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?

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.

Paëlla and Fireworks

After a hot and sunny week, the weather has changed over the last few days. Following a thunderstorm overnight on Friday, it kept raining for most of the day on Saturday so we spent a lot of time watching the Test Match from a sunny Lords.

Fortunately, the weather was better on Sunday, as we went to a Paëlla Dinner in the village square followed by fireworks. It was a very simple but lovely meal with plenty of wine flowing.

Just before 11 o’clock everyone started to walk to the site where the fireworks were be lit. All the children carried Chinese lanterns with a lit candle inside. The whole procession was very impressive.

The fireworks were quite a spectacle. They shot into the sky and cascaded over the field. It is amazing that a relatively small village can put on such a superb show.