Ruby, a dog that has lightened our lives and now is doing the same for Trevor

Hi Val

A grand night. She slept well in her bed after 3 attempts on my bed. lol

Busy day today so hopefully the stimulation and cooler climate will aid a restful night.

So so sorry about Middlesbrough. I have been there with Exeter City in the Conference play off final 18th May 2008. 2nd game of the new Wembley. Saturday was Chelsea V Man U in the FA Cup!

Anyhoo. 

Thank you

I am so happy. She lights up my world and gives me a purpose again....
Trevor

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Colette Magny

At dinner the other evening someone mentioned that a well known singer was buried in the churchyard at Selgues, Verfeil. Our hostess said that it was Colette Magny and we had the feeling that Therese did not exactly approve of the lady in question, saying that she had become "grossière", which we took to mean "rude", though looking at her photos on Wikipedia it is clear that she was also "grosse" in the more conventional meaning.
Born in Paris in 1923 Colette Magny became a well know singer/songwriter dealing with mainly radical causes. Her songs in the 1960's were in step with the protest songs coming out of the USA (Dylan et al). She became involved with ecological issues and in 1991 published an album partly funded by public conscription, Kevork dealt with the freedom of animals and their environment.
Her style was very much blues and she freely adapted poetry from many of French literature's leading writers. True to her beliefs, she often angered right wing governments and was shunned by the press and media for her "colourful" support of radical causes.
In she settled in Verfeil sur Seye (82) and made that her home until her death in 1997. She founded the arts association Act'82 in the village and its annual festival Des Croches et la Lune in 1987. Now much reduced in size and ambition the festival nevertheless still lives on and gives Verfeil its "lively" reputation.
Lots of videos and recordings on Dailymotion (sorry no links).
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Thank you for sharing Ruby's story

Hi Val
thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tale of love from so many people. Too often when involved in animal associations as I am, all you hear about is the sad tales, more happy tales needed please.
Nicky
www.association-animaux-vraie.com

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We still believe #

Malc writes from the sub's bench:
Sometimes things work out for the best. Not obviously for the 40000 or so of my fellow Boro-ites who went to Wembley yesterday, only to lose to a deserving Norwich team (buoyed up by last year's parachute millions - you didn't expect a totally unbiased opinion did you?). But I was obliged to pass up the chance of a ticket to go at the very hour to a rehearsal for the Voices choirs' concert next Saturday in Villefranche.
About 60 of us, from children aged about 8 to me, the doyen; French, Dutch and English (may be others); girls, boys, women, men (may be others) gathered in our rehearsal room on the 4th floor of an old convent building in the town centre. Under the enthusiastic direction of Julie Gibergues the children, then the "ados" (with their sole brave teenage boy - though I would say lucky boy with all those lovely girls) went through their repertoire of songs, in both French then English. They were charming and lots of tears will be shed by proud parents and grannies next Saturday. Then we, La Chorale, under the direction of Becky Brown, gave our first "public" performance. Many of us are debutants and our mixture of English pop and French chansons seemed to please the critical ears of the children.
With the help of musicians we ended up all 60+ affirming that we were "Famille". The enjoyable evening blotted out the Wembley disappointment. Boro can do it again next year and we will be at the Villefranche theatre on Saturday evening, 9pm. Entry 8 euros, no reservations (but with all those parents it could be full).
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A policier writes some of the amusing comments made by drivers

Alexandre Despretz a policeman who patrols the roads has heard some " corkers" in his time, he calls them "perles"

Below some of the pearls

• « J'ai la gangrène dans ma jambe de gauche, alors c'est difficile d'utiliser la pédale correctement pour arriver à faire un arrêt... »
• "I've gangrene in my left leg, so it's hard to use the brake pedal properly to stop"

• « J’ai de l’alcool dans le sang car j’ai mangé trop de bœuf bourguignon »
• "I've too much alcohol in my blood because I've eaten too much boeuf bourguignon"
• « Je n’ai pas l’habitude de mettre ma ceinture car je fais du scooter d’habitude »
• " I'm not used to wearing a seat belt because I usually ride a scooter"
• « Bonjour, vous avez bu? », demande le policier. « - Non, juste une cuillère ». « -Regardez-vous, vous ne tenez pas debout ». « -Mais moi, Monsieur, je conduis assis »
• "Bonjour, have you been drinking?" asked the policeman. "No,just a spoonful", "But look, you can't stand up", "but, officer, I am driving sitting down".
• « Pour tout vous avouer, je suis malade, si vous voulez, vous pouvez prendre ma température »
• "To be honest, I am ill. You can take my temperature if you wish"
• « C’est mon premier PV depuis 22 ans, vous pouvez m'en faire un petit s'il vous plait ? »
• "It's my first ticket in 22 years, could you please make it a small one?"
• « -Vous demeurez où Monsieur ? » « -Ne me traitez pas de demeuré ! »
• " Where do you live, sir?" "Don't treat me like an imbecile!" (ndlr- demeuré means backward"
• « Je n’ai pas grillé un feu rouge, juste un tricolore »
• "I didn't run a red light, just a three coloured one"
• « Je peux vous donner le permis de conduire de ma femme ? Je n’ai plus de points sur le mien »
• "Can I give you my wife's licence? I've lost all the points on mine"
• « Je roule trop vite parce que ma femme accouche et en plus ma mère est malade, elle vient d’avoir un infarctus de la cocarde. Je peux appeler la maternité pour leur demander de retarder l’accouchement de 10 minutes ? »
• " I'm driving too fast because my wife is in labour and what's more my mother-in-law has just had a heart attack. Can I ring the maternity ward and ask them to postpone the birth 10 minutes?"

Val says one of our own, said by a friend :" I wasn't wearing my seat belt because I was looking for my handkerchief in my pocket". The gendarme didn't believe that one either.

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The seventh death on the roads this year in the Lot

At one thirty in the night poor Kevin age 20 ran his car in to a plane tree with such force in l'avenue du Maquis à Cahors, he was injured badly and died whilst being helicoptered to Toulouse. The reasons for the accident are not yet known but no other vehicle was involved.

Le malheureux Kevin Blangis est la septième victime d'un accident de la route dans le Lot cette année.
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Nous sommes mardi, le vingt six

European Referendum

The UK is already starting to renegociate the terms for its continued membership of the EU. The importance of the half million votes of the half million Brits who live here in France cannot be under-estimated. So I know you will cover it closely but as important is to make sure that all your readers, who can, vote.

Ginny

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Today was all about Ruby

The story is about Ruby but I just have to mention Katy the dog rehomer who had never driven an automatic car. I insisted we went in our safe four wheels,  she insisted on driving otherwise she would be sick, had never in her life driven on a motorway and was horrified when I said I had worked out the nearly four hour drive by motorway and that was what we were doing. After a stop at Cahors for a break where she could not use the loos and had to use the bushes as she was claustrophobic, slammed the brakes on after we started again as she heard the car doors click locking shut, and she cannot be locked in, I yelled start the car we are on a motorway you cannot stop, asked me how to break the window if it was needed, I showed her how they opened ... I knew we were in for a long exciting day. It made me realise how someone with claustrophobia must suffer and all credit to Katy she did all we did today for Ruby, forcing herself to do things she would never normally consider;
I call that brave.
We did have a lot of laughs, most of it hysterical, like when we spent an hour in a forest somewhere after Perigueux, as she refused to consider Amelia on the GPS could possibly know the way and refusing to go down the lanes mentioned as she could not possibly be right. We did stop the car as we were laughing so much. In the end I phoned Trevor who was adopting Ruby and he met us and guided us in.

The meeting was lovely, I think love at first sight. What an interesting man with a big heart. His previous dog Mable who looks very similar to Ruby died two months ago. Mable was a star and had been on a morning show in the UK. She had been with four homes before Trevor adopted her from a rehoming centre. She had a problem a bit like epilepsy where when excited she suddenly dropped unconscious for a few minutes. Trevor a photo journalist and Mable hit the news.
Then Trevor had a serious illness and Mable was there for him, helping him through it. So when Mable became ill he did everything he could for her but to no avail in the end.
I told him Ruby was a very needy dog, staying close to the person in charge of her. Trevor said "wherever I go Ruby will go"
Katy and I thought we would leave in tears but instead left in total happiness
I think Trevor and Ruby are going to be soulmates.. and I hope the adoption brings them both joy.
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Nul Points

British viewers are getting used to coming towards the bottom of the Eurovision Song Contest results. This year Britain came 24th (from 27) but just pipped the French entry, which came 25th. The song "N'oubliez-pas" (Don't forget), about World War I memories, was performed by Lisa Angell, who apologised for the result, saying she was "ashamed", not of her performance, but of the score it received. The British song was criticised as "old-fashioned", a comedy entry even and the French "chanson" style clearly has no appeal beyond the hexagon. Sweden, who won for the 6th time. Will Mans Zelmerlow emulate illustrious previous Swedish winner ABBA?
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French triumph at Cannes

Putting an end to speculation (see post below) the Jury at Cannes unanimously chose the French film "Deephan" for the Palme d'Or. Directed by Jacques Audiard the film recounts the problems encountered by a family of refugees from Sri Lanka in a Paris banlieu.
Best actor was won by Vincent Lindon for his role in "Le loi du marché ".
Best female actor was shared by French actress Emmanuelle Bercot for her part in "Mon Roi" with American Rooney Mara who starred in "Carol" with Cate Blanchette.
The results confirm American film directors admiration for French cinema as Joel and Ethan Coen follow Sean Penn and Steven Spielberg as jury chairmen in awarding the top prize to a French production.
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All up for grabs at Cannes

What happens at Cannes is not just a glitzy star show but can decide what sort of reviews and affect audience decisions. There is money in films and for a film to do well at Cannes we are then talking " mega bucks"

A Cate Blanchett lesbian love story, a gruelling Auschwitz drama, an all-star tableau on the ravages of age, and a slow-burn martial arts movie from Taiwan all looked well-placed to capture top honours from a jury led by Joel and Ethan Coen.

But in one of the tightest races in years, an Italian ode to a dying mother and the pitch-black comedy "The Lobster" about modern love starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz also seemed within striking distance.

Audiences swooned over "Carol" by US director Todd Haynes, featuring knock-out performances by Blanchett and Rooney Mara as lovers nearly crushed by the conservative values of their time.

http://www.thelocal.fr/20150523/cannes-race-wide-open-on-eve-of-awards

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More than flowers chez Terry

Just thought I'd let you know that a visit with friends to Fleurs de Terry yesterday was a huge success. We went for tea and scones in the garden, a lovely setting and excellent scones and walnut cake. In addition, however, spent ages admiring the beautiful plants. Very good quality, very unusual varieties and great advice from Terry herself. Needless to say, we all came away with yet more plants (the Laguepie foire de Printemps had started us off). All in all a wonderful afternoon . I look forward to a repeat visit soon. By the way, next Sunday there will be tea and scones at Terry's gardens, especially for Mothers Day.
Ellie Wright
We have other friends who were there and make the same report. See Terry's details in the side bar.
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TAG views keep mounting

1,457 views yesterday, becoming commonplace views over 1,000
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Nous sommes lundi, le vingt cinq mai

Hi Val, 
I saw that there was a post about Tsedey from Eleta gallery. Can you tell me where the Eleta gallery is?

Best John

Val says - Sorry John for not giving more info. Tseday and Gareth have opened a new shop/ gallery at Najac with silver jewellery and woven items. It has had a couple of mentions from readers who bought items and found it interesting.
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Consistently getting high viewing figures

Running at 1,240 at the moment, I reckon it will be over 1,400 at the very least by midnight. I will let you know tomorrow.
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Cheap and cheerful and good value

Hi Val

Thanks for the recommendation Val, as you can see the ‘students’ had a good time there.  I was mighty relieved as  after I had passed on the info i went on Trip Advisor – aaargh !!  Anyway I rely more on you thant TA !

Just got back from the Book Sale at Beauville, had a good day and made enough to pay for the dogs’ food this month – yey !

 Sue x Poorpaws
Val says I was asked by Sue where some friends passing through St. Antonin should eat, not to spend too much time as on the way to the airport and not too expensive. Well the obvious choice a we all know is the Gazpacho. I have just read the reviews on Trip  adviser, which are terrible. I remember last time I looked it said it was the place for anglophones. Now if you eat in the bar through the week it is full of French workmen.  I copied one of the quotes to show you.

“expérience plus que malheureuse”

Avis écrit le 10 mai 2015

Surtout, ne vous arrêtez pas. De la nourriture mal décongelée, un prix démesuré vu le rapport qualité/prix et une déco qui va de pair avec le "repas". Ne dois en aucun s'

Well this has never been our experience and I suggest those who like the Gazpacho send in some decent reviews. It is not high cuisine I grant you but we personally have never had anything but good value.

Karen does well

Hi Val
All done. It was warm & it was hilly.  I did my hour slot at 11am & ran 10.58km.  Thanks to everyone who sponsored me. 510euros.  The total, so far, for our team, is over 1.300.
Anyone still keen to part with some euros, send a chq to me & I will pass it on.
Thanks again.
Karen     karensweeting82@gmail.com

# believe

# believe
Believe that tomorrow night Malc's club since he was a young lad Middlesbrough is going to Wembley to play Norwich in the Championship play off final and win.
Which ever team wins goes on to be promoted to the first division. Malc who had a chance of a ticket had to turn it down as it is one of the final rehearsal concerts for the Voices choir which is directed by Becky Brown.
The choir will be singing next Saturday 30th at the Theatre at Villefranche at 21h / 9pm
So GOOD luck to the Boro' and # believe is apparently posted all over Middlesbrough and on the internet and
Good luck to the Voices choir next Saturday
... and of course the best of luck to Ruby.
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Andy Pudding

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A superb pigeonnier at Solomiac Septfonds

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