Wonderful frosty morning

For  many of you in England over the winter I do my morning weather reports with you in mind. This morning was the most frosty morning so far with everything white including the tree branches. Down below in the valley the fog was thick and you will not see a hand in front of you in Varen. There again, Varen will not be so frosty, or have the blue sky and sun yet.  It looks as if we are in for a super day as long as one is wrapped up warm.
The donkeys were well behaved this morning having sorted out who gets the first bucket and then the next, interestingly the boys are always first in line. Lucy the sweetheart is always last and has to then rush and eat the contents of her bucket  before Fillou finishes his and comes to steal hers. If he does push in she backs off, not wanting any trouble.
The hens Penny and Peck wait without fighting to be let out and I can see Penny is more relaxed with feathers growing back after the demon hen Scratch has gone.
The two barn cats Nipolena and her baby,  greet me every morning to be fed and then after  what must have been a hard night playing, go up in the top of the barn to sleep. They have a couple of old  duvets up there that I wash periodically and sprinkle with a special flea powder insecticide. I may see them tonight when I feed them again but they will not appear through the day.
Bonny  the golden gets her morning feed and then goes out to play and guard whilst Twister goes back to bed.
Our house cats Max and Freddie who have been in all night go out for a morning stroll and toilet duty then come back to snooze and steal cuddles when  and where they can.
Not a bad life for animals at Mas del Sol.
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A favourite of mine writing about France.

Henry Samuel

Henry Samuel is the Telegraph's France correspondent and has been living and working in the country for 12 years.

Val says I like the mans writing style

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Parisot Christmas tree

Hi Val, I'm sure everyone has Christmas plans well under way and Christmas trees have been put up and decorated. I felt the need to explain about the Parisot village tree as anyone driving through may take one look and think what an earth is going on there! We have a lovely big tree outside the school and last weekend all the kids were invited to decorate the tree (with free cake provided.) Andrew Media Man took our boys Reuben (4) & Jacob (nearly 2) and they were given decorations to put on the tree. Let's face it they were never going to be placed very high so our village tree is a little bottom heavy and I'm sure very unique! There are some fantastic displays of lights on houses around the village so if anyone is coming to the Parisot choir concert on Saturday do take a walk around the village to see them all. We're taking the boys around tonight!Becky x
La Famille Brown – family blog about our move to France!

www.lafamillebrown.com
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Terrible hunting tragedy

A teenage boy and his father were found dead in hunting tragedy in which the boy accidentally shot his father after slipping on leaves then committed suicide in the latest hunting death to blight France.

The father and son had been out hunting on Saturday afternoon in Sourribes in the Alpes-de-Haute Provence when the boy slipped on leaves, accidentally pulling the trigger, police said. The bullet struck his 42-year-old father in the legs.

The distraught teenager then called contacted a family member who alerted emergency services, but the father succumbed to the injuries after haemorrhaging and died before paramedics arrived.

When he realised had had killed his father, the boy then committed suicide next to his body.

“It’s a hunting accident caused unintentionally by the boy who, realising the irreversible consequences [of his action], turned the weapon on himself and killed himself,” said prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger, calling the incident a “very sad tragedy”.

Val says  What is a 14 year old doing wandering around with a rifle?
reading more
You need to be at least 15 years old to hunt accompanied,”  Even then, you require a special training to receive a permit from the national hunting and nature office, ONCFS.

This report one again from Henry Samuel writing for the Telegraph from Paris
VAL says  I have been sent a post by a reader who does not wish the mail on this subject to be posted on TAG, so in my mind a bit pointless  sending,  unless it is to share. I appreciate readers have different views and the idea of TAG is to share them, news and views but not just mine.

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Why not spend the money in our back yard?

I suppose that's the opposite of "NIMBY" (ndlr - not in my back yard).  Henri Nabonne, maire of Lacapelle-Segalar (Tarn) has denounced the money being spent on administrative buildings for the new community of communes formed by the fusion of Cordes sur Ciel and Vaour  (called CCCC or 4C).
Predictably he cites things that could be done in his commune or St Martin Laguepie and even Cordes which would be better use of the money. What about abolishing tiny communes such as his, that would save a maire's expenses and cut out a bit of waste. Or is that too simple?
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Foie gras stolen

40000 euros worth of foie gras was stolen from the Lauzerte producers Auguste Rey yesterday, so if you see cheap produce on the markets it may be hookey (but good quality? is it worth the risk?).
Not according to Christophe Latrille the director of Les Delices d'Autrefois, who reckons you cannot beat the Caylus producer for quality. In the village for over 100 years they now employ 20 full time staff and 15 seasonal workers.
They pride themselves on the quality of their produce "a l'ancienne" and there is a factory shop for direct purchases.
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Our Laguepie butcher is good

En ces fêtes de fin d’année, il est toujours agréable de savourer des mets de qualité. Les jeunes bouchers guépiens l’ont bien compris en 2 ans de présence. Avec les produits label rouge, veau de l’Aveyron, charcuterie à l’ancienne, ils ont su satisfaire leurs clients. Ils proposent, pour la première fois, un bœuf de Noël de race limousine primé au concours de Laissac. Ainsi, la Boucherie de Pays arborera désormais sa première plaque de concours. Et ils n’en resteront pas là. Nul doute donc que les murs s’orneront rapidement de ces belles plaques colorées, certitude de qualité. Johnny et Élisabeth ne s’y trompent pas en ces jours d’annonce de tromperies sur la viande. Cet approvisionnement représente la sécurité d’un produit régional de haute qualité, permettant de mettre en valeur tous les acteurs de la chaîne, de l’éleveur au boucher. Alors n’hésitez pas à franchir le pas-de-porte de la boucherie du pays.

Val says  the couple have been in the shop two years and have really worked at it. We do use them but   we do not eat as much meat as we used to.

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New tramway today in Toulouse

Today sees the opening of 3kms of tramway in la ville rose, bringing the trams into the city centre for the first time since 1957. Part of an ambitious public transport scheme linking trams and metro it is hoped to move more commuters out of their cars. Opponents say it will simply cause more traffic jams (bouchons) - as if Toulouse didn't have enough.
Small footnote very French - there is a threat of a strike today postponing the opening...
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Of all the uniforms in all the world they choose those and then toasted the ideology!

French prosecutors on Wednesday called for a €1,500 (£1,258) fine against a Briton who wore a Nazi uniform and insignia to his stag party at a French ski-resort, attended by Aiden Burley, a Conservative MP.

Mr Burley, MP for Cannock Chase, was sacked as parliamentary private secretary to the Transport Minister after British media published footage of the party and reported that guests had been toasting the memory of Nazi leaders.

Mark Fournier, the stag, was subsequently prosecuted for wearing a Nazi uniform and insignia, which is illegal in France.

A police tribunal in Albertville in the French Alps will deliver its verdict on January 21.

The controversial party took place on December 3, 2011 in a restaurant in Val Thorens, Europe's highest ski resort in the famous Three Valleys range.

Mr Fournier, who was photographed in full SS regalia whilst giving the Nazi salute, initially faced more serious charges including denial of war crimes or crimes against humanity and incitement to racial hatred.

During the drink-filled soirée, one of the guests raised a glass to "the ideology and thought process of the Third Reich".
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The Battle of Muret

LOCAL HISTORY:  THE BATTLE OF MURET 800 YEARS AGO IN 1213 ENDED ANY HOPE OF AN OCCITAN-CATALAN STATE DEVELOPING

Gavin Porter gives an account of the battle of Muret and its consequences for the region of Occitania.

 Look in the Patrimoine label to read all about it.

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Childs bed for sale

Hi Valerie,

Laurent is sleeping now in a big bed so we don’t need his junior bed (Ikea Kritter) anymore. Maybe you , or readers, need a junior bed for family coming over. It is including matelas and sommier in a good state. I will ask 25 € (to buy something for Laurents new room) but if you know people in need, I will give it away.

Miranda

0563240733

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All these dogs are in desperate need of homes

 

Music, tartiflette and grog

Bonjour à tous,

 

Samedi 21 décembre à La Seye et vous, musique, tartiflette et grôle !

Musique avec Eric Boccalini à la batterie déjantée et Didier Dulieu à l'accordéon endiablé.

Ils nous ferons danser et tourner sur des musiques venues de partout.

Nous vous préparerons une tartiflette arrosée de grôle pour vous réchauffer.

A partir de 19h30 venez donc goûter à cette soirée.

Le restaurant sera fermé du 22 décembre au 19 janvier inclus.

Renseignements : 05 63 65 22 18.

A trés bientôt.

Malc says: I couldn't find "grole" in my dictionary but "gnole" means "hooch" - une verre de gnole = a drop of the hard stuff, so I guess that is what Charley has in mind.

Be careful what you feed your dogs over Christmas

A warning from vets in the newspaper not to feed your dogs foie gras, apart from being too expensive it is just  not good for them. Also  keep tempting chocolates out of their  reach. Never medicate a dog with your own  medicines, (it does happen.) A healthy pet gives you a happy christmas.

Raisins and sultanas are bad for them too... a TAG reader adds!
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Rotten weather forecast for Christmas Day

France looks set to be hit by some extreme weather over the Christmas holiday but unfortunately for those dreaming of a white Christmas, it is not snow that is forecast but heavy rain and gales.

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Singing in the rain

A grey wet morning kept donkeys huddled in the stable at breakfast time, making it very difficult to feed four without someone getting wet, in the event it was mainly me.
The hens tucked up in "le poulailler "refused to get up and I could not blame them. I will have to remember to pop over later to clean them out as I just hate dirty eggs. Where does the singing come in? Well it does not, who would be daft enought to sing when it is raining?

There was singing last night however for the very unusual production of Hansel and Gretel from the Royal Opera House five years ago. The music was lovely and of a tale we all know but the slightly wacky touches on stage direction by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier made for a really interesting production. It felt like Hansel and Gretel with naughty bits. In one scene there was a lot of fumbling with clothes from the amourous  childrens parents and then the witch was portrayed as an old Granny with zimmer frame and unbuttoned blouse presenting us all with what I assumed to be huge latex tits. At least one of the audience was offended, many thought it an amusing twist and the old woman still got pushed into the great oven. Shame that the very last part of the DVD started breaking up but I think that apart it was a good evening. A big thank you to Kay and Moya for the cakes.
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Icing for Christmas cakes

Hiya

I've been asked where to buy glycerine (it will be needed by anyone wanting to make their own icing for Christmas cakes.)

You won't find it in the supermarket - you will get it in the chemist!

Glynis 
Betty Nuttall says
A long time ago I tried to buy some at the pharmacy,the assistant said she would order it for me.When I went to pick it up I was given a hospital style drip with the relevant tubes !!As I said it's a long time ago,perhaps it's different now.
Ginny says
Having decided to revert to fondant icing this year, I bought it in the pharmacy in Gaillac yesterday. 2.00€ for enough  for Delia Smith's 8" round cake and I suspect her chocolate torte as well. 

When Delia came out with her recipe, the chemist was the only place you could buy glycerine and I suspect that it is still a standard item over here because so many pharmacys make things like hand creams.

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Free range geese

    FREE RANGE GEESE

We have for sale for you're traditional Christmas dinner - free range geese.

Our geese have been allowed to roam freely on our fields and eat a natural diet of grass and  wheat.

They will be ready to pick up from Caylus  Friday Dec 20th.

Val says  I have checked the size of the birds which are generally about 3 kilos and they will be priced at 15 euros a kilo. They will come ready to be cooked.

Phone Naomi Westbury on: 0604444798 for more details.

Merry Christmas.

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Well said, Miranda

Dear Val,

I can promise that for us (ent. Marco Jean) there is no difference between french people and foreigners. We know and see around us that foreigners are scammed (I hope this is the good word) even by foreigners. Our company is not doing great at the moment because there are so many (also french), distroing the market. Or no facturation with manytimes unqualifiet people or very high prices that people don’t go on with the work (as you for example). The hour price of my husband is 40 € hors tax but with a big project he prefers to make a quote. So I should say, call him (05 63 24 07 33) for isolation, plasterboard, bathrooms, plumbing, hot tubs ( a great altnernative for swimming pools and jacuzzis), poêle (à granules), tiling, sauna’s and steamrooms etc. He is a qualified artisan and you can count on him.

Miranda

Val says  Marco Jean has an advert on TAG

News of 120 Femmes

Membership cards are in production at the moment for those ladies who have decided to " marrainé a lady gardener from Bamako. Andrew Brown who to us all now is Andrew Media Man is helping Winnie Nosal in the production of these.
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Do Brits pay more?

Actually I do not mean just Brits, all of  us who are not French. How is this for an example, a reader tells me he was in one of the big chain supermarkets at Villefranche looking at the Brit shelf. He found the product he wanted and put it in his trolley, a few aisles further on he found the same product at two thirds of the price in with all the same products on the everyday shelf. He went to complain and the management were very apologetic and said they would make sure it was altered!

When we go round brocantes with French friends they always insist they do any bargaining, giving the reason the price will rise if they hear an English voice.

What about devis with builders, is there are price for the local French and a price for us the "overstuffed wallet" people from the UK?  We are told  there is,  but all our devis for building work are so huge we have given up, fortunately now most jobs are cosmetic rather than essential.

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All about local elections 2014

Bonjour Val

Having given your suggestions consideration, I've decided to just vent steam. The thought of depriving you and Malcolm of your chains and locks at this time of the year didn't seem too festive.
Cheers
Di
Val says  you did overlook being trampled by donkeys hooves, but my donkeys would step genteely around you so maybe that is not an option either. You are right , vent steam.
Have a good Christmas.
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Advice from an expert

Cheer up Malc
 You don't know how lucky you are Malc. My 3 years in Music College studying the classical guitar opened up new musical worlds for me. I couldn't get on with the piano it was far too difficult to lug up the stairs for my lesson.

As for piano concerti, I have been to Dunfermline many a time and played the Carnegie Hall. It's no great shakes really.
 Charles
Val says  Thanks for that Charles but Malc is still going to exercise everyday on the piano, still keep up with his finger exercises and still keep on trying. 
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Geese for sale for Christmas

Hi, Im a lady that lives in Caylus and have some geese for sale for Christmas ,
I was wondering whether I could put them for sale on you're site.
Cheers Naomi.
Val says You certainly can, please send us the details
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A good vendange for a vidage

A case of 1947 Cheval Blanc wine has been bought for €131,600 (£111,000) in one of the most expensive purchases ever in a Frenchauction, it emerged on Tuesday.

The sale price means that each bottle costs almost €11,000 (£9,300) and a glass would set the private collector back £1,550.

Packaged in its original wooden case, blackened by time, the bottles were recorked at the St-Émilion château during the 1990s to protect the wine from oxidation.

“The price may seem high but compared to the true value of this lot, it’s not over the top,” said Aubert Bogé of wine merchant Millésimes, who bought the case on behalf of a private individual earlier this month.

“1947 was the vintage of the century for this château, it is mythical,” he told AFP. “Bottles of 1947 are very difficult to find.”“

The 1947 Cheval Blanc exhibits such a thick texture it could double as motor oil,” he wrote. “The huge nose of fruitcake, chocolate, leather, coffee, and Asian spices is mind-boggling. The unctuous texture and richness of sweet fruit are amazing,” he said.

Val says to son in law, wine collector, please tell us it was not you Christiaan? A vidage is an oil change by the way. 
Article by Henry Samuels writing in the Telegraph

Mas del Sol Opera evening

Tonight at 6.30pm here at Mas del Sol, for one night only,  a performance of Hansel and Gretel. We will be serving  sugar plum fairy cakes,  mice pies, piggy rolls with lashings of ginger beer or wine for those who prefer it, but no gingerbread except in the performance. Another great evening planned.
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It is never too late to find LOVE

Mr Grenier age 91 years put a wooden sign up in his garden asking for a partner ... read on

Mr Grenier's plea for a woman came after the death of his wife left a huge hole in his life. The appeal captured the attention of international media, and several enquirers.

His sign read: "Due to bereavement, looking for woman to live with, 70-80 years old with or without car" - painted on to a large piece of plywood.

He took the unusual approach having already tried placing an ad in the local paper without success.

After a few false trails, along came Yolande from nearby Arveyres, who moved in with her chickens and her dog, Bianca.

 "It's a very happy ending. Being alone was really hard for Roger-Marc after his wife Simone died, and now they're both happy which is nice to see."

Roger-Marc and Yolande are not commenting. Yoyo, as she is affectionately known, has kept her own flat in Arveyres but for the moment has no plans to move back into it.

"It's not exactly a passionate love affair. It's friendship and companionship and it's sharing life, which is so important," the friend added. "They just enjoy life together." 
From the Connexion
Val says  Wouldn't I just love a lonely hearts column on TAG?
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Interesting folk, even in the Tarn

The heading is a printing error  and should read  "Interesting folk, evening in the Tarn"!
We were at a soirée last night in the Tarn and were delighted to meet  Robin Johnston who is the TAG contact for the church at Gaillac and the area. We were pleased to hear that on Sunday that Church was packed for the service, anything to do with TAG getting the word out we wondered.
As I talked to Robin I suddenly thought this man has led an interesting life having lived 40 years in Nigeria and still going to Lagos frequently each year. I am passing his contact details to Doreen Porter who writes our " Face to face" column, so if she agrees and Robin agrees, await a fascinating profile.
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Young foreigners implicated in petty crime

New figures released on Tuesday gave an insight into the changing face of France's petty criminals.

According to the data published by the National observatory of crime and criminal liability (ONDRP), the number of foreigners accused of robbery and theft in France has shot up by ten percent since 2008.

The report, which analyzed data from the French criminal records database (Stic) between 2008 and 2012, revealed that of all those accused of theft and robbery in 2012, over a quarter were from abroad. 

Of the foreigners implicated in robberies in 2012, 9.5 percent were Romanian or from Balkan countries and 7.8 percent were from North Africa.

"Over the last four years, we can see the emergence of significant new criminal gangs from the Balkans and former states in the Soviet union. They see that these minor infractions are rarely spotted by the police and when they are carried out in series and in high numbers can bring in a lot of money," said Christophe from the ONDRP.

Of the total 152,000 people accused of theft in France in 2012, 23.8 percent were women, 32.6 percent were minors and 26.8 percent were foreigners, according to the report.

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867 of you looked at TAG yesterday

Numbers of readers are still holding up, advertisers will be pleased to hear.
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Have you thought about playing the guitar?

Now what would you think if your piano teacher said this to you, after a year of lessons? My poor lad at 70 really wishes he could play the piano, he loves classical music and for a year he has been practising regularly. A couple of lessons ago his teacher handed him on to his wife also a piano teacher in the hope that a different method might suit. At his lesson yesterday which Malc thought went better than normally, Malcs progress was discussed ready for paying for another year. Malc gets quite disheartened still playing pieces that a 6 year old can dash through (and our 6 year old can) but he made me smile when he told me that his teacher had suggested trying the guitar! Classical guitar, is just not the same, the lad wants to play piano concertos!
I think the plan is to continue on his own and take a lesson every now and then!
Malc says -  they will be sorry when I am at Carnegie Hall
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Local Elections 2014

Hi Val

The most important eligibility criteria is that you are from an EU country.

Simply being a permanent, French tax paying resident isn't enough.

Can't tell you how disenfranchised I feel at  present in that Australia is not an EU member.

In Australia, you only need to establish your address to be able to tick the box/es. Whether you pay tax or live permanently at that address isn't relevant. And... voting is compulsory at all 3 tiers  of Government  elections.

I feel some suffragette-like indignation coming 
Di

Val says  there must be many others like you Di. We have some locks and chains if you want to lock yourself to some  railings. We did think the Prefecture at Montauban would be good  till we remembered you live in the Tarn. How about throwing yourself under the donkeys hooves!
If it is any help we probably won't be EU members for much longer.
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Café manners

A small French café has taken the old adage that manners don’t cost you anything to its logical extreme – by charging extra to rude customers.

At La Petite Syrah in Nice, if you ask for “un café” it will set you back €7 (£5.80). If you also include the magic words “s'il vous plaît” you’ll get the same drink for €4.25, however – and it’s just €1.40 if you begin the order with a friendly “bonjour”.

Speaking to the French edition of The Local, café manager Fabrice Pepino said his staff had grown increasingly fed up with the bad manners of people in a rush on their office lunch breaks.

“It started as a joke because at lunchtime people would come in very stressed and were sometimes rude to us when they ordered a coffee.

“It's our way of saying 'keep calm and carry on,’” he said.

“I know people say that French service can be rude but it's also true that customers can be rude when they’re busy.”

Mr Pepino said that many of his customers were regulars, who were happy to play along when the sign was first put up.

He admitted that he was yet to actually enforce the “strict” pricing scheme, but said: “People are more relaxed now, and they’re smiling more. That’s the most important thing.”

sent by John Dawson

Hi Val
 Fifi has had a similar sign up in his bar in Laguepie since the summer.

Café 2€
Café svp 1.10€

Which bar is that? You can't miss it. It's the one where Charles and Anna have started to dig up his 
forecourt for their swimming pool outside their town house.

Thank goodness for lax planning regs eh?

Charles

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A charming sight

Dear Val and Malc,

Another set of pictures for the Wild Photos section.

Charming Sight:

A couple of days ago whilst walking with the dog, we saw that a farmer had left a huge field of Sunflowers unharvested.  This field is probably around four hectares in size and of course, there were some rather nice Doves feasting on the Sunflower heads. I say of course, as again I did not have my camera.  So, a few days later, when the sun was shining, we went back to the field armed with my camera and were overwhelmed with the shear volume, not of Doves, but of Goldfinches.  I knew that Goldfinches flocked together in winter and I would expect maybe 50 to a 100, but at a conservative guess there were at least 300 of them and probably more.

The collective noun for Goldfinches is a Charm and it is, in my opinion, a fitting name as they are outstandingly colourful and have a really nice song.  Goldfinches, being granivorous means their diet is primarily made up of seed or grain but they will also eat insects for added protein when feeding their young.  Like all granivorous birds their bills are adapted to suit their preferred seed type.  With Finches, their beaks are thin and tapered to allow them to pull seeds from plants such as Teasels, Thistles and Sunflowers.
Neville
Val says To see more look in Wild Photos. I have never seen anything like this in my life. I bet these pictures get talked about as much as my donkey pictures!
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On France 2 tonight

Good morning Val,

Just thought your readers might be interested in this programme tonight. I am going to see if I can get it on catch- up, even though I have never tried before here in UK. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17nr2u_le-plus-beau-pays-du-monde-bande-annonce_tv

kind regards,

Ellyxx

Elly Wright

www.ellywrightart.com
ellywright131@gmail.com

Please note new email address
Val says If you cannot watch tonight watch this trailer, it is marvellous and yes we live here.

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The European parliament did not do it

The European Parliament failed to ban deep sea trawling! There were 16 votes in it! and afterwards some members were heard to say because of the complexities of the system  they had mistakenly cast the wrong vote! do you despair of humanity.

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Hope you have all been and inscribed for the local elections

If you are a new permanent resident here you will want your say in local elections. You need to go to the Mairie before the end of the month taking with you a photocopy of your identity and something like a tax d' habitation or electricity bill, something official with your address on. The Mayor and who is on his list dictates what sort of service you get in your village. If you have done this before no need to do it again, once done it is done. When you come to vote you can choose off any list. For example there are Mayors you would never vote for in a million years  but there are others on his list that you may wish to vote for.
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A reminder from John

John Taylor asks me to make a reminder for you all to come and enjoy Festivities on Thursday 8pm at the Salle des Fetes at Verfeil, an evening where Fifi members will be rubbing shoulders with Folk and Jazz members, who knows what other activities they have planned for us. It is an " auberge espagnol" which means you come in Spanish costume and take a Spanish omelette to eat. ( no it does not, it means take a dish to share) bring all your utensils cups, plates, knives and forks, just like a picnic. Do not forget to pop in a bit of festive booze. I believe there will be " wine, women and song" or was that the Fifi carol concert!
John did give me free rein to write something to encourage you all to come !
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Two days of vent d'autan and the trees have been undressed

Amazing that two days ago I was talking of golden leaves still clinging on, now on our nearby oaks those  leaves have fallen. Incredible how the landscape changes so quickly and  I would give it another week for the trees to be stripped bare. The sun is still shining in a azure blue sky and friends yesterday told me they had all been sitting out on balconies, reading in the sun.
Clearing the field round the donkey sheds is once again a task today and trying to stop Max the cat going to sleep in the hen house nesting box is another priority. Cat in nesting box, hens cannot go in to lay. Malc keeps reminding me how cheap eggs are to buy!
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Napoleon, good things in small packages.

France’s former Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is second only to Jesus in terms of importance in history, according to rankings based on a new software programme. Napoleon was deemed more significant than the likes of the Prophet Mohammed and Hitler
Val says  - I suppose it depends which historical biography you read to know if he was good or not, he certainly made his mark  At this point Malc always says but he was a tyrannical dictator wanting peace, hah, a piece of France, Italy, Spain etc. 
Malc also makes the point that it was a survey in France.
The Google search results in the news category did not overly surprise Le Monde showing that the Royal Baby was most searched, ahead of Mandela, Mali. The showing of the new pope was only 5th, but as the newspaper ironises, he did come ahead of Frigide Barjot!

"Alors que le changement de pape reste un événement rare, le patronyme « François » ne fait partie ni du top 10 des requêtes toutes catégories confondues ni du hit-parade des personnalités. Tout juste le mot « pape » apparaît-il à la cinquième position dans la catégorie actualités derrière le « Royal Baby » –, entendez bien sûr celui de Kate et William –, Nelson Mandela, le Mali ou encore... Florence Cassez, libérée de sa prison mexicaine en janvier. Le pape arrive miraculeusement devant Frigide Barjot."
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A horse dealer at Montauban arrested

Implicated in the Narbonne horse meat scandal, a man from Montauban has been arrested. There is information he sold 50 horses, donkeys and ponies to the Narbonne ring. The Depeche stresses he is innocent till proved guilty.
It makes me glad there are associations like "Liberte des Anes" who rescue horses and donkeys from situations like this.
More on this story from the Connexion
It is thought horsemeat from animals used in laboratory experiments was involved.

TV station M6 said that meat from nearly 200 horses used for experiments with vaccines and drugs in labs run by Sanofi Pasteur had been sold in butchers across the south of France between 2010 and 2012.

M6 said that a horse trader had bought horses from the pharmaceutical group in Alba-la-Romaine (Ardèche) for €10 and resold them for horsemeat at €300 through an intermediary. Police in Spain were also involved as it was thought a slaughterhouse in Girona was involved
A butcher in Narbonne was one of the first people arrested this morning.

Speaking on on RTL radio today, Consumer Affairs Minister Benoît Hamon said there was a major risk to public health from the meat, which was unfit for human consumptions and should have been destroyed. He added that the meat and fish industry had been under scrutiny since the Spanghero affair. 
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Andrew Media Man makes a difference

Andrew Media Man was given a computer in his work which with a bit of tweaking was a very serviceable one. He contacted TAG to  see if it would be any use to the children of the Domaine de Sautou. A quick call to Winnie Nosal verified that this was just what the young people needed and so Andrew has been to set it up for them. These things with computers are never simple and our call on TAG wanting urgently a USB keyboard was met with an instant response from Gareth and Sarah and Miranda and  Marco, sadly the equipment or plugs were not just compatible. Andrew nipped to Villefranche and found what was needed for just a few euros. The computer is now  up and running and will be of great benefit to the children. A brilliant by product of all this apart from the computer for the children is Andrew has been promised a weekly French lesson by Winnie for all his help.
What goes around comes around, comes to mind.

Smart looking little number, ready for the youngsters

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I wonder how early is early?

 Hi Val,

I know you have posted the concert for next Saturday and thank you for that. We sang yesterday in Limogne-en-Quercy to a full church and standing ovation at the end. So I can only reiterate what has been already been said, “get there early to avoid disappointment”.

Sadly I will be back in Brussels and will not be able to sing with the choir, but I will be singing at home and listening to a recording of the Glory to God, which one of the choir members recorded on her camera.

I wish you and Malcolm and your family a wonderful Christmas and New Year and see you again in the Spring.

Regards,

Celia

 Celia Berry

Mob : + 33 6 71 87 89 27

Fixe : + 33 5 63 30 99 29

Val and Malc also wish you a Happy Christmas

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December Gardening jobs from Debbie

December Gardening Jobs

Quick checklist – 10 jobs to do now!

1) Winter protection

2) Pruning

3) Planting

4) Containers

5) Take cuttings

6) Aplines

7) Compost heap

8) Check stored crops

9) Harvest

10) Christmas decorations

There are still some things to do outside, but not so many that you have to force yourself out in the freezing cold! Fortunately, in this part of South West France, we have lovely spells of winter weather. I love these beautiful misty mornings that turn into warm afternoons with sunshine and bright blue skies, when it’s really nice to go out into the garden.

1)      Winter protection
Freezing water expands and causes damage, so insulate outdoor taps or turn the water off. I loved Val’s empty bottle in the water butt tip! Check your greenhouse heaters (if using), but also open up the greenhouse on warmer days, as ventilating it will reduce humidity and reduce the risk of disease.

2)      Pruning
Fruit trees such as apple and pear trees (but not stone fruit trees). Keep some of the twigs to use as pea sticks.
Climbing roses - if not already done, do so now. Prune old flowered side shoots back by 2/3 of their length and cut away any diseased/damaged growth. Tie-in new shoots to the support.
Acers (Japanese Maples), birches and vines – before Christmas, as they will bleed sap if you do it any later.
Do not prune the old flower heads on your hydrangeas – leave them in place until the spring, as they provide frost protection to the new buds further down the stems.

3)      Planting
Deciduous trees and shrubs (planting and transplanting).
If you have not done your onions and garlic – do it now!
Raspberries and blueberries.

4)      Containers
Create some winter interest in your garden by planting containers with hardy plants such as cyclamen, grasses, ivy, skimmia etc.

Take cuttings
Hardwood cuttings from trees and shrubs.

see the rest in the Gardening tab

Debbie  Le Jardin Des Espiemonts
lejardindesespiemonts@gmail.com
Tel 0563646876

Betty Ford for sale

At the beginning of Feb Mark and I are returning to the UK. So my great car 'Betty Ford' will be for sale. She is a 2002 Ford Focus Estate and is in good shape. I am looking for offeres around 2,500e. She has a full service history. 

Contact me if you are interested. anya.sahla@wanadoo.fr

92% in favour of euthanasia

Hollande promised during his 2012 presidential campaign to look into legalizing euthanasia, and a recent poll by research firm Ifop showed 92 percent of those questioned were in favour of euthanasia for "people afflicted with terminal and unbearable illnesses" who wanted to die.

The debate took a tragic turn last month when two couples in their 80s committed suicide in Paris and left notes explaining their acts.

Val says  - note once again it is an Ifop poll/ sonndage

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Horse meat trading around Narbonne

Reported on TV this morning and in the local papers, another horse meat scandal. It does not matter if you approve of eating horses or donkeys or not, it is the quality and safety of the meat which is important. Around the Narbonne area equestrian horses which may have been pumped with steroids  or other drugs were supposed to have been sold to laboratories ( can you believe they were bought for 10 euros each horse) Instead the meat got into the food chain and horse butchers around the area must have been making a goodly profit on meat that may not have been fit for human consumption.
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Want a wedding organizing, think of Hannah at Noble Nuptials

Hi Val

I'd love to renew my advert please. I have two weddings for next year, so all is going well! Will pop a cheque in the post next week.

 Best,

 Hannah

Val says  a lot of families decide this is a special place for family weddings even if the family or children live in England.  Have a look at Noble Nuptials website, you never know when your partner may propose! or you could take matters in your own hands. 

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Another lovely morning

Blue skies, sun, a strong " vent d'autan" which means the wind is warm. Leaves are swirling around and the distant oaks are slowly saying goodbye to their summer garb. The donkeys do not like wind, it unsettles them making them a bit pushy and shovey ( I asked Malc, "how do you spell shovey"  but we decided anyway I like as it is a made up word!)  The hens are up on our ramp getting their feathers ruffled in the wind and Bonny and the cats are lined up on the outside window ledge, all watching their territory. Twister is fast asleep in  his usual old man's state. The old man! is showering before taking the dogs out!
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Va plat to Occitan

THE FRENCH government has indicated that it is keen to ratify a 20-year-old European charter recognising and supporting the country's regional and minority languages - such as Breton, Provençal and Occitan.

The charter, adopted by the Council of Europe in 1992 aims to protect and promote regional languages and to favour their use in private and public life.

France, and several other states, signed this but failed to ratify it (ie. to pass legislation making it operative in France). - See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/france
Val says
Va plat about the only words I know in Occitan mean very much the same as Ca va.
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Low turn out for Malian elections

Malians went to the polls on Sunday in the second round of a parliamentary vote that marks a return to democracy. But turnout was low and elections were overshadowed by the suicide bombing a day earlier, in which two UN peacekeepers died.

The polls mark the troubled west African nation's first steps to recovery after it was upended by a military coup in March last year, finalising a process begun with the election of its first post-conflict president in August. But turnout on Sunday was low with some polling stations reporting participation as low as 15 percent. Though there were no reports of serious incidents on election day, voting took place amid an upsurge in violence by al Qaeda-linked rebels who stalk the vast northern desert, launching periodic strikes targeting French and African troops tasked with providing security for the election alongside the Malian army.

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In February, one of these sweeties could be yours

Anke Terbruggen is a professional dog trainer having worked for many years with the Guide Dogs for the Blind in Holland. She is not only socialising these puppies but is offering follow up training afterwards. The puppies are free to homes that will offer the proper care. Anke lives between Varen and Verfeil and can be contacted at   anke.terbruggen@orange.fr

Have any readers suggestions for hotels in Barcelona?

Three hours to Barcelona makes going for a couple of days a super idea. Has anyone been recently that  could gave a name of a well placed hotel?
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Wow! look at these beauties

Victoria China , husband Nicholas and me, holding the most superb Christmas cakes. One of which will be going to lucky ticket holder Sarah Brown, another to Terry Lumb and the third made especially for Malcolm as Victoria had read about Malcolm's love of Christmas cake.
Many, many thanks Victoria and to you both we really enjoyed your company today. Nicholas promised over lunch to be totally indiscreet if we plied him with wine, sadly he was very discreet, so next time Nicholas we will sup another bottle.
Thank you once again.
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Fancy a night in Barcelona?

The first TGV from Toulouse to Barcelona leaves Matabiau to night at 20.24 (8.24pm) arriving there at 23.26, so just 3 hours. There are 4 en route stops at Carcassonne, Perpignan, Figueres and Gerona. Fares are from 39euros to 77 euros. After a night partying in Barcelona catch the return at 10.24 getting back to Toulouse at 13.31 (1.31pm).
SNCF say the train (operated by the Spanish railway) has 347 places and runs each night. The time knocks one hour off the previous journey and marks the first part in the joining Toulouse to the high speed network. The Paris line should be completed by 2024 and the Narbonne HSL by 2035.

Well done Kim Ilsley raising money for sick children

Thank you so much Val and Malcolm it is very very kind of you to give the money from the computer to the charity.  I must admit the event got a lot bigger than I thought it would be , it started out just as me donating my time and money for Zumba and then it grew and grew. Everyone had fun although chaos was all around as normal with over 60 children, 10 party games, hip hop, zumba, gateau galore, bar etc.. but I was amazed at how we all mucked in and made it a cracking night. I personally would like to say A HUGE thank you to all my clients that helped either with selling the tickets, decorating the salle des fetes, running a stand , acting as Santa it really was most humbling everyone pulling together but the icing on the cake was you guys giving the money from the computer.  With that we are way over the target of 2k so voila miracles can happen.
Kim

Val says  Really well done Kim and friends, what a superb effort. It is going to be fun giving the money back but it is not simple. Let me explain, we won the star prize of a portable computer in the raffle which was bought from Hyperu and still had its receipt. We can apparently get the money back but only to spend in the store so tomorrow morning Malc and I are going to get a trolley each and then do a " trolley dash" except the speed we go may be less of a dash and end up a " trolley crawl"
We can then donate the money back to Kim for the aid of sick children including Sethi. When we were at Sautou Andrew/ Media Man had given the children there a computer but it needs a French USB key board which we think will be around 50 euros so we will take this out of the money we will return. Gosh, we will have some fun, I bet Malc's trolley will be full of champagne and whisky!
Just a thought - has anyone got a French USB keyboard going spare?
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Christmas cakes collected today

Those two beautiful Christmas cakes offered as prizes in the TAG Christmas raffle are being delivered today by Chef extraordinaire Victoria China.  Victoria avid TAG reader lives towards Rodez and was the instigator of the TAG raffle. We have a lovely day planned, meeting at Le Moulin de Varen for lunch before the ceremonial handing over of the cakes. Delivery will be arranged next week.
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Windows painted at Caylus

Hélène Bofi-Pujol est une piètre dessinatrice, dit-elle, mais c’est une sacrée coloriste. Installée à Caylus depuis quelques semaines à peine, elle a quitté comme elle dit «le cul des vaches» dans l’Aveyron pour se rapprocher d’un collège pour sa dernière, ses aînés volant de leurs propres ailes.

Val says  In  l’avenue du père Huc. at Caylus the decorated windows are by the artist Hélène Bofi- Pujol. Interestingly in the Depeche there is a biography about the artist's mother who was obviously an esteemed journalist/ writer and a heroine of the resistance.

Hélène Pujol-Bofi est la fille de la célèbre journaliste-écrivain Rosemonde Pujol, médaillée de la Résistance, de l’Académie de médecine, chevalier des Arts et Lettres, de la Légion d’Honneur et féministe de haute lutte qui nous a quittés en 2009, à l’âge de 92 ans après avoir publié ses mémoires dans «Le vingtième sexe»

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Brit Stop at Lavour, what a good tip

The Brit Stop

10 quai Tour des Rondes

81500 Lavaur

tel 05 63 83 07 85
 

Val says I was speaking to a couple today who having seen this on TAG went to the shop and stayed for lunch. They said the shop has everything you could possible need at reasonable prices. Phone and book lunch as there are only a few tables in the winter, more in the summer as they can be outside. Market day is Sat. so parking can be difficult, Sat. afternoon is OK. 
Along with bacon, tea bags, cheese etc, they have Christmas crackers!

I've taken this off yellow pages - no web site. I have never used them but they have been around for about 5 years I think and are very highly thought of by people in the south of the Tarn. She also has a cafe in the shop and does fish and chips and has curry nights - useful knowledge for people who decide to take a day trip to try them out.

Ginny

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News from the Domaine de Sautou

This week end, this afternoon and tomorrow is a Marche de Noel at the Domaine de Sautou, go along to buy a few Christmas presents and enjoy the ambience. Malc and I went this morning and really enjoyed meeting everyone there. My little boys, who are being cared for there, well 17 year old sweeties in their care,  were there to help where they could. Mamadou, Ahad and a new boy just arrived called Said another boy from Bengal all chatted to me practising English and newly learnt French and then gave me a lesson in Bengali.
Jean Marie and Winnie were there offering drinks, mulled wine and cakes. Jane and Colin were working hard with a stall, or was it three or four stalls? Andrew, Media Man and Becky had a stall and were entertaining Reuben and Jacob at the same time.
Go along, show your support and see the diverse multi cultural shining happy faces, it does your heart good.
Winnie tells us that we now have 40 ladies signed up to help the ladies of Bamako in their gardening project. Actually 41 as I forgot to pass on an envelope with the name and address of another lady.
Jean Marie told us that an association in Toulouse had donated 5,000 euros to help open a soup kitchen for the masses of children that are coming down from the North escaping trouble. Jean Marie has a trip planned in the near future to oversee this project and another where the Rotary Club of Gaillac have donated a large sum for food supplies.
The trip to Sautou which is near Parisot is well signposted and the ride through the country on a sunny day like today is lovely.
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This paper is known for its scaremongering

Hi,

Thought your readers may be interested in this article in the papers in the UK this morning!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2523474/Brits-holiday-homes-Spain-France-banned-renting-tourists.htmlCheers
Steve
Val says  please before you click and read the article, read the piece below. I hate even mentioning the name of that rag on TAG. It feeds readers with little intelligence who are jealous of people with second homes abroad and delights in satisfying those  readers with tales of our forthcoming downfall. 
Thanks Steve for the link but it may be worth noting I really, really dislike that rubbish paper. Can I add yet another really!
The article does not make clear that this legislation, the result of complaints by the hoteliers lobby, is aimed at websites like AirBNB and other copycats. Room renters through AirBNB have reportedly been denting the hotel trade in big cities across Europe, so the lobbyists got busy. Unlikely that it affects holiday rentals where people rent out homes or barns etc in rural regions of France at least. Comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Out with the old in with the new

Thanks were given last night to retiring leaders of the Caylus Bridge Club Vanessa Ainsworth and Alan Fawcett both of whom are spending more time in the UK over the coming months. New incumbents Mike Ozier and Brian Franklin promised to maintain the informal atmosphere of the club and emphasised that new members of all standards of play will be welcome. Some anxiety was expressed that with M&B in charge of scoring we might see a dramatic rise in their fortunes but Mike assured us that Brian is incorruptible.
The new regime will be in place for the first night of the new year on Thursday 9th January at 5.30pm at the Bar de la Bascule, Caylus.
If you would like to come or want more details contact Mike by email mike.ozier@wanadoo.fr

Cuddling for Christmas

You would love to see hens Penny and Peck cuddling up together to keep warm in their nesting box on a night. Since the demon hen Scratch was returned home, the two here have become firm friends as it should be. One vital mistake was made  however in Scratch's cv and should  be noted for future purchasers, she does lay a little brown egg every day. It would appear that " Black Peck" even though she has beautiful feathers and pops in to the nesting box everyday does not actually lay eggs. Do not worry Mimi we are keeping this one regardless. A happy home is now deemed more important and fortunately Penny just keeps on laying " whoppers"
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Get those cards in the post asap.

POST sorting office workers have walked out on strike this week, potentially affecting deliveries in the run-up to Christmas.

Seven trade unions are behind the industrial action, which is in protest at the closure and merger of sorting office sites around France by the end of 2015 and the potential loss of 2,000 jobs.

The one-day strike coincides with the unveiling this morning of La Poste's 2014 budget by its new chief executive, Philippe Wahl. The company denies that the restructuring will lead to redundancies.

Postal deliveries could be delayed by several days as a backlog of mail and parcels builds up. - See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.
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Come on, have a go.

The sentences below were given as our homework today in our Fifi Creative writing class run by Doreen Porter . They were an exercise given to Doreen by  Writer's Abroad but we thought we would like to have a go at that! So come on TAG readers, let's have your efforts, the first from Doreen Porter herself, the second by me. look in Writers in TAG to see Doreen and my efforts and then send your efforts to us. You can write a piece with out putting your name to it if that helps.

The rain tap, tap, tapped against the windows as Maggie sat in the kitchen sipping her 10th cup of coffee. It was way past noon, yet she was still in her ratty bathrobe and bunny slippers. But she didn’t care. She didn’t care at all.

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At Caussade this week end

Ce week-end à Caussade, ne manquez pas le Marché de Noël !

Samedi 14 décembre :

De 10h à 20h : Marché de Noël et animations sur les  Promenades.

16h : Goûter pour les enfants.

16h30 : Spectacle de magie sous chapiteau, photos avec le Père Noël, maquillage...

Dimanche 15 décembre :

De 10h à 19h : Marché de Noël et animations sur les  Promenades.
16h : Goûter pour les enfants.
16h30 : Spectacle de magie sous chapiteau, photos avec le Père Noël, gonfleur de ballons, sculpteur de ballons maquillage, close-up...

N'oubliez pas de voter pour votre toile préférée à l'occasion du concours des classes de CP CE1 des écoles primaires de Caussade !

Organisé par le GALU : 05 63 65 06 30 – 05 63 93 01 00

Sent by Karen Sweeting

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