A Busy Week

We have had a hectic couple of weeks. When we moved to France, we had a long list of things that needed doing so that we conformed to French system. Over the last two and a half years we have been gradually working through it. Two things that needed sorting out were our French wills and tax situation. Because of this, we have had to make a couple of trip to Toulouse to take the paper work to the appropriate offices. We usually have lunch out, making the day much more enjoyable. Last Monday we were sitting outside in the sunshine, the temperature 25°, eating a very pleasant meal – not bad for October.

The weather continued to be lovely for my weekly walk with the Randonneurs. We had a superb route over the Malepère hills. The colours of the vines and hedgerows are amazing.

I have just started helping a young French boy with English. Planning the lessons and getting work sheets for his homework has been bringing back memories. I forgot how much time it took!

In England, Richard was playing golf 2 or 3 times a week. He has finally found a group who play at Carcassonne Golf Club. It is amazing playing golf and being able to see the snow capped Pyrenees.

From one extreme to another, we have also joined Les Fléchettes de la Malepère, our village darts club. Apparently it is the only darts club in Aude. We meet every Friday evening in the bowels of the Foyer. It is very well organised. When you arrive you pay €2 each for the evening and at about 9pm those playing are divided into groups or 4 or 5. We play on an electronic board, so my metal tipped darts that I brought from the UK are useless for club night, as plastic tipped darts are used. The first to 301 wins and fortunately you don’t have to finish with a double. The first week I felt quite chuffed coming 3rd by winning two of the four games. Last week Richard came 1st as he won three of the matches.

Yesterday we watched the semi-marathon that took place in Carcassonne. It started at the gates of the Cité with the fantastic backdrop of the walls behind.

I hope next week is not so busy.

Lunch in the Sun

The sun was shining and the holiday traffic had decreased, so we decided to head to the Med for lunch. The restaurants in Bouzigues, near Sète had been highly recommended on one of the forums we read, so we headed there. Peter was right. There were plenty of good places to eat. We sat down to eat at Chez Julie just after 12:00 and by 12:30 they were turning people away.

There was a good selection on the menu, I am just sorry that I don’t fancy the idea of oysters as they look so dramatic. After a lovely lunch sitting in the warm autumn sunshine, we wandered on to Mèze and walked along the étang.

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