The crue in 1930 was much worse

Nous sommes le lundi vingt deux janvier

The rivers are all flooding in Laguepie, Varen, St. Antonin and Najac, everywhere round about we are out taking photos... usually in the rain. The first two pictures Laguepie and the last one of Varen

The good news is the weather is set to change from tomorrow.

taglines82@gmail.com

Emblematic French chef dies

One of France's most celebrated chefs has died at the age of 91. Paul Bocuse, who hailed from Collonges-au-Mont-D'or, Rhone, was honoured with 3 Michelin stars in 1965, which he retained until his death. The family had a tradition of chefs and young Paul, after fighting with De Gaulle's Liberation Army, took up the profession, training under leading chefs in the Lyon area.
He made the family home where he was born into a restaurant and it was there that he gained his reputation - and where he died this week.
Although a devotee of French gastronomic cuisine, Bocuse always led the way in new and imaginative dishes and the insistance that the plates should look good as well as tasting good.
He has been described as the godfather of modern French cooking and his influence is world wide.
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Nous sommes le dimanche vingt et un janvier

Fred is wondering if he can be bothered to go out for his morning needs, the other pets all slipped away to their beds. Malc said " it is raining again "  and pulled the covers over his head.

Yet it is not cold, trying to be positive. 

Donkeys are still shouting for their breakfast so I must go and sort them out, the temporary donkey carer next door must have done "a Malcolm." (covers over the head )

Oh ! spoke too soon, the lad is up and feeding the donks.

Malc who has risen from the dead tells me the weather is set to change Wednesday. Hold the faith friends.

taglines82@gmail.com

Missing the sun?

According to weather experts at various Meteos in Europe we have been missing sunshine this month. We think we had noticed! Apparently Brussels had only 10 hours sun in the whole of December (average is about 60 hours). In the first half of January, Lille has seen 2 hours 43 mins of sunshine and even here in the South west Toulouse basked for only 27 hours against an average of 92, with a similar score for Marseille. "Sunlight therapy" outlets are doing well in the north of France and here we are forecast plenty of sun towards the end of next week.
But spare a thought for the inhabitants of Moscow, where the meagre 6 minutes of sun in the whole of December has probably added to their legendary gloominess. At least they had Mr Putin swimming in freezing waters to encourage them - what price M Macron?
comments to taglines82@gmail.com
Thanks to Tony Coles for the link to The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/19/aint-no-sunshine-winter-darkest-europe?CMP=share_btn_link

 

Fatal collision at Caylus

A young woman, well known in St Antonin and who worked  at the veterinary surgery in Parisot was fatally injured in a head-on collision with a lorry on a side road between Caylus and Parisot yesterday morning. Grace Macarthur was 20 and lived with her family in St Antonin for several years.
Many readers will be shocked and saddened by this news and we extend our sympathies to the families.

Nous sommes le samedi vingt janvier

Down by the riverside in Varen. The road was impassable and residents in St. Antonin along the river are getting flood warnings from the mairie.

taglines82@gmail.com

Wet smelly dog weather

Photograph by Gareth Brown of Athos

Want him on your sofa do you?

taglines82@gmail.com

Art at Toulouse

Chuckle of the day

Nous sommes le vendredi deux neuf

SOLD

A lovely desk which has had a repair to a wobbly leg

40 euros

taglines82@gmail.com

A head for heights needed

Climbers attack the ramparts: pic France 3

The task of keeping the walls of Carcassonne free of invasive plants and checking for damaged joints is a continual process. Over the course of three years the skilled climbers check every part of the 1000 year old walls. With over 2 million visitors each year keeping the walls safe is a paramount exercise.
Readers may recall that the intrepid climbers donned their harnesses and ropes to stabilise the cliff side at Laguepie last year, safeguarding houses below and enabling the footpath up to the chateau to be re-opened.
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Ryanair hub at Toulouse?

The Irish airline announced that it wants to create four hubs in France in a bid to double its passengers from 10 million to 20 million by 2020. Amongst the centres under consideration is Toulouse (Lyon the other southern candidate). The airline has moved several of its flights to Toulouse in recent years from other regional airports such as Rodez, but has no planes based in France. Staff, including pilots, will be employed on local contracts and decisions are likely to be made at the end of 2018.
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Nous sommes le jeudi dix huit janvier

Weather for ducks !

Yet another drizzly damp morning. I supposed we should not complain, it is fairly mild when there is no wind and the snow in the UK makes us glad we are not there.

We have the blacksmith coming this morning and I see one of our boys has been out clearing donkey pooh in preparation for his visit.

Thanks to the two friends who are doing trips to Caussade and back to take the other two of our boys to the Prefecture. They get the train from Caussade to Montauban.

Apart from the marechal ferrant we have an easy day, yippee!

taglines82@gmail.com

To help a young family from Syria

A new Syrian family at Penne, the second Syrian family at Penne

Today Veronique came for some of or treaures for this new family

We do not just sell things to make money for Mains Tendues 82, we help support refugees set up homes

Keep up the good work Veronique

Bosch under threat at Rodez

The Bosch factory at Onet le Chateau, Rodez, employs 1500 workers and supports about 10000 other businesses in the area. The factory manufactures diesel injectors and the downturn in demand for diesel vehicles has put the factory in danger of closing.
A delegation met officials of the Economy Minister yesterday to press for some recognition of the problems.
They proposed three lines of action: 1) a reversal of the "diesel-bashing" by government, 2) a campaign of "buy French made parts" to protect their output, 3) a longer term study of the options to safeguard employment on the site if Bosch invests in a new generation of injectors or decides to centralise production elsewhere.
Bosch has been active on the Rodez site since 1962 and is an important player in the industrial life of the area.
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Wood and food parcels

It is looking very unlikely that the 3 young men staying in our gite and applying for asylum will find a centre d'accueil anytime soon. They have had their 4 months right to stay renewed but told that there are no places free at the moment. We are not prepared to throw them out on to the streets in this weather, they have suffered enough. So a concentrated effort needed to continue their welfare.

We have used our winter supply of wood and another amount donated by someone who was leaving.

If you have wood you no longer use or you are leaving and we could have your wood we could come for it with a trailer.

Also if you wanted to donate a food parcel, rice, tomatoes, eggs, orange juice, milk etc. that would be gratefully received.

They have not yet received any government money, that takes some time to come so we are still buying toiletries etc. along with everything else. Cheques can be made to Main Tendues 82 if you wanted to help us support them.

We can be contacted for our address via

taglines82@gmail.com

Pieces Jaunes

In the Post Office yesterday we spotted the little "Pieces Jaunes" money boxes and wondered what the money went to. You can get envelopes to hand in your little brass coins (10c, 20c, 50c) or pop them into collecting boxes. As ever these days there is an on-line giving option.
The sums collected are used to support children and adolescents during their stays in hospital. A hospital on the outskirts of Paris has seen its children's ward transformed from "glass boxes" to comfortable rooms, with bathrooms and space for a reclining chair for parents wishing the spend the night with their children.
The cost of 410000 euros was aided by a gift of 290000 euros from the Pieces Jaunes collection, which has now been in operation for 30 years.
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Is this justfiable?

Young farmers in the Tarn cut down four plane trees on the Lautrec/Realmont road in a protest against plans to change the boundaries of the special economic zone which provides them with assistance. They claim some 300 exploitations will be affected and it will lead to more destruction of hedgerows as bigger enterprises turn the land over to cereal production instead of the diverse production of the small farmers.
Their action was designed to shock, and although three of the trees were dead or diseased, they waved away disruption to local travellers, saying protection of their livelihood and farming methods were of benefit to all.
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Nous sommes le mercredi dix sept janvier

I love the idea of recycling and someone has given this address of a recycling station in Villefranche de Rouergue. 

the address http://www.recycleriedurouergue.com/

taglines82@gmail.com

Cancer Support meeting

Want to brave the stormy Weather?? Cancer Support France coffee morning, Gazpacho, St Antonin, today, Wednesday 17th January 2018, 10-11.30am. Come see what we are about. www.cancersupportfrance.org

Working bikes needed

Bruniquel and Verfeil refugee centres are moving to a site outside Parisot. A twenty minute walk from the village, they are used to living in a village and making friends. So we want to try and get more bikes for them as I am sure Parisot will welcome the boys to all their facilities, library, shops, bar with music.

There cannot be many left with bikes to give away but if you have a bike in good condition then please contact us. As bikes in good condition are now getting scarce Mains Tendues would like to raise money to buy at least 5 cheap bikes from somewhere like Decathalon. So a donation or cheque made to Mains Tendues 82 would be appreciated. 

If you have an advert in the side bar now might be the time to send your cheque made payable to Mains Tendues82

Contact for correct address.

taglines82@gmail.com

An interesting outing perhaps

Nous sommes le mardi seize janvier

Werner Braun showing photographs at Laguepie at the moment, next to the Bar du Viaur I think

Our finished new logo

Thanks to Helen Thomas for the design for our new logo and to Andrew Trender for the finished design.

We have a lot to do this year, raising money and working to change hearts, minds and attitudes.

Together we will be helping with our local refugees to improve lives in the area not just for our newly arrived refugees but for local villagers.

Some one asked last week why do Malc and I do it, why just not enjoy retirement?

Both of us are united in wanting to improve the world and attitudes being shown and expressed at the moment. If we can help do that and have some fun at the same time, we are up for it. Young people are such fun, it does not matter which country they are from, we are all the same species and the hideous remarks being expressed now, even against a new soon to be member of the Royal family shows how much work there is to be done.

Nous sommes le lundi quinze janvier

I am so often grateful for the monthly book swap, reading is a joy and recently Malc and I have enjoyed watching the odd DVD / film 

Malc says every spare moment my nose is in a book and that is thanks to the book swap I can relish reading. I will add that it is only evenings that I have a spare minute.

Just enjoyed William Boyd's Sweet Caress, a really good read and our latest film watched was Man of Fire both will be back at the next book swap.

We love our " soupes"

Holy flash!

Vandalism of the detested "radars" (speed cameras) is not uncommon, but is mainly confined to insulting tags. But the author of the "degradation" of the camera near Sauveterre, Gers, obviously planned his or her work carefully. The machine was spayed all over in black, then a superhero Batman logo added and finally a pair of bat ears and eyes appended to the top.

Facebook capture

Gendarmes admitted that the perpetrator showed artistic imagination, but remind us that such "degradation de bien public" could entail a 45000 euro fine and 3 years in prison!
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Doggy walks in Toulouse

Walkers assemble in the Place du Capitole :pic.ML Lejeune

Dozens of dogs of all sizes and breeds assembled in Toulouse for the city's first free dog walk on Saturday (Jan 13). Designed to educate owners on the need for "responsible" behaviour, by them and their canine companions, the walk was accompanied by trainers. The authorities also hoped that the dogs would become socialised and get on together in the city streets.
The ville rose is home to some 50000 dogs and spends a good proportion of its cleaning budget on picking up crottes deposited by dogs. The exercise will be repeated each second and third Saturday in an urban park.
Sadly, these events tend to be preaching to the converted, but the maire hopes the publicity will bring the message home to the city's residents.
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Nous sommes le dimanche quatorze janvier

Last night we hosted a cinema evening for some Africans and an Afghan young man. A group of us had seen a couple of weeks ago Paddington 2 in the cinema in St. Antonin, so last night we watched the first Paddington here. 

What pleasure that little bear has given generations from initially the books by Michael Bond and now the films. I love hearing our boys laugh and at both evenings we all laughed and laughed together.

It was interesting to hear one young man telling others about the cinema in St. Antonin, " it has a big screen, huge, " He had never been to a cinema, I did wonder what he would think of a multi plex.

Some of the other boys who also had never been to one,  I must arrange to find a film that they would enjoy and take them. Infact with 50 refugees soon at Parisot and some families, if any one has some time taking a couple of refugees to the cinema would be a lovely thing to do.

With films they love comic action or things with a bit of glamour and excitement, James Bond is a favourite. 

If you see a film coming up that may fit the bill please let me know.

taglines82@gmail.com

 

Albi world champion hangs up his bike

After setting two cycling world records in the last 5 years, Robert Marchand has decided on medical advice to retire from serious cycling. He had successively set the world best distance covered in one hour: 20 kms. Cyclists amongst you will say "what, only 20 km", but as Robert set his records aged 100 and 105 it's a fair achievement. He is the only cyclist to be acknowledged in those age brackets, but we guess his records will stand for some time.

Nous sommes le samedi treize janvier

Well what a change, a frosty morning but a lovely blue sky and the sun is up. I will go with that.

This is news in France and around the world

L'Afrique entière réclame des excuses. Les ambassadeurs du groupe africain (54 pays) à l'ONU ont publié, vendredi 12 janvier, un communiqué au langage d'une rare dureté, après les propos de Donald Trump, qui s'est emporté sur l'immigration qualifiant, selon plusieurs sources, des nations africaines et Haïti de "pays de merde".

Après une réunion d'urgence qui a duré quatre heures, le groupe de 54 ambassadeurs s'est dit "extrêmement choqué" et "condamne les remarques scandaleuses, racistes et xénophobes" de Donald Trump "telles que rapportées par les médias". Le groupe exige ainsi "rétractation et excuses". Il se dit "préoccupé par la tendance continue et grandissante de l'administration américaine vis-à-vis de l'Afrique et des personnes d'origine africaine à dénigrer le continent, et les gens de couleur."

Donald Trump, the American President embarrasses himself but in truth he embarrasses  the world. He brings the USA into disrepute, he brings us all who sit quietly listening into disrepute.

I am determined to fight racisim, cruelty, unkindness. Speak out wherever you are in the world. Fight for a decent world. This is the news today around the world, what a disgrace.

taglines82@gmail.com

Varen to Caussade aller / retour

Many of you will know we have three refugees staying with us. They need to go each week to the train station at Caussade to catch a train to Montauban to get to the Prefecture for 9.30 am. Often with rdv's on different days.

Is there any one who could help us get them there or pick them up in the afternoon when they come back?

Vous savez peut-être que nous avons trois réfugiés chez nous qui vivaient  dans les rues de Toulouse. Leurs papiers d'asile ont été transférés à Montauban.

Chaque semaine, nous devons les prendre souvent trois jours  pour prendre le train de Caussade à Montauban, dans un train qui les emmène à la préfecture entre 9h et 10h.

Nous faisons autant Malc et moi pour le moment et aucun d'entre nous n'est au top le matin tôt trois fois par semaine.

Y at-il quelqu'un qui pourrait offrir de prendre le relais de temps en temps pour nous aider.

Le but est de leurs aider à entrer dans un centre d'acceuil bientôt.

taglines82@gmail.com

Seville oranges / marmalade time

Hi Val,

I thought I saw a post on tag asking for the where abouts of Seville oranges (but then i could of imagined it) anyway if you did have a reader asking they have them at Le Comptoir Des Saveurs - the new fruit &veg shop at La Fouillade 0581391734lecomptoirdessauvers12@gmail.com

Run by the young couple, Cedric and Sabrina who had l'air du temp restaurant at Najac can highly recommend them for fresh produce, bio grocery items etc Cedric also cooks on the premises offering fresh and frozen meals to take away (think you can eat them there as well).

have a good (wet) weekend

Ali

taglines82@gmail.com

Martin Malvy to retire

The former president of Midi Pyrenees region, government minister, MP for the Lot and maire of Figeac for 30 years is to step down from his last political post as president of the Community of Communes of greater Figeac.
An active member of the Parti Socialist, Malvy was a towering figure for over 35 years in the south west. It is not known why he has made his decision at this time.

Caught on the not so merry-go-round

A motorist (aged 73, as if that had a significance) was flagged down by gendarmes in Brittany, but claimed he did not see them nor hear the sirens. Entering a roundabout in the town centre  he allegedly tried to confuse his pursuers by going round more than once. Seventeen times. Successively braking and accelerating he tried to shake off the gendarmes, but eventually they managed to stop him.
Charged driving in a dangerous manner, refusing to submit to a breath test and without a licence, which had been suspended in a previous incident, he was fined 7 euros per day for 90 days, plus 150 euro fine.
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Taking the......?

Taglines does not normally publish pictures from people's holidays, but local Verfeil residents Jean Donies and Alain Herremann sent us this with their new year greetings. They were in Australia.

Only a mild contrast with our morning views below!

Hi Val

 Also not a French story but my brother phoned today.  He lives in southern Manitoba in Canada, actually quite a “French” part of Canada.

This morning it was -32°C when he got up !

 John

Nous sommes le vendredi douze janvier

Looking out this morning to see another wet and muddy day. The drive is full of puddles, the fields are wet and muddy. The donkeys move from one field hut to another escaping the showers. They do have soft beds of sraw in each hut but I dread when it gets wet and needs mucking out.

 A job for young men with new wellies.

The afternoons have been dry but these constant wet mornings have swollen the rivers many breaking their banks.

Roll on Spring please.

taglines82@gmail.com

Good advice

Hi Val:

Just to clarify the law for foreign residents of France (non EU)...
you must obtain a French license 1 year after moving here on a permanent basis.  I goofed up on that one, as I wasn't aware of it for about 3 years ...so continued to drive on my American license with no problem.  When I went to the Prefecture to apply for a French one, they weren't going to give me one because it was beyond 1 year, however, being the pushy American I am, I just refused to take no for an answer and bugged them several times...they kept saying no..but about 2 months later, I received the notice to appear for my medical (very simple eye test and blood pressure) and was immediately issued my French driving license.  As a French woman told me a few years ago, never take no for an answer in France!  I think this will continue to apply for UK expats.  Take a deep breath and don't let the scaremongers get to you!
carolyn

taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le jeudi onze janvier

Saturday, January 13 at 21h In the village hall of Montricoux, the Festival Committee offers a theatre evening with the troupe "The Firefly" who present their  show "Tonight is the general ..." a burlesque creation around the last rehearsal before D-Day. Highly coloured characters, characters that clash, truths that are revealed little by little. Misunderstandings in misunderstandings, the actors are unleashed so that everything is in focus the next day but what does their director do? How to pass the time while waiting for it? To you to discover it ... An original show that does not lack spice ....

Not to be missed !

With: Delphine Virel, Floriane Lèbre, Isabelle Brabant, Francois Mercier, Patrick Ozil.

Directed by Marie-France Ménac.

Any resemblance to real or living people would be purely fortuitous ... or not !!! (single price 6 €)

http://www.montricoux.fr/2018/01/soiree-theatre-le-samedi-13-janvier-a-21h/

Do you need a French "permis de conduire"?

This has appeared on another site:
"Hope you all have french driving Licences just seen this on another site Driving licence: According to Article 2 of Directive 2006/126/EC9 driving
licences issued by Member States of the Union are mutually recognised. As of the
withdrawal date, a driving licence issued by the United Kingdom is no longer
recognised by the Member States on the basis of this legislation"

It would not be so drastic as it appears, as France does allow foreign residents to continue to use their licence provided it is valid. It will need to be exchanged for a French licence if it is to expire or if an infraction involving a loss of points occurs. Presently French "permis de conduire" do not expire nor require certification of health at 70, though this will most likely change at some point.

It may be that recognition of UK driving licences forms part of the detailed Brexit agreements. Perhaps a little "scare mongering" in the above post.

comments to taglines82@gmail.com

PS: the sub editor has a French permis - will it be recognised when in the UK?

Inondations at Varen

Memories of 16 years ago.

We had not long arrived here when the river Aveyron in Varen flooded. Flooded so badly that the river was half way up the walls of the Moulin de Varen. The then owners Nathalie and Bouzo had to be helicoptered out to safety and it made the TV news. It was always a joke that Nathalie could not go till she had on her fur coat and had put on her lipstick and she was winched up to the helicopter waving regally to the watching crowd.

Further along the river the bungalows along the bank were flooded so seriously that they too had to be evacuated by the pompiers. We had a lady friend who was furious, not realising how quickly the waters would rise, when she refused to leave, she was thrown over the shoulder of a pompier shouting all the while, but I have not got my handbag. 

We ladies know how important this is.

A couple of years after there were serious floods but in truth in the last few years the river has "inundated the road" but nothing more severe.

Photos today from Bruno Bengamra

The life of a refugee has always been hard.

Nothing changes,  the life of a refuge has always been hard. So touching seeing two children missing legs.

Camp de Septfonds

LA RETIRADA

----------------------

 Photo légendée : "Le cheminement pitoyable....".

 PHOTO : I' Illustration du 18/02/1939

 PS: l' article traite du passage en France par Cerbère (66).

Organic bird food

Rachel Shamash writes

If anyone is interested in buying ORGANIC bird food ( sunflower seeds) I have found a French source/farm near Puylaroque. He will be sending it all for oil soon so you will need to make contact soon. He sells it at 70 centimes a kilo. Please email me or phone to have his contact details. You will need to take a bag (or two) and bathroom scales but i can also regroup people to go at the same time if there are several interested.      rachel.shamash@orange.fr  05 63 24 07 34

Toulouse street artist at work

100taur is internationally known as a street artist and we have featured his work before on Taglines. Having studied at the Toulouse school of Beaux-Arts, 100taur decided to devote himself to outdoor painting, mainly on public buildings. But he is not simply a "taggeur" randomly defacing public property, but a considered designer, where every element has been planned on his computer before being executed.

mural in progress: pic F.Valery France3

He is currently engaged on a mural of 60 metres x 6 metres of the wall of a boulodrome in Minimes, Toulouse. Estimated to take until the end of the month, the work will feature his trademark love of animals and sea creatures, both real and imaginary, together with references to other artists he admires. As the work progresses he is subject to many inquiring passers-by, curious to discuss the work.

Nous sommes le mercredi dix janvier

Damp, drizzly, mild start to the day. 

Not as many blue skies as we would have liked this year so far. 

My news with Mains Tendues 82 is always exciting, today we go to fix up insurance/ assurance. This afternoon me and some of the boys are going off with the remorque to pick up some rather nice old furniture and tonight we are going to the Vice Presidents house, Caroline Trender to look at her progress with the website. The Treasurer Sarah Brown is nearly there with setting up the bank account, which has been quite complicated but nearly there Sarah. 

We could open in the village very soon, so exciting.

Please if you have any other news for TAG send it, as I am so involved with creating this association, getting goods to sell and looking after young men that I am rather stretched.

taglines82@gmail.com

Working together for a better world

MAINS TENDUES 82

Working together for a better world.

When we started TAGonline we realised we could help local charities and chose Alzheimer's 82, Cancer Support, Liberté des Anes, Via Sahel Enfants d'Afrique

We also helped to rehome local dogs with Truffes et Moustaches, Kathy and Maeva.

Around three years ago we began sending clothes, sleeping bags and tents to Calais and raising money for friends who were going up building chalets.

Then just over two years ago our own refugees arrived here and we started raising money for them.

With TAG we always asked for cheques to be made directly to the associations  

Up till now we have not had our own association to be able to do this but one needs to have transparency of where the money we now work hard to collect is going. 

One of the reasons we have created Mains Tendues 82 with a committee and importantly a treasurer.

Our hopes are to help our local refugees and others in the area in need.

After being able to give 100 euros to each boy at Verfeil, ( 18 of them) we were delighted to be able to give 300 euros to the local enfants/ junior school in Varen before Christmas.

We start 2018 with a healthy balance even after we have paid expenses for housing, feeding and transport for 3 young men who passed winter in the warmth here with us, rather than on the streets of Toulouse.

Taglines82@gmail.com

Natalie has a veggie pop up café

Good morning folks, I thought I'd let you know that my veggie pop up cafe will be starting again next week but I've switched to Tuesdays instead of Thursdays. For reservations please call 06 59 96 25 36

I thought I'd also use this opportunity to tell you a bit about myself. I've been running a vegetarian and vegan catering business for 3 years and I cater for events, retreats and festivals. I also have a vegetarian chambres d'hotes (www.lechevalblanc.net) in St Antonin where I provide fine dining and gourmet breaks for our guests. My new projects for 2018 will be a series of gourmet evenings and the launch of my vegetarian cooking school where I'll be offering both day and residential courses. 

If you're interested in workshops, my gourmet evenings or anything else please send your details to info@lechevalblanc.net and I'll add you to my mailing list. You can also follow our facebook page for updates https://www.facebook.com/lechevalblanc.st.antonin/

Happy New Year,

Natalie x

Nous sommes le mardi neuf janvier

Another good book swap yesterday, lots of new books after Christmas. For me lots of items sold on facebook being picked up and paid for.

After the violent storm the night before the day ended up being very mild. We are beginning to get 

used to these storms but the talk was still of trees and branches down along the roads.

Opposite the Gazpacho is a free book bank on the wall near Hans VIDEPC. People who live in St. Antonin do use it if stuck for a book, so do remember to pop a good book in from time to time.

Lots of people are now passing the winter in Spain and there were notable absences.

For those still enjoying being here in France whatever the weather and also like us having pets to consider, we continue to enjoy our French dream.

taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le lundi huit janvier

A violent storm around 2 am which had me dashing from my bed to unplug the wifi box and tv.

The rain was lashing down and the thunder claps were interspersed only with the lightning and multiple short power cuts, the dogs and cats slept through it. 

Book swap TODAY, hope you remember the date change, only for this month because of the first Monday being New Years Day.

taglines82@gmail.com

Cinema at Milhars

"Cinéma à Milhars" <cinemilhars@gmail.com>

Bonjour,

Nous vous souhaitons une belle année 2018, pleine de belles histoires !

Pour bien commencer cette nouvelle année, nous vous invitons le

Mardi 9 janvier à 20h30, salle G.Bosc

à découvrir ou redécouvrir le fabuleux film

« Farrebique » 

de Georges Rouquier, en version restaurée.

Bruniquel has welcomed its migrants

picture Eric Cabanis:AFP

With the imminent closure of the migrant welcome centres in Bruniquel and Verfeil France 3 TV news has a feature on the village of Bruniquel and how well its inhabitants have welcomed and integrated the 25 or so Sudanese refugees housed there. 11 of the asylum seekers have "got their papers" and are very grateful for the help and affection they have received and advise the rest of their group to be patient. They will be joining the 18 Afghans and Africans housed in Verfeil in a new centre near Parisot later this month.
The link (in French) is a pleasing read for all of us who have been involved.
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/tarn-et-garonne/montauban/bruniquel-tarn-garonne-refugies-prennent-nouveau-depart-1396235.html

Speed limit to be reduced

Government plans to reduce the speed limit on many secondary roads will be announced this week. The current death and accident toll on all roads has risen to 3500 and 70000 after some years of reduction. The 90kph limit will be reduced to 80kph, estimated to save between 200 and 400 lives and prefects have already been asked to identify which stretches will be affected. The measures will take about six months to implement.
The prime minister denied it was simply a way to get more revenue via the radars, and probably the cost of implementation and awareness campaigns will out weigh the revenue for some time. Savings to motorists are estimated at about 120 euros on fuel and environmental savings of about 30% of emissions could be achieved.
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Nous sommes le dimanche sept janvier

On a bit of a high and not just because we live in the heights of Varen. Going to our post box yesterday we had money from items sold, and a cheque for an eye watering amount for Mains Tendues 82

It will really help us to help others and gets us off to a flying start.

Last night at the Maire's Voeux we got a chance to tell villagers about Mains Tendues 82 and the shop coming soon to Varen, the old town hall opposite the halle. We will be open Saturday morning from 10 till 12. You will be able to do your market shopping and then pop in to see if there is anything you need to buy at a good price. We will be selling items not at present needed by the boys for their new apartments. We have tables too large for small apartments, lots of lamps and shades, curtains, garden tools, clothes, childrens equipment, pushchairs, cots, everything that people leaving for the UK have donated for our good causes. 

I imagine that if you do not need anything you may be able to help by donating... but only good quality things, nothing dirty or needing to go to the dechetterie  please.

Help sorting material and hosting the Saturday  opening day will be needed.

We are still looking for storage in the area. Contact me if you have time and would like to offer help.

Val taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le samedi six janvier

Just when you are feeling too tired and down, you get a "pick you up" in the form of flowers.

Lat night feeling exhausted I received a beautiful yellow potted rose bush from all the Afghan boys from Verfeil in gratitude for the help I give them.

One does not need presents but gosh it perks one up.

Also thanks to the two couples who came yesterday morning with lots of donations for the boys and a sizeable donation for Mains tendues82

taglines82@gmail.com

Cannes 2018

The world famous Cannes international film festival, to held in May, has appointed as President of the jury the Australian actress Cate Blanchett. Winner of two Oscars, Miss Blanchette starred in the locally filmed "Charlotte Gray", and has been a leading critic of sexism in Hollywood.
For many years she criticised Hollywood producers for thinking that "women's film" were a niche genre, despite the commercial and critical success of many films featuring women (her own performance in "Blue Jasmine" worthy of any accolade).
One of the first to denounce Harvey Weinstein, with whom she has made two films, she co-founded the association "Time's Up" with other leading women actors with the aim of achieving equality of treatment of men and women in the industry and providing assistance, including legal, to help those who have suffered sexual harassment at work in the cinema and theatre milieu.
Cate Blanchette promises to be a committed President at Cannes 2018.
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Nous sommes le vendredi cinq janvier

Dry at the moment out there. From one window we have a beautiful blue sky, from another it is streaky grey and pink. I am going with the positive and waiting for the sun, it is mild and Malc tells me we can expect sunny intervals.

Heard a lot of discussion about the Chinese lanterns at Gaillac, apparently they are still illuminated and sounds worth a visit.

We probably will not go as we hate light pollution which affects local wildlife, birds and bats especially become disorientated.

We have a quiet day with lots of deliveries of clothes and bedding.

The new CAO welcome centre for refugees will open towards the end of January just outside Parisot, so a lot of the bedding and other items will go then.

Just a reminder that it is the book swap on Monday 8 th.

looking forward to seeing you there.

taglines82@gmail.com

What a busy day

The editor was up at 6.30 am and out for 7.45am picking up a car full of boys to go off with the remorque / trailer to pick up some household items for the boys.

Quite an adventurous  day as along the route we had a problem with the plastic wheel arch, which we managed to fix by tearing it off.

Then on to meet a friend in a village near Gaiilac who was donating lots of things including a fridge for one of the boys. 

Whilst waiting for the friend in a car park in the village, the gendarmes drew up alongside us, staring intently into the car. 

I told the boys to stay quietly inside and got out to see what the problem was. 

Peering into the car they asked me if it was my car and where I lived. After lots of explanations of what we were doing and where we were going they sat and watched us as we moved off. The relief that we had good working trailer lights  was enormous. 

 Makes you realise though it is not easy for black faces in France.

We got our trailer full and as we drove home I realised we needed petrol and I had left my purse at home, though I did have 20 euros in my pocket. 

We stopped in St. Antonin and straight away found a friend who used her card to get me petrol.

When I got in about 2 pm I was absolutely shattered but still had unloading to organise.

Malc had been on dog / donkey/ garden duty with the help of one of our Africans here. Lots of branches, tidied up, a tree repositioned which had blown over and broken tiles picked up.

Busy is good, doing nothing is boring I told Malc with a big smile..

taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le jeudi 4 janvier 2018

Early start for the editor to collect a frigo for an apartment in Vefeil occupied by two young men from Afghanistan, one of whom has his "papers" and is starting his mandatory French courses.
The sub-editor was delegated to clear up the degats caused by the stormy winds the other day. Lots of branches to be sawn down, fences to be made secure and 8 tiles from the pool house roof. Don't worry, no ladders climbed!
2018 has started in a very busy fashion; lets hope it slows down (at least a bit).
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Has SNCF lost Villefranche de Rouergue?

A regular traveller from Paris to Aveyron's Villefranche searched in vain for his destination at one of the capital's automatic ticket machines. It seems that SNCF update their timetables each November and no trace could be found in the list of stations presented.
There are several Villefranches on the rail network, but the Aveyron town is second only to its "sur Saone" homonym in size. However he entered the name into the machine he was not presented with his destination. So to one of the guichets to annoy a long queue of passengers whilst the agent carried out the same search. Eventually it was found that if one enters "villefranchederouergue" without spaces, up it comes. Searching on the regional TER website it appears as "Villefranche-Rouergue" in a long list of options. If you or your visitors intend to visit our Villefranche and are buying a ticket from an SNCF machine remember to be persistent.
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Singing class in Najac

Dear Singers,

I am planning another song class in Najac to take place in the afternoon of Saturday 27th January, as before from 2pm. Geneviève Foccroulle will accompany the Class again. 

The format will be the same, with the class lasting at least until 5.30 and the opportunity to sing two pieces. The cost is €30.

I hope to see you there! Let me know. Let me know also if it interests you to come as a spectator. You can call me on 05 65 65 79 75 to discuss any aspect of the class.

Meanwhile I wish you all a Happy New Year!

All the best from  Sally.
contact sally.songful@gmail.com

Nous sommes le mercredi 3 novembre

Early start to help out with some furniture removal, followed by an afternoon - removing furniture! All in aid of our putative association "Mains Tendues": happily it does not involve our over-stretched storage facilities.
The teams involved can sadly only look forward to rain or showers, but temperatures well above normal.
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Storage facility Montauban or Cahors

Dear Val & Malcolm 

Happy new year let's hope it's wonderful for everyone.

Can you please ask if anyone knows of a storage facility for furniture in Montauban or Cahors.

Very many thanks Laura xx

green.havard@gmail.com

Timber

On the way to doggy play group, lots of branches down, many in our garden and fields.

The road was blocked round the corner but it was being diligently worked on by one of the Mairie's men.

We did a detour by another route.

Just in our grounds we have a conifer blown over, fence panels broken, donkey fencing loose, tiles 

off the pool hut... but apart from that  !

Taglines82@gmail.com

Nous sommes le mardi deux janvier

Dash, dash, dash, rush, rush, rush,

Today is doggy play group and Eldo loves these mornings, so I cannot hang about

Enjoy your morning.

taglines82@gmail.com

Could be a photo of mine when they were younger.

They are still as cute.

Pig farm at Septfonds under fire

One of the many petitions doing the rounds on Facebook is a protest against an extension to a pig farm in Septfonds.
https://www.change.org/p/préfet-collectif-contre-l-extension-de-la-porcherie-de-septfonds?utm_medium=email&utm_source=petition_signer_receipt&utm_campaign=triggered&share_context=signature_receipt&recruiter=65675748
It is claimed that 6500 pigs will be raised in factory conditions, having less than 2m2 each. Whether we subscribe to not eating meat or not (we dont), we do believe in compassion in farming and animals treated with dignity. There are many ethical pork producers locally and choosing their products over factory farmed pork - which is cheaper and more profitable to producers - is a way of expressing our support for better standards.
No doubt there will be an element of "nimbyism" in local support for the petition; the huge farm is likely to produce effluent and odours to the detriment of the environment, but at the heart of the matter is the welfare of the animals.
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Nous sommes le lundi premier janvier 2018

Happy New Year to all our readers and as they say here in France " bonne année et bonne santé"

We wish for all a healthy and happy New Year with Brexit finally being consigned to the bin. 

A year we hope for better things around the world, including the impeachment of Donald Trump and sanity being restored to this increasingly dangerous world.

Peace and joy.

We celebrated in style with Mark and Brice at the La Seye et Vous at Verfeil. We had a superb 6 course meal with the usual friendly ambience with lots of local friends.

Great way to start the new year.

I have included a picture of  some friends who are TAGS biggest supporters and apparently their day does not start till they have read TAG. Second homers are often the biggest TAG supporters as reading about life here keeps them in touch and keeps them looking forward to their next visit. The couple long term partners got married in the UK last year, so in love,so happy and such fun. They are a welcome addition to our expat friends here.

taglines82@gmail.com