The Aude Times Issue 3 (September) by Gatsby L'Herault

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE FOR THE AUDE

Issue 3 September 2013

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September 2013

Contents THE AT 04 05 06 07 09 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 21 25 26 28-30 31

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Editorial Letters My Place And Another Thing Restaurant Review Wine Times Business / Legal Garden / Nature GTBY Lifestyle Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On History E-Male Subscribe Recipe Times Classifieds Sport

For your consideration

AT Features

ATArt

5 in the afternoon

No Taxation...........

Herbal Medicine

Hakim A.

Erro

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The AT Charity An IFA Writes

Food & Wine7

Bryan Dixon Chris Ramsay Diana Davies

The AT is proud to support Cancer Support France CSF is a self-funded and voluntary organisation doing wonderful work in the region. If you can help or donate to this important charity please do. 3

The AudeTimes 1 Grand Rue, St Thibery,34630 Publisher: Gatsby B Editor : Emma F Advertising Director: Tom Buchanon Art Editor: Daisy B Art: L.A.

“By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather And autumn’s best of cheer.”

EDITORIAL editor@theaudetimes.com

Editorial

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The AudeTimes The Aude Times is owned and published by L’Herault Art L.A. Publishing (51926616300010). The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher. No person, organization or party should rely or on any way act upon any part of the contents of this publication whether that information is sourced from the website, magazine or related product without first obtaining the advice of a fully qualified person. This magazine and its related website and products are sold and distributed on the terms and condition that: The publisher, contributors, editors and related parties are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken by any person, organisation or any party on basis of reading information, stories or contributions in this publication, website or related product. The publisher, contributors and related parties are not engaged in providing legal, financial or professional advice or services. The publisher, contributors, editors and consultants disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication or not in regards to the consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication and related website and products. The publisher, editors, contributors and related parties shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor or related party. END

ISSN: 2261-561X

- Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

ale swimwear has been an on-going theme this summer, but the recent discovery of a particularly unwelcome fish in European waters dubbed ‘The ball cutter’ may just swing the pendulum in favour of swimming trunks as opposed to shorts. Body image may just have to humbly bow to self-preservation. The fish, recently spotted off the Southern coasts of Sweden, is a relation of the piranha found in the Amazon. Although not necessarily dangerous to humans, it does however have a viscous bite and a certain propensity for male genitalia. There are numerous reports of fisherman in South America and Papua New Guinea losing their tackle in the jaws of these fish. Fish expert Henrik Carl reported to the English-language newspaper in Sweden The Local: “They bite because they’re hungry.” Although he was keen to reassure swimmers that they need not worry too much, “You’re more likely to drown

than get your nuts bitten off.” Just have to hope that they don’t reach our coastal waters until winter!

nd from balls to bulls... in this month’s feature Stephen Morris explores the emotive issue of bull fighting, which although banned in many major Spanish cities such as Barcelona, still takes place in cities across France: Toulouse, Nimes, Béziers, Arles, Dax and Bayonne. It is described by some as ‘a tradition of tragedy’, whilst in defense some point to Ernest Hemmingway in his book ‘Death in the Afternoon’. You will have to make up your own mind whether or not you wish to view or follow the art and study of tauromaquia.

ith over a year of fabulous recipes from Bassie Scott in the HT, we are opening the kitchen door to locally based, reputable chefs to join Bassie and share some of their favourite recipes with you over the coming months. This month we welcome

Michelin trained Craig Charlesworth, co-owner and Head Chef of En Bonne Compagnie in Homps. Hugh MacCamley ponders the issue of ‘No taxation without representation’, whilst photo journalist Emilie Wood shares her powerful profile on French blind football champion Hakim Arezki.

eanwhile, as part of her series on English for ex-pat children, Laura Smith suggests ways to support your children going back to school. The shops are already stocking up with glue sticks, exercise books and educational paraphernalia for the rentrée on 3rd September. We, on the other hand, can look forward to the weekend traffic gridlocks on some of our major roads being nothing more than an ethereal memory whilst continuing to enjoy the warm weather and the spirit of the impending harvest…. **

September and it all seems familiar.... 1981 - Egypt arrested more than 1,500 opponents of the government. 1982 - Mexican President Jose Lopez Portillo closed all the country’s private banks. WRITERS

he writers and contributors are the stars of this magazine and without them I would have all of my hair and would not be drinking gin at 9am every day. Having said that, you should know more about them. All their bios can be found at www.theaudetimes.com. Please read them, they deserve to be recognised for their fantastic contribution and for being patient and generous to me.

The Cover Story The HT and The AT promote original artwork.

We are proud to have the talents of Mr Barry Beckett producing the wonderful covers that you see currently.

dharmacamera@googlemail.com 4

Letters

Welcome to the letters page of The Aude Times. This space is for you to tell us about life, good things and bad things and even to tell us if we are doing things right or wrong. Email or text us or scan using the QR code at the bottom of the page. ** Letter I am gay. Would the woman who wrote to you last month like to meet up? I always enjoy healthy discussion and am happy to agree to differ if required. And thank you for printing it whatever your personal beliefs, good journalism. Mike, Lattes Outraged by Return With regard to the homophobic letter in last month’s issue. We should all feel so very sorry for somebody who is obviously so terrified. Remembering that ancient Greek saying; “The sister of ignorance is fear, and the sister of fear is hatred”. These poor people are to be pitied. Ursula van Clapp Summer loving Can I recommend that no-one goes on the roads on a Friday and Saturday if you are resident here. The bouchons (traffic jams) created by all those visitors and foreigners make the roads a nightmare and I think that a little common sense goes a long way. Georgia J, Montpellier Brilliant Georgia, really brilliant. Stay in if the roads are busy. Here’s another for you, take an umbrella if it looks like rain. Roberto Fonseca concert I was so lucky to win these tickets . Roberto Fonseca and his musicians were absolutely brilliant . Loved every minute they played 2 encores and finished well after midnight -what a show. Thanks again to

Good points SD, thankyou... NOW please explain ‘Lodève and Perth? Scotland or Australia is irrelevant. Did you drive here? In a Prius? Fly here? By glider? This is your second home? Oh goody, a ‘green’ with two houses, a massive carbon footprint to get between the holiday home and the other home and then hates bats and preaches to the locals!

the Aude Times and The Herault Times. Editorial Sir / Madam, I read your editorial (issue 2) and was surprised but gratified to see that you gave praise to teachers. We are often forgotten and given no credit for the efforts that we put in and the personal pleasure that we gain from the success of students. I have not taught in France but have in inner city schools in London and on behalf of teachers in any country thank you for taking the time to acknowledge our efforts. by text

Béatrice Testet I don’t normally read the art pages in your magzine but I was strangely pulled towards the art of Béatrice Testet in your last issue. I wanted to tell you this as I have now gone back through the previous issues and am astounded by the amount and different types of art that we have so close to us. Thank you very much, it is true that it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Yvonne by email

Bats I am noticing that there is a loose theme subliminally transmitted throuth the HT and it is Batman. References to Batman, Christian Bale and now the murder of bats by wind farms (Tim King) are you a fan or a vigilante mocking the authorities? Olly, Olanzac

Montpellier Sir, I do not live in Montpellier and this letter is not against Montpellier in particular. “Tramlines and road signs”. Does anybody else find it too easy to suddenly be driving down a tramline instead of a road? In various locations it is very difficult unless following another vehicle to see where the road separates from the tramline. Might I suggest a campaign to change this, maybe a wide red line on the road to highlight trams only perhaps. My daughter and I recently found ourselves facing a tram by the Hotel de Ville after accidently taking the wrong turn. Adrian, Ganges

Oh I so want to be sarcastic but I love the link (however tenuous) you have made. Now I’m off to put on my suit with latex nipples and save mankind..... How Green is this Energy Yet another ‘green’ article trying to put down and suppress the saving of our environment from fossil fuels and corporate greed. I’m sorry about the bats and the birds and all the other animals you claim are being injured or killed in many different ways but to quote Mr King, ‘collateral damage’ caused by the pollution and damage continuously produced by coal and gas and nuclear energy is far worse than trying to find ways to save our planet. Our home here in France will have a view of the wind farms and I support it and so should everyone who cares. SD, Lodève and Perth

I myself have done this Adrian and had a tram in front of me

IMPORTANT:

his magazine is intended for the use of the individual(s) who picked it up. This magazine may contain information that is helpful, opinionated and can at times be unsuitable for overly sensitive Persons with no cultural credibility. If you are not sure then may we politely suggest that you pass it onto someone else as to continue reading is not recommended and may constitute an irritating social faux pas. No animals were harmed in the making of this magazine, and believe it or not one single opinion is definitive- period. 5

and another looming large in my rear view mirror. I am of course a tramdriver so no problem for me! Lipstick Re. Lipstick, last issue. Please, please, please let me meet the owner of those luscious lips. But don’t tell the wife! Please leave my name off Hi Dan, thanks for writing! Lipstick 2 “Women on average own 7 lipsticks”. I showed this to my girlfriend and she slapped me! Last count... 48! Ian Cover I love your covers. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you. Sarah, Narbonne Why thank-you Sarah. And all the covers from the Aude Times and The Herault Times will be available to buy from the website shortly. * Please drop us a line if you have anything that you would like to share. You can be annoyed, happy or maybe even curious. Whatever the reason the Letters page is your forum to talk

Simone Hérault

Interview by Alexandra Thevenet

The voice of SNCF, often referred to as an icon, her ever present voice making the announcements throughout train stations across France have led her to become a beloved travelling companion… Simone Hérault talks to the AT…

My Place What are the key points from your professional and personal bio?

I joined the ranks of the Baby boom in 1950. I love having been born in 1950 – it’s easy for me to remember how old I was in 1959 or in 1962… it means I can tell you straight away that I was 18 in 1968, a legendary year for all those who are in their 60s today! I was never a very good student, except in ‘recital’. Makes sense – I dreamt of being an actress. A destiny that wasn’t meant to be, seeing as I trained to be a secretary…and then…never became one! But it was during a work placement as a secretary at the Maison de la Radio that my ‘career’ really began. Inter Service Jeune, Radio Ile de France, France Culture… small jobs for a big emerging passion. I was finally lucky enough to successfully audition for FIP (France Inter Paris) where I stayed, comfy and cosy, from 1972 until 2000. How did you come to be the voice of the SCNF? One day the SNCF decided to renew its voices (as they do for their railway lines all the time!) and they had the excellent idea of arranging a casting for the female presenters from FIP, where I’d been working for almost ten years by then. Two of us were chosen: Sophie and me. It was 1981 and the first TGVs had just embarked on their brilliant career. For several years, the two of us recorded thousands of announcements for the summer and winter services, on all sorts of reels: big ones, little ones or enormous magnetic strips And then one day his highness, the affordable computer, arrived and we began only recording groups of words, or individual words and numbers which would be strung together to make up sentences (a process called concatenation). From then on only one voice was needed so that all of the little parts of sentences would sound right when pieced together. I was lucky enough to be chosen. With even the SNCF adverts referring to you by your first name, you’ve become a real icon: do people ever recognise you? How do they react? Do you have any related anecdotes in particular that you’d like to share with our readers? I’d never dare call myself an icon…but if

you say so, I’m more than fine with it! I’m flattered and I find it funny, but completely disproportionate because there are some types of fame that are so much harder to achieve! (I’m not looking for a cure for cancer…and I don’t risk my life fighting for human rights, either!) People don’t recognise me. Maybe when they hear me they say to themselves ‘hmm, that voice reminds me of someone’ but they won’t make the link. A voice that comes out of a loud speaker or that you hear on the radio is disembodied in essence. It’s magical; a creator of fantasies…and it’s good like that, because you’re the voice ages a lot less quickly than the rest! I don’t really have any stories to tell, because I’m hardly ever in the station next to the passengers when the announcements are broadcasted. But what I can tell you is that throughout their childhood and their teenage years, my two sons felt like I was always watching them when they went places! I also know that my friends are often happy to hear me, whether they’re on a platform

job and what are the aspects that particularly excite you and on which you thrive, for whatever reason it may be? I don’t think there are any difficult aspects in this job. But I do think I have to take care to regulate the tone that I use. I mustn’t ever lose sight of the end purpose of the announcements. It’s not just about getting the words out. These words have a meaning, and even if it might seem a little pretentious of me, I believe that if I pronounce them a kind tone they will better serve their purpose. In short, I love what I’ve been doing for the SNCF for such a long time! And to be honest, I get something good out of it! On every one of my visits to the station employees who work alongside my voice every day, I’m treated like a queen, with such kindness that I always come out feeling very touched. What are the questions that people often ask you? “How does it make you feel hearing yourself everywhere?” My ego squirms with pleasure! Do you still have things to record? There are always new words, messages to pass on, towns where we have to correct the pronunciation, servers to update or new services to put in place, like the services for the blind, for example. What other activities do you do? The same as all women! Meaning ‘lots of things’! And professionally speaking, I’m still lending my voice to films (recently for a film version of Boris Vian’s Froth on the Daydream, by Michel Gondry, which will come out at the end of April), for institutional films, adverts and less frequently, for dubbing.

at Lille, Marseille, Brest or Strasbourg, and that they say hello to me from in amongst the other bemused passengers who must think they’re crazy! What do you like the most about being the voice of the SNCF? I like being the mother, the big sister who accompanies, informs and reassures those who are travelling and who are not always comfortable in the sometimes stressful and noisy world of the station. I like wishing them bon voyage as they get onto the train and welcoming when they arrive at their destination. What are the most difficult aspects of your 6

You are the founder of Lire Autrement? What is it all about? I founded Lire Autrement with the precious help of Jacques Pagniez, because I had a huge desire to meet an audience. I had been an anonymous voice at FIP, a voice coming out of a loud speaker at the SNCF – I wanted to look my listeners in the eyes! So I decided to bring my childhood dreams to life and I became a ‘reader’. You can say it’s one side of acting. It’s about sharing my enthusiasm for literature with all sorts of audiences. I structure readings around an author from the past or from today or around a theme. We perform just as much in libraries as we do in theatres or in concert halls, as well as in museums and in gardens. We regularly support the promotion of the French language abroad, in Algeria or even in several countries in Central Asia. Another of... (continued col 1 next page)

And another thing.......says Abse Hot or Cold

his year has been a good one for reassessing one’s responses to heat – or the lack of it. Firstly we had a freezing winter and a cold spring, then we’ve had a hot summer – which is, in case you doubt me, A GOOD THING. Then there’s been the swimming in our local river, the Cesse. Which is cold. A bit too cold for my liking. And finally this week I have been facing some even colder water... Our shower. You see our boiler died last week. Or as my plumber says, “it’s a water heater, not a boiler”. What the difference is I don’t know - and please don’t bother trying to tell me, it’s not that interesting. All I do know is that a couple of days after it stopped working we had no more hot water in that there hot tank thing there, and this made it hard to wash up, difficult to shave and has had a surprising effect on our showering. Because you see in this hot weather it’s nice to shower at least twice a day, to cool down. A cold shower, obviously – I mean you don’t want a hot shower in this weather do you? But when you haven’t had a water heating boiler thing for a few days you start to realise the importance of that very slight little bit of

minutes going “aaaaaaaaaahh”. As opposed to the fierce, icy freezingness of it we have

for you! What is your favourite mode of transport? Guess?!!! And it’s true! What is your favourite book? It’s like for the culinary arts…I can’t just choose one book. There’s several authors I’d like to mention: Guy de Maupassant, Baudelaire, Jean Tardieu, and two remarkable women from nowadays: Maïssa Bey et Sylvie Germain What is your favourite quotation? It’s not really a quotation, more of a motto. The motto of the Republic: Liberté, égalité, fraternité. Those three words say everything. It’s the only ‘religion’ I trust. Do you have any other messages to pass on at all?

It would be rather pretentious of me to pass on a message, so simply: Dear Anglophone friends, I send you all my love, and we’ll see each other virtually on your next train journey. 7

www.elephant-press.com

Simone Hérault continued...... our assets is a collection of a dozen CDs on the lives of characters as fabulous as Georges Sand, Chopin, Jules Verne and Victor Hugo. In short, you can do anything with the endless cultural material that is literature! You can find out more about Lire Autrement by going to our website: www.lire-autrement.com Do you ever target an Anglophone audience? We do sometimes offer bilingual or even trilingual readings. We will be doing a reading of French poets in French, English and German at the Printemps des poètes poetry festival in March, for example. What is your favourite French dish and why? It’s impossible to say! I love Alsacian choucroute just as much as potée from Auvergne, Kouignamam from Bretagne just as much as fondue from Savoy, saucisson from Lyon just as much as pissaladière niçoise… and I could go on! I love everything that doctors say is bad

warmth you normally add to a cold shower that makes it bearable, and even nice. That makes it refreshing to stand under for several

now, which makes you stay under it for as short a period as possible making the noises “ooh ooh aah aah ee ee ooh ow!”. In fact in these circumstances it seems one becomes quite adept at imitating a chimpanzee standing on a hot plate. Don’t know what that sounds like? Go stand under an ice cold shower. I’m sure you think I’m some sort of a pathetic wimp, but I’ll have you know I cycled naked to the South Pole and it wasn’t as cold. That was just after I did my stint in the SAS and just before my astronaut days. So you can see that I’m as tough as old boots and entirely trustworthy. Anyway, it turns out the water heating machine thing is broken because the water here is really hard (just like me), and it is, I am told “all calced up” which surprisingly is nothing to do with calculus I gather. The good news is that the plumber is coming back next week with a new hot water boiling heater thing, which he’s going to fit with some stuff attached to make sure the boiling thing doesn’t clog up again with that hard stuff, and I can have a shave and a slightly less cold shower. But I can still impersonate monkeys and am available for parties.

NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

The HT asked Hugh MacCamley to look at the subject of No taxation without representation. Here are his thoughts......

nce a slogan associated with the eighteenth century revolutions in America and France resounds in our ears today – or does it? The 144 “Notables,” assembled by Louis XVI in 1787 to discuss reforms in France, ultimately led the way toward dismantling royal absolutism. They developed arguments for change that brought about popular demands for representation where financial issues were concerned. Their arguments contrary to royal fiscal proposals, frequently seen as merely a reactionary defense of privilege, in fact gave the country a political programme demanding greater participation in government. Thus, as in America some years earlier, the idea was forged into the democratic political maxim of “no taxation without representation”. In October 2010 on the floor of the European Commission (EC), in Brussels, an articulate, bold and fluent Mr Nigel Farage of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) & Co-President of the EFD group, stood up yet again to upbraid the EU and its President for effectively levying taxation on the peoples of Europe without having a democratic mandate to do so. Among other factors, he accused José Manuel Barroso of tryng to impose “taxation without representation”. He has frequently drawn public attention to the fact that Mr Barroso as President of the Commission is unelected by the people of Europe directly but only in reality selected or approved by secret ballot as the unique candidate of choice by the EC. Such observations have been repeated on several occasions. At the time, he was proposing a large direct tax to be levied by the European institution on the peoples of the continent, as a remedy for the ailing economies of the EU. By May 2013 nothing very much has changed for the better. With unemployment at a record high and rising, the situation worsens on a weekly basis. The problem according to Otmar Issing, a former European Central Bank (ECB) board member from Germany, resides in the solutions being proposed to solve the crisis. These, he claimed, would violate the fundamental democratic principles of no taxation without representation.”Political union is impossible to achieve within a few years. It cannot be a means of crisis management”. (27 May 2013 Financial Times). Does the 10% “savings tax” on banks levied in deeply recessional Cyprus recently form part of this undemocratic model to “crisis management”? Another proponent of the responsibility of governments to respect the liberty of the individual from excessive state interference, that taxation illustrates, is the American Senator Ron Paul. He has unreservedly condemned consecutive US administrations for military overspending and the illegitimacy of direct taxes such as those on income. An immense disservice by the mainstream media has been done to the American and European public by painting him as an irresponsible eccentric. It can be objectively substantiated that state administrations can use indirect tax revenues alone to govern sensibly and that massive government revenues including direct components 8

Commonality? Ron Paul, Louis XIV, Nigel Farage, Francois Hollande, Jose Manuel Barroso

do not result in greater infrastructural benefits for the people they are supposed to serve. Judging by the way the EU is currently shifting billions of taxpayers Euros around to “bail out” failing banks and fiscally profligate member states, Senator Paul virtually validates the salient observations he continues to make. He is both frank and perceptive when he claims that excessive government revenue collection leads to disproportionate waste and overspending. Considering US governments have spent over one trillion dollars on military affairs since the Iraq invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, he can justly claim Americans are being taxed without any political representation for their general dissatisfaction with fiscal policies. In France, under the present socialist direction of François Hollande, the question of direct taxation itself is inflammatory. On one side we have those who are being highly taxed on their income over a defined threshold of earnings and, on the other, people who reside in France without necessarily being enfranchised but who still have to pay income tax. Over this complex of personal circumstances stands a government desperate to turn around a long-troubled economy, while at the same time endeavoring to satisfy waning support with continued promises of social equality. At this juncture, we need to remind ourselves of the so-called trinity of Jacobin rights, “citoyenneté, nationalité, droit de vote” or “citizenship, nationality and the right to vote”. As one aspiring to French citizenship noted in Le Nouvel Observateur in 2010, “It is impossible to think of one of these hypostases without the two others..hi très unum sint”; these three are one, to use parallel theological language. In other words, the actual concept of a person living like a citizen in France but without the right to vote impinges upon the central theme of our subject here. Nikolas Sarkozy spoke on voting at local elections in Le Monde in 2005. He was in favour of enfranchising those who had been living in France for 10 years, working, paying taxes and integrating into the French system. In stark contrast, however, in November 2011 he had altered his perspective at local election time. His own political party in government was not prepared to shift its position on the issue and Mr Sarkozy reflected his inability to act otherwise when he declared that to allow enfranchisement in this way constituted a risk at a time when the French people needed to come together. In the meantime, the French media and the suffering public have noted those many well-known priviligiés who profit from their star-studded careers and who avoid paying French taxes anyway by living overseas (see Midi Libre 10/09/12). They court both empathy and sharp criticism depending on how arguments are rationalised. Nevertheless, the fundamental issue remains a constant source of aggravation. The aftermath permits us to wince at the undemocratic flavour of cynicism as we watch politicians, urged on by unelected financial advisors, deciding how to spend the fruits of our labour without any reference to us. It is also an incitement to protestagainst this contravention ofwidely espoused eighteenth century principles upon which our political systems are founded.

Business / Money / News Business and Economy

funny thing happens when you go on vacation. Things look better. Egypt is falling apart at the seams and Spain is going to go bankrupt (you heard it here) and I still believe that the dithering and ruminations of the Hollande government mean that we will have to go lower before we begin but...... There are shoots of optimism if you look amongst the dust bowl and unwatered garden that

Michael D’Artag

is France’s economic scenario. Small businesses are being targeted as a future growth area. There are discussions in corridors about the tax burden on individual entrepeuneurs and businesses and technology is still strong (especially in the South). Tourism is holding it’s own and the insular “It’s my ball and I get to be captain” mentality is slowly being replaced by “does someone have a better idea.” And how do I know this? I just came back from Cyprus!!

SUMMER NEWS

s the sizzling summer temperatures continue, it’s pretty difficult to think about tax, investments and inheritance planning. So nothing from me on taxes this month. However, there are two things that I do want to briefly share with you (more detailed information can be found on the Business Pages section of The Herault Times website). First, we have a new structured product offering, which provides a competitive rate of interest on half your money, while the other half provides for exposure to stock market gains with the reassurance that, in the event that the market falls, there will be a minimum return in the form of a Capital Bonus. Added to this is the advantage that it is all put inside a tax-efficient wrapper, which mitigates your own personal taxes and provides valuable additional inheritance allowances for your dependants. This type of investment may not be suitable for everyone, since everyone’s situation is different. However, if you are currently suffering from the effect of low deposit rates, then it is worthwhile contacting me for more information. Second, we are again holding our popular financial seminars across France – “Le Tour de Finance - Bringing Experts to Expats”. Our industry experts will be presenting updates and outlooks on a broad range of subjects. The dates for the local seminars are:

5 Reasons why France deserves more credit than it gets • Of the top 500 companies in the world, 32 are French. This 6.4% participation is twice that of France’s GDP’s share of world GDP, so France punches above its weight. • When it comes to competitiveness, France is actually 21 out of 144 on the World Economic Forum’s list. • France is the world’s largest exporter of electricity, thanks to its booming nuclear business. • France is well educated, and unlike Germany, which is expected to see the size of its workforce shrink, France’s will grow through 2100. • The mortgage system is quite sound.

 Thursday, 10th October 2013 at The Grand Hotel Avignon; and  Friday, 11th October 2013 at the Domaine Gayda, Brugairolles (near to Carcassonne). Places are limited and must be reserved, in advance. So if you would like to attend either of these seminars or would anyway like to have a confidential discussion about any aspect of financial planning, please contact me, as soon as possible, either by e-mail at daphne. foulkes@spectrum-ifa.com or by telephone on 04 68 20 30 17. The Spectrum IFA Group advisers do not charge any fees directly to clients for their time or for advice given, as can be seen from our Client Charter at http://www.spectrum-ifa.com/IndependentFinancialAdviceinEurope-Charter. html

If you would like to have a confidential discussion on this subject, please contact me either by e-mail at by e-mail at daphne.foulkes@spectrum-ifa.com or by telephone on 04 68 20 30 17. Daphne Foulkes SIRET 522 658 194 00017 Numéro d’immatriculation ORIAS 10 056 800

For English speaking veterinary advice when you need it most

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Wine “THE VINES, THEY ARE A CHANGING” Colin Trickett

ot all change is for the better, but the changes in the vineyards of Languedoc in the last 10 years certainly have been. I suppose the biggest and most obvious to the naked eye is that there is 15% less area under vines now than then. Thanks to EU action and generous grants, thousands of hectares of vines have been grubbed up. Those landowners with the foresight (or sheer luck) who replaced them with corn are today reaping the dividends of massively increased prices due to the world’s shortage of grain. Other changes are not quite so obvious. There has been a significant change in the varieties now being cultivated: major reductions in the more traditional varieties and increases in varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. A lot of these were planted to meet the world demand for varietal wines. There is a myth spread by some traditionalists that this move to varietal production is eliminating the effect of “Terroir”. As if “Terroir” is not important to Merlot or Chardonnay, but is to Grenache and Mourvedre! The “Terroir” of Languedoc - that is its climate, its soils and its aspects - give the same huge advantages to all grape cultivation. Another colossal change has been about who produces our wines. A dramatic decrease in the proportion of poor quality cave cooperative produced wines with the number of caves reducing from around 250 to around 150. Those remaining have to face the reality of a consumer demand for quality. Some are succeeding! When I moved here 11 years ago having been involved in the wine trade since 1964, I tasted some of the worst wines of my life! Between April and August walking in the

countryside was a hazardous experience as these growers poured millions of litres of chemicals on to their vines and eliminated weeds with thousands of drums of Roundup. The staggering improvement in the quality of Languedoc wines was led initially by the independent vignerons, joined now by some of the cave cooperatives and the emerging importance of Negociant Eleveurs such as Paul Mas, Gerard Bertrand and Jean Jean. More recently the growing trend towards ‘Bio’ or ‘Organic wines’ has been given impetus this year by new EU regulations permitting the production of ‘Bio wines’ as against previously ‘Wines produced from Bio grown grapes’. A few years ago a tasting of Bio wines was not a pleasurable experience. Today there are some superb wines (still some awful ones as well!) and there is recognition that huge premiums in price are not realistic. Bio wines will grow in importance and significantly increase their share of the total Languedoc wine production. As for the changes in wine classifications with the emergence of AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée, which has replaced Appellation d’Origine Controllée) and IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée, which has replaced Vin de Pays) and other proposed changes, perhaps these are better left for a future article. Changes still needed: Less hypocrisy and more real environmental respect, particularly with regard of mission statements such as: “We respect the environment.” •An end to the ripping up of hedgerows in order to make machine-friendly, creature-less, sterile zones. •Improved marketing of the superb Languedoc wines and an end to the petty rivalries between the myriad of bureaucratic bodies. Perhaps the Languedoc regional government could start earning its corn! Let us all remember Languedoc is still the world’s largest vineyard and is key to the lives of everyone who lives here.

The Carcassonne Festival

Headlines conceal issues at its heart By Gnaeus

ith a considerable international following, the Festival of Carcassonne has become one of the most important of its kind in France. Running from 19th June to August 4th this year, it offered a range of cultural events: theatre, concert, dance, classics and circus. Recent press headlines claiming the sale of 56,000 tickets by early July for this season suggest that everything is in order. The local press has also reviewed highly favourably, all the main concerts given so far. Bearing this generally positive impression in mind, behind the scenes the festival provokes a number of critical local concerns. The primary concern is with the budgetary allocation for the festival, quoted in some places as €6.419.800 and representing an increase of 43% compared with 2012. While many Carcassonnais appear unconcerned, helpless or ignorant about the expenditure, it has been criticised by others. They cite the overall lack of transparency by the municipal council to justify how much is being spent on the festival itself. There are pressing infrastructural needs, for example, roads, security, public cleanliness and business development. The case could be made for reallocating some of the festival funds towards greater essentials and for using festival expenses more effectively. Another area of criticism has been aimed at the programme itself. Anyone looking at the brochure for this year with both parts of the festival, it is a formidable project. While many advertised events are free those requiring payment range from 12€ for young people to 65€ for an adult. In these days of tight money and rising prices, lower ticket costs may be in order. One might pertinently ask if families are able to afford such prices

and come to the planned events. Also, just how many of these events actually take place? L’Independent (27th July) and Midi Libre (29th July) reported that the local UMP candidate for the municipal elections next year Isabelle Chésa has placed such issues high on her electoral agenda. She cites a number of matters including some above. In addition to the lack of attention paid to encouraging local talent and local business, she cited the David Getta concert as an instance of waste & “cultural imperialism”. She stated that it undermined the popular and free nature of the annual Fête de la musique. Further, the costs were unjustified and the returns insufficient in terms of people who turned out and receipts taken.

Incompetent too was that on 14th July the city centre was blocked off from the morning onwards.Hotels, bars and other key places became inaccessible thus seriously reducing their normal profits for National Day festivities. Without any doubt, those who enjoy the festival will call this pre-electoral campaigning. They will reply that the festival is important to the international image of the city. In times of inflation and austerity, the show needs increased funding for it to continue. Those who attend want to see more not less. Doubtless, there is more to come. top: David Guetta below: Rock the Ballet

Gaura Rosy Jane

In The Garden

Nature Notes Colin Trickett

with Gill Pound

he heat and drought of the summer months will usually change some time in September with the arrival of the first autumn rains. For the vast majority of shrubs and perennials the autumn is the best time to plant – there is warmth and moisture in the soil and the plant starts to develop roots before the cold of winter and in mild winters may keep growing during the winter thus producing a more established plant – better able to withstand dry winds and heat - next summer. In general the autumn planting season can start once we have had September rain and can extend until early December. Remember that when planting it is a good idea to dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the pot, take this soil out and mix some of it with terreau de plantation or compost (organic material) and clean sand or gravel, use this mixture to give your plant a better start in life! Before planting fill the planting hole with water and allow it to drain away several times, this will ensue that there is moisture at depth for the roots to seek out. Whenever possible plant small plants rather than large specimens, they are less susceptible to wind rock, will establish faster and long term will result in healthier plants. If you haven’t yet done so now is the time to buy spring flowering bulbs from garden centres (jardineries) or by mail order, there are many online sources. I have found that anemones (De Caen hybrids and Anemone blanda), native Gladiolus communis and Scilla peruviana (which is a Med native despite the name) do well. Botanical or species tulips such as Tulipa greigii, kaufmaniana, saxatilis & fosteriana are

particularly successful here as well as other Med natives such as grape hyacinths and Star of Bethlehem. When buying bulbs make sure that what’s in the packet are firm, healthy looking bulbs with no signs of premature sprouting. During September think also about the following tasks: *continue to deadhead perennials to prolong the autumn show of flower *take cuttings of tender perennials such as geraniums (Pelargoniums strictly speaking) *prune late summer flowering shrubs *trim evergreen hedges *clip back lavenders after flowering – use hand shears and clip back to just above the old flowering stem, don’t cut back into old wood as the plant may not reshoot. September is a month in which there is still much of interest in the garden. This is a time when the warm climate ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum species and more particularly Miscanthus sinensis cultivars look really good. These grasses do best if cut hard back at the end of winter, Pennisetum species will usually start to flower at the beginning of July and continue well into the autumn. There are many, many cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis, some of the earliest will start to flower in late July, most are looking splendid during September and October and we shouldn’t forget that there are many with very effective variegated foliage (such as Miscanthus Cosmopolitan) that can look terrific in a border.

For more information contact Gill on 04 68 78 43 81 or email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com

ith the intense heat of the summer I habitually sleep with a wide open window, mossy net in place. I say ‘sleep’, but that it is a bit of a challenge (unusual for me!). The cicadas keep up their cacophony until late in the evening and are quickly followed by the crickets who chirrup until dawn. At dawn it is the turn of the Hoopoes and the playful young golden Orioles to serenade me, often interspersed by the calls of the Hen Harrier seeking an early breakfast. Then, full circle, it is the cicadas one more. However, it is in the middle of the night that seemingly ‘the hunt for the Red October’ re-enactment takes place. Sonar ‘pings’ from both ground and air, invading my semi-consciousness as if a cold war attrition between submarines and their hunters was taking place just outside my open window. Is it a boat? Is it a plane? No... It’s a bird and a reptile! The bird in question is the Scops owl. The male spends the night issuing its sonar ping “Kiou” call and the female responds with a slightly higher pitched, double syllable “Gi-Ou”. At the same time emitting from the damp areas of the river Carbou I hear a similar sonar ping, but from the ground. This submariner is the Midwife Toad which actually is a frog. By now another call of nature gets me up from my bed and then it’s out with the dogs... another day! *

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Good To Be Young

Listening to right now:

Bang Bang - will.i.am Come & Get It - Selena Gomez Play Hard (Ne-Yo & Akon) [New Edit] David Guetta Hott in Herre - Nelly

The Gaming Codex: Online gaming

action, this is important as this is what keeps players coming What started out as a tech demo quickly evolved to today’s back. Popular franchises such as Activision’s Call of Duty, a biggest entertainment service (Text by Master C, 14.) game that breaks the record each year in terms of sales has a solid put the player in a “First person” perspective tarted in 1975 at the University of New place in the online gaming industry due to it’s where all he could see was his hands and the Hampshire (USA), on the DEC quick and fluid game engine, user interface weapon that he was equipped with, system-10 mainframe several video games and high frame rates, the latter has proved allowing you, the player, to be behind the were being played thanks to the network efficient for what players appreciate in their Marine’s eyes. support of the innovative PDP-11 processor experience. Of course we cannot forget other iconic that played a vital part for future server Regardless, fast paced games are not all that titles that came to the industry, titles such as computers. counts sometimes. World of Warcraft and Everquest, these IP’s Of course, we mustn’t forget the pioneer gave birth to the MMO genre. Being a These first “online” games (heavily based in multiplayer gaming, and what made it Massively Multiplayer Online IP, they on the sci-fi universe of Star Trek) were popular and helped the now large gaming called STAR, OCEAN (a battle of community to grow. I am talking about Halo ships, submarines and helicopters 2, developed by Bungie and published by with multiple players divided up Microsoft game studios in 2004. between the two combating cities) This creation lead to new ways of and CAVE. (based on Dungeons innovative gameplay, for example the and Dragons). ability to dual wield guns or to shoot while These IP’s were created by in a vehicle. Also groundbreaking sandbox Christopher Caldwell. choices and interfaces, like hijacking an However, due to their active vehicle or destroying it in the process popularity these games were and even to detach a one-hundred pound banned in Universities computer minigun from it’s tripod! These new forms systems due to the excessive RAM of play, now completely a standard in today’s (memory) consumption. games, influenced developers to create their necessitated fixed servers placed around the This caught the attention of other small own sandbox games and styles of approach globe to expand the availability of the game companies and programmers and inspired that lead to today’s most iconic titles. in other countries. them to create their own titles and one of Now with the recently announced gaming Customization is becoming more and more those games led to the rise of today’s most consoles, and server expansions, upcoming intricate and a key factor in mutliplayer popular gaming genre, the First Person games have a better chance to use the system gaming. Giving players the ability to define Shooter. That game was called Doom. to their advantage to create blockbuster their virtual character and weapon choices The game put the player in the shoes of a franchises and with the hopes of introducing is crucial to the success of your game but it “Space Marine” that was trapped in a military new innovative gameplay forms to push the isn’t everything. What a lot of players want complex on the planet mars overrun by some gaming industry to exciting new directions. in their multiplayer experience is fast paced mysterious demonic force< The developers

On the music side Musician / music critic Lilian Armand reviews:

Franckie 4 Fingers ♫♪ « Shut Up & Drive… »♪♫

i folks ! Here’s another band I wanted to talk about... I have the honour to introduce my former music teacher’s band. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Franckie Four Fingers! Composed of Christophe GOMAR (Vocal, guitar) Laurent “Frizman” Graziani (Guitar, recording & mix, artwork) Fred

MUFFET- (Bass) and Ghyslain BLANDINIERES (Drums), this rock stoner band formed in 2009 knows how to make your head bang all night long without feeling tired at all! Add loads of powerful, devastating guitar riffs to monstruous bass lines and drum sounds and then you have Franckie IV Fingers, whose biggest influences are big bands such as Queen of The Stone Age, Tool, Metallica, Foo Fighters and more! If you pay attention to their two albums, Shut Up and Drive and the second one coming soon, you’ll understand that Rock’n’roll never dies! Improving their skills everytime they jump on stage, all they want is to drive you insane, sending you back to the Stone Age where everyone shares the same passion : Nothing but Rock! Obviously, don’t forget to check their band page, you won’t regret it ! : - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franckie4Fingers - Bandcamp: http://franckie4fingers.bandcamp.com/ - Myspace http://www.myspace.com/franckie4fingers - Twitter 13

http://twitter.com/fivf You can also contact them here: franckie4fingers@gmail.com And at last, you can see them performing at the Festcoubilles music festival on August 30th in St Géniès de Fontedit (34) and September 21st at the Black Sheep in Montpellier!

“For those about rock... We salute you !”

AT FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON By Stephen Morris

here are few subjects which provoke such passionate responses as the sport of bullfighting. There are no halfway stances or fences to sit on, for by its very nature it is a controversial and dividing subject which creates alienation, bitterness and anger as well sincere beliefs from both sides. It is a topic which divides opinion fiercely, yet we only become aware of the subject when once more it is annually presented on our doorsteps and again we begin to take notice. In fact, here in France, we are closer to the sport than the people of Catalonia, where bullfighting has been forbidden for the last five years. Oddly, in France, the sport survives and as years pass it appears to flourish from Béziers to Nimes to Arles as well as numerous smaller venues scattered around the region. To visit a bullfight is an extraordinary and quite an overwhelming experience and emotions can run very close to the surface. For the ‘afficionarioes’ the spectacle has moved from a cruel, inhumane sporting event to what is termed as an ‘art form’. Thus the controversy begins. To attend a bullfight can be quite a traumatic experience. There is understandably, an air of expectation and spectators can be easily seduced by the atmosphere knowing deep down that they are to witness something that is not an everyday occurrence. The whole spectacle of the bullfight is without doubt superbly dramatic. Young men (and occasionally a woman) strut out, dressed in their suit of lights, into the bright sunlight to face possible death. That in itself is pretty dramatic. As the matadors enter the ring they receive rapturous applause for what could be turned into a massive sacrifice, perhaps of their own lives even. However, it should be emphasized that the bullfighter rarely dies and the bull always does. In terms of its glamour and fascination it is difficult to objectively draw the line between the concept of what is art and what is sport and what is basically nothing more than a barbaric and ritualistic destruction of life in front of huge

money paying crowds. The subject is contentious and controversial. One cannot ignore the fact that bullfighting and its surrounding rituals, have in the past stimulated many great artists and writers from Pablo Picasso to Ernest Hemmingway as well as the superb Spanish poet Garcia Lorca who wrote the haunting and quite brilliant poem “At Five in the Afternoon”. His poem reveals the pathos,courage and beauty that surrounds the gamble with death and certainly romanticises the spectacle. However, in order to question the actual bullfight, one perhaps has go a few degrees above the actual killing and examine what some would term as the artistic merits of the sport. It may be possible to make an objective judgement but one really would have to have an understanding of the ritualistic performance and dig deeply into the history of the sport. Hemingway’s ‘Death in the Afternoon” which is now considered and accepted as a classical text book on the subject, covers this perfectly. Little though has changed since the publication of the book in the 1930’s. The bull still dies in a ritualistic and obscene way and whichever way one tries to justify it or believe it, yet alone accept it ‘ this should be below the dignity of human beings... Can this ‘sport’ be really considered as an art form one may question? Well maybe it is and some may argue rather cynically that cooking and eating a tender beef steak could be considered an art form. The justification for the continuation to hold bullfights is financial and cultural as well as traditional and ironically it attracts tourists. The young men in their ‘suits of lights’ are incredibly well paid. By any standards the matadors do reveal a degree of courage that few other people on the planet could emulate only perhaps on a battlefield. These young men certainly have courage. For example, the actual size of the bull when he first appears in the ring is quite terrifying. The bull snorts, he chases, he wants to kill and destroy anything that moves. Of course the bull tires and the ritual of death begins. The matador gently 14

executes a series of passes, each having a merit of its own and this enables the bulls to reveal their individual bravery. As the ritual develops the bull becomes more tormented as he has up to six ‘pics’ plunged into his back. The blood dramatically begins to run down the sides of his body quite freely and the bull naturally reacts to the torture and provocations and tries to fight back. As the battle to the death develops the more frustrated the bull becomes as the bullfighter executes more and more ‘artistic’ passes. The tempo increases, the small band begin to play and the ritualistic ‘kill’ commences. The matadors’ sword is plunged into the heart of the bull and the animal slowly collapses, first on to his knees then keeling over as life flows from his body. The crowd cheer hysterically, and the matador strides around the arena waving and blowing kisses to the spectators. If he has

made a clean kill he may be awarded the ears, which are sliced off the head of the dead bull before it is dragged from the ring. The ritual ends only to be reinacted again and again as new ferocious bulls rush into the ring. One would probably have to return to the past and witness the use of the guillotine during the French Revolution to make some comparisons. The crowd at the bullfights seem to actually enjoy the event and are excited and stimulated by the public death as a spectacle. There are not any sporting or artistic comparisons. To witness a bullfight has no real legal comparisons in modern life. We know that animals are slaughtered, yet in the bull rings people pay money to witness something which appears to bring out the worst in mankind rather than the best and that cannot be good. 15

Herbal Medicine in France Elise Girard explores the current law regarding the use and practice of herbal medicine.

rance is the exception in Europe in not officially recognizing herboristerie/ herbalism (the study and use of medicinal properties of plants) as a profession. The practice of herbalism and the relevant diploma was suppressed in 1941 under Vichy who handed the monopoly over to dispensary chemists. Those already qualified as herbalists before this date were however allowed to continue with their practice, although needless to say there are

few still practicing today. There is however a growing demand for herbal medicine. The question therefore remains as to why a provision passed more than 50 years ago still applies today? The current situation is counterintuitive and most certainly confusing: Officially, if you wish to treat yourself with plants you can go to a pharmacy, where pharmacists are allowed to sell you herbal medicine and give you advice on how to use them. Pharmaceutical training includes some courses on plants, but it is not as in-depth as the herbalist diploma so advice may be hesitant. It also becomes quickly apparent that many pharmacists have no interest in selling herbal medicine. Whether this is for ethical reasons, effort (locating good suppliers, storage, and preparation) or because there is less profit to be made than allopathic medicine is not clear. And yet, there are many herbalist shops in France. There are two kinds: those owned by

a pharmacist keen to offer complimentary health care options like herbalism to their clients; or a ‘herboristerie’, which can be opened by anyone. However, without a pharmaceutical qualification owners of ‘herboristeries’ are not allowed to sell plants as curatives, make recommendations or advise their customers. To boot, neither can they sell plants which are not on the ‘over-the-counter’ list of 148 plants. Doing otherwise is risky. This year, 90 year old Michel Pierre, a practicing herbalist for over 40 years and owner of the oldest herboristerie in Paris defended a lawsuit against him for the illegal practice of medicine. Despite his in-depth knowledge as there is not an official diploma his experience cannot be recognised. Like most people advocating the use of medicinal herbs, Monsieur Pierre does not claim to be a doctor or wish to take the place of pharmacists. He sees himself as providing complementary care, advising customers to see a doctor when necessary. Clearly, inappropriate use of plants can be dangerous so it is understandable that the selling and practice of herbal medicine is regulated. In order that the benefits of herbal medicine are safely available to the public, surely the solution would be for France to reestablish a diploma in herbalism under the supervision of the Department of Health, thus ensuring that herbalists are rigorously trained, conforming to a national standard. Government proposals are slowly making their way through the system, notably by Senator Jean-Luc Fichet in 2010, however there is no immediate sign of adoption. ** The diversity of plant life in Hérault has earned it the title ‘The birthplace of traditional western herbal medicine’. Below are a handful of plants commonly found: Sea holly, Eryngium maritinum (urinary remedy, diuretic and antilithic and useful in cases of renal colic and enlarged prostate; also considered to be a digestive remedy with liver action and an aphrodisiac.) Buck’s Horn Plantain, Plantago coronopus (Old-time salad green which possesses the 16

same multitude of medicinal properties as common plantain)

Prickly glasswort, Salsola kali (the juice and seed vessels are diuretic) Sueda fruticosa Forsk (flowers and seeds aid scar formation and are used in a poultice for cuts and abrasions)

Bermuda Grass, Cynodon dactylon (diuretic and astringent used to stop bleeding) Liquorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra (one of the oldest-described and most-used medicines in the world) Samphire, Crithmum maritinum digestive tonic) Dyer’s madder, Rubia tinctorum (diuretic, antilithic and liver remedy)

Yoga Posture of the month

Latest French Miracle beauty treatment -

Dandayamana Janushirasana – Standing Head to Knee Pose

Snail Slime

he mucus secreted by snails is full of collagen, glycolic acid, antibiotics and other compounds that aid skin cell regeneration and heal cuts. The benefits of snail slime are already recognised in the East, spas in Tokyo currently offer facials using live snails. The first industrial-scale, snail mucus extrapolation operation is being set up by snail farmer Louis-Marie Guedon, who has already secured contracts for 15 tons of slime from French cosmetic

laboratories and a Paris based company who mix cosmetics. Apparently the snails are not killed during the extraction process – they’re for later… with garlic butter!

Talk to Maggie We get what we focus on!

n old Cherokee Chief told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. ‘My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil – It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good – It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.’ The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’ The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed the most.’ This is so apt for how we may be living our lives. We get into the habit of focusing on the negatives in our lives, and then feeding this part until it wins the battle and we forget how to be different. If we can focus on the good things, substitute anger for empathy, regret and sorrow for compassion and bring more

generosity and love into our lives every day, then we will begin to feed this part of us more. One way to do this is to write a Gratitude or Appreciation Diary. Every day find three things that you are grateful for and write them down. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll be amazed how easy it becomes. Even if there are days when you might find this difficult, there is always something that you can write down –someone smiled at you or you saw a lovely flower by the roadside. The Universe loves gratitude and once you begin to acknowledge what you appreciate and are grateful for, you’ll begin to notice that you start to attract more positive things into your life. You’ll notice more and more what makes you feel alive and less and less what isn’t working for you. Reduce negativity in your life and get into a new habit of feeding the positive side of you and make sure that this is the wolf that is fed the most and wins the battle.

Develops concentration, patience and determination. Strengthens abdominal and thigh muscles, improves flexibility of sciatic nerves and strengthens the tendons, biceps of the thigh muscles and hamstrings. The first area of concentration in this posture is locking the knee by engaging the thigh muscles. Contraction of the abdominal muscles is also very important. As a beginner you will find focusing on these areas quite enough to occupy your attention. As your practice progresses you will be able to scan more of your body for correct alignment. Flexing the foot of the kicking leg back (toes to the nose) as hard as possible is necessary. You should never be able to see your toenails in the front mirror. www.yogabikrammontpellier.fr

LEGGETT

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The Calendar The Calendar Daily Calendar (in English) on www.theaudetimes.com Night bus in Narbonne (Service de navette nocturne) Make the most evenings out in Narbonne. The navette is a service for people living or based in Narbonne and covers the whole Narbonne area. It costs just 1€ outward/1€ return. The service is available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 19h to midnight and Saturday from 19h to 4h00. There is no Sunday service. To reserve a place at the beginning of the evening 04 68 90 30 13

Aude Ciné-Club: For an updated listing of films and outdoor projections see www.cinemaaude.org FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST- 10PM RAISSE D’AUDE : MUNICIPAL PARK TEMPORA 2013: SWEEPERS CIRCUS FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST- SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST LAGRASSE: POLYVALANTE ROOM FOLK FESTIVAL FOLK WORKSHOP BALL @ 9:30PM

UNTIL FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST THE AUDE CAVE LUIS BARRAGAN EXHIBITION UNTIL THE 30TH AUGUST CARCASSONNE : MEDIVAL CITY EQUESTRIAL SHOW UNTIL THE 31ST AUGUST 2013 PEYREPERTUSE CASTLE FALCONARY SHOW

IN SITU 2013: STEPHEN MARSLEN EXHIBITION UNTIL THE 15TH SEPTEMBER ARCHEVÊQUES PALACE: MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY THE MEDITTAREAN HORIZON : THE ORIENT OF WOMEN UNTIL THE 22ND SEPTEMBER 2013 MAYRONNES SENTIR SCULPTUEREL OF MAYRONNES

UNTIL SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST PEYREPERTUSE CASTLE LIVE SHOW: THE WINGS OF THE URGA 3 SHOWS A DAY: 11:30AM, 2:30PM, 4:30PM FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER- SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER LAURAGIN VAGABOND ART EXHIBITION HTTP://ARTS-VAGABONDS. BLOGSPOT. COM

UNTIL 25RD AUGUST THURSDAY TO SUNDAY 4PM-8PM: LE CHANTIER MECENES EXHIBITION

UNTIL THE 15TH SEPTEMBER HOME OF MEMORIES, 15 RUE DE VERDUN, CARCASSONNE THE VINE COUNTRYSIDE EXHIBITION: THE SENSITIVE AND ETHNOLOGIC APPROACH SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 5PM SAINT PAPOUL ABBEY LA CIACCONA, IL MUNDO CHE QIRA : CULTURE

SATURDAY 24TH- SUNDAY 25RD AUGUST THE HOME OF THE BANQUET CINÉMA AND HISTORY PATRIMOINE WEEKEND WITH UNTIL THE 15TH SEPTEMBER SYLVIE LINDBURG AND JEAN LOUIS CANOLLI NARBONNE: EPISCOPAL PALACE

** For a list of events and activities in the Aude and Hérault that isupdated weekly please visit The AT / HT Calendar which is available in English on the website

The Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau

erched on top of a hill, the tiny village of Rennes-le-Chateau near Couiza, has become famous due to the mystery surrounding the enigmatic 19th century priest who lived in the village. In the late 1880s François Saunière suddenly became fabulously wealthy. The origins of his wealth have led to a host of theories, including grave robbing and the selling of masses. Many of the theories revolve around the artist Nicholas Poussin who is believed to have been close to Saunière and who is thought to have encoded the ‘secret’ into his paintings, notably Shepherds in Arcadia.

For further information: Henry Lincoln’s audio book ‘The Holy Place: Saunière and the Decoding of the Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau’

The Calendar Daily Calendar (in English) on www.theaudetimes.com 18

What’s in a name....

Sue Hicks continues her look into the history through Street names

aris was in uproar. France had declared war on her ever more powerful neighbour on 19 July 1870. Six weeks later, news of the French defeat at the battle of Sedan reached Paris. Emperor Louis Napoleon had written “As I cannot die at the head of my army, I lay down my sword at the feet of your majesty” and then surrendered personally to Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia. Thousands of Frenchmen had died or been taken prisoner along with their Emperor. On Sunday 4 September some weary members of the Corps Legislatif resumed the debate which had begun in the early hours while others judged it prudent to slip away quietly. Before they had finished their deliberations and agreed a plan of action, a huge crowd, whipped up by various factions, gathered outside and threatened to overwhelm them with cries of “Live Free or Die”. Troops had surrounded the building but took no action. The 32 year old republican Leon Gambetta, already well-known as a gifted orator, “leapt to the rostrum” and seizing the moment declared that Louis Napoleon, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, and his dynasty were overthrown. Fearing danger and disorder, the crowd were invited to go the Hotel de Ville and streams of citizens were lead noisily along both banks of the Seine. The Third Republic was declared that afternoon. There was some uncertainty among the leaders as to the basis for this declaration so it was decided that the provisional government, led by General Trochu, should be formed by the elected deputies of Paris until elections could be held. Meanwhile, the Empress Eugenie who was acting as Regent in the absence of her husband at the war was persuaded by a deputation of parliamentarians to stand down. She fled overnight to the home of a Doctor Evans, an American society dentist, who helped her to reach the channel coast and persuaded an English captain to take aboard the Empress who was posing as a lunatic from an asylum on her way to visit relatives. Eugenie was Spanish by birth but had attended a school in Bristol (in a building now named Eugenie House) and soon settled

in Chislehurst where she was joined some months later by her husband, who had also lived in England previously. Louis Napoleon died in 1873 but Eugenie lived on until 1920 and the couple are buried with their son (who died in 1879 in South Africa while serving in the British Army) in Farnborough. Back in Paris on 4 September 1870, telegrams were sent out to the provinces announcing the Third Republic. A telegram was sent to Victor Hugo, in exile since the coup d’etat of Louis Napoleon in 1851, with the agreed message “Bring the children immediately” and he left for Paris the following day. Throughout France, citizens tore down plaster busts and insignia of Napoleon III and celebrated wildly. The Second Empire had ended and the Third Republic had been born without a drop of blood being spilt. The FrancoPrussian War ended in 1871with a total French surrender, a huge reparations bill and the ceding of territory including AlsaceLorraine. Most street signs do not give a year for the date 4 Septembre. It is unlikely that they commemorate 4 September 1346, the day when the English began the Siege of Calais during the Hundred Years’ War. Eleven harrowing months later, 6 rich burghers with nooses around their necks and carrying the keys to the city surrendered to the English fearing ransom or execution. Edward III, possibly at the urging of his pregnant wife but also perhaps fearing reprisals at a later date and seeking ransoms, spared their lives. This event is commemorated by Auguste Rodin’s statute The Burghers of Calais which stands in front of Calais town hall. A copy was purchased by the British government in 1911 and stands in the Victoria Tower Garden adjacent to the Houses of Parliament in London. Street signs for 4 septembre marking the foundation of the Third Republic can be found throughout France and have not been superceded by commemorations of the founding of the two later republics.

Une Belle Expression

ome words have more than their obvious meaning. Take the word beau. Everyone knows that it means fine, beautiful. However, in the expression ‘au beau milieu’, it means ‘slap in the middle’; ‘bel et bien’ means ‘well and truly’, as in “j’étais bel et bien trempé sous la pluie” (“I was absolutely soaked in the rain”). When you do something ‘de plus belle’ it means with renewed force.

“Après une petite pause les musiciens ont recommencé à jouer de plus belle” Then, when used with the verb avoir the meaning becomes really obscure: “Tu as beau chercher tu ne trouveras jamais la bague que j’ai cachée.” This could translate as, “No matter how hard you look you’ll never find the ring I’ve hidden”. Avoir beau faire quelque chose = to do something in vain.

“In 2001, I lost my sight, I came to France. It was a radical change, like a second birth almost. It happened during a peaceful protest. We were students; there had been nearly a year of riots in Kabylie. The State, the gendarmes, opened fire at us with real bullets. I was hit twice, one of which destroyed my optic nerve. The last image I remember was a gendarme crouched down, a kalachnikov, then a bright flashing light, and then nothing.”

The history of Blind Football

razil and Spain are the most prominent pioneers of blind football, which has been an organized sport since the first half of the 20th century. The first tournament took place in Brazil in 1974. Blind football was accepted into the 2004 Paralympic Games, an important step in the sport’s worldwide development.

The Second life of Hakim A. Portrait of a French champion of blind football By Emilie Wood, photojournalist

Rêve D’Intérieur

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“English spoken, Free quotes.” Ask for Cedric “Is your terrace ready for spring?” “Like a brand new kitchen for the summer?” “Get the bathroom you want” 20

akim Arezki is 28 years old. He lives in Boulogne and works as a piano tuner. He plays the guitar, the mandolin and is adept with a bell football. He is blind. A player in the French team (European champions, 2011) and captain of his club, Saint-Mandé; he has been playing ‘cécifoot’, the football adapted for the visually impaired, competitively for the last seven years. Cécifoot is played five a side: four visually impaired players and one non-impaired goalkeeper. To negotiate the pitch players listen for the sound of the ball and for the other players who make their presence known by repeating the word ‘Voy’ (Spanish for ‘I’m here’) in order to avoid frontal impacts. Each team member has two guides who give the players directions. All of the visually impaired players cover their eyes with blindfolds. In that way everyone is equal: those who have some vision and those who live in total darkness. As is the case with Hakim. Hakim’s world was turned violently upside down. In April 2001, he was a student at a peaceful protest in Kabylie, his home town in Algeria, when the police opened fire on the crowds. A bullet took his sight. After five days of inadequate care in a hospital in Algeria he was transferred to France, where he was brought back from the point of death. He has had to learn how to live again without sight, to start again from zero. It has been a long struggle to pick himself up and reconstruct his life; the memory of his friends who never got up from that ‘printemps noir’ in Kabylie will remain with him always.

“Blind football has helped me become more independent in my daily life. It is still a really challenging handicap in today’s society: but I’ve made quite good progress. I have a job, a sport that I play as often as I can, national and international competitions, an apartment… I think I’m quite normal!”

To see the video on Hakim Arezki ‘Les Bleus sans les Yeux’ please visit www.dailymotion or use the QR code

Talk Tech and IT with the Geek we call ‘E-Male’

reetings and salutations purveyors of keyboard art. There is a vicious rumour that it is hot outside but alas, all this means is that mushrooms grow in my workspace. And on the subject of vicious rumours, I have received a number of mails asking about ‘Trolling’.

Trolling is a dispicable act of cowardice utilised by pathetic and sad individuals! By using the internet (Facebook, Twitter and online Forums etc), a troll is a bully. It is based on deception. Trolls often befriend their

2012 Olympics, London, UK

victim to gain trust and then give bad advice or intimidate, mock or threaten. Some say it is cutting humour but with the spate of suicides in the UK, the US and Spain this does not hold up. Flaming: Where the confusion comes and why some people claim this is blown out of proportion is due to ‘flaming’. Making rude remarks or comments is NOT trolling, this has it’s own term, ‘Flaming’. So if someone just shouts at you online (uses capital letters for everything they type) or uses bad language consistently this is flaming. Many people engage in this with the goal being to make you ‘shout back’ (use capital letters). In summary, you idiots need to get off the internet and leave the 3% that isn’t taken up with gambling and pornography to us lovers and afficianados of all things web. Ciao ciao. image: razor 21

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ERRÓ at ‘L’Aspirateur’ - The Vacuum Effect

D. Aclange

’Aspirateur is a new contemporary art center constructed out of concrete and glass and situated at the east entrance of Narbonne. It offers a very large exhibition space of about 800 m2. It is described by the guide as ‘not a museum but a place of exhibition and creation’, because ‘contemporary art is often erroneously considered a matter for specialists (…)’. The centre is considered urban redefinition. The Icelandic artist Erró opens the first ‘redefinition’ of this newly renovated space, formerly used as an automated garbage disposal unit. Erró (born Gudmundur Gundmundsson, 1932) is a painter belonging to the group Figuration Narrative, parent of American Pop Art. Fifty of his works are on display chosen from his very prolific body of work, creating four series: ‘The world tour of Mao” which imagines a touristic journey of the Chinese communist leader (1974), ‘Politics’ (Poland 1982), in which Erró confronts political views and ‘clichés’ through brutal images of reality. ‘Les Scapes’ (Piratescape, 1985) construed with shades of greys, defines the overabundance of objects in our environment; and finally the ‘Femmes Fatales’ series (19871995), a recurrent theme inspired by the world of American comics, where women are depicted as provocative, aggressive and hyper-sexualized warriors. Politics and Les Scapes are two giant paintings (2x3m) situated on the right and left of the entrance. Taking a few steps forward one finds the Femmes fatales series, ready to bite, or is it jump? As I climb to the first floor Mao awaits to save me from these Cruellas. Mao on Holiday in New-York, Mao before the Taj Mahal, Mao protecting his people from the naughty ice-cream seller Marilyn, Mao and his wife in San Marco (must have been too hot in Los Angeles). Incredible series, but these are not the originals only ‘highly digitalized reproductions’. I would have liked them even more as original works. Hommage à Fernand Léger is not a reproduction or hyper-sexualized Joan of Arc.It doesn’t carry a political message either.It is nonetheless the only one of its kind. Erró’s graphic style and feel for colour combination is quite astonishing but this show doesn’t do him justice. An hour video of his work is also available. I was able to watch the video presentation for about 20 minutes (a scrolling of images punctuated by words),until I regrettably had to quit feeling vertiginous. The video or image content was very interesting. Erro has obviously achieved a lot; from the morbid to politics, mosaics, American comics, the beautiful Mao series and much more. His work amounts to about12, 000 pieces realized from collected images and collages. But the l’Aspirateur exhibition ignores the core story of his life and creativity. Surely, although the center’s claim that ‘contemporary art is often erroneously considered a matter for specialists’ is not addressing specialists here, does not mean that non-specialists should walk in and out without really being given a comprehensive understanding of the artist’s approach? ERRÓ runs until October 6 L’Aspirateur Contemporary Art Place, Avenue Hubert Mouly, Narbonne 10 h-to 12h and14h-18h. Closed Monday, Tuesday and public holidays. Entry 4€ (Free under 18s, students, job seekers and Narbonne inhabitants) top: Mao Londres bottom: Mao Devant New York 22

www.l-artiste.com

SMALL

IS BEAUTIFUL

Review: Pearl Casteleyn

The 33rd International Mini Print Exhibition in the Taller Galeria Fort, Cadaqués

The 33rd International Mini Print Exhibition in the Taller Galeria Fort, Cadaqués offers more than 600 prints from artists worldwide, ranging from Iceland to Brazil and Japan to North America. Each print displayed is restricted in size to 10cm x 10cm and surrounded by a passé-partout (mount or a frame). Hung together they create a visual patchwork, offering not just a visual feast but also a stimulus for the imagination. These prints decorate the white walls of two floors of an old print workshop in Cadaqués. This workshop, the centre still dominated by an old printing press, holds memories of famous artists. And who knows, looking at the quality of the prints displayed and the creativity of the artists, perhaps some of the future. The subjects are as varied as the techniques used. Traditional techniques include: Monotype,

Rejoice

One artist, chosen as one of the 6 winners is locally based artist/ printmaker Patricia Niemira. As a winner her prints took centre stage for a week. Her work is influenced by her life in the north of England where more subtle, colder colours prevail, whereas now in France the work is dominated by warmer, brighter colours. Not only fine in detail, her prints were created to give depth and texture. For me the secret of this exhibitions’ success is not just the quality of the craftsmanship, the diversity of subjects from shape and colour, but also the detail and differences within the prints. Through this eclectic collection I enjoyed new discoveries. The prints are also available at at very affordable prices.

Linocut, Dry point and Aquatint. Newer works embrace Collograph and Chine-collé as well as Digital art. My eyes feasted on subjects, perhaps influenced but not copied, by known Masterpieces. In place of ‘The Scream’ there is ‘The Smile’. Bursts of colour erupt from the exhibits. Animals respected and treasured by some are also represented… dogs from Japan, small and prolific, with just a suggestion of elephants from Thailand. A chromatic drawing from Iceland indicates greyness and ice whereas many from Spain are full of bright and vibrant colours associated with warmth and sun. Prints from India carry recognisable characteristics - the richness of the reds, greens and golds associated with that diverse country. Landscape V

J’imagine III

he prints may be small but the overall impression is great colourful, elegant and certainly beautiful.

This exhibition is open until 30 September at Cadaquès but will be repeated later in the year in Wingfield Barns (near Cambridge) UK; in Les Pineda de Mar near Barcelona and nearer to home in The Gallery d’Étang d’Art, Bages, near Narbonne www.letangdart.com . The exhibition in Bages will run from 16th November ,2013 until 14th January 2014. For more information see: (www.mininprint.org) Featured prints: Patricia Niemira

june 2013 145

june 2013 132

English for Expat Children

To understand the thoughts and opinions of a country and a people you have to read and listen to what they say. Not always the easiest thing to do in another language. In association with The Aude Times, Alison Reid regularly translates for you a selection of topical blogs and opinion pieces by French writers, journalists and thinkers…

An indispensable guide

aura Smith has a BA (Hons) in English and a background which includes nannying, running ‘arts’ groups for children, supporting early readers, teaching English as a foreign language in Spanish and Italian schools and examining children for the Cambridge Examining Board.

September Rentrée So, what steps might you and your children take to get preparations under way..? • Keep it relaxed: Shopping trips and conversations about what’s needed for the upcoming year can be fun! Make preparation your friend; let it generate anticipation. Run through new routines and responsibilities, making games of them. A stopwatch can be a great tool to make things both fun and cunningly efficient. Children might even enjoy the chance to prepare their own study space. • Keep talking: Having relaxed into a holiday routine together you will probably find that your ease of communication has really developed. The start of a new year is a great opportunity to nip potential worries in the bud by maintaining this level of communication. Summer may have dissolved all sorts of your child’s school-related concerns, but as and when things arise it’s so helpful for you all to feel approachable. Establishing communication with teachers is really valuable too. If you are looking for language support for your children’s French then get in there as soon as possible and remain persistent without pestering (unless entirely necessary!). • Socialise: Make arrangements for your child to see friends, particularly those who’ve not been about as much over the holidays. Getting these connections re-established early on, or before the year starts, will help friendships mesh with the school environment again. Along with these general ‘back to school’ preparations, begin to gently re-engage with academic areas that have required your extra support in previous years. Hopefully you have encouraged a complete break from focused study over the holidays, so please don’t worry if your children have lost ground in any of these areas, it is perfectly normal. Should your child happen to notice and feel disappointed that they have some refreshing to do it’s ideal to have you there for reassurance and help. School is only the jumping off point for learning, your attention and input will accelerate their pleasure and curiosity generally, ultimately expanding their many capacities. Especially if you find ways to enjoy it yourself.. This year I am starting groups in the Herault to support multi-lingual children with their English skills. If you are interested in starting a group in your area and would like to get in touch then please contact me directly via email: englishforexpatchildren@gmail.com Regularly updated resources and ideas are always available via englishforexpatchildren.webs.com which provides links to my pinterest boards and blog.

The French VIEW _

Translation by Alison Reid

François, Pope of change?

rue to himself and to the name he compassion towards homosexuals is chose for himself in reference to no easy task when, in substance, the Francis of Assisi, the successor Pope hasn’t moved one iota regardto Benoît XVI preaches by example his ing the doctrine condemning the act of plea for ‘a poor church for the poor’. He homosexuality as a sin. By avoiding a rejects the pompous finery of pontifical brutal attack on modernity, the Pope has power and refuses to be called ‘His shown great skill. Holiness,”. By his revival of a But is he really as good a communicapreference for the poor as well as by his tor as all that? Because by making an pastoral tone, which cuts a contrast with impact so often, is he not reducing his the professorial coldness of his German margin of manoeuvre for institutional predecessor, Latino Pope François reform? Is he not underestimating the incites fondness. This is the message relationship between force and of his trip to Brazil. His rhetoric has resistance? By entrusting the task of touched a society struck by inequality ‘cleaning’ the Vatican bank to and a youth that has risen up against this Monsignor Battista Ricca, is the pope state of affairs and against corruption. not showing signs of a lack of good Although his election was marked by judgement? Because by placing controversy surrounding his attitude everything on a man whose towards religious progressionists under ‘homosexual mischief’ has served as the Argentinian dictatorship, Jorge a Trojan horse for his adversaries, the Mario Bergoglio has shown himself to Pope has jeopardised his goal. be resolutely close to the little man – atAnd above all, his curia (the church’s tempting, of course, to make up for government – where any re-established lost ground faced with Evangelical order should first and foremost make the competition. His success is remarkable central power at Rome more efficient) is when we think back to the extent to far from showing a more horizontal and which Benoît XVI, when he began, flexible church, which would authorise confirmed his reputation as a equality between Priests and the non ‘Panzerkardinal’ by turning his back religious, between men and women – on Islam. who remain destined to run the shop Consequently, this new Pope raises without being allowed access to the immense hopes amongst numerous pulpit. Catholics, aspiring for a great reform As a sign of true willingness to shake in the Church – more egalitarian and up the Catholic institution, the Pope participative, less dogmatic, and more could have tried in Brazil to make in line with modernity. For Brazilian amends for national Churches’ theologian LeornadoBoff, François will support for dictatorships. Just as he revolutionise the church, even if it takes could have avoided alluding to the time (Geneva Tribune, 29 July). By his Church’s colonial past in a continent example, he is already shaking conserin which the native population are still vative circles and will force bishops to branded by forced Evangelicalisation. renounce their canonical and Will this Pope be the one to really hierarchical rigour. change things? Only time will tell. Really? His talk of integration for homosexuals – “Who am I to judge?” - invites prudence and shows that For English speaking François, as sincere veterinary advice as he may be in his reformatory intenwhen you need it most tions, is above all an excellent communicator. Because showing

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Parc Naturel Régional Haut-Languedoc

(photography Alain Baschenis, text Santiago Mendieta) o mark 40 years of existence, the regional natural park situated in the South of the Massif Central within the Aveyron, Hérault and Tarn departments, is celebrating its anniversary with the publication of this book which shares the stunning scenery of the park and also puts in the spotlight some of the men and women who live in the area. The vast territory of the park covers some 306,000 hectares and is home to diverse natural riches. The authors have attempted to relay all of this beauty and complexity. From the somber pine forests of the Montagne noire where the source of the Canal du Midi originates and the beech covered mountains of Lacaune, to the Lake plateau… Welcome to the Parc Naturel du Haut-Languedoc Published by Editions Privat. 32€ ISBN: 978-2-7089-5918-7 Want a copy? We have 1 to give away. Send us an email and tell us - Who won The Tour de France this year? Entries to: competition@theheraulttimes.com

VEEM

means welcome in any language.

eptember is the time of year when schoolchildren go back to school and continue their education. But it is not just these kids who will partake of this annual ritual in Languedoc and more specifically

around the region. For the more ambitious, our gentle hikes through the Languedoc countryside help newcomers find out more about the country’s heritage. No modern association would be complete without its social activities and VEEM is very much in favour of this important section. Here people can interface with other members whose mother tongue is different from their own. It is an excellent way for members to practise their

the Minervois. VEEM looks forward to meeting new members VEEM will be sponsoring a new event, hoping to join or merely wanting Portes Ouvertes – Ateliers de Langues to know more about this friendly organisation. at the Salle Geo. Brassens in Olonzac between 10am and noon. Here the public and members alike can test their French and non-anglophones their English. linguistic skills. They will also be able to talk to Some events organised by VEEM are open to the people who take the workshops of French and the local residents of the village where it takes English. There will be an opportunity to register place. This idea has been welcomed by the Mairies as members so that they can join the language some of whom have been proactive by helping to workshop of their choice. promote it. A few days later on Friday September 13, memStarted only four years ago, VEEM, now has bers will be gathering for their Réunion d’Entrée well over 200 members from about twenty difagain at the Salle Georges Brassens. They will ferent countries worldwide but we are looking to hear from the Conseil d’Administration about the engage many more new members during 2014. To new and existing activities that will be offered in this end, VEEM will be taking a stand at the Fothe following 12 months. rum des Associations on September 8 in Olonzac. But becoming a member of VEEM is not just a Vivre Ensemble en Minervois matter of going back to school. The association offers a variety of activities from gardening groups Email: info@veem.fr and conferences to learning about wine tasting and 22 Ave. de Béziers Olonzac 34210 Telephone: 04 68 91 17 17 Website: www.veem.fr visits to the many interesting historical sites in and

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Recipe Times -

The Chef Spot

This month we are delighted to feature recipes from Craig Charlesworth, co-owner of the restaurant En Bonne Compagnie, 6 Quai des Negociants, 11200 Homps.

Head Chef Craig Charlesworth

raig left home at 17 to join the foodie gentlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club, Boodles, where he carried out his apprenticeship under a member of the Acadamie Culinaire de France. Before setting up En Bonne Compagnie he worked in two Michelin starred restaurants in London, aboard the Queen Elizabeth II and for several distinguished private clients.

FIG CHUTNEY

1 RED ONION DICED 4 TABLESPOONS BROWN SUGAR 1 TEASPOON MUSTARD SEEDS 1 CINNAMON STICK 1 STAR ANISE 1 TEASPOON GINGER (DRIED OR PUREED) 4 TEASPOONS RED WINE VINEGAR 4 FIGS (CUT INTO QUARTERS) Place all the ingredients apart from the figs in a pan and cook slowly until the onions are soft. Add the figs and cook slowly for 5 - 10 mins until the figs start to break down. Remove from the heat and allow to cool

GOATS CHEESE MOUSSE

CHOCOLATE FONDANT

* 300G SOFT COMBEBELLE GOATS CHEESE (CAILLE PRESSED FOR 24-36 HRS) * 200ML CRÈME LIQUID CHILLED * 100G CHICKEN BREAST CUT INTO PIECES * 1 CLOVE GARLIC * BUTTER TO GREASE THE MOULDS * SALT AND PEPPER * 4-6 TIMBALE MOULDS OR SMALL RAMEKINS

125G BUTTER 125G CHOCOLATE (MINIMUM 55%) 4 TABLESPOONS CASTER SUGAR 2 TEASPOONS FLOUR 2 EGGS AND 2 YOLKS BUTTERD AND FLOURED RAMEKINS Melt the butter and chocolate over a pan of simmering water. Whisk the eggs, yolks and sugar until light and fluffy. Fold in the melted chocolate and then add the sieved flour. Put the mixture into the buttered ramekins 2/3 full. Bake in a preheated oven 220c/ gas 7 for 9mns. Once cooked turn out on to a plate and serve with a fruit coulis or compote of seasonal fruit.

Take the bowl of a food processor and put it in the fridge for ½ hr. Brush the moulds with butter. Remove the bowl from the fridge. Place the chicken breast, garlic and a pinch of salt into the chilled bowl. Process the chicken mix for 30 sec in the food processor. Slowly add half the crème liquid. Stop the processor and scrape down the mixture then add the goats cheese and the remaining crème liquid. Do not over process the mixture. You should end with a smooth mousse consistency. Spoon the mixture into your buttered moulds and cover with buttered tin foil. Cook in a preheated oven (160c/325f/gas m 3) in a water bath for 20 mns or until set. The mousse will souffle slightly but will settled back once removed from the oven. You can serve these warm or cold and is perfect served with fig chutney

Craig and Valerie have been buying their cheeses for many years from La Chevrerie de Combebelle. The Cheverie is in a beautiful location (10km from Bize Minervois) and welcomes visitors everyday between March and October. www.afondlesud.com

Bassie Scott will return in December

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EVENTS

London black cab with driver

Weddings, events, parties, marketing etc. Comfortable seating for five passengers. Disabled and wheelchair access ramps. Tel: (0680) 438977 or email: kent.terry@mac.com

Fostering

here possible the SPA Carcassonne prefers to place some of their rescue dogs in foster homes which enables them to assess how they react to different situations and work on their house- training and socialisation where required. This also makes

Bespoke massage, Mobile service Group bookings taken. Thai massages, Reflexology, Neck and face massage, Reiki, Oil massage. Susannah 0652752445 / 0467243142 Based in Ceps / Cazedarnes ** Centre d’Ostéopathie et d’Intégration Structurelle (®Rolfing) Recently opened in Lodève Annette Beckett qualified osteopath since 1992 cranial osteopathy for adults, children, babies annette@beckettosteo.com Barry P. Beckett Certified Rolfer, Rolf Institute 1993 Structural Integration, Postural Improvement, Osteopathics. motionpresent@gmail.com 06 30 64 88 40 **

the transition for dogs much less stressful when they are finally adopted and gives adopters more confidence as to the character of their new family member. We have a network of foster carers but we are always in need of more. As a fosterer you will play an extremely valuable role in reintegrating our dogs into a normal loving family environment. In our experience rescue dogs have a much smoother transition into their permanent homes if they have received care and rehabilitation from a committed foster home. We can supply fosterers with dog food, bedding, bowls collars/leads etc, and all vet treatments are covered, providing you live in Carcassonne or near enough to visit our vet. If you think you would like to help please contact Julie and we can arrange for you to meet us and some of our lovely dogs. http://dogrescuecarcassonne.co.uk/ 29

Canine Behaviourist and Dog Trainer Crate a harmonious relationship with your dog. Many references from satisfied customers Call Richard : 06.25.21.21.21 or see www.psychodog.net

HORSES

Want horses in your life but don’t know how

where to start?

Local, expert advice on all aspects of horseriding & keeping horses in the region for novices or experienced. Contact Kitty 06 61 51 54 59 kitty@toosh.biz **

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Contact There are 35 counselors (conseillers généraux) in Aude Each member is elected by voters from a particular territoire or canton. His/her replacement, in the case of death or incapacity, is a member of the Assemblée Départmentale designated at the time of the election. If the elected counselor is a male, his elected replacement must be female and vice versa. André Viola has been the President of the Conseil Général since 2011 (www.andre-viola.fr/) Who is my elected representative? Alaigne : Jacques Durand Alzonne: Régis Banquet Axat : Marcel Martinez Belcaire : Francis Savy Belpech : Julien Mario

Tel: 04 68 31 91 91 jacques.durand@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 76 00 32 www.regisbanquet.com Tel : 04 68 20 50 28 marcel.martinez@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 20 70 38 mairie.de.mazuby@wanadoo.fr Tel :04 68 60 62 24 julien.mario@cg11.fr

Capendu: Carcassonne-Cen: Carcassonne-Est : Carcassonne-Nord : Carcassonne-Sud :

Robert Alric Pierre Sarcos Tamara Rivel Jacques Arino Alain Tarlier

Tel: 04 68 79 08 56 robert.alric@cg11.fr Tel: 04 68 11 99 99 pierre.sarcos@cg11.fr Tel :04 68 11 68 11 tamara.rivel@cg11.fr Tel :04 68 25 43 83 arino@sfr.fr Tel : 04 68 25 05 25 tarlier.bonnafous@wanadoo.fr

Castelnaudary-Nord : Castelnaudary-Sud : Chalabre : Conques-sur-Orbiel : Couiza :

Stéphane Linou Patrick Maugard Jean-Jacques Aulombard Alain Marcaillou Jacques Hortala

Tel :04 68 23 46 56 stephane.linou@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 94 58 00 patrick.maugard@ville-castelnaudry.fr Tel : 04 68 69 29 14 jjaulombard@wanadoo.fr Tel : 04 68 77 00 16 alain-11@orange.fr Tl : 04 68 74 02 90 jacques.hortala@cg11.fr

Coursan : Durban-Courbières : Fanjeaux : Ginestas : Lagrasse :

Gilbert Pla Eric Brissot André Viola Francine Schivardi Jean-Pierre Maisonnade

Tel : 04 68 46 61 61 gilbert.pla@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 44 03 33 mairie.fontjoncouse@wanadoo.fr Tel : 04 68 11 68 18 andre.viola@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 46 26 64 schivardi.gerard@orange.fr Tel : 04 68 43 14 84 jean-pierre.maisonnade@orange.fr

Lézignan-Corbières : Limoux : Mas-Cabardès : Montréal : Mouthoumet :

Jules Escaré Pierre Bardies Francis Bels Christian Rebelle Hervé Baro

Tel : 04 68 27 22 72 Tel : 04 68 69 78 04 Tel : 06 80 41 03 27 Tel : 04 68 76 20 05 Tel : 04 68 11 68 11

Narbonne-Est: Narbonne-Ouest : Narbonne-Sud : Peyriac-Minervois : Quillan : Saint-Hilaire :

Patrick Francois Anne-Marie Jourdet Robert Dejean Alain Ginies Anne-Marie Bohic-Cortes Pierre Authier

Tel: 04 68 90 22 88 patrick.francois@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 90 22 88 anne-marie.jourdet@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 41 01 52 robert.labdejean@free.fr Tel : 04 68 26 16 19 mairievilleneuveminervois@wanadoo.fr Tel : 04 68 20 86 01 annie-bohic-cortes@cg11.fr Tel : 04 68 11 65 61 pierre.authier@cg11.fr

Saissac : Salles-sur-l’Hers : Sigean : Tuchan :

Aline Jalabert Michel Brousse Christian Theron Sébastien Pla

Tel : 04 68 24 42 03 Tel : 06 79 29 09 68 Tel : 06 08 88 71 78 Tel : 04 68 45 40 55

jules.escare@gmail.com pierre.bardies@cg11.fr bels.francis@wanadoo.fr christian.rebelle@cg11.fr herve.baro@cg11.fr

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aline.jalabert@cg11.fr michel.brousse@cg11.fr mairie@roquefort-des-corbieres.fr htes-corbieres-2011@laposte.net

The Herault Times & The Aude Times is a TAMBOURIN Partner Sports by Stuart Turpie

but the young German Marcel Kittel won four, including the sprint in Paris. Cav now has some serious competition on his hands. Chris Froome cemented his hold on the yellow jersey with an amazing win at the top of Mont Ventoux. The french media could not cope with this triumph on the lunar Ventoux mountain top. Rather than celebrate, all the talk was of possible doping.Froome diplomatically dealt with the media. He understood the atmosphere of the Lance Armstrong revelations and the sad state of the fter waiting for 99 Tour de France races a British rider finally won sport in recent years. last year. Needless to say, when Christophe Riblon won at the top of Alpe d’Huez, which the riders had to climb a ridiculous two times, to give Then in the 100th Tour the feat of Sir Bradley Wiggins was matched by Chris Froome who astonished the French media by his dominance. the French their only stage win, there was not the same media reaction! Chris Froome added a time trial stage to his honours before mounting For British fans it was a different race. As Wiggo approached his win there was always a hidden sense of disbelief that at last a win was pos- the podium in Paris. The reaction of the media and some fans with sible. This year Froome was the favourite after his victories in races Chris actually being booed on some occasions has left a sour taste in the mouth. Fair enough, the recent revelations have placed big queslike the Dauphiné and he had been second last time. The race went to plan with a brilliant team performance by the Sky team. tion marks over the sport as a whole. The 100 m athletics scene has After a tricky first week Froome burst into action up the slopes to also been marred by negative publicity. To his credit Chris Froome has Ax 3 Domaines . The Sky team forced a tremendous pace, burning off risen above all this with his calm response. His victory remarks on the podium when he said that his yellow rivals before Froome launched his attack to gain valuable time and to jersey would stand the test of time were incredibly statesmanlike. Of win the stage. course some previous winners like Armstrong and Contador have had The effort made by Australian Richie Porte that day on behalf of their victories erased from the record books. Froome was revealed the next day when he could not keep up in the We are left with some interesting thoughts to ponder. The professecond mountain stage. Chris was forced to defend his lead on his sional preparation of the Sky team under the management of Dave own against the young Colombian climber Naido Quintana, Alberto Contador and the other major contenders. Quintana was the revelation Brailsford has astonshed the sport. Utter dedication and focus with a training regime second to none has disturbed the French. Attention to of the Tour, detail, finishing second overall and gathering the white young riders jersey investment of time and money and a ruthless will to win fairly, jar a and the polkadot King of the mountains. bit with the French love of panache and an almost amateur approach. In the region I was fortunate to watch the Can the Brits keep it up? Cavendish is now third in all time Tour stage finish of the stage from Aix to Montpellier. The air was incredibly hot in the concrete environs of the road passing the Stade Yves du Manoir. wins! Even more intriguing is the part now to be played by Sir Bradley Wiggins if he can return to form. What it must have been like to race at over 40 kms per hour for 200 Everyone seems to know that he and Chris Froome are not close plus kms from Aix I do not know! The blistering finish was won by friends. This is a story that is going to run and run. Can’t wait for the André Greipel. Mark Cavendish who recovered from a crash was a brave third to the German in the sprint. Cav went on to win two stages 101st Tour de France which begins in Leeds. nd so the Premier leaugue football (soccer) season has begun in England and the Ashes have been retained in cricket. The last golf major of the year is complete and 2 British men have won the last 2 Tour de France. Before we change seasons please read Stuarts review of The Tour which was so exciting this year..... *

Marchés Nocturnes (Night markets) Puivert Saturday, from 18h

Limoux Tuesday, 17h-23h

Quillan Thursday, from 18h

Alet les Bains Wednesday, 18h

Saint Pierre La Mer 40+ traders along the boulevard des Embruns, includes produce, arts, crafts Every night 18h-00h

Castelnaudary Thursday, 18h30-23h Leucate Every night, 18h-22h

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