THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE FOR THE AUDE
Issue 2 August 2013
www.theaudetimes.com
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August 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 What’s On History E-Male Subscribe Recipe Times Classifieds Sport
For your consideration
AT Features
ATArt 06
My Place - Lord Steel
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How green is this energy
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22
Lipstick!
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Street Painting
Keeping Tabs.....
Competition Win a copy of Gruissan: La Belle Rebelle (ISBN:978-2-7089-5917-0 published by Editions privat, 32â‚Ź) (French) Journalists Alain Baute and Alain Felix share their love and intimate knowledge of Gruissan in this beautiful book. Q. What is the name of the Unesco site in Aude?
The HT Online
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Win a years subscription to the Aude Times. To celebrate the beginning of the Aude Times we are giving away a years subscription to the magazine. To have the AT delivered to your door every month answer the following question.Q. What is the name of Baz Luhrmans latest movie? To enter all competitions send your answer by email to:
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Food & Wine7
Cancer Support France
The AT is proud to support Cancer Support France
Sud de France Affected by cancer ? english speaking ? We can help.
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.
Cancer Support France offers emotional, linguistic and practical support to cancer patients and their families through our teams of trained volunteers. See our local website for further information: www.csf-suddefrance.webs.com
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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.
August Editorial
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ISSN: 2261-561X
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela
ot wanting to be sycophantic (you can tell just by that opening phrase that I am going to be), but we have just watched our eldest happily bussing off into the sunset to make the most of all the free concerts all over the Languedoc with her band of merry friends, things stashed into their rucksacks that I don’t want to know about, all in the knowledge that they have passed their BACs! So I have reserved this space to say THANK YOU TO TEACHERS. Thank you to all of you. For dragging yourselves out of bed every morning, for being supportive and patient, for putting up with being made the scapegoats for what we can’t always manage as parents. You made a difference in whatever immeasurable, unquantifiable way. THANK YOU! Now have a great, long summer holiday, you deserve it. ** he social networks have been a fun place to be in recent weeks. From the fantastic ‘cat doing silly things’ videos (look this up) to Sarkozy. He may not be sharing his migraine or a list of other banal woes but even
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‘Nico’ has been Facebooking away trying to raise funds as his party overspent during the election campaign against Hollande and France doesn’t take kindly to this. And if political ‘grey areas’ aren’t rife enough in whichever country you come from, several government officials current and past are fighting or hoping not to fight corruption charges. But ‘connection’ in any form is getting harder to avoid. As it turns out France is currently one of the leading nations on the use of ‘The Internet of Things’, a concept which predicts everything around us being linked to the internet. In his article Martin Pearce highlights the growing influence of technology and the internet in daily life in all aspects of life. There is nowhere to run to – except Bolivia maybe… or Russia? ** politician cut from finer cloth, Lord Steel of Aikwood, kindly shares his thoughts and experiences in this month’s My Place; Tim King considers the value, sustainability and effectiveness of wind farming, particularly its impact on the ecosystem. And for a touch of dashing scarlet, in lifestyle
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this month Hugh MacCamley purses his lips and delves into the history of that most iconic of French make-up items, lipstick. ** inally, it’s a prickly theme for a publication, but we couldn’t resist. One of the most common complaints we hear about and try to improve every month is that of typos. A big thanks to proof readers around the world but just to let you know we do our best we leave you this month with a poem (kindly sent in by Lucky) in defense of typos and spelling mistakes:
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Eye have a spell chequer It came with my Pea Sea It plane lee marks four my revue Miss Steaks I can knot sea. Eye strike the quays and type a whirred And weight four it too say Weather eye am write oar wrong It tells me strait a weigh. Eye ran this poem threw it Your shore reel glad two no, Its vary polished in its weigh My chequer tolled me sew..... So the next time you see a mistake, do let us know but remember....it could be worse!
WRITERS
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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.
Barry Beckett 2013 All rights reserved
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. ** The Aude Times Congratulations on Issue 1 of The Aude Times. How good to have something to read that is a bit more than wine and beaches. Bring on number 2. Veronique, Narbonne Mag Hi to all who brought this Aude Times out. Much needed, just hope you don’t forget us not in the towns. James G, Nr Quillan Aude Times Very cool first issue. Welcome and good luck. Will Peters Magazine So a magazine appears in the Aude. I am impressed and wish you all the best. It can be difficult to do this but having had a look at your Hérault Times I think that maybe you can make this work. I for one am rooting for you. Best of luck. Jonathan D Thank you to all who contacted us. It really is appreciated and makes all the hard work worthwhile. But enough already, let’s talk about issues and comments and likes and dislikes...write to us at info@theaudetimes.com Men’s Swimsuits (one) Brigid expressed her disapproval of our municipal pools’ policy concerning men’s swimsuits. As a French native, I can answer her question: when swimming
shorts appeared, they were aimed at use... in swimming pools or on the beach/ in the sea... and they were accepted as such in public swimming pools! But they were so successful that sportswear companies created beautiful ones that teenagers, and young men (and middle aged men) started wearing anywhere and everywhere, including in municipal swimming pools. Men and boys put on their “swimming trunks” in the morning, and went everywhere in them, and then they went to the pool where they bathed in the same trunks and not in “just for swimming” swimsuits, which considerably increased the amount of “germs” in the pools. Which is why they were prohibited, and “traditional swimsuits”, (that we call”maillots de bain”) were asked for. Now I wonder, have British men always worn swimming trunks, even before they appeared in France? From what I saw on the internet, in the 50’s, British and American men bathed in what Brigid calls “speedo type” swimsuits.Oh oh! Were men in the 50s less modest than they are nowsadays? Just joking! Or else, there is still a possibility to go to the beach, and swim... in the sea, where any swimsuits are accepted, aren’t they? Personally, what I do not like about municipal pools is when they want us to wear swimming caps! Anyway, here is why swimming trunks are not welcome in municipal pools. Thank you! Anne S
Smacking I read your piece on smacking last month and thought it was really good. What right do parents have to smack their children? NONE! Claire by text
Men’s Swimsuits (two) I quite like ‘speedos’ being compulsory in swimming pools. Gives me a day of wholesome entertainment! Dave D
And a lot more feedback was received. I don’t know, my mother used to get me to play on the motorway when I was little and I’m ok?
There were a lot of letters about this...I’m sure it was because of my modelling...”I’m too sexy for my shirt, so sexy...” Smacking What a good read (smacking last issue). I was smacked if I was naughty as a child and my wife and I on maybe 3 or 4 occasions smacked our daughter when she was younger but only as a last resort. Did her no harm whatsoever. Leonard P Smacking Article So good to see this article but so absurb it makes me laugh out loud. There is a big difference between smacking a naughty child and abuse that these do gooders go on about. Helen Smacking The world has gone mad. My mother often gave me a quick ‘nip across the legs’ when I was younger. Why do so many people and organisations just need to give advice which is not called for or asked for? I don’t have children (yet) but if it was good enough for me it is good enough for them. Isla, Isle of Wight
Men’s Swimsuits (three) Speedos (Last issue). Brigid, I LOVE them..hours of entertainment watching the guys who can, the guys who can’t and the guys that shouldn’t! Jan H, 34000
IMPORTANT:
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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
...says Abse I am totally in love with Abse’s writings. And yes, I know, it is said that serious readers fall asleep when someone writes about their own cats... Guess I finally belong to a minority! Or I am not that serious ;-) Dutchie ...says Abse (2) I want to meet Abse, he is funny and reminds me of my 3rd husband. Zoé 3rd Husband? How many have you had? He’s a grumpy, miserable so and so... and Zoé, can’t you just ask one of your ex-husbands to call Dutchie, she needs to get over Abse. Abse a pin-up, why do I bother? Tambourin Enjoyed this piece. I watched it recently and it was mad. Fast, skilful and fun. Made me feel like playing (if I could). Lionel P, Carcassonne (Age 74) You Lionel are my 1st pick in my team everyday! * 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
Lord Steel of Aikwood Lord Steel has had a home in the Languedoxc since 2000. His many achievements and positions include leader of the UK political party the ‘Liberal Democrats’ and Joint Leader of the Social & Liberal Democrats as well as being the 1st presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament in 1999
You were the President of the British anti-apartheid movement for many years. Although the countries may have changed, do you think racism and segregation is now more of an issue than it was when it ‘focused’ on countries such as South Africa? Whilst institutional apartheid has been abolished in South Africa there are many parts of the world where sectarianism creeps into state policy. I am in favour of diversity with amity and wholly opposed to diversity with enmity, as was well stated by the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
My Place
Why did you first visit the Languedoc? It was in 1999 to visit friends. We first bought a small house as our own millennium project in 2000, but our children complained it was too small, so when a larger one came up in the same street but in poor condition we bought it in 2002 and the family spent the next three years doing it up. We get there about three times a year – once for a long break when we come by car and load up with wine, but each of our three children also use it with their families, so it gets well used. What was it that made you want to have a home here? I just enjoyed the peace and beauty of the region and having friends who had settled here. Do you think spending part of your childhood in Kenya and your father’s stances influenced you? My four teenage years in Kenya were hugely influential as was my father’s ministry there. Africa remains a great interest which I visit often. I am President of the Africa All-Party Parliamentary Group. Do you believe that UK political parties should diversify to give a more individual stance? Not sure what you mean – if you mean more individual freedom against the party whips, we do enjoy that in the Lords to some extent, and yes I favour that. The Abortion Act of 1967, speaking out against Israel and their Human Rights record and leading the British antiapartheid movement to name three. Do you regret fighting these causes and the impact that they had on you and your family with the death threats and hate mail? No, I am very proud of my role on these three issues, and I rarely took death threats and hate mail seriously. I have just been made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recognising the contribution to women’s health, enjoyed my seven years as president of Medical Aid for the Palestinians, and rejoiced in the ending of apartheid.
And with the anti-Islamic rhetoric now abundant in western countries do you have a comment? I oppose fundamentalism of every kind – Islamic, Zionist, Christian or any other kind. The notion that “I am absolutely right and you are wholly wrong” is an indefensible attitude in today’s enlightened world. What do you think about the growth of the far right in France and in Europe generally? It is worrying not just in France but in nearly every European country, but in the end people are sensible and remember where such creeds led Europe in the past. Do you believe that without the Falklands War, your statement at the Liberal Assembly “Go back to your constituencies and prepare for government” would have come true? Yes indeed, the Liberal-SDP alliance reached 51% in opinion polls before British politics was side-lined by Mrs Thatcher successfully becoming a combination of Boadicea and Britannia! What do you think about the proposed referendum on the UK being in Europe? Do you think that this would have a serious economic impact on the UK and also for expats? I am concerned at the potential damage to UK interests since the EU is our biggest trading partner, but I don’t think it would seriously affect the expat community. Would you tell us about your classic cars, and if you could have only one which would you own? My wife would tell you I have had too many over the years, but actually only one at a time. My current classic car is a twenty6
year old Jaguar XJS convertible, which has visited here. My biggest long rally was in 1998 London to Cape Town in an Austin Gypsy. I stupidly sold many years ago a Daimler Barker special sports (an elegant coach built convertible) for £100 but now they fetch over £20,000, so I guess I would choose to have that back. It is said that you didn’t approve of your wife’s tattoo. Have you softened your stance at all? Maybe a joint one next time? I did not really disapprove – I just said “I hope that is a transfer!” But it wasn’t, and in fact the leaping jaguar is the crest atop my coat of arms and in carved wood surmounts my stall in the Thistle chapel at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. You are a keen fisherman. Where are your favourite places to fish? Do you fish at all when you are in the region? I am in a four-man syndicate which takes a boat every Friday in the season on Bowhill Loch near Selkirk where we try for rainbow trout. Usually two or three of us get there each week. I tried to be a “pecheur” locally but following advertising signs only found ponds mainly designed for children. Is there a quote or comment either by you or to you which has stayed with you throughout your life? Too many to select just one. Who is the most inspiring politician or leader that you have ever met? Jo Grimond was the greatest personal influence on my political life, and of those I have met Nelson Mandela the most admired. Do you have a favourite wine from the Languedoc? Same answer as to question 4 above! They are one of the great joys.
And another thing.......says Abse Shorts and other summer safety issues
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ou won’t know this, but for many years I was a health and safety representative for my trade union, and underwent rigorous training to ensure safety in the workplace. Now summer is here I am able to draw upon my experience and proffer some useful tips for the summer. Ah, summer’s here at last. And out come the shorts. The long winter means that this year legs are paler than in previous years, and we all have to face the new danger of being blinded by white calves - and even thighs. As British holiday makers arrive this problem is exacerbated, and you are all advised to wear sunglasses at all times. Tourists cause a range of major hazards in summer in the south of France. Not only do they turn up in your favourite restaurant, they have the indecency to speak English, too loudly in an embarrassing way, and are unable to read the simplest things off the menu, causing you major embarrassment about sharing a culture and language with them. And this always happens just when there’s something you don’t understand on the menu, and then the waiter patronises you too, by speaking English to you. Gah! Tourists on the road are another hazard.
Gruissan: La Belle Rebelle (ISBN:978-2-7089-5917-0 published by Editions privat, 32€)
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lain Baute, journalist for La Depeche du Midi and Alain Felix, founder of the Toulouse Agence de Presse, share their love and intimate knowledge of Gruissan in this beautiful book. Once a small village of fishermen and wine growers, today a place for tourists, Gruissan knows how to maintain its strong Mediterranean character. Perhaps it is because it still carries the
They don’t know which side of the road to drive on as proved by the bloke I saw at Montpellier Airport driving the wrong way around the roundabout, and why are they obeying the speed limit for goodness sake?
That’s really dangerous. I advise you strongly to hoot them and to overtake, gesticulating in a way that ensures they learn the road rules in the future. And another thing, all those Dutch number plates but where are the Dutch? Yellow NL number plates here, there and everywhere but do I ever hear anyone speaking Dutch in restaurants and bars? No.
memories of being an island? Or is it the trace of fierce independence left from its early inhabitants? Proud of their identity, guardians of their past and their legends, confidence of their future; through this book the Gruissanais invite you for an intimate visit of their community. They will tell you the secrets of their fishermen; show you their mountains of infinite salt and vines; transport you through the narrow passages of the circulade and along the port to its étangs and windswept beaches… Win a copy - see page 3
Coming Soon for Artists, Galleries and you
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I’ve got nothing against the Dutch mind, it’s just that they NEVER seem to leave their cars. That can’t be good. Back to clothing, a serious hazard mentioned in an earlier issue of this magazine is the swimming attire known as the banana hammock - which it seems is compulsory for men in public pools for obscure health and safety reasons.. Frankly the major safety issue here is the damage the banana hammocks cause to onlookers. Referring back to my sunglasses advice, in this case I would advise blacking out the lenses completely. Moving on to food hazards, the major summer danger is rosé wine. During these hot days there’s little more refreshing than a glass of rosé. Except two glasses of rosé. It’s like lemonade – so refreshing and easy to drink – but therein lies the danger: Rosé Blindness. After a bottle (or two) of rosé it becomes difficult to see at all - causing problems with walking, driving, all sorts of things, and is especially dangerous on a night out. As you might find out in the morning. My advice: stick to the red. Well chilled of course.
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Taking to the Rails
Explore the villages of Moux to Caunes en Minervois: via St.Couat d’Aude, Puicheric, La Redorte, Azille, Rieux and Peyriac following the old railway tracks
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oie Ferré or a Voie Verte is a walking and cycling track whose origins lie from the day when the railway line was built. Such is the case with the former ‘Chemins de Fer de Midi’ line which left the mainline at Moux just east of Carcassone and headed north to Caunes en Minervois. Its raison d’être was not only to carry passengers but principally to collect wine from the villages and marble which was and still is quarried at Caunes. It was opened on the 4th July 1887. Although the line is just 28 km, the walk recommended by the tourist Office from Puicheric is 25 km, totalling 32 km. It is flat and is enjoyable as either an easy stroll or a brisk walk. As with similar tracks it is signed with yellow bands, sometimes on poles and, apart from some sections now replaced with roads and di-
versions into the villages along the route, it follows exactly the former line. Its origins are still to be found in Moux station. For train spotters there is a mound on the north side of the tracks and from there it is a few paces down to cross the main road. The railway embankment was cut in two when the bypass of Moux (now the N113) was built. The section between Moux and Le Puicheric is not suited to cyclists. It is easy to spot the track and to follow the large straight line through the villages of St.Couat d’Aude, Puicheric, La Redorte, Azille, Rieux and Peyriac to arrive in Caunes en Minervois. This is a walk you can enjoy in stages.
Stage Two: La Redorte station to Azille, Rieux-Peyriac station (10 km)
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Stage One: Moux, St. Couat d’Aude, Puicheric and La Redorte (11 km)
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n Puicheric you can spot the former station which has been successfully converted into the Mairie. If you look closely at the trackside at the back of the building you can see the altitude carved in stone, as is the case on all stations. From Puicheric the track approaches the Canal du Midi and runs parallel as far as La Redorte. The Canal offers some interesting structures including the ‘ Epanchoir et des douze Ponts’ designed by Vauban the Imperial Engineer at La Redorte. You can be forgiven for imagining you are still in the 17th century: the very relaxed pace, the stone markers, the aqueducts barely touched by the passage of time. Any second now it’s as if Pierre-Paul Riquet, creator of the Canal, will glide pass on his peniche. It’s only when you climb the bank and arrive in a village that you realise its’ the 21st century. Maps: IGN 1: 25 000, 2445 O and 2446 O Chris Elliott author of ‘The Lost Railway Lines of l’Hérault and co-author of Night Ferry 1936 – 1980
a Redorte station is now a private dwelling, apart from a short diversion to admire the Canal du Mid port in La Redorte, you follow the track from there until you arrive in Azille where the former station is now used as a municipal centre, on the side of the building the name of the village in red letters is sadly fast falling into the road. From Azille the line and track had to skirt the western side of the village to avoid a climb. The Office de Tourisme directs you up into the village where the track can be largely followed avoiding the climb. Azille, or to be more precise one of the level crossing houses close to Azille, features in a film ‘Le Petit Baigneur’with actor and comedian Louis de Funès; the short clip shows the crossing lady keeper in traditional black dress trying to close the barrier, just before a Micheline diesel railcar class X 5500/5800 speeds passed in both directions. De Funès finds himself caught in the barrier and is suspended in the air several metres above the track. It has both a French and English language sound track, and is available for a very modest price from Amazon. Surprisingly the film was shot some two year after all passenger trains had been suspended. In a way it is better in French as one picks up the accents of the Midi, the English soundtrack is American. Without giving away the whole plot it suffices to report that a large part of the film is shot close to Agde, Palavas and the Canal du Midi For precise walking instructions see www.laredorte.com. where you will find the walk between Puicheric and Caunes in detail. This part of the walk is 25.2 kms and is in effect longer than the original railway track. The website states that it is 4hrs and 30 minutes walking and 3 hrs by bike. From experience the writer considers that a walking pace of 4 km per hour is more reasonable, any faster and you do not have enough time to enjoy the beautiful countryside and the stunning view towards the mountains. 8
Stage Three: Rieux-Peyriac to Caunes en Minervois (11 km)
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aunes en Minervois is rare in that it had two railway stations, one for the line which we are now walking along, plus a station used by the metre gauge line of ‘Les Tramways de L’Aude - a tram system which stretched from Narbonne, Lezignan en Corbières as far as Porte le Nouvelle and the sea, one the largest networks of steam trams ever built in France. A few facts: The line opened in 1887, with a length of 28 kms; all passenger trains were suspended in1939, freight in 1969 and the line was then closed to all traffic on the 14th January, 1972. Although it is flat, the difference in altitude between Moux and Caunes is in the order of 100 metres spread over 32 km. During its heyday there were six trains per day, three in each direction, the first left Moux at the comfortable hour of 10h54 to arrive in Caunes at 11h52. However, in reverse one had to get up very early to catch the 06h57 from Caunes arriving at 08h09 in Moux.
The Restaurant Review En Bonne Campagnie 6 Quai des Negociants Homps Tel: 0468.912316 (closed: Sun. & Mon. lunch in summer) (closed :Mon.eve.-Thurs in winter)
Apicius
with some things from another cuisine. There is, for example, a warm chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream and then there is a fresh strawberry cheesecake. While the cheesecake was not the traditional type, but made with what is known as fromage blanc it was, nonetheless, tasty and easy to finish with fresh strawberries rather than the usual confectionary kind which prevented it from becoming too cloying. The wine list is small but well selected with a good choice of bottles from the local Minervois and Corbières predominating. Prices are very judicious with half bottles starting at 11.50€ and whole ones at 13.50€. I had a Clos d’Angely, a white Minervois blend of grenache blanc, roussane and vermentino. Full of floral notes with just a bit of a zing it had a nice finish that complimented the food. When owners Valerie Fisk and Craig Charlesworth started back in 2002 their biggest challenge was to find acceptance by the French and in those years it was mainly the British expat community that kept things going. Happily the last 3 or 4 years has seen a change and more of their clientele is now French. Craig cut his teeth cooking for a private club in London, later on board the Queen Elizabeth ll and afterwards with Squares, a two star Michelin establishment in the British capital. Is En Bonne Compagnie where they would like to be in the world of fine dining? Probably not, but as a work in progress it is certainly worth paying attention to as a restaurant. There is much to enjoy about it: bi-lingual menus that rise above the banal, prices that are more than fair and even under floor heating in the winter. Its very attractive location is thrown in for free. The inmates here have much to be happy about. ** Food and Wine on your
The Inmates Have Taken Over the Asylum
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aving British people open a restaurant in France might signal either foolhardiness or self-assuredness. Happily, En Bonne Campagnie falls into the second category. Snugly ensconced along the Canal du Midi with a pleasant shady terrace overlooking the canal and an inner salon decorated with stonewalls and a skylight the overall feeling is contemporary and clean, and happy to say, not at all cute or twee. At lunch there is a menu of 13€ for 2 courses and 16.50€ for 3 courses. There are also menus from 25€ up to 39.50€ as well as à la carte. Menus are changed every two months. An interesting choice of starters was profiterole of escargots and garlic butter. The choux pastry was crisp and had a nice crunch, the snails were cooked nicely but there was far too little of the delicious garlic sauce and the accompanying baby lettuce leaves were too salty. The concept was good, it looked good but the execution needed some tweaking. Another engaging option might be a duo of a mushroom spring roll and an onion bhaji with a soya and apricot sauce and a mint rajita. A green salad had great variety and freshness but was also found to be too salty and without enough vinaigrette- a pity. An excellent choice for a main is artichoke hearts and baked semolina cakes on a bed of spinach surrounded by a creamy lemon sauce. This was not only an attractive plate but also a scrumptious one: the artichokes well roasted and tasty, the spinach not at all watery, the semolina cakes light and soft and the lemon sauce wonderfully balanced and without acidity. In short, this is a satisfying dish, not just for vegetarians but, for anyone who appreciates well- made food. Another success was the king prawns executed in tempura style with basmati rice and a Vietnamese salad. The shrimps were tasty, not dry or tough and the salad sufficiently piquant without being over the top. An appealing meat plate is the lamb-shanks with a garlic jus and puree of potatoes. Desserts follow a blend of the usual French offerings but peppered
smartphone or tablet Apicius will be back in October.
The Art Competition
The 3 minute review. Restaurant Name: L’Estagnol 5 bis Cours Mirabeau, 11100 Narbonne
Welcome to the 1st HTimes and ATimes
Your review: I think I tell you the restaurant is very good. My boyfriend and I eat here many times and it is good value and it is very good food. You can have a menu for just 12€ and for this you can have salmon with pasta and a plate assiette like me or wonderful chicken salad or other mains. The pasta is not from a shop but made by the chef and with the salmon it is delicious. My boyfriend had desert instead of an entrée for 12€ and he had the créme brulée and told me that it was so delicious I could not try it. And so I leave him. I am joking. Very good food and very nice place but do eat outside even with the work, you do not hear it. Price (per person) : 10€ - 20€ Out of 20: Food = 15 Service = 15 Value = 15 Sent in by: Beatrice Y
Art competition.
Overall winner will be featured as The AT cover Up to 12 years 1st Prize €40.00 of Art vouchers Age 12 to 18 1st Prize €75.00 of Art vouchers 18 + 1st Prize €100.00 of Art vouchers Full details on www.theheraulttimes.com
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Wine
Rosemary George
An Introduction to the Languedoc
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hose of us who live in the Languedoc, or visit it regularly, may not realise just how lucky we are. We live in the largest vineyard in the world, and we have some of France’s most exciting vineyards on our doorstep. They may not have the prestige of Bordeaux or Burgundy, but they offer some fabulous drinking at accessible prices. I have been visiting the Languedoc pretty regularly for over thirty years, and it never ceases to surprise me – and delight me. There is always some new discovery or development, a new estate, or an old estate under new ownership, or benefitting from a generation change; a new grape variety or a new look at an old grape variety. There is a wonderful sense that nothing is impossible, for unlike the more established wine regions of France, the Languedoc remains relatively unhampered by tradition, and that is very much part of its appeal. If I had to choose to drink the wines from just one region of France, it would have to be Languedoc-Roussillon. The vineyards stretch from the mouth of the Rhône to the mountains of the Pyrenees and the Spanish border, and within that large region there is the most incredible variety of wines. For sparkling wine, you can go to Limoux for Blanquette or Crémant. White wines have improved out of all recognition in recent years; Picpoul de Pinet offers fresh salty flavours to accompany seafood; more substantial whites come from intriguing blends of grape varieties like Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino, Chenin Blanc, not to mention the more international varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon.
There is an amazing choice for red wines. Pinot Noir is produced in the cooler reaches of the Aude and Orb valleys. Varieties that thrive in warm sunshine, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsaut and Grenache Noir produce wonderfully spicy flavours, in appellations like St. Chinian, Pic St. Loup and la Clape. And for those who prefer their reds more structured, there are some elegant examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Rosé should not be forgotten either, for those long sunny Midi afternoons. And sweet wines have their place, either from one of the various appellations based on Muscat, or from late harvested grapes. And for lovers of port, a most acceptable alternative comes from the cask aged wines of Maury, Banyuls and Rivesaltes. The appellation regulations of the Languedoc are in a state of flux. However, for me, whether a wine is Pézenas, or Faugères or Pays d’Oc or even a supposedly more humble Vin de France. is pretty irrelevant. What matters is who made the wine and whose name is on the label. So my aim in this column is to guide you through the maze of exciting wines from the growing number of talented wine growers in the Languedoc. Rosemary George
Rosemary George - Wine Rosemary was one of the first women to become a Master of Wine 1979. She has been a freelance wine writer since 1981 and is the author of eleven books. She contributes to magazines such as Decanter, India Sommelier, www.zesterdaily.com and writes a blog on the Languedoc: wwwtastelanguedoc.blogspot.com
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Meet the Regulars..........
Business / Money / News
Gill Pound - Gardening Gill has lived in the region since 1998. Set up a small plant nursery (La Petite Pépinière de Caunes), as well as establishing a garden on a hectare of ground in Caunes-Minervois. Her activities include running gardening courses, lecturing, garden consultancy and project management.
INVESTING FOR INCOME
M
y article last month on lifestyle investing seems to have struck a chord with some people, as I received several calls after it was published. The calls were mostly from people who are interested in improving the income that they earn from their financial capital. This is not really a surprise because since 2008, two major things have happened. First, the interest rates have reduced dramatically and second, people are now more concerned than ever about the security of their capital held on a bank deposit. Since the credit crisis, it can be more difficult to obtain a decent income stream from capital, but certainly not impossible. This is because the investment world has changed and asset classes that were traditionally used before to generate income, no longer meet this objective in isolation. In addition to the low interest rates that we are experiencing, sovereign debt in the developed world, for example, can no longer be relied upon in isolation to meet an investor’s income needs. Even investing in property for income can present difficulties. So if an investor needs to draw income, where do we find it today? How do you choose the assets and funds in which to invest? Is it wise to take professional independent advice? The answers to these questions and more can be found in the full version of this article on the Business Page section of The Herault Times website. In addition, if you did not see last month’s article on lifestyle investing, this can be found on the same page by clicking on the link to The Spectrum IFA Group page.
Bill Wohlrab - Restaurant Review Born and educated in New York City, he has spent most of his life traveling and living abroad, the last six in this lovely region of France. He has sampled restaurants throughout the world. For Bill the journey is often more important than the destination. Bassie Scott - Food Bassie started ‘Book the Cooks’ in London, caterring to PR companies such as Lynne Franks. She started ‘Go Bananas’, producing 9,000 sandwiches a day to clients such as the BBC. She and her husband ran a 10 bedroomed hotel. Now living in Gabian, Bassie delights in discovering local produce and runs Bon Appetit. Stuart Turpie - Sport Retired to Herault 6 years ago. Taught in London secondary schools; Interests, art and sport; Played basketball for GB and for 12 years in first division.
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. 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. Daphne Foulkes SIRET 522 658 194 00017 Numéro d’immatriculation ORIAS 10 056 800
Business and Economy
M
ichael is away this month but will be back next month. He asked us to tell you that he is NOT having a holiday but is dividing his time keeping Silvio Berlusconi out of jail, trying to drum up funds alongside ‘Nicky’ Sarkozy to keep his party in business and advising ‘Franny’ Hollande on what it really means to make
Michael D’Artag
decisions. And there is the small matter of forming a new government for France comprising of individuals who may not have known Legarande at some point and asked to borrow 10€ for a coffee and maybe not paid it back. Oh and he’s starting a podcast on the wonderful politics and business of France and Europe and wants to invite business men and women to contact him for a little chat.!
35 days and still Microsoft haven’t given permission to release the interview. What are we scared of Mr B? 11
Gaura Rosy Jane
In The Garden
Nature Notes Colin Trickett
with Gill Pound
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have noticed recently that there is some confusion about jasmines so I thought it might be useful to clarify things a little. True jasmines belong to the same family as lives. The most well known is Jasminum officinale, a vigourous climber with scented white flowers in June. There are many other climbing white jasmines although most are suited to warmer winters than we experience in the Languedoc. Jasminum polyanthemum is the scented climber with pink tinged buds that is often sold by florists in the spring but it is generally hardy here in sheltered positions and Jasminum grandiflorum is a shrubbier plant, it’s scent is magnificent but it is only hardy to about -5°C; this is the Jasmin de Grasse that is cultivated for the perfume industry. Most climbing jasmines seem to be white but there are other shrubby jasmines which are generally yellow in flower; you may see the small, native Jasminum fruticans when you walk in the countryside in spring and Jasminum humile is another yellow flowered shrub to about 1m50 which flowers from April to June and makes an excellent background to a border and is also good in a hedge. Since many people are so familiar with the idea that jasmines are white flowered, climbers and scented the specific name ‘jasminoides’ is often applied to plants which are not at all related to jasmines and other plants get ‘jasmine’ in their common names which can lead to further confusion. Solanum jasminoides is a blue flowered (or white in the form album) climber that is in the same family as potatoes, it is wonderfully free flowering. Trachelospermum jasminoides (the Star jasmine) is a member of the Apocynaceae (the same family as periwinkles and leanders); it is a fabulously scented evergreen climber which flowers from June to August and Mandevillea laxa (the so-called Chilean Jasmine) is another deciduous climber from the same family with large,
scented white flowers from June to September. ** August is usually the driest month of the year and one in which the garden is often resting and can look a bit jaded. Watering and weeding where and when necessary will continue to be ongoing tasks, remember that watering a flower bed the evening before weeding will usually make the job easier. Containers and hanging baskets may need watering daily during the very hot period but if you are watering your garden remember that a deep soaking once a week or fortnight is much more effective than frequent sprinkling. During August think about the following: • Towards the end of the month start to divide perennials such as iris and day lilies (Hemerocallis) which will not flower again this year • Continue deadheading perennials which will repeat flower such as Coreopsis, Gaillardias and Rudbeckia to encourage a second flowering. Cut back hardy geraniums to encourage new growth. • Collect seeds from annuals such as Cosmos and Californian poppies, you can sow these next spring • Clip back lavenders once they have finished flowering, but never into old wood • Prune wisteria – leave any long stems that you want to encourage to extend the framework of the plant, cut back completely any stems which are totally unwanted and cut back all other stems to two or three buds on each stem • Clear fallen leaves affected by blackspot from around roses • Prune roses which aren’t repeat flowering once all flowers have finished For further info contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. Tel: 04 68 78 43 81 www.lapetitepepiniere.com
W
e are now into July and the trees and shrubs are alive with that most evocative South of France creature -The Cicada. Like them or dislike them, one thing is certain, you can’t ignore them! They are achieving decibel levels in colossal numbers beyond the imagination. Their image also provides a multitude of “Grot-Shops” with a plethora of souvenirs. There are over two thousand varieties of these harmless creatures worldwide and about seven here in Europe. Their life cycle is truly fascinating. In July, the male ‘sings’ to attract a mate. This ‘singing’ is achieved by contracting and relaxing the muscles attached to the lower abdomen. There is however a small problem - both sexes are totally deaf! It is the vibration created in the atmosphere which attracts the female. But attracted she is and procreation subsequently takes place. She lays between three hundred and four hundred eggs and deposits them, ten at a time, in slits she makes in the bark of trees. Job done - she then dies! Some weeks later the larvae are formed and each one, after drying in the sun and gaining a hardening of its outer shell, drops to the ground. There it burrows into the earth to a depth of around eighteen inches where it feeds off the sap from the roots. The larvae remain underground for a period varying from two to a staggering seventeen years, dependant on the species. Here in Languedoc it tends to be around four years. At a given set of unknown signals, but most certainly inclusive of ground temperature, within the space of two or three weeks, they all burrow out of the ground. They cling to a tree or shrub, break out of their outer shell and start ‘all over again’. The empty shells remain on the trees and shrubs and provide valuable nutrition for the birds. Isn’t nature fantastic!
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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
A trip to the market
I was off to my best friend’s house a few days ago; and her mum said that we were going to the flea market, and better yet, we had a table booked there. I was super exited because all the money we made was going to the S.P.A (Société Protectrice des Animaux) in Narbonne, which we’d already visited a couple of times as volunteers. The night before we went, we stayed up until so and so o’clock (I’m not specifying because my parents will read this) to get ready and, admittedly, play computer games. Now, at this moment, I didn’t know that we had to be there at the latest 8h30 to set everything up. I woke up and got ready with my eyes closed. We had a lot of Barbie stuff to sell, and old clothes including some of my friend’s brother’s baby clothes which we set up in ways to make them look appealing, even though some of the Barbie’s legs were falling out. I wrote on a piece of paper that
all the money raised was for the S.P.A but I kept on making mistakes which was annoying, but you know what they say: 6th time’s a charm! It started well; we sold a new pair of trainers, some old dresses and a few of the Barbies. Then we set the Monster High dolls out. I think it took about 10 minutes to sell every single one, and we had almost the entire collection. Girls would look at them and literally beg for their parents to let them get one, even though some didn’t have hands. We suddenly had this big line of people waiting to buy. We were lucky to get a spot near some shade as well, because it was boiling hot. We left and came back with giant Mr freezes to cool off. No one else was coming, and all the stands were starting to pack up, so we did the same. In the end we made 111€ minus 25€ we spent on bargain dog toys and leashes a man was selling off. We’ll pass by soon and give it to them. Hopefully they’ll be pleased!
Yes I am up! Diary of a teenage sleepaholic
taking of ‘blablablah’ and doodles. One event that was particularly memorable during our week of celebration was a free, open-air concert of reggae-funk, a sensual singer oohing and aahing to the sky and thrusting his pelvis. However, there was a storm brewing and in the mauve night light lightening began flashing beyond a hill behind the stage creating an epic ambiance. Yes, epic. Epic was definitely relevant to the situation. The show was cut short when the rain began to fall. At first it fell lightly and the lead singer was like, ‘Yeah, party in the rain!” But alas, the rain came down harder and Mr. Epic could not surmount the power of the weather, the music was brought to a halt and everyone turned and ran to the safety of their cars. Probably out of fear of ruined hair, smudged make-up and the wet socks that rain brings upon us. The manner of mass flight to avoid the unavoidable could almost be comparable to that fleeing an alien invasion. The effects of lack of sleep must be beginning to creep up on me.
‘Post Bac Blues’
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iberté me voilà! The Bac is finally over after an intense week of gnawing at pens, looking worriedly around at my classmates and blowing the fuses in my brain. All worked out fine though. A week of festivities have followed post-Bac results which have today led to a sensitive stomach, although the fun always outweighs the post-party sickness. All my school books are now waiting to be recycled, a gesture which involves giving back to all the trees sacrificed for our intolerable note
Eclaireurs de la Nature
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n France, the Buddhist Scouts have formed an association called Eclaireurs de la Nature, which offers children an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Children live together as a group, learn how to work as a team and how to be responsible for each other. For example, they set up their tents and cook meals together under the guidance of their group holders. All children are welcome. The key principles are: - not to discriminate on the basis of people’s origin or belief system - to offer a universal education based on
Going, going…gone. Read my blog at www.theaudetimes.com
wisdom and non-violence, and - to respect the environment “The scouts are one of my best memories ever, because we can find the person within us. We’re not embarrassed to express ourselves how we want, not like in school. I got involved with the scouts because I love nature and being free, which becomes stronger in me every year I come here. I’ve taken part in two camps and its great fun getting on with my friends and the new friends I make. All the wonderful times under the stars, playing games together, swimming… to live each moment is such fun, and now it takes up a big place in my heart, it’s unforgettable.” Eliza, 13 13
The camp takes place at Lerab Ling, near Roqueredonde.
For more information contact laure.laville@free.fr - children ages 8-11yrs or romainfernandez06@gmail.com - ages 12-14 yrs
How green is this energy? ŠTIM KING 2013
A German study estimated wind-farms kill at least 200,000 bats a year, and that number is rising, with mortality highest when the turbines are on exposed ridges, like the ones above Lodève.
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pascals is enough to kill a rat,” says Erin Baerwald, author of the Canadian study. “Bats are much smaller and wind turbines produce a pressure drop of 5 - 10 kilopascals.” Birds are not affected by barotrauma because they have rigid, tubular lungs. The terrible irony is that bats are drawn to wind turbines because insects – their principal food – gather in the heat generated by the blades and in the light on top of the mast. Also, when seeking a mate, bats congregate at the highest point – so they go to a wind turbine to eat and reproduce and instead are sucked to their death. A German study estimated wind-farms kill at least 200,000 bats a year, and that number is rising, with mortality highest when the turbines are on exposed ridges, like the ones above Lodève. So who cares? Bats get a bad press. Their jerky, flittering wing movements make us nervous – and then there’s their connection with vampires...... a few thousand less, why worry? Because bats eat insects – lots of insects. In a night a bat will eat 1,500 insects – in year a small colony may get through 9 million. Many of those insects are harmful to us – the death-watch beetle, for example, or just those wretched blood-sucking mozzies. Already the malaria-carrying mosquito is back in southern Europe – if we take away its biggest predator it will spread even more quickly. Then there’s the matter of the law: bats are protected by national and European law. The irony is that if you or I deliberately kill a bat, we are liable for a heavy fine, even a suspended prison sentence, while others are given hundreds of thousands of euros to build wind-farms and thus kill thousands of bats. Do we care about such illogicality? The wind-farm project in the Fenouillèdes (Pyrénées-Orientales) will almost certainly kill the last remaining pair of Bonelli’s Eagles in the Languedoc-Roussillon. Further west there are perhaps 20 pairs left, then that’s it. Over and out. The military term for bird and bat mortality is “collateral damage” – regrettable but inevitable: the price to be paid (by the bird or bat, not by us) for producing what we like to call “green electricity.”
t the moment in the northern part of the department there are 6 projects for 56 wind turbines. Although far from densely-populated areas, they will nevertheless be an unavoidable fixture in the landscape, towering 350 feet above that crest of hills behind Lodève and visible all the way down the Herault Valley. As an integral part of an aeolian Maginot Line, stretching from the Spanish border up into the Massif Central, directly in the flight-path of thousands of migrating birds, their impact on wildlife will be considerable. In theory birds will rise above them, but the reality is that many, exhausted after crossing the Mediterranean, keen to get to their nesting sites, will be flying too low and so be killed by the turning blades. But even the larger, resident birds of prey are in danger. Anyone who has watched an Eurasian eagle owl, one of the world’s largest owls, going full belt at a seemingly solid wall of trees and without pause sliding its massive six-foot wingspan between the branches like a ghost melting into castle wall will be sceptical that such agile birds can be affected by a slowly-turning blade. But leaves, branches and tree-trunks do not move – the owl races towards a wind turbine unaware that what is a gap now will not be a gap when it gets there. Wind farm projects kill thousands of birds, many of them protected by law. But according to several studies, for every bird killed there are ten bat deaths. Bats are important in our fragile eco-system, the growing number of wind-farms are a serious threat to their existence and, for those who care about such things, the manner of their death is particularly unpleasant. The bat, with its sophisticated echo-location radar, is well-equipped to avoid solid objects. Indeed, in a Canadian study 90% of bats killed by wind turbines successfully avoided the falling blade – but were then caught in the vortex created by its down-draught. In a vortex the pressure drops suddenly, the bat’s lungs burst and it drowns in its own blood – an effect known at barotrauma. The smaller the animal, the smaller the pressure-drop needed to burst its lungs. “4 kilo-
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HT Life Style in partnership with
Architect: G. Kaloghiros
Lerab Ling, Buddhist Centre www.lerabling.org
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n announcement has just been made by Turkish Airlines that it will not continue with its ban on flight attendants wearing red or pink lipstick with nail polish. Without entering into any political arenas here, the original ban was framed in order to protect the “visual integrity” of its female staff. Orthodox reasons could justify the ban from one point-of-view but in a rapidly modernising Turkey a restriction of this nature appears extraordinary. Historically, to the other extreme, some 6,000 years ago Ancient Mesopotamia was a degree more positive about this cosmetic for women. However, it was not composed of the same materials as today, being made up of crushed jewels and painted onto the lips. Thankfully, women do not have to go quite to that extent today. By the end of the 19th century, Guerlain, the now well-known French cosmetic company, began to manufacture lipstick. This event followed closely the first commercial lipstick invented in 1884 by two perfumers in Paris. It was covered in silk paper and made from deer tallow, castor oil, and beeswax. Since then it has developed a wide market comparatively quickly. At this moment in our liberal modern cosmetic world lipstick has adapted to the imperatives of diversity with flexibility. Colours, shades, types and presentations match with an era that assumes change. By 2012, MAC was selling one lipstick every two seconds. Three out of the next four best-sellers were French; Clinique Almost Lipstick, Lancôme L’Asolu Rouge and Lancôme Rouge In Love. According to a survey conducted by Vanity Fair women own 7 lipsticks on average and use only 2.5 of them on rotation. The trend setter for this year in France and elsewhere is red lipstick; sexy most certainly. However, lipstick that’s a bold poppy shade with a matte finish because, “It’s passionate and strong,” said makeup artist Pat McGrath backstage at Prada, where she chose the colour to complement spring’s bold prints. Just as with most items sold across the counter in contemporary France the Bio régime has been unable to resist this essential facial asset. This is absolutely to the advantage of the product. Recent health controls have exposed many lipstick brands still fabricate with lead residues with others containing shark fat. In one sample of 33 brands about 66% had lead. Others contained carcinogen petrol derivatives and allergenic parabens. Bio-lipstick is made from alternative constituents such as jojoba oil for moisturising; shea butter from Africa which nourishes the lips; essential oils for fragrance and wax. Colours are provided by natural pigments of mineral origin. A further significant selling-point here is that they are not tested on animals. The French predilection for women to make-up has usually remained very pronounced. The overseas view of French women have an elevated reputation for making-up well and for the way they wear
lipstick. One website from the USA entitled “Rules for The Modern Girl” talks about “My Inner French Girl” under the tag for red lipstick. Among other topics she expresses gratitude to Ines de la Fressange’s guide book “Parisian Chic” for her advice not only on dressing-up but on how to make up, including tips on lipstick. Christine’s is just one from scores of sites expressing similar sentiments. Characteristically French is the preoccupation with the psychology of lipstick usage. From the several surveys conducted in France about it, one claims that in hard times economically women increase their expenditure on the accessory, especially red. While the fact that such a hypothesis comes from Leonard Lauder who in 2000 was Director General of the Estée Lauder group, one could be a trifle sceptical. However, in the Second World War working women also increased purchases of red lipstick as a means of keeping up their personal and collective morale. Another piece of research after the 2008 by Sarah Hill et al. from Texas Christian University has also found the same behavioural pattern further substantiating this theory. Research by Désirée de Lamarzelle for “Beauty Press” published in Marie Claire earlier this year suggests that the way in which women
Lipstick
With a long, illustrious history behind it, lipstick has everything a woman needs to take it into the next century.
use their lipstick and the shape of the end of the stick subsequently, are indicators of certain female tendencies. For instance, if it is flattened then she is in harmony with others; normal shape, she has self-control or if it is a concave shape then she is reserved and introverted. Of course, it may also have a connexion with how it is applied as a mechanical habit only but we need follow up studies to validate de Lamarzelle’s findings. Norms and mores surrounding lipstick have changed over the decades. Back in nineteenth century France public making-up was frowned upon, though the most celebrated French actress of that epoch Sarah Bernhardt, “la Divine Sarah”, put her red lipstick on in public which was seen as rather shocking but she did it. As we move across the twentieth century it became a touch more acceptable to apply it publicly with brief deftness but not as a prolonged spectacle. Intriguingly, a poll conducted by Une Femme in 2007 was split equally on this practice. Without doubt, the aid of a classy Dior compact mitigates outcomes. French women have been seen so preening in trains, the metro and in the café bar. Studies in France on the effects of lipstick colour have found various phenomena. Nicolas Guéguen and Céline Jacob of the Université de Bretagne-Sud discovered that waitresses who wear red lipstick receive more tips from male patrons (not female) than those using other tints. Explanations include healthy appearances, sexual arousal or oestrogen levels. Whether the gender theorists like it or not, objectively speaking, there is no such thing as a unisex brain. In conclusion, we have to leave the final word with the American comedian Jerry Seinfeld, “Where lipstick is concerned, the important thing is not colour, but to accept God’s final word on Text: H MacCamley where your lips end. 16
The struggle against the
Tiger Mosquito T
he mosquito Aedes albopictus, also known as ‘the tiger mosquito’ was discovered in Aude in 2012. This mosquito, which can transmit dengue and chicungunya virus, cannot be eradicated. As in other departments in the South of France, a departmental action plan, developed under the authority of the Prefect has since been activated in Aude. The Conseil Générale is responsible for this, with the support of the Agence Regionale de Santé (ARS) and the ‘Entente interdépartementale for mosquito control in the Mediterranean littoral’ (EID). What is the tiger mosquito? The mosquito Aedes albopictus, originally of tropical origin, is also known as the ‘tiger mosquito’ due to the black stripes across its body. It was discovered in summer 2012 in a commune of Narbonne and also at the Vinassan service area. Its implantation in the department has been confirmed. Despite prolonged treatments, eggs have been spotted in a number of places, including on the many ovitraps (device used to control mosquito populations) distributed by the EID, as well as larvae and adults in the surrounding areas.
Talk to Maggie Have you ever wished that you could be more in control of how you’re feeling in any given situation? Do you sometimes feel that your emotions are hijacking you, and before you know it you’re feeling anxious or unhappy. Positive future projection is a technique that can enable you to see things how you want them to be and to make a choice to access more positive feelings. To do this you need to see your chosen future clearly. Notice whether you are seeing it as thought or an image; is it in colour or black and white; is it like a photograph or a movie; are there associated sounds, smells? Now connect with the feeling that goes with that positive image or thought. Then on a scale of 1 – 10, where 1 is not much, to 10 feeling you’re bouncing off the walls, give a number to how intensely you’re connected to that image, feeling or thought If it’s low,
Does the tiger mosquito carry diseases? No. The mosquito is not itself a carrier of the dengue or the chicungunya viruses. It can only transmit if it bites someone already infected. There is no danger of transmission of the virus between humans.
Since its appearance in France, there have only been 4 recorded cases of dengue or chicungunya in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes in 2010. There are no dengue or chicungunya epidemics in Aude.
earth if you don’t want to throw them away), organic waste. • Change plants and flower water at least once a week, or if possible avoid plants standing in excess water; replace water in vases with damp sand. • Ensure good rain water and sewage drainage. Clean guttering, drains and drain pipes and culverts regularly. • Cover water reservoirs (water containers, cisterns and basins) with a mosquito net or a simple cloth: • Cover swimming pools when they are not in use and ensure that there is no standing water on plastic sheeting or treat the water with a solution of diluted bleach or chlorine. To limit adult mosquito populations: • Keep tall plants and hedges well trimmed and cut back, thin trees and gather fallen fruit and vegetable debris and reduce sources of humidity (limit watering) and maintain your garden. What are the roles of the agencies involved with mosquito control? The ‘EID Méditerranée’ monitors the evolution and population of mosquitoes. It assures health safety and supports the public in identifying mosquitoes. The EID only intervenes at the request of the department, its remit does not include responding to individual requests.
How can I combat the tiger mosquito? The Agence Régionale de Santé is in charge The tiger mosquito is of human health. As soon as the presence of an urban mosquito. A mosquitoes has been declared it ensures that widespread mosquito information is made available to healthcare control campaign professionals on recognizing symptoms and find other elements that you using chemical treatments for the relevant illnesses. can add into the ‘future you’ to treatments will drive it up. Do you need to add other people, change what you’re not achieve anything. The objective is to wearing, change your eliminate the places environment, add something or where it thrives, lays take something away? Anything and where the larvae that you need to do to see yourdevelop. Success will self living the future you want. be down to individual Next, anchor that image, responsibility. feeling or thought with all those elements of the future you, What can I do? by squeezing your thumb and • Eliminate places middle finger whilst focussing where there is hard. This will connect it to stagnant water, For further information contact: you doing something physical rubbish heaps, www.albopictuslr.org and enable you to bring it back unused tires (you whenever you need it. can fill them with Anytime you find you’d like to feel differently to the way you’re feeling, squeeze your fingers and see how easily you can recall Yoga Posture of the month that positive image, feeling or thought. The more you do it Tadasana – Tree Pose the more embedded it becomes. Now approach any situation with This is a posture to open the hips and knees. that positive feeling, and notice The hips are pressing forward while the bending leg the difference it can make. knee is pressing back. Keep your tailbone tucked in. ** (TIP: Avoid arching your lower back outward to help keep the foot high upon the thigh; better to hold the You can contact Maggie on: foot a little longer and keep the pelvis tilted forward.) maggie@maggieminter.co.uk 17
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 Wednesday 25th July Lagrasse Concert: Fantaisie de Musique (Vocals, 18h; Piano, 21h30) FREE Place de la Halle ** Friday 26 July – 13th August Prades Festival Pablo Casals The universe of chamber music Abbaye Saint Michel de Cuxa www.prades-festival-casals.com ** Sunday 28th July Pezens Fete du Melon 10h-18h FREE Esplanade ** Thursday 1st August Carcassonne Concert: Wax Tailor, 22h15 FREE Square André Chénier www.festivaldecarcassonne.fr ** Thursday 1st August Aragon Festival of the Piano: A voyage from Russia to Brazil 18h30 Entry 10€-15€ Tel: 04 68 11 45 32 Prieuré of Aragon cabardieses.amis.free.fr ** Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August Couiza Organic Fair Parc de Couiza www.natureetprogres.org ** Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th August Fitou Fete du Village Vigneron Saturday – Occitan soirée FREE ** Saturday 3rd – Wednesday 10th August Lagrasse Le Banquet du Livre www.lamaisondubanquet.fr ** Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th August Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse
Festival Medieval de Peyrepertuse Chateau Peyrepertuse www.chateau-peyrepertuse.com ** Friday 9th – Sunday 11th August Quillan Festival de Jazz Open air concerts from 21h30-23h30 FREE Place de la République (or Espace Cathare if weather is bad) ** Until 31st August Portel des Corbieres Exhibition: Philippe Loubat Chateau de Lastours 11490 Portel des Corbieres www.chateaudelastours.com **
Until 6th October Narbonne Exhibition : Erro L’Aspirateur Avenue d’art contemporain Narbonne www.narbonne.fr **
Until 26th September Sigean Exhibition : “Parallèles” (Antonello Curcio, Erro, Piet Moget, Claude Viallat) L.A.C. Hameau du Lac 11130 Sigean www.lac.narbonne.com ** Thursday 15th August Limoux Festival les Bulles Sonores 19h onwards Entry: 17€-20€ www.lesbullessonores.com ** Friday 16th - Sunday 18th August Bages La Fin d’un Monde: festival of history reenacted on the theme of the I World War From 18h30 – animations, exhibition, children’s area, refreshments Stade Municipal, Bages www.lhistoireenspectacles.fr 04 68 46 81 94 ** Thursday 22nd August Narbonne Festival Trenet: FEFE et Boulevard Des Airs Concerts from 20h FREE Centre Narbonne ** Friday 23rd August Raissac-d’Aude Concert: Weepers Circus (French Rock), 22h Parc Municipal www.legrandenarbonne.com ** Sunday 25th August Cailhau Marchés des Arts (painters, sculptors, ceramicists, writers, musicians) 11h-17h30 Place Achille Laugé www.artcailhau.blogspot.com ** For a list of events and activities in the Aude and Hérault that isupdated weekly please visit T he AT / HT Calendar which is available in English on the website
Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy ‘Encres’ by calligraphyer Ayuko Miyakawa There will be a performance ‘Encre’ by Auyuko in large format on Saturday 13th August, 14h
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Exhibition until 19th August Workshops with Auyko Miyakawa 10h-12h30/14h-16h30 Price: 75€ 29th July, 5th and 12th August Moulin à Papier 11390 Brousses et Villaret Reservations: www.moulinàpapier.com
What’s in a name....
Sue Hicks continues her look into the history of Street names
A
t the time of his death early in July 1943 at the hands of the Nazis, Jean Moulin was almost unknown even among elite circles of the day. Now only de Gaulle is more honoured on plaques, monuments, street names, schools, bridges and stadiums. When Jean Moulin’s ashes were transferred with great ceremony to the Pantheon in December 1964, André Malraux in a rousing and memorable speech claimed “the resurrection of the people of the shadows whom Jean Moulin mobilised and symbolised”. The hero and martyr had become the face of the French resistance. Jean Moulin was born in Beziers on 20 June, 1899, the youngest of four children. He attended the Lycée Henri IV where reports described him as “given chiefly to idleness and dissipation” and to drawing caricatures. He passed his baccalaureate without distinction and studied law at Montpellier University. He was called up during World War 1 but the war ended before he came under fire and he is said to have been left with feelings of regret and inadequacy, of not having played his part, for the rest of his life. He resumed his studies in 1919 and held a minor post at the prefecture. Rapid promotions followed and his ferocious ambition, outstanding ability as an administrator and personal connections through his father led to his being the youngest sous-préfet in France at the age of 26. By the age of 34 he was a divorcee with a crowded social life and a love of skiing. Jean Moulin became Chef de Cabinet to Pierre Cot at the Air Ministry and was involved in the clandestine supply of a number of planes to the Spanish republican cause and helped to recruit a volunteer force to pilot them. In January 1939 Jean Moulin was the youngest Préfet in the country based at Chartres. When the Germans invaded in May 1940, he stayed at his post when others fled and refused to endorse a statement blaming the massacre of civilians on fleeing Senegalese troops for which he was beaten up and imprisoned. Fearing he had reached the limits of his endurance, he used some broken glass to cut his throat. He survived but was left with a husky voice and scarred throat which he often covered with a scarf. He remained as Préfet but was sacked by the Vichy government in November 1940 but not before he had arranged false identity papers for himself. By October 1941 Jean Moulin had reached London, the most notable civilian figure to have rallied to General de Gaulle. After a crash course in coding and decoding and some basic parachute training, he returned to
France in January 1942 with money and technical material for the main resistance movements in the south. There followed months of travelling, under the pseudonyms ‘Max’ and ‘Rex’, and secret meetings in an attempt to unify the disparate and jealous resistance groups. He dealt with clashing personalities and competing maquis groups, made “relentless efforts to speak the same language to radical or reactionary teachers, to reactionary or liberal officers, to Trotskyist or Communists”. This Préfect of the left, supporter of the Spanish republic, eventually managed to insist that even former members of a secret far right organisation should be welcomed to the common struggle. Following a brief visit to de Gaulle in London where his authority was confirmed, Jean Moulin presided over the first meeting of the Mouvements Unis de la Résistance (MUR) in Paris, May 1943 when General de Gaulle was recognised as the sole leader of the French resistance. Within weeks, the commander of the secret army was arrested and a meeting to appoint a successor was arranged at a doctor’s surgery outside Lyon on 21 June, 1943. Some waited in an upstairs room and some latecomers, including Jean Moulin, were mistakenly shown into the patients’ waiting room. They had been betrayed and the Gestapo raided the meeting and arrested the conspirators. An agent, possibly Klaus Barbie then head of the Lyon Gestapo, handed Jean Moulin writing materials when torture had left him unable to speak. Moulin is said to have drawn a caricature of his torturer. Jean Moulin was driven to Paris for more expert torture and then sent by train to Germany. He died on the journey, without betraying anyone, probably on 8 July, 1943. Twenty one years later, Malraux concluded his speech: “May you think of this man as you would have reached out your hands to his poor unrecognisable face on that last day, to those lips that never let fall a word of betrayal; on that day, his was the face of France.”
Liberation of the South 17th August 1944
M
any people lost their lives during the liberation of France. On 17 August 1944 US army Lieutenant Paul Swank was part of a small party that parachuted over Le Clat, Aude; Howev-
er, Lieutenant Swank fell for ‘the cause of freedom and liberty of France’ as he attempted to ambush a German convey. He had expressed a wish to be buried where he fell. A small tomb marks his grave on the side of the RN118 just outside of Alet les Bains.
Holidays
H
ave you noticed that the French, unlike us, distinguish between holidays and cultural visits. “Les Vacances,” are for relaxation, at the sea-side or in the mountains, but if you go, as we would say, on holi-
day to India, or Kenya, on a sight-seeing trip, then it’s no longer “des vacances” but “un voyage”. We don’t really have a term for that. We lump them into one. Bobbie Trickett 19
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.
The French VIEW _
In association with The Aude Times, Alison Reid will regularly translate for you a selection of topical blogs and opinion pieces by French writers, journalists and thinkers…
Translation by Alison Reid
The Tapie Affair - Poison
P
op star, TV salesman, battery manufacturer, politician, club director, game fixer, actor… ever since he tried his hand at the music industry and at car racing, Bernard Tapie has had a go at everything. Everyone remembers the ‘self-made man’ who promised to improve businesses here, to renovate the suburbs there, all with the same cocky attitude. And everyone also remembers the blown up politician who, I swear, beat Jean-Marie Le Pen all by himself… But at the end of the day, the role that the ex-owner of Adidas and of the Marseille football club has filled with the most success is that of the Republic’s official suspect. How time flies! It’s now been three decades since, whether a little to the left or a little to the right, the controversy surrounding Bernard Tapie’s scandals has remained at the centre of public affairs. An incredible duration compared to which the Cahuzac affair shrinks into the most trifling of hiccups. But just how did this opportunity grabbing politician manage to seduce the radical Left party under the colours with which he presented himself, the Socialist Party during the Mitterand era, the centrist Jean Louis Borloo who was his friend and lawyer, and lastly President Sarkozy, who received him on numerous occasions for exchanges that we can only imagine to have been far from philosophical? What song can this singer have hummed into the ears of all of these people to gain their stupefying support, at times even against their own majority? Well, guess… But all the same, in this new affair we’re moving up a notch in relation to the usual fixed sports matches. Remember, the justice is now investigating “gang fraud,”, which, if the words mean anything, is no small matter. But it’s not certain that Bernard Tapie is playing the central part here. Christine Lagarde, Stéphane Richard…the current judicial role call is turning out to look like a work meeting at Claude Guéant’s under the last mandate. And at the same time, as we watch this unpleasant look back at the Sarkozy years
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documented by interposed media, we are shocked to hear talk of a possible return to politics for the ex-President, as if the current pending investigations were just nonsense and nasty conspiracies! But anyway, coming back to the refereeing of Tapie and the Crédit Lyonnais, it would appear to have been decided in very high places and of a common accord, to play against the justice, to play against the interest of the State, to play against the taxpayer…and all this with a stacked deck. Of course, nothing is yet clearly established, and even less so judged, but the initial elements of this case, at least, appear somewhat troubling. In my opinion, as long as this tiresome cortege continues, all of the speculations about the growing power of the Front National seem irrelevant. We can argue endlessly over the efficiency and the pertinence of the famous ‘republican front’ designed to block Marine Le Pen and her young wolves, but really, the fight against populism and the ‘negativity’ syndrome consists of only two methods. The first, the most important and perhaps the only decisive method, consists of course in leading a policy that will achieve tangible results in the areas of employment and spending power. But we mustn’t forget the second method, which consists of cleansing public life
and of pursuing with courage and tenacity the con artists that gravitate around political life. At the moment, justice is playing its part. Let’s just hope that it will see matters through to the end without any ‘State reasoning’ to hinder its progress. Otherwise it will be every member of the classical political classes finding themselves under suspicion. Including the vast majority of men and women who have done nothing wrong but who, once more, thanks to the Tapie affair, are finding their dignity as elected representatives of the Republic ridiculed. Written by Jean-Pierre Dennis www.lavie.fr
call rates anywhere you go. The advantages Talk Tech and IT with the are simple: low cost Geek we call ‘E-Male’ for a phone and sim card and in 15 keep getting this ringing in minutes you are up and running. my ears you know and it is You can recharge the phone with very disturbing. It appears that credit by credit card, coupons or in my dark world where phone at some banks and post offices and ATMs and the costs aren’t calls are tapped and emails interceps I have come across a really that bad. question I cannot answer.....if They are great especially if all these government agencies you want your child to have a record all my calls, do they get phone, don’t use a mobile much or even if you are elderly and fed up with the sales calls? ** want one for the car or in case But onto questions and Jennifer of emergencies. from somewhere in the region But beware...... has asked if I can explain Pay as Credit that you buy has a shelf life and is often not long. You Go contracts. Well Jennifer, do I sound like Certain carriers last but 1 week. a guy who deals with ‘burner’ The better alternative is the phones as they are portrayed in low contract; This is a contract which costs betweed 1.99€ and the movies? Yes? Oh ok then.... Pay As You Go Phones are 4.99€ per month. Some you recharge and the credit lasts a fantastic. No contract, no year, some come with unlimited hassles, no records right? Wrong. texts and a little calling credit (usually 1 hour). To learn more PAYG phones are available about options and providers go on every major operator in the world and in fact if you travel to www.theheraulttimes.com and look for the ‘http-email’ a lot and have an ‘unlocked’ column. Ciao ciao geekmeisters! phone or a ‘dual sim’ phone means that you can use local
I
The legend of the Pic de Bugarach Elise Girard
I
f you live in Aude you probably know what the pic de Bugarach is (Bugarach peak). At 1,230m tall where the hilly area doesn’t reach 700m, it seems to loom over the whole department so you can hardly miss it. But do you know the legend of how it was made? The story takes place long time ago at a time when Aude was only plains and nothing could stop the winds from ravaging the fields,
making the growing of vines impossible. A fairy (Nore) and two dwarfs (Bug and Arach) decided to ask Jupiter to take action. In order to make himself heard by the God, Bug rode Arach’s back. Unfortunately, Jupiter happened to be in a bad mood, unhappy to be disturbed by the two dwarves, so he changed
all of them into mountains. Nore the fairy became the Nore peak while Bug and Arach formed the Bugarach peak. Another version is that during the tertiary period, the Iberian plate came into contact with Europe and the impact gave birth to the Bugarach peak. Take your pick. I like the dwarfs’ version better.
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You may also have heard of the town of Bugarach because of the stream of people it attracted in 2012, leading up to the auspicious December 2, prophesied by the Mayans as the end of the world. This peak has the reputation for having peculiar telluric property and it was supposed to be the only place on earth which would be spared the predicted doomsday catastrophe.
www.lheraultart.com
Street Painting
Jane Appleton
I
nitially it was a wise and good friend who told me about street art painting competitions. They are open to all regardless of skill or experience. Although finding them isn’t the easiest of things. I’m an artist and hadn’t even heard of them until two years ago! Small towns and villages publicise their events very locally; however larger towns such as Albi and Narbonne post their events on acryom.com. Each competition is different, but starts off with your virgin support (i.e. canvas, paper, board, etc.) being stamped on the reverse. However, after a number of competitions it’s funny to observe certain scenarios emerge and repeat themselves... For example, as soon as the church bells chime mid-day all the children on bikes, all the baguettebuying-baladeurs who have been busily animating the streets all morning just vanish. You are alone, under the beating sun /strong wind/rain, except for the sound of humming extractor fans and the clink-clink of plates and glasses as lunch time commences. But on other occasions villages host parallel events, such as vide greniers, art and craft markets and wine-tasting. It’s the loud country/feed-back fusion for the line dancers that will drive you insane (personally I never forget my ear-plugs). Or the village gossipers who aren’t really inter ested in your masterpiece-to-be, only conveying at high speed their personal observations on the state of the economy, local politics and their dog’s allergies. Thus leaving you with a sensation of ‘affliction’! Or the over enthusiastic observer who fire questions at you: “Why did you do it like that?” “How did you produce that effect?” And the ultimate tiny-voiced request,
“Can I just have a little dabble?” (Trust me I am not making this up.) However, the truly wonderful thing I’ve discovered since I started entering these competitions is that the average observer is quite art savvy - asking intelligent questions, giving constructive comments and displaying quite a good knowledge of art in general. The artist always seems to be respected and recognised for their efforts. Prizes are usually awarded, so bear in mind that what you create should be a celebration of their beautiful town/village. The winning picture is more often than not destined to be hung in the Mairie. Amateur and professional alike, you will learn as you go just what is acceptable content. Should you include street furniture, electricity lines and grafitti? Personally I love all these details, but will the judges? I was recently told that a wheelie-bin I’d included had put me out of the running, but had I really gone too far? Well how about birds? Everyone loves birds, how can you possibly go wrong with birds? I spent a day painting by the Canal du Midi, in the shade of the doom-stricken Plain trees, being bombed and splattered by the yackerty-yecking crows above. When I included them in my composition I was penalised by the judges – as crows are regarded as bad luck. Lucky for me though I came second, won a prize and within five minutes had sold it to a Dutch lady. You’ll never go wrong with pigeons! The volunteers who ensure the day runs according to plan are always friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic. One hamlet really went to town for the sake of their art competition. I will just add here that part of my check-list always includes my Dads old lucky shirt and a provision of loo paper which I stick down my socks – there is often more than just painting en-plein-air involved! However, the sock-stuffing was completely unnecessary on this particular day. The clever villagers had foreseen this ‘dilemma’ and had neatly converted their bus stop into what I can only describe as a ‘Tinkle Palace’. It had curtains; it had a beautifully penned turn-around sign saying ‘ Occupé ‘. It also had a throne to beat all thrones, designed around an old chair frame with a real loo seat inserted (the saw-dust bucket wasn’t very palatial though). I felt that the villagers ought to have awarded themselves a prize for the best conceptual / installation piece - Bravo Vernet! I recently entered a painting competition in Narbonne, now in its third year in a location tucked away in a small square in the heart of town. On the day, I signed in and got my canvas stamped and by mid- morning things were looking good. After plenty of positive feed-back about my work, I felt my confidence well-up inside. The (cont next page) 22
www.l-artiste.com
IN SITU 2013
The project In-Situ is on until 13th September.
C
reating artworks inspired by heritage sites across Aude, the Pyrénées Orientales and Hérault, In Situ 2013 welcomes 7 contemporary
artists to participate in this year’s event. Here are a selection of works currently on show in Aude and the Pyrénées Orientals Audrey by Ange Leccia Priéuré de Marcevol, Arboussols Born 1952 in Corsica, Ange Leccia lives and works in Paris and is considered one of the most original representatives of contemporary French art. A painter first, the artist also works extensively with film, video and photographic techniques. Audrey was inspired by his adolescence and the Pink Floyd music he used to listen to. It is a filtered pink video lasting around 5 minutes, featuring Audrey, his daughter’s friend, dreaming. A superimposition of images: Pink Floyd in concert on Audrey’s face and an alternation of sounds (choir of angels and Pink Floyd songs) leading to a precarious balance between the main elements: video, music, and the quiet architecture of the priory.
Jardin d’hiver by Stephen Marsden Archbishop’s Palace terrace, Narbonne Born in the UK, sculptor Stephen Marsden has an excellent command of classical sculptural techniques. He is a self-confessed collector of strange objects, including religious statuettes and strange shaped soaps. The project Jardin d’hiver conceived for the terrace comprises a series of six identically shaped polyester resin sculptures. Based on an18th style bust and inspired by the allegory of winter, their faces are the shape of miniature rose soaps, the different colours a combination of the Israeli and Palestinian flags. For the artist these hybrid female forms are a metaphor for the silent and subjugated women who continue to endure the complexities and challenges of the modern Middle East.
Other installations are: Claude Léveque, Abbaye de Saint Gellone, Saint Guilhem le Désert; Vladimir Skoda, Le Musée Fleury, Lodève; Anita Molinero, Eglise Saint-Etienne d’Issensac, Brissac ; Bernard Pourrière, Prieuré de Serrabone,Boule d’Amont
Images ( top to bottom Courtesy Stephen Marsden © Stephen Marsden Ange Leccia, Audrey, Courtesy the artist © M. Kérignard Région Languedoc-Roussillon – Inventaire général, 2013 Moon Pil Shim, installation lumineuse, Courtesy the artist © M. Kérignard Région Languedoc-Roussillon – Inventaire général, 2013
Installation lumineuse by Moon-Pil Shim Abbey Saint-Michel of Cuxa, Codalet South Korean born Moon-Pil Shim lives and works in Essonne. His artistic approach is based upon alternating linearity, super-imposition of colored fields and materials and the effects of pictorial materials. He uses the effect of light reflected by Plexiglas, together with incisions and volume. In this installation Moon-Pil has constructed a sensitive ‘Blue-Klein’ light behind the altar of the church. Located in the underground chapel of the Abbey, it consists of luminous tubes which trace the curves of the central pillar upwards and out towards the edges of the arches. There is also a 3D projection in the recess. The overall effect unites the spiritual context of the building with a fine artistic sensitivity. 23
English for Expat Children An indispensable guide Part 5
Minerve
A Jewel with many admirers.
L
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.
sn’t it great when children get the chance to relax into their own free time? Although keeping children occupied throughout their long summer holidays must be a daunting and exhausting prospect for parents. Rest assured that English language development will be an ongoing by-product of increased interaction with spoken English at home and any reading and writing that crops up. Just to be really contrary about it, I would suggest that it is when the pressures are off that the child-centred learning starts. This doesn’t mean to say that you needn’t have any goals for them, but these can take on a different complexion now that you have the time to read together, start projects and spend unstructured time together. This is the perfect time to provide them with any tools they need to pursue their own ideas. You might even offer them a small budget to work with. Whether you are getting involved or they are developing their own games, try to set them up somewhere where they have the freedom to leave their project incomplete, rather than having to finish it in one go. I hope you find some of these ideas useful: • Hang on to your recycling; you can build up a healthy supply of useful materials in no time. Combined with some glue, staples, tape, scissors, string etc. children can spend hours making. Popular inspiration includes a fashion show, puppets, masks, dens. • Stick a huge sheet of paper up on a wall. Things can be stuck to it, stamped, painted, written and drawn on . • Treasure Hunts can provide hours of fun, but it does take some organisation so get them in on the act to help out. Try this website for quick and easy encryption of clues: http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/cryptogramSetupForm.asp • A puppet show could take up days with puppet-making, stage building, script development, invitations to the potential audience and organising each other. Relief from the stresses of academia is the best goal you can have for your summer holidays! My blog is regularly updated, as are my Pinterest boards http://pinterest.com/eng4xpatchildrn/, so have a look for any ideas, supporting materials or useful links. You can find everything you need to get involved at englishforexpatchildren.webs.com – go ahead and share your own ideas!
Text: Ursala Purves
I
S
ituated on the Aude/Hérault border the delightfully located village of Minerve is set on a jutting limestone spur high above the River Cesse which has carved a deep route through this imposing landscape. Due to the villages very small footprint the car park is located half a kilometer away and is fairly steep decent (but walkers can be dropped at the footbridge). But the walk can be well justified. Minerve has been selected as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (“The Most Beautiful Villages Of France”). Historically, the village has been the capital of the Minervois wine region. The main bridge leading into the village is closed to all passenger vehicles not owned by residents of Minerve. Of all of the original fortifications, only a slender octagonal tower, known locally as the Candela, survives. In 1210 a group of Cathars took refuge in the village after the massacre at Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade. De Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester laid siege to the village. The attacking army besieged the village for six weeks before it capitulated. They set up four trebuchets around the fortification: three to attack the village, and the largest, Malevoisine, to attack the town’s water supply. Eventually the commander of the 200-strong garrison, Viscount Guilhem of Minerve, gave in and negotiated a surrender which saved the villagers and himself after the destruction of the town’s main well. However, 140 Cathars refused to give up their faith and were burned to death at the stake on 22 July. There are several snack bars and pizzerias where you can eat and drink in the shade at very reasonable prices. There are a couple of more sophisticated establishments but are often fully booked so reservations are 24
highly recommended. It was extremely pleasurable to wander through the many narrow thoroughfares, and with a car ban except for residents (some 122 in 2008) it was a quiet and safe amble. And on hot days it is in the cave tunnels under the village that seem big enough to accept a double decker bus that a cool sojourn can be experienced. Along the edges of this miniature village there are many points to stop and to take photographs or just wonder at the dramatic vistas down the stunning valley looking like a modern artists sculpture with is worn turns and caves. Bearing in mind the villages reputation it is probably best to visit out of season avoiding August if possible. However it is a stunning jewel and should not be missed.
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 **
T
he Internet of Things. It sounds like something A.A.Milne might have written to help Winnie the Pooh describe the concept to his friends in the 100 Acre Wood, doesn’t it? And yet scientists, researchers and developers the world over are getting extremely excited about this direction the Internet is taking. What’s more, the French are very much at its cutting edge.
health. The data recorded can be used to see if treatments are being applied evenly, whether water is accumulating or lacking and whether vines are missing. Staying with the vine theme, another application is the Vitirover, a small remotecontrolled robot grass cutter. Like the Parrot this can be controlled via a smartphone and because it has an
Keeping tab on the
Text: Martin Pearce
temperature, humidity, air pressure, CO2 levels and ambient noise levels. The data gathered can be transmitted in real time to a user’s mobile device enabling them to decide whether to commute to work on foot, by bike or public transport, for example. Or the data could simply be used for health reasons to encourage the user to ventilate their office or work space. Withings too is concerned about users’ health and has developed an internetconnected Smart Body Analyzer which not only takes traditional weight measurements and body compositions but also measures heart rate and air quality allowing users to adapt their diet and environment accordingly. The weighing scales and the analyzer automatically transfer data to your computer or your mobile phone/ tablet so that you can track and analyze them. It can also transmit the data to your doctor if you want.
Internet of Things So, exactly what does the Internet of Things mean? The concept envisions the possibility of almost every object you can see around you being connected to the internet. Just as computers and web pages have their own unique IP addresses so too will the books on your shelves, the car in your garage and even the wine in your vineyards. This is where computers and the internet come in. Physical objects are given a unique identifier that can track information about the subject thus transforming them into ‘smart objects’. There are a number of technologies that support smart objects; radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, quick response (QR) codes and smartcards are some of the most common. So much for the technology and thinking behind the concept, but how does the Internet of Things and smart objects fit into the real world and where do the French come in? Several French companies have developed applications that allow users to use the screen on their smartphone as a remote controller. One of the first to do this was Parrot with its drone, a kind of small helicopter, which allows users to record video or capture images from places where it might be hazardous to fly an ordinary aircraft. An increasingly common usage for the Parrot in France is to photograph vines and assess their
extremely low wheel base, the Vitirover can get to the feet of vines where other machinery cannot. With typical Gallic understatement, one user commented. “Using tractors you end up piling up the soil and damaging vines which is not good for production. This does not happen with the Vitirover.” Smart object technology has also lent a hand in the crackdown on wine counterfeiting. It has been known for unscrupulous merchants to fill up empty bottles of the best labels with less than legendary vintages. Prooftag is a small silver sticker stuck on the cork which carries an ID number for the bottle of wine. The potential buyer can take a photo of this bar code with his smartphone which links to the Prooftag website where it quickly verifies if the wine is the real thing. Other smart object applications worthy of note include Netatmo’s, weather station that allows users to monitor indoor and outdoor environment elements including
These then are just a few applications using the principle of smart objects and the Internet of Things. It’s already clear that the French are big players in this market though so far much more on the R & D side rather than actual manufacturing. It’s equally clear that there are likely to be many more applications in the next few years.
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Recipe Times with Bassie Scott
In the heat of the night....
I
can remember one particular night last August when the temperature didn’t drop below 38 degrees. Even in that stonking heat we were silly enough to light the barbecue! Sometimes we all crave more than a leafy salad as an accompaniment to the main course. Here, then, are some robust recipes which can either just be eaten in their own right or served with the delights you’ll be cooking up on these steamy summer evenings. There is a company in Hérault producing a feta style brebis (sheep) cheese ‘Salakis’. However, they’re not allowed to call it Feta as it isn’t made in Greece. It is lovely, although not quite as salty. You’ll find it in the cheese aisle in all the supermarkets.
Camargue red rice with rocket and brebis cheese Serves 6 – 8 Ingredients 450 mil Camargue red rice 200 gr brebis cheese 100 gr black olives, pitted and chopped 3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped 70 gr rocket, finely shredded 3 spring onions, finely chopped (include the green bits) Salt and pepper For the dressing: 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1 tsp salt 2 teaspoon grained mustard 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 4 tablespoons olive oil Black pepper, freshly milled Method * Place the rice in a large frying pan with 2 teaspoons of salt, then pour in 800 ml boiling water. Bring it up to a simmer, then put a lid on and let it cook very gently for 40 minutes. Turn off, don’t remove the lid, just leave it for another 15 minutes to finish off. * For the dressing: crush the garlic and salt in a pestle and mortar * When the garlic and salt are pureed, add the mustard and pound it a bit, followed by the vinegar and pepper. Add the oil, slowly, using a whisk, until everything is combined * Transfer the warm rice to a dish and pour the dressing over. Mix thoroughly and leave to get cold * Add the olives, shallots, spring onions and rocket. * Just before serving, crumble the brebis cheese all over
Camargue Rice
In 2008, rice farming covered 16.640 hectares of the Camargue, with 98.176 tons of rice paddy produced. Rice is one of the riches of the Carmargue alongside the bulls, horses and pink flamingos. It shapes the landscape according to the seasons: the perfectly leveled steps before planting, the immensity of the earth immersed in water, the tender green shoots or the flamboyant yellow sprays in full view. Rice in the Camargue represents both an important economic and ecological human intervention. To fully appreciate the many aspects of rice farming you can visit the Musée du Riz, situated in the old Bongran buildings, the first company to develop organic rice farming in France. www.museeduriz.fr
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I had never made tabouleh but having eaten a fabulous one made by my friend Alex I thought I would try my hand. Mixing bulgur wheat with quinoa gives it a gorgeous nuttiness and is so very good for you too!
My friend Jill brought this salad round when we were cooking a whole leg of lamb on our new tourney broche (spit roaster!). It is absolutely delicious and has such a lovely freshness about it. If you don’t like goat’s cheese, you can use the brebis mentioned before.
Tabouleh with quinoa
Beetroot and orange salad with goat’s cheese
Ingredients 200 gr Bulgar wheat (Boulgour gros de blé dur) 200 gr Quinoa 1 cucumber, peeled, de seeded and chopped into chunks 10 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 red pepper, de seeded and cut into chunks 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped Large bunch of flat leaf parsley, chopped, not too finely Small bunch of mint, chopped Olive oil Zest and juice of 1 lemon Black pepper, salt
Serves 6 - 8 Ingredients 500g carrots, peeled, halved/quartered, & cut into 2cm lengths 1 tsp cumin seeds 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 3 tbsp olive oil 2 oranges 250g cooked beetroot, cut into chunks 200g goat’s cheese A handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped A sprinkling of coriander and tarragon, chopped
Method * Place the bulgur wheat and quinoa into a large saucepan with some salt. Pour boiling water over to 2 x the volume of the grains and simmer gently for 10 minutes * Turn the pan off and leave to swell for another 10 minutes. Drain and cool * When completely cold add all the vegetables, lemon zest, parsley, mint, salt and black pepper. mix thoroughly. * Whisk the olive oil into the lemon juice and pour this over the salad. Mix it all really well with your hands. Check seasoning and chill until needed
Method • Put carrots in pan, just cover with cold water, bring to boil & simmer 10-15 mins • Toast the cumin seeds in a dry frying pan then tip into a large serving bowl with the oil, vinegar and seasoning • Drain carrots then add to the bowl turning to coat in the dressing & leave to cool to room temperature • Peel oranges & cut into chunks. Add to bowl along with beetroot, goat’s cheese, parsley & other herbs.
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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
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The Herault Times & The Aude Times is a TAMBOURIN Partner Sports by Stuart Turpie
O
ur part of France has some very ‘regional’ sports indeed. Tambourin is closely associated with the valley of the Hérault and Joutes take place all summer in coastal towns like Sète, Agde and Mèze with the Jouteurs battling it out in a medieval style. Areas with a Camargue connection enjoy the course camarguaise where bulls stretch the athleticism and courage of the razeteurs to the limit. Rugby in both codes is strongly associated with Languedoc as well. In the summer months across the region pétanque holds sway as a game of the people. Hérault, with over a population of over a million, has the largest number of registered pétanque enthusiasts at 15,000. Aude has licensed players matching its smaller population. The sport which is by far the most popular form of ’boules’ is well over 100 years old. Jeu Provencale played with same size of boule on a larger terrain is less popular and Lyonais with larger boules which are rolled has This year the finals of the French championships at triplettes were held in Béziers, though the boulodrome at the Stade de la Mediterranée unfortunately lacks the scenic environment of many other terrains in towns and villages. The local teams of three will have competed in April in the secteur competitions where players from the dozen or so local clubs take part. Of perhaps 100 teams about 6 go through to the Departmental competition. Aude and Hérault then send their very top teams to the National finals with teams from all over France. Humble players can say that they took part in this prestigious event. A bit like a local village football side playing in the early rounds of the Coupe de France. What makes pétanque so popular? Simply it is easy to play and very cheap. A decent set of boules will set you back 70€ but they should last forever. Club registration which includes insurance and subsidised social events is usually only 20 € or so. Terrains take little management
and you can play on a great deal of different rough surfaces. Stony terrains are much liked by better players in fact where skill is even more of a factor. The element of luck with the bounce of the boule can level the playing field a bit as well and adds to the attraction. Tactics are reasonably straightforward. The bouchon is thrown between 6 and 10 metres and the first player points from the ‘rond’ he or she has marked on the ground. The opponent then replies trying to point nearer the cochonette or bouchon. The tirreur will try to crash a boule out of the way if necessary. Points are scored by the number of boules nearer the bouchon than the opponent when all 6 boules have been played. In triplettes each player has two boules, with three each in doublettes. The game continues with the winner of each end having the right to restart. 13 points wins the match. A spectacular shot occurs when a tirreur removes an opponent boule whilst replacing it with his own. Singles matches do take place téte à téte but are less popular. Doubles or triplets offer more scope for discussion, teamwork and the argument and banter so popular in the Midi. The Pétanque federation are concerned that less people are playing the game. Is it less attractive to the young? Traditionally people would play at the end of the working day during the l’heure de l’aperitif. Village cafés would have clubs and the square with its gravel surface would be the setting. Holidays were used for competitions and still are. Most villages with a fete will have a concours de pétanque. Tourists love playing and many northern French visitors enjoy this association with the Midi and their holidays.
A great game just to enjoy at any level.
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