The BBC have today updated their information here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/posts/Changes-to-BBC-Satellite-transponders-in-2013

to explain that BBC channels will, for the most part, not be broadcast using the tighter distribution pattern (which could jeopardise reception in southern Europe) until the summer of 2013.

After that, the BBC accepts that some non-UK viewers could lose the ability to receive services intended for the domestic BBC audience, but they blame this on changes made by SES, the Luxembourg-based company operating the Astra satellite fleet.

However, the fact that the Channel 5 family, Channel 4HD, 4Seven and some ITV 1 channels are now using the tighter distribution pattern and remain viewable in the Midi-Pyrenees (we've had no reports of loss of reception hereabouts) does bode quite well for next year's BBC switch-over.

Hope this is helpful.

Chris

PS  Sky News is indeed now openly available on Freesat - previously you had to search for it separately.  

Also sent by David Hatfield
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Do you suddenly have a high bill form Orange?

Recently several people noticed that they had a much higher bill from Orange Internet as they normally would expect. Looking at the bill (usually readable as a PDF-file on the Orange personal page under Espace Client, Suivi Conso) you sometimes see that a certain amount is charged for the use of Minitel or for Internet+ or Contact+. This is the charge for the use of certain pages on the Internet which require payment, like some pages of Météo France or the Yellow Pages. Unfortunately you don’t get a good visible warning at all while watching these pages. It is advisable to disable this possibility. On the Suivi Conso page go to “modifier mes services internet” and disable both Internet+ and Contact+ by clicking modifier and then désactiver. Confirm with Valider. One of my clients (age 85) had a bill of more than € 55 extra last month, so it is worthwhile to carefully check your bill and your settings.

Some of us also have there the possibility for deactivating Wifi Partagé. My advice is not to do so and leave that activated.

Hans Buijserd, VIDEPC.

 Val says Lorraine Dowson has also mentioned this problem. so thanks for bringing it to TAG's attention Hans

Have just googled VIDEPC to find below

VIDEPC is a small company in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (Tarn et Garonne - 82) for support on computers. We give this support on installation and repairs on the computers. We are experts in Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) and also have much experience with Windows servers, networking, ADSL and WiFi. We can give you advice on all aspects of Information and Communication Technology.

What can we do for you

All aspects of ICT are possible, from advice to repairs.

• Windows computers
• ADSL
• WiFi
• Ethernet networks
• Internet networks
• Windows servers
• Websites (HTML, PHP-MySQL)
• Satellite and TNT television
• Personal Consultancy
• Hans Buijserd   tel 0563263934
• Mobile0643734697

Lorraine Dowson says

In relation to large bills we were refunded from Orange after calling the English helpline (0969363900)
They have blocked from my email address any sites that would incur costs.
They were very helpful.
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Next book swap will be January 14th

A date for your diary Monday January 14th  at 10 .30 am will be the next book swap at the Gazpacho. We are hoping to also organize a DVD swap with Martin Mackenzie being the DVD Librarian. More on that at a later date.
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Toulouse / Blagnac, the best in France

Toulouse Blagnac Aeroport has come out the tops , the best in France. Information from Skyscanner taking into account 18 different criteria  put Toulouse at the top.  A noter egalement les mauvais scores des aeroports Parisiens.  And I bet even you non French speakers can guess the gist of that.
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Douze, douze, douze

A lucky date for the Chinese, with many young couples choosing to get married, some even choosing the time douze, douze.
Talking dates, the Gazpacho at St. Antonin is offering a last supper ( before the end of the world ) on the  evening of the 20th for 55 euros. What is money if you believe you will not be here to spend it the next day!
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Eric catches a ''brochet''

Eric Savignac of Varen has just caught an enormous brochet [ pike] 50 cms in length. A picture of him proudly displaying it is in the Depeche Tarn et Garonne. He is also President of the local fishing club which will be meeting on Friday 14th of Dec in the Mairie in Varen at 20hr30
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Think about having your chimney /flue cleaned.

Has your chimney been swept recently? Does your wood burner burn as well as it should?

I just spent a couple of hours helping someone sweep their chimney because their ramoneur was un contactable and I was glad I did because I really saw why chimneys need sweeping. The chimney had become so restricted that it was not possible to light the wood burner properly. It was full of lumps of tar all they way up - an ideal medium for a chimney fire. I broke most of the plastic bristles off two chimney brushes cleaning most of the tar out. My hand would just fit into the top of the flue evn though the tube was 150mm 

I am glad to say that we do not have that problem at home as most of the residue coats the chimney flue and then falls off into the T peice at the bottom as dry 'leaves'. I think the reason it does that is that I try to burn the wood hot and then let it die down, I believe the wood burner works most efficiently when it has an air flow, sadly ours are too powerful for the rooms so it is tempting to have them ticking over at full restriction. If the glass is getting coated then the chimney is probably the same.

Something for everyone to think about whilst they are keeping warm

Sent by James Sweeting

Val says   We had the same problem a few years ago with a wood burning stove and were told by the ramoneur  that it was caused by burning wood that was not properly dry and aged. Wood  needs to be 3 years old before burning. Another point is your insurance will only pay out if you have a fire, if you have a current certificate saying you have had your chimney cleaned.
James Says   The wood burned by the previously mentioned wood burner was definitely dry - well stored and over three years old so that wasn't the cause of the problem.

If you know your chimney is in a good state you don't need a certificate from a ramoneur because it won't catch fire.

Neville says    Neville agreed that wood should be dry before burning to avoid a build of tar in the chimney,however what happens with your insurance company if you have swept the chimney yourself and do not have a certificate to prove it?

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Hard to leave your past behind.

An elderly man in his late 60's living in Castres with his wife was obviously loathe to give up his memories of his exciting days when a young " legionnaire" After a violent dispute with his wife where she got shot in the hand, gendarmes searched their house to find a veritable arsenal of weapons. Rifles, pistols, grenades, machettes, detonaters were all on display. Makes you think and look twice  at your neighbours.
Malc says " that is a gun toting peasant if ever you saw one" Quote from a much earlier post where  an  Englishman going back to England  had described his neighbours as " gun toting peasants"
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Worrying times in Mali

Mali's PM Cheick Modiba Diarra announced his resignation and that of his Government on National TV yesterday, only hours after he was arrested by the military.
Antoine Glasser, a French specialist on Mali said the new power grab was undoubtedly a result of differences over a future military offensive to take back the Northern regions controlled by al Qaeda linked Islamists fighters.
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Donkey with the ''gummy'' smile is well, after a cold

Hi val

 just got the 2 cheques from you, hope you got the xmas cards in the post.

 Thank you so much for all your support, its quite cold now and they are eating loads so all of these donations help us so much and give me good feelings to know there is some support out there when I am sometimes a bit down with the continuing problems with some of  the donkeys.
 Yes we still have Savanne the big Poitou cross with Babouche the old white one her best friend, and all of them, just had the vet over as one of them got a cold although they are in most of the time eating hay !  We are seeing Mimi and Kevin next Sunday, so kind of them to bring us hay.

 Thanks for your Tag lines, talk soon,

Jan Lemmy

Annual Candle lighting and Carols at St. Antonin

Sunday Dec. 16th there will be the Annual Candle lighting and Carol Celebration at St. Antonin. The Carols will start at 17 hr in the Halle.
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Please can anyone help Anne?

Can any good samaritan help me.  I need someone without cats who could look after Barty and Chloe (my two non cat friendly dogs) from about 11am until 9pm next Sunday 16th December. I can drop off and collect but does anyone know anyone who could look after them during the day. They have been left so much recently as my husband is in hospital having a bone marrow transplant and I can't leave them alone again and would like to be able to visit Nick in hospital and then do the St Antonin carol concert in the evening.

If anyone can help please give me a call on 05 63 31 13 24 or 06 04 03 29 39

Anne Grose 
Val says Anne lives near Castanet.Wish I could help but we have 4 cats and we have been invited out to lunch on Sunday.I am sure we must have a reader with out cats who could mind two very friendly dogs.
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Sains et saufs

Two skiers were found on a high piste in the Ariege and the French report says "sains et saufs," well and safe. Where as our saying would be "safe and sound", not dissimiliar.
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Line gives massages.

Have you got ideas for Christmas presents for all your loved ones ?

How about an enjoyable and relaxing massage for a change ? 

Massages are particular energising at this time of the year.

Please check this video with neurobiologist Lucy Vincent to know why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cUxEL90NzQs 

Book early your massage gift-vouchers and maybe one for yourself as well.

For more information, check my website: www.bienetre-massage.fr

Warm regards,

Line Leroy

line.leroy7@gmail.com
06 29 86 91 67
www.bienetre-massage.fr
Val says  we have good reports of Line, and she has donated 10 euros to the children of Mali
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Ryanair flights through the winter.

Ryanair has announced it will stay flying from Rodez to Stansted,  through the winter with flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
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The English library at Villefranche

Readers may be interested in looking at the website of the English Library at Villefranche de Rouergue It has a lot of local information on and publishes a bi monthly newsletter. Just looked at the link and it costs to join but you can read the newsletters for free.
www.theenglishlibrary.net
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Couronne making at La Mothe

I received a post for TAG which invited readers to a Christmas wreath making afternoon on Sat or Sunday 8th or 9th.at  ''Le Jardin de la Mothe at Salles Courbatiers. A group of  us ladies decided to go and an added incentive was the money paid for the afternoon was for the Domaine de Sautou. The day was dry and sunny and so we were lucky to be able to have a guided tour around the beautiful gardens before lunch. As we were expecting sandwiches the delightful lunch that was served was a real bonus.
Everything was on hand to make the wreaths and a large group of ladies [ not a group of large ladies] soon got winding ivy , flinging moss about [ was that just me!] and generally creating masterpieces under instruction.
We all had a great afternoon and came away feeling satisfied and happy with our creations. Mine is a bit dodgy to be honest but I did enjoy it. Thanks to Marion and Mollis and Milla and I hope you have raised a goodly sum for the children of Mali
Val
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Latest news from Mali

As we are raising money for the children of Mali, keeping our eye on the political situation there is important. The latest news tells us of a march through the streets of Bamako on Saturday. One thousand people were marching to demand a swift international intervention to reclaim Northern Mali, which armed Islamists groups have been occupying for 8 months.
Jean Marie Nosal is in Bamako at the moment supervising school and hospital and we await more news on his return.
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Anne Alassane expecting a baby in February

La Pays'Anne and Anne Alassane

Many of us now have sampled the delights of the former Masterchef's  Restaurant at Montauban. After winning Masterchef and setting up her own Restaurant, Anne suffered a terrible tragedy when two of her small children were killed in a fire. We are happy to hear life is moving on for her and she is expecting another baby in February. For those who have not been to the ''Auberge paysanne''  a bit of information below, grace a la Depeche.

Situé à 5 kilomètres de Montauban, en pleine campagne, la ferme-auberge «La Pays'anne» propose de savoureuses recettes concoctées à partir de produits de qualité issus du terroir. Aux fourneaux, Anne Alassane mitonne des gratins de volaille au potiron, des ravioles de chèvre, du foie gras poêlé, des grenadins de veau, de la volaille roulée aux fruits secs…

Ouvert tous les jours, sauf mercredi et jeudi. Ouvert le 24 et 25 décembre à midi, le 1er janvier à midi. Menu : 18 € le midi (entrée + plat ou plat + dessert, apéritif et café compris), formule Pays'Anne à 28 €, formule dégustation à 45€. Tel. 06 87 39 17 72.

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Marine Lorphelin, Miss Bourgogne becomes Miss France

Last night televised was the final of Miss France. Marine Lorphelin of Bourgogne, a 19 year old medical student was crowned Miss France. From the photos, a very pretty lass.[ could be a quiz answer, and you would know it]
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