Armistice Day in Ceret

Have just paid my respects, along with the world to those who fell in the first world war and after, made more poignant by the return of the 6 soldiers just yesterday, who gave their lives.

We started in true Southern French fashion, late, at about 11:30 but what does that matter in the bigger scales of things.

Flowers were laid at the memorial, speeches were made and the band played The Last Post. A group from the local school sang La Marseillaise, the band then followed with their instrumental version.

I was struck by the difference between the services that I have attended in England, where the event is lead by the church, Here (Ceret) there was not a single member of the clergy in attendance. I am not sure why this is the case but it just struck me as different.

All in all it was a respectful and touching service with everyone from 1 - 90+.

I am also grateful to the Town of Ceret, for as the last notes of the Marseillaise faded away, they were replaced by the resounding sound of the British National Anthem.

Wine and nibbles followed in the Salle de Union.

Thank you

Barcelona Boat Show

Barcelona Boat Show 7 - 15 November 2009.

Would you like to go?

A good friend of Ceret Property has a couple of tickets to the show which they cannot use themselves.....

So if you fancy an excuse to go to Barcelona for the day and take in the the Boat Show, just send me and email and the tickets are yours.

I only have the two tickets, so first come, first served.

Yet another reason to enjoy Catalan/Catalonya

Christmas Market

I was absolutely delighted to receive an email from Rachel at Domaine Treloar, informing me that they have had some visits by people who have read my blog. So thanks to those who read the blog and to Rachel for letting me know that there is someone out there.

Rachel has told me about the FAB-PO Christmas fair, so I have popped the french and english invites above (just click on the image to see larger version) and heartily recommend a visit. Last year was a great success, with many more people visiting than expected. I am sure that with all the hard work being put into this year, it will be equally as successful.

Here are a few outline details for the day.

It is on Sunday 29th of November

Place: village hall/salle polyvalente,

Village: Saint Jean Pla de Cort

Time: kick-off 11 am to 5pm

There will be english food, Cakes, Santa, Pottery for kids, Xmas gifts, Art, Carol singing etc

Massive Tombola where 25% goes to Cancer Support France 66 region.

I do know that FAB-PO are looking for volunteers to help with the day, so if you have something to contribute or time to give, then please follow this link to see how you can get involved. http://fab-po.blogspot.com/

Did you know that scattered throughout the Pyrenees, there is a network of Refuges. This particular refuges is located just above Ceret in the southern Pyrenees Orientales, literally a stones throw from the Spanish border. This refuge consists of a main room with table, benches and a large open fire (great for bbq). A second room with enough bunking for 6 and a wood burning stove. At the back of the refuge is a cattle pen, just in case you bring your cows or sheep.

The refuges around the area are still being used by the local farmers and shepherds but are also available for walkers who are doing the popular pyrenees trails or families who want to experience the great outdoors.

Be prepared before visiting the refuge, as there is only stream water and no electricity and.................for those of you out there whose children think that a good family night is all playing on the Wii then be prepared to have a conversation or play an old fashioned game or two or three or four.

We had a great time the other night, with 9 of us camped round a fire and cooking up a great bbq.

Our refuge was built in 1932 but after years of neglect, fell into disrepair. A few years ago, thanks to a group of locals, including some Brits, the refuge was repaired and is as you can see from above usable again

For more information on Refuges, Bookable or not......

Cabanes et Refuges

Pyrenees National Park

Hiking the Pyrenees

List to some more refuges

Prefer a more comfortable night?

Leonardo and Catalonia

My thanks go to Tom who mentioned this interesting video about the origins of Leonardo da Vinci. The audio is in Spanish but it has subtitles in English....You may need to pause the video every now and again to keep up with the fast spoken word.

Look out for Perpignan, Chateau de Salse, Canigou .............Enjoy

Capital of the Conflent

Prades, capital of the Conflent region, nestling in the foothills of Mount Canigou is an important centre where the plains meet the mountains.

Prades was first mentioned in historical documents in 843 by its latin name Prata Virent meaning “green fields”. Charles le Chauve gave the town as a gift to Sunifred Count of Urgell.

Situated at the confluent of several rivers and the base of the Canigou mountain Prades enjoys a micro-climate characterised by many hours of sunshine. In Spring it is a delight to contemplate the landscape where the snow on the Canigou blends with the colour of the peach blossom.

It was this setting that inspired Pablo Casals to choose Prades as his second homeland. This famous composer and musician is honoured every summer during the renowned Pablo Casals Festival of Chamber Music.

Other major events such as the Journées Romanes (romanesque days) Ciné-Rencontres, (cinema festival) and Université Catalane d’Eté (catalan summer university) punctuate the summer months.

All year the towns eclectic and active associations ( ciné club, samedis musicaux, and a host of sports clubs) provide a variety of entertainment, sporting events, traditional fêtes, shows, and meetings. Prades also boasts an exceptional heritage with St Peter’s Church and its Treasure House. The church has the largest baroque altar piece in the whole of France.
Admire the Maison Jacomet, a beautiful 15th century Tudor style building found in the main square which is on the national register of historic buildings, and visit the two jewellers who will help you discover the ancient craft of making catalan jewellery by encasing garnet stones in gold.

Prades has all the shops and services you will need for your holiday. The Tuesday morning market is well known throughout the region and provides a wide variety of items, such as fruit, vegetables, clothing, household goods, and holiday mementos. The Farmers market is held on Saturday mornings in the main square, providing the shopper with local produce. Wander through the typical streets and discover the decorated facades of the houses, the artistic wrought iron work and balconies, the door surrounds made of local pink marble, the oratories, the fountains and the communal wash house.

Accommodation in Prades

1^st November in Prades Square Bio Foire and guided local walk.

Halloween in Roussillon

Some of the earliest Halloween traditions started in Europe, and indeed Halloween was born in nearby U.K., yet it was seen as primarily an American holiday with little or no fanfare with the French until recently. Now, Halloween is seeing a resurgence in popularity.

This renewed passion for all things pumpkin is quite recent. Just a few years ago, mention of Halloween was quite rare.

Now, chocolateries prepare delicate creations for the event. Children dress up, although you don't see nearly the vast diversity of costumes there that you see in America (ghosts and vampires are quite common).

Teens swarm McDonald's, apparently the mecca of all things Halloween (i.e. American). Disneyland Paris also has a Halloween celebration for visitors.

What has been taken seriously and has strong roots in French tradition is All Saint's Day, or November 1, or (to Americans) the Day We Feel Sick From All That Candy We Devoured On Halloween.

On All Saint's Day, which dates back at least to the seventh century, the French honor the dead. It is a wonderful day to visit cemeteries, where tombs are lavishly decorated with flowers and personal items.

If you plan to visit, your best bets for finding Halloween events are visits to big cities like Paris, Nice and Perpignan. Also keep in mind that November 1 is a major national holiday, and many spots will be closed in its honor.

There are also some Major Halloween and All Saint's Day events planned:

• Ok, so this is a little early for Halloween, but what could be more trick-or-treat-esque than the annual Witch Festival (Fête des Sorcières) in Chalindrey on October 29 and 30.
• Disneyland Paris puts on a major Halloween party, with Main Street USA turning into Spooky Street.
• Chateau De La Roche Guyon, about 50 minutes outside Paris, where visitors can get spooked and scared in a chateau dating back to the seventh century. For more information, call 033 01 34 79 74 42 or send e-mail to chateaularocheguyon@yahoo.fr.
• Halloween in Limoges, where this village attracts 30,000 to 50,000 people to its October 31 annual street shows, story telling and events organised by associations, town centre merchants, and the city of Limoges. For more information, call 033 05 55 34 46 87 or send e-mail to info@tourismelimoges.com.

This can also be a lovely time to visit France. While Paris can be blustery and rainy, much of the country has autumn leaves to gaze upon and a pleasant climate, especially the Roussillon area, where the temperature still frequently reaches 25 degs.

Halloween Roussillon style:

Train d'Halloween

Halloween wine

Halloween for the Kids

Halloween in Thuir

Places to Stay

Yuk, Beziers style