Snake

This snake appeared in our kitchen this evening! Is this an adder/viper? Is it dangerous? Richard picked it up (with gloves) and threw it over the hedge. Could it have brothers and sisters in the garden?

C'est La Rentrée

As in the UK, most of the shops in France have been selling things ready for return to school this week. In France they don’t concentrate too much on clothing, as most children here do not to wear school uniforms. The shelves are mainly stacked with stationary, pencils cases and a range of satchels. At the end of the term in July, all students were provided with a list if things that they must buy for the next school year. These include varieties of file paper, stationary, mathematical equipment, calculators and even textbooks. During the holiday the aisles have been full of adults and children, lists in hand, buying essentials for the coming term.

Not only is it La Rentrée for the students but for French life generally. The papers are full of adverts to encourage memberships at gyms in order to begin a keep-fit regime or reminding people that it is time to get things serviced such as boilers and central heating ready for the winter. We even had a phone call from our chimney sweep organizing a time to visit.

Another sign (or sound) that the summer is coming to a close is being woken up in the early hours by tractors and wine harvesting machinery going along the road. I believe that the Chardonnay grapes are collected before the sun gets on them so that the quality isn’t spoilt. They are also picking other varieties as I can hear the apparatus which checks each tractor load of grapes for its strength. It won’t be long before the smell of the crushed grapes permeates the village. I am looking forward to sampling this year’s wine next month!

Arzens en Fête

Arzens has just finished its Fête Locale. On Wednesday there was a tour de table des campagnes. The Comité des Fêtes came round the village, knocking on doors, giving the villagers a pot plant and encouraging them to participate in the fun.

The main street has been slightly chaotic for about a week as the fair has been set up - dodgems, rifle shooting (where was Duncan when we needed him), one armed bandits, test-your-strength and other stalls.

On Friday the Orchestra Calysta assembled all their equipment, lights, speakers and sound systems ready for the opening of the Fête. L’Arzenais had organised food for every night of the fête. Tonight it was seiche a la plancha. We decided to pass on that.

Saturday morning began with the dismantling of all the group’s equipment. In the afternoon there were pétanque competitions for doublettes. There were clusters of people all around the village on any dusty area that they could find to play on. The prizes were given out just before the meal, which tonight was Couscous. The music for the evening was provided by Motel, who earlier had assembled their equipment, lights, speakers and sound systems.

Sunday morning began with the dismantling of the group’s equipment. The evening consisted of the obligatory apéros which were provided by the Marie, whilst listening to the Jean Ribull Orchestra, (who earlier had assembled their equipment, lights, speakers and sound equipment). This group was very good, singing a wide range of music though it was rather difficult to talk as the music was rather loud.

Monday was the last day of the Fête, which began with the dismantling of last night’s group’s equipment. There was another pétanque competition in the afternoon. This one was for mixed triplets. Prizes again were given out before the repas which was Friginat. As we had never had this meal, we decided to go. It was a super evening. The entrée was gesiers salade followed by the Friginat. This local specialty is a pork casserole with haricot beans. Cheese and pastry followed all washed down with copious amounts of red wine. The evening was lovely. There was plenty of lively chatting. There was also an accordionist and as the wine flowed the singing got louder. . Some people even got up and danced.

When the meal was over, everyone made their way to the main street to join in the activities or listen to Orchestra Calysta who had assembled all their equipment, lights, speakers and sound equipment during the day.

As we went to get our bread the fair was being dismantled and the village is getting back to normal.

It is amazing how a small village like Arzens can put on such a magnificent event! Congratulation to the Comité des Fêtes.

Something to Amuse

I would like to thank Colin for posting this in the Anglophone-Direct forum. It made me smile.

A teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in Possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square, a slide rule, and a calculator. At a morning press conference, the Attorney General said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.

'Al-gebra is a problem for us,' the Attorney General said. 'They desire solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute value. They use secret code names like 'x' and 'y' and refer to themselves as 'unknowns,' but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle.'

' When asked to comment on the arrest, George Bush said, 'If God had wanted us to have better Weapons of Math Instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes.' Democratic leaders told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by him.

A New Acquisition for Arzens

I think that Arzens is moving into the 21st century. Today the Marie has installed an illuminated panel that will tell the villagers and visitors what is happening in the community. Until now, the information has been posted on notice boards around the village and quite often is weeks out of date. I hope that le panneau is updated regularly and they don’t have any technical problems

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.

Le Tour de France

When we lived in the UK we always followed the fortunes of the Tour de France. Now we live here we are able to see it live. The first two years is was close to home, yesterday we had to travel a little further. We arrived at Thézan-des Corbières, 26 kilometers from the finish in Narbonne, three hours before the caravane and four and a half hours before the cyclists would come through. It wasn’t too early. Spectators had already parked their cars and campervans in strategic spots. We found a great place on the edge of a vineyard. We were armed with books, a newspaper and picnic. Time seemed to fly by. The caravane arrived first and was amazing. There were a whole range of lorries, vans and cars decorated to advertise their products. We collected loads of cadeaux this year, such as key rings, newspapers, hats, sweets and even fabric conditioner, which were thrown by the people from the vehicles. It was great fun.

About an hour later we were told that the cyclists were on their way. The first clue was the hoard of helicopters circling in the sky. Next came the cars and motorbikes ahead of the riders and finally the cyclists. Although it only took about a minute for all the riders to pass us, it was an incredible event. They flashed by so quickly it was difficult to identify anyone.

Arnaud Gérard, Juan-José Oroz, Samuel Dumoulin


The peleton with Cadel Evans in the Yellow Jersey

It amazes me how some people follow the Tour throughout July. Unless you are living in a campervan equipped with a TV, it impossible to know what is going on. There is also a limit to how many key rings etc one wants to collect.
We had recorded the Tour and when we got home watched the race. We just spotted ourselves on TV, waving as the peloton went past.

Well done Mark Cavendish. Can you do as well in Nîmes today?