I am more used to going out shopping, at least a half hours drive, to discover that everything I want is out of stock or not available.
This morning was a dream, I was in Villefranche at 9.20. HyperU had everything I wanted including for the Salon du Jardin, paper rolls of white paper to make tablecloths, paper plates, do you think 150 will be enough? and plastic spoons for tasting the confiture / jams.
I was back home with the car filled up with petrol at 10.45am. That's the way to shop.
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Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Helpful advice on funerals
Dear Val
Val says that is a really helpful letter Andrew, to a generally ageing readership. Comforting to think someone knowledgeable is there for us all and also helpful to know we can extend the time so family around the world could come for the final important ceremony of a loved one's passing.
thank you
I was interested to see the article on Funerals for the Living Family - ie those left behind and mourning their lost loved ones. (Tuesday 10 June 2014)
Perhaps your readers would be interested to know that the Anglican Chaplaincy of Midi-Pyrenees and Aude is always interested to hear from bereaved families and to help them in these often difficult and time-constrained circumstances, particularly when it comes to dealing with Pompes Funebres here in France. Although they provide an excellent service they are a little different to the family-run businesses we may have experience with in the UK? Are you aware that the time restriction can be extended beyond the usual 3 days if family and friends want to come from the UK or further afield? Cremation in a predominantly Catholic country is also relatively new on the scene but becoming more popular.
As Clergy and Lay Readers of the Church of England we are used to being pastorally sensitive and caring for anyone who might ask for our help at these times. We work with the close family listening to their needs and using the funeral service outline we can usually be flexible in our approach with most requests.
Do visit our website for further information or email and ask for someone to come and discuss this important topic with you at no charge! None of us is getting any younger and someday we all have to face the fact that we will die. Isnt it better that we should be prepared for that event and considerate for those we will leave behind? In all the hundreds of funerals I have taken over the years it has always been helpful for the bereaved family when they have had some idea of the wishes of that person they have lost. Funerals are a time to celebrate the life and achievements of those we have loved but see no longer.
With every blessing,
Yours Sincerely,
Andrew
Andrew R Hawken
Chaplain Midi-Pyrenees & Aude
and Area Dean for France (South)
Val says that is a really helpful letter Andrew, to a generally ageing readership. Comforting to think someone knowledgeable is there for us all and also helpful to know we can extend the time so family around the world could come for the final important ceremony of a loved one's passing.
thank you
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Pat on the back for us women
FRANCE is among the world’s leading nations for the number of women running their own business, according to latest figures.
L’Hexagone is fourth in the global list, behind USA, Australia and Sweden.
Economic powerhouse neighbours Germany came in fifth in the study published by the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute (GEDI).
Women’s rights minister Najat Vallaud Belkacem welcomed the news and said that it “reflects the progress made in France for gender equality in entrepreneurship”.
She pointed out that the government has set a target of 40% of all entrepreneurs being women in 2017
L’Hexagone is fourth in the global list, behind USA, Australia and Sweden.
Economic powerhouse neighbours Germany came in fifth in the study published by the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute (GEDI).
Women’s rights minister Najat Vallaud Belkacem welcomed the news and said that it “reflects the progress made in France for gender equality in entrepreneurship”.
She pointed out that the government has set a target of 40% of all entrepreneurs being women in 2017
From the Connexion.
Val says well done ladies, we'll get there yet!
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Shooting madness
A Frenchman aged in his 70s noticed some rustling in his cherry tree tree on Saturday night in north-western France and, assuming it was hungry blackbirds pillaging his fruit, he pulled out his shotgun and opened fire.
But the movement in the tree was not in fact scavenging birds, but the elderly man’s 46-year-old son who'd climbed the tree to pick some fruit, French magazine L’Express reported on Monday.
The son was rushed to a hospital and his father’s gun was seized by police.
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Monday, 23 June 2014
Red sky at night...
One of the things we hope the picnic in the parc will give you is a spectacular sunset. Of course a few clouds in the sky always lend a bit of drama and tonight was a perfect example. Following this morning's storm and a day of belles eclaircies the sky is blood red. Here's a photo to whet your appetite.
Shepherds must be delighted, and Picnic in the Park our jazz evening is Wed. JULY 23rd.
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A nest full of redstarts
Dear Val and Malc,
Long post for this week but it does have a happy ending
Redstarts and the Cat
Well this year we had black redstarts nesting in the barn just behind a wooden pillar that holds part of the roof up. I did think it was abandoned as there was nothing on the nest which at the time has 6 white eggs in it. But never fear the parents were just out for lunch and soon a pattern emerged, during the night one of the parents would roost, if that is the correct term and during the day roosting was sporadic. As we have a cat with fine tuned hunting ability for anything that walks or flies (can you tell he is French) and as the redstarts were well within jumping height I decided to fence off the pillar to discourage any murderous intentions.
After a while five of the six eggs produced redstart fledglings and whilst the parents were gathering insects I managed a sneaky shot of them with their beaks open wide. So as not to bother them too much we made a wide berth around the area they were nesting but the cat decided that it was his turf and if he wanted to sunbathe under the nest then so be it. This went on for some time and the parents were not unduly concerned until one morning around 6 I could here the alarm cheeps of the parents then a noise not unlike a cat sliding down stock proof fencing.
Nev
To see more photos and read more go to Wild Photos
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Long post for this week but it does have a happy ending
Redstarts and the Cat
Well this year we had black redstarts nesting in the barn just behind a wooden pillar that holds part of the roof up. I did think it was abandoned as there was nothing on the nest which at the time has 6 white eggs in it. But never fear the parents were just out for lunch and soon a pattern emerged, during the night one of the parents would roost, if that is the correct term and during the day roosting was sporadic. As we have a cat with fine tuned hunting ability for anything that walks or flies (can you tell he is French) and as the redstarts were well within jumping height I decided to fence off the pillar to discourage any murderous intentions.
After a while five of the six eggs produced redstart fledglings and whilst the parents were gathering insects I managed a sneaky shot of them with their beaks open wide. So as not to bother them too much we made a wide berth around the area they were nesting but the cat decided that it was his turf and if he wanted to sunbathe under the nest then so be it. This went on for some time and the parents were not unduly concerned until one morning around 6 I could here the alarm cheeps of the parents then a noise not unlike a cat sliding down stock proof fencing.
Nev
To see more photos and read more go to Wild Photos
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An allotment cake by Glynis
Hi Val
I wanted to share one of my recent cakes with you. Thought it was quite apt in view of the upcoming show!
I'm doing one last workshop before my summer break which is 3rd July. There are 2 spaces left and we'll be
doing vegetable garden cupcakes.
Glynis x vin.rouge@live.co.uk
Val says Glynis Howgego has volunteered to be one of the judges in the cake and jam section of the show. yipee! thanks Glynis
Val says Glynis Howgego has volunteered to be one of the judges in the cake and jam section of the show. yipee! thanks Glynis
Jacynth Crozier, find her in the adverts
Dear Val,
Thank you. Here is a little bit about myself and my work.I am English but I grew up on the continent, going to a French school from
the age of 3 and then university, first at Montpellier and then at
Aix-en-Provence, to study medieval archaeology. I worked as an archaeologist
in the Languedoc-Roussillon region until mid 2011, when the situation became
no longer viable. As it became obvious that I was going to have to find
something else to do, the idea of working as a translator grew. Speaking
fluent French and English and being competent in Spanish and Catalan, it
seemed the obvious choice. So after re-training and some administrative help
and advice about starting my own business, Crozier Traductions was born.
My idea, from the start, was not only to work on translating documents, but
also to help English speaking residents with situations they might finddifficult or stressful. I can accompany them to meetings to help translate,
write letters or make phone calls for them or take the problem off their
hands and deal with it for them. These situations range from issues at the
bank, to taxes, insurance claims or problems with the phone company, to name
just a few. I also give French lessons or, for those with good French but
who would like to practice it more, French discussion. I am situated near
Najac, in the Aveyron, so I am not far from Villefranche, Saint-Antonin,
Cordes or the areas thereabouts.
Thank you again, and thank you for making TAG such an interesting and
enjoyable read.Kind regards,
Jacynth
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Good recommendation
Hi Val,
We have a small place in Lagarde Viaur and recently had James Sweeting do some work for us.
We would like to recommend James to anybody that is looking for someone who will tackle most jobs.
We are pleased with the work he has done.
He kept in touch by e-mail on a regular basis to let us know if there were problems and if he could solve them.
Catherine & Martin
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David Clench Exhibition at Selques Church
David Clench , peintre Anglais qui a habité depuis 1990 Verfeil , membre de l'association église de selgues et qui a conçu et réalisé le chemin de croix dans l'église
Selgues, vous invite au vernissage de l'exposition qu'il organise dans cette églisele mercredi 9 juillet à 17 h
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Something quite exciting about real post, you know the sort that comes in the postbox at the gate!
Todays first real letter opened was a real surprise, nobody, but nobody sends me money for adverts unsolicited, but her 3 month renewal time is up and Jacynth Crozier has sent a cheque, 35 euros to Liberte des Anes, without being prompted.
I think this lady deserves a bit of gold star treatment. Jacynth advertises on TAG as a qualified translator and also gives French lessons. I am going to ask her a little more about her work as she is a lady I do not know but she has impressed me with her diligence.
Well done Jacynth.
The second letter was a mystery with the stamp of Najac Town Hall. My imagination ran wild as I slit open the flap. Did they want posters for the Salon du Jardin, or the Jazz at Mas del Sol? or Hmm!
A curt letter saying " remove your two directional signs from the Najac commune to Mas del Sol or we will remove them and charge you for doing it." We have 14 days to comply.
The signs have been in place for two years and we were a bit miffed when all the surrounding hameau's were signposted and Mas del Sol was not, admittedly in a different commune.
We will of course remove the signs but ask that they put signs up for us or give us permission to replace them. We should also ask our Maire if he is allowed to sign in another commune.
We did feel as if it was French bureaucracy gone mad again when there are 3 pages of photos of the signs, the letter and a page with a map of the area, ringed in red where the offending signs are.
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I think this lady deserves a bit of gold star treatment. Jacynth advertises on TAG as a qualified translator and also gives French lessons. I am going to ask her a little more about her work as she is a lady I do not know but she has impressed me with her diligence.
Well done Jacynth.
The second letter was a mystery with the stamp of Najac Town Hall. My imagination ran wild as I slit open the flap. Did they want posters for the Salon du Jardin, or the Jazz at Mas del Sol? or Hmm!
A curt letter saying " remove your two directional signs from the Najac commune to Mas del Sol or we will remove them and charge you for doing it." We have 14 days to comply.
The signs have been in place for two years and we were a bit miffed when all the surrounding hameau's were signposted and Mas del Sol was not, admittedly in a different commune.
We will of course remove the signs but ask that they put signs up for us or give us permission to replace them. We should also ask our Maire if he is allowed to sign in another commune.
We did feel as if it was French bureaucracy gone mad again when there are 3 pages of photos of the signs, the letter and a page with a map of the area, ringed in red where the offending signs are.
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Ferry made 9 crossings with a holed hull
On a day when SNCM (the ferry arm of SNCF operating between the mainland and Corsica) begins one of its not infrequent strikes over pay, conditions and safety, a disturbing story emerges about its rival operator Italian owned Corsica Ferries.
A vessel entering the port of Ile de Rousse left the obligatory channel and tore a 50 metre x 4 centimetre hole in the hull. This appears not to have affected the ship's handling and the ferry with its usual 2000 passengers returned to Toulon. It made 4 subsequent round trips before a routine check revealed the damage. A representative of the company confirmed that "not a lot of water had entered the vessel and was confined to empty areas around the fuel tanks". He said that the crew had felt a trembling of the ship but did not suspect that it had grounded, so did not report it as required by law.
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A vessel entering the port of Ile de Rousse left the obligatory channel and tore a 50 metre x 4 centimetre hole in the hull. This appears not to have affected the ship's handling and the ferry with its usual 2000 passengers returned to Toulon. It made 4 subsequent round trips before a routine check revealed the damage. A representative of the company confirmed that "not a lot of water had entered the vessel and was confined to empty areas around the fuel tanks". He said that the crew had felt a trembling of the ship but did not suspect that it had grounded, so did not report it as required by law.
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but are we not proud of Europe and the stability it brings?
Britain has privately warned France not to hijack the centenary of the First World War and use the event to promote the European Union.
British officials have asked their French counterparts to refrain from displaying EU flags or other symbols of the union during the services planned to remember the 1914-18 conflict.
Senior British sources disclosed that the UK has told the French that the commemoration services “should not be about EU politics”.
The informal diplomatic request follows British unease over the French decision to display the EU’s gold-starred blue flag during the events to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day earlier this month.
Senior government figures were unhappy that the French gave the symbols for the EU such a prominent place in Normandy ceremonies. Report in the Telegraph
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Toulouse/Barcelona - by bus 20 euros
British coach company Stagecoach is to launch two long distance services from Toulouse on July 7th.
Using state-of-the-art two deck coaches, Barcelona in 5 hours 30 mins from 20 euros and London in 19 hours from 36 euros are the journeys offered.
A spokesperson described the luxury coaches as having air-conditioning, wifi and toilets. Toulouse was chosen as the hub as it has a large student population.
The launch follows high speed train services launched by SNCF in April.
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Using state-of-the-art two deck coaches, Barcelona in 5 hours 30 mins from 20 euros and London in 19 hours from 36 euros are the journeys offered.
A spokesperson described the luxury coaches as having air-conditioning, wifi and toilets. Toulouse was chosen as the hub as it has a large student population.
The launch follows high speed train services launched by SNCF in April.
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Hollande surprisingly backs Juncker
After talks between nine EU Social Democratic leaders in Paris, French President Francois Hollande said they were supporting Juncker, cementing his spot as the frontrunner to replace Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission head.
Hollande said the leaders would "respect" the tradition that the largest grouping in the European Parliament nominates a candidate to head the commission, "in this case Mr. Juncker".
Juncker has been put forward by the centre-right European People's Party, which won the most seats in a European Parliament vote last month that also saw strong gains for anti-EU parties.
Moves to hand the post of EC chief to Juncker -- a long-serving Luxembourg premier and EU insider -- have triggered the most bitter dispute seen in Europe since the height of the euro crisis.
The row is set to dominate the two-day summit of all 28 EU leaders starting Thursday, with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron vowing to fight Juncker's appointment "until the end". The Local
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Storm hit us at 7.30
Just managed to get the outside pets fed before the storm came rushing in with the wind rolling the black cloud along. It was quite impressionant/impressive watching the storm come from the West standing on the upper floor terrace. As it hit I made a dash for the kitchen and shelter.
I was met in the kitchen by the neighbours dog, who lives outside. The neighbours are often away overnight at the weekend and Kenza their dog is petrified of storms. She has got used to coming in and going under the kitchen table at times like this. Surprisingly our dogs never bat an eye and just accept, there is a storm so Kenza comes.
The donkeys raced to the stable and I notice they are still tucked up in there.
The cats are all in the barn, hens in the grange.
Warm temperatures promised by the meteo all week but with risk of storms till Thursday.
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I was met in the kitchen by the neighbours dog, who lives outside. The neighbours are often away overnight at the weekend and Kenza their dog is petrified of storms. She has got used to coming in and going under the kitchen table at times like this. Surprisingly our dogs never bat an eye and just accept, there is a storm so Kenza comes.
The donkeys raced to the stable and I notice they are still tucked up in there.
The cats are all in the barn, hens in the grange.
Warm temperatures promised by the meteo all week but with risk of storms till Thursday.
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Sunday, 22 June 2014
Kitten missing / happy ending, cat found
Felix, approximately 9 weeks old, disappeared from (somewhere around) my property yesterday morning. Maybe somebody saw him whilst on a walk in the Vallée de la Baye, near the chapel de St. Eutrope, thought he was a stray and took him home?? Me and his little sister Franckie miss him very much and really want him back! Please let me know if you have seen him anywhere! Contact anke.terbruggen@orange.fr
This cat is still missing in the Castanet area
Hi Val,
I don't know whether you carry lost pet notices. This cat, which we were looking after for a week, wandered off in Castanet two days ago and has not returned. She answers to the name Mimi. If anyone sees her it would be great if they could give us a call on 05 6331 6877.
Thanks
Love
Clare & Hugh
Wardrobe doors needed
Hi Val,
I am looking for an pair of old wardrobe/cupboard doors with character. With or without a cupboard attached. They need to be between 1.6 and 2.5 metres tall and more than 1.2 metres wide. If anyone out there has something to sell please can you email me selena_purssey@yahoo.co.uk or phone on 05 63 67 99 17.
Thank you.
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Folk'n' Jazz at Mas del Sol
Summer is certainly well and truly here and what could be nicer than an warm summer's evening in a flowery courtyard listening to a selection of old favourites (that's the songs and tunes I'm talking about ) .
Folk'n'jazz opens its popular summer "on the road" season this week, Thursday 26th June, at it's birthplace Mas de Sol, Varen. Val and Malcolm always create a welcoming ambience and it is sure to be a great night.
Sue Carter
The route to Mas del Sol, Varen
From Varen take the main road towards Laguepie, then turn left onto the D20, Verfeil road. At 400 metres turn right (signposted St Martial). 400 metres further take the right fork towards Mas del Sol - look for the little sheep sign for La Bergerie. Climb 2kms until you see La Bergerie group on the left, with white gates. You can enter the parking area 30metres further on.
From Verfeil
Take the main D20 towards Varen and the St Martial sign is the last on the left - then proceed as above.
Please do not go to St Martial - you will get lost unless you know the way. In desperation phone us on 0563640673
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