The Quercy Local March-April 2016 by The Magazine Production Company

March – April 2016 Issue 23

uercy Local The

The Region’s FREE magazine in English

Inside – Moissac’s Firmin Bouisset Wines on your doorstep Composting & Pollinators Easter Symbols Cyclocross

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his first edition of 2016 has proved very busy and has ended

up being larger than expected. There are many signs that people, in this region, are busy defying what is said, so often, about conditions in Europe. Apart from getting this edition prepared, we’ve been working very hard to try and get our new website together. A website that offers a business directory and tourist information. It’s been a very long road but we hope that what has felt like excruciating effort, will soon be a distant memory!

In this edition you’ll find, amongst other things, local vineyards, artists, keeping gardens ‘green’ and a look at some new, two-wheeled ventures; including a chance to save on repair and maintenance costs. We hope that the glimpse of the work of Firmin Bouisset, on p.6 will prove interesting. It’s amazing how often we all come across his images without realizing he was a local man. If you are planning to enter our short story competition, time is getting short and there’s a reminder of the details on p.40.

Anna

The next edition of the magazine will be published for the 1st of May. We hope you will look out for a copy then. www.quercylocal.com Email: info@quercylocal.com

CONTENTS Firmin Bouisset English Church, Cahors Domaine de Lancement Danish Wine Tour Château Lamartine Wine and the 6 Nations Garden Clubs – Lauzerte Lily of the Valley Garden Club – The Lot Plants and Pollinators Composting Symbols of Easter Story Competion Artist – Penelope Milner Galarie d’Art, Dausse Chocolate Treats Montaigu de Quercy Decluttering Cantacor – a choir Successful Investing Classic Cars – a good buy? Am-Dram – Montaigu de Quercy Fitness Holiday – The Lot Cyclocross Bike Hire and Repair

p.6 p.10 p.14 p.16 p.20 p.22 p.25 p.26 p.28 p.30 p.32 p.38 p.40 p.42 p.44 p.50 p.52 p.54 p.56 p.59 p.62 p.63 p.64 p.65 p.66

From our website you can – Subscribe to receive the magazine directly to your home, read the magazines on line, sign up for our newsletter and find our advertising rates. You can also follow us on twitter @QuercyLocal or ‘like’ us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/quercy.local

The Quercy Local ISSN: 2116-0392. No part of this publication may be copied, used or reproduced without the written consent of the proprietor. No responsibility is accepted for any claim made by advertisers. All content accepted and printed in good faith. Please check that all advertisers are registered businesses in France or elsewhere in their relevant home country. The Quercy Local is owned and managed by A Atkinson (Las Razes, Touffailles, 82190): Siret: 518 460 605 00018. It’s produced by the Magazine Production Company, West Sussex, UK. Printed by Gráficas Piquer. Admin. Valérie Rousseau.

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 5

APM

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

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Firmin Bouisset Moissac’s son

For a number of years the association ‘Pour un musée Firmin Bouisset à Moissac’ has been trying to create a space dedicated to Firmin Bouisset, who was born in Moissac. A space that would help everyone understand how significant this painter’s influence was on the development of the world of advertising. Two large exhibitions have been held recently, one in Moissac (April-Sept 2014) and one in Orchies (near Lille) in 2015. There was also a book published ‘La pub, un jeu d’enfant’ in 2014.

irmin believed that brands would benefit from portraying one simple image/ message, especially if that message was delivered by a childlike image. He envisaged children becoming the spearheads of many advertising campaigns. It was this belief that quietly launched his advertising revolution. The characters he created are very familiar, reflecting many childhood memories; the little girl with plaits writing on a wall about Menier Chocolat; the little schoolboy in his cape for Lu biscuits, Poulain Chocolat’s Pierrot and the little girl carrying her Maggi sign and many more other vintage pictures besides. These characters haven’t aged a bit and remain happily as part of our heritage. Interestingly, their creator has almost slipped from many of our minds. Firmin Bouisset (18591925) was a well-known, respected and soughtafter artist in his day. As a painter, but also as a lithographer, engraver, children’s book illustrator and famously as a poster painter. Firmin relished all types of artistic work and his interest and workrate means he was prolific in this ‘Belle époque’.

His childhood and beginnings Firmin was born in Moissac in 1859 in a mill called ‘Bidounet’ on the side of the river Tarn. Firmin, like his peers, enjoyed a great deal of childhood freedom. However, it wasn’t long before he was spending less time playing in the fields and more The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

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Quercy Counselling English-speaking counselling and psychological services on all manner of issues. Based in Belveze, we offer services face-to-face, via telephone and Skype. For more information please see the website: www.quercycounselling.com Or contact Elizabeth Cross on +33(0)788279014 or quercycounselling@gmail.com

time with his pen. He loved to produce sketches of other children and the nature around him. Both subjects that went on to inspire him in his later career. After studying at Art Schools in Toulouse and Paris (and assisted by his home town of Moissac) Firmin Bouisset spent his time illustrating children’s books, whilst also pursuing his painting and engraving work. Success came quickly and both British and American publishers translated his books for their own readers. Firmin was friends with the very popular illustrator, Kate Greenaway during the 1880-1890s and soon mothers (and fans of Kate Greenaway) began to dress their daughters to resemble Firmin’s child figures!

And then... advertising

Firmin Bouisset at 20 years old while he was student in Beaux-Arts School of Paris

Because of Firmin’s great fame, at the end of the 19th century, the ’Maison Menier’ known as ‘the first chocolate factory of the world’ engaged his services for what would be one of the first, large advertising campaigns. Firmin chose his elder daughter, Yvonne, to be the model for this campaign. She was nine years old and soon she would be seen on many French walls. More than a hundred year later people still recognise

The British loved his childrens book illustrations and quickly translated his books. This is “Le journal de Bébé”.

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

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the little girl writing on a wall about the Menier brand. This new form of advertising with only one young character and very simple text, allowed Firmin to lead the way with a style of design which was then followed by many successive advertisers. By the close of the century Firmin was a valued poster-painter along with the likes of Mucha, Toulouse-Lautrec, Capiello, Steinlen and Chéret. Firmin Bouisset’s famous characters hold a special place in the story of advertising. Contemporary symbols of the period such as Yvonne, the little Menier girl, and Jacquot, (her brother), the model for the Lu Biscuits advertising campaigns are still remembered 120 years later. Nowadays you can find them,

either when biting into a ‘petit écolier’ biscuit which Jacquot decorates, or when buying a Menier chocolate bar with little girl with plaits printed on the wrapper. The longevity of these characters and the sustainability of their images adds to the timelessness mystery of Firmin Bouisset’s success. By Annie-Claude ELKAIM (translated)

If you are interested in Firmin Bouisset’s life, work and his famous characters; or wish to join the Association, please visit www.espacefirminbouisset.blogspot.fr. You can also obtain the book ‘La pub, un jeu d’enfants’ (A.C. Elkaim, Ed Privat) 2014 from this website.

Jacquot posed for model of chimney sweep in Job cigarette paper poster The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

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Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

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English Church of Midi-Pyrénées & Aude

Update from the Cahors Congregation (please see our website for full contact information) The Season of Joy, Fearlessness and Renewal – Happy Easter to all our readers Please join us for services at the English-speaking Church in Cahors which is part of the Anglican Chaplaincy of Midi Pyrénées and Aude. Services are held at the Centre Paroissial, 75 av Jean Lurçat, Terre Rouge, Cahors. Times and dates are shown below and on www.churchinmidipa.org Shrove Tuesday – February 9 It is the first Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and it officially ends the season of Epiphany and is the vigil for starting of the Lent. The name is derived from the word “shrive”, which means to confess and receive absolution. The English tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday came about as a way to use as much milk, fats, and eggs as possible before Ash Wednesday began. In France, the consumption of all fats and fatty foods on this day coined the name “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras. (No service). Ash Wednesday – February 10 Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar opening Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”.

church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their ‘mother church’ – the main church or cathedral of the area. This inevitably became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home, picking wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a gift. The fasting rules for Lent were relaxed that day, hence Refreshment Sunday, and the food item specially associated with that day is Simnel cake, a fruit cake with two layers of almond paste, one on top and one in the middle. Eleven marzipan balls are placed on top representing the 11 disciples, Judas excluded. Traditionally, sugar violets would also be added.

Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday, March 4 Join us on March 4 at 6.30pm at Terre Rouge for the 2016 worship celebration service written this year by the Christian women from Cuba. From a prayer by Kathleen Skinner: “May we recognise God’s children in the people we meet and follow your example of life-changing love.”

Palm Sunday March 20 – Morning Prayer Terre Rouge Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, an especially solemn and important week in the Christian calendar, focusing on the last days of Jesus’ life anticipating Easter, the most important holiday in Christianity. Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where he would be crucified five days later. According to the Gospels, Jesus rode into town on a donkey as exuberant crowds hailed him as the Messiah and spread out palm branches and cloaks in his path. The usual observances include processions with palm branches, the blessing of palms (which will be burned and used on Ash Wednesday), and the construction of small palm crosses.

Mothering Sunday March 6 – Morning Prayer at Terre Rouge Sometimes also known as Mother’s Day or Refreshment Sunday it is held on the fourth Sunday of Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday. Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or ‘mother’

Maundy Thursday March 24 It is the last Thursday before Easter, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the command or ‘mandatum’ by Christ at the Last Supper, that Christians should love one another, just as he has loved them. The ceremonies involved

This year’s service will be at 11.00am in Mauroux church followed by Lenten lunch.

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on this day are inspired by the events occurred during the night Jesus observed the Passover with his disciples. One such ceremony is the washing of feet, which was incorporated around the fourth century, and involved the bishop or cardinal within the church washing the feet of the priests and acolytes. In Rome, the Pope would wash the feet of selected Cardinals. This was seen as fulfilling the mandate that the greatest among the brethren will be the servant of all. Today, the priest of a particular church or diocese does the ceremonial foot washing. (No service). Good Friday March 25 On this day we remember Jesus Christ’s Passion, crucifixion and death on the Cross as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. The main service on Good Friday often takes place between midday and 3pm. In many churches it takes the form of a meditation based on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, with hymns, prayers, and short sermons. It is traditional to eat Hot Cross Buns’ on Good Friday. These buns, with their combination of spicy, sweet and fruity flavours, have long been an Easter tradition. The pastry cross on top of the buns symbolises and reminds us of the crucifixion of Jesus. (No service at Terre Rouge). Easter Sunday March 27 Because of the distances to Terre Rouge we are unable to celebrate Holy Saturday with a Light Vigil, instead we do it at 8.30am on Easter Sunday, followed by Easter Day Holy Communion. This is the culmination of all of Lent and the day when Jesus rose again. The church at Terre Rouge is usually full – nearly 100 people, the hymns are joyous as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ – three days after he was crucified. We shall be holding an Easter Light Vigil at 8.30am followed by a light breakfast and an Easter Day Holy Communion Service at 10.00am at Terre Rouge. Please join us – you will be most welcome. www.churchinmidipa.org

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Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

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Domaine de Lancement Moving to France doesn’t mean an immediate understanding of a region’s wines, wine-growers and the all-important terroir. Wine is (generally speaking) an enhancement to life in France; easily available, reasonably priced and its traditions have whittled our landscapes. By Anna Atkinson

t takes time to appreciate that what you’ve got isn’t simply another bottle to open with dinner. Wines are consequences of individual lives, personalities, effort, passions, techniques, family traditions, terroir and deeply engraved histories. Local vineyards come in many different shapes and sizes and it’s a privilege to expand on our knowledge and understanding by being able to visit them in person rather than just perusing a supermarkets’ pre-selected offerings. The Quercy region is rich with smaller, highly-independent vineyards and without-a-doubt Domaine de Lancement at Thézac falls into this category. Lying just outside of the Cahors

AOC region but with the land retaining many of the same characteristics. This vineyard comes under the IGP Thezac Perricard Appellation, so small it covers only 3 vineyards. The cooperative vineyard of Vin du Tzars, Le Domaine de Lions and then the smallest Domaine de Lancement, run virtually single-handed by Sandrine Annibal. Sandrine is an independent winegrower, who’s worked for Bordeaux vineyards, studied at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London and also worked in the Harvey Nichols Wine department in London. However, in 2003 she returned to the Lot et Garonne and took over the running of the family vineyard, which at the time consisted of 4 ha of vines which was sending its grapes to a local cooperative. Wishing to be totally independent Sandrine started to make changes and developed her own maturing cellar in a nearby empty building. Soon the vineyard began its change to being totally organic and started the application for an Ecocert Oranganic Agriculture. Stopping using weed-killers and pesticides increases the manual work required to produce a good crop. This didn’t deter Sandrine for whom the annual pruning, tying down of the vines, removing side shoots, removing suckers, leaf stripping, weeding and harvesting had been the attraction to taking over the vineyards from her father. In 2010, and with a definite plan in mind, Sandrine purchased an extra 2ha of vines and leased a further 0.60 ha; this was added to in 2011 by an extra 0.64 ha. This was the start of Sandrine’s new-adventure, a chance to develop the family land in her own way. She planted 1ha. of white grape vines. These were the Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng vines from further south towards the Pyrenees. Sandrine’s white wine is called Escapade and I was lucky enough to enjoy some of the 2013 harvest. This was on the dryer-side of what these grapes can produce and it was probably one of the nicest white wines I have tried. I believe the next year’s harvest was a little sweeter. These very particular changes in a harvest make it all the more important to speak to the growers, go and try and be led by what you like. Malbec and Merlot are the main vines grown at Lancement. The award-winning red wine Domaine

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de Lancement is full-bodied, fruity and well-balanced and of course organically produced. Sandrine also produces a very crisp and fruity rosé wine called Carescade. If you can wait long enough this rosé has got to be one to have ready for warm summer days. Sandrine is a busy lady, with a young family and working alongside groups promoting and protecting the ThézacPerricard IGP (Protected geographical indication). She also has responsibilities with the Tourist Office in Fumel and her own shop and tasting area to run on the vineyard, where Sandrine’s brother, Guillaume, also keeps a herd of Blonde Aquitaine cattle. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate the differences between wines and maybe the first place to start it with the hearts and souls producing the wine. There’s no excuse why we shouldn’t all find out more and Lancement is a great place to start. Sandrine speaks English and would be delighted to explain more about her wines if you visit her.

Domaine de Lancement 47370 Thézac, Open Mon – Sat 10am – 12 and 3pm-7pm, 05 53 41 17 02 www.domainelancement.fr

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Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

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Travel letter from the wine country Cahors: Passion and new trends in the black wine from South West France

Danish wine nerds’ perspective! By Michael E. Røder and Michael Frank

ahors is at least for many Danes, best known for the wine from Chateau Cayx, the chateau owned by the Danish queen and her French-born husband Henrik, prince of Denmark. Some people have found it difficult to reconcile themselves to the hardness of the young Cahors wine. Current wine consumers often want a wine that is immediately ready to drink, and which does not require several years of storage. This has not been the strength of traditional Cahors wines. These wines often require many years in the bottle to show their qualities with inviting aromas and fullbodied complexity. However – the winemakers from Cahors seems now fully to have benefited from the knowledge and experience of oenologists they have brought in from universities over recent years. Today many chateaus produce high quality wines, and often in such a way that they can be enjoyed at a fairly young age. Also Chateau Cayx, in particular with its ‘Cuvée Majesté’, have gained considerable recognition during recent years in international wine reviews. However this is not the subject of this article. We will describe here the more unknown “pearls” from the area, Chateau Lamartine and Clos Triguedina.

Cahors – history The AOC Cahors wine district is located in the beautiful and hilly southwest corner of France around the winding course of the river Lot, west of the old medieval town of Cahors. Cahors is located in the old Roman province of Quercy, where they have grown wine since before the Middle Ages. In fact, it was during Roman times, it all started, right around the year 50 BC. Emperor Domitian was concerned about the volume of wine production in the province and ordered all the vines in Quercy to be pulled up in the year 92. However, the Emperor Probus

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Malbec The major grape variety in the deep wines from Cahors is Malbec (Cot and Auxerrois are synonyms), which may be blended with the grapes Merlot and Tannat, but according to the appellation only up to 30%. Malbec is definitely the grape variety that gives the wines their particular character, while Merlot softens most often the minor wines. The major and most distinctive cuvées are often made up by close to 100% Malbec. Tannat, on the other hand, is in Cahors, as in Madiran, a grape variety which provides lots of tannins and character and which, together with Malbec provides a very powerful wine. New winemaking methods have given the wines more fruits and have tamed the harsh tannins. The two selected domains on our trip: Chateau Lamartine and Clos Triguedina, are both exponents of high quality, but with different approaches to the more modern style of Cahors wine.

Chateau Lamartine The estate Lamartine is situated in the western part of AOC Cahors, in Soturac, and has existed since 1883. The owner Alain Gayraud, is born at Lamartine and has brought the wines from here to its current stage. Alain himself and his son received us when we visited the wine property. The property is, according to the legend, situated by a century-old oak tree, where the beautiful girl Martine met with her lovers ... The domaine covers

35 hectares of vineyards oriented directly south. The ‘terroir’ at Lamartine is recognized by other local winemakers, as one of the very best of Cahors. Alain’s son speaks English, and he was the one primarily talking and explaining. He talks with great passion, seriousness and insight about winemaking in the winery. He is the one to take over the wine production, and you sense a significant mutual respect between father and son. He has recently been on an exchange in Australia, where he acquired further knowledge of modern winemaking.

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

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At Lamartine they have not converted to organic or biodynamic cultivation. Alain explained that it is more difficult in Cahors because of the climate. For example, it cannot compare with the drier and warmer climate of the Languedoc-Rousillon region. It produces about 200,000 bottles a year of just three different cuvées: ‘Lamartine’, ‘Cuvée Particuliere’ and ‘Expression’. We tasted different vintages of the latter two cuvées. ‘Cuvée Particuliere’ is made from 90% Malbec and 10% Tannat, and vinified traditionally in steel tanks and subsequently the wine is aged for 12-14 months in 1-2 years old French oak barrels. ‘Expression’ on the other hand is made from 100% Malbec from a small parcel with low yield. They are using so-called micro-oxygenation at the end of the fermentation process and it is stored in 100% new French oak barrels for 20 months. Tasting notes: 2012 was a pretty good vintage in Cahors. Lamartine’s ‘Cuvée Particuliere’ is still a little closed, but with good structure, powerful, vanilla, fresh dark fruit. With ‘Expression’ in the same year, we are one step up the ladder: greater concentration, good structure and harmony, vanilla and a lovely complex fruit of dark berries. 2011 was a little more difficult year in the region. It has, however, succeeded for Alain Gayraud: ‘Cuvée Particuliere’ appears with a more open fragrance, complexity and balance, violets, dark berries, hint of truffles, a long finish and soft, balanced tannins. A great wine for about 12 euro per bottle! ‘Expression’ in the same year is also good, but the roles are reversed here: Vanilla, menthol notes and a good body, but not quite as clean and structured fruit as ‘Particuliere’. We did get the opportunity to taste an older vintage of ‘Expression’: 2007. Here it was evident that more mature flavors were prominent, with a touch of violets, dark berries, vanilla and still tannins in the finish. It can probably last for additional 10 years! Expression 2005, which we tasted on a previous visit, and latest in December 2015 is an exceptional great wine, with a great scent and with an excellent structure and complexity, dark intense fruit and a long finish.

Clos Triguedina At Clos Triguedina wine has been made even further back than at Lamartine. Since 1830 the property and wine production has been in the family Baldes’ possession. The current owner, Jean-Luc Baldes, is the seventh generation of the dynasty. The property is situated high on the plateau in the central part of AOC Cahors. The vineyard comprises 65 hectares where grapes is harvested from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th terrace, which is considered as the best terroir in the area. The

curious name of the domaine comes from Occitan: Me triga de dina which means ‘I am longing to eat’! Jean-Luc produces a full, varied and very interesting range of cuvées of both red, white and sweet wines. There is no doubt that Jean-Luc has an innovative and creative approach, in addition to the sense of quality and respect for the area’s character. We were received by his wife, Sabine, who is directrice at the domaine. She is exceptionally accommodating and works just as passionate as Jean-Luc himself. The weather is dry, warm and sunny. We are just in the middle of the harvest and first she showed us part of the vineyard with some parcels that have not yet been harvested. The Malbec grapes are hanging in large, heavy and ripe bunches on the orderly rows of vines tied up in the classic single Guyot. She shows us the oldest vines on the property, approximately 100 years old, probably second only to the 120 years old vines at Clos de Gamot! We are tasting the ripe grapes and is left with an impression that the material for a potential excellent vintage 2015 is present. Sabine leads us then into the winery, where we see the production facilities, and meet Jean-Luc who comes in with a cart full of freshly harvested grapes. We taste the juice from a 10 days old harvest of green grapes of Viognier: fruity, semi-fermented, pronounced pineapple fragrance and taste – interesting! Jean-Luc tells about the harvest, explaining his philosophy: the wine is primarily made by highquality work in the field, the subsequent technology in the winery is also important but secondary to the field work.

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Finally we have reached the tasting – no less than 10 different wines! Tasting notes: The standard cuvée ‘Clos Triguedina’ made from Malbec and Tannat, spent 18 months in oak barrels. The 2010 vintage presented with dark berries, pure and clean fruit, balanced with fine tannins, young, will assumingly mature and evolve further in the next 5 years. Then followed an interesting trilogy of wines from three different terroirs (vintage 2008), all made of 100% Malbec: ‘Au Coin du Bois’ (2nd terrace): slim, clean, dark fruit, good concentration, tannins, hint of mint. ‘Les Galet’ (3rd terrace): more rich in structure, but clean, dark fruit, concentration, balanced, good finish. ‘Petites Cailles’ (fourth terrace), good concentration, more complex, full-bodied, purity of the structure, violet, dark fruit, harmonious. ‘Probus’ (named after the aforementioned Roman Emperor), the top cuvée, made of 100% Malbec, selected grapes from at least 50 years old vines on the third terrace. Only the best barrels are selected and stored 18 months in new French oak barrels. We tasted the 2008 vintage with the following impression: viol, masculine, intense, clean, deep and dark fruit, complex, harmonious, with finesse and a very long finish. Notes of oak/vanilla. A great wine! On the property you can buy several older vintages of Probus. Here you have to allow yourself to acquire, for example,

the vintage 2000 which is an excellent mature wine. ‘New black wine’: this wine is made of 100% Malbec and vinified on the basis of a medieval recipe. After harvesting the grapes are warmed up overnight in an oven in order to dry and concentrate the grapes. After traditional fermentation the wine is aged for 18 months. Our impression (vintage 2011): full-bodied, powerful, prunes, mild tannins and harmonious, but does not quite have the complexity and elegance as Probus. Amarone-like style. Besides this Jean-Luc produces a tasty, aromatic white wine based on Viognier and Chardonnay, and a sweet white wine made from 100% Chenin blanc (an excellent companion for the local foie gras). The two wine producers we visited are clearly showing that Cahors has gone from being a wine region with hard, tannin-rich black wines that required long storage, to much more accessible wines with intense fruit, but also structure, body and taste. There are many other good wineries, and besides those we have discussed in this article we would particularly mention the highly acclaimed Chateau du Cedre, Chateau Lagrezette, and Clos d’un Jour, that can be drunk quite young, and the ‘cult wine’ Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve. Just on the very western edge of the AOC Cahors area situated in Saux is Domaine d’Homs making a very fruity, well-structured, and concentrated 100% Malbec wine (in particular their cuvee ‘Les Chevaliers’). Finally, the English couple Mike and Sue Spring are making both red and white wines at their property Domaine du Garinet at Boulvé, also in the western part of the appellation. They make Cahors red wine and surprisingly very good white wines based on Sauvignon Blanc (lovely fruit, elderflower, good minerality) and Chardonnay (very aromatic, balanced), reasonably priced. The modern wines from Cahors can have a pronounced fruit character, great complexity and a particular ‘ethereal’ character, are long living – and is still black!

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

20 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

Château Lamartine by Alain Gayraud (translated)

n Soturac (46700) on sunny, south-facing terraces deep in the heart of the Cahors AOC territory you can find my family’s ancient vineyard of Château Lamartine where both its location and wine-making are steeped in centuries of tradition. This site dates back to Gallo-Roman times and is named after (reportedly) a beautiful girl called Martine who used to do her courting under a large, 100 year-old oak tree which grew next to where our current house was built. Originally the property was named La Martine, in her honour, but it’s now contracted to Lamartine. Here you’re in true Malbec grape territory – a variety of grape only-just saved from destruction following the Philloxera attack in 1878. It was in 1920 that my tenacious and courageous grandfather, Edouard Sérougne, who shared his passion with other wine-makers; helped resurrect the Cahors wine production which was once on a larger scale than even that of Bordeaux. He used to say “The ground doesn’t belong to us and we must leave it in the same condition as it was when entrusted to us”

Indeed, I believe that it’s true that only with respect for the land can we produce great wine. At Château Lamartine we produces three main wines from 35 hectares of vines. The total production is about 200,000 bottles per year. The AOC Cahors appellation is only used for red wines and the Château Lamartine (90% Malbec and 10% Merlot) is a classic example of such a wine. It’s rounded, fruity and with a structure and ripeness that happily keeps for between 5 and 7 years. To accompany this wine, I would suggest, the best of the South Western meats, maybe, duck or lamb. However, it’ll also taste great with a little more spice, maybe Mediterranean cooking. Then there’s the Cuvée Particulière, (90% Malbec and 10% Tannat) which represents half of the vineyard’s production and is distinguished by its carefully selected grapes all ripened with a maximum amount of sunshine; both necessary steps for the production of such a powerful, gourmet wine. It’s then aged in new oak barrels for a magnificent cuvee! A cuvee that will offer an aromatic taste suggesting

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dark fruits and spices. This wine which can be kept to improve for 10 years andit accompanies all meats and cheeses with complete ease. Then there is the highly refined Expression (100% Malbec). In this case, each vine only produces one bottle of this intense and complex wine. The quality of the wine is enhanced by a 20 month period in new oak barrels and the wine suggests aromas of kirch and dark chocolate. This wine is worth waiting for and once it’s ready to be drunk it’ll complement the area’s finest foods, including: wildfowl, hare, truffles and foie gras. This is, without doubt, a Grand Cru ahead of its time! This gem of a wine can be laid down for up to 20 years. For the summer months you can look out for and enjoy our Rosé wine which marvellously accompanies your lively, fresh summer meals. Then, we have something to look forward to, in 2017 Château Lamartine will also produce a white wine which we expect to be fresh, complex and very graceful.

Here, at Château Lamartine, our vocation and passion is increasing the quality of our wines as far as humanely possible. A family affair, each generation will add to what exists and further ennoble this prestigious vineyard. All the team at Château Lamartine look forward to welcoming you; you’re assured the best of help, advice and attention. Contact: 05 65 36 54 14 www.cahorslamartine.com cahorslamartine@orange.fr Editor’s note – you can read an independent wine tasters’ report on this vineyard starting on p.18

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

22 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

By Lisa Stanton from – Domaine des Sangliers is an independent, organic vineyard located in the hills of picturesque Puy-l’Evêque, one of the best terroirs of the Lot valley. We produce organic AOC/AOP Cahors, Vin de Pays du Lot and Vin de France red and rosé wines, and apéritifs. Family run, we personally undertake every step of the wine making process, from pruning to corking, all on the estate. Our aim is to achieve the highest quality product, naturally and ethically produced, at fair prices. For further information please visit our website www.domaine-des-sangliers.com or find us on Facebook.

Wine & The 6 Nations! Sporty Spring Time

Spring is beginning to blow away any thoughts of the January (and February!) blues. The emerging greenery and fertile buds inspire us to re-energize, and implement all those New Year’s resolutions. The closest that I am getting to my new fitness regime however, is watching rather than doing! Spring is of course, the time to enjoy the delights of The 6 Nations Rugby.

Rugby And Wine?

What possible interest would a vineyard owner have in common with rugby? When you look at it, the powerhouses of rugby the world over, are also the great players in the field of wine: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Italy, and, of course, France. Coincidence perhaps? Now you might ask, what about England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales? With climate change, the UK is tipped to be the next wine hot spot. Clearly there is a link! England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales make-up the annual tournament, which is usually a matter of intense national pride, often put aside again as soon as the game is over (unless you’re one of the Celtic nations, who seem to sulk for days should England beat them! Hopefully no-one Welsh reads this, or there might be trouble!)

Super Supporters

Many of us take the opportunity to get together with friends and family, of varying nationalities, to watch these athletic mountains of men, beat the hell out of each other in the name of sport and national pride. There is usually much drinking and plenty of song. Why not move it up a level and add food? Each of the 6 countries has a national dish, many in fact. So here are some suggestions for a variation on the usual beer and crisps theme:

England

Forever & a day, it will be linked to fish and chips (bizarre food in the majority of French opinion). But do we need to go there? Non. Les French have only recently regarded us as Les Rosbifs, so let’s do that instead. A simple roast

carved generously into locally baked bread, topped with mustard, or thick gravy made from a rich organic Cahors red. If you really want to fill them up, put it on a bed of Yorkshire pudding. But do fold it over; ideally it should be finger food after all. Obviously this should be served with a glass of the same red that created the gravy.

Ireland

A lot of dishes to choose from, but Irish stew with soda bread is a winner (sizzle some streaky bacon in a pan, add around 900g of stewing lamb until browned. Add chopped onions and carrots, bay leaves, thyme, stock & 100g pearl barley. Bring to a simmer then add sliced potatoes over the top and transfer to oven to braise for 90 minutes). Of course, this hearty dish is also perfectly accompanied by a glass of Cahors Malbec, and some soda bread (or local bread) that will soak up & hold the juices.

Italy

It has to be pizza. Ideally buy or make your base and add the tomato sauce. Add proscietto ham, pepper, olives & any Italian inspired toppings you like. Bake and eat, hot or cold, it still tastes great. Serve with bowls of good olives, a light salad drenched in Balsamic vinegar, and a glass of a chilled Rosé from the Lot.

Scotland

So rather than having your guests leave (by offering haggis), make them Stovies. Traditionally, this was known as the Monday dish, made from Sunday lunch leftovers, but it is still filling enough as a stand alone recipe (slice 6-8 large potatoes, roughly chop 3 large onions, season with and place into a large pan with only 1cm of water. Add any meat of your choice & lay over the top. Raise the heat slowly as this is a steamed dish. Add any vegetables you fancy to bulk it out and steam for 30-40 minutes. Check it’s not burning, but only occasionally, in order to keep the steam. The Scots swear by sausages for this, but any meat will do). Serve with a lighter Lotois red, perhaps a blend of Malbec and Merlot.

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Wales

As much as there’s a war between Wales and New Zealand about who has the best lamb, in the world of rugby, there is no question that NZ are the best in the world. So we’ll let Wales take the lamb trophy for now. Roast a joint of lamb until cooked to the desired taste. Place in a local bread roll or baguette & spread liberally with mint sauce. To add another Welsh delicacy, lightly pan-fry some sliced leeks over the top. Strong, rich flavours, so you’ll need a robust wine, one of the heavier 100% Malbec Cahors would stand up well.

France

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Well, you’re here. Really, just take your pick! So, a slight diversion this month, but just to show I’ve not completely gone off-piste, you should know that many an ex-rugby player has turned to producing wine after his playing days are over. To name but one, check out Gerard Bertrand who now produces wines from many hectares in the Languedoc. Better still, he also produces biodynamic wines like us. But I’m sure you all know that Cahors wine is always a cut above the rest! Bon chance et bon appetit! Visitors are welcome to the property. We are open from June to September, from 2pm to 7pm. Wednesday and Sunday by appointment. Other dates and times by prior arrangement. A variety of tours of the vineyard and wine tastings are available year round. Learn about the organic wine making process, the basics of wine tasting, or just enjoy trying some new wines or aperitifs. Group and corporate bookings are welcome (musical entertainment/catering can also be arranged). Purchases can be made directly from the cellar door. Children welcome. Disabled access. Always drink alcohol responsibly and in moderation; pregnant women are advised not to consume alcohol; don’t drink and drive.

Domaine des Sangliers – Les Sarrades – 46700 – Puy-l’Evêque Kim-Louis & Lisa Stanton – 06 04 03 34 12 info@domaine-des-sangliers.com www.organicfrenchblackwine.com

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

G M Construction A skilled and loyal workforce of British & French tradesmen

All aspects of building projects both new and renovation, including project management, swimming pools & ground-works If you are looking for a British/French speaking builder operating in 46, 47, 82 & 24 Contact Greg:

06 37 67 49 89 / 06 76 92 28 68 ggmconstructionfr@hotmail.com www.englishbuilderinfrance.com Siret No:- 50741519800013

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 25

A Brand New Year… an Exciting New Programme We are a friendly group of people of all ages, nationalities and green-fingered abilities, sharing knowledge and experience while we all get to grips with gardening in sunny S.W. France.

nder the guidance of our President, Fiona Forshaw, our monthly events programme for 2016 promises to cater something for everyone. So far this year, we’ve enjoyed a member’s presentation on “New Year – New Garden”, the AGM followed by a talk given by a local ethnobotanist (a study of the relationships that exist between people and plants), and a grafting workshop hosted by a local garden nursery. Also, due to the early flowering this year, two events scheduled for March – the pruning of fruit trees and the wild daffodil walk – were brought forward to February.

The rest of our 2016 Annual Programme is shaping up as follows: March 8 Talk on Planning a Vegetable Garden /Crop Succession April 12 Talk on Creating an Herbaceous Border May 10 Garden Visits – Prayssac June 7-10 Coach Trip to View Gardens in Provence June 21 Tea Party and Plant Swap July 12 Visit to Manoir d’Erygnac, Lunch & Nursery – Perigord August 19 Summer BBQ Sept 13 Visit Gardens in Cadiot/ Masquere & Lunch – Dordogne Sept tba Garden Show October 11 Talk on Saffron & Truffles Nov 8 Meeting – details tba Nov tba La Journee de l’Arbre Nov tba Christmas Table Decorations Workshop Dec 13 Club Christmas Lunch

The competitive price is all-inclusive of transport; garden entrance fees; accommodation; breakfast and evening meal. Beverages and lunches are extra. As a few places on this trip will be made available to non-members, do contact Fiona Forshaw should you like more information: 05 63 95 45 42 or frenchflowerpot@outlook.com. The closing date for applications is March 28th. The Club meets on every second Tuesday in the month, usually at the Salle des Fêtes in Lauzerte from 2pm to 4.30pm. Our meetings cater for both French and English speakers. Come along and meet us with no obligation – you’ll receive a warm welcome! And if you do then decide to join the Club, our annual subscription is only 10 Euros. If you would like to join in a meeting or to know more about us generally, please contact our Vice-President, Pam Westcott: 05 63 94 19 25 or pamwestcott47@hotmail.com

Please note that meetings and dates are correct at the time of going to print, but may be subject to change. The highlight of our programme is undoubtedly the Provence trip in June where, after arriving by coach, the Club has taken over a hotel for 3 nights in order to explore several beautiful gardens in the region. Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

26 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

LILY OF THE VALLEY by Jeanne McCaul, Lauzerte

f you are looking forward to flowering Lily of the Valley (Muguet de Mai) on May 1st, be sure to plant some without delay under your trees, or in some other shady spot. They can also be planted very successfully in pots and gently nursed along to be flowering, just when you want them to. This woodland flowering plant (botanical name: convallaria magalis) is native throughout the cool and temperate Northern Hemisphere from Asia to Europe to North America. It quite likes limey soil and is an indication of the health of soil since it will not grow in polluted earth. When happy and well adapted, it spreads quickly to cover vast areas. In fact, Lily of the Valley received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Merit for its ability to cover large areas in shady spots. According to Greek mythology the plant was created by Apollo, so that his 9 muses could tread comfortably and softly... In astrological terms the Lily is placed under the dominium of Mercury, the messenger. The unmistakable sweet scent and pure white flowers, heralding spring, have ensured that the lily is widely associated with mythology and symbolism. The delicate bell shaped flowers are said to represent the tears of Eve, devastated at being chased from the Garden of Eden, or of Mary, mother of Jesus, mourning the crucifixion of her son, or (in Bulgaria and Macedonia, for instance) any lovely young virgin’s tears. In religious painting,

the flowers are a symbol of humility. They were the flower chosen for the wedding bouquets of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. Somewhat strangely, the power of men to envision a better world is also attributed to the Lily. It would no doubt be a good idea to offer significant bunches of the flower to a number of contemporary (male) politicians… According to some sources, the French custom of offering a stem of muguet as a good luck charm, can be dated to a little incident witnessed by Charles IX and his mother, Catherine of Medicis, when they observed a cousin, the Chevalier de Girard, offering his son a flower stem on May 1st. This was in 1560 and as from 1561 Charles IX began offering “good fortune gifts” on May 1st. At some point, Catherine sent the Chevalier de Saint Paul des Trois Châteaux on a mission to the Borghese family in her native Italy. Upon his return, as a sign that the mission had been successful, the Chevalier offered the King a bouquet of muguet which he had gathered on his way. Another major revival occurred in 1895 when Jenny Cook, lover of the French performer Félix Mayol, gave him a stem of muguet, which he wore in his lapel during the première of a concert in Paris, which turned out to be a major triumph and breakthrough in his career, ensuring both his enduring popularity and that of the muguet.

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Amusingly, it seems that, since 1907, the muguet was associated with “la fête des travailleurs” in France, renamed under Pétain during WWII as “la fête DU travail”. The muguet then also replaced the red “eglantine” (wild dog rose), which had been the emblematic flower of the socialist political left. It was the floral emblem of Yugoslavia and it was chosen as the national flower of Finland in 1962. Here in France it has become inextricably entwined with the 1st of May celebrations: the “muguet de Mai” marks Labour Day, and also the end of major hostilities of WWII, if not yet its final end. Many poems and songs sing the muguet’s praises. It has become the gift par excellence to give to anyone you care for on May 1st as a symbol of good luck and therefore of caring. Oh, and if you are lucky enough to be given a stem with 13 bells, there is no knowing where fortune will lead you! Small wonder then that around 60 million flower stems are sold every 1st of May in France, engendering a turnover of an estimated e35 million and creating 7.000 temporary jobs. However: the cultivation for commercial purposes, picking and especially selling, is strictly regulated by laws and regulations dating back to… wait for it: the French Revolution! So be warned not to try and sell your flowers – you could be in for a bad turn. Also: most importantly, do be aware that these mythical plants and flowers have a dark side to them too: all parts of the plants, but especially the seeds, are highly toxic, so do not keep the flowers in a closed space, discard the water in the vase and keep out of reach of children. If you are fascinated by the macabre, many references can be found to poisonous mixes used to send enemies off to eternity or, at the very least, a big scare and major discomfort. There is even a modern day reference to be found in the American series “Breaking Bad”, but we will not spoil your fun if you have not yet seen the series.

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vgr.secretariat@gmail.com vgr-secretariat.com Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

28 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

ARBRESERVICES Matt Strawbridge Tree Surgeon Elagueur Arboriste

Tours 47340 Cassignas 05 53 95 80 27/ 06 45 25 65 58 matt@arbreservices.com www.arbreservices.com SIRET NO. 5025222200004

Metse, Les Espiemonts, 82160, Caylus, Tarn et Garonne Phone: 05 63 64 68 76 Mob: 06 81 76 02 30 Email: lejardindesepsiemonts@gmail.com www.lejardindesespiemonts.fr 44°16'12.15"N 1°44'0.92"E Perennial and Alpine growers. Small, specialist nursery. Open Mondays 10 – 4. Visits on other days by appointment.

Gardeners in the Basse Vallee du Lot The Au Fil des Jardins Gardening Club has been meeting since 2013 with a wide range of activities for those interested in gardening in the conditions we encounter here – hot dry summers and cold winters (Yes really!) Members include English, French, Danish, Dutch, American and more – Latin plant names don’t need translation! Some are highly knowledgeable, others wanting to learn. In summer we meet in member’s gardens or arrange visits to public gardens. In winter there are talks, question & answer sessions, quizz, demonstrations... in a warm Salle des Fetes. There are usually some rather nice cakes to enjoy too. This May two of our members will be opening their gardens to the public during the

Pentecost weekend within the Open Gardens / Jardins Ouverts scheme, similar to the Yellow Book scheme in the UK – see www.opengardens.eu – to raise money for the A Chacun son Everest charity. Look out for for notices in the Prayssac and Duravel areas. So if you are interested in joining the Au Fil des Jardins club to meet other garden enthusiasts in the Prayssac, Puy l’Eveque, Duravel, Goujounac, Catus area ring Susan on 0565 213509 or email selhar@orange.fr. Contact her also if you would consider opening your garden to the public within the Open Garden Scheme. We would love to meet you. Meetings are usually the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

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Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

30 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

Plants

for pollinators

t’s easy, with our busy lives, to become so focused on our own minutiae, that we forget about the wider picture and how we fit into the world in which we live. When society’s goals are focussed on industry and economy, it’s easy to overlook the fact that our industrialised world is simply one aspect of life on this planet, and while we’re rushing around, engrossed in our own sense of importance, we fail to acknowledge that, in fact, we are all utterly indebted to the humble bumble bee, the fragile butterfly, and the tiny ant. It’s worth reminding ourselves that throughout the world, thousands of plant species grown for food, drinks, medicines and fibres are dependent on pollinators for their continued existence. Pollinators, such as ants, hover flies, bees (honey bees, bumblebees, solitary bees etc.), beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, hummingbirds and bats, are keystone species, meaning they play a unique, crucial role in the function of the ecosystem. Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be greatly altered, or even utterly destroyed. To grasp the scale of this: 80 percent of all plants are reliant on pollinators for survival and one out of every three bites of all food that we eat is made possible by a pollinator. Almonds, apples, avocados, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, kiwis, melons, onions, oranges, peaches, potatoes, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes – just a few of the delicious, nourishing crops that would cease to exist without pollinating insects and mammals facilitating the fertilisation process necessary for the production of fruits and seeds for consumption and for plant reproduction. And it’s not just vegetarians who would suffer - meat eaters would too, as pollination is part of the animal feed production process. If that’s not enough to make you think, then even worse: imagine a world without coffee; imagine a world without chocolate! Alarmingly, many pollinator populations are in decline, including, most worryingly, the most effective of all the pollinators, the honeybee. While the causes of this are not fully understood, contributing factors are said to include loss of habitat, pesticide poisoning, parasites, disease, air pollution and global warming. While it’s a small response, it’s comforting to know that, with a few simple steps, you can play your own part in redressing the balance by creating favourable habitats

and making your own garden more pollinator friendly. There are many different types of plants to choose from. It’s a good idea to incorporate lots of varieties, selecting from trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, as the diversity of pollinators you’ll attract is likely to rise correspondingly with the diversity of plants. Plants and animals have evolved together to form beautifully balanced, symbiotic relationships, with plant colour, size, shape, scent etc. effectively attracting different pollinators, while accordingly, the pollinators have evolved their anatomy and behaviour to maximise their efficiency in harvesting nectar and thus transporting pollen from specific plants. Different colours appeal to different pollinators. Bees are drawn to blue, purple and yellow flowers, while butterflies like red, orange, yellow, pink and blue. A range of small and large blooms will accommodate the different sizes and shapes of pollinators’ mouths and bodies. As butterflies need to land before feeding, they like flat-topped flowers, while Hummingbirds, who favour bright colours such as red, orange and purple, do not require a landing area and are able to feed from tubular flowers, as they hover while feeding. Small pollinators prefer clusters of tiny flowers, while larger creatures can feast from big blooms. Bats are attracted to large, bell shaped flowers and some bats, such as the tube-lipped nectar bat of Ecuador, have evolved specifically to reach the nectar at the bottom of them. Incredibly, the tube-lipped nectar bat’s tongue is over one and a half times the length of its body! Flowering time is another aspect to consider and an ideal planting scheme will provide year round flowering, which, as well as being aesthetically pleasing for the gardener, will provide a constant supply of pollen and nectar, especially if you ensure a range of species are in bloom at any time. Other aspects to consider in your garden to make it more pollinator friendly include water, compost heaps and a few weeds. Some of us here in this beautiful part of France are lucky enough to have gardens that back onto one of the numerous rivers, or have a stream running through our land, or maybe a well or a cistern, but otherwise a pond, a bird bath, an open water butt, or even a muddy puddle are all useful for sustaining life. Butterflies in particular benefit from damp, muddy earth, where they can engage in “puddling” and siphon nutrients from the ground. A compost heap is

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something all environmentally conscious gardeners should possess, for reducing waste, recycling organic material, and adding nourishment to the soil, and it is useful also for sustaining pollinators who can feed off rotting matter. Looking for an excuse to put off mowing your lawn? Weeds, such as dandelions and daisies, are an excellent combination for pollinators, as dandelions come into flower from early in the year, and are then followed by daisies, which flower until late. You could also consider naturalising crocuses and snowdrops into your lawn or borders, because they will provide nectar and pollen in winter and early spring, a time when food is scarce and Queen Bees often starve. Providing sheltered habitats is also useful. Rather than cutting back all of your herbs, you could leave some of them over winter to provide nesting and overwintering sites. Dead wood, stone walls, mulched paths and borders and bare earth can all be useful habitats as well. What else can we do to help? On a larger scale, continued pressure on governments and industry to adopt greener policies, supporting environmental groups and signing petitions, is something we can all do, while on a personal level, we can question our own lifestyle choices, reducing, re-using and recycling, and we can exercise our consumer power, choosing organic products and buying locally – and with all the wonderful markets over here, filled with fresh goods straight from the producers, why wouldn’t we? Reduce our use of pesticides – even stop using altogether – and if using, do so later the afternoon/evening, once pollinator activity has stopped for the day. If you’re feeling really adventurous, consider joining a local bee group and keeping your own hives – there’s lots of interest in beekeeping throughout the area and a number of excellent groups to be found. 28

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John and Debbie (Le Jardin des Espiemonts) lejardindesespiemonts@gmail.com, 05 63 64 68 76, www.lejardindesespiemonts.fr Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

32 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

Composting is so easy to do Giving back the earth what it gave us... What is compost? It’s the slow transformation of fermentable waste by worms, bacteria, fungus and oxygen. The result produces humus, essential for successful gardening.

The Association helps and advises about making your own compost and invites people to use Lauzerte’s own community compost for your own waste if you’ve no garden or room to make your own compost.

Why make compost? First of all it’s obviously essential for the preservation of the environment. Composting produces a very rich, organic material, that’ll improve the fertility and life of the soil; without any artificial additives!

The Association ‘Rainettes des prés, jardin de simples’ has also created an organic-garden on land lent to them by the Mairie. An example of a gesture that providing opportunities for people to learn about using less water and preserving biodiversity whilst meeting new people with the same interests. You can contact the Association by ringing Marjolaine on 05-63-29-19-13. Maybe see if there are similar ‘associations’ nearer to you and if not, then maybe that’s your next project!

Secondly, house-hold waste contains up to 30% organic matter. If this waste was used for compost production we’d reduce our household waste by approx.60 kg/inhabitant/year; saving landfill space and the costs associated with transport or incineration. Compost – a few simple rules l Woody items must be cut up into small pieces l Build-up layers of dry and wet materials l Occasionally ventilate and mix – perhaps when adding new waste l Water to keep damp and check for disease problems such as mould l You cannot add just anything. See below! You can create compost at any time of the year. The fermentation will slow down during winter, but whatever the season adding waste helps the action of the microorganisms and keeps the fermentation going. After 3-5 months compost will be suitable for covering the bottom of shrubs or trees to preserve water and protect against weeds. After a further 2 or 3 months it will be suitable for making a mulch to lay on soil in the autumn. 10 to 12 month-old compost can be added to your soil as an organic feed. Mix 1/3 compost to 2/3 of garden soil to get a good loan. Keeping your garden green Include as many natural technics to help avoid the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. • Cover soil with crushed compost and ground-cover plants. • Improve the fertility of the soil with worms and microorganisms. • Rotate vegetable planting and consider garden-companions such as nasturtium or marigold to repel aphids, planting leeks or chives next to carrots, planting parsley to promote the growth of onions and so on. • Create an insect friendly garden for ladybirds, bees or woodlice with flowering borders, heaps of dead leaves and water holes. But what if you don’t have a garden? There are solutions! Such as the community composting project of Le Jardin des Rainettes in Lauzerte (82110).

Other useful information Local organisations such as SIEEOM Sud Quercy help people get a composting bin at a reduced price. If you haven’t got your own composting bin please do enquire locally to see what help is available. In the November edition of this magazine we mentioned that you could get a hen house from IDDEES in Lafrançaise (built from recycled wood) and that you can also get hens free from the SIEEOM, all aimed at reducing organic waste! If you cannot wait or you need a large quantity or ready-to-use compost then APAG Environnement in Castelsarrasin is one place that offers organic compost for sale at only 0,050 euros TTC/kilo. Just take your trailer or large containers along to 302 Chemin de Castelus - 82100 Castelsarrasin. 05 63 95 06 40 www.apag-environnement.com. Composting Menu Compost Friendly Kitchen waste: - Untreated fruits and vegetable peelings - Crushed eggshells - Coffee ground or tea bags - Tissue or paper towels Garden waste: - Cut flowers, potted plants - Tree or hedge trimmings (cut small) - Dead leaves - Lawn cuttings Compost Enemies: - Unhealthy plants - Meat or shellfish scraps, bones - Printed paper and board, glossy paper - Hoover dust - Frying oil - Packaging with metal or plastic parts - Chemical products

by Valérie Rousseau

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 33

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38 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

About eggs, chicks, bunnies and bells by Jeanne McCaul, Lauzerte

As with many of our religious festivals, Easter is celebrated by most of us, while its origins and meaning are all but forgotten. A pity, since we can learn and understand so much about ourselves by taking a closer look at where we come from – collectively.

or instance: in the present climate of daily news about religious strife in some parts of the Islamic world, and its consequences around the globe, it might be a good idea to remember that examples of conflicts, arising from different understandings of religious doctrine and practice, also existed, and still do, in the Christian world. Of course, nowadays, such disagreements - for instance between Catholics and Protestants - have become mild in comparison to the carnage they engendered not so very long ago. Fortunately, today, we are all pretty much on the same page with respect to Easter. After all, like most present day religious celebrations it dates from preChristian times as a pagan feast as well as the Jewish feast of Passover or Pessach. Indeed, during the first Christian centuries the dates of Pessach and Easter coincided and were celebrated beginning at sundown on the 14th day of the month of Nissan, according to the Jewish Babylonian calendar. Passover referred to the “passing over” of Jewish homes when the plague struck Egyptian first born males. Pesach is associated with the exodus from Egypt, after 400 years of slavery. Most probably this can be seen as the origin of the concept of delivery (from slavery) or redemption, which became the concept of delivery of sins by the redeeming sacrifice of the crucified Jesus Christ, followed by His death and resurrection, the central concepts of Christianity in all its forms. It was during the first Council of Nicaea (today Iznik in Turkey) convened by the Roman emperor Constantine I in 325, that it was decided to separate the Christian celebration from the Jewish Pessach. In fact, this issue was one of many raging controversies at the time between the Christian Church of the Orient and that of Rome. Alexandria wanted to keep the date of Nissan 14, while Rome wanted Easter to fall on a Sunday. Rome won. But the issue of establishing the exact date remained rather complicated, not to say controversial,

for a long time. The Orthodox Christian church (Greek, Russian…) celebrates Easter according to the Julian calendar to this day. And it is amusing to note that the Irish church only accepted the Roman date setting in 1582, after the establishment of the Gregorian calendar (named after Pope Gregory XIII). Suffice it to say that the date most widely celebrated in “the West” is calculated to fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon (March 9th) and after the spring equinox (04:30 GMT on March 20 this year). If this happens to fall on the same day as Pessach: no problem – the religious authorities simply move Easter by one week. This year the dates are: Catholic and Protestant Easter on Sunday, March 27th, Jewish Pessach will start at sundown on Friday April 22nd (Nissan 14th) and Orthodox Christians will celebrate on Sunday May 1st. The time of Pessach is also referred to in Hebrew as chag he-Aviv, or spring festival/holiday, stressing the aspect of renewal and rebirth and tied in with the cycles of nature and agriculture from the earliest times of mankind. Some sources maintain that the word “Easter” is derived from the name of the pagan Goddess of Spring: Eostre. No wonder then that the egg has become the major symbol connected with Easter: it is a universal symbol for the beginning of new life. Eggs were religious

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 39

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offerings in pagan times. They became a typical offering at the Jewish temple during Passover and to this day remains an essential ingredient of the Passover Seder meal in Jewish homes, as is the meat from it: chicken. In the Christian world the tradition of offering eggs seems to date to the 4th century. It is said that, since consuming eggs was prohibited during Lent, the 40 days of fasting (Christ’s sojourn in the desert) leading up to Easter (strictly speaking not fasting, but rather avoiding certain foods), the eggs tended to pile up, so something had to done with them. Hard boiling them was clearly a good idea. In the 11th century the custom grew of exchanging eggs, usually undecorated, but blessed by the church. Next, the custom was taken up by the nobility who made use of the opportunity (an early form of commercialization?) to create luxury gifts of decorated and eggs and jewels in the shape of eggs. A well known example is the eggs made by the jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé, and given by members of the Imperial Russian family to their wives and mothers. The custom was started by Tsar Alexander III, who gave such an egg to his wife, the Empress Maria Fedorovna in 1885. In all, 50 such eggs were made by the House of Fabergé, of which 43 survived, fetching astronomical prices at auctions today, at least when they come up at all. You can however, purchase some jewelry with egg motives, made under the contemporary trade mark, Fabergé Limited. An interesting aside, especially given our present day issues concerning refugees, is the fact that the Fabergé family originally came from French Picardy. They were forced to flee religious persecution, along with scores of other Huguenots, to Eastern Europe in 1685, eventually landing up in St Petersburg. Then, when their flourishing business was confiscated by the Bolsheviks, they fled for their lives once again. Among the most famous Easter eggs in French history were the baskets full of golden eggs, blessed by the church before being offered by Louis XIV to selected relatives and friends. The custom of inserting a charm inside an Easter egg dates to the 16th century. This idea must have inspired Louis XV when he offered an enormous, elaborately decorated egg, with a statuette of Cupid inside, to his mistress, Madame du Barry. In France, the custom of offering such gifts was reserved to the nobility until the Revolution when it

became generalized. Chocolate eggs came on to the market of luxury culinary treats only at the end of the 19th century when consuming chocolate became popularized. Other foods enjoyed at Easter vary; with the Easter or spring lamb a favorite (see last year’s March edition of Quercy Local). Ham that has been cured in brine during Lent, is another. In Russia, where Easter is a more important religious festival than Christmas, celebrations last several days with lengthy church services, followed by delicious gargantuan piles of food. A favorite is Pashka – a rich “cake” made with all the ingredients forbidden during Lent: butter, full cream, eggs and loaded with preserved fruit and nuts, which takes days to make if done in the correct traditional way. It is decorated with the letters referring to the greeting “Christ is risen!” Beautifully painted hard boiled eggs are cracked by tapping the pointed end onto the rounded end of the other person’s egg and uttering the words: “Christ is risen!” to which the other replies “Indeed, He is risen” In Russian “Christos Voskrese!” And the reply: “Voistine Voskrese!”. And then of course there are all the other symbols. The most logical and widely known one is naturally the chick – popping out of the egg. Then there is the bunny, also a symbol of fertility (who would have guessed?) dating back to pagan spring rituals and most commonly used symbol in Germanic and Anglo-Saxon countries. And of course, as we tell our children, it is these adorable and talented little creatures that hide those delectable chocolate eggs in our gardens to be diligently collected on Easter Sunday. One lovely French legend, all-be-it somewhat difficult to explain, has it that it’s none other than the church bells that go off to Rome to fetch the eggs – hence their silence some days before Easter while they are travelling. As for customs, Easter egg hunting is the one we are all familiar with. But how about the one in some Eastern European countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Moldavia…) where the men beat their women to ensure their good health, beauty and… fertility, to the point that not getting beaten is a shame and an insult. That said, the women are allowed to douse their men in a bucket of cold water in return. Perhaps a little check on the fertility wish …

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

40 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

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(THE ORCHESTRE DU CENTRE PHILHARMONIQUE) Will be playing/singing Bach’s St John Passion in the Lot, Lot et Garonne and Dordogne, 5 or 6 concerts on the weekends of 7 & 14 May.

Details of venues, soloists etc. will appear shortly on www.ocp-verteuil.com

Reminder about our

Short Story Competition We are looking for short stories, between 2000 and 2500 words in length. Your story can have any title/ subject but it should be able to carry the subtitle – ‘different people, different places’ How do you enter? •E ntries should be sent by email before the 20th March 2016 – please send to thequercylocal@gmail.com •P lease submit your entry on a ‘word’ document – no illustrations or ‘fancy’ fonts. • Do not put anything on your entry pages to identify you. • Put your name and contact information on a cover sheet. All entries will be judged ‘blind’. • Please number your pages. • Entries must be written in English • Entrants should be 18+ • Only work that has never been published should be submitted and all work must be the authors’ own. What happens then? • The judge’s decision, which will be final, will be announced on the 1st of April 2016. • Our judge will provide helpful feedback to the three entries judged to be the best. • The winning entry will be published in the May 2016 edition of the Quercy Local. • We reserve the right to publish the 2nd and 3rd placed entries in later editions of the magazine. • The magazine will suitably illustrate the entries before publication. • 1st placed entry will receive 200 euro and 100 euro for their nominated charity. • 2nd placed entry will receive 75 euro and 50 euro for their charity. • 3rd placed entry will receive 50 euros and 25 euro for their charity.

A charity dedicated to the welfare of pet and stray cats. Help us to help them. Our AGM will be held at 11 am on Sunday 20th March 2016 at our charity shop in Roquecor, when the 2015 Annual Report will be presented. Take this opportunity to come along to get to know us better and what the charity does and to meet our members and volunteers! Our charity shop in Lauzerte (opposite the mairie) will open again on the 16th of March with a special clearance day. Each euro collected helps a cat!

For more information on forthcoming events, check the Les amis des chats website www.les-amis-des-chats & Facebook page.

We are delighted that Maree Giles has agreed to act as a judge for this competition. To discover more about Maree and her writing visit www.mareegiles.com. You can contact her at mareemichelgiles@hotmail.co.uk.

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 41

We are recruiting agents in Cazals, Lauzerte, Montcuq, Cahors, and east of Cahors If you like people and property, believe in hard work and providing a service, speak two languages and want a job (not a hobby), please email us. These qualities are far more important than previous experience. Full training and support are freely provided by us. Beaux Villages Immobilier Email us on: enquiries@beauxvillages.com Visit our website: www.beauxvillages.com Call us on +33 (0)8 05 69 23 23 – Freephone

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Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

Quercy’s Artists 42 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

Introducing Penelope Milner, who lives in the Lot, where the environment inspires her and she hopes to inspire and share her enthusiasm with others around her.

Here’s what Penelope has to say… I left art school in England in 1989 and travelled for a while and then in 1989 I settled in Catus in the Lot to paint. I’ve found the region to be constantly inspiring. I’m a member of the French Pastel Society (for whom I also do some teaching) and also various associations in Paris, Toulouse and elsewhere. It’s refreshing for me to travel and see other places whilst teaching and exhibiting. However, it seems that I’m increasingly happy to enjoy spending time, at my home, in my studio amidst my family and the Quercy countryside. Living far from the city creates certain practical difficulties for artists, but increasingly the internet is used as a vehicle for communicating between artists, buyers and art-lovers. Many artists interact with their public in these new ways. There seems an inevitability about this movement towards selling and sharing art on-line.

Over the last few years I’ve been teaching myself to paint on a small scale, initially in response to the charitable/art organisation ‘111 des arts’ (www.les111desarts.org) in Toulouse, where artists produce pictures in a 20x20cm format. Previously I‘d always worked on a large-scale partly as this felt natural but also I’d believed that ‘real’ art must be ‘big’ in order to impress. From the beginning of this year I’ve been producing a small painting (almost) everyday which has regenerated my enthusiasm. I can allow myself the freedom to explore far more subjects and I can respond immediately to my environment, depending on the mood, the weather, the light that day. I post these works on my ‘Daily Painting’ blog. www.dailypainting. penelopemilner.net/en/daily-painting-by-penelope-milner A few years ago I began teaching regular classes for adults in my studio, drawing, pastel and oil painting. This has been a good experience and I’ve made many

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 43

good friends. Mostly my local students are French, with a smattering of English and Dutch, but I hope that wouldn’t put off any English speakers. The groups are small and I teach by giving demonstrations as well as much individual tuition. You can find full details of the courses and dates and times on my painting blog. I’ve found that teaching keeps me stimulated and this feeds into my own personal work. Painting can, after all, be a very solitary business. Sometimes a ‘teaching day’ comes as a relief allowing me to experience other’s enthusiasm and their pleasure in the painting process. Obviously, as anyone involved

in art knows, there are moments of self-doubt and frustration for all of us, but the good humoured atmosphere of a group usually sustains the most insecure of us! My hope is to help encourage each person’s creativity by teaching traditional methods and techniques. Most of the time we draw and paint from life; objects, landscape and even models. Photographs can be a useful tool, but I like to avoid too much reliance on them, copying a photograph is not the same process as interpreting directly from nature. As well as my regular classes I also teach the occasional themed course during the year. For the 19th and 20th of March, this year, I am preparing a weekend portrait workshop. We’ll be looking at the basics of portrait drawing and also painting using live models. Then in May I am planning a 2 day ‘daily-painting’ workshop; explaining how to work in a small-scale and also quickly and directly from nature. If the weather is fine we’ll paint partly outside, but we’ll also look at brush-work and colour-mixing inside, in the studio. I hope to see some of you over the season.

Penelope

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

44 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

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elphine Majou is well known in the Tournon area for her artistic glass making activities. She previously worked at home in Cazideroque primarily working with stained glass in the traditional way or using the Tiffany method. In November 2015 she transferred her studio to a former shop in the village of Dausse, on the road between Tournon and Villeneuve sur Lot. This building now houses not only a glass workshop, but an art gallery, brocante and cafe. Art Gallery For the opening or ‘vernissage’ the gallery presented two artists: First the experienced artist Jean-Jacques Lantourne from the Vallon de Verone in Agen. Lantourne’s paintings work on a theme of reflection, the spirit of nature, balance and harmony, using light, mist and overlaid with coloured glaze to magnify landscape themes captured in his imagination. He has won many awards and his works are today in private collections around the world. On a personal note (as a non art critic) I found his work extremely different and original. I thought one or two of his images were reminiscent of scenes from the film ‘Avatar’. The young, talented mosaic artist, Laetitia Raphael-Leygues also presented her compositions. In 2013, out of fifty candidates, she won the award for Female Vocation in the Building Trades, organised by the region. After obtaining her qualification – CAP Tiling, she turned to working with mosaics. Some of her most recent work has been to make two wall mounted mosaics, one based on the Mural of Dolphins from the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri in Santorini and the other, an Asiatic themed work for a restaurant in Villeneuve sur Lot. I ordered one of her ‘Teddy’ mosaics requesting

that the scarf and paws be done in the colours of my son’s favourite rugby team. She can work with pictures or drawings to customer’s specifications. Brocante & Café After looking round the gallery the visitor can pass through to the Brocante space with a wide range of objects, trinkets and retro furniture. Between the two areas a cozy, convivial, coffee break corner, with hot and cold drinks, ice cream and gourmet snacks. Delphine thinks the gallery and brocante areas may jointly attract visitors who enjoy looking round artistic surroundings and then browsing for something of interest. The presence of the café area gives a place to take a pause with refreshment and chat. Art Broc Café will soon commence creative courses, mostly working with glass which is Delphine’s area of expertise. The gallery will be available to artists, sculptors and creative artisans who would like somewhere to exhibit their work. Art Broc Café is open every Tuesday to Sunday morning from 8.45 to 12 am and in the afternoon from 13.30 to 18.30. Avenue de Villeneuve, 47140 Dausse, on the D661 opposite the village garage with parking nearby in the village square. Contact: 05 53 49 12 49 - 06 21 74 12 87 or Facebook: artbroccafé.dausse.fr Article written by Angela Murray

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

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46 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

International Money Transfer Guide for Pensions

More and more pensioners are choosing to retire abroad, yet many will have lost money when transferring their pension overseas, because they used their high street bank instead of a currency transfer specialist. Whether you are living abroad and receiving a pension or thinking of moving your pension pot overseas, you need to speak to a foreign exchange broker. Foreign Exchange specialists can help maximise your international pension transfers. They will make the transfer of funds overseas much easier, while helping you avoid losing money to exchange rate fluctuations and high bank charges. Many don't realise the banks can levy hefty fees and charges on regular overseas pension transfers. A reputable and recognised foreign exchange provider authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), such as FC Exchange can often make significant savings on your foreign currency transfers compared to the high street banks. Arranging a new transfer with a bank every month incurs a separate set of high bank charges each time. A foreign exchange broker can take the hassle out of this process and they usually provide much more favourable exchange rates than the high street banks. Tailored to each individual’s circumstances, foreign currency brokers provide regular payment programmes specifically for overseas pension transfers.

Competitive exchange rates Reduced risk of less funds being received in your overseas account (e.g. pension income) Significant savings on fees and charges compared to high street banks International payment solutions geared to frequent overseas pension transfers Expert and jargon-free guidance from a dedicated foreign exchange specialist The regular payment programmes cut out a lot of the hassle associated with frequently sending money abroad. This is particularly beneficial to those requiring a high degree of certainty about their income and outgoings. There are three key options to consider; Option 1 – Fixed sterling amount sent each month The amount transferred each month is a fixed sterling amount, so you always know the sterling cost, but the amount received in your foreign currency account will fluctuate. Option 2 – Fixed foreign currency amount received each month The amount of foreign currency you receive each month is fixed, so the foreign currency amount received each month will be known, but the cost of each transaction will vary. Option 3 – Fix the exchange rate for up to two years

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This provides certainty about the income received overseas and the cost of each transfer. The key benefit is certainty, protecting you against unfavourable currency market movements. However, if currency markets move in your favour during the fixed-rate period, you will not be able to take advantage of them.

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL â&#x20AC;˘ 47

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48 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

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PENSION ‘Bonnes Vacances’

Peaceful Cattery 5 spacious heated pens No dogs boarded TLC ensures ‘happy cats’ Per night: 1 cat 8e, 2 cats 10e, 3 cats 12e or 4 cats 14e Lavolvene, Belveze 82150 jan.lemmy@wanadoo.fr Please call me for more info or to arrange a visit

ALLEZ SOUTH WEST FRANCE PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN TARN, TARN ET GARONNE, AVEYRON AND THE LOT. We are an English couple who’ve been successfully selling houses in the Tarn et Garonne, Lot, Tarn and Aveyron for over 12 years. We’ve built up a reputation for our friendly, professional and hands on service. We sell properties at all price ranges from 100,000 euros to over one million and our buyers come primarily from the UK but also worldwide. Our area is mainly around St Antonin Noble Val and Caylus but also all points 45 minutes from Caylus. If you’re looking to sell then we have the buyers. We’re here to help.

05 63 94 38 47 06 43 53 04 52 (mb)

STOLEN DOG

Help needed – what has happened to Mendi? Can you help find Mendi. He was stolen from the Refuge Canin Lotois in Cahors on the 13th of November 2015 and is still missing. Please contact the refuge if you have any information that could lead to the return of Mendi. Mendi is microchipped: 250268500201654 To contact the refuge Tel: 05 65 22 66 32, Email: refuge_canin_lotois@yahoo.fr Refuge Canin Lotois, Z.I. d’Englandières, Route de Mercuès, 46000 CAHORS www.refugecaninlotois.wordpress.com

CONTACT:

Gillie and Anthony Pearce on 06 23 94 22 or 06 12 51 85 05 Email info@allezsouthwestfrance.com Website www.allezsouthwestfrance.com The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 49

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

50 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

Chocolate Treats

Chocolate has for a long-time been associated with Easter and maybe its position as the ultimate spring-time treat is due to it often being denied during Lent by people looking for something simply to ‘give-up’ and in some cases churches historically banned its consumption during Lent. So chocolate became the obvious treat once fasting was over and Easter arrived.

Every year the shops will be full of tempting chocolate gifts, but how about a home-made alternative? Below we’ve a recipe for some delicious truffles – just add a simple basket or box and a very personal and delicious gift is ready to make somebody’s day.

Chocolate & Orange Truffles 185 ml / 6 fl oz thick /heavy cream 400 grm /14 oz grated dark chocolate (min 70% cocoa) 70 grm /3 ½ oz unsalted butter cut into cubes 2 tablespoons of Cointreau Cocoa powder (non-sweetened) for rolling This recipe should make 30 – 40 truffles depending on the final sizing.

This recipe should make 30 – 40 truffles depending on the final sizing. Heat the cream in a saucepan until it just boils and then remove from the heat. Add the grated-chocolate and stir until melted. Then add the butter and keep stirring until smooth and fully melted. Cool, cover and place in a fridge until the mixture is firm enough to roll (possibly overnight). Roll teaspoons of the mixture into balls and then cool again. Roll in cocoa, shake -off excess and place back in the fridge. Remove from the fridge before serving at room-temperature.

Twists in the Truffle’s Tail Why not…

Add a little desiccate d coconut or finely crushed hazelnuts to the cocoa and just press a little har der when rolling. Perhaps dip in dark or even white melted chocolate to coat half or all of the truffle. Or, maybe a pinch of orange zest to the truffle mix ture.

Chocolate – a few facts Chocolate contains high levels of a powerful stimulant called ‘theobromine’. This is harmful to dogs and cats and even humans if consumed in huge quantities – to be fatal you would need to eat about 22lb of chocolate. On average, a chocolate bar contains about eight insect parts, but it is still considered safe for consumption. If the chocolate should contain more than 60 insect parts per 100 grams of chocolate it is viewed as unsafe. White chocolate is not actually a chocolate as it contains no cocoa solids. White “chocolate” contains cocoa butter instead. The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which encourages relaxation. One chocolate chip can give you enough energy to walk 150 feet. The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 51

IN THE HEART OF THE CAHORS VINES YOU’LL FIND

RESTAURANT

CAFÉ

ATELIER

• Restaurant serving fresh, seasonal food, all ‘fait maison’. • Our café with a selection of teas, coffee and homemade cakes every day. • Pottery painting atelier - come and paint your very own masterpiece. • Enjoy our traditional Afternoon Tea, Sunday 20th March. Reserve your place. LE CAILLAU 46700 VIRE SUR LOT TEL:05 65 23 78 04 WWW.LECAILLAU.COM FACEBOOK.COM/LECAILLAU

MONDAY: 10AM –5PM TUESDAY: CLOSED WED-SAT: 10AM – 5PM 7PM – 11PM SUNDAY: 12PM – 4PM

Opening Wednesday 2nd March

Quercy Builders (82150) Stone work and all aspects of renovation Subcontractors to the trade and a professional service to the public References available No obligation quotations

info@quercybuilders.com www.quercybuilders.com 06 52 24 49 95 06 52 49 03 57

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

52 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

MONTAIGU DE QUERCY

your chance to find out a bit more about the town During the summer, Sandy Communal-Perier will be offering guided tours, in English, every Tuesday at 15:00 from the 12th July - 30th August in different places: l

Montaigu de Quercy, its history and economic activities l l

Roquecor and life in the Middle Ages

Circuit of Chapels around Montaigu de Quercy, by car

A little bit about Montaigu de Quercy The history of Montaigu started a very long time ago, when Romans occupied the land. The original town was situated at St Martin de Bournazel where a church still stands, just out of town, near the cemetery. The growth of Montaigu is linked with the castle which was established by Lords from the Gourdon family in the 12th century. At this time Raymond V, Count of Toulouse, decided to give land to some of the local Lords so that they could help fortify this area. This encouraged the building of Châteaux at Clermont Soubiran, Beaucaire (near Lauzerte), Touffailles, Miramont, Brassac and Montaigu, all to form a line of protection. The Château of Montaigu, had walls 2.5m thick and a large keep built at the top of the hill to act as a look-out post. Today there’s only a part of the fortified walls left visible from some points at the top of the town. The Château was sold at the beginning of the 19th century by the descendants of the Lords of Montaigu and was torn down in 1830. Much later in 1970, a house was built on its ruins. The town developed around the former Château. Walking in the streets, you can still admire houses from the 16th to 19th C (some were built from the stone of the former Château after its destruction). The aim of the guided tour of Montaigu de Quercy is to discover about the town’s economic activities, in the 17th and 18th centuries and the importance of the trade and craft industry. It’s interesting to compare the historical situation with that of today. Until the 20th century, it was a town bursting with life, but sadly a lot of activities and jobs disappeared after WW1. If we have a closer look at the buildings in Montaigu there’s evidence of what went-on, where, when and perhaps even why! The precise dates for tours will be given on Sandy’s leaflet (see Tourist Offices), or at www.jevisiteavecsandy.com. The tour lasts about

1.5 hours, 5e per person; 3e under 12 years old; Family Rate; 15e (2 adults and 2 children). Tours can be arranged, earlier in the year, for a minimum of 10 people. Photo credits www.cparama.com

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 53

Place de le Croix – 82150 Roquecor

Do visit our new website You can upload your business details to our free Business Directory. Read some of our articles and all editions of this magazine on-line. We have started putting information about some of our local towns and villages. But we do need input from those that live there – do please see if you can tell us what people need to know about where you live. We are taking advertising for the top-of-the-page banner that appears on every page and boxed adverts that appear on many of the sites pages.

www.quercylocal.com

www.libertedesanes.com

General supplies, Bread, Newsagents, Postal Point We also stock a supply of British products and a great selection of wines from local producers

Local and convenient – a true village shop 05 63 95 25 78 / 06 82 84 56 30 lacroixroc@orange.fr (SARL Lacroixroc) Delphine and Jean Longueteau

FRENCH VS ETRANGERS QUIZ Fri.6th May, La Salle des Fêtes, Le Boulve

Organised by the Association Quercy Musique our 6th annual quiz will be on Fri 6th May here in Le Boulve beginning at 8pm. But it’s not just a quiz... it’s a 3-course meal including wine and coffee for just14 euros. This is not a serious evening – it’s a light-hearted general knowledge quiz, we have 50 questions and we ask the same questions in both French & English. There are prizes for the winning team and prizes for the winning ‘nationality’ so bring your friends both French & Etrangers and join in the fun! Heckling is allowed, indeed encouraged so don’t be shy! This is a joint French/Etranger evening and any surplus funds are used to support our two music concerts later this year – the Garden Party in June and the Boogie in Le Boulve on 11th August. See the next issue for more details. Reservations; mikejones46800@gmail.com or tel; 05 65 22 71 64

QUERCY OAK F o n b i g o u , M o n s é g u r, 4 7 1 5 0 0604171973 mob 0675518913 mob laquercyoak@gmail.com http://greyrobert4.wix.com/quercy-oak

Q U ER C Y O A K

fo r

Carpentry, joinery, roofing, bespoke kitchens and furniture, stairs, doors, flooring. Timber-frame houses, property renovation and barn conversions.

Charpentier * Menuisier * Couverture * Maison Bois Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

54 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

TIME to declutter “My house burnt down, now I have a better view of the rising moon” - Matsuo Bashō: Japanese poet (1644-1694)

et a paper and pen, right now, and make a list of the top ten things that bother you at home. If you are anything like me, the most likely thing in first position will have something to do with your partner’s behaviour closely followed by the behaviour of the rest of the family. But my bet is that a little further down the list will appear the word ‘mess’, ‘clutter’ or ‘untidy’. Unfortunately, clutter is not only normal for many people, it is almost unavoidable in today’s consumer society. In some ways it is a mathematical certainty. Unless you live in some sort of Tardis then the space you have in your beloved home is finite. You have a certain amount of cubic metres and unless you do some major building work, rent storage space or move to a (bigger) barn it isn’t going to increase. Consider when you go to the local ‘hypermarché’ and get the provisions in. Most likely the entire purchase is consumed and what is left over gets thrown away. This way the cupboards in your kitchen maintain a certain status quo. This can be represented mathematically as… material acquired = material consumed + material discarded That little equal sign means that the equation balances and balance is good. Balance means harmony and peace of mind (for this subject at least). Now consider bigger purchases like washing machines and mattresses. Here again the sum remains intact. Most people only buy a washing machine if they intend to get rid of the old one. So again the material acquired equals the material discarded (unless you are into hoarding broken-down electro domestics). But groceries and larger domestic products aside, if we consider the rest of our belongings the equation doesn’t balance quite so nicely. When it’s you birthday it would never occur to you to give away an equal volume of belongings to make room for the new stuff. At Christmas when Santa comes to call he doesn’t refill his sack with old stuff left over from previous visits and take it away and it’s simply not done if when someone gives you a present to say “thank you very much, please take this in return”.

The result is that slowly but relentlessly your home gets fuller and fuller of ‘stuff’. Over the years ‘stuff’ multiplies and expands to fill your cupboards, wardrobes, shelves and draws. It occupies the space under the stairs, under the bed and under the kitchen table. This goes on until one day (maybe today) you realise that you’re living in a semicontrolled chaos. I say ‘semi-controlled’ because there is the possibility that with the doors of all your cupboards and wardrobes closed (assuming that you can actually close them) you can maintain some superficial sense of order. But if you dared to investigate the inner recesses of your dressers, bedside tables, top-cupboards, bathroom cabinets (not to mention the garage, the attic and the spare room) not only will you find a load of stuff you don’t need but also a load of stuff the existence of which you had completely forgotten about.

Is it a problem or not? Consider these questions… Do you find it difficult to find things and waste time trying to do so? Do you find the state of your home embarrassing when visitors turn up unexpectedly? Is the idea of tidying up so enormous that you get palpitations from just thinking about it? If you answer ‘yes’ to any (or all) of these questions then you have a problem and it’s time to girder your loins and do something about it. A good place to start is the bedroom. Open the first wardrobe and remove everything that you haven’t worn for the last year (or two if you’re feeling fainthearted). Take out all the clothes that don’t fit you any more and the stuff that does fit but looks horrible (even if it’s practically brand new). Take out all those belts that just serve to collect dust,

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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 55

the hat you bought for that wedding five years ago and that bizarre tie that your in-laws gave you. Then move on the next wardrobe. Put the lot into large bin-liners, take it outside and put it in the back of the car. Then drive to the nearest recycling point and leave all of it there. I promise that you will start to feel better immediately. The sensation of having space to organize your clothes is very rewarding. Your belongings can start to breath instead of suffocating. The mere act of dealing with it will cheer you up giving you more positive energy. After the bedroom turn your attention to the kitchen. How many things are there, lurking at the back of the cupboards that you haven’t used in years (decades)? The Tupperware with missing lids, baby beakers and plates (the baby is doing her A-levels), the rolling pin that you haven’t used since… when was it? All those special utensils for cooking that you used once and then gave up on, that awful set of coffee cups that some relative gave you that are still in their box and that device your partner bought from Lidl that was ‘a real bargain’ that has never actually been used. Be realistic. If you haven’t used them in all these years then do you really think you’ll be using them much in the future? Get them out of the cupboard and out of the house. Then move on to attack and conquer the other rooms and recesses of your home. Getting rid of something that is unused and unnecessary is easy to say but, if you’re like me then it’s not so easy to do. Throwing something away that is ‘perfectly OK’ is almost sacrilegious. So maybe it would be useful to think a few other ways to get rid of stuff without putting it in the bin. Some of these are… • Give it away to a friend (or enemy) • Take it to a charity shop • Participate in (or organize) a car-boot sale • Take it to a recycling point • Sell it on eBay • Start an exchange club or a mini-library at work • Make an effort to find someone who would benefit from taking it off your hands • Put an add in this magazine

Traps There are a few traps that it is easy to fall into. Don’t. Avoid them at all cost. 4 Avoid inventing an excuse to keep something The usual one is that it could be useful one day. Let’s get this straight. If you seriously intend to hoard every item you come across because it might be useful one day then you need to start applying for permission to build an extension now because you’re going to need one. In practice it simply doesn’t work. If the day actually were to arise when it would be useful you probably wouldn’t be able to find it or recall that you had it in the first place. Use it or lose it.

Restaurant ‘La Sirene’ Place de l’Hotel de Ville Montaigu de Quercy (82150)

Varied cuisine & a warm welcome guaranteed

Open for lunch Tues – Saturday Plus monthly quiz night Open any time for groups Available for group bookings by prior arrangement

Catering service, either here or at your venue.

Reserve by phone on 05 63 94 44 82 email: t-mermaid@hotmail.com

U.K./France van deliveries U.K./France van deliveries

Fourgon Conclusion

Fourgon Conclusions Ltd. Tel: 0044 7841 220 980

e-mail: jayseabea@hotmail.com www.fourgonconlusions.co.uk

Tel: 0044 7841 220 980

Tel: 0044 7841e-mail: 220 980 jayseabea@hotmai

Email: jayseabea@hotmail.com www.fourgonconlusions.c www.fourgonconclusions.co.uk

4 Avoid thinking that it’s just a question of geography Decluttering your house is about getting rid of stuff, not moving it from one place to another. Shifting 10kg of interesting-but-still-unread magazines from the bedroom to the spare room doesn’t count. Resist the tendency to put stuff in boxes and then leave them six months in the kitchen. Nul points! Get it out of the house and off your property. 4 Avoid squatters Consider the boot of your car, the shelves in the diningroom or the space under your bed. Should the things that are there really be there? Sometimes ‘stuff’ can spend so much time in a place that it gives the impression that it belongs there. Don’t let this happen. If something’s not in its place return it there. If it doesn’t have a place, make one (by getting rid of more stuff if necessary). To summarise: Before you realise it, your house will naturally fill to the brim with ‘stuff’. This is not good for your mental, physical or financial well-being. Therefore it is necessary to occasionally make space by getting rid of some of it. This goes against our common sense but with a little effort and creativity it can improve the quality of life for not just yourself, but for all the family. Ian Gibbs, Personal coach and writer

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

56 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

Mick Bates – Monflanquin (47150) General Electrician

Certified & Registered Business in France for all Electrical Works | New & Renovation Works Plumbing | All works guaranteed | Free quotation

Tel. 05 82 95 05 73 Port. 06 27 71 94 51 mick.bates@lgtel.fr Refer to this advert to receive a 10%discount

Cantacor

The choir of the vines Having fun with a new repertoire! Why don’t you join us? La Chorale de Cazals Mondays 8pm – Salle de Fêtes – Cazals, Lot Contact Jean on: Jean.loader@orange.fr

www.poorpaws.com For information and enquiries about rescue dogs – so many dogs desperately looking for their ‘forever’ homes. contact Sue on 05 65 24 53 03 email: susan.glibbery@orange.fr

All music is enjoyable. Making your own music by singing is a wonderful activity, so therapeutic. And the rise and rise of Gareth Malone in the UK has shown the amazing benefits of singing in a choir. Cantacor has existed since 2009 with an increasing reputation as more people catch their concerts around the Lot Valley area. Now under the direction of Cécile Cardinot, their repertoire has widened as well as their performances improving further. A group of about 30, of many origins of course and varying ages, singing in many languages, for pleasure.

EASTER SATURDAY SECOND HAND BOOK SALE

So if you would like to join us – come along to a practise at the Mairie of Puy l’Eveque on a Wednesday evening at 20h. You don’t have to be able to read music properly, but it helps of course.

Saturday 26th March 10am – 3.30pm Salle de Fetes, St. Pantaleon, Lot

Ring Susan on 0565 213509 or email selhar@orange.fr for a chat about it.

in aid of POORPAWS DOG RESCUE & CANCER RESEARCH

(Ample parking in front of Salle & Car Park a minute’s walk away)

Books / DVD’s 1 euro Teas / Coffees / Snack Lunches & usual Yummy Home Made Cakes Books to donate? YES PLEASE!

Contact: susan.glibbery@orange.fr / 0565245303

You can catch their concerts in 2016 on 17th April, 1st May, 5th June, and 19th June for the Puy l’Eveque Fete de Musique – look out for the posters. Often with the added delight of Cécile’s singing or guitar playing.

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL â&#x20AC;˘ 57

Safe Hands Haulage is a professional, competitive, full registered and insured company offering a wide range of transportation services. Full and part loads including complete house moves throughout Europe. We have many different types of vehicles in order to transport household belongings, building material, tools and vehicles.

Please contact Jon on Jon@SafeHandsHaulage.com (from UK) 00 33 5 53 79 26 48 (in France) 05 53 79 26 48 Mobile (from UK) 00 33 6 50 54 86 80 (in France) 06 50 54 86 80

www.safehandshaulage.com

To buy our French house we already have all the tricks in hands OWNING A PROPERTY IN FRANCE Please find all the requested advice in our English Speaking Branch or on our website e-immobilier at your earliest convenience. To join us : caonline@ca-nmp.fr / 0033.565.75.75.33 Pub Anglais A5 paysage 2015.indd 1

06/10/2015 12:25:47

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local â&#x20AC;˘ March-April 2016

58 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

“I’m concerned about how my investment portfolio is performing in the current market climate.” Talk to the people who know.

PWK075-fr

At Blevins Franks we ensure our clients’ portfolios are well diversified and specifically designed around your objectives and risk tolerance. Importantly, we provide an ongoing service to regularly review your portfolio, adjust it as necessary and deal with any concerns you may have. Our aim is always to give you peace of mind.

05 56 34 75 51 bordeaux@blevinsfranks.fr

Blevins Franks Group is represented in France by the following companies: Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) and Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF). BFFM is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided overseas, via the Insurance Mediation Directive from Malta, the regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF), is registered with ORIAS, register number 07 027 475, and authorised as “Conseil en Investissement Financiers” and “Courtiers d’Assurance” Category B (register can be consulted on www.orias.fr). BFF’s registered office: Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, CS 60073, 33701 Mérignac – RCS BX 498 800 465.

FR ANCE  SPAIN  PORTUGAL  CYPRUS  MALTA  UNITED KINGDOM

www.blevinsfranks.com

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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 59

FIVE KEY PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESSFUL INVESTING There are five key aspects that need to be addressed to ensure you obtain the optimum investment portfolio to suit your personal situation. 1) Tax considerations – choosing the right structure A tax efficient structure can keep most of your investments in one place and provide protection to help you legitimately avoid paying too much tax. Here in France, with a foreign tax system for British expatriates and various changes over recent years, it is crucial to take advice from a specialist who is well-versed in the nuances of French taxation. Otherwise you may see your investment returns slashed by French taxes – levies that could have been avoided or at least significantly reduced. You also want to choose structures which provide estate planning benefits when your wealth is passed down to the next generations. 2) Your appetite for risk Exposure to market movements gives us a better chance of outperforming inflation and producing real returns over the medium to long term. However, the starting point has to be to obtain a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, to ensure your portfolio is suitable for you. At Blevins Franks we obtain a clear and objective assessment of your risk profile using sophisticated psychometric analysis developed with Oxford University academics, while taking account of your views and the aims you have for you and your family. 3) Matching your risk profile to the optimum portfolio Every set of investments can be forecast to display a given amplitude of risk. Low amplitude, less risk but also lower likely returns. A higher amplitude of risk brings greater potential returns. The key is ensuring your investment portfolio matches your attitude to risk. Without such a sound assessment being then matched to the optimum blend of investments, you could find yourself with a portfolio that is too risky or cautious for you. You need to establish the investment portfolio that suits you best.

4) Diversification The next critical component is to ensure your investments are suitably diversified so you are not over-exposed to any given asset type, country, sector or stock. By spreading across different asset types and markets, you give your portfolio the chance to produce positive returns over time without being vulnerable to any single area or stock under-performing. This sound investment approach should be extended by one further step. A ‘multi-manager’ approach, where several different fund managers are blended together, reduces your reliance on any one investment manager making the right decisions in all market conditions. Review It is essential your portfolio is regularly reviewed. As asset values rise and fall, your portfolio can shift away from the one designed to match your risk profile and objectives. You may need to re-establish your original weighting. You should also consider if any of your circumstances have changed and whether your portfolio needs amending accordingly. Regular re-balancing helps control risk and can have a positive effect on performance. Five key principles which help you have peace of mind – and at Blevins Franks these principles form the foundation of our specialised advisory service for wealth owning families. Blevins Franks is a substantial, well established company. Our scale enables us to access some of the best investment managers in the world, normally beyond the reach of private clients. We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and our Partners and Private Client Managers are highly experienced and qualified. Our aim is to preserve the value of your wealth in real terms, during your lifetime and through to the next generations, with a service that is tailor-made to meet the particular requirements of your family. We develop good, long-term personal relationships with each client, to ensure you receive a high quality, bespoke service based on a full understanding of your circumstances and objectives.

Peter Wakelin, Regional Manager of Blevins Franks France part of the Blevins Franks Group the leading international tax and wealth management advisers to UK nationals living in Europe, with decades of experience advising British expatriates moving to and living in France. Telephone 05 56 34 75 51 ~ bordeaux@blevinsfranks.fr ~ www.blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

60 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 61

i g ht.CD g g e i r r s O M W

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Tel. 05 53 41 74 28 Mob. 06 30 83 35 22 (Eng) Mob. 06 84 91 05 68 (Fr) wrightalex1@aol.com

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SPECIALIST IN Travertine, Wall and Floor Tiling, Plaster Boarding, Plastering & General Building References available Mobile Phone: 06 12 82 49 04 Evening Phone 05 63 29 27 31 Email: stephen.tyler@sfr.fr Siret: 802 145 706 00015

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Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

62 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

Classic cars can be a much better investment than savings accounts, as many savers have discovered in recent years.

ith the recent changes in pension rules, a government minister caused uproar when he suggested pensioners would now be free to spend their savings on a Lamborghini. The reality is not everyone has the funds or the courage to splash out on a concourse classic, although many wealthy investors are buying up top-end classic and vintage cars, faster than the specialist dealers can find them. But just what is the deal? With current bank interest rates at an all time low of around 0.5 percent, there’s little point in keeping cash in the bank. Private bank Coutts stated that the values of some classic cars have risen 257 percent between 2005 and 2013, so investing your hard earned cash in an old Bentley or Ferrari might not be such a bad idea? Could the market drop or dip? It’s unlikely, as sought after classics will continue to rise in value, thanks to the new emerging markets and the fact that they don’t make them any more and every year there will be a few less in existence. But it’s not a simple case of buying a classic car, which car do you buy, does it need restoring, where will it be stored and obviously the cost of insuring and maintaining, all needs to be taken into consideration. A safe option for many entering the classic car world for the first time, is simply to convert a little of their cash into a ‘popular’ classic that is also very usable, such as a Triumph or MG. These ‘common sense’ classic sports cars will give endless fun and providing they’re kept in good condition will continue to gain in value.

However to make serious money, it needs more serious investment and for those brave enough to invest in a Jaguar E-Type, or Aston Martin the rewards can be massive. Recently an Aston Martin DB5 that had sat in a barn for 30 years for which the new owner paid £1500, following restoration sold for over £300,000 at auction. So why not consider dipping into your pension and let your savings put a smile on your face, you don’t have to spend a lot to get the rewards, buy a classic car and enjoy the fruits of your savings, instead of groaning every time the bank statement lands on the door mat. Andy Sayle, Cross Channel Sports Cars. www.ccsportscars.com Before considering any investment you should obtain independent financial and legal advice.

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THE QUERCY LOCAL • 63

La Troupe D’Acteurs Du Quercy

Puss in Boots – a Pantomime This year La Troupe d’Acteurs du Quercy had to rise to the challenge of producing a bilingual pantomime with a shortage of French members. However we were very lucky to have a wonderfully enthusiastic group of new British members, with a range of talents: singing, dancing and excellent French. It’s a daunting prospect to learn a part, to be on stage for the first time in your life and do it all in a foreign language. But they rose to the challenge and gave it their all, aided by the experienced troupe members who gave great support to help the newcomers to gain confidence. Some 450 people saw the show but it was the Friday matinee for the local French primary school children that produced an overwhelming wall of sound from 200 excited voices; a reception that gave a terrific boost to the actors who had to improvise pretty quickly at times. The dragon barely escaped with his tail! The dame encouraged and cajoled the audience to good effect, whilst the baddy was well booed and hated. The king, queen and princess also played their parts with regal gusto and wit. There was more than a whiff of Laurel and Hardy about the comedy duo who managed the daunting “Trapomatic 5000 Machine”, trying unsuccessfully to catch animals with well-acted ineptness. The traditional story saw Jack, ably supported by his cat, triumph over the evil Ogre, getting possession of the villain’s castles and land and finally winning the Princess’s hand. The production called for challenging sound effects and the magnificent sound team did a terrific job in getting the whole system working efficiently to supply an enormous number of effects that enhanced and lifted the whole show! The new musical director wrote some really good songs for us and appeared on stage in the opening numbers, while the excellent chorus, ably co-ordinated by our new dance director, beavered away in the background with enthusiasm and energy. The wardrobe manager produced a wonderful set of bright costumes to dress our colourful and imaginative sets, all making for a stylish and magical show.

Our next production will be the farcical Comedy “Rich Ruby” to be staged on Thursday and Friday May 19th /20th but before then we will be hosting a trivia quiz social evening on the 16th of April. Both of these events will be at the Salle des Fetes, Montaigu de Quercy. We are pleased to welcome anyone interested in joining us, to come and meet us at the SDF on Mondays or Wednesdays from 7.30 pm. For more information: contact the Secretary, Sarah Pegg at: latroupeboxoffice@gmail.com

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

64 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

The Lot, fitness and a fitting family tribute... Sam and Andrew felt compelled to make La Fleurieu near Puy L’Éveque the place for their ‘new life’ after events changed their world forever.

n 2014, after a few-weeks family holiday at the house together in France, Sam’s dad (Sean Walsh) flew back to his work in Beijing to be diagnosed with, stage 4, colon cancer. He eventually flew back to France to continue his treatment; sadly losing his battle in May 2015, at the age of 56. After Sean’s funeral Sam knew that France was where she wanted to be. Her Dad had always talked about turning part of the house into a holiday gîte, so after talking to Andrew, they decided to pack up in the UK and move here. The plan was to finish the renovations that Dad had started and turn part of the property into a self-contained, 3-bedroom gîte. They wanted to build on their individual skills and offer something different from the many gîtes in the region. Natasha, Sam’s sister, had trained for the 2015 London Marathon here and found the region’s undulating countryside ideally suited to building up endurance and stamina. Andrew was also a keen cyclist/runner in the UK and so the way forward became clear. Andrew had served in the Royal Navy and had always been physically fit. He wasn’t only military trained, but had personal experience of marathon training and cycling sports. This was to be a chance for Andrew to use his experience to put together routes and itineraries for staying guests. Sam, whose creative-flair had meant working as a footwear designer, could now use her skills to create a comfortable and luxury place for guests to stay. A self-confessed foodie, Sam relishes the chance to prepare meals from local produce and spurred on by her interested in health and nutrition she‘s now growing her own! During April-October, La Fleurieu will be open as usual but will also be offering self-guided cycling packages for groups of up to 6 people. Guests can enjoy the unspoilt region of the Lot on the bikes their hosts will arrange via a local company, or guests are free to bring their own. The cycling itineraries will provide exciting and varied routes, catering for all abilities, as well as a chance to visit local vineyards for wine tasting! An experience that is relaxed enough to reflect the

tranquil surroundings and to allow time to chill by the pool – which is due to be built very soon. During October – April, La Fleurieu will be offering running/marathon training packages. With selfguided routes supplied, and with the chance to also undertake other fitness sessions as required. As you would expect life at La Fleurieu will include a healthy breakfast, including ‘the juice or smoothie of the day’, as part of the package. La Fleurieu has gone from a family home created by Sean to a family business run, in his memory, by his children. Sam and Andrew here in France and Natasha who works in Social Media who’ll be helping to promote things and then their brother Nicholas – a graphics designer, who has designed the business’s website www.gitelafleurieu.com.

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

Cyclocross

THE QUERCY LOCAL • 65

AN INTRODUCTION I really like watching cyclocross racing: it’s very simple to understand; the races are generally 45 minutes long, which is just right for my attention span; but above all this form of bike racing is tough, very tough. What’s more is that, with the season running through the winter months, you get the world’s best road and mountain bike racers competing.

yclocross racing is one of the oldest forms of cycle racing in the world, it’s said to have begun in France around 1900. It’s believed that around that time road racers would challenge each other to race to the next town. This was often referred to as “steeplechase” racing because the only visible sign of the next town would be the church steeple. The “racers” were allowed to cross the farmers’ fields and thus the sport was off-road: the straightest line is the quickest. A couple of years later the first French National Championship took place, the rules and format having developed enough to allow an organised race! Today the strongest nation in the world of cyclocross has to be Belgium, the sport is very popular up there, and they’ve embraced it and produced some incredible riders. The races are great to watch. You’ve thousands of people lining the fences at the world championship rounds and a lot of beer is consumed! Due to the cyclocross season being in winter it is not a surprise to see snow, rain and lots of mud. More mud than you would think is possible to ride a bike through. The tracks tend to have a couple of paved sections, grass sections, very steep muddy drops, steps and small barriers and mud. Pit stops for fresh bikes add an extra bit of spice and tactics.

One of the key skills to being a good racer is being able to jump off your bike and to run up steps or over barriers before remounting and pedalling away without missing a beat. In my mind, this is what makes this such good racing. There are so many places where errors can occur, the concentration it takes to race like this is immense, throw in pedalling as fast as you can for 45 minutes and trying not to fall off and you have very good racing. One of the more unique, not to mention toughest, cyclocross races takes place in the Yorkshire Dales in Northern England. This is a single lap of 39 miles and goes up and over 3 of the highest hills in the county (Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent). I’ve supported an old flat mate a few times on this gruelling-race, which since its conception in the very early ‘60s, now attracts 1000 entries. It’s a superb race, the scenery is breath-taking and the weather can be interesting! One year saw 70 mph winds on top of Pen-Y-Ghent. People often cite a similarity between cyclocross and cross country mountain-bike racing. Whilst it can be argued that mountain bike racing is more popular – it is cyclocross that has the rich history and attracts a certain type of person... top notch

Published March, May, July, September and November each year The Quercy Local • March-April 2016

66 • THE QUERCY LOCAL

athletes! To many, the racing can look like mountain bike racing but the bikes are actually very different. Essentially we are talking about an off-road road bike (mountain bikes were not invented until around 1990). In the early days the sports pioneers would have to use their road bikes as no others were available. So you have what looks like a road bike with off road tyres, add some extra clearance for wheels full of mud, some gear ratio alterations and breaks more suited for all that mud and, viola, you’re good to go. There are also small differences in the

geometry of the frame, but essentially the shape of a road bike is there. So if you’ve a spare 45 minutes in your day you could do a lot worse than going to the UCI cyclocross youtube page and checking out some races. You won’t be disappointed. Alternatively, if you have a more adventurous spirit, cancel the holiday you are thinking about and use the money to buy a nice cyclocross bike, and some kit. Find some trails to ride around and wait for a wet and/or snowy day to arrive when you aren’t sure what else to do with yourself– I’m willing to bet there are plenty of brilliant trails in this beautiful region. Then, when you get back home covered in mud from head to toe, you’ll be opening the red wine with a huge smile on your face. What more could you ask for! Tom, a Yorkshireman here in France, owns and runs, velo plus FIX, a cycle workshop based in 82190. www.velo-plus.net

velo plus

Tom tells us why!

I took my first steps into the cycle industry well over ten years ago and for many years I worked at Drake’s Cycles (Leeds, West Yorkshire). After a couple of years I obtained my Cytech qualification and have worked as a mechanic ever since. However, I seem to have been a cyclist all my life. Katherine and I were lucky enough to be presented with an opportunity to move to France in 2015, this sparked the desire to use all our combined experience and start up our own business.We believe that treating people honestly and in a friendly manner is the best way to go. The rise in popularity in cycling over recent years has brought a much broader spectrum of people into contact with bikes than ever before. We truly feel that everyone should enjoy cycling, it shouldn’t be elitist. This universality is the main reason for us to remain around cycling, it’s a common-ground that means we all have something to talk about! Our aim is to offer the very best of service with our bikehire business, using only the very best of bikes, kept in the very best of condition. We would love to work with people in the holiday accommodation business to ensure that we can help promote this region as a great place to escape to and cycle. Our workshop will be open for a full range of services, repairs, supply of parts and even specialised nutrition. If you need some help or advice, send us an email and come along, have a coffee and a chat. We look forward to seeing you soon. Tom and Katherine

The Quercy Local • March-April 2016 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Quercy Local

Rent a bike for your holidays or let us help your holiday-makers get out on two wheels! We can deliver (free within a radius) and provide all the necessary accessories. We have our own onsite workshop and a very experienced and particular mechanic. We love good quality bikes and know them when we see them. So we only offer for hire what we would appreciate ourselves. We have for hire: Scott Mountain Bikes including:The Scott Scale 770 which is a true mountain bike, as much at home on single track woodland trails as it is high up in the mountains. Or for clocking up the miles in comfort and style the Sub 40 Cross has you covered, it’s a bike designed for touring but it doesn’t matter if it’s entire continents or vineyards!

We offer a fully-equipped professional workshop deep in the heart of the Quercy countryside. With an experienced Cytech qualified mechanic. No job is too big or too small, from inner-tube replacement to full custom-builds we’re here to help. Collection and return of bikes can be arranged. If you’ve bikes for your gîte or hotel guests then please contact us for a quote for their maintenance. We also carry a large range of spares and components, if you are in need of spare parts we are happy to just sell you the part – contact us for advice. Suppliers of Shimano bike parts. Please see our website for a full schedule of service and repair costs. We are also suppliers of TORQ performance/ nutrition supplements.

Bikes for Men, Ladies and children available. Adult bikes from 22e per day. (Gîte owners – partner with us – offer our service to your visitors, including on your website and we can promote you as a partner on our website).

Presentation of this voucher or this magazine during May or June (2016) will entitle you to 10% OFF the labour element of any Category 2 – 4 service on your bike. You can contact us for both Hire and Fixing on veloplushire@gmail.com

www.velo-plus.net Velo Plus, Las Razes, 82190, Touffailles Siret No. 1840700000964