Let's keep this between ourselves

I am not sure I want to pass on this bit of information as I really want to be first in the queue on the 10th of March 10 am at the Salle des Fetes in Verfeil. Fifi is holding another clothes sale and coffee morning and between you and me I know donated items include such names as Hobbs,Jaeger, Boden,Jimmy Choo, Dior etc,etc. If you do go be prepared for pushing and shoving at the entrance , and that will be just me. After the melee a calming coffee and homemade cakes will be on offer. Finishing at 12.30 by which time you can stagger home with your clutch of bags and the Fifi ladies can collapse. Everyone welcome so why not think of asking your French and Dutch friends and make it a bumper morning.
Keep your man happy and make a purchase for him as there are gents clothes, dragging him along with you may be difficult unless you mention the cakes.
More info. from www.fifi82.org

It justs gets better

Thanks to everyone for supporting the 'Book Swap' and once again what a choice of reading material. It is a lovely feeling being surrounded by books and having all that choice without the cost of Amazon and knowing you have another 2 months to read them without a library fine in sight. Talking to a few people there it was decided it will be held again on a Monday in 2 months time and for ever after every 2 months. Once again I will remind you nearer the time. On a light note thanks to who ever took ' How bright is your dog' As I thought, our two are retarded!

Isla the 3 legged dog still begging for a home.

I am black, smooth coated, medium sized, house trained, 3years old and ready to give my owners total devotation. A nice lady has been looking after me but she has too many pets of her own and I know I am a bit of a burden. People tell me it may be a problem that I have lost a leg due to humans cruelty. I do not hold grudges and I manage very well on the good legs I have. I am happy to come to you on a trial basis and if you do not love me you can give me back. I am also trained to love cats and other dogs ,well it is a requirement these days
To see me for a cuddle or just a head scratch contact my carer
Jo on email Stephensjoanne@gmail.com

Wonder Woman Marathons in Rome

Saint Antonin resident Karen Sweeting on the18th March will be competing in The Rome Marathon.
In training she will run 11kms at Caussade at the week end in a smaller marathon. We wish her every success and wait in anticipation for her  written contribution about the run  in TAG when she returns.
Bonne route et bonne chance Karen.

Wooden double seat for sale/ SOLD

Enhance your home with a very attractive wooden, polished and carved seat. For sale
at 250 euros, a snip of its former price.
Contact
Anke email  anke.terbruggen@orange.fr

I Just like this

We are here on earth to do good for others. 
What the others are here for, I don't know.
W. H. Auden

Book Swap Tomorrow

The Book swap tomorrow Tuesday 28th at the Gazpacho 10.30pm See you all there with your swaps.

First Oscar for a French male lead artist.

'Ze Arteest' sweeps the boards gaining best picture, best Director and best actor won by fascinating Jean Dujardin.

Controversy Over Laguepie

Apologies to Vanessa on the slight misquote. Can I suggest a kinder description for Laguepie as 'Slightly down at heel' . No mention I see of the damming photo.

The way Vanessa sees Laguepie and the way I see it.

Ode To Laguepie

We love Laguepie, a bold but true statement of fact. To our minds it is the real France with agriculteurs, commercants and lots of old happy french folk enjoying life. All keen to get you involved in occitane dancing lessons,occitane language groups,chorale groups and generally passing the time of day. When I say ' real' it is not 'twee' like Sarlat or Carcassonne both massively restored. It has a few empty houses that is true but in the ten years we have lived a stones throw away it has continued slowly to evolve, but in the right way. You can go in with your slippers on or your wellys and know an eye would not be batted. You can take your big,wet and smelly dogs and sit outside at one of the two cafes Chez Fifi or Troubador and watch 'the passegiata' any time of day. You are at the confluence of two beautiful rivers, the Viaur and the Aveyron with walks along the banks of both. The ruined castle of Laguepie stands proudly up above and unbeknown to most behind its facade are two beautiful semi detached houses.
Previously living in Henley -on -Thames the contrast between these two river towns is amazing. When we have Henley visitors we are so pleased when they feel the warmth and charm of Laguepie.
For the first time last summer the banks of the Viaur were covered in green plastic grass and a swimming platform put out in the river. Lifeguards were in attendance through the peak summer times and old and young, holiday makers and residents enjoyed the benefits of a 'Paris plage' situation. Our young grandaughter when here on holiday is constantly saying ' Lets go to Laga' where there are the delights of a shallow river with lots of stones for building or trapping tiddlers followed by a 'diabalo' at one of the cafes.[If you have Grandchildren you will know what a diabalo is! ]
Come to Laguepie on the last Sunday in April and witness the Festival of plants and flowers on view and on sale and tell me you do not love Laguepie.
Why the ode? Well reading a super blog on the area by writer Vanessa Couchman she describes Laguepie as 'not an attractive place with an air of decay about it.' and finds the worst possible house to take a picture of to illustrate her wildy wrong statement. All I can say is ' get your wellys on and see the other side of Laguepie Vanessa.'
http://vanessafrance.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/chestnut-fair-at-laguepie/

Read Vanessa's blog on the area called Life on the Lune.

What an Opportunity

 Chris Barlas, who lives just outside Varen, is looking for a house sitter for about six weeks, from around the end of June until the middle of August. He says the dates are not entirely precise  because he wants to fit in with potential house sitters’ dates. It’s a large house in its own grounds with plenty of space to relax in. However, the cat sitter (either an individual or a couple) can’t be entirely idle, as there are three cats to look after and feed and there are certainly going to be some garden duties, such as making sure everything is watered on a regular basis. If you know of anyone who might be interested you can get in touch with Chris at anon.france@gmail.com.

Magic and Music

Cabaret Premiere, an evening of Magic and Music in the Foyer du Segala at St. Martin Laguepie, with Sylvia and Nathalie. Saturday 10th March, starting with an aperitif at 7pm and the repas with a menu gourmand at 8 pm. It is being promised we will have an evening with magic, humour,dancing to music of yesteryear and dances of today. 24 euros per person tout compris.
To make a reservation tel 05 63 56 10 08

Another Gardening Club

From the group who went to the fruit tree pruning lesson I have heard that it was very interesting and instructive.
The club is called the 'Jardiniers de France' and there is a local club at Cordes. The next meeting is on  Sat.March 10th  at 3pm. at the Jardin du Centre social Cordes-Vaour. The theme is gentle fruit tree pruning and it is suggested you take your secateurs. Benoit Ourliac who is the 'verger conservatoire Puycelsi is taking the course.
Christine Lacoste at christine@cordesvaourcs.org
or Vanessa Chalabi at vanessachalabi@hotmail.fr
Tel 0563 56 11 98  on working days

Cinema at Caussade

For those who wish to travel to Caussade...
(They also have English language films)
and  are are showing
The Artist
Sunday at 16h00
and again at 21h00 on Monday
Also, they are showing
George Clooney in Descendants VO
Sunday at 18h30 and Tuesday at 21h00
http://www.cinematheatrecaussade.fr

TAG on- line, a community magazine

TAG on line is free and does not wish to be supported by adverts. It belongs to you and me and all our subscribers. Someone on an outing recently said ' oh I am sure you know about that, you know everything' I only know the information that is passed to me, so keep it coming. Also perhaps you are thinking of a spring clean and you have things to move on. Remember advertising is free and I will even help compose your advert if you are unsure. One of the few things I say 'no' to is selling houses and promoting gites, too many pitfalls there.
Any ideas for improvements or changes to TAG happily taken on board or at least given some thought.
Val Johnstone mail@bromlea.com or tel. 05 63 64 06 73

Au revoir Mademoiselle

Marital status on official government forms will now state Madame dropping the Mademoiselle.  Classed as a symbolic victory for gender equality by French feminists. I can just hear all our male readers groaning.

Time for Tea at the Jardin de Paradis

I went to a meeting yesterday at the Jardin de Paradis and I've persuaded them to start selling cups of real English tea (with fresh milk if I can get my way). They are very wary but I'd like them to try it for a season. So now I need all the equipment.

I'm mailing to ask if anyone has any spare cups and matching saucers, milk jugs or teapots that they don't want. If so would you be willing to donate them to the garden please.

Many thanks, 

Pauline Wallace

Contact me by email   pauline@bellecascade.com

Yet more weather forecasts.

Weather buffs such as myself may find this link:

http://www.sat24.com/.

of interest. One can get rain, temperature and lightening activity forecasts for all of Europe

as well as traditional weather maps.

The forecasts cover several days ahead and are very easy to read. They are animated, but can be ‘frozen’

at any given time.

Fun & useful

 Cheers David Hatfield

Local author, Jacqueline Yallop

Readers might be interested in checking out local author living near Parisot, whose most recent book set in this region is  having excellent reviews
http://jacquelineyallop.com/

Beware email messages

If you receive a message from aydascott noreply@iqelite.com, please do not open it or reply… It is an illegal site who steals e-mail addresses…Tell all your friends as well.
Sent by Glynis Howgego

Book Swap Reminder

Tuesday 28th Feb. 10.30am at the Gazpacho will be the book swap. Bring 'good uns ' and take away even better and costs us nothing.

The Artist on again Sat 25th to27th Feb. at Gaillac

For those who still have still  not seen The Artist it is on again next week at the Gaillac multiplex. Can I suggest that you allow yourselves plenty of time as a car full of us arrived Tuesday night ,found parking and then arrived to be told it was a full house. Next week we will allow ourselves time to be near the front of the queue
IMAGIN'CINEMAS <olympia@cine81.com

Exhibition of Watercolour Painting at Caussade

Bonjour,

Le 2ème Salon International de l'Aquarelle de Caussade se tiendra du 17 mars au 1er avril 2012.

Trente-sept artistes renommés venus de toute la France et de divers autres pays exposeront plus de 400 oeuvres à l'Espace Bonnaïs.

 

 

Venez partager plaisirs aquarellés et découverte de notre Pays Midi-Quercy !

Retrouvez tout le programme du salon en cliquant sur le lien suivant :http://aquarellecaussade82.blogspot.com/.

 

 

Dans l'attente du plaisir de vous rencontrer à Caussade,

Recevez nos meilleures salutations.

 

Prisca Salvador et Emmanuelle Trinchieri

Découvrez le 2ème Salon International de l'Aquarelle
de Caussade, en cliquant ici.

Office de Tourisme de Caussade
46, boulevard Didier Rey
82300 Caussade
tel : 05.63.26.04.04caussadetourisme@gmail.com

Flamingoes in the sea flats between France and Spain

Following on from the 'pink flamingoes' story, what should we see on our way back from Spain but  flocks of pink flamingoes feeding and wading in the mud flats. We can only assume that they had moved on to warmer climes from the freezing Aude. Temperatures were a more comfortable 14 degrees at the border.

Freezing weather kills Flamingoes

More than 100 pink flamingoes have died in the freezing weather conditions suffered in the Aude region of south west France. They have been unable to access food and became frozen in the salt marshes and died. Further about this story from www.connexionfrance.com

Atelier de taille fruitiere / Fruit tree pruning class

This Saturday 18th February at 15.00 the association Jardiniers de France will be holding a workshop on fruit tree pruning at the Jardin des Paradis. The workshop is run by Benoit Ourliac who manages the Conservatoire at Puycelsi, specialising in old and unusual varieties. The Jardin has mainly trees which are grown in cordons, fans, U shapes or are the small 'step-overs' so the workshop will be useful for anyone who has this type of fruit tree. Anyone is invited to come along.  Jardinier de France members are always invited free of charge but non members can participate in one free workshop a year.  If you want to come along please let me know so I have a rough idea of numbers. You'll need to bring warm gloves and SHARP secateurs and be there by 14.45. Tea, coffe and biscuits will be on sale.

Hope to see many of you on Saturday.Email me at   ianpauline.wallace@sfr.fr

Lifts to Airport / Reminder as Promised

James Sweeting has set up a site for us all to look at if we need a lift to an airport or even if we are kind enough to offer lifts.
Remember to keep looking and add to it if you can help. How often have you arrived at an airport and met friends saying ... if only we had known.
http://www.rysuk.com/airpt_cs/

Subscribe to Taglines

I keep getting requests from people wanting to add their names to the subscribers list. The easiest way to do it is to send your email address to me at mail@bromlea.com and then free of charge you will be added to the list.
The list of readers is growing and we have numbers from 100 to 400 looking each day. Since I have discovered 'the stats' page I am fascinated where my readers are. Most as you could imagine are in France and England, we have one in Laos ( our friends spending the winter there) but the one which most perplexes us is a regular reader in Alaska.

The Artist on at Gaillac

Thought you had missed The Artist which was on before Christmas at La Querlys, well here is your chance to see it now. This evening at 6 pm also Saturday 18th, Tuesday 21st also at 6 pm showing at Gaillac multiplex Olympia. Normally 7.50 euros but reduced for the 6 pm showing.
Link shown in the Leonardo da Vinci piece.

Les Hivernales last showing

Final showing of the Les Hivernales, 4 documentary films to end the season. At L'Espace Bonnais at Caussade 15 hrs and 20.30 hrs. Saturday 18th Feb.
More info on tel. 0563 64 60 79
or http://hivernalesducoc.free.fr

And no sign of the cute little dog.

The Artist, the French silent film sensation swept the BFTAs award ceremony. It won best film, best film director and best leading actor for Jean Dujardin.

Tour round the Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition

Th Gaillac cinema is showing a live guided tour in English by an art historian of the National Gallery Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at 8pm on Thurs 16th Feb, cost 12€.  Details as at the link.

I suspect that lots of people will be interested.
Sent by Wally Mears

For an art lover, this is something not to be missed
http://www.cine81.com/fr/anim.php?cc=1#265

Belt up

The Chiefs of the Gendarmerie for Caylus and St. Antonin Noble Val have met to discuss the results and crime figures for 2011 .
The good news is the number of burglaries is down 3%
The motoring figures not so good.
Accidents are up 3%
60% more speeding fines.
33% up on driving under the influence of alcohol.
167% up on not wearing seat belts ( automatic 3 points on your licence for this)
In 2012 expect more police presence and more controls
A comment says 90 euros fine for not wearing a seat belt as well as points but it has gone up now to 135 euros.

Breaking news / Watch your oil tanks!

Tampier the oil garage at Septfonds was making a delivery this morning to our neighbours. He stopped to warn us to keep an eye on our oil tank. Some one had been to the neighbours and made a hole in their tank and stolen the oil. Not only that but a new oil tank will now be needed. Thank goodness we have two barking dogs in the courtyard.
Police have reported once again 'CLOSE YOUR GATES WHEN GOING OUT.'

Sarkozy to launch his Campaign

President Sarkozy is set to launch his official campaign next week at a rally in Marseille.
The main touchstones of his campaign focus on unemployment,immigration,opposition to gay marriages,adoption by same sex couples and euthanasia.
The first round of the election will be on April 22nd and the run off will be May 6th.
A remark by Clinton when he was running for President 'It is the economy stupid,' Indicating the only important thing is getting the economy right.
'

Depardieu as Strauss-Kahn

Gerard Depardieu is to star in a film about the recent sex scandal surrounding Dominique Strauss Kahn. American Director Abel Ferrara told 'La Monde' the script is written and all is agreed with Depardieu. Me thinks Depardieu will have to shed some pounds.

Francois Hollande in favour, Sarkozy hedges his bets

Always an emotive subject: euthanasie ( a )
We have all heard of Dignitas in Switzerland but did you know...
The Dutch accept that if you are terminally ill and in pain you have the right to an assisted death. I discovered this recently with the death of two dutch friends and in conversations with their families afterwards. Termination of life on request and assisted suicide Act passed in 2002. Dying with dignity it is called. The French are debating it quite a lot in the coming Presidential elections. Francois Holland the Socialist Party leader is in favour. Nicholas Sarkozy is hedging his bets far more,because of the Catholic vote. One thing is certain it is more likely to become a law here long before it happens in England.
My take on it is "I would not let my dogs suffer so why would I not expect the same care."
As I said a very emotive issue.
Sarkozy is trailing Hollande by 16 percent in the latest opinion polls

Slip sliding away, slip sliding away.

For those who remember it was Paul Simon.
Temperatures recorded at Cahor -19c
The coldest February for 50 years( 10 years ago it was January.)
No signs yet of the cold minus temperatures departing but at least the roads are less snowy although still icy. On the positive side we have had some lovely blue skies and lots of sunshine and I take it back the meteo on France 2 says possibly plus 1 tomorrow. Good day sunshine, now who performed that?
Chris Robinson says 'The Beatles'

Terrible sledging accident at Caylus

It happened on Sunday 5th of February, Thomas Tronchon age 20 years of St. Pierre de Livron was out with his friend trying out his home made sledge.His father is the local menuisier. The boys were on a quiet road with no traffic especially in the snow and they had a go faster idea.They attached the sledge with a tow rope to their Peugeot car and got up quite a speed. Unfortunately at a bend in the road the car slewed in one direction and the sledge flew in another sending Thomas head first in to a tree. The Pompiers were called including a helicopter but unfortunately the helicopter was unable to land nearby on the causse because of the snowy conditions. A slow perilous journey by road was taken by the Pompiers to Purpan hospital in Toulouse but the next day Thomas was pronounced clinically dead.
His friend the young driver of the car has been arrested,locked up at St. Antonin Police Station and charged with putting some one's life in danger.
Our thoughts go out to the dead boys family and to the Pompiers called to the scene.
For more information on this terrible accident go to the Depeche/ Midi Pyrenees.
An update to this story, the Depeche now says it was the Father of the boys friend driving the car

Tag can get you into Films!

L'Atelier Cuisine Wednesday 15th Feb. at the Salles des Fetes, Verfeil starting at 9.30am. is hosting an interesting morning filming its activities.They are welcoming film director Christophe Gernez who lives at St. Antonin. He will spend the morning filming the event and filming and talking to participants.The film is being made for the association MSA (Mutualite Sociale Agricole) You will have a chance to see the edited version at a later date. If you do not mind being filmed there is a declaration to be signed.Then a repas menu choux farcis(stuffed cabbage) followed by gateaux with fruits of the season (what can be fruits of the season in feb?) All for the tempting price of 3 euros. You will need to make a reservation if you are planning to attend. Contact Laurence or Elodie at elodie@midipyrenees-nord.msa.fr

Support Pays' Anne

The former Masterchief winner 2010 Anne Alassane is asking us all to support her restaurant Pays' Anne. She is reported as saying she needs the restaurant to continue to succeed to support her family. She is worried that we will all stay away being embarrassed because of her recent tragedy.Her restaurant is at 745 Route de Fau, Montauban. tel.068 739 1772 The ferme auberge where all their own vegetables are grown has a website http://www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com/ferm-la-pays-anne-133523

Occitan language and singing classes

Following your pieces about Occitan dancing, your readers may be interested
in this:
Occitan language courses (beginners and advanced) run on a Friday in St
Antonin in the room above the post office. There is also an Occitan choir
that meets Friday afternoon. The classes are led by
Muriel Vernieres, who can be contacted on: m.vernieres@free.fr
If you want more information, you can also contact Gavin Porter who goes to
both the language class and the choir — gavinporter@orange.fr.
Doreen Porter

The Key to Life in France

Learning the language is the key.If you have a teacher of French who you can recommend please send any details and contact to Taglines

Two Occitane dancing groups

Every second Monday at Laguepie in the Salle des Fetes starting at 8.30pm there is a mixed group of French and English ladies and gents who practise their Occitane dancing skills. Not sure of the dancing skills but there is a lot of laughter.
For more information Contact Roger Bowen on tel.0563 0275 70
Caylus
The Occitane dance group runs on Tuesday evenings 9.pm in the Salles
des Fetes but does not run during the summer months so will be finishing
around the end of March beginning April - we go every week, we also go
to dances which the organisation arranges ( usually Caylus or
Puylagarde). Newcomers can just turn up to see if they enjoy it and are
made very welcome, the course leader is a brilliant dance teacher ( she
does not speak any English but speaks clear French ). At the moment we
are the only English people attending although there have been others
previously. We pay for the course in September I don't know what
arrangements are made for anyone coming late in the year.
Info sent by Sue Carter

LPO League for the Protection of birds

The LPO, League for the protection of birds in the Tarn can be found at
tarn.Lpo.fr/potarn.php
A very proactive group. We know the local contact is Regis at Le Riols but can someone supply his surname and contact details?
Liz Matthews has supplied it Regis Schmitt at regis8157@ yahoo.fr tel 0680620948
Thank you Liz

Quercy Grimpe/ Climbing Group at St. Antonin

A group of climbers from starters to experts meet on Tuesdays at Servanac and Fridays in the gym at St. Antonin.Their excellence has been recognised by the French Climbing Federation with official "climbing school" status. Contact for more information Quercygrimpe@hotmail.fr
Tel 0563 3024 19 or check out
www.quercygrimpe.com

Laughing all the way to Lalbenque

David Hatfield sends these thoughts 
Don't forget the Wine Appreciation group which is for couples.

Also, the recent highly successful visits to the truffle farm & Lalbenque market were couples affairs.

The last attempt to get men involved (LAUGHS) was laughable in its abject failure.

I definitely would love to see pictures of the drag queens infiltrating the FiFi meetings. What a hoot!

The Wine Appreciation group and the visit to the truffle farm and Lalbenque market were organised by Fifi , click on link below.
 http://www.fifi82.org/

Books to jump on / or not

William Boyd's Restless gets the award for my book of the year(it is only February )It was winner of the Costa Novel Award in 2006. An unusual spy thriller which I struggled to put down, with wonderful narrative.The day after I kept thinking how life must have been for the main character.
Winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2005 John Banville's The Sea. Really enjoyed this although quite sad being a masterly study of grief. Knew I would enjoy it as on the back was a good review by fellow bookseller Rick Gekoski,who writes for The Times
Appealing to our baser instincts Tess Gerritsen, I have three of these to come back and I enjoyed all. Lots of blood, gore,mystery and suspense well written.
Last and definitely least Alan Clark and his lousy Diaries. Lacking in charity often lewd I hated every chapter but read on tutting all the way. Please someone jump on it as I really do not want to have to take it home again. Reminded me of the Bill Wyman autobiography which was on balance probably worse.
All these and many more will be at the book swap 10.30am Tuesday 28th of Feb. at the Gazpacho in St. Antonin. Come along with a selection of books you do not mind ever seeing again and swap for others. We expect every one to play fair and not dump their rubbish and take good stuff away and in that way it works for us all

Cinema Le Querlys

On at the moment J. Edgar, a film exploring the public and private life of J. Edgar Hoover starring Leonardo Di Caprio and directed by Clint Eastwood. Having good reviews from every one who has seen it so far.Last opportunites to see it tonight Sunday at 8.30pm or tomorrow at 5pm
La Taupe, Tinker,Tailor,Soldier,Spy starts 8th of Feb. till 14th and then Sherlock Holmes 22nd to 28th. Starting the following month with 'La Dame de Fer', The Iron Lady, about Maggie.
There is also a wide selection of films in other languages you may wish to see.Click on the link
http://www.allocine.fr/seance/salle_gen_csalle=W0114.html
We are so lucky having the Cinema 'La Querlys' we need to continue to support them.
Link sent by Karen Sweeting

Fete de L'Osier / Wicker Festival

Sunday 12 February at Milhars there is a Wicker festival (Fete de l'Osier),
from 10am in and around the Salle des Fetes. There will be workshops for
children and adults.
There will also be an Auberge Espagnol, so bring along a main course,
dessert, plates and cutlery if you want to stay and eat.
Sent in by Olivier Boniface via Doreen Porter

Snowdrops at the L'abbaye de Beaulieu

The snowdrops are starting to appear at the L'abbaye de Beaulieu. If you have never been to see them or the Abbey it is worth a visit. From Verfeil follow the road to Cornusson and the Abbey can be found just off the road, alongside the River Seye.

La Chasse au Vers, or catch your worms

Someone asked where can you buy worms for a wormery?
On researching the net I found a worm farm in England but they only deliver in the UK.On researching here in France it seems more difficult but I found a brilliant way to

'faire la chasse au vers'

Dig a hole 30x30x30cms put in a plastic sack or old bucket with holes in.Fill it with all your used coffee grounds.Cover it with a stone and leave for 2 or 3 weeks.It should then be full of worms. 'En effet ils adorent les marcs de cafe' Then of course you need a wormery to put them in.For none gardeners who are wondering why you would bother, the worms can deliver compost very quickly.
Two sites of interest one English www.wigglywigglers.co.uk
and a French site www.compostage.info/index.php?option=com

Capricorn beetle

Can anyone recommend a specialist firm to treat beams for Capricorn beetle? Please email Michaela on Michaelabest@hotmail.com

Camillieri on BBC4

After the flood of interest in the Sicilian Inspector Montalbano books at the book swap we notice that the series in Italian with English subtitles will be on BBC4 starting on the Sat.11th of February.We have seen two already on BBC4 which were a delight.

Plant exchange at Mas Del Sol in April

Saturday the 28th of April 2pm to 5 pm I am proposing along with the Fifi gardening group, the French Gardening group and Tagline readers to hold an exchange of plants here in the courtyard at Mas Del Sol. The next day will be the Grand Plant Sale at Laguepie but this exchange will give us gardeners a chance to get some free plants before the mad expensive buying spree the next day. I will publicise nearer the time but pencil that date in your agendas now.

Male member exposed at a Fifi meeting.

With rumblings of discontent amongst the male of the species in Tarn and Garonne,recently the level of angst rose to a new high. A plot has been unmasked of a plan to infiltrate meetings of the ladies group Fifi by men masquerading in ladies clothes and wigs to participate and join in the fun the ladies are obviously having. TAGlines will not divulge details of the members but feels it is time to consider proposals for mixed groups having get togethers and forming clubs.I have heard requests for gardening, photography, bird-watching and book  clubs all of which could be all embracing, men, women, French, English etc.

Taglines would be happy to promote these groups in the way I am happy to promote Fifi.As there are lots of women on their own and others who delight in a bit of 'own time' there are also couples who enjoy spending time together.If any one would like to consider the above mentioned groups or indeed have ideas for other groups please contact:

Kathleen and Glen Bloomfield to formulate battle plans. email  glenkath85@gmail.com

There are also some Fifi meetings which are all embracing such as the Quiz nights and some outings .Check out the Fifi website.  http://www.fifi82.org/

Boules /petanque on  Friday afternoons in Varen in the winter ,Verfeil in the summer. This  is a mixed group of ladies and gents of  all ages from 10 years old to 88 years old. [or is it 87 David?].Contact Malcolm on tel. 05 63 06 46 73 or mail@bromlea.com

Bridge at Caylus Thursday evening 5.30pm start.    Please contact Vanessa Ainsworth either by phone on 0563 671419 or by email at johnandness@wanadoo.fr.  Alternatively, if you can’t get hold of me, try Alan Fawcett on

0563 318713 or june.fawcett@orange.fr.

Various walking groups in the area. If you want your walking group promoting let Taglines know.
Please send information on any group to Taglines if you wish it to be promoted.

Organic food shop

"I am trying to find a good organic food shop in the Tarn area. Can anyone advise?

Please email Carol and Steven on
  dampmoss@aol.com

Support children with brain tumours and be 'a la mode' at the same time

Spring/summer preview of Captain Tortue ladies clothes at LaSalle Fitness
 studio in LaSalle on Sat March 3rd from14:00. Captain Tortue help support a
 charity called Camille’s Appeal for children under the age of five suffering
 from brain tumours. There will be 2 ladies lines;  she will have samples to
 try on in both  the younger, everyday Miss Captain & the more sophisticated
 Lady Captain. You can place an order for the pieces you would like for later
 delivery. For more info (in english - french site also available via google
search) www.captaintortuegroup.com.
  Directions to LaSalle Fitness Studio;
On d926 from Caylus to Septfonds, turn right at Miramond roundabout towards
 Puylaroque. Continue for 5 mins until the sign on the right to the Camp de
 Caylus & Les Espiemonts. Directly opposite on the left you turn to LaSalle.
 About 1km on the left there are some rubbish bins. Turn left directly after
 into the driveway. Park on the grass outside the gates. Walk through the
 gates & follow the short driveway to the barn on the right.

Good dentist needed

Does anyone know of a good dentist in the area? James Sweeting's regular dentist has 
retired and he needs to have some of his teeth sorted and hopes not to have to pay too
much for the pleasure.
Contact James on
james@rysuk.com

Selling TV's on the Market

Roger Bowen would like to thank every one who has phoned, sent or offered a replacement TV. He has now settled with a Phillips 21" with stand. Rather than having a stall on the market  he will be sorting out the various TV's stacked in his lounge and has asked me  to pass on his thanks to the many Tagline readers who offered help.

On the Borrow

Has anyone got a lightweight sleeping bag that Wally Mears who lives near Cordes 

can borrow or hire for one week in mid June.Wally can be contacted by email at
wands.mears@gmail.com

Galgos Need Your Help

One of our readers Anne Grose has a Galgos as an adorable family pet and has asked me to put this info.on Taglines.
This coming weekend sees the end of the hunting season in Spain.This is the time when Spanish sighthounds,Galgos are abandoned ,tortured and starved because they are no longer wanted.At Galgos de Sol, a rescue centre in Spain they have been asked to take 70 dogs that are no longer needed and they are skeletal. Donations are urgently needed. Click  on  http://www.perrosdelsol.es/galgo-rescue-missions.html

 To make a donation direct banking donations Lloyds TSB Galgos del Sol Sort code 30-90-54 Account no. 40152868 or paypal galgosdelsol@hotmail.com

A Further tip for IPad users

Doreen Porter has added some extra information when using the IPad.There is a link to watch TV channels from all over the world called 'Filmon.com'. It is free to join and it is live TV with all the UK channels.

Next Book Swap at the Gazpacho

I propose the next book swap being Tuesday morning 10.30am  28th of February. If you cannot make this date but need some books I have a quantity left after each swap which you can always browse through.
I gave away 3 boxes of books  to the Donkey Sanctuary,which I thought had been around for a few swaps and not picked up.
 So put the date in your diary and I will give a reminder nearer the time.

How an IPad is helping me by Sue Gray Smith

As I spend a lot of time backwards & forwards to hospital where the only entertainment option is French television  I purchased  my I Pad.

There are copious amounts of functions available and you have the ability to download the following:

Books - you can purchase your favourite titles, authors  and there are numerous free books available.

Games - again, old favourites are available, like solitaire, scrabble and catch phrase. Some games are not expensive and some are free.

 The main reason for my purchase is the ability to download my favourite TV programmes and  films. All  are in English and for a low price, once downloaded, they are yours to keep forever. ( you can link your I Pad to your home PC or Laptop by cable or Wi-Fi and transfer all your purchases so you never lose them, then add more to your I Pad )

There is the facility to access the Internet, use your emails and to add Skype to your I Pad, so you can talk to loved ones and friends, using the integrated microphone, speakers and even the webcam if you are feeling brave!

With the email facility, you can, upon setting up your I Pad,set your usual email address as the default one, this will then appear as a shortcut on the I Pad and your emails will update each time you access the email icon.

Often my hands don't function properly and cause extreme pain, whereupon, I can't use a keyboard.  The I Pad is fantastic for this, as it is touch screen.  One problem I did find though is that when my hands are really swollen,painful or numb, I can't use the touch pad, so a handy little I Pad accessory which I use every time with my I Pad is a 'Stylus Pen'.  These cost only about 4-5 Euros, although you can get some double packs for 6 Euros or even less.  The Stylus Pen is fashioned like a normal pen, but at the tip it is a dome of soft rubber.  This product is an absolute Godsend for me as you don't have to move your wrist or fingers much

I can tap out emails with virtually no movement from my wrist or fingers, except to actually hold the Stylus when tapping out an email.  With the I Pad, if you wish to use it away from your home WiFi or if you don't have an Internet connection, you must purchase a sim card in order to access the Internet.

If you plan like me to use  emails, Internet and Skype etc. away from home I found it easier to buy a sim card on a yearly contract.

I got an excellent deal for my I Pad from Orange France, but I believe the same deals are available from a number of other providers.

If you just plan to use your downloaded material away from your home, it is not worth buying a sim card, just download everything you wish to watch onto your I Pad  before you leave.

There is so much to tell you about this amazing piece of technology. Mine has given me back the ability to type emails, use the Internet and  be occupied in hospital and away from home.

You can even access bbc I player from it. To do this in France, you need to visit a website called 'expattelly.com', where they give you the information on how to do this, for a small charge, of course!

 Make sure when you purchase it that you register it to a UK address otherwise all your TV, films, books etc will be from French providers, which defeats the object of the I Pad .

There are some more bits & pieces of useful  information  when setting up your I Pad, that I could pass to you and I will keep Val updated with anything else I find out, but  if you need to know anything, more I can be contacted through Val at Taglines or directly at suegray36@hotmail.com and I will try to help.   

Childrens books needed

Children books in French and English.

I gather french and english childrenbooks for a Dutch organisation read to grow.http://www.readtogrow.eu/nl/
Read to GrowIn Europe we find it obvious that books are available to us. We read books for our study, to obtain information and for entertainment. Therefore we have many opportunities to develop ourselves. For most people in developing countries, access to books is a lot less obvious. To give these people a chance to use their potential qualities, we donate books to small-scale projects in developing areas. Read to Grow works with over 80 partner organizations in 27 developing countries.

I take care that the books you give to me, I deliver to the organisation in Holland. I am part of the walkingclub, so we could easily arrange something. My tel nr 0563648084.  Riet Okken

Fifi, Friends in France International

Just a reminder to check out Fifi. A group of ladies who organise a range of activities in the Tarn and Garonne area. Photography, gardening, sewing, singing groups and much more. For details check out their website below.

http://www.fifi82.org/

In the Spirit of Recycling

Roger Bowen's TV has given up the ghost and he wondered if there is any one with an old TV he could buy at a 'petit prix'
Contact Roger on tel. 05 63 02 75 70

Roof tiles for sale

I'd really like to put a smile on my neighbour's face by finding a good home for a stack of old roof tiles, which I have stored in his barn next door. There are about 300 or so, maybe more, in good condition, for sale and collection at 30 centimes each, or nearest offer. Anyone repairing an old roof?

 

I also have a solid pine TV unit, in excellent condition, with CD/DVD drawer storage for sale at 170 euros. There are also a number of items of furniture left over from the hangar sale in November, if anyone is looking for a few inexpensive bits and pieces for a gite maybe.

 

 

Please contact Lizzie Jewels on 0563 40 13 46 or lizziejewels333@btinternet.com

Free piano recitals

Jean-Louis on the walk gave me a flyer for free piano recitals in Arnac every friday at 21h

Have a look at their website for more info and piano lessons

http://www.ecole2piano.net/

sent by James Sweeting

Hairdresser recommended

For those looking for a good hair salon in the local area, 'Actuel' in Septfonds offers a professional and competitively priced service.  A unisex salon, they provide the full range of hair care services and both Alexandra and Marjorie are highly competent.

Open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturday from 9am to 5pm, appointments can be made on 05 63 31 64 07.  You will need to speak basic French.  They are located just off the main road to Caussade (diagonally opposite the boulangerie and public car park)

We have found them to be cost effective and friendly, and would recommend them to anyone looking for a good local hairdresser.

Sent by Kathleen and Glen Bloomfield of St. Antonin.

We also find Beatrice in Varen is very good,unisex and  once again basic French needed.tel 05 63 30 69 97

When it comes to hairdressers, Philippe Coletta in Caussade is hard to beat

He is excellent.French needed. Sent by The Grahams of St. Antonin

Great aid to speaking French

Watching French TV is one of the best ways to improve your French. You can buy a little weekly booklet called Tele Z at the Presse for 40 centimes or The Depeche on Sunday has the  programmes for that week.On a morning we tend to switch from English to French news and are always surprised how often  France tells English news but not the other way around.
We watch the local news at 7pm France3 Albi with 'sous titres,'[ sub titles] annoyingly always one step behind. Then I tend to watch a film or TV drama at 8.30pm . I try to stay away from dubbed American films of which there are a lot. If you find a french film and use the sous titres which go at the same speed as the film that works well. Keep a notebook next to you for words you did not understand and check them later. Happy viewing.

Not only gardening but cooking as well.

I am informed by the animatrice of our gardening group of "Agir Ensemble.." that on Wednesday 18th of January at 2pm at The Salle des Fetes at Verfeil there is an 'Atelier Cuisine' where a ''recette de pate vegetal'' will be proposed by Florence.
Every one welcomed.
The gardening group meeting has been brought forward to 23rd of January at 2pm and directions to the garden to visit are below. If you are planning on coming let me know and I will pass on our numbers to Laurence.

Prochaine réunion de travail:

Lundi 23 janvier 2012

à 14h a Verfeil

chez Anaïs :

"Pour les gens qui arrivent de Saint Antonin, prendre direction Verfeil,

tourner direction Verfeil sur le plateau,

et apres quelques kms, on arrive au carrefour les Estaules/ Verfeil, continuer direction Verfeil sur 500 metres et tourner à gauche dans le chemin de la Vaysse, avec une ruche comme point de repère en haut du chemin. on est en bas!

Pour les gens qui arrivent de Verfeil, prendre direction Arnac et tourner à droite direction Carrendier sur la D114, monter 3kms

et tourner dans le chemin à droite à la ruche."

The website for the MSA which both the activities are organised by is below. It gives you an idea of the aims of the association which are to encourage local activities  in rural areas which will help to preserve our health and happiness.
http://www.msa.fr/

ADMR, what it does and how to go about it.

If we were in England it would be much easier to know what is available in the Health and Social Services and how we would go about accessing care and help. It is much more difficult knowing what is available here in France and then how to go about getting help.
ADMR stands for Aide a Domicile en Milieu Rural.It is a benevolent  association formed to help people at home if they are disabled, elderly or have severe health or family problems. The link to the ADMR website is below and from it you can see that there are people to help you with housework, small garden jobs and small 'bricolage' jobs around the house.The forms to fill in are available at your local ADMR office and they will decide if assistance can be provided and at what cost. Whether the cost can be covered by government benefits or tax credits depends on individual circumstances.The forms are complicated if your level of French is not very good so getting help from some one who speaks good French is worth thinking about. The girls on the ADMR team are  a really professional bunch and can whizz through your house in no time [they are younger]. We have discovered that they much prefer being referred to as 'aides domicile' than 'femmes de menage'
Click the link below for more info.

http://www.admr.org/#

For people aged over 65 the Departments may provide assistance at home on the same lines as above, but with reimbursement of costs dependent on income (less than about 1200 euros per month maximum for a couple).

See the link below

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F245.xhtml

''Agir ensemble pour un mieux vivre sur le theme du jardin''

The heading had to be in French as for the afternoon we were thrown headlong in to french life and I loved it. Basically it was an arranged get together for a better life in the Cantons of Caylus and St. Antonin Noble Val. We had an animatrice who is being paid till the end of 2012 to organise rural activities to enrich our lives and this meeting was on the theme of gardening. About 20 French country folk and 2 English met in the Salle de Fete at Verfeil to discuss 'manure' We sat in a ring and introduced ourselves and what an eclectic and diverse bunch we were. Many were farmers or farmers wives, many were ladies with potagers who liked cooking, some grew flowers,even a couple of us had donkeys, so could talk passionately about manure.After introductions we discussed the aims of the group and along with arranging to visit each others gardens and have fetes with the produce a bold plan was formed. Verfeil in the past had a Fete de la Soupe in September and we are hoping to resurrect this old tradition. We then walked off to view Olivier Bonifaces vegetable garden which was a very  imaginatively planned vegetable patch, well manured with donkey poo..He was one of the chaps pushing for the Soup Festival and as he seemed to be growing peas there were many jokes that we would be having 'pea soup' Our aims for the year are
1. To share our passion
2. To be in contact with other passionate gardeners
3. To promote solidarity
4 To know better our close envirnoment
5 To know and value our local producers
6 To be inclusive
Wow!
Then we have a list of 7 people who have agreed to open their gardens. The first being Mr Montauban at Arnac, a producer of bio salad.We have had contact with him before as we bought our last bales of hay from him for the donkeys. Our visit there reminded me of  the H.E. Bates novel The Darling Buds of May.
If you have a  half decent level of French and are interested in gardening come and join us. The next meeting is on the 30th of January in the afternoon  and the contact for more information is
mail du secretariat:
lafon-boyer.karine@midipyrenees-nord.msa.fr
tel 0563216106
Or contact me at TAGlines

Health and Cuisine

Watching English TV news I heard a dietician saying if you have problems with digestion it can affect and make arthritis much worse. One of her suggestions was to start to steam your food. I took this on board suffering with both problems and can you believe I visited a friend that very day  {that's you Sue] who had just received by post a new very smart looking Russell Hobbs steamer 'Cuiseur vapeur 2 etages base inox. She had ordered it from French Amazon for around 39 euros including post. Needless to say I took the details and ordered one and  hey presto to-night we are sampling a range of steamed vegetables.There is a handbook with the steamer which gives recipes for a week but we may be a bit stuck after the 7 days are up so if anyone has a good recipe book covering steaming please let me know and I will order one.

Be Guided around Paris by Sabine

Sabine  Le Duault who has had a home in Varen since childhood [sister of Bertrand Dezes of the Chateau at Laguepie] takes visitors around Paris and shows them as she says 'Paris authentique' Although we have not been on one of her guided trips we have spent time with her here in Varen. She is the most intelligent, bubbly, interesting person you could meet so I am sure she makes the visit interesting. If a trip to Paris is envisaged check out her website below
http://paris.authentique.free.fr/

House sitter needed for 4 days in February

SORTED FOR FEBRUARY
A ncie young French couple , the son of a family from Espinas  well known by the walking group have offered to come for the 4 days. For the person who asked for more information please contact us as there may be other times we may wish to go away.
Fabulous location with stunning views yet 5 minutes from Varen,a village with every thing you need. Very warm centrally heated, double glazed house with lovely views and you get paid for holidaying here for 4 days Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th of February. Why is there always a catch, this one being cats, dogs and hens to baby sit.The donkeys would not be your responsibility.We have our daughter and grandchildren coming and we fancied a few days in Spain.The property is well fenced so the 2 friendly dogs can play in the garden after their walk. We need to find someone who we could rely on from time to time to house sit so if you have any friends or even fancy it yourself contact us for remuneration package and more information.
Contact
Val or Malcolm Johnstone email mail@bromlea.com  or tel. 0563640673

Readership is growing

342  viewers have read the last few articles in Taglines so keep on passing on news of Taglines to friends.
Many thanks everyone
Val Johnstone

House Swap in Georgian Bath

Would anyone who has a house here in France like to spend some of next summer (school holiday time) in beautiful Georgian Bath?  A friend who has a large very elegant house overlooking the city but with country walks possible from the end of the garden and able to sleep 10 comfortably, would like to do a house swap and needs somewhere equally spacious here with a pool.  She could also offer use of a VW Polo providing insurance was covered.Contact is Clare Williams details below
clareclare2004@gmail.com and mobile +44 7974923303

Car sharing to Airports

James Sweeting has created a web site to look at if you are going to an airport and have spare seats in your car, or need a lift to save you taking the car.
If you are interested in this idea or have any ideas to improve the scheme contact James on james@rysuk.com
The list can be viewed by clicking the link below but it is still in the development stage at the moment so input of ideas to improve welcomed
http://www.rysuk.com/airpt_cs/index.html
I think this could be a really useful service and a section added for trips to England and back would also be useful. I could put a reminder to check on Taglines each month until every one has booked the site themselves.

Cockatiels with tufty heads and dabs of blusher

2 cockatiels about 9 months in moveable hexagonal cage about 1.8m high and 1.2m in
diameter. The birds get covered at night and once they are covered they sleep all night
without making a sound. They cost €50 each and the cage was about €90. I would be happy
with €80-100, or even less. They are very pretty with their tufty heads and they both look
like they have a dab of blusher on each cheek.The male also has a yellow tufty on his
head and the female is a more diluted colour.
Contact Sue Gray-Smith on
suegray36@hotmail.com

Chats du Quercy Sale cancelled

The clearance sale previewed  for the 7th and 8th of January has due to unforseen circumstances been cancelled. The shop will reopen with a
'Bubbly and Music event' in early February.

Furniture needed

A young French couple, who are horticultural and farming students and therefore living on a very small income, have been renting one of my gîtes as a temporary measure. Happily, they have just been offered a nice apartment owned by the commune of Milhars, which they can rent for several years and make it a home. However, it is unfurnished and they have virtually nothing to put in it and no spare money to buy anything. Can you help with donations of unwanted furniture, such as beds, bookcases, table & chairs, sofa or appliances such as fridge, washing machine etc. Please contact Gill Catterall – Tel 05 63 53 99 45 or gill@auxvoletsbleus.com

Tragedy for Anne Alassane, former Masterchef winner

Yesterday afternoon a tragedy struck former winner of the French  Masterchef competition Anne Alassane of Montauban. All the family were in the house when a fire started in the mattress of her two youngest children, age 2 and 4. The children were later found dead hiding in a cupboard suffocated by the fumes.
Forty pompiers were called to the blaze in the house behind the restaurant L'auberge la Pays -Anne off the Route de Fau in Montauban
Since winning the coveted prize and prize money that goes with it Anne's restaurant has attracted lots of customers including many friends from this region. A group of Tagline readers had an enjoyable day out with a lovely meal when she first opened and more recently, before Christmas, Fifi members had an outing there.We all send our sincere condolences to her and her family at this sad time.

Savane, lovely lady with a gummy smile

Taglines readers and Fifi members, 18 of us in all had a really super day out visiting and supporting a donkey sanctuary based in the Lot. After a lovely drive through the country lanes, more lanes than we needed to visit, we arrived at Lavolvene . An association called 'Liberte des Anes' looks after the welfare of 26 donkeys and horses which would otherwise have suffered or gone to the knacker's yard. In fact many were saved at that very place. Savane the donkey pictured is a 35 years old part Poitou donkey with no top teeth, just shiny gums which she was happy to show us with a gummy smile.Many of the donkeys saved were on their way to be transported to Italy for meat. Lots of sad stories but for the donkeys now nothing but happy grazing and good care.The sun shone as we looked around and were introduced to some of the donkey characters by owner Jan Lemy.
Then into the pretty stone farmhouse for a splendid meal where the courses were as promised 1 euro each . We left at 10am and got back at 5pm and  it was one of the nicest days out we have had for ages.
Some of the donkeys are supported by The Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary but costs are high with hay , medical and farrier bills so any contributions are welcome.
Also there are 6 donkeys at the moment waiting to find loving caring homes. You would need a couple of acres, a field shelter or barn and a love of donkeys of course.
For more information on the sanctuary check out   http://en.libertedesanes.com/

Happy Christmas and Good Wishes for 2012

Many thanks to all TAGlines readers for so many kind words and positive feed back. I am hoping to keep on increasing readership with your help in 2012 so keep sending email addresses - once you have checked with the individual of course. More readers, more chance to find out things happening in the area and also selling those unwanted items.Do not worry about me considering those awful advertising pop ups  on screen that some one suggested I consider. TAG is free for adverts,  to submit articles to and participate in and is not a money making scheme but done purely for enjoyment.To those I have corrected sharply when sending information to Malcolm, my apologies and then my apologies to Malc for so fiercely guarding my baby when at the first sign of a technical problem I pull him in.
Anyway
Happy Christmas to you all and good health and happiness in 2012  from Malcolm and myself
Val Johnstone

Three replies now posted

Apologies to people who left messages- forgot to check the dash board where they appear. I have now posted them and one is really useful, one is interesting and the other plain daft [ very funny really Sue] You may decide which is which.

Chats du Quercy Clearance Sale

Chats du Quercy Clearance Sale

Andrea is holding a Grand Clearance Sale at the Chats du Quercy charity

shop, 12 rue de la Treille, St Antonin, on Saturday 7, January from 14h00 to

17h00 and on

Sunday, 8 January from 10h00 to 15h00.

The shop will then be closed for reorganisation and restocking from 9 to 31

January. There will be a pre-St Valentine’s Day event with live music and

free bubbly on

Saturday, 4 February from 14h00 to 17h00 and on Sunday, 5 February from

10h00 to 15h00.

Marche de Noel - the big one!

Reminder from Arnoud Budelman for the Marche de Noel at St. Antonin Town Hall on Sunday 18th of December. Lots to see, lots to buy and scrummy food on offer.

Open day at the Donkey Sanctuary

We are getting a group to go to the Donkey Sanctuary about an hour and ten minutes away at Montaigu de Quercy  on Thursday 29th of December. They are trying to raise funds as they have 26 donkeys in their care, so a lot of hooves to be trimmed and hay to be bought. They are offering us lunch at 1 euro each course and I do hope they have got that right -it seems so cheap. They assure us that the chef is a really professional cook and makes delicious food.
The lady who runs the Sanctuary worked for many years at the world renowned Sanctuary at Sidmouth in Devon and runs her establishment on similar lines.
If you have family staying especially youngsters or just oldies like me who love donkeys it should be an interesting day out after lazy Christmas days.
Let me know  quite quickly if you are interested then I can pass on numbers for the meal and sort out travel arrangements.
Val    mail@bromlea.com or tel 0563640673
If you want to look up the Sanctuary it can be found  at www.libertedesanes.com

Mobility scooter delivered safely

Just to say thank you for including my request.

I employed George White who was both reasonable and reliable.

Sylvia Gray

See post 11th November

La Maziere - Antiques at Cordes- Worth a browse

I went by chance, actually seeking a valuation in to 'La Maziere' at Cordes sur Ciel. It is the  blue  painted or shuttered antique shop on the right hand side as you leave Cordes for Albi. I really enjoyed rooting around and thought they had some delightful stuff and actual things of quality. The couple were very friendly and helpful and although I was keen as always to speak French , they were just as keen to practise their English. The shop was open as the board outside said [ now that is often a surprise in itself!] and not a 'conge annuel' in sight. I think they must live above the shop which always makes opening easier. They have been going 16 years and have really improved the quality of stock in that time. We went in when we first arrived here and although there were some nice pieces there was also quite a lot of mixed 'tat'. Well I could not say that now.  The chap said that they had developed in their time a knowledge of what the English and Dutch  customers like and that knowledge  seemed to be working. They say on a little 'affiche' they gave me that they buy and sell and give valuations. Their telephone number is 05 63 56 00 70 and mobile 06 19 32 18 20 email: braghieri.joseph@orange.fr
I did not buy anything on this instance so could not say what their after sales service is like so if any one has more info. let us know.

Spam detected

Just for the time being if you receive an email from Iga or Jeremy Rewse Davies do not open it with out checking with them that they have sent one. Emails have been sent out but not by them so take care.

Parcels being sent from England

 Di Coleman a former resident of St. Antonin now living in England informs us of  the cheapest possible way to send parcels from England

Check out
http://www.parcel2ship.co.uk/

Motorists-what's waiting for you in 2012

400 more cameras- without warning signs.

50 more ''radars mobiles'' i.e. installed in unmarked police cars.

55 ''average speed radars'' - which measure how long it takes a car from point A to B, and therefore the average speed.

Radar warning devices in cars to be illegal [ from now] with a fine of up to 3,750 euros and 6 points.

Obligatory breath test kits in your glove compartment. It is thought that 2 such kits will cost around 2 euros. The fine for not having one 17 euros.

Happy driving

Gardening tip from Iga Rewse Davies

When planting trees, after digging the hole put in a piece of flexible tubbing down below the roots.Fill in the soil leaving the tube sticking out above the ground. Have a funnel to stick in the tube and then when you are watering, the tree gets the water down at its roots rather than on the soil surface. Clever stuff.

Cat who hates car journeys

Thank you for info. on travelling with pets and the new regulations, I had heard they had changed so that is helpful for me. Does anyone have any advice on travelling by car from the Tarn to London with a cat on board who loathes and gets distressed on car journeys?  I have had mixed reports about sedating cats.

Thank you and replies to
Ann Herdman  email at  
Ann Herdman-Smith <aecm2010@live.fr>      

Free to good home, extra, extra large boxer shorts - unused.

Men and shopping !
Malc has arrived back safely and having done a bit of shopping whilst in M&S in England proudly showed me his pack of 3 extra, extra large boxer short/briefs [ hardly brief] As he had already ripped apart the wrapping they cannot be returned so we are looking for a rather large man to give an extra Christmas present to.Someone suggested we wear a leg each which throws up some interesting pictures and could be fun, but on balance we would rather find them a new home.

Pet Passport Scheme

Changes to the Pet Passport Scheme have been finalised and from the 1st

January 2012 pets can travel 3 weeks after their rabies vaccination so no

longer the up to 8 month delay we had before. 

The other changes concern the tick and flea treatment which is

no longer required and the worming treatment which they have just confirmed

is still a requirement and will still involve a trip to the vets, however,

this is only needed for dogs and can now be done anytime between 1 and 5

days before you travel.  Check out the official UK government website for

the full story 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/