Ronde du Malepère

Every year the Malepère region celebrates the harvest of the wine with a 2 day fête. Each year the location changes and this time it was held in the neighbouring village of Alairac. The forecast for the day hadn’t been good but we woke up to blue skies and a gentle wind, it was beautiful.

Once we got to Alairac we paid €5 for our glass which entitled us to taste wines from all the producers that had come to the festival. We had bought some of the wines at the local caves or Supermarkets but this tasting session means that we can sample some of the more unusual wines of the region (and very nice they were too!) Our cave from the village has produced a very good Primeur this harvest. We tasted (and bought) a very good red wine that is produced by our doctor and his wife.

After speeches and the giving of prizes, they announced that the apéros were available. As usual, there was a rush for the bottles and charcuterie which had been spread on the table. There was no need to hurry as the wine and food kept coming. Whilst we were eating and drinking, we were entertained by bandas. Some people even danced to the music.

As well as les caveaux, there were stalls selling a variety of local fare. There was also a vide grenier all around the streets, vintage cars, bandas were playing around the town and the whole place was bustling. It was great.

Fête du Melon

As you can see, one of our neighbouring villages, Pezens, was holding its annual melon fête today. It was everything one would expect of a village fête. There were plenty of stalls selling melons of various sizes from all around the region. There were also other stalls selling local wines, fruit and veg, charcuterie and a wide range of bread and pastries.

The event was held on the local pétanque pitch in the welcome shade of the plantane trees. It was really well attended. Strolling around the area, listening to the Banda and soaking up the atmosphere of the event was lovely. The apéros were being prepared but unfortunately we left before they were served. For those who wanted, there was a repas for 10€. The entrée was melon, bien sûr.

Bastile Day

As we had been to the last two Fête Nationionale celebrations in our village, we decided to see what happened in Carcassonne on 14th July. After the speech and placing of the gerbes. a real band played La Marseillaise rather than a recording. There were representatives of many organisations based in the town, police, gendarme, the 3rd RPIMA and youth groups amongst many others and afterwards they were acknowledged by the dignitaries. It was very impressive.

In the evening we visited friends who live in a beautiful house on the Malepère hills. They have a most wonderful view of the Montages Noire and Carcassonne and the plan was to watch the fireworks from the Cité. We went last year and unfortunately the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and after the initial burst all we could see was smoke! Last night was superb. It was lovely wining and dining on the terrace whilst watching an amazing display.

Thank you Kate and Jim for a fantastic evening.

Cérémonies du 8 mai

Thursday was the second of three holidays in May. This one was to commemorate VE Day. After a mass in the church, there was a procession from the Mairie to the war memorial on La Promenade. Leading the parade were the Majorettes de Montréal. Behind them came the flag-bearing dignitaries and councilors. Bringing up the rear were some children from the village school and representatives from various associations.

After the laying of the gerbe and roses, there was a fanfare followed by the National anthem. The Maire, M. Jean-Claude Pistre, then read a message from the Ministre des anciens combattants, Jean-Marie Bocquel. He finished by thanking everyone for attending and invited all to apéros (bien sûr) after watching a display by the Majorettes.

There must have been over 300 people at the ceremony. It was amazing how many people of all ages turned out for the occasion.

Fête du Travail

After a couple of days in the UK to see our daughters Sally (thanks for the B+B and suitcase) and Kate, I landed back in Carcassonne to sunshine.

We woke this morning to clear blue skies and no wind and it was amazing how many families were using their Fête du Travail to cut their grass and potter round their gardens. Richard, not wanting to be out done, cut our lawn.

After lunch we decided that we needed a bit of exercise so we searched on the web for some walks in our area and found a good site that had some in the area. We selected one and drove to Pomas, a small village near Limoux.

We went through vineyards and small copses with the most fantastic smells of gorse, pine trees and thyme. In one direction we could see the snow topped Pyrenees in the distance and the Montagne Noire the other. We could hear the sounds of bees and bells around animals’ necks. It was beautiful. I think that the countryside is probably the best at this time of year, still fresh and not dried and parched from the summer heat.

Spring time in the Aude

The countryside is looking beautiful at the moment with a fantastic range of colours. Here are a few photographs taken this week whilst walking around the footpaths and lanes.

Another Repas

This weekend, the Randonneurs’ Club organized yet another lunch. This meal was based on cassoulet. As we have learned by experience, we took plates, glasses, and cutlery. We arrived at 12 o’clock for apéros (bien sûr), which consisted of the usual wine, pastis, cassis and nibbles. The wine had been specially labeled for the group. (Note the screwy top – rather unusual here).

Whilst we were having the apéros there was a “pop”. At first we thought that it was a bottle that had exploded, but on closer examination it proved to be a rifle shot that had come through the window. (Fortunately no-one was hurt). André Gol, the former Marie, was at the meal and immediately rang the appropriate people. Within 20 minutes, whilst we were eating our salad, the local Gendarme had arrived to assess the situation. We were very impressed considering it was Sunday lunchtime.

By the time the cassoulet was served, the SOCO had arrived. It was quite interesting watching them at work. Even Jean Claude Pistre, the new Marie arrived to see what had happened.

Cheese was next, either camembert or chèvre with honey. Finally, a variety of gateaux were served with the local Blanquette. We had a lovely meal and met even more people from the village.

Vide Grenier

It seems compulsory for all French villages large or small to have at least one vide grenier (which is similar to a car boot sale) a year. It was ours today.

Some stalls have a theme.

Others sell "tat" obviously clearing out things that have been in their attics for years. If they don't go today, they will come out again at the next vide grenier.

It is lovely seeing the village come to life and meeting friends and neighbours.

Lundi de Pâques

As I have mentioned earlier, I am a member of the village Randonneurs. We usually walk on Sunday mornings but Easter is slightly different. The Sunday walk is moved to Lundi de Pâques and the members of the club meet for an apéritif (naturally) and omelette (a traditional Easter custom). As this was the first time that we had been to this event, we were unsure of the procedure. On the programme, we were told to meet at the Place at 11 o’clock. We duly turned up and there was no sign of anyone. We had been warned that if it was raining, it would be in the foyer. We walked round the village, looking at the most likely places, still no sign walkers. Fortunately, we met René, an 88 year old member of the group who told us that the group was meeting at a cottage outside the village. Error number 1. We drove to the rendezvous point to find error number 2. The meeting was at midday. We went home to do a few jobs and returned at the appropriate time. This was better. The Randonneurs had arrived, wine, pastis and Suze were being served with nibbles. We started being a little concerned when more people arrive with baskets containing wine, things in tin foil and baguettes. They must be the committee bringing a few extra things! Once we sat down we realized error number 3. We should have brought plates, knives and forks, wine and something to eat before the omelette! The typical things being eaten were saucisson, a wide variety of pâtes and salads. With the generosity of the group, this wasn’t a problem. Everyone was sharing everything even the wine.

After the entrée the omelettes were served. There were several each with a different flavouring. They were lovely.

That wasn’t the end. After, tarte aux pomme, traditional gateaux, cheese and pieces of chocolate were passed around. Once the eating had finished, they started singing songs which were obviously well known by the group.