The Herault Times Issue 12

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE FOR THE HERAULT

The Herault Times Issue 12 June 2013

www.theheraulttimes.com

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Free Monthly

THT June 2013

Contents THT

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In Each Issue

This Month - Articles

04 Editorial 05 Letters 06 My Place 07 And Another Thing 09 Apicius Dines Out 09 You REview 10 Wine Times 11 Business / Legal 12 Garden / Nature 13 GTBY 17 Lifestyle 18 What’s On 19 Looking Back 25 E-Male 25 Subscribe 26 Recipe Times 28 DIY 28 E-Male 28-31 Classifieds 31 Sport Work Times

Coming Soon for Artists and businesses

08 Dog Days in Marseillan

16 Agde - Musée de l’Éphèbe

22 Aidèe Bernard

Work Times

The Herault Times

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14 A Journey to the KILLING capital of the world

All The Time

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.

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

June Editorial

EDITORIAL EDITOR@THEHERAULTTIMES.COM

Bern Williams

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END

ISSN: 2261-561X

The sun is out and all is good with the world. We were sent the 1st ‘Summer Bar’ set up of the year this week!

Anybody know where this is?

“If a June night could talk, It would probably boast it invented romance.”

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he unanimous HT team consensus is that the June front cover is worth photographer Barry Beckett’s close brush with the law while he was taking it. Middle of the afternoon, lying on your stomach in a sunny crowded street in the middle of Montpellier is going to excite some interest, although he wasn’t banking on being approached by a policeman carrying his night stick! What one does for one’s art! But we thank you Barry for going to such lengths to create great images again…and again... and again. ** This month’s exclusive HT feature is an emotionally powerful account by journalist Patrice Victor following his recent trip to death row in Texas with Montpelliérains Danièle

The forward of their book, which sensitively and compassionately records their time spent with death row prisoner Rickey Lynn Lewis, is written by French lawyer Robert Badinter, who, as Chief Justice (1981-1986) during Mitterrand’s government was instrumental in ending the death penalty in France, the last execution being carried out in 1981. ** The truly inspiring and positively glowing Antoine Guillon, champion ultra-marathon runner – ‘ultra’ being a slightly understated way of defining cross-country running trails covering distances of more than 150km with high elevation gains – features in this month’s ‘My Place’.

The ultra trail marathon in Hérault, organised by Antoine,

spirit to support the runners as they set off in the evening from Vailhan. ** Meanwhile, award winning travel writer Laurence Phillips tells the tale of how ‘a pretty port in a Languedoc lagoon’ inspired a UK concert premier and Sue Hicks in her usual eloquent and engaging way, spills the beans on Victor Hugo’s own drama-filled life (which just goes to prove that the most powerful stories are often under our noses – if, by the way, you are looking for an excellent, creative guide to help you tell your story then check out the ‘5 essential skills for writing’ course (Calendar page). ** Don’t forget that the HT art competition is now live (details on the website). Prizes for each category and the grand winner will be featured on the front cover of The HT. **

and René Sirven, untiring defenders of the abolition of the death penalty through the association ‘Fight for Justice, Languedoc-Roussillon’.

the 6666 Occitane, takes place between Vailhan and Roquebrun at the beginning of this month. It’s not too late to register, or join-in the festive

Finally, we are delighted to announce the launch of The AudeTimes next month,, watch this space! ** Finally 2....So we all use the bathroom and if you are going to then why not have a look at the ‘Miniscule’ Café in Lodeve and there rather fun ‘flush’ system!!

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.theheraulttimes.com. Please read them, they deserve to be recognised for their fantastic contribution and for being patient and generous to me.

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.

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Letters Summer Sirs, I write to inform you that I have arrived from England as I have done for the last 8 years to enjoy the summer sun. We have been a little disappointed by the weather but my wife stated the other day that your magazine was a ray of sunshine. I thought you might be pleased. Henry P Editorial Who writes your editorial? It is an article in itself. I despise those self serving tell you what to do and where I have been me, me me efforts so common nowadays.

Well done. Petra Hi Petra, my cat writes most of them...whilst emulating the poses of Klimpt! Not really....hats off to the editor....

Nature Is there any possibility that your nature columnist can give us information on plant names as the scenery at the moment is something to behold. Steve Seriously (2) Re Catherine (letters last issue).

Were you not disgusted by her remarks about your sexuality? I thought it was disgusting? Why print that rubbish. Anna, Agde Mum, it’s ok, it’s just nail varnish.

All my friends are wearing it!

Wine Please say hi to Rosemary and her wine column. good build up and then wines to buy. I don’t like them all but I like trying.

Thanks Michael. Banbury UK GTBY I was shocked to read the diary of a sleepaholic in your last issue. Exams, future plannning and Georgia O Keeffe and female bits in public discussion! I didn’t expect that. I didn’t know whether to be cross or smile but my laughter was infectious and if the writer really is a teenager then the future looks bright.

Brilliantly funny and observant.

More please. Rachel

Drugs Your article (LSD) issue 10 opens a worrying insight into what is so often portrayed as our beautiful region. Drugs are a problem in all societies and with the financial crisis showing no let up and unemployment rising and no future for a burgeoning underclass what hope is there for many? I am glad you write about these things. We live in a beautiful and blessed area but the real world exists.

James Hastings, 34000

according to your business columnist is in grave need of assistance to ward off continuing financial hardships may I suggest your readers try one of the following options: 1. Become a drug dealer. It is apparently a blossoming market and is financially rewarding.

2. Hide from all of these frightening scenarios by cutting out the food and wine sections and eat and drink your way into oblivion! Hope I helped....please continue to provide intelligent writing. It is a pleasure to read.

There are problems everywhere James. This is a wonderful place to live and bring up a family and retire to, but as you say, and we agree, it is a real place and we like to know everything.

Substance Abuse Your piece on substance abuse in the last issue was a bit over the top wasn’t it? Talk about negative. Anything to say?

Patrick

Béziers Your article about drug abuse in the Languedoc is telling. We live in the centre of Béziers and have noticed a cut off time for walking through what are regarded popular tourist areas on certain days. A worrying sign. Withheld

Fig rolls are my favourite biscuit.

Animals As the weather changes and the joys of summer are upon us may I ask you to remind all of your pet owning readers that this can be a difficult time for beloved pets. Dogs in cars must be aired and watered and in most cases you should leave them at home if at all possible. But please consider your pets at home too.

Water and a cooler place to rest away from the shade is so very important. Please take a few moments to help them and us to enjoy the summer.

D.K (Mrs) Bédarieux

Drugs Re your article on Substance Abuse it is good to see you include alcohol and prescription drugs in this list. Over the years I have often taken my packed lunch to a park in Montpellier that is a 1 minute walk from the Comédie and seen gangs of youths obviously up to no good.

I must however praise the police who are patrolling this park in numbers although it has led me to find alternative lunch spots.

Oscar Pieterson, Montpellier

Help Your recent art review of Olivier Mosset was fantastic. I saw this with my brother who came from Berlin and we both thought it was pretentious and rubbish. I’m so glad you hated it too!

Geraldine, Béziers

It highlights that the problem really is growing. I do think you need to be careful when presuming ‘gangs of youths’ have to be up to no good though. What about the man sat in the park, same time every day? Easy to jump to conclusions.

Business Opportunity If, as your writer implies there is a growing dependency on alcohol and pharmaceuticals and France,

The Cover Story We are proud to have the talents of Mr Barry Beckett producing the wonderful covers that you see everymonth. See more of Barry’s work now at the Miniscule Cafe in Lodève. (see what’s on).

Barry Beckett 2013 All rights reserved

dharmacamera@googlemail.com

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I loved it! Our reviewer wasn’t too sure. You hated it! Covers all bases then.

Lerab Ling I have just found this place thanks to you. Huge thanks. I’m told you did an article on it and I wondered how I could get a copy? Michael by text You can read it at www.theheraulttimes.com. It’s brand new and works on tablets and smartphones too!

Departures I went to an ‘English’ food shop the other day on my way to Montpellier and was shocked by the prices charged. After buying sausages and biscuits and teabags I was in need of a ‘cuppa’ or something stronger. It is outrageous the prices they charge. Does anybody else feel we are being ripped off by these prices? Kate, text I know Kate, get a “whinge a day” calendar. Seriously, available in most English food shops (for a high price of course). Did they force you to buy items you can get here?

Sorry, can’t hear you..? No. And I publish this.....I need a fig roll!

Note Please e-mail us letters or use the website to send them in.

Or if you know what this is below, send us a text now.

Thank you.

Antoine Guillon I

nternational Champion ultra-trail and long-distance runner Antoine Guillon – 1st in the Grand Raid international in Cro-Magnon (2010), 2nd in the Grand Raid Réunion (2007, 2010, 2012), 4th in the Ultra-Trail Montblanc, France (2005)

fun together. We love to laugh – every moment is good for having fun. I can only say that my family is very special.

Finally, we love to travel. I am writing to you right now from Kawaguchiko, where we are discovering Japan, in a small village situated some kilometers from Mount Fuji.

My sport allows me these excursions; I take

My Place Where were you born?

I was born in Saint Germain-en-laye, in the Yvelines on 16th June, 1970, not so long ago on a planetary scale!

How would you describe your family life?

Life is good, shared with my two children aged 17 and 14 and my wife in the pretty village of Vailhan. I run nearly every day and I cycle four times a week. I work at home, by internet, managing the Lafuma Trail team and writing articles on discipline for athletes and the Lafuma brand. That leaves me just enough time to work on my book on one of the most famous ultra-trail trials: The Grand Raid Réunion (a mountain ultra-marathon race which takes place annually in October in Réunion Island).

I always leave the time to benefit from my exceptional environment with the family, which involves lots of gardening and staying late outside in summer. We don’t have a television, something that allows us plenty of freedom and lots of time to talk and have

part in competitions I can bring my family to.

What are the things that make you laugh or cry?

Slapstick style comedy and plays on words make me laugh. In contrast, I am alarmed at the evolution of mankind, who is heading towards a destructive future, caught up in the folly of over consumption which is leading to the disappearance of biotopes and the richness of Mother Nature. The film Avatar is not fiction, just a scenario which deals with what mankind is in the process of doing here.

Was there anyone (real or imaginary) who influenced you while you were growing up?

Of course! Imagination is what nourishes the mind; I have orientated a great deal of my life through it. Characters like Tarzan, who I watched on television as a child, influenced the seven years I spent working as a tree surgeon. My dream came true, to climb in the trees! And Peter Pan, who slips from a real world to an imaginary one where his emotions are more intense, without doubt has a role to play in my choice to run. Running is also like passing from the real world to a world which, although I would not describe as imaginary, is one where I make up stories, where all my senses are able to escape the modern world, with the promise of being able to start over again. It’s even truer during an ultra-trail where I run day and night, sometimes for more than 24 hours. I don’t fly, but I still experience a sense of overcoming gravity. In terms of real people, they would have to be my parents and my grandparents who gave me a taste for working with the earth and that of respect and patience, travel and for many things, and all in good spirit and humour.

Describe your chosen sport – why did you choose this particular path?

I always loved walking in the forest and outdoor pursuits which lasted a long time, like gardening. To find myself alone in nature is by far my favourite thing. I started to run aged 12, I had found what it was that satisfied my appetite to expend energy and experience adventure. It was something that never left me; on the contrary I discovered 6

trail running in 2001. I was attracted by the exploration of my limits. I attempted a 105 km race and 5, 500 metre elevation gain. I got lost in the mountain and ended up running an extra 10km, but I didn’t give up and finished 5th place. There I discovered my capacity for long distance, so I then took part in a number of ultra-trail trials which for me is an exceptional sport that still represents human adventure. I have written lots on it.

Have you had any amusing stories regards your career?

At the start of the Grand Réunion in 2010, we were 2 500 runners packed into a stadium where the exit was very narrow. In the first line we experienced the pressure of the excited crowd. With the crack of the starting pistol, at 51 kg I was literally carried by the thrust of the runners behind me over about three metres before being able to touch the ground and get away!

I am very particular about the weight of my rucksack; I go through it and weigh it to the exact gram. Besides optimization is part of my reputation. I always have a super light rucksack for this race, I am very proud of my prowess. But at the end of the race, after 24 hours, upon emptying my rucksack I found a very beautiful stone that I had collected two days before whilst visiting a volcano! My friends still make fun of me about that!

What achievement are you most proud of?

My sustaining a high level of achievement is a source of pride for me, more for myself and to prove it’s possible to achieve wonderful things with your body.

What motivates you?

The discovery of new regions, new panoramas, achieving balance, the joy of living in excellent form with my family who also profit from it.

What is your objective for this year?

And for later?

The ultra trail at Mont Fuji, 160 km and 9 000 m+; preparation for two ultra trails we are organising as a family in Vailhan, the 6666 Occitane and The Grand Raid Occitan on 31st May; an ultra trail in Switzerland at the beginning of July; the ultra at Chamonix at the end of August, 119 km and 7 200m+; The Grand Raid Réunion in October, 170 km and 11 000m+; the Transmartinique in December, 133 km et 5 500m+.

And for the future, to continue to travel for as long as possible. I have a project to cross Greece with some friends, from Meteora to Olympus, via Delph, Epidaurus, Nemean… to occupy the spirit and the legs!

The 6666 Occitane trail race: 31st May, 1st & 2nd June A 115km trail, with a 6666m elevation between Vailhan and Roquebrun.

The course was created by Antoine Guillon, and has a range of routes and surprising landscapes.

If you would like to take part as a participant or a spectator visit: www.6666occitane.fr

And another thing.......says Abse Cats cats cats

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es yes, I know, somebody writing about their cats. How self-indulgent. But bear with me (no that doesn’t mean I’m going to write about bears). Anyway, you may have guessed from my regular illustrations that accompany this column that I like cats. Yes I like them a lot, and always have, since as a child we had a purple tabby cat called Tuesday. “Purple?!!” I hear you say.

Yes purple.

Take a look at my Purple Cat website if you don’t believe me (www.purplecat.co.nf).

Anyway, Tuesday was called Tuesday because that’s the day he came to our house, not because of any family obsession with Tuesday Weld (I fancifully imagine she named herself after our cat). But anyway, I digress.

Currently we have three cats, Earnie a black cat, Milo a ginger tabby and Orlando a designer cat (© Editor of HT).

All three were strays that we’ve adopted, and all three have remarkably different purrsonalities. (See what I did there?).

Milo behaves in a way that leaves one to only be able to describe him as an idiot, Orlando is wholly focussed on (and obsessed with)

food and Earnie is a nervous, highly-strung active cat, ready to run and to pounce at all occasions. Which is what happened when we moved house recently.

Milo and Orlando were shoved unceremoniously into cat cages, but Earnie

did a runner and refused to be caught.

At all, no matter what we tried.

Following the advice of loads of cat experts we were unable to catch him. We tried prawns in a purpose-built cat trap, we tried calling, we tried not calling, we tried trapping him in

The Art Competition Welcome to the 1st Herault Times and Aude Times Art competition.

Overall winner will be featured as The HT 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 Prizes are sponsored

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the house, we tried everything. And though he would come close, as soon as anyone went near him he ran away. As fast as he could.

Now I guess you are imagining us spending many hours attempting to catch him. You’d be wrong: try days.

We moved on a Sunday, and did not finally catch him (I did it! I get all the points!) until the following Saturday.

You can’t imagine how exhausting this was. Add this to the fact we had a million boxes to lug and unpack, dozens of Ikea bits to screw together, and furniture to lift up two floors.

Exhausting doesn’t quite get there.

And yet now there sits Earnie happily on the sofa (that I carried in) looking as innocent as the day is long, whilst the other two cats carry on with their OCD behaviour demanding food, attention or something completely obscure. But I’m too tired to move.

I should add that we’ve got a dog too.

We just told her to get in the car and she did.

Hmmm.

Maybe it’s perverse that I like cats at all.

Dog Days of Summer in Marseillan Hérault inspires UK concert premier

by Laurence Phillips

“Don’t blame it on the sunshine, don’t blame it on the oysters, don’t blame it on the Picpoul: blame it on the collie”.

Now the ingredients of a perfect day à la Marseillanaise are blent and ready to serve.

“The first section is characterised by a pastoral like theme followed by a subsidiary idea, which is accompanied by typically French harmonies. The woodwind section has much solo writing and the strings divide into ten parts at one point, creating a sensuous sonority and texture,” explains the composer.

“The central section is faster and folk-like in character and the tambourine features prominently. The counterpoint in this section pays homage to J.S. Bach. Then, the final section recapitulates the opening idea, but after a few bars, the music takes a different direction. A climax builds and, after some tumultuous chromatic twists, the piece suddenly subsides and ends succinctly with two emphatic chords.”

Perhaps best known for his arrangements of works by Beethoven, Chopin and Mendelssohn, Stephen frequently travels beyond Marseillan for his work. For more than a decade he has conducted the Honhardt Camerata’s New Year’s concert in Germany, and as a pianist he enjoys accompanying his daughters, both accomplished musicians in their own rights. He has played the Grieg ’Cello Sonata in the Wigmore Hall with Lucy and the Franck Violin Sonata in Leeds with Emma.

As an orchestral conductor, Stephen has worked with such luminaries as Lesley Garrett, Kathryn Stott and Natalie Clein, but he admits writing En Vacances with a very different performer in mind.

“Listen to the music and imagine the actress Estelle Skornik (who played Nicole in the Renault Clio television adverts) cycling through the port of Marseillan and out along the lanes between the vines!”

When I take the TGV and Eurostar north to return to the UK for the concert in June, I will bear this image in mind. But in the interval, I may well raise my glass in another toast. A tribute to the work’s unwitting patron; a sip and nod to the memory of my much missed friend, companion, amateur hijacker, muse and musical mentor: Shadow the sheepdog.

The music will have an especial poignancy for me, for it was here, one morning in late summer, that Shadow, then old, tired, and arthritic; having enjoyed a long and lovely retirement, padded out of the house and took himself down to the waters of the port Tabarka, where he had had so many adventures. And there he closed his eyes and slipped into his final peaceful sleep. ** En Vacances receives its premier on 15 June 2013, at the Anvil Theatre, Basingstoke, in a programme including Schumann’s Piano Concert and Mahler’s Symphony no 1. Performed by the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra, featuring solist Ivana Gavrić, conducted by Stephen Scotchmer. www.bso.org.uk Box Office (UK) 01256 844244

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arseillan has long been the muse of poets, novelists and painters.

Now, the pretty port on a Languedoc lagoon is to be celebrated in concert with the world premier of an orchestral work in a UK concert hall in June.

En Vacances, by composer Stephen Scotchmer, which opens a programme of Mahler and Schumann, evokes the spirit of summer in the picturesque port on the banks of the Etang de Thau.

But concert goers might never have been granted this extra treat were it not for the anarchic tendencies of a determined dog which hijacked a hire car when the composer tried to leave Marseillan ten years ago.

Shadow the sheepdog had recently emigrated to Marseillan, and

developed a late-life passenger wanderlust. Seeing the car door open as the Scotchmers prepared to pack up after a holiday in the port, the dog jumped onto the front seat and refused to leave. Thus it was that Stephen and Sarah Scotchmer first got to know their neighbours in the Port Tabarka, as they enlisted help to track down Shadow’s owners. Nothing like a mini-crisis to break the ice, and, as Stephen says “Since that time and on subsequent visits, we have all become better acquainted, exchanging views and opinions on many a topic.”

Stephen and Sarah Scotchmer have been holidaying in the Port Tabarka ever since, and their evenings spent sipping chilled Picpoul de Pinet and watching chalut fishing boats skimming across the Etang towards the oyster beds are echoed in the new work.

“En Vacances is a fun piece. It doesn’t have a deep message. It is carefree and happy, inspired by our many enjoyable visits to Marseillan, a sunny oasis on the Mediterranean coast.”

Stephen, composer of the popular children’s musical Alice in Wonderland, and whose recent works have been broadcast on Classic FM, will conduct the concert (featuring the acclaimed pianist Ivana Gavrić) at the Anvil Concert Hall in Basingstoke on June 15.

En Vacances will be a flavoursome amuse bouche for an unashamedly romantic and passionate concert, as prelude to Schumann’s piano concerto and Mahler’s first symphony Rehearsals for the concert began in April, the culmination of a gentle nuturing process that has punctuated family holidays and breaks à deux over recent summers. Ideas and themes for the piece have simmered and percolated gently over mornings mooching the cobbled ruelles of the historic “old town”, half-hours practicing remembered schoolroom French in the barber’s chair chez Marcel on boulevard Lamartine, afternoons wandering along the canal paths and leafy lanes beyond the village and hypnotic waterfront evenings watching the exuberant swoops, sweeps and shrieks of the hirondelles segue into the lamplight aerobatics of the pipistrelles.

Laurence Phillips is an award winning travelwriter and playwright, whose recent books, How to be very very Lazy in Marseillan and a Lot of Languedoc (voted Guide Book of the Year) and a companion piece to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Travels With a Donkey both celebrate a love of life in Languedoc. He is based in Marseillan which he first discovered over a very long lunch that began in June 2000 and is still going strong, several tables later.

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Restaurant Review

Apicius Eats at..... L’Auberge du Presbytère

Marie Jean 26, Quai General Durand Tel: 0467 460201 Sète

Eating Along the Grand Canal

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rying to make up ones mind as to where to lunch or dine when faced with the multitude of eateries that line what I call restaurant row in Sète is not the easiest of choices. Are they all the same?

Well yes and no; while Marie Jean is in no way terribly unique neither is it just a cookie cutter version of its neighbors. Outfitted with a small terrace, with a fine view of the Grand

Canal and all the fishing boats, and then an inner salon that is decorated in what I would describe as modern functionalism it has clean lines in tones of grey and is not fussy looking.

It’s a pity though that there is a television which is switched on, although thankfully, without any sound.

There are several menus, one starting at 15.90€ for 3 courses and a glass of wine included, another one for 28€ as well as à la carte. There are about 4 choices for each course on the less expensive menu. The starters offered fresh oysters, mussels, salmon or a salad of duck. The salad was presented in proper fashion and while the duck was a tad dry, the crisp lettuce and well-prepared dressing made it a positive start to the meal.

The salmon is also a good choice with tasty slabs of fish and while the presentation is not overly aesthetic, the more than ample portions will please everyone. Mains include grilled swordfish, grilled cuttlefish or bavette (flank steak). My choice of stuffed mussels and squid on a bed of spaghetti and tomato sauce was tasty and nicely made and I particularly liked the tightly filled stuffing of pork; without being overly spectacular it was satisfying enough for what it was. Of the desserts, the baba au rum was quite delicious even if I discount the fact that

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Apicius

Food and Wine on your smartphone or tablet

The 3 minute review.

with Bobbie Trickett

had always thought colours in French were simple. You learn them in your first year of French, don’t you?

Well there are ‘nuances’.

My first surprise was to discover this week, that pourpre in French does not equate to our ‘purple’. It means ‘crimson’.

For ‘purple’ use ‘violet /violette’ and that can be foncé or clair(e) depending on whether you wish to say ‘dark’ or ‘light’.

Then comes the colour brown.

Dark brown is brun(e). So, dark brown hair is cheveux bruns.

Lighter brown hair would be cheveux châtains, which relates to chestnut. This can then be

the whipped cream was from a can. The cake part was amply doused in rum and full of flavor and not soggy at all. The homemade crème caramel had nice texture with the savor of underlying vanilla notes, but could have used more outspokenness. The wine list is not really distinguished; however, it does have variety allowing wines from regions other than the Languedoc.

Another nice plus is the availability of half bottles, which is not always that easy to find in restaurants. There are quite a few bottles for under 20€ with some Burgundies going up to 50€ or above. Pitchers are also available.

Is the Marie Jean a restaurant that will provide a long lasting memory of a fantastic meal? To be honest, I can’t really say it will but it dishes up honest seafood at very affordable prices and that is arguably enough to give it a try. One caveat though – try to get a table on the terrace to enjoy the crowds and the great view.

Restaurant Name: La Where: Capestang Date Visited: 28 April

Galiniere

Your review: The restaurant is run by two brothers, one cooks and the other serves. On the night that I was there I ordered from the 4 course menu (€33.00) Starting with a cream of chestnut soup with balsamic pop-corn, then, as I do not eat fish a veal course as an alternative, followed by wild boar in pastry (Boeuf Napoléon ?) with the best fried potatoes ever and FRESH vegetables. This was followed by a small cheese platter before a sumptuous desert. As to wine, the serving brother is somewhat of a gourmet about his wines and suggested a couple of wines from the extensive list. Remarkably his recommendation was only €15.00 a bottle and an excellent choice. After coffee and cigar on the terrace the total bill was only €50.00. The layout of the establishment was cool and spacious giving one a sense of intimate privacy without feeling that you had been deserted! With a large terrace overlooking a quiet road.

termed châtain clair when referring to a lighter shade.

For eyes, however, yes, les yeux bruns means dark brown eyes, but for lighter coloured eyes, the word marron is used; the other word for ‘the chestnut’.

Complicated! (I won’t enter the grammatical issue here of whether or not the colour agrees with the noun it is describing.)

Another slight variation for us is maroon. It must originally have come from the word marron but has changed its meaning. We sometimes say ‘burgundy’ for this. The French, however, say, Bordeaux. (Same difference).

Price (per person) : 30 - 39€ Out of 10: Food = 9 Service = 8 Sent in by: Clive Marshall-Purves 9

Value = 8

Wine

Rosemary George

Balades Vigneronnes

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t’s that time of year again, the season for the balades vigneronnes, the walks that are organised in the various appellations of the region, as a way of introducing their wines to people who not only enjoy wine and want to know more about it, but also appreciate good food and enjoy walking through the wonderful scenery. I’ve been on several of these walks over the last few years and has always found them enormously rewarding. You get to talk to the person whose wine you are enjoying, and you may explore an unfamiliar corner of the region, and you eat some delicious food.

The wine growers take as much pride and trouble with the menu as they do with their wines. I’ve always made some good vinous discoveries. And it’s even more fun if you do it with a group of friends.

The formula is to buy your ticket, - usually the price of a good, but not extortionate meal in a restaurant - timed for a departure, usually at 15 minutes intervals. Some are lunch time events; some last all day, and other start late afternoon. At the start you are given a wine glass, sunhat, knife and fork, a list of wines that will be served at each stage, a pencil – no excuse for not writing tasting notes (!) and a voucher for each course.

And you may even get a breathalyser , when you arrive at the car park. The walks are well signed, and usually about five kilometres on easy tracks, with a course about every kilometre or so, beginning with a mise en bouche and concluding with dessert.

And there are several wines to taste and enjoy with each course.

The pioneer was Pic St. Loup with a walk they call les Vignes Buisonnières. It has become immensely popular and this year’s two day event in early June is already sold out – blame its proximity to Montpellier. They host 3000 people over two days with the departure at 9.30 a.m. I am told that the dates for next year are 7th and 8th June 2014.

La Clape’s walk, les Sentiers Gourmands, takes place in mid-May and this year is centred on the wine estate of Château

Rouqette sur Mer outside Narbonne Plage. More information on www.laclape.com May is a popular month as the weather is not yet too hot, which makes for pleasant walking and tasting conditions. So other May walks are Les Vignes Toquées in the Costières de Nimes, www.costieres-nimes.org and the Grès de Montpellier, encompassing that broad appellation around Montpellier is hosting its very first walk in mid-May. More information from info@coteaux-languedoc.com A little further afield is Les Amorioles, based around the Roussillon village of Maury. This is a great walk, the countryside is wilder than the Languedoc, and as well as lovely red and white wines, there are all the delicious vin doux naturel to try. This year the walk is on 26th May. More details from the Maison du Terroir in Maury; telephone 04 68 50 08 54; www.boutique-tautavelvingrau.fr Later in the season is Domaine de l’Arjolle’ walk around the village of Margon, including the elegant gardens of the château, and finishing up in the Teisserenc family cellars. They make a large range of different wines, so more than enough to provide an interesting selection to accompany a number of different courses.

The date for the walk this year is Saturday 29th June and more details are available on www.arjolle.com And the last one of the season is the Terrasses du Larzac. That appellation covers a large area from the hills above the lake de Salagou to Aniane, and I’ve been on walks that have started in Octon, St. Jean de Fos and Aniane, and one year they even included the Grottes de Clamouse in the itinerary. This year the walk is planned around the village of Montpeyroux, on Saturday July 6th. Details are not yet confirmed, but more information will be available in due course from coteaux-syndicatcdl@ orange.fr Usually the first departure is about 4 p.m.

Rosemary George MW www.tastelanguedoc.blogspot.com

What wine are you drinking?

Please visit the forum and tell us which wine you are drinking at the moment. We want to build up a selection of the most popular wines that you drink.

Please drink moderately and only if over 18. Drink for pleasure and not to become a buffoon, bore, highly attractive (not) individual who is really (no I mean it) really not as clever and au fait with French politics as they think they are. Cheers, Bottoms up, Sante etc!

10

Business / Money / News Business and Economy Michael D’Artag

My Friend Francois Hollande

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ince we last spoke, Francoise Hollande put himself forward as the best friend of small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Last month he arrived early and smiled through a gathering of 300 entrepreneurs at the Elysée Palace. He told them they were great (job creators) and wonderful (wealth creators), and then stated that successful businessmen should be prized by society! And the icing on the cake.... he cut the capital gains tax rate (ok, it was the one he put up a few months before but maybe he is learning). Oh la la my President. Stop, it is too much.

Broadly these are positive steps and should be embraced (with caution). There appears to be a genuine attempt to assist the long term investor no doubt pushed along a little by ‘les pigeons’ a group of 60,000+ entrepreneurs who highlighted the issue.

Led by the pro-business Fleur Pellerin, the Junior Minister for small business. Hollande also told how he wants to improve small-firm financing and build a culture of enterprise. The businesses of France are on one hand pleased with this new (sic) direction and Madame Pellerin is a worthy and so far intuitive small business ministerbut there is always a but........

But you said.......

The boss of Fleur Pellerin, Arnaud Montebourg has recently done a fantastic Oscar worthy job of undermining this new confidence. He recently blocked Yahoo’s bid to buy 75% of DailyMotion, an online-video website, from France Télécom’s Orange.

But France Telecom CEO Stephane Richard said “Dailymotion is a subsidiary of Orange and not the state. It is the company, its management and its board that manages this issue.”

Is this fair? Well, yes and no.

The state do own 27% of France Telecom and that surely means they should be listened to. Benoit Hamon, defended saying, “Let’s stop describing France as some sort of economic wasteland where foreign investors will no longer step foot.

They are coming,” he told France radio.

Do you have an opinion on businesses in France? Are you running a business in France? Is the red tape as bad as some say?

Or is it straight forward if you follow the guidelines?

Join the forum online and let us know. www.theheraulttimes.com

F

To Declare or not to Declare?

or those of us resident in France, we know that the month of May is the time for French income tax returns. Tax is not the most favourite of subjects for anyone (except for accountants), but it is a popular subject for discussion around the expatriate dinner party table. As the wine flows, people start to open up about what they do or don’t do and for those that do (declare), they leave the party wondering whether or not they are telling the tax man too much.

I also often hear people say that they don’t declare bank accounts outside of France because there is not much money in them and there is no interest. This is a mistake because the existence of all banks accounts outside of France must be declared. The same applies for any life policies and for interests in any trust. There are severe financial penalties for not declaring foreign banks accounts, etc. and the details can be found in the full article at The Business Pages section of The Herault Times website or use the QR code below.

So now you may be asking how the Fisc will find out about those foreign assets. Well, the walls of secrecy are coming down and the revised EU Directive on Administrative Cooperation in Taxation is now in force. In short, banking secrecy has been abolished.

There is no problem with legitimately avoiding taxes, but evading taxes is different and non-disclosure is considered to be tax evasion.

If anyone still has doubt, after considering the potential penalties, they should contact me either by telephone on 04 68 20 30 17 or by e-mail at: daphne.foulkes@spectrum-ifa.com.

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 05600

Read this article in full and previous articles online now at www.theheraulttimes/business

Financial support for Women in business

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he fonds de garantie à l’initiative des femmes (FGIF) was set up in 1989 to improve support and accessibility for women in business.

Its purpose it to share the financial risk with another lender (usually a bank) by granting a loan to all women setting up, building or developing her business.

The loan limit is fixed at 22 000€.

For more information see www.apce.com.

Microsoft in trouble?

Daphne’s latest article in full.

11

Reports that Steve Ballmer has authorised a complete overhaul of Windows 8 has led some analysts to claim that Microsoft are in trouble. Read our interview next month on this and why tablet sales are so important to the company.

Gill Pound

Colin Trickett

In The Garden The Arrival of June

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fter a wet winter and a variable spring June really should see the start of the sunny weather and we will start to think about the heat of the summer

months. Most people water their gardens to some extent at least and do remember that recently planted items will need additional water during their first summer. Be aware that a thorough water every few days is much more effective than frequent light watering, which is often counter-productive since it

doesn’t reach the roots at depth and encourages surface roots which are then at risk of drying out. Try to water in the evening when evaporation rates are lower. Think about water conservation strategies; mulching using chipped bark, shredded garden waste or compost helps to reduce

evaporation and helps to keep weeds down and adds organic material to the soil. You can also use mineral mulches such as gravel or Pouzzoulane. If you don’t already have a system for composting your own vegetable and garden waste think about setting one up – it’s a great source of organic material to

Nature Notes

OUR LARGEST DRAGONS AND SOME FRIENDS

improve your soil.

During June think about the following: • Keep an eye out for damage by slugs, snails, insects, etc and take appropriate action • If you are still planting remember to improve the soil in the planting hole with some terreau but also some river sand or gravel to improve drainage. It is also a good idea to fill the planting hole with water and let it drain away – repeat this several times and make sure the plant has had a good soak before planting as well • If you have any plants with variegated or golden foliage keep an eye out for any wholly green shoots and prune these out immediately • Deadheading perennials after flowering will often encourage a second flowering spell • Vigorous climbers such as wisteria and trumpet vines (Campsis) may need some pruning from time to time over the summer • Cut back dead bulb foliage • Continue to cut back spring flowering shrubs after flowering The Sage or Salvia family has over a thousand species worldwide. Some of the best for gardens here are a group of cultivars which come from dry climate areas of the US – Salvia microphylla and Salvia greggii are the main species and there are now many of these in all sorts of flower colours.

They are winter hardy, require a little supplementary irrigation in the summer and are very long flowering. If you are coming to our open weekend on the 1st & 2nd of June you’ll be able to see many of these in the garden.

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pring! And our walls and stony perimeters are once again animated by the wonderful array of lizards - and occasional snakes. Every colour and size from dull grey/brown to startling lime green and from 3 - 90 cm.

At the smaller end of the multitude are the light to mid-brown ‘lizard des murailles’, the darker brown ‘psammodomes’ and the greenybrown ‘lizard espagnol’, all varying in size from 3 - 20 cm.

Much larger comes the stunning ‘lezard vert’. Bright lime green, about 40 cm in length, this incredibly agile and rapid dragon can be spotted darting in and out of cover around the stony perimeters of gardens and vineyards. Unlike its smaller cousins who satisfy their appetite with a melange of small insects, this voracious lizard adds snails, eggs, fruit and even young birds and small rodents to their menu.

At the top of the tree, the mighty ‘lizard ocelle’, Europe’s largest and longest lived dragon, reaching 90 cm and surviving 25 years!

Hibernating from November to March in holes in the ground or walls, they reappear in April and begin the mating process. The

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes, 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.

Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@ lapetitepepiniere.com www.lapetitepepiniere.com From top: 1. Ribambelle 2. Royal Bumble 3. Purple Haze 12

female will lay between 8 and 18 eggs in a hole and 3 months later the tiny, dull, olive green babies will hatch. The males will go on to develop into patterned, mottled green with striking blue spots on the flanks. The females lack the blue spots.

The stand out feature of this species is ... sheer scale! Up to 90 cm in length and possessing an enormous, intimidating head, they are incredibly fast runners and superbly agile climbers, stoking their insatiable appetites with a diet of grasshoppers, crickets, snails, shrews, mice, smaller lizards, birds, young rabbits and fruit!

These two species of larger lizards do have predators, birds of prey and our largest snake, the “Montpellier” This magnificent grass snake grows to a length of 2.5 metres and is not poisonous. Its diet consists mainly of lizards, rodents and large insects. There are two other common grass snakes, the “vert et jaune” at about 1.5 metres and the ‘girondine’ at around 70 cm.

As in the UK, we have just one poisonous snake, the ‘viper aspic’. Grey/brown in colour with distinctive dark spots down its length and around 70 cm in size it can normally be spotted basking in ditches and edges of vineyards. It is not usually aggressive and will slither away if it senses or hears an approach.

However it can be potentially dangerous or at least painful, so take care if walking “off Piste”!

Good Be To Young

Listening to right now:

Get Lucky [feat. Pharrell Williams]- Daft Punk Hey Porsche - Nelly J’me tire - Maître Gims I Need Your Love (feat. Ellie Goulding) - Calvin Harris

HT young journalist Nikki Brett, 12, writes about learning French

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he wonderful times of lazily mooching around the house, looking for food or out exploring the glorious beaches of Barcelona (like me!) are now over and the time for kids to merrily (yeah, right!) hop to school with empty brains ready to be filled with important skills and ABCs has arrived again.

When my family and I came to live here a few years ago I was excited to see France, as the only insight to the country I had had was from the movie ‘Ratatouille’. I always thought that France was full of elegant women and men on bikes with berets so when I first saw a man walk into a restaurant with a Mohawk I remember (well not meaning to) shouting, “Oh!” As he looked for a table my sister burst into laughter while my mum just sat there and blushed at my loud outburst.

Not one of my greater moments.

I remember my first day here at école primaire. I was in math class, at least I thought I was as I had no clue what was going on around me as the only French phrase I knew was “Comment tu t’appelle?” The second day a girl came over and took the picture I was drawing off my desk and made fun of me in front of the class. It’s funny now to

imagine what it was like not speaking French.

In fact, at first it was horrible. I was on my own most of the time as how can you make friends when you can’t speak to anyone? The girls treated me like a baby, even the ones in the year below me! People seemed to think that when you can’t speak their language that you have mental problems or something.

French children can be quite mean if they don’t know you. I didn’t really get much help with learning French as a non-French speaker, except a couple of hours every week, so you just have to get on with it really. After a few months I started to catch on with sentences here and there, but still had to squiggle my hands frantically in the air for most communication. And in lessons I would just stare at the clock waiting for the break because whatever the teacher was saying just frustrated me because I didn’t understand everything.

Then one day the teacher asked me to read a

On the music side

paragraph of the story we were looking at and to my surprise I read the whole thing.

Granted I stumbled a bit, but that was a lot more than I thought I could do. After that, I started to try a little harder to talk to people.

Of course it was still hard but something had started to change, even though I can’t really put my finger on what it was.

Now I’ve been here for over four years and have learnt French the world couldn’t be a better place. But though I’ve lots of amazing friends and am top of the class in my average, I still don’t ever dream in French and can’t always find the words to express everything I want to say, especially the kind of humour I enjoy, which doesn’t seem to translate well into French. I have learnt to kind of divide myself and what I share with which friends – i.e. French speaking and English speaking. Meanwhile, I’m planning to study for a degree in physics… well, not right now, may be in a few years!

wonderful one! Mingling reggae with some blues, country and rock, it’s a whole universe, where emotions are blended to rebel against chaos, each other’s love, tolerance and happiness that opens its doors to you and your soul. As they say in one of their songs which emphasizes the difficulties for musicians to live by their art, they intend to share their good vibrations to the world, even if “it’s a long way to the top” though! Anyway, you can listen to some of their tracks on myspace

Musician / music critic Lilian Armand reviews:

Brouss Dokotor ♪ “Dans la brouss, brouss, brouss, Brouss Dokotor” ♪ Hi guys!Hope everything’s okay for you! This month, I’m going to talk about some good friends of mine, a refreshing Folk Rock/ Reggae Roots band from Paulhan named Brouss Dokotor. With their groovy sound and their sweet voices, Corinne (lead vocals), Kohkoh (guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals), Pablo (bass-guitar), Marc (trumpet), J.B (Keyboard), Christophe (Saxophone) and François (Drums) have every key to make you feel good, to make you have a joyful moment in your life !

Singing in French as in English, never mind, their beautiful lyrics will put a smile upon your face and transform a bad day into a

(www.myspace.fr/httpwwwmyspacecombroussdokotor) and their band page on facebook.

Never forget: “Music is a thinking noise” and the Brouss Dokotor’s familia will make you understand that!

Have fun everyone! One Love!

13

“During the spring season Texas becomes an enchanting garden.

Amongst this enchantment there is sheer violence, the killing machine works without any feeling.”

Danièle Sirven

The Death penalty w president François M

by Robert Badinter, famous opponent to

A JOURNEY TO THE KILLIN T

his is by far the most dramatic report of my life as a reporter a story in which love and death are closely intertwined.

It all started at an art exhibition in Montpellier. There I met Danièle and René Sirven, a couple who had been visiting a convict on Death Row in Texas named Rickey Lynn Lewis for ten years. Recently they had received a terrible piece of news: a date had been set for his execution, April 9th. They told me they would go to Texas and honor their promise to Rickey and attend his execution. I had read their book* about Rickey a few years ago and had been so moved by it that I decided to make the journey and visit Rickey while there was still time to do so. t this point, I would like to clarify that René and Danièle are not the kind of people “who care about the killer, who don’t give a damn about the victim”. As citizens however they question the meaning of adding another cold-blooded crime by the state to a heinous crime committed by a private individual. As activists against the death penalty they had exchanged a few letters with a convict in Texas, a place they visited annually in order to meet their youngest daughter, Virginie, who lived in Houston a few years ago. It was an opportunity to go and visit Rickey - a 2 hour ride from Houston.

When they first met him in 2003, exactly 10 years ago, “It was an explosion in my mind”, Danielle says. ow about Rickey. From the very day he was born his life was hell. His father would regularly beat him and sometimes abuse him. He would beat his wife too, to the extent that one day 10-year-old Rickey fired at him to protect his mother. Rejected by his father, he found himself in the street, with violence as the only way of survival.

Mentally retarded, he was easy prey to be manipulated. So, by the age of 28 he already had a substantial criminal record when on September 17, 1990 he and 2 other guys broke into the house of Georges Newman and his fiancée Connie Hilton in Tyler, 100 miles east of Dallas. Georges was shot and killed, Connie cruelly beaten and raped, not to mention the killing of their dog. Rickey was the only one arrested and tried. He was condemned to death despite strong doubt about his responsibility in the killing of Georges: according to a

ballistic study, the person who shot at him was taller than Rickey.

Nevertheless under Texas law, a defendant can be given the death penalty if he was a party to a killing, even if he didn’t kill the victim himself. Rickey denied the killing but acknowledged the rape during his last statement. So were the Sirvens going to befriend a monster? The ‘Rickey’ condemned to be killed by the state’ had little in common with the Rickey who, 23 years before, was part of an odious crime - to the extent that visiting him seemed to be a much unforeseen experience. “For the American administration it was a caged “monster” we went to meet. A monster accused of rape and murder. But we know the man did not get a proper defense. Far from being a “monster” the man we met was a bud of humanity through the work of Rickey Lynn Lewis. We thought we were going to have to look for that bud, instead we were dazzled by the new blossoming of a great tree. We saw before us a man full of the desire never to harm another.

We met a man who had become human through the experience within himself, within us, which is infinitely greater than us.” Virginie, the Sirvens’ daughter who visited him too says: “Suddenly I had the feeling “this is my brother. I could feel a bond, a pure bond without any artifice, unconditional love. Probably I wouldn’t have had the same experience with another inmate. In this place where I should feel uneasy there is this bond. We are there face to face. I feel a great serenity. I have never experienced something like that anywhere else.

It’s maybe triggered by this journey to the very edge of life.” And from Rickey in one of his letters to the Sirvens: “I’m on Death Row with a date to die, but all this love is around, blocking away all the sadness of this date”. Me too, I was going to meet Rickey. The way to him was puzzling. From Montpellier I called the Death Row in Texas.

The lady who granted me permission to visit Rickey could not have been nicer to me, and it was the same with all of the Public Information Office staff at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). What a gap between the high degree of transparency displayed by the TDCJ,** the friendliness of most of its employees and the frightening apparent lack of concern for their work on Death Row, that of erasing a human being. So by the beginning of April, one

A

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was abolished in France in 1981 under Mitterrand. The bill was presented r, the Chief Justice at that time and a o capital punishment.

“Justice” - A picture drawn by Ricky Lynn Lewis before his execution

NG CAPITAL OF THE WORLD convicts”. Another one took the risk and said: “Something senseless takes life away”. I asked a third one about Rickey: “I appreciated him, it’s terrible”. trapped on a table called a gurney, in the shape of a cross, Rickey was to be killed for a homicide he probably didn’t commit. The execution is carried out by lethal injection, a very clinical act, almost anticlimactic, according to Michael Graczyk, an Associated Press correspondent based in Houston who has witnessed more than 300 executions. At appointed execution time, I stayed in front of the jail with a handful of anti-death penalty demonstrators, less than a dozen people - among them not even one student from the neighbouring Sam Houston State University a few hundred meters away. Most of them just don’t even know about the executions which take place at ‘The Wall’, the prison next to their university, despite a strong and famous criminal justice department. nd downtown Huntsville what’s the local opinion on the death penalty and the jail industry? I entered a cozy fashion shop attended by a young and attractive assistant. Both her parents work for the jail industry. What does she think about the death penalty?

She doesn’t know. Why are there so many convicts on Death Row in Texas? She just doesn’t know. lthough most people I spoke to in Huntsville don’t seem especially happy about the executions, the larger sense I have is of a general indifference, perhaps because the locals have just got used to it; the state-condoned killings have become part and parcel of daily life. Routine trivializes atrocity. ince Rickey, two other convicts have been executed in Huntsville.

Despite the cold-blooded cruelty of those executions, through Danièle and René’s unwavering commitment towards Rickey up until the ultimate moment I witnessed something stronger than death, faith in being human. Text Patrice Victor

week before the date scheduled for his death, I made the journey to the Polunski Unit, the jail where Rickey and 280 other convicts are detained prior to their execution. But I was not to see Rickey. I learnt that a few days prior to my arrival a detective visited him and lied to him, saying that if he gave the names of the people who broke into the house with him, he would get a stay of execution. Rickey gave the names of some people and then became paranoid about it. He thought that as a result those people could endanger the lives of his visitors. So Rickey refused to meet me because he wanted to protect me …The day after this tentative visit, I went to Huntsville - 60 miles from the Polunski unit - a town of 39,000 including more than 8000 inmates, where Rickey was to be killed. In order to give you an idea of the context, the US is the only nation in the Western world to apply the death penalty and it ranks 5th for the number of executions, behind China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia! Since 1976, when the death penalty was re-instituted in the US, Texas has executed more inmates than any other state, all of them in Huntsville, which makes this verdant town the killing capital of the world when it comes to legal homicide! There are 7 jails in Huntsville, the main industry for the town, to the extent that there is even a prison museum you can visit there.***

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The Execution

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ickey’s execution was scheduled for April 9th. On the day Danièle and René Sirven met with the chaplains attached to the Death Row in order to “brief” them regards witnessing the killing scheduled a few hours later. I was there, I attended the meeting; it looked surreal, the striving for such perfection and the anticipation attached to every single detail: “Don’t forget to go to the toilet before the execution, you may cry and you will have all the Kleenex you need, but above all don’t touch the plexiglass which separates you from the death chamber….” ne of the chaplains had already attended 111 executions and maybe it had just become routine for him. I asked what his stand was on the death penalty:“I don’t do politics; I just talk with the

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* ‘Texas couloir de la mort’ (available in English) book by Danièle and René Sirvens and more information about Rickey: http://www.usa-couloirsdelamort.org/ ** http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/ *** http://www.txprisonmuseum.org/ 15

Agde

Musée de l’Éphèbe B

uilt in 1984, the Musée de l’Ephèbe in Agde is dedicated to diving and underwater archaeology. It represents the very rich past of the Agde area which you will be able to discover through exceptional collections, fruit of underwater search of over forty years by recreational divers or experienced archaeologists.

Its collections are divided into four main themes: Royal Marine, Ancient Navigation, Ancient Bronzes and Early History, where there are more than 1,400 objects from early inhabitants before the arrival of the Greeks.

The museum retraces 2,600 years of the history of Agde City, formerly a Greek city situated between the Hérault River and the Canal du Midi. Some groups of very active divers made discoveries from the early fifties, up to the sixties and the early eighties. It was in 1964 that the famous Éphèbe statue was found. In 1965, after undergoing renovation, it was placed next to the Samothrace statue in the Louvre, Paris. Later, it was donated to the underwater archaeological museum in France which borrowed its name from this master piece. Built next to an ancient farm in the mid-eighties, it replaced the former Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions today at the heart of the historical centre.

Before the Romans built paved roads, transporting goods was essentially done by boat which was cheaper and faster.

Building materials, works of art and food hence travelled to the Cretan, Egyptian, Phoenician and Etruscan ports. In France, nonetheless, navigation remained closed between October and March as the sea was then considered maria clausis, to avoid the unnecessary risk of shipwreck.

Since Agde is the second oldest French city after Marseille, its port was a common trade passage, allowing a great number of boats to deliver or collect merchandise. Amongst these were the well-known amphoras carrying various liquids: olive oil, wines, or what used to be called garum or fish sauce, employed as a meat preservative. Many of these are on display, and although empty of their contents are still intact, their necks unbroken proving that their original contents remained untouched. The sea guarded their secret 16

over the centuries, and we can today contemplate their various shapes as clues to their origins: North Africa or former Carthage, Andalusia, Italy or Etruria.

The finale of the antique bronze section is the famous l’Alexandre d’Agde or Statue de l’Ephèbe, the jewel of the museum. It was welcomed in 2010 for its 25th anniversary. This internationally acclaimed work of art has been under renovation for 45 years and has an extraordinary story to tell. A witness of antiquity while Agde was still a Greek City, it evokes Alexander the Great. The museum commentary suggests the bronze is most likely by the Sculptor Lysippe de Sicyone: based on his stance, dimensional ratios and hair style as well as a certain melancholy, all recognizable as Lysippe’s style. Renovation of the statue followed the line of its skeleton. The inside structure is in plastic tubes and in the right leg the insertion of a brass tube is extended to the hips maintaining its stability.

The museum is set in the middle of a pine forest, in a green surrounding, easy to reach by car or public transport. The visit is really worth doing, even if the period antiquity has never been your cup of tea.

Perhaps, that is exactly what is missing: a tea shop!

Mas de la Clape.

34300 Le Cap D’Agde Tel: 04 67 94 69 60 www.museecapdagde.com Text: Dominique Aclange

Crédit photo Ephèbe restaurée - Pierre Arnaud Amphores - Laurent Gheysens.

Emblema marsyas - Patrick Blanc

LifeStyle

The Unexpected Consequences of Iron Overload

excess stored iron to make new red blood cells.

Because of the lack of awareness and understanding both with the general public and medical professionals, I am seeking opportunities to make people mindful of this particular condition and to encourage those who may not as yet have any symptoms but who may have some family history of symptoms, to get themselves tested by a simple blood test.

Knowledge is power. It can ensure it doesn’t lead to serious symptoms in later life.

The young are the most vulnerable currently as the medical professions are not up to speed on its importance, and if diagnosed when young, can make the difference between living a long and healthy life and becoming very ill in later years or dying prematurely.

By James Minter

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ames Minter, fiction author, based in Saint Chinian, announces the release of his latest book ‘The Unexpected Consequences of Iron Overload,’a spoof thriller but with a serious purpose.

The aims of the book are threefold: First to increase awareness of the insidious condition called Haemochromatosis. Second, to raise funds for the Haemochromatosis Society as all the profits from book sales are going to the Society for research and education. Third, the book is a humorous spoof thriller; it doesn’t make light of the condition, rather it encourages people to bring it into the open whilst having a bit of fun. Laughter is his favoured medication as it’s free, has no side effects, is contagious and does you the power of good.

This book hits the spot.

Genetic Haemochromatosis (GH) is a hereditary disorder causing the body to retain iron excessively. The body needs iron from food to make haemoglobin, the red pigment in blood used to transport oxygen.

Haemochromatosis sufferers are genetically predisposed to absorb too much iron from their diet. As the body cannot expel excess iron it deposits it around the organs—mainly in the liver, pancreas, heart, endocrine glands, and joints, where it turns from a much needed trace mineral into a poison.

Early symptoms include depression, exhaustion, lethargy, loss of libido and joint pain. Because it’s a ‘slow burn’these symptoms often pass unnoticed until the patient is in their 40s or later in women. Left untreated, some individuals go on to develop life-threatening illnesses like diabetes, liver cirrhosis, cancer, arthritis, and heart disease. This is more so the case now as we are living longer in general.

For a disorder that few seem to have heard of, it is surprisingly common. In Europe an estimated one in 8 people are carriers of the mutant gene linked to it, and an estimated 3.7 million people have the condition, although the vast majority are unaware. The Haemochromatosis Society—a charity founded and chaired by Janet Fernau, MBE - says people are suffering from entirely preventable diseases and even facing premature death because of a lack of awareness and testing.

Treatment is simple and cheap. The only way to remove iron from the body is via the blood. Every pint removed takes with it 200mg of iron and lowers ferritin levels by 25 as the body starts to use the

James has the condition. His novel is endorsed by Janet Fernau, MBE, Founder and Chair of the Haemochromatosis Society in the UK (www.haemochromatosis.org.uk).

For further information contact James via: www.jamesminter.com or james@jamesminter.com, ‘The Unexpected Consequences of Iron Overload’ is available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook (Kindle) formats

Ladies Spa Days

Tuesday 11th June, Murviel les Béziers Thursday 13th June, Quarante 0900hrs to 1800hrs Tuesday 11th June, 90€: inc. use of pool, 1h massage of choice and lunch Thursday 13th June, 85€: inc. Jacuzzi, sauna, 1h massage of choice and lunch To reserve your place, for all other dates and information, or to book a private “ Spa Day” for up to 10 people, please contact Susannah cartwright on 0652752445.

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The Calendar The Calendar Daily Calendar (in English) on www.theheraulttimes.com NB Changes for Capestang choir concerts Now Sunday 26th May at Capestang (Salle Polyvalente, 19h) and Monday 27th May at St Chinian (L’Abbatiale, 19h). The choir will be performing Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, including ‘O Fortuna’. FREE

** Until July 26 Enter the Herault Times Art Competition And win prizes and become the front cover of the Herault Times and The Aude Times. Details on www. theheraulttimes.com ** Sunday 2nd June Castries Arts and Crafts Day and Local Produce: More than 40 artisans, including wood carvers, jewelers, painters, blacksmiths…will exhibit their products in the courtyard and buildings at this event, which attracts more than 2000 visitors. Great opportunity to discover this magnificent wine domaine, ancient property of the Templars dating from 1235. Free Domaine St Jean de l’Arbousier Castries 34160 ** Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd June Open Garden weekend at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes.

Exhibitions, live music, guided garden visits, artisans, high quality gardening tools for sale, and much, much more.

Drinks and delicious snacks available throughout the day, for a sit down lunch (reservation only) call Linda 0467787010. 10h-18h La Petite Pépinière de Caunes, 21, av de la Montagne Noire, 11160 Caunes-Minervois, 04 68 78 43 81 ** 5 Saturdays in June (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th) Peret Creative Writing Five skills ESSENTIAL to creative writing. A Course of Five 3 hour

Lamelou-les-Bains Gare-Expo presents: Exhibition of oriental carpets with Charlotte Craig.

Charlotte will be also be running workshops on carpet restoration.

Open every day from 15h-19h Centre Ulysse, Bvd de Mourcayrol, 34240 Lamelou-les-Bains ** Saturday 15th / Sunday 16th Agde American Weekend An initiative of the ‘Cheyenne Trike 34’ club and the Comité des Fetes, Agde welcomes for the third year a meeting of trikes and American cars. A weekend of extraordinary sights not to be missed!

Tel: 04 67 77 39 52 or see http://www. capdagde.com ** Saturday 15th June - Fontès Heritage Walk: Street Art and heritage, when heritage becomes the inspiration for creativity, with artist Cécilia Makhloufi RDV: 15h médiathèque Info: Office de tourisme : 0467 962386 ** Sunday 16th June - St Chinian VENTE de CHARITÉ 08h30 – 12h30 Tombola, Clothes, Bric-a-brac, Cakes and more In aid of Secours Populaire ; Alzheimers ; CSF Sud de France Organised by: The International Women’s club (www.wic-lr.com) Salle de l’Abbatiale, St Chinian ** Friday 21st June - Pézenas Concert : Airs de Musique sacreé and d’opéra 20h30 FREE Eglise Sainte Ursule, Pézenas

workshops on Saturday mornings in June, each one focusing on a specific skill essential to creative writers and including further exercises to take home. Time: 9h-12h Venue: Peret 34800 Places limited to five Contact for further details: writeoutonalimb@gmail.com ** Thursday June 6th WINE TASTING OF THE YEAR! Domaine Savary de Beauregard near Montagnac, 14h- 17h Around 50 wines including the newly bottled 2012 whites and roses from 20 plus of the region’s best independent wine domaines. Taste at your leisure with no one selling you anything. An opportunity to choose your favourite wines for the summer! Entry 5€.

All tastings FREE To reserve your place email info@languedoc-select.com or telephone 0467902042 www.languedoc-select.com

** Saturday 8th June & Sunday 9th June To celebrate 30 years, the Ensemble Vocal de Pézenas, led by Jean-Marc Normand are performing two exceptional concerts: 150 choristers, 6 soloists and 8 musicians will interpret the work of Monteverdi ‘Vespro della beata Vergine’. The Ensemble Vocal de Pézenas will be joined by the choir Arioso de Baillargues and the choir d’O and will be accompanied by baroque ensemble Domitienne, directed by Christopher Hainsworth.

Saturday 8th, 20h45 - Collégiale St Jean, Pézenas Sunday 9th, 18h Temple rue Maguelone, Montpellier Entry: 15€ (reductions 12€) ** Sunday 9th June Ganges Flea market in old Ganges (5€ for a pitch, 4m maximum/10€ for more than 4m. Set up 7h) 7h-13h Place des halles 34190 GANGES ** Sunday 9th June to Sunday 23rd June

** Friday 21st June - Sète Astronomy with the Association Setoise d’Astronomie: detailed observation of the sky and of Venus, Saturn and Jupiter. 21h Free Chemin des Pierres Blanches Site des Pierres Blanches 34200 SETE Tel : 04 99 57 11 07 **

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Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd June Coulobre 12th year of ‘Les Journées d’Arts au Domaine’ featuring works from professional artists and sculptors from the region. A vibrant event with an international atmosphere to celebrate a shared passion for art. The exhibition will close with live music from Oeno Jazz Band on the Sunday.

Vernissage: Friday 21st, 18h; Exhibition: Saturday 16h-19h and Sunday 15h-19h Domaine d’Adrienne Basse, 34290 Coulobres Tel : 0467398434 mail : lubberts@orange.fr ** Monday 24th to Sunday 30th June Frontignan 13th Festival of the ‘Roman Noir’ Meetings with authors, round tables, music, theatre, cinema, dedications…

Square de la Liberté and the territoire de Thau. Square de la Liberté - Avenue du Général de Gaulle 34110 FRONTIGNAN noir.soleil@free.fr www.polar-frontignan.org ** Sunday 30th June - St Thibéry ‘Defi Prédator Sud’ Fishing Competition for enthusiasts organized

by Les Amis Pecheurs de St Thibéry.

Starts in the morning. Lunch available on the Pré de l’ile. For boats, there will be 25 crew.For more information and to register visit: https://sites. google.com/site/lesamispecheursdesaintthibery/hom ** Every 1st Wed & Thurs of the month Marseillan Historique’s Visitor Centre (located on the main boulevard) offers walking tours of the ancient village and the old port. Village tours are every Wednesday and port tours are the first Thursday of each month. Tours start at 10h30 sharp and are in English.

Group tours are by arrangement at any time. Contact Mike or Patricia Worsam 06 86 37 86 06. www.marseillanhistorique.info

What’s in a name....

Sue Hicks continues her look into the history of Street names

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ictor- Marie Hugo’s life full of drama began in 1802 when his publication of his attack on Napoleon-le-Petit was a best seller parents were told he was unlikely to live beyond 24 hours. translated into several languages and copies were smuggled into France He later wrote, “This century was two years old.....A child was born of in ingenious ways including between pieces of metal looking like tins mixed blood Breton and Lorraine – Pallid blind and mute. That child of sardines. “A creative binge” followed while he continued to write, whom Life was scratching from its book and who had not another day to campaigned against the death penalty, and “found his vocation as an live, was me.” arch exile.” The English authorities were Hugo’s father was an officer in Napoeventually exasperated by his outbursts and ‘Whoever knows the life of Hugo leon’s army who rose to the rank of General Hugo was expelled from Jersey in 1855 and and his mother was a Catholic Royalist. knows the history of the 19th century’. spent most of the next 15 years living in This combination did not make for an easy exile on Guernsey. marriage, nor did frequent moves including Les Miserables had been started as early as to Rome and to Spain with the young family of three boys, long separa1845 but was not completed until 1862. Hugo changed publisher to get tions or the fact that both parents had romantic attachments to others. himself a better financial deal and directed one of the biggest operations As a young man in Paris, Hugo was a royalist and wrote an Ode for in publishing history with advance advertising campaigns and press Charles X which won him the Legion d’honneur in 1825 and he saw releases. This “history from the point of view of the scapegoat” Jean himself as a confidante of King Louis Philippe. Hugo’s early huge Valjean and his tormentor Javert, Fantine and her child Cosette, became success was as a poet and throughout his life he earned his living from a huge success and Hugo was overwhelmed with begging letters. a diverse output which included poems, essays, journalism, plays and Hugo returned triumphantly to France in 1870 after the Emperor’s abdication during the Franco Prussian War. He endured the siege of Paris but escaped before the Commune and its bloody ending. He was elected a deputy and tried unsuccessfully to get amnesty for the Communards.

He became a Senateur in 1876 where some described him as just a mischief maker but his “transcendental significance” was recognised when an enormous parade was organised in Paris to celebrate his 80th birthday. For six hours, up to half a million people filed past Hugo’s home where he sat at the window while thousands of musicians played La Marseillaise. Over two thousand telegrams were received from all over the world.

Hugo died in 1885 and his funeral drew over two million people who watched as his body was drawn, at his instruction on a pauper’s hearse, to the basement of the Pantheon.

One woman fell from a parapet into the Seine and drowned with the man who was trying to save her. Another gave birth on the Boulevard St Germain. novels. In 1830 the first production of his play Hernani was a near riot with his well-organised supporters outshouting the objectors. The Victor-Marie Hugo has more than sixteen hundred streets named after following year, Hugo wrote Notre Dame de Paris featuring the cathedral him. It is said that, ‘Whoever knows the life of Hugo knows the history itself, Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Frollo. The novel became an of the 19th century’. immediate best seller and the hordes of tourists led the authorities to restore the crumbling cathedral.

Hugo’s legendary love life included marrying his childhood sweetheart Adele only after the death of his mother and having a lifelong relationship with Juliette Drouet. His secret coded notebooks refer to frequent assignations, detail payments and include comments on his sexual adventures. His known lovers included a married woman Leonie Biard (who was imprisoned for her adultery while Hugo, as a pair de France, was exempt from prosecution), the girlfriend of his son, and the actress Sarah Bernhardt.

Hugo’s family life was filled with tragedy. While on holiday with Juliette in 1843, Hugo opened a newspaper and read of a tragic drowning in the Seine. The 19 year old newlywed was his beloved favourite daughter Leopoldine, dragged down in the waters by her heavy skirts, and her husband who had died trying to save her. It took 74 hours to make the 350 mile journey to Paris and they arrived too late for the funeral. In later years, Hugo would lose his son Charles at the age of 44, his son Francois-Victor aged 55, and his daughter Adele was incarcerated in a lunatic asylum. Hugo became a devoted if dictatorial grandfather to his two grandchildren who often lived with him or nearby, even when their mother remarried.

Hugo’s political activity continued and after he had he condemned the coup d’etat of Louis Napoleon, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, in 1851 he fled in disguise to Brussels. His attacks on the new regime in France made him unwelcome and after 8 months, Hugo and his entourage, which included Juliet, moved on to Jersey for three years. The 19

THE OLDEST VILLAGE IN FRANCE?

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s Marseillan the oldest village in France?

de maitre built in the 1860s as the more well-to-do moved out of the narrow and crowded streets of the old village.

In the Place de la Republique is one of Marseillan’s two famous ladies ‘The Marianne’. A symbol of the revolution, she was erected in 1878 and is the oldest stone Marianne in France. She holds the ‘Rights of Man’ in her right hand and a builder’s level, to symbolise equality, in her left. She wears a laurel wreath to symbolise peace and has the star of liberty in her hair. Not for her the aggressive phrygien bonnet seen on some other statues.

The second lady is found in her own chapel in the church… the Virgin Mary with her child. Serene as ever, she dates back to the foundation of the church itself - 1601. In seven years of guided tours around Marseillan only one person has noticed the unusual feature that marks the mother and child as something special… rather than an infant she is carrying a two year old child! This came about because when Napoleon nationalised Catholic property he sent his soldiers to collect all the valuables to supplement his budget and to desecrate. The Virgin was toppled from her plinth and her left side was shattered. She had to remain where she fell until 1840 when Catholic legitimacy was restored. Then efforts were made to affect her repair.

Eventually the Duke de Montmerency agreed to fund her repair on the proviso that his recently deceased son was used to model the infant Jesus.

There is much else to see and to learn: why, for example are the houses only three stories high? Or when did the village cease to be medieval in nature? Old Marseillan has a unique atmosphere that is remarked upon by all who visit.

Probably.

Although there is no direct proof she was founded some 600 years BC at the same time as Marseille and Agde, the oldest city and town, during the period when an ‘inland sea’ - Le Lac de tranquillité provided a direct route from the Rhone to the end of what is now the Etang de Thau. Marseillan was founded at the very far end of the waterway since the most economic way of transporting goods was by water. From the beginning, the village was a trading centre and it was trade that made her the richest village in the Languedoc. The ‘jewel of the Languedoc’ as the Duke de Montmerency in Toulouse described her.

The period of Marseillan’s real wealth was while the Canal du Midi was commercially active during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 18th century the port was extended several times and at its peak was handling 100 barges per day! Coupled with the fishing, vineyards and income from visitors Marseillan’s economy flourished to the point where the village needed fortification. Six metre walls were built around the village and a wide moat was dug.

Marseillan became the most heavily fortified village in the Languedoc and was never threatened by robbers or even by the English army under the Black Prince.

Today Marseillan is still comparatively wealthy having, unusually, three bases to its economy: fish, wine and tourism. It now has five busy ports, with a waiting list for moorings, but regrettably its trade was lost when the Canal du Midi closed commercial operations at the beginning of the 20th century.

The old walls and moat have long vanished, now the old village is surrounded by a series of boulevards that encircle it, which in turn has led to an increase in population of over 10,000, elevating it to a ‘Ville’. The boulevards are lined with maisons

Marseillan Historique’s Visitors’ Centre offers tours every Wednesday in season; port tours on the first Thursday of each month. Tours are in English and start at 10h30. Group tours by arrangement at any time. Contact: Mike or Patricia Worsam 06 86 37 86 06. or visit www.marseillanhistorique.info.

Rêve D’Intérieur

Rêve D’Intérieur 8 avenue Maréchal Foch 34800 Clermont L’Hérault (next door to Fou d’Anglais) 04 67 44 67 05 Monday to Saturday 9am- 7pm (Saturdays 6pm)

“Is your terrace ready for spring?”

“Like a brand new kitchen for the summer?”

“Get the bathroom you want”

Visit Réve D’Intérieur 400m² of tiles, parquet, bathrooms and kitchens Professional service at affordable prices

“English spoken, Free quotes.” Ask for Cedric 20

Hello HT’ers and welcome to E-male.

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

Samsung Galaxy S4 Samsung have taken over the Smartphone market due in no little part to a ridiculously high marketing and PR budget.

They sided heavily with Google to attempt to make a phone that would surpass the iPhone from Apple and with the Galaxy S3 some say the ‘iPhone killer’ appeared.

Well, 40 million phones in 7 months can’t be all bad. So what do Samsung do? They bring out the Samsung Galaxy S4. The flagship phone in their range and they attempt to topple Apple completely.

What is it?

A mobile phone with a lot more.

It does make good quality phone calls so as a phone.....10/10 What Colour is it?

Black or White.....

What’s so special about it?

Well if you want or currently have a smartphone. (For those that don’t think Apple iPhones) prepare to be blown away. This is not a smartphone, this is a superduper smartphone. It has a larger screen that is probably better quality than your television and a 13 megapixel rear-mounted camera as good as the camera in your bag. It also offers 1080p Full HD video recording and an integrated flash so it is all you’ll ever need.

keep getting asked (Michael, Sharon, Gwen, Dave, David, Alan and Fiona to start) why I don’t review things.

So we asked for a Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone and guess what?

We got one.

Now there are plenty of reviews out there if you look so I thought I would really try to make this simple and straightforward. (not easy if you know me). So here you have it.......

So I should get one?

If you want a smartphone that is currently better than the other best in range (iPhone 5, Sony Xperia Z and HTC 1) then if it is functions, screen and image capabilities this is your baby.

Why wouldn’t I get one?

Aesthetics for starters.

Nowhere near as beautiful as the HTC 1 or as comforting as the iPhone 5.

It is a bit too plastic for comfort but hey, it didn’t stop the S3 did it? And if you really are a user of functions it eats your memory. On the phone I had there was just over 9gb of storage to use on a 16gb model. And of course, it costs!

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Price Contracts in France mean the phone will cost in the region of 250€ to buy but you’ll get about €200 of that back over the length of your contract. (This is based on the pricey 2gb or 4gb data plans that will set you back around 50€ to 70€ a month. Want a lower monthly plan and the phone goes up in price.

Yes or no?

If you like Beyonce, you know, she sings, she dances, she looks good but you only remember 5 or 6 of her 40 song set then go now and buy this. It is without doubt a fantastic phone and it’s tech specifications match it against any phone out there. It has more features than any other phone and its screen resolution is excellent.

Available on SFR, Orange and Bouygues now. La Poste say they have it but you may have to wait for a couple of weeks.

HT says: “If you use these already, buy this.”

www.l-artiste.com

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elcome to the art pages of The Herault Times. All articles are taken from the bi-lingual Visual Arts magazine L’Artiste

or the L’Hérault Art website. Please visit us at www.l-artiste.com or www.lheraultart.com. If you have an exhibition or art event and would like to see it on these pages please drop us a line at info@theheraulttimes.com. All exhibitions are online at www.lheraultart.com

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en years ago Aidee Bernard found herself living in a wild valley near Roquebrun. Studying at Les Beaux Arts, Montpellier the most precious thing she learnt was to experiment – and that creating could be led by her curiosity. She could try things out....

canopy of trees, unusually close to it. When harvest time arrives, each plant tells me a story... and its particular characteristics determine what shape and use it will lend itself to. My favourites are the delicate newborn fibres of spring, viscous and shiny. The wild oats I gather are like this. Their transformation into paper fibres through the

Aidée Bernard -

surprisingly she is particularly passionate about sharing the experience that we don’t need to put up barriers for ourselves – “I need expertise”, “I need to be artistic”, ‘I need to do it right’ - between a wish to engage in some way with the materials offered to us by the world and aspiration for an ‘end product’.

I Love to Immerse Myself in Nature

Aidee lives and works at Puisseguier with her family.

Interview by Sophie Reynolds

Now deep in nature and surrounded by plants she thought, “There must be something in these plants that I can uncover.” Without knowing in advance how, and grateful not to be intimidated by the idea that paper making is something complex, the reserve of an ‘artist’ or ‘artisan’, Aidee started. Harvesting… chestnut, yucca, horsetail, micocoulier, iris, ivy and reeds; cooking ... DIY book in hand; unravelling… textures and colours of the resulting fibres, all leading her to eventually produce her first paper in 2004.

“I love to immerse myself in nature. The day I discovered paper making I’d found a medium through which to share my encounters with the plant world with others.

Paper reveals itself to me as something in its

own right, complete in itself, expressive of its own self, rather than just being the backdrop for writing. The paper embodies the quality of my wanderings in nature, that of being both apart from the world, and, harboured by the

alchemy of the cooking process produces a vibrant material that varies depending on whether the oats were harvested in spring or winter. The fibres are then neutralised to ph7 in order to be worked upon. They join up in the water in the ‘tamis’ (the paper making frame) revealing forms and textures. As a paper artist I use these vegetable fibres to create ethereal sculptures, objects that can be worn such as hats or costumes, or ‘books’.

While the paper pulp is still in the tamis I may also ‘write’ on it, using jets of water to make traces or ‘tracks’. The force of the jets parts the shreds of the fibres into well defined grooves. I can also create other effects. Words are omnipresent, even in silence the totality of language is there.

Thanks to light my water- created writing is legible, thanks to the transparency of the paper. It is a secret communication that can exist only in symbiosis with the very matter of the paper. The surface is pierced, rendered fragile by the traces of writing, by the water marks. The paper bears witness to damage, the inevitable wear and tear of life. It speaks of birth and death. I love to make the surface as thin as absolutely possible, like a film, a skin that tells the invisible story of that which has touched me, that which is there, but ineffably, not possible to be said, a murmur in the ear.

Today Aidee exhibits widely and offers regular paper making workshops. Evermore she enjoys sharing the transformation of plants into paper and the delight of involving ourselves in this process. Not 22

Workshops Aidee runs 2 day workshops in Puisseguier, Marseille and at libraries around France where she shares techniques, the plants of the region and creating paper.

Coming up: Leaf to Book – a 4 day workshop allowing people to make a trace, a trail, of what they have lived in the form of a simple folded accordion or Japanese style book. The book will emerge from exploring content and expression of how the paper feels and speaks. 24th-27th July. The workshop will take place at 20 rue du lirou, Puisserguier. For more information: www.aidee-bernard.com

THE LIFE AND WORK OF ADRIEN SEGUIN

Instants of Grace: An exhibition of the recent works of François Dezeuze

osiane Wyper talks about her father, French painter Adrien Seguin (1926-005) and his current exhibition…

“My paintings are joyful and cheer up those looking at them.”

rtist François Dezeuze, along with his great grandfather François, grandfather George, brother Daniel and nephew Vincent, is one of several generations of celebrated artists from the Dezeuze family–a cultural reference in the region.

François Dezeuze taught printmaking in the art Schools of Toulon, Nimes and Avignon. Among his many achievements, he founded ‘Les Presses du Jardin’, an etching

reactions between the paper, liquids and colours–capillary evaporation, repulsion and absorption. Then, with the etching press, he creates delicate

workshop in Nimes and has built huge etching presses and

The secret of the creation is an instant of grace.

François Dezeuze plays with random processes, while observing the magical and complicated organisation of elements after they have passed under the senseless pressure of the etching press.

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drien Seguin was born in 1926 in Pau. He spent his childhood in Africa where his father, a civil engineer, worked in Dakar. He attended the Beaux Arts in Montpellier from 1946 to 1950 and then the Beaux Arts in Paris from 1952 to 1956. He also studied at the Academy of André L’hote. In 1956 he obtained the 2nd Prize of Dome and in 1957 the 1st Prize (among the jury : Desnoyer, Foujita, Saint-Saens, Villon…) He then participated in the main Parisian salons i.e.

“Indépendants, Salon d’automne, Salon des artistes français, Salon de la jeune peinture….” In 1971 he won the Monaco prize; and in 1982 received the Médaille d’honneur from Montpellier city council. In 2001 he received the

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Médaille d’or des Arts, Sciences et Lettres. Adrien Seguin died in 2005 after painting more than 4,000 pictures spanning a 60-year career. As he used to say: “I like to paint, and I like the feeling of love. Then love makes me paint – and that’s it”.

In 2005, the CASTA DIVA Art Editions published his monography which is available for purchase at Millau Museum.

Main exhibitions He exhibited his work all over France in many galleries and the following museums have examples of his work, paintings and drawings, Béziers, Frontignan, Sète, Marseille, Montpellier, Les Baux-deFrance, Pézenas, Paris – Musée du Montparnasse, Toulon, Oberhausen (Allemagne).

One of the characteristics of his art is his talent for the use of colour. He used different mediums like gouache, acrylic, oil and Indian ink. He was fascinated by the sea and especially the brightness of the Méditerranée, he painted many “marines” this being one of his subjecst of predilection. Portraits, self-portraits, still-life, countryside and flowers were also subjects he loved to paint.

Top: Nature morte à l’oiseau, 1985 BVelow: La Burdigala, 1985

galaxies of pigments.

Current Exhibition: ‘Adrien Seguin ‘Le bonheur de peindre’ at Le Musée de Millau et des Grand Causses until 29th June, 2013 www.museedemillau.fr

printed very large etchings for well-known artists like Di Rosa, Skoda, Clave and Autard...

In his recent work, currently on show at La Maison de la Gravure Méditerranée, he plays with the alchemy of ink, alcohol and paper. He uses plants as printing elements, with their juices making curious and interesting patterns. He mixes old stone and metal powder, black ink and soluble pigments with alcohol. He observes and tinkers with the different physical 23

Exhibition until 9th June, 2013 La Maison de la Gravure Méditerranée, 105 Chemin des Mendrous, 34170 Castelnau-le-Lez The opening times Monday and Tuesday, 14h-21h and Wednesday from 14h-18h.

Private viewings by arrangement.

Contact Frauke on 06 76 07 85 98 www.maisondelagravure.eu

English for Expat Children An indispensable guide - Part 3

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ith many years in education, both abroad and in the UK, Laura 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. Laura Smith

An Indispensible Guide - Part 3

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n ongoing project can be a lot of fun and help build a really powerful sense of achievement in your child.

Why not try assisting them with writing their own story? This can be done in the form of a comic or a picture book depending on what motivates them. As a first attempt for younger children, a comic might be a good jumping off point, older children might like the idea of putting together a magazine with a few friends.

Depending on the disposition of your child you may not need or want to go through the standard stages of planning and brainstorming a plot and characters.

Attempting this process risks losing their interest if it becomes too drawn out; you are more likely to hold that valuable attention if you just dive straight in. You could try this warm up activity to get them in the mood.

Choose random words (from thin air, a dictionary, a book, better still brainstorm them together) and write them on bits of paper. Use these words to stimulate a spontaneous story. For example: ‘paper’, ‘oranges’, ‘French’, ‘adventure’, ‘mum’, ‘brilliant’, ‘sea’, ‘sailor’, ‘island’, ‘friends’.... You can have as many or as few as you like. These words (perhaps add pictures for pre/early readers) can then be used as anchor points to guide your child through their story’s sequence. Your child will probably find the words a useful memory jogger too, especially when it comes to retelling the story, so it might help to organise them into some sort of order as the story takes shape and the words are used up. As an example, the story might go something like this: ‘There once was an island with monkeys and iguanas and they all lived on oranges and pineapples. One day ....’ As the words are included they can be laid out to show the progression of the story (i.e. ‘island’ next to ‘oranges’ etc).

Once the ball is rolling on the story-front, arm yourself with whatever you might need to note down the story. Older children might enjoy using some sort of recording device so that they can write the story down themselves at a later date; younger children

Prize Column Issue 12

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Sue Hick’ ‘Street Names’ column next month features Pierre-Paul Riquet and we have a copy of the just released (19 April)

RIQUET le génie les eaux

by Mireille OBLIN-BRIERE

will likely need you as their scribe. Even if your child is at an age where writing comes with ease, your role as scribe will free up their focus and imagination and help them build a momentum for their story. Resist the urge to punctuate or produce grammatically correct sentences and do your best to include all the half finished utterances and random thoughts that pop up in the process. Later on you can allow your child to make their own corrections if they consider it necessary, the unedited version might well appeal to them more.

In resisting this urge to ‘help too much’ or ‘organise’ and taking a passive yet encouraging, listening role in the activity you are really allowing your child the freedom to explore their own creativity without fear of correction or a sense that there is a particular goal.

This activity can extend in as many directions as can be imagined and culminate in printed pages to be illustrated, editing drafts if they are keen and the opportunity to share their work with others. Remember to ask your child to read their story back to you and encourage them to share their work.

Through this sharing their sense of achievement is reinforced, confidence is built and they can hopefully bask in some praise. If they are not yet reading don’t be

Published 19-04-2013 22.00€ (Language: French) This book, is the first comprehensive biography of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the designer the Canal di Midi

q: Riquet’s family originated from which country?

Closes 28 July 2013

***

WIN

Win a mixed case of Picpoul wine 4 x 3 bottles. q: Olivier Giroud is a professional in which sport?

Closes 28 July 2013

put off, this is an excellent way of getting them engaged in the process of how sentences are formed and how the words are placed on the page. Of course, they won’t just suddenly start to read but just attempting to recount the story from memory with the words in front of them is a real leap in the right direction.

The key thing for you to remember is that this is an opportunity for your child to experiment with their emerging skills cushioned by the comforting freedom to break all the rules.

Please visit www.englishforexpatchildren.webs.com for more support, ideas and articles.

24

Send us an email with your name and we’ll draw the winners.

All entries to: competition@theheraulttimes.com

Agence Guy Estate Agency English/French owned 25 years of experience

www.pezenas-immobilier.com agenceguy@wanadoo.fr tel 0467983777 mob 0622343056 “Quality Assured”

The Art of the Bricoleur

I

t’s our 9th wedding anniversary this year and this is the third kitchen that we have created together. A new kitchen every three years might seem a bit extreme but Bassie loves to cook. I am treated nearly every evening to mouth-wateringly superb food and every so often I am gently reminded that my girth needs attention - a feminine paradox?

Kitchen number 1 was a DIY job from B&Q livened up with a few expensive glass tiles.

However before going to B&Q we did get a free quote from a specialist kitchen company, they were much too expensive but we did get a professional design for free, which we copied using B&Q units.

Number 2 was a bit special. By this time we were running a large bed & breakfast on the outskirts of Whitstable, Kent. The expenditure on the kitchen could be set against tax and we had to keep the Canterbury City Council Environmental Health department on our side (a lame excuse!)

Number 3 is here and now. I am recently retired and horribly aware that my funds and my days are limited! We looked at Lapeyre, and Castorama, (both not our style) and spent a whole morning with a lovely lady in Darty (roughly double our budget, and no help with inspired ideas.) About a year ago I helped some friends to install an Ikea kitchen into their gîte and was very impressed by the quality of the units. Ikea it was then. If you are not confident of your French, the range of units is the same throughout; you can use the English Ikea brochure or website to help with translation before the trip to Montpellier.

The online Ikea kitchen designer is a good place to start if you are planning a new kitchen. I created the first design on the English website and then copied it onto the French one. When we arrived at the Montpellier store we were able to access our plan and modify it as necessary with our assigned member of Ikea staff.

Perhaps I should write an article about assembling an Ikea kitchen. lease let me know if there is a need for one but this time I

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Hugh Scott

would like to highlight two phenomena that intrigue me about Ikea. The first is the amount of packaging that Ikea use. After I had unpacked the kitchen the cardboard filled the back of our Peugeot 206 estate en route to the déchetterie.

I suppose that cardboard packaging is not a bad thing if it all gets recycled; but if I had been in the UK, and as I love a good bonfire, I would probably have burnt it all. In addition to the cardboard, I also had hundreds of little plastic bags and a mass of polystyrene which filled two bin bags and will presumably end up as landfill. The second thing that astonishes me is how Ikea manage to bring together the separate packets of hinges, screws etc from all over Europe. The potential frustration with an Ikea kitchen originates in the fact that it is impossible to buy a single, complete item such as a drawer unit.

Everything is manufactured and packed

separately. If you order a drawer unit the Ikea system puts together the correct assortment of bits; carcasses from Lithuania, door hinges from Austria, soft-close pistons from Slovenia, drawer or door fronts from Italy, sink drawers from Turkey, sink waste assemblies from Finland, and handles from China. You end up with several different sets of assembly instructions and a nagging fear that a vital packet of screws is missing (until you find it packed illogically where you least expected it.) The Ikea system may be a masterpiece of logistics but logic can be a handicap rather than a help when putting their products together.

Ikea, made in Sweden? Designed there, managed logistically there, but has any part of our new kitchen actually been touched by a pair of Swedish hands?

Fou D’Anglais Clermont L’Herault

8 Ave Maréchal Foch (opp Clermont Medical Centre)

Grocery Shop Tea Room www.foudanglais.fr 04 30 40 29 54

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“Seasonal and Fresh” Recipe Times

with Bassie Scott

A

n abundance of these luscious, locally grown fruits is in all the markets this month.

Gone are the watery Spanish varieties and in are different French varieties including Gariguette and Belle Bourbonnaise.

The most highly prized, if you can find them, are the Reine des Vallées, an alpine strain of the highest order. Highly prized by chefs and used in their finest creations, I have yet to come across them.

So I just buy strawberries that look, smell and taste fabulous. Here are two recipes which hopefully will tickle your taste buds for either watching tennis or lolling on the beach before the hoards descend next month!

The first recipe is neither a tart, pie or torte really and I struggled with a name, hence ‘pie’. Whatever it may be called it is truly delicious and will have you craving a second slice quite quickly!

Anyone for Strawberries?

Strawberry, Cinnamon and Pink Pepper ‘Pie’ Serves 6 – 8

Pre-heat oven to 180c, gas 4

Ingredients

175g ground almonds 175g butter, softened 175g caster sugar 175g self raising flour (farine a gateaux) 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 ½ tsp pink peppercorns, crushed finely 1 large egg plus 2 egg yolks 450g strawberries, hulled and sliced Icing sugar for dusting Greek yogurt ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp honey

Method

*Line the base of a loose-bottomed 23cm cake tin with greaseproof paper and butter the sides *In a food processor, mix almonds, butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, pink peppercorns, egg and egg yolk until the ingredients are evenly combined *Spread half the mixture over the base of the tin. This is quite tricky as it’s quite a dry mix but stick with it as it’ll be worth it! Press it in with your hands as with a cheesecake base if it won’t spread. *Lay the sliced strawberries on top. Add the remaining mixture and spread it as best you can over the strawberries. If a few poke through it’s fine *Bake for 1 hour but check after 40 minutes. If it is getting too brown, cover loosely with foil. The ‘pie’ should be slightly risen and dark golden brown when cooked *Cool in the tin slightly, then loosen the edges with a knife and remove from the tin. Place the pie on to a plate and dust with icing sugar.

*Serve warm or cold, in wedges, with dollops of the Greek yogurt mixed with vanilla extract and honey 26

“Seasonal and Fresh” Did you know:

The strawberry plant is a member of the rose family.

Strawberries can be white or yellow There are about 200 seeds in every strawberry?

Eight strawberries have more vitamin C than an orange

T

his is such a simple dessert and so easy to whip up when time is limited or you have unexpected guests descending. The juice from the strawberries, balsamic and sugar turns into an unctuous syrup, perfect for serving with a good quality vanilla ice cream

Anyone for Strawberries?

Roasted strawberries in balsamic vinegar Serves 6

Preheat oven to 180c, gas 4

Ingredients

450g strawberries, hulled and cut in half 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 50g Golden caster sugar (Blond de canne poudre) ½ teaspoon thyme, chopped finely

Method

*Pour balsamic into a bowl with the sugar and the chopped thyme *Add the strawberries and, with your hands, mix everything together, carefully so as not to break the strawberries up *Place on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and cook in the oven for 20 minutes *Carefully spoon the strawberries in to a bowl and scrape every bit of syrup up and over them *Can be served warm or cold, as you wish

27

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Women’s International Club, Languedoc- Roussilon Meets in Saint Chinian, 1st Thursday of month , 2.30pm., at Salle de L’Abbatiale.

Our meetings are conducted in French and English. info@wic-lr.com www.wic-lr.com **

Anglophone Group Languedoc Roussillon (AGLR) Adults & childrens’ activities including bridge, golf, French conversation, cooking, excursions in convivial atmosphere www.anglophone-group-languedoc-roussillon.com/ AGLRSete@yahoo.co.uk **

The Church of England at St. Pargoire, Holy Communion 2nd Sunday each month at 10 am.

Everyone welcome.

Details achstp@gmail.com ** International Chapel of Montpellier Worship Services in English Children’s Bible Class provided Services held every Sunday at 11:00am Website: www.internationalchapel.eu **

Offers administrative and commercial support for your business.

Don’t hesitate to contact Nathalie for further information on 06.49.98.34.48 **

SERVICES

** Commercial Cleaning Machine for hire.

Cleans soft furnishings, rugs, mattresses, sunbed cushions, car interiors, etc.Contact Trudi: 0499570589 trudi@ppm34.fr ** NEW service in Pézenas FLODESMOTS For you : a bilingual French / English PUBLIC WRITER All types of writings Help in translating Work at home or on line - Flodesmots Contact : 04 99 43 88 84 flodesmots9@gmail.com More information on www.flodesmots.fr **

Artisan Je propose mes services pour des travaux de Maçonnerie en pierre (stone masonry), enduits à la chaux (lime plaster), pierre-sèche (dry stone). Philippe Eymard 06.03.06.60.84 ou ph.eymard@gmail.com **

** 28

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Fabulous, affordable, beauty treatments Nathalie Esthetic 4, Place du Marché St Thibéry (Tue-Sat, Monday and evenings by special arrangement) Tel : Nathalie on 06 47 40 10 45 **

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PROPERTY SERVICES R & A Interiors Does your home need a new lease of life?

Ros and Alice can help.

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Contact Trudi: 0499570589 trudi@ppm34.fr www.perfectpropertymanagement.com **

Gray Solutions Bbilingual building and renovation project management, with excellent tried and tested teams covering all trades.

Bernie Gray 06 49 21 55 71 www.gray-solutions.co.uk ** Roofing and Building Services Roofs replaced or repaired: Leaks, Insulation, Velux, Guttering, New beams, Structural, Terraces. Building maintenance and repairs. References.

Professional – Reliable longden888@lycos.com Karl : 06 04 45 63 57 Paul : 06 34 95 19 71 www.roofingbuildingservices.com ** Dyson Property Renovations English Qualified Builder Kitchens, Bathrooms, Decorating and Renovations - Professional and reliable Free Estimates – References Available No Job Too Small Tel: 0647 09 38 65 m: roydyson36@yahoo.co.uk www.dysonpropertyrenovations.com **

Dick Fowler Construction Liner Pools, Solid Pools All house renovation and construction work Email; fowlerbatiment@gmail.com Port: 0670 91 12 17 Capeb/GDF Suez grants available for loft and wall insulation **

Handyman Services Satellite Installation – Renovation Tel: 0499 41 61 80 Mob: 0609 54 06 62 Email: handyman34450@hotmail.co.uk Ashley (Vias 34450) ** LANGUEDOCPROPERTYSERVICE.com

CPS

All aspects of your property and pool care during the year. Over 10 years exp.

Siret Reg. Tel: + 33 (0) 6 73 96 84 87 colombierspropertyservices@neuf.fr ** Roquebrun Property Management Personalised services for holiday homes and seasonal rentals. Full or ‘pay as you go’ service. Homes available to rent for 1- 15 people. Call Sue on 0652752445. wwwroquebrunproperty.com ** For All Your Property Care Needs Complete pool care inc. winter shutdown, gardening inc strimming, changeovers, general painting interior and exterior, varnishing, oiling shutters etc.

Siret registered est 10 years Tel: 04 67 24 83 72 06 87 64 97 29 www.property34fr.com **

Help in Hérault with property repairs & garden maintenance, pools, decoration, keyholding & changeovers.

Established. Bilingual.

Reliable. 06 31 74 45 88 **

PERSONALS

STILL SEARCHING FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE ?

Let ‘Connecting People’ search for you (France/UK). Professional/focused matching process. No initial fees - only payable on mutually agreed Introductions.

No loss/only gain.

Call Sylvia + 33 (0) 622769530 (Fr) or + 44 (0) 7501911409 (UK) or email : sylvia3fr@aol.com

GARDENING

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GET STARTED for your perfect summer garden.

Beds and lawns suited to the Mediterranean climate. Easy maintenance and less water. Creation, Garden Construction, Watering Systems.

English Spoken. Mathieu Goudou Le Jardinier Tel 0623 463542

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** Carpenter (by trade), Builder / Project manager.

25 years experience.

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Restaurants, Shops fitted and Bars built.

All insurances Siret numbers and guarantees.

References.

Samulrich@gmail.com 0033(0)750347874 29

Shenanigan’s Irish owned and run, family pub and restaurant.

All rugby, Gaelic and Hurling shown live.

Guinness & Bulmers Plate of the day 10e with a glass of wine.

Taxi available.

Open all year.

Vias centre – 0430 17 83 87.

**

WANTED Coins Wanted, Collector paying top prices for collections and single coins, GB and foreign, ancient and modern.

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Tel: 0033 (0) 467 21 72 38 e-mail: agenceviastaxi@free.fr Any Distance - Up to 8 Passengers E-mail Reservations welcome Estimates Given. All enquiries welcome

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Thai massages, Reflexology, Neck and face massage, Reiki, Oil massage.

Susannah 0652752445 / 0467243142 Based in Ceps / Cazedarnes ** Alexander Technique Learn to free yourself from habits of posture and movement that are at the root of pain.

Wendy McKnight (STATcertified) For an appointment in Lodeve: 06 38 88 27 79 www.alexandertechniqueherault.weebly.com **

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Must be available from May to October, no meet and greet involved.

Contact Caroline.Martin@wanadoo.fr.

Tel 0615134774

Serious and reliable cleaners required for holiday homes for the coming season. Mainly Saturdays although other days are possible.

Please call or email if you are interested or know someone who may be.

0499 57 05 89 or 0668 89 23 30 trudi @ppm34.fr **

Stroll the streets past historical buildings while sampling local specialties, meeting merchants, getting historical and cultural tips . The tour will include delights such as pastry, cheeses, wines and other fine foods.

45 € pp Sète / 55€pp Montpellier; Contact nancy@southernfranceluxury.com tripadvisor reviews -Savouring_Southern_FranceSete

Maison De L’Orb, Béziers Beautiful five bedroom bed and breakfast overlooking Pont Vieux and river.

Private garden, bathing pool, fantastic breakfast. Book now: www.maisondelorb.com info@maisondelorb.com **

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** CLEANERS NEEDED

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** JEWELLERY Summer is almost here, so brighten up with our colourful jewellery.

Huge choice, all colours, great prices.

Markets Montpellier- Tuesday, Clermont L’ Herault - Wednesday, LodeveSaturday. Ian Mills 04.67.29.77.14. email ian.mills41@gmail.com ** B&B

Watercolour classes in Pouzolles, near Roujan.

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Contact Monica or Simon Roberts.

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PROPERTY - FOR SALE

Centre d’Ostéopathie et d’Intégration Structurelle (®Rolfing) Recently opened in Lodève Annette Beckett qualified osteopath since 1992 cranial osteopathy for adults, children, babies annette@beckettosteo.com Barry P. Beckett Certified Rolfer, Rolf Institute 1993 Structural Integration, Postural Improvement, Osteopathics. motionpresent@gmail.com 06 30 64 88 40 **

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Abri Creative Writing Courses at Gardoussel Retreat, Gard (30) poetry, prose and memoir for 2013. Courses are full-board and residential in a magnificent mountain setting. Delicious vegetarian meals, swimming, massages available.

595 Euros/week all-inclusive. tel. 04 66 60 16 78 www.abricreativewriting.com 30

House in St Thibery Ideal for income. House - 2 beds, large terrace, a/c . Seperate entrance 2 studio flats ideal for renting long term. €181 000 Enquiries via info@theheraulttimes.com quoting AusStthib please. **

House for Sale

Les Chambres du Canal Capestang

A lovely family home or chambres d’hotes, the front garden of which opens onto the tow path of the Canal du Midi A quite exceptional location opposite the Port of Capestang No agents. Price 550.000 E Contact Wollen +33 (0) 467 934 934 Or mobile +33 (0) 762053563 **

Modern bungalow

120 m2 with garden 1100 m2, in village 10 min from Pézenas.

3 beds, 1 living, fitted kitchen, bathroom, sunlounge, garage/atelier, gas CH. 250 000 € ono.

Tel 04 67 57 34 03 luciachoron@orange.fr

**

Marseillan Ville - Traditional, characterful Village House, fully renovated, 2 mins from shops, 4 mins from port, comprises kitchen/ diner, 2 bedrooms, 2 shower rooms, 2 wc and terrace. E130,000 ono. Tel: 06 32 66 04 86 ** PROPERTY TO RENT

Stuart Turpie

T

wo of the really successful professional clubs this season have been the volleyball team of Béziers and the basketball club, Lattes-Montpellier.

Both are full time sides with a sprinkling of French internationals and a reinforcement of top quality foreign imports. Béziers have a small indoor arena which is usually full for matches, while Lattes can attract a full house of 2000 for their games. Béziers have had its best ever season and the squad finished in the top places to qualify for the championship of France. Lattes-Montpellier did even better and finished the season in top spot in the league. What makes this story slightly different is that the two teams are women’s clubs. Women’s professional sport on this scale has long been established in France and seems to be in advance of women’s sport in the UK. Sportswomen in France do complain about the lack of media coverage and the disparity in terms of finance however.

B

Furnished Villa, calm area. Sleeps 5. Fully

equipped kitchen/diner. Large terrace with barbecue, landscaped garden, private parking. Situated between vineyards, mountains and sea. 3kms from Pézenas,30 mins from beach. 900€ per week. Contact : 0467252811,

0685121971 or email christiane.balavoine3@orange.fr ** FOR SALE

oth clubs played in the play off finals during the same week at the end of April. In volleyball, Beziers Angels had to face the reigning champions Cannes in two matches. The Cote d’Azur side were too strong winning both games comfortably and being crowned champions for the 18th time. Béziers were delighted to be the runners up and were in celebratory mood. Lattes-Montpellier seemed to be going one better and pulled off a great win away to Bourges who in recent years have dominated women’s basketball and won the European cup fairly recently.

The series was a best of 3 games and Lattes

BOOKS

SAILING BOAT - Comet Duo No 36

Two person sailing boat with road trailer and launching trolley- 1100 Euros.

Good condition –with mainsail, jib, ropes, tiller, rudder, anchor, cover and hand book.

Life jackets and paddles available. chrislaschet@hotmail.com

English Bookshop - Pézenas Please call in for a chat plus your favourite English foods. Delightful & unusual gifts for family, friends and you! A wide selection of English books. Rue St Jean ** English Books and Cards available at The English Bookstall: These markets; Monday - Bedarieux, Tuesday - Marseillan Ville, Wednesday - Clermont l’Hérault, Saturday - Lodève. Kerith 0467 96 68 87 **

were confident of winning at home. It was not to be. Bourges played superbly to pull off a 60-53 away win and then to the dismay of the Hérault fans won again two days later 64-54 to clinch the championship of France 2 games to 1. Despite the disappointment it has been a great season for the Lattes-Montpellier club.

A

ude has always been a strong Rugby League department with 3 elite league teams. Limoux have not been so good this year but have reached the final of the French cup, known as the Coupe Lord Derby. The other two sides played out a brilliant Quarter Final recently. Current champions AS Carcassonne lost an exciting game to FC Lezignan 28-35. FCL pulled off the win despite the early injury to vital star player, halfback Nathan Wynne.

With 10 tries scored and no quarter given it was a fine advert for the 13 a side code.

Unfortunately for the Aude fans the final will be between the two Catalan teams, Pia and St. Esteve.

Next month we focus on the Tour de France. What chance for Chris Froome after his success in the Tour de Romandie?

Le Bookshop - Librairie Anglophone / café 8 rue du Bras de Fer - Montpellier Tel. /Fax : 04 67 66 22 90 contact@lebookshop.com www.lebookshop.com ** English Books at the Bourse, Pézenas.

First Sunday of every month from 10 to 12.

The Café de la Bourse is next to the Hotel Moliere in Pézenas. All books are 1 Euro or less.

Excellent coffee and company. Want to book a table? Call Carole on 0467905910 **

THE AUDE TIMES will be here

next month!

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