AUDE FLYER 02/2005

AUDE FLYER

02/2005

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Bonjour,

And apologies for the size of the last newsletter, which was summed up admirably by a reader

Hello Steve

Just printed your email out to take to the breakfast table. Can't afford breakfast now having paid for the paper.

PS We are trying to sell one of 2 houses. Whichever one doesn't sell we will keep. They can be seen at www.villafrance.net if you hear of anyone looking.

Back to my glass of water.

Thanks

John Simmons

Back to menu page

Send this on to friends and keep sending info please

Please keep sending this on to others you know, and let me have anything relevant in the way of future events, that you become aware of., I need you to send me the info if you see an add or a poster,

It’s the only way we will all benefit.

Postal charge change

My information may have been premature re an increase to postal charges and anyway it would appear that the normal French inland stamps will work for domestic mail even if the price does go up.

Well farefinder doesn’t seem to be working at the moment, hopefully it will return.

As you may have heard there is a new Ryanair service Dublin Carcassonne, commencing April 19th

Click here http://www.bookryanair.com/skylights/cgi-bin/skylights.cgi?mode=FARE&language=EN here is the link again anyway, I will let you know if it appears to start up again

LETTER FROM A NEW LIMOUXINE

No 5

Sss .. a lu.. tt…s’cuse me while I chip an icicle from my nose,

Ah that’s better, how can it be this cold? It’s just taken 10 minutes to extract my son’s frozen trousers from the washing line …mind you, we have Canadian friends who say it is –40 over there and can be for a long time. A long time?…how long? 4 hours, 4 days, 4 months. I would just curl up and die. I’m sure we are supposed to hibernate. I have an urge from about October to gather leaves, pine needles and such like into a huge pile and get in the middle of it, with a large cassoulet in the stomach first, bien sûr, and emerge blinking in the soft golden sunlight of about the middle of May.

Some observations by an ex-Londoner on a trip last week.

London is very big.

London is mainly composed of Starbuck’s and Nero’s coffee houses.

London is full of people who never dare look at each other.

It’s odd how big London does seem now. I stayed with a friend in a small flat the first night. I was struck by how aware I felt of all the thousands..millions? of other people in little brick boxes, arguing about whether to watch Big Brother or not, perhaps opening a bottle of nice red wine from Languedoc, cleaning their teeth, etc.

Cars also seemed bigger. Most people seemed to be driving huge silver 4x4’s with cattle bars on the front, useful for moving crowds out the way possibly, but how many people really encounter a 1 in 3 hill full of mud on the way to collect the kids in Chelsea.

Coming from a small town in France where we are blessed with many pleasant cafés serving excellent coffee at a reasonable price, I find the chain coffee shops one of the worst things about London, and other British cities, now. There is no atmosphere, the coffee’s dismal, unless you like coffee to be a huge pudding, with a mountain of cream etc, and it costs more than a half decent bottle of wine here. I wonder what the next craze will be, the re-birth of the Lyon’s corner houses perhaps, or knitting rooms…

I know you cannot say hello to everyone…you certainly would be in a small white soft-walled room if you did, but I feel less and less tolerant of the pressure that everyone seems under in London now. There is little time to be friendly or even polite, especially in the crazed surges of the rush hour…. It was nice to get back.

That’s enough moaning, now some plus points.

London is also stuffed, of course, with amazing things to see and do, a lot of them free, museums, galleries, the new footbridge to the South Bank most enjoyable, it didn’t seem to sway at all, and…people watching! I spent ages in Bond Street observing people in high-heeled crocodile shoes weighed down with hundreds of Selfridges shopping bags trying to remember which meter the Mercedes was on.

There are lots of ways to avoid the chain coffee shops too. The wonderful Stockpot was still there near the Haymarket, serving huge dinners for bargain prices. I also found the Piccadilly Café, just behind the Trocadero, still with its 1950’s fittings, good basic cheap menu and waiters in white uniforms. I didn’t make it this time to my favourite Polish café in South Kensington, but I was assured it was still there.

All life is in London. Apparently it is the most multi-cultured city in the world now. On one tube journey I sat between someone reading a Turkish newspaper, and another person reading one in what looked like Russian, people talking Mandarin opposite, and a violent, alcohol-fuelled argument in broad East End going on at the other end of the carriage.

Well, I did what I went to do, enjoyed my few days, but was very glad to see the hills behind Limoux, even though shrouded in dark snow laden clouds.

Right.. time to stir the fish soup.

P.S. It’s actually colder here than over there at the moment….but the coffee’s a lot better.

Wineguru

Ernest and Julio, Gallo Sierra Valley Merlot 2002

I think Geant at Castelnaudary have been having a sort out in the wine warehouse. This wine appeared on the shelves recently covered in dust and hidden on the bottom

shelf as if they were ashamed of it. (Well it is Californian!)Although it is 14% ABV it is very soft and rounded.There are flavours of fresh plums with hints of chocolate and cherry and smooth tannins.

This has to be the bargain of the month at 2.18 euros a bottle. Yes I kid you not 2.18 euros. If you want some you need to be quick as it is going fast!

Services

If you need a Uk TV set up I came across Dave Smith in Rennes les Bains check out his website and whilst you are at it you can book yourself a balloon trip, which he and his wife Natalie run

Prices. :

Second-hand Digibox 120 euros

Remote Control 30 euros

Minidish (45cms.) 60 euros

Cable (20metres) 20 euros

Installation 50 euros

Mileage 0.30 euros per kilometre

However if you want a COMPLETE (standard) installation I will do it for 200 euros (+ mileage). This price does NOT include the price of the viewing card. I encourage people to obtain there own card direct from SKY as they have re-started supplying them for £20.00. However if this is not possible I can obtain FTV cards for around 75 euros.

Man and van UK to Aude return monthly

Maxwell Freeman started in December a regular monthly door to door service in a large van which will carry up to 2.5 ton

His next return from the Uk is February 23^rd and soon he will be doing the trip back to the Uk so if you have something you need to get from here to there or vice versa give him a call.

maxwell.freeman@virgin.net

0468781947

Mobile hairdresser

I live at St Martin le Vieil (near Bram) and do mobile hairdressing. I am always looking for new clients

Jan Collins (home number 04 68 76 95 58 mobile 06 33 53 44 20)

And in the another meaning of the word Services

The Protestant Evangelical Methodist Church of Narbonne

An International Church in the Heart of Narbonne

(Association law of 1905 and 1901)

Whether you are looking for friendship or fellowship, whether you are in need of help or looking for an opportunity to serve, whether you are a committed Christian or simply seeking answers to the difficult questions of life, you will find a warm welcome at the Methodist Church in Narbonne.

Our regular activities include Sunday church services in French (at 10:00 a.m.) and English (at 11:30 a.m.) and home group meetings on Monday (in English) and Tuesday (in French). Every other Thursday evening we have a multilingual prayer meeting. From time to time we also have pot luck dinners or picnics, conferences, films, etc.

Come join us or contact us for more information.

The

Protestant Evangelical Methodist Church of Narbonne 2, rue des Tanneurs – 11100 Narbonne

(Located behind “Les Halles”, across from the entrance to the Lapidary Museum)

Tel. 04.68.32.95.12 – e-mail: steven.lloyd@wanadoo.fr

Useful computer tools

Picasa

Having difficulty arranging your pictures on your computer, try Picasa.
Its not a big programme but its very useful.

A free software download from Google.

Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the
pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically
locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them
into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will
recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels
to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always
organized.
Picasa also makes advanced editing simple by putting one-click fixes and
powerful effects at your fingertips. And Picasa makes it a snap to share
your pictures – you can email, print photos home, make gift CDs,
instantly share via Hello™, and even post pictures on your own blog.
http://www.picasa.com/

SKYPE

Like to make calls to all of Europe and USA land lines for less than 1.8
euro cents a minute. FREE if the person you call has it
Here is how skype explain it
What we’ve got is a simple bit of software we want to give you. It’ll
let you make free calls to your friends all over the world. And we don’t
want any money for it. It’s free.
You could think of us as the big, free Internet telephony company. We
prefer to think of ourselves as a big group hug, even a present. Yes…
that’s it… we’re a present… but without the ribbon.
Download Skype: Windows <http://www.skype.com/products/skype/windows/>
| Mac OS X <http://www.skype.com/products/skype/macosx/> | Linux
<http://www.skype.com/products/skype/linux/> | Pocket PC
<http://www.skype.com/products/skype/pocketpc/>

Skype in a nutshell.

Our software’s quick and easy to get started with. Download
<http://www.skype.com/download/> , register, install, plug in your
headset, speakers or USB <http://www.skype.com/store/accessories/>
phone and start calling your friends. The calls have excellent sound
quality and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption. You don’t even
need to configure your firewall or router or any other networking gear.
It just, you know… works.

Logos for the platforms Skype works on: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and
Pocket PC.Bridging the gap.

And it doesn’t just work on Windows, like some other software you may
know. Skype is also for Mac OS X, Linux and PDAs using Pocket PC, with a
native look and feel for each platform. Talking, sending instant
messages or even file transfers work between different platforms like a
charm.

Calling regular phone numbers.

If there weren’t enough ways for you to contact your friends, we have a
little thing called SkypeOut <http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/> .
It lets you make calls to old-fashioned phone numbers all around the
world. Landlines, mobile phones... it works with almost all of them.
SkypeOut is not free but it is pretty cheap
<http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/rates/> , actually. You can read
more <http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/> about SkypeOut if you

look at system requirements to see if it will work for you ( I think it
may require windows xp and a high speed connection) I am using a
microphone and speakers it is as if the person was in the room.
I put off looking at this sort of technology because I thought it was
going to be lie speaking to someone in Ghana
ITS NOT (sorry Ghana, its just an impression

Both of these time and money saving devices were introduced to me by a
Mr Roger Roulling who used to be an estate agent in the Aude who would
like to find a new position back here, his cv will be on my website soon
after you receive this, should you need someone, who speaks French
German English and of course luxemburgish i.e. can communicate with
anybody from here to ex ussr

Roger's Curriculum Vitae

Painting courses

Painting in SW France with Peter Welton
Friday September 9th to Monday September 12th 2005

Course Programme

Friday: Collection from Toulouse or Carcassonne airports. Evening meal,
welcome, introductory talk and demonstration by Peter Welton.
Saturday: Painting outside hilltop village of Brezilhac surrounded by
vines. Buffet lunch, Evening meal.
Sunday: Painting excursion to Ancient city of Carcassonne. Packed lunch
and evening meal.
Monday: Painting excursion to the medieval village of Mirepoix with its
12th century arcades, coloured half-timbered buildings, lively market
and serene river views. Lunch in restaurant. Evening meal.
Tuesday: Breakfast and transport to airports.
Price
Residential members: £337 per person for single room and £301 per person
if sharing room.
(Non-course partners welcome: sharing room, same amenities except
tuition, £200.)
The course will run with a Minimum of 10 persons and maximum of 15.
Tuition with Peter Welton; stay in comfortable Chambres d'Hotes, half an
hour from Carcassonne.
Course price comprises: tuition, airport transfers to Carcassonne or
Toulouse, accommodation in ensuite rooms, home-cooked meals with local
wine*, packed lunches, transport to and from excursions.
*Vegetarian option available if notified in advance.

Non residential members cost is 160 EUROS to include tuition and lunch
only. A deposit of 80 euros is required by 30th June to secure a place.

The price does NOT include airfare: Flybe and Ryanair do good value
deals from Birmingham, Bristol or Stansted, arriving at Toulouse or
Carcassonne.
A deposit of £150, paid by 30th June 2005, is required to secure a
place, and if the course does not run the deposit will be refunded. The
balance will be payable on arrival. It is advisable that you take out
holiday travel insurance.

For further information contact:

elisabeth.burgess@wanadoo.fr (tel: 04 68 94 80 92)
Peterwelton@peterwelton.com
www.peterwelton.com

Some local markets

(please send me info of markets near you )

Bram; Wednesday

Castelnaudary; Monday

Carcassonne; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Esperaza; Sunday

Limoux; Friday

Mazeres; Thursday

Mirepoix; Monday

For sale or wanted

English book shop

In case you weren’t aware there is an English bookshop in Trebes, Kirstie the proprietor is happy to act as an outlet for creative card makers and people have also started using her notice board for house selling, may be useful?

So here is a mail from kirstie which is self explanatory.

Many thanks for the enquiry. Mine is a small enterprise - new English
language books, some cards and internet access.
The address is 14 Rue du 11 Novembre which is in the old village. I am a
one person band - but aim to be open mon-sat 0915 to about 1800 in
winter (later in the summer). I live over the shop so am pretty
flexible, especially at lunch time. But if you are coming a long
distance it would be best to ring first 0468 78 34 86 in case I have an
appointment elsewhere, or am going to be away.
I am happy to order books for customers from my suppliers.
If I can be of further assistance please let me know.
Yours sincerely
Kirstie Gordon Roe

A new mini brocante

La Petite Brocante (24 Rue de la Mairie, Limoux) is open at the following times:

Wednesday - Friday 2pm - 5.30pm

If the weather if fine then the same time on all other days of the week excepting Sunday. Feel free to call in advance to check or make an appointment for a pvt viewing, if these times are unsuitable.

Tel: 04 68 31 44 63 Melanie Cowpland

I have a wide selection of things for sale, from new clothes, crockery, ornaments, glass wear, curtains, table clothes, english novels, toys etc. some objects are antiques and the prices are cheap cheap cheap!!!

Scottish piper required for New Years Eve

please let me know if you are aware of, or indeed are one.

WHAT'S ON ?

2 January to 13 March + Sat 26 March: Limoux carnival

Friday January 14 Chuck Berry, Havana Café, Toulouse

Tuesday 8 February PATRICIA KAAS, Zenith, Toulouse

Saturday February 26 Fish and chip lunch, restaurant Les Tonneliers Homps

Sunday March 6 Bonnie Tyler. Halle Aux Grains Toulouse

Saturday March 12 NIGHT OF THE PROMS , Zenith, Toulouse

Saturday March 19:

Festival Musique Celte

Villemoustaussou Samedi 19 mars 19h00

with "Mandala " and "Tara"

( Afro Celtic Band ) ( Music d'Irlande Dance 2 - steps)

SOIREE PUB - RESTAURATION SUR PLACE - ENTREE 5€ - renseignement 06 03 92 11 40

- réservation 04 68 25 73 18

Saturday March 19: Toques et Clocher, Cournanel

Monday April 4. Mark Knopfler, Bordeaux

Tuesday April 5. Mark Knopfler, Lyon

Wednesday April 6. Mark Knopfler, Marseille

Wednesday April 13 Popa Chubby, Havana Café, Toulouse (American blues guitarist)

Wednesday June 1: Joe Cocker, Zenith, Toulouse

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June: Ronde du Malepere (yes it’s moved from its chilly October slot) St Martin de Villreglan