based at Laguépie offer a service to us all on a basis so different to the paid professionals that we are used to, that it is almost unbelievable.

Over 90% of France’s pompiers are volunteers, paid professionals being reserved for the major population centres. And we are not talking about the system of retained firefighters as in the UK, but out and out unpaid volunteers. In villages it is not uncommon for sons to continue the work of their fathers, whether in the butcher’s shop, the farm or indeed the pompiers.

Anyone aged 17 – 55 can train to be a pompier. Around 200/300 hours of training at the beginning. then many refresher and up-date courses.

Dialling 18 (for the pompiers) or 15 (for a medical emergency) will connect you to a centre in Montauban or Albi and they will give you advice or pass the call to a local caserne. Laguépie covers nine communes, three in each of the departments adjoining the village, although the over-riding authority is in the home department.

Laguépie gets an average of around 300 interventions a year, over 80% being assistance to people in some kind of distress. In 2003, when there were floods on two separate occasions in the year, over 500 interventions were needed.

We are all used to the pompiers’ loto , the Bal on the 14th July and of course the calendar at Christmas, all ways of boosting the income of the caserne.  But major funding is provided from a departmental budget, which whilst never enough, provides for a very well equipped station, with several specialist vehicles designed to fight fires in buildings or forests, provide water-borne rescue, get cats out of pot holes or hornets out of trees….

No permanent staff is maintained at the station, but an up-to-date radio system enables the watch to be called out at any time. Be prepared for your plumber to down tools not for a tea break but to answer his bleep.

I wondered if the influx of foreign residents had made things more difficult as often they have a poor grasp of the language. It can cause problems when an emergency arises and the person is unable to respond clearly to the pompiers’ questions and it was suggested to me that one of the best ways to overcome this (apart from learning to speak French of course) would be for some of our younger compatriots to consider becoming pompiers. That way they would integrate wonderfully into village life and provide a service to all the residents.

At the end of February the pompiers celebrate the feast of St Barbe, their patron saint. Best uniforms and medals are worn, speeches and presentations made. And being true to their traditions it is likely that all will be celebrated with a repas. These men and women offer a valuable and professional service, but with a dash of humour and joie de vivre. I asked what advice would be of most use to our readers and was told “do not be afraid to dial 18 (or 15).” The operators will decide what help is needed and take the necessary steps. I know this to be true from several interventions I have seen over the recent years, so don’t be afraid.

When I wondered why the sapeurs/pompiers devoted so much time and energy to such a demanding past-time, M. Cros  explained that it was just a public service to their fellow villagers. And to any pompier, “sauver une vie, c’est genial”.


If you or your friends/family would like more details on how to become a pompier contact your local caserne in St Antonin, Laguepie or Caylus.

Cardboard from Ikea

I make my own boxes to send our photo frames all over the world and have found the best cardboard to use is the type Ikea use for their flat pack kitchen units - it's not too thick and not too thin! I have nearly used up my own supply from the kitchen units we installed last year, so I was wondering if anyone in the St. Antonin area has any of this type of cardboard lurking in their garage, or perhaps you are about to buy some new kitchen units soon. If so, I would love to take the cardboard packaging, so don't throw it away!

I can come and collect, or meet up in St Antonin Noble Val if that is more convenient.

My email is: denisemackenzie2009@gmail.com

Thanks so much.
Denise Mackenzie
Fabre de Lagrange
81140 Penne

Discounted art collection

3 years ago, I inherited my fathers art collection. Part of this collection my father bought as an investment; high quality art by a young Italian painter who is already quite established in italy, as is his father. I planned to keep this collection for some years, but my financial situation is such that I need to sell it sooner, unfortunately!
The collections consists of about 55 oil paintings, mixed techniques and drawings, all in high quality frames. Gallery prices ranged from 1000 to 25.000 euros (original bills on demand). I might take the entire collection to Italy, to have it sold there, but before I do so, I would like to know if anybody around here is interested in buying the collection as a whole, as an investment, or to decorate several houses in the same style,. Information about the artist can be found here:   http://www.tommasiferroni.com/ or   http://www.tommasiferroni.it/

For more information, contact me at 05-63682551 (please leave a message) or anke.terbruggen@orange.fr

Old sofa wanted

Has anyone got an old sofa they are thinking of getting rid of. I want something I can let my dogs climb on with me with out worrying about damage.Can collect.
Thanks in advance
Anke tel. 0563682551
 email   anke.terbruggen@orange.fr

What a whopper !

Can any of our readers beat this?

A pumpkin weighing in at 22 kilos

It is the largest of my crop and at 2 euros a kilo on the market- worth its weight in er! pumpkin.

Dumped dog needs a loving home NOW REHOMED

A message from Jo Stephens

Tressor is a 7 year old castrated German Shephard cross Border Collie. I was asked to look after him for 2 weeks whilst his owner returned to England, yes you have guessed the rest ............. 4 months later he is still with me.

I cannot afford to keep him and in fact as lovely as he is I dont want another dog , I have 3 of my own and a foster dog.

He is a real gentle boy although does bark when people arrive. He has been excellent with all my other dogs and dogs he meets on walks. He has met and been fine with children of all ages, cats, horses and chickens. He in the typical french fashion loves to chase cars, however with discipline this has really improved . He is perhaps one of the least demanding dogs I have met but he does love a cuddle and a walk. He has been a really good boy with me and just enjoys being part of our family however I really can't afford to keep him.  Please think of  Tressor if you are considering adopting a dog.

I am really desperate to rehome him and would be loath to put him into a rescue centre.

tel Jo Stephens 0565 298856
email  stephensjoanne@gmail.com

Telescopic roller and heavy iron gate for sale

For sale a telescopic roller for a swimming pool summer cover in very good condition at 160 euros and also a heavy, iron gate which is 1.36m wide and 1.9m high for 150 euros, please contact  Lizzie Jewels 0563 40 13 46 or by email on lizziejewels333@btinternet.com

Foire a la Chataigne Laguepie

Sunday 30th October Laguepie hosts a day of celebration for the sweet chestnuts .Once very important in this region and even though that importance has declined the day of celebration has expanded beyond belief. When we first came over 10 years ago there was a very sedate repas in a small tent in the square. Now as well as the lunch  priced at 17 euros there is a market of local products featuring guess what ? In the salle de Fetes there is an exhibition of patchwork. A display of mushrooms/champignons all labelled as to their various states of toxicity. Lots of singing and dancing performed by various groups and marching bands and loads of roasted chestnut and crepe sellers. Get there early for a good parking spot otherwise you may end up at the top of the bank [all right if you are fit to walk down] The place will be packed like you have never seen Laguepie but it is a great day. For more information tel. Office du Tourisme 0563302034

Pit bike championships

If you like your moto cross with a bit of bite why not try the French National finals of the pit bike championships. This weekend (8th and 9th) at the Laguepie moto cross circuit many leading riders will be trying their luck. The circuit has hosted many prestigious events, including major international meets between the wars and in the 1950's.
The track is well signposted on the Laguepie/Najac road with ample parking and on-site refreshments.

Adorable mouse destroyers

Help!

We have two kittens aged 8 weeks. One is a beautiful ginger and white female and the other a pale golden male with blue eyes. House trained, clean, and adorable! We leave for the UK this month and cannot leave them – a neighbouring farmer shoots  cats.

We can deliver anywhere (almost) to a good home.

NB this could be an easy answer to your mouse problem.

If you can help please contact us asap.

Polly 0563 67 06 40

Or mail Catherine.fawcitt@wanadoo.fr

Well done Fifi

Friends in France Fifi have raised 2,000 euros for Macmillan Cancer Relief at their recent coffee day. Well done to every one who put in so much work and a lovely convivial day it seemed to be.

Washing machine and single bed free to a good home. NOW GONE

We're giving away a couple of items we no longer need :-

Firstly, a 90cm wide adult length divan single bed in good condition - sound timber construction, on castors, comes complete with interior sprung mattress and 2 large drawers (150 litre total capacity) built into the base. We don't want anything for it if the new owner can collect from Caylus.

Also a French Arthur Martin top-loading washing machine (50cm wide, 60cm deep, 85cm tall), easy to operate, works perfectly and produces good results. Ideal for a gite or a maison secondaire. Similarly, free to a good home as long as the new owner collects from Caylus.

For anyone interested we can forward pictures of the above. Email chezfoz@gmail.com for more information or ring Karen and Chris on 05 63 31 70 84. If it would help, we could deliver for a small, distance-related charge.    

  

Le Cinema le Querlys interview by Jill Spearman

Jill interviewed Liliane and Yannick Sevegnes 7 years ago for Taglines and it is an interesting and still relevant article

Le Cinéma le Querlys – something to celebrate!

Once upon a time – well, in 1968, actually – a young man and a young woman met in St Antonin Noble Val and fell in love.  They held their engagement party in what is now the salle of the Querlys, and was then a restaurant.  They were Liliane and Yannick Sevegnes, and since 1984 they have been running the cinema that is one of St Antonin’s best assets.

Their project began in 1982, after a fire had destroyed the restaurant on the ground floor of the building, which then belonged to Liliane Sevegnes’ father.  The Sevegnes, then agricultural workers, had no practical experience of cinema at all, but a great love of film, and enormous enthusiasm and commitment.

A year’s training in projection at a cinema in Montauban; research and enquiries; encouragement from the Ministry of Culture (Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, was keen to promote small local cinemas); a government advance (not a grant!); a mortgage on their house; the conversion of the ground floor of the building into a cinema (Liliane’s father was an electrician, and he did all the wiring); the development of links with distributors :- on May 16,1984 the Cinéma le Querlys opened its doors for the first time, showing a film by Georges Rouquier – Briqueferre.

Despite the scepticism of some fellow commerçants (who predicted they’d last 6 months), the cinema has flourished, the number of entrants rising steadily from 13,000 in 1984 to a current 18,500 per year.  Yannick and Liliane show 80 films per year, and are proud that just over half are ‘Version Original’.  It’s been hard work convincing distributors that, in contrast to the usual French preference for dubbed films, the Querlys has a strong audience for ‘V.O.’  This is very much to do with the high proportion of British, Dutch and other non-French cinema-goers in the Querlys’ audience – they outnumber the French.

The Querlys is entirely self-sufficient, receiving no subsidy of any kind.  This gives Liliane and Yannick complete independence in their choice of films.   This independence, of course, is what gives their audience the benefit of easy access to varied, thoughtful, high quality programming, in a comfortable, welcoming venue.  And it is for the quality of the programming that the Querlys is classified ‘Art et .Essai’, attracting a merit award of 5,000 euros per year – the only money that doesn’t come from ticket sales.

Do they have any aspirations for the future?  Only that more people should come to the cinema – and also that other commerçants in St Antonin should recognise and take advantage of the opportunity that the success of the Querlys brings to them.  Most restaurants and bars close at the moment the Querlys’ audience is emerging, full of the film they’ve just seen, and ready to prolong the evening over a drink or a bowl of soup.

Through their cinema, Liliane and Yannick make an enormous contribution to the cultural life of this region – we are very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of their passion for the movies.

The Querlys programme comes out at the beginning of each month and are widely available throughout the region.  

St. Antonin Garden Fair

Sunday 2nd October there will be a Garden fair in St. Antonin with 20 plus exhibitors. Everything possible for the garden from plants, trees, garden furniture and tools.

Le Parking

Doreen Porter who lives in St. Antonin is a funny perceptive writer. Read below and click on her profile if you want more.

Taken from I is for Illuminated Salt and Pepper Pots (and other everyday essentials) by Doreen Porter: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/doreenporter

P is for Parking

Nous sommes dans de beaux draps maintenant — We're in a fine mess now

Some car parks and roadside parking spots demand you pay at a machine or display a disk issued by the town hall (it generally doesn’t matter which town hall, all the disks seem to be the same). All you need remember is that the only time you risk a fine is in the height of summer in a busy tourist area outside lunchtime.

At first sight, it might seem difficult to find a parking space in a place you don’t know, but here are some tips. Basically you can park anywhere, including:

1. On a pedestrian crossing.

2. In front of someone’s garage  — just ignore the sign that the garage is in constant use, it obviously isn’t otherwise you wouldn’t have been able to park there in the first place.

3. In a space that is far too small for your car. OK, you may have to nudge the cars in front and behind you a few times, but everyone knows it’s a sign you belong to have some scrapes and dents on your car.

4. Too close to a neighbouring car; this is fine as long as both cars have sunroofs that can be used as exit routes. If, however, you have an elderly passenger who can’t be extricated this way, look for a parent and child parking space — nowhere does it specify ages.

5. Obstructing a busy thoroughfare, causing several Norbert Dentressangle lorries to take a 50km detour.

When you return to you car — with any luck it will be in the same place you left it, give or take a shunt of a few metres — you are likely to find a plethora of advertising leaflets stuck under your windscreen wipers. These are usually printed on garish yellow paper (only official notices can be printed on white paper) and advertise anything from vide greniers [garage sales], to a bingo session where you can win a live goat, or an invitation to a tea dance. On every leaflet is an exhortation not to drop it on the public highway. And no one does. Some rules are there to be obeyed. 

'Hilarious Sheep's' as Bernard says.

I laugh every time I go out and see them .Well! laughter is the best medecine we are told. The relevance to us having 'the sheeps' is because our gite is called The Bergerie.When people ask for directions we can say when you see the sheep on the wall you have found us.Pictured alongside is Bernard Mages who is the designer /createur. He is not laughable, just a very nice talented man. Some of his work can be viewed by clicking   http://www.jardindecor.fr/

Friends In France host World's Greatest Coffee Morning

A relatively newly formed group called Friends in France International, Fifi for short are inviting all ladies in the area to support and enjoy their world's greatest coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief. It is being held in the Salle de Fetes at Verfeil on Friday 30th of Sept from 10am onwards.
More information about the group can be found by looking at their website http://www.fifi82.org/

Ideas for Christmas presents

Oh! I know it's too early to even discuss but it's got to be done! If any artist, fabricant or even people with good ideas wishes to have a mention on TAGlines let us know about your products.
Two that spring to mind with out prompting are Mackenzies with their picture frames, always a good present well received.Click on the little M on followers on the blog for more information. An unusual present might be from Bernard Mages a creater of garden designs. click on www.jardindecor.fr  He makes sculptures, mobiles, girouettes etc. and sells them now in garden outlets throughout France. He lives at Puech Mignon on the road to Laguepie and has a studio there full of interesting iron works.I have just comissioned a fence/cloture comprising  3 sheeps [ how he says it!] a bergers baton and a fox. I can't wait to see how it will look.

Les Jardins de Quercy

Les Jardins de Quercy  at Cambou between Varen and Verfeil are open until the 24th September. They are hoping to have a last push at getting visitors as any donations and entrance fee they get are going to deprived schools through out the world.They have raised nearly 10,000 euros so far and would like to reach that target. The gardens are truly beautiful and worth a visit with out that incentive.Well signed posted on the Cambou road between Verfeil and Varen.

Enterprising Daniel offers service

My parents Sean and Anne Rawnsley gave me your e-mail address, I hope you don’t mind.

I am writing to offer you my services as a bilingual translator from French to English and from English to French. I am registered as an “auto-entrepreneur” to offer this service.

I was born and educated in France and I speak English at home. I have just left the Lycée Lapérouse in Albi having obtained my Baccalauréat and I am currently taking a gap year before pursuing my studies. I’m currently working for www.gites.eu , translating and acting as Assistant Editor on their newsletters.

I would be happy to help you in translating things such as letters or forms (to mairies, bureaucracies, services like EDF or Orange, tax offices…etc), brochures (for gites or bed & breakfast..etc).

For this service I would charge 0,08 € per word. This includes my national French insurance contribution.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

Yours sincerely,

Daniel Rawnsley

Le Rial

81140 Vaour

France

+ 33 (0)9 66 43 12 49

Trained donkey walker loses partner

Caroline Kirk who has enjoyed walking our donkeys over the summer is keen to continue the experience but needs a calm active partner for a one to two hour ramble along the country lanes. Her former walking partner has left to winter in warmer climes. We have two donkeys who need to go every where together as one hates being left  alone in the field. Over the summer they have had special donkey training for getting used to cars, tractors, dogs barking etc. Also with saddles on they can now give rides to small children. It is important that their education continues and they love leaving their field for a 'balade'
Enquiries to
Caroline Kirk on tel. 0563 26 05 33 [Away for 2 weeks from 14th]
or Val Johnstone on tel 0563640673

Can you suggest a caption for the picture below?

How about  "hands up who needs a stiff drink"?

Citroen for sale NOW SOLD

CITROEN SAXO VTR

1600cc


Registered September 2001
RHD
78,000 miles

750 Euros

Contact - David Graham

05 63 30 89 29

Every one a winner

Great book swap with lots of super choice. I think every one was pleased and I have had many requests as to when the next one will be. Probably sometime in November to give us lots of lovely reading for Christmas.

Volvo estate - RHD, excellent condition, for sale NOW SOLD BY TAGlines

British reg Volvo XC70 Estate 2.4 diesel. 
AWD. Silver metallic, lifetime bodywork coating
Winter pack, roof rails and rack, dog guard and rear privacy cover.
Black leather int
93,000 miles.
Excellent condition,always serviced by main agent.
Eight months road tax and MOT

£5000 or euro equivalent
can deliver to UK

Contact Jeremy Rewse-Davies 0563648685


NOW SOLD

Monday 11am Gazpacho

A quick reminder that the book swap is tomorrow morning in St. Antonin.
Hope to see you there with a few good reads to exchange
Val

Last Buzz to Montauban

La Guepe

This mini-bus is a rolling memory of the region.

The owner/driver was Monsieur Raymond Granier (1899 - 1984). He was also a historian, and we are indebted to him for numerous works about the area (see attached list).

From 1938 to 1972, he provided a service between Laguépie and Montauban 3 days per week. He also provided services to Albi and Carmaux. At week-ends La Guepe transported football teams to their games and young people to local fêtes and dances - a heavy workload, which did not stop during the war.

In fact, Monsieur Granier, in the service of the Resistance, transported British pilots, who had landed on French soil, to hiding places from which they could be smuggled back to Britain via Spain. He received a certificate of recognition from President Eisenhower at the end of the war.

In other circumstances, he would replace the seats of his bus with stretchers to transport the injured or ill to hospital at Albi,.

It is estimated that he and his bus travelled 1,500,000 kilometres.

In 1983, La Guepe was damaged in a flood which came halfway up her bodywork.

After his death, the Tourist Office at Montauban acquired the bus, with the idea of using her as a tourist vehicle. But the flood damage had been disastrous, and La Guepe was parked outside with old fire service vehicles. Fifteen years passed - burning summers, damp autumns, icy winters, foggy springs. One day, the city of Montauban, having decided to make other use of the land, decided to send the bus to the wreckers, but first contacted the Mairie of Laguépie, whose name was on the front of the bus, to see if they wanted it back.

They certainly did, and in order to give La Guepe her identity back an Association was formed - Retro Vehicule de Rouergue, or RVR.

Now, after her long purgatory, a long resurrection is starting and thanks to RVR, she will one day travel her old routes, so full of memories. Her first appointment will be with Tractomania in October at Caussade, where the chassis will be present.

Retro Vehicule de Rouergue, Laguépie - 06 81 12 90 09 or 06 24 25 11 45. 

Works by Monsieur Granier

Roqueréine, Laguépie, 1981

Une agence d'emigration vers I'Espagne en Bas Rouergue au 17° siècle, Paris 1971

La Forêt de la Grésigne des origines au milieu du 17° siècle Paris 1966

Jadis en Bas Rouergue, Montauban 1947

La Baronnie de Laguépie, 1929.

Les Minières de Penne, Puycelsi et les Forges de Bruniquel, Albi, 1978

by Gérard Carboneil

Feeney's Fundraising Again

Hi Val

We did quite well at The Auty vide-grenier and raised 200 Euros. We have
made an online donation of £176 to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and attach
their email receipt. Could you put this on Tag on-line, please, with a thank
you to everyone who donated items for sale and thanks to all those who
turned up to support us.

Many thanks,

Linda and Martin Feeney.

"Dear Martin,

Thank you so much for making a donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. We’re
delighted you share our determination to beat breast cancer.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is dedicated to improving and saving lives
through finding the causes of breast cancer, enabling early detection,
ensuring precise diagnosis, discovering new and better treatments and
improving medical services.

Everything we do is breaking through – as the direct result of our work
fewer women die of breast cancer than 10 years ago. But breast cancer is
still the most common cancer in the UK – every 11 minutes a woman is
diagnosed with the disease. And this is why we must continue our life-saving
work and why we are so grateful for your support to help beat breast cancer.

To keep up-to-date with our recent work or find out other ways to help us
beat the disease, do visit our website again at http://breakthrough.org.uk
or get in touch with our Supporter Enquiry Team on info@breakthrough.org.uk
or 08080 100 200.

With thanks once again for your support

Singer/songwriter ready to perform

FOLK MUSIC FROM GREAT BRITAIN

Trevor CARTER, singer songwriter and past member of English folk dance bands "Oatcake Billy" and "Alf-Alfa", has been resident in France since summer 2010. 

He is available to entertain you with British Folk Music.  Tunes and songs, traditional and contemporary (including his own self penned songs with their wry comments on modern life).   Accompanied by guitar, English concertina and melodeon (diatonic accordion.)   Repertoire includes some Occitane music and introductions/explanations are  in French or English as required.

Resident in Tarn et Garonne (near the border with Lot and Aveyron).

To contact: Telephone 05 63 67 93 35;   email:  "trevor@carter82.net"

(Website  "www.edgemusic.org" is currently out of date, but contains information on CDs and reviews and has an active contact box.) 

Computer software for sale

I have an computer software item for sale, which is an unopened copy of

Microsoft Office 2010 -Home and student edition [English version].  It

is in its sealed original package.  It was bought ealier this year in

the UK.  It needs a 500Mhz or faster processor, 256 RAM, 3 GB disk

space, and Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or better (eg Windows7).

Will accept 40 GBP for it.  The Home and Student edition has Word 2010,

Excel 2010, Powerpoint 2010 and Onenote 2010 on it.

My telephone no is 05 63 31 56 85

Thanks in advance

Peter Caborn

Worthy Champions at the Regatta

Nick Lyne after being a regular participant, often coming second or third in the Regatta,  has this year with his granddaughter Sarah become a worthy champion. After seeing off the winner of the last two years, Frank McCarthy, Nick not in the best of health showed 'the young uns' how it's done.  What must he have been like in his prime? Thanks also for all the work Nick does in organising, getting the canoes on and off the water, putting out markers  and often manning the rescue boat between his races.
The children's competition was won by Nerys with her grandfather Martin Feeney, well done to both.
A record number of entrants made it all rather complicated to organise, with 5 heats and two semi-finals, races   not helped by people disappearing when their names were called for their race.
All that said a great day out was had and a splash of rain at the end did not dampen spirits nor the picnic.

News from Poor Paws about Dog Passports

A  bit of great news is that the UK is coming into line with other European countries and as from the 1st January 2012 dogs will no longer require passports to go back to Great Britain. No more blood tests or 24/48 hour tick and flea treatments. Your dogs only need to have a valid rabies vaccination of at least three weeks. We are so hoping this will reduce the number of dogs abandoned by Brits leaving France.
For full details see the Defra website and the link below will help.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/#from1jan

Final reminder for Regatta 2011- big cash prizes?

Just in case it has slipped your mind the 8th annual Varen International Regatta is tomorrow - Wednesday 24th August..
So chill the champagne, iron your swimmers, gird your loins and get there at 10 am.
The Moulin de Varen for the canoe races and the camping for the picnic.
Rumours of a big cash prize may be unfounded.

I do like a good Wedding

Alex and Yuki Catterall  at the celebration of their wedding day held at the Chateau de Caz.
Alex is the architect son of Gillian Catterall of The Volet Bleu Gites and Cattery at Milhars.
 Beautiful Yuki struggles with the pronunciation of her new surname but I am sure she will soon stop giggling about it.

Second Book Swap

By popular demand the second book swap is being arranged for Sept 5th Monday 11am at the Gazpacho in St. Antonin.  I am assured that there are plenty of books to be swapped as a couple of TAGlines readers are clearing shelves. If by any chance you cannot make this date let me know your reading tastes and I will put some aside for you.Someone recommended two writers new to me Lee Child and Anita Shreve both quite different genres but both good reads, so thanks to the person who made that recommendation.Amongst books I will be taking are Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall winner of the 2009 Booker Prize, Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. Not quite so worthy but 'blinkin good' Ian Rankin Watchman and Anita Shreve A Wedding in December. That's just a taster to whet appetites.

Painting Course with Ann Herdman Smith

Inspired to explore your talents in painting?

2 water colour workshops

2nd and 14th September 2011

Exploration of techniques and colour - all abilities welcome.

10.00 until 17.00 

Please bring with you: your water colours. water colour paper, pencils, rubber, brushes,

and a picnic lunch.

Location tbc: will be in the Parisot / Varen area.

40 Euros  per person for each day. Welcome, one or both days.

To book and confirm a place, please e mail Ann Herdman on : aecm2010@live.fr

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Ann

Old times at Espinas

The Fenaison (harvest) celebration at Espinas, between St Antonin and Caylus will take place on Sunday 21 August.
Old time farm machinery, ploughing exhibitions, country pursuits pony rides etc enliven a very enjoyable day. And in the superb setting of Espinas it is well worth a day out.

A Stitch in Time

Penny Smith  who lives at  Septfonds,  before the Intermarche roundabout near Caussade offers a very useful service doing clothes alterations and repairs. She can make up curtains and cushion covers, clothes from patterns and my experience  tells me anything which needs a needle to it. She is English but speaks very good french [ if you pass on to french friends]  She can be contacted on
 tel. 06 33 78 61 71
I and other friends can highly recommend her work.

Figs a plenty

We have 3 very good fig trees in the grounds which supply much more than our needs. Although a few are ready now I reckon in a weeks time we will be 'over figged' So if any one wants to eat them or  make jam give us a ring and come with a bag to pick your own.  tel Val on 05 63 64 06 73. We are at Mas del Sol just  5 mins. outside Varen and although a winding climb up - worth it for the views.

Wardrobes for sale

Pair of matching wardrobes each with one hanging rail and two drawers.

Height 190 cm

Width  89cm

Depth   55 cm

These were flat-pack and assembled in situ.  The purchaser will need to dismantle them in order to remove them as they are too large to get out of the small doorway to the room where they currently are.

80 Euros the pair

Cat not included.

Tel : 09 62 27 92 61

Nancy Bennett

Vide Grenier or empty your attic

Auty vide grenier Sunday 21 August (Route D22 between Caussade and Molieres). We have a stall in aid of ‘Breakthrough Breast Cancer’. If you have any items you would like to donate, we can collect from Saint Antonin or Caussade.

Email: martinlinda@pourramond.com

Telephone: 05.63.03.22.59

Finding Chloe

From Colin to Coleen and finally finding her true self Chloe Jane Oliver.
Well known in this area over the last 10 years or so Colin the builder has changed from cross dressing to trying to change sex and passing a very traumatic time here. We knew him initially as a nice guy who renovated houses, played drums for recreation and drank too much. Gradually over the years  from wearing nail varnish on the building site and womens underclothes  he moved on to totally coming out in womens clothing. A good looking guy who changed to an attractive women. He who is now she had a period running the bar and restaurant at Verfeil and imagine the talk around sleepy Verfeil! Sadly his marriage could not stand the change and he split up with his wife. There followed a difficult period again when the bar failed and he lost all his money. From this point he wanted most of all the operation to get rid of his male appendage and to find out if this has been achieved you need to read 'Finding Chloe' by Chloe Jane Oliver published by Mathias press, www.mathiaspress.com at                     £ 7.99. It is an autobiography of his life but for residents here the time spent in this area is  most interesting with lots of people named and shamed.

Jacques Fettah exhibits at the Abbaye de Beaulieu

An exhibition by Jacques Fettah called 'Quitter les Brumes' starts at the beginning of September until 31st October from 10 to 12 and 14 to 18 heures. 5 euros entry fee.
If you haven't visited the Abbaye it is always worth it - a beautiful building in a beautiful location.

France Inter reports

National french radio 'France Inter' reported this morning that 60 people had been hospitalised in the Lot and Tarn and Garonne because they had eaten poisonous mushrooms. A variety of cepe which is poisonous but looks very similar to the cepe we know called 'bolet de satan' [mushroom of satan] is being picked and eaten by holiday makers . The centre of toxicolgy at Toulouse and Villefranche hospital has been inundated with calls but so far no deaths just sickness and diahorrea . The experts and Doctors reiterate 'take them to the pharmacy for identification' if in doubt.

More Concerts

More concerts
August 9, at 9PM :  Chateau de St Martin Laguepie, Vocals
August 9, at 9PM  : Eglise St Antonin: orchestre de chambre de Bratislava, Vivaldi, Mozart,Dvorak
August 16, at 9PM: Eglise de Cordes: Chants Russes
August 27, at 9PM: Abbaye de Loc Dieu: Choeurs de Sheffield,

For more concerts, watch the small guide  " guide des festivals de Midi Pyrenees 2011-2012"  extremely complete about other sites in the region  like:
Sylvanes, Soreze, Cahors , Conques, and more...
Compliments of Betrand Dezes

It must be true - it was in the Depeche

Cepes are to be found in great quantities in the Aveyron area. All those cars you see parked next to woods have avid champignon collectors filling their baskets. We have been given cepes and cepes orange by a neighbour nearby with extensive woodland. As we did not know of the orange variety I duly went of to the chemist to have them checked. It is important you have all of the mushroom including the stem for identification to be made. If you are thinking of collecting mushrooms be careful that you have permission of the owner of the land as the farmers round about are getting stroppy about people taking the liberty of  roaming  through their woods. We know of a couple who had their car blocked by an irate farmer who refused to move his vehicle until the couple handed over their cepes. The agricultors know exactly where to find the mushrooms and which restaurant will give them a good price. No where near as pricey as truffles but clearly guarded just the same
I have made some delicious cepe soup from an Elizabeth David recipe and tomorrow we will fry the rest in butter with parsley - yummy.

Boutique Associative at Laguepie

The new charity shop at Laguepie renamed 'Vetiguepie'  is an association which raises money for 5 charities. I have checked their opening hours which are
Tues - Friday   9h30 to12h 15.30-18h
Sat. 9h30 to 12h
Next to the Post Office in what was a shoe shop.
Helpers to man the shop and donations of clothes and shoes needed. The shop is not big enough for other items.

Tangled up in red tape?

Although we've been here 5 years, and speak half decent French, faced with putting an English classic car onto French plates, we decided to enrol the help of a young French lady who lives in Puylaroque (82).  Emmanuelle Dangé Mannella is carving out a career for herself as both as an official translator and interpreter, but also helping English speakers deal with officialdom in our part of France. 

 

With a classic car, some original papers the authorities need - like the dreaded Certificat de Conformité - never existed when the car was built.  So the chief problems to crack were sourcing various documents the Préfecture would demand in order to re-register the car on French plates.  

 

Our young helper was brilliant.  She didn't just pick up our questions one-by-one and make the necessary telephone enquiry, she actually took the initiative and made strings of calls, finding an alternative way forward each time we ended up in a cul-de-sac.  In other words she did just what you'd want : she took ownership of the problem and produced solutions, not just additional questions. 

 

And when it was time to present our dossier at the Préfecture in Montauban, Emmanuelle came along and held our hands.  She very much took the lead, quizzing the functionaries in anticipation of our questions, and didn't leave us until we had succeeded in getting the official French documents.

 

In addition to Help in Quercy, Emmanuelle's business is e-trad.fr for business users of translators, interpreters and language teachers.  Importantly, she is also a "traductrice assermentée", which means she can produce sworn document translations for official use - both from English and German, should that be necessary. 

 

She is also a genuinely charming character and the proud Mum of two young girls soon to enter school.  We cannot recommend her help strongly enough. Emmanuelle charges upwards of €25 per hour, but be assured she works fast and gets an awful lot done in the time!        

 

If you could benefit from this sort of assistance, Emmanuelle may well be able to help you.  Her contact details are :

 

Emmanuelle Dangé Mannella, 9 rue de Béral, 82240 Puylaroque, telephone 0033 (0)5 63 24 17 74; email e-trad@orange.fr 

 

If you would like any more information, feel free to ring us.

 

Chris and Karen Robinson

0033 (0)5 63 31 70 84   

The 8th International Varen Regatta

The Varen Regatta will hold its 8th consecutive event on Wednesday 24th August, as usual at the slipway by the Moulin de Varen.
Inscriptions are free from 10.30am prompt.
Remember to bring a change of clothes and a picnic.
Details or helpers contact either Nick Lyne 0563 264202 or Malcolm Johnstone 0563 640673

Festival of Classical Music

Les Musicales de Rouergue is a series of concerts from 11th - 15th August.
11th August in the church at Salvetat des Carts -  Andoni Aguirre, piano.
13th August in the church at Lunac -  Guillaume Lachaussee, piano.
15th August in the church at Puech Mignon -  Sophie Partouche, piano, Eric Soucaille, tenor,
         Rachel Schiffmann, soprano.
18th August in the church at Najac -  Clemence Gouet, alto, Cedric Boyer, piano.

All the concerts start at 21.00 and cost 10 euros (30 euros for a group of 4).
Programmes are largely well known classics.

Des croches et la lune

The well established Verfeil festival "Des croches et la lune" (special mention here for the best translation of this!) takes place on Friday and Saturday 19th and 20th August.
Always challenging and entertaining with events for children during the day and concerts in the evening the festival is a must.