We have just returned from a very pleasant afternoon sampling wines at Château de Cointes - one of our local vineyards
As we tasted a wide range of wines under the large pine trees, we were entertained by Jeff’H, who played a variety of Rock, Blues and Country music. It was a lovely setting with views over the vineyards and the Malepère Hills. Needless to say, the wine we liked the best was the most expensive!
The lorries and trailers that were here for the Fête Locale this week have finally left Arzens. The stage has been dismantled and everyone is getting ready for the Rentrée and vendange.
The fête ran its usual course. On Saturday we went to the repas at the Arzenais, which was Paëlla. It was lovely to meet 2 Irish families who were staying in the village and were taking part in the village activities.
Over the four evenings there were a variety of groups which followed meals or tapas at the Arzenais and apéros in front of the foyer. If you didn’t feel inspired to dance, you could go on the dodgems or any of the other attractions that were on the road.
On Sunday, members of the Comité des Fête came round the houses giving out plants. We were entertained by a piano-accordionist who played a melody of tunes. As soon as he realized we were English, he played ‘God save Our Gracious Queen’!
The other evening, as we were getting ready for bed, we noticed that a scorpion had walked into the dining-room. We managed to put the offending beastie in a glass and took it down the road. Our reference books told us that scorpions here are not dangerous to humans, but we weren’t going to take any chances.
Yesterday the weather was amazingly hot, 34 degrees! It was lovely sitting by the pool doing crosswords, Sudokus and reading my book then dipping into the water to cool off. We ate dinner outside and just before bed had a lovely refreshing swim. As we swam the most amazing full moon appeared. According to the forecast, we were to have a clear night and the same weather today – no, (we should know the France météo forecasts by now). At 3 o’clock we could hear the distant rumble of thunder over the mountains. Gradually the thunder and lightening grew closer until it was right overhead. The noise was incredible. Once the storm had blown over, the rain arrived. Fortunately it didn’t last long and we were able to get back to sleep.
Thézan des Corbières was our closest place to watch Stage 5 of the Tour de France. We took out friends Von (who had never seen it before) and Mark. The day ran true to form (see my blog this time last year). The caravan came through throwing the usual goodies and then an hour later came the riders. Six cyclists were ahead of the peloton who all rushed past in a large group. I was amazed how close they were to us.
Mark Cavendish in the green jersey and Fabian Cancellara in yellow
The only thing that was different this year was the troop of soldiers who had turned up. About 60 militaires with guns, stood at the side of the road watching the race. (We weren’t sure if they were there to protect Lance or take him out.) I am glad they weren’t there when the caravan came through as we wouldn’t have got anything!
It has been very interesting living in a village where most of the inhabitants are employed in the wine industry either the growing, making or selling of wine. Years ago wine was made by individual wine growers or small domains around the village but 60 years ago this all changed and the Co-operative, La Cave la Malepère was formed.
To celebrate this anniversary, the Cave had had an open day. All during the day, amongst many other attractions, there were donkey rides for the children, cart rides around the village, wine tasting (bien sûr), a vide grenier, old and new machinery and tours around the cave and the chai or wine storage. The latter was most interesting. One of the vignerons explained the stages of the making of the wine from the arrival of the grapes all the way though to the finished product.
Waiting for customers
Having a rest before finishing the ploughing between the vines
Casks full of the Révolution Cabardès Wine produced in Arzens
Like all good French events, it wasn't complete without food. There was a lunch for those who wanted at 12 o’clock. We decided to go to the evening repas, which as all meals we have been to in Arzens, was excellent. There were aperitifs before the meal then when the tables were ready everyone sat down to eat. It was lovely being out in the evening sunshine though the wind was quite chilling. The President gave a short speech about how the Co-operative was started, then the food was served. We had six courses washed down with some superb wines. Whilst we ate, we listened to a variety of singers including Geoffrey Not.
The hedges and trees around our garden provide homes for a variety of birds. We have found discarded egg shells on the ground which we think have been goldfinch and red-starts. For the last couple of days, as we have eaten in our dining-room, we have had the lovely spectacle of a couple of adult blue-tits feeding their five little babies. The parents bring the family to our palm trees and the fledglings sit dotted about on the tree. Mum and Dad collect the food from the fat balls or seed holders that are hanging on the tree then fly to the little ones.
The babies look so small and vulnerable.
