a bientot!

I shall be away until the end of July --
But will be back then with lots of interesting stories to tell about the Margan Sea Gypsies in the south of Thailand with whom I shall be spending some time, and about the ITC Convention which I am attending later!


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7/7/7 : Live Earth Day Picnic at Chateau Lalinde

 

Many came throughout the day -- some walking and others coming a long way on their bicycles - each bringing with them a picnic of locally grown and produced food -- and lots of ideas how we can, in our own and individual ways, make this planet a better place for the next generation.

The laptop was on standby, available to all, with Al Gore's message for the day, conservation and global warming info films and documentaries, and links to all the Live Earth events around the world. The children swam and enjoyed watching the ducks and the swans on the river. The forests across the Dordogne formed a beautiful backdrop to a beautiful day - and served as the perfect reminder of why it is important that we do care, that we do make an effort, that we do fight for the continuing existence of our planet.

The main thing that came out of all the discussions and brainstorming, was that on our own there are many little things that we can do to stem the destruction of our planet, and yes, it is important that we each do what we can, but it is TOGETHER that we can achieve so much more. For example, the SNPE, in Bergerac, "the world’s leading producer of industrial nitrocellulose, which generates over 80% of sales in export markets, through a distribution network with operations in some 50 countries worldwide...." is also responsible for massive pollution in the Bergerac area - both in the air and in the river. "What can one do?" was the question. The unspoken fear of the individual trying to take on the industry giants. "Ah! But if we all stood together and armed ourselves with knowledge of the industry, with information about their method of functioning, about their ways and means, and if we knew what the alternatives are -- what these giants could do if they set their minds to it, if they knew that the people who are their employees and their customers and their shareholders were not satisfied with them polluting our world, then we CAN confront them with conviction and courage and perseverance - and make them change their ways!

And, as a start Albert will talk to the employees who come to his language school for language lessons and get them talking and thinking.......... a very good start that will be! And then, when the municipal elections take place next year, we will all attend meetings and raise these issues with the politicians running for office. --- If Nicolas Hulot could make the presidential candidates commit to making the effort, so can we at municipal level!
And as for all the paper mills and factories along our stretch of the river, we will do the same.
An excellent start --- and all that just from a leisurely picnic alongside the river!

The SNPE is a French chemicals group, founded in 1971. It generates annual sales of 850 million euros, including more than half for exports, and has 5,000 employees in Europe, Asia and North America.

Originally a defense company, SNPE has diversified over the years and expanded its international business. It now operates worldwide, with a network of representatives and commercial subsidiaries in more than 70 countries.

SNPE was reorganized into four subsidiaries respectively dedicated to energetic materials, explosives for construction, civil engineering and mining, fine chemicals and speciality chemicals. --- It is the speciality chemicals which are now produced here in Bergerac.


Some of this nitrocellulose is used to make propellants but the majority goes to everyday products such as paint, varnish, ink and nail polish.
BERGERAC NC is the only manufacturer in the world to produce nitrocellulose for exclusively cosmetics applications. It has built up broad-based expertise in nail polish, keeping pace with international fashion trends and incorporating the latest technologies. Durlin, the brand name for its products, calls on leading-edge research to stay ahead of the curve. It offers a wide variety of products, including colored varnishes, nail and cuticle treatments, and pearled and coloring dispersions.

"You can always count on us." is their slogan. My question is "Can we? Can we always count on you? Even when it comes to cleaning up your act. Stopping the pollution in Bergerac by spending some of those €850million that your sales generate annually on building mechanisms into your operations? Can we count on you to consider your employees and your community?"

They do seem to have great concern for the safety of their employees, but what about their environment? Has anyone raised this issue with them?

Each guest left with a pledge to change their own corner of the world, tucked in with a beautiful water colour of the Chateau Lalinde - as a small gift to remind them of a very worthwhile - and pleasurable - day, and of why it is important that we do care and do make an effort.

The history of the Dordogne has one of the best and simplest examples of reclycing and conservation, dating back undreds of years. Read my article on the Exapatica.com site about the gabares throw-away boats and be inspired! And join us in standing together to make a difference. Together we CAN do it!

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Aquitaine Langues Language School, Bergerac

France Bleu Radio comes to the Dordogne

The delightful - and colourful! Eugène Lampion from France Bleu drove over from Libourne this morning to the Aquitaine Langues Language School to interview a motley crew of expats living in the area.

Much laughter and fun was had by all as we waited our turn to be 'taken outside for grilling'. A bit like waiting for your turn in the oral exams at school, except none of my teachers or professors had quite the charm of this 'examiner'!

Because he did not want any of us to know what the others were saying, each one was taken outside in the sunshine to be interviewed - and somehow the warmth of the sun struggling to get through the clouds did help with the fluency of thoughts and language. Afterwards -- should it have been before? - there was a table beautifully laid with every delicious bit of cheese and fruit and some special wine that Albert Croce, our French language guru, had brought back from his recent trip down to the south where he had presented a week's writing course.

Sweden, the Caribbean, Taiwan, London, Scotland - from every part of the world they come to settle in beautiful Dordogne

The interviews are short little 'portraits' of a few minutes each that will be broadcast on Friday afternoons on France Bleu at 17h40, each a small account of an expat who has come to settle in this area. It should make for very interesting listening!
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Aquitaine Langues Language School, Bergerac

And what are YOU doing to save the planet?

Somebody said to me other day -- "Um, no, we won't be attending a Live Earth party -- it is not really our thing, you know"....

Is the Planet's assured future "not your thing" either?

Thank goodness there are people out there who realise that "A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers but borrowed from his children." (~ John James Audubon). Thank goodness that there are people who do care -- because thanks to those, ---you - whose 'thing it is not' --- can breathe oxygen, can drink water, can sit in the shade of a tree, can eat healthy food, can enjoy a sunset, can see the stars' exquisite brilliance in a moon-less night sky.

Breaking records on 7th July!


We've just been looking through the list of Avaaz Live Earth parties and it's unbelievably exciting! We're got over 2500 events taking place in 114 countries around the world. It's a fantastic response, and it keeps on growing!

When July 7th comes, we'll all be part of the biggest de-centralised global event ever organized. Live Earth is connecting 2 billion people around the world in a message of solidarity that will join us together to stop a climate catastrophe before its too late. It's serious stuff, but the parties are going to be fun! There will be actions to take, a special message from Al Gore and lots more.
Just browsing through the venues for Avaaz's first global virtual party is really exciting...the most common place is "our house", but see below - everyone, from the President of Sierra Leone to Bosnian clubbers, is going to be involved! Here's a snapshot of some of the events taking place:

* Iligan City, Philippines - Uling & Ice Restaurant - Be a part to Combat Climate Crisis

* Freetown, Sierra Leone - Young Leaders of Sierra Leone Avaaz Live Earth party at China Friendship House, with the President of Sierra Leone, youth groups and diplomats in attendance

* San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico - Centro Cultural Alternativo "La Fuente" - Amigos del Planeto Vivo ("bike ride, organic buffet, talks, live concert and meditation")

* Prnjavor, Bosnia-Herzegovina - "Little Europe for Big Earth" at the Absolut Club, hosted by Opti Myst

* Ohio, USA - "The World is One Country" at the Dayton International Peace Museum, "join with other earthlings, exhibits, workshops and food"

* Cotonou, Benin - Salle des fetes - "Pour le Salut de notre planete", with projections, games for children and adults, and theatre

* Toronto, Canada - Cabbagetown Community Party at the Union Yoga Center - "Together, we'll make 7/7/07 a turning point in solving the climate crisis!"

And --------tu-da-da-du-mmmmmmmmm--- of course :
* Chateau Lalinde, Lalinde,:
Bring a picnic, bring your family and your friends and let's get together to brainstorm what each one of us can do to help save our planet for the
next generation! 11am on 07-07-07
If you have not yet replied, do so now - but Be There!



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Tour de France in the Dordogne : C'est parti!

The Tour de France, the arduous and challenging annual cycle race of 3639km, is about to begin, and this year it will come right through the Dordogne so everyone on holiday in France will have an opportunity to see this great annual event first hand! On 27 July the State 18 is between Angouleme and Cahors, going through some of the most spectacular Perigord scenery:
These are the towns they will be whizzing through on their cycles: (in reverse order!)
Soyaux, Gardes le Pontaroux, Mareuil, Vieux Mareuil, Brantome (between 15h42 and 16h01), Chateau l'Eveque, Trelissac, Perigeux (between 15h09 and 15h24), St Laurent sur Manoire, La Douze, Journiac, Le Bugue, St Cyprien, Beynac, Cazenac, La Roque, Gageac, St Martial de Nabirat, Cahors.

Stage details:
Stage No: Date: Distance:
Prologue Time Trial July 7th London 8 km
Stage 1 July 8th London > Canterbury 203 km
Stage 2 July 9th Dunkirk > Gand 167 km
Stage 3 July 10th Waregem > - Compiègne 236 km
Stage 4 July 11th Villers-Cotterêts > Joigny 190 km
Stage 5 July 12th Chablis > Autun 184 km
Stage 6 July 13th Semur-en-Auxois > Bourg-en-Bresse 200 km
Stage 7 July 14th Bourg-en-Bresse > Le-Grand-Bornand 197 km
Stage 8 July 15th Le-Grand-Bornand >- Tignes 165 km
Rest Day July 16th (Rest Day)
Stage 9 July 17th Val-d’Isère > Briançon 161 km
Stage 10 July 18th Tallard > Marseille 229 km
Stage 11 July 19th Marseille > Montpellier 180 km
Stage 12 July 20th Montpellier > Castres 179 km
Stage 13 (Time Trial) July 21st Albi > Albi 54 km
Stage 14 July 22nd Mazamet > Plateau-de-Beille 197 km
Stage 15 July 23rd Foix > Loudenvielle-Le Louron 196 km
Rest Day July 24th (Rest Day)
Stage 16 July 25th Orthez > Gourette - Col d’Aubisque 218 km
Stage 17 July 26th Pau > Castelsarrasin 188 km
Stage 18 July 27th Cahors > Angoulême 210 km
Stage 19 (Time Trial) July 28th Cognac > Angoulême 55 km
Stage 20 July 29th Marcoussis > Paris Champs-Élysées 130 km

The main climbs:
Stage 7 Stage 8
Côte de Corlier 5.9 km at 5.5%
Côte des Petits-Bois 7.1 km at 4.4%
Côte Peguin 4.3 km at 4.1%
Col de la Colombière 16 km at 6.7% Col du Marais 3.8 km at 4.1%
Côte du Bouchet-Mont-Charvin 1.6 km at 7.6%
Col de Tamié 9.5 km at 4%
Cormet de Roselend 19.9 km at 6%
Montée de Hauteville 15.3 km at 4.7%
Le Lac (Tignes) 17.9 km at 5.5%
Stage 9 Stage 14

Col de l’Iseran 15 km at 6%
Col du Télégraphe 12 km at 6.7%
Col du Galibier 17.5 km at 6.9%
Côte de Sarraille 9 km at a 5.2%
Port de Pailhères 16.8 km at 7.2%
Plateau-de-Beille 15.9 km at 7.9%
Stage 15 Stage 16
Col de Port 11.4 km at a 5.3%
Col de Portet d’Aspet 5.7 km at 6.9%
Col de Menté 7 km at 8.1%
Port de Balès 19.2 km at 6.2%
Col de Peyresourde 9.7 km at 7.8%

Col de Larraut 14.2 km at 8%
Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin 14 km at 5.2%
Col de Marie-Blanque 9.3 km at 7.7%
Col d’Aubisque 16.4 km at 6.9%



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Learning French : A Phrase a Day

Prendre une habitude
To pick up/learn a bad habit

J'ai pris de mauvaises/de bonnes habitudes pendant les vacances
I have learned/picked up some bad/good habits during the holidays

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Bring on the Champagne! The New Chateau Lalinde Website is launched!

Thanks to the amazingly talented -- and patient -- team of Lesley Trett at BlueSky Graphics and Colin Lawrence of ChilliSplash Web Design and Hosting, and all the many friends who have helped read, and read, and read again, Chateau Lalinde's new website is finally launched -- and looking beautiful!

Please come visit and tell us what you think if it!

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The Mascaret : The Bore on the Dordogne and the Gironde

NOW is the time to start preparing to have your surfboard or your paddle ski waxed and ready to catch that Big Wave on the Aquitaine rivers!

Last year in August I reported on the Mascaret, or the tidal bore on the Aquitaine rivers, but Pierre and I missed the waves because we were not prepared -- this year Pierre and his surf board are in Mexico, and I have a house full of beautiful people renting the Chateau Lalinde for the summer holidays, but I do not intend missing the mascaret, or the tidal bore on the Dordogne or the Gironde once again!

Two weeks ago when Bordeaux celebrated the river (the Gironde) during the Festival of the River, I was all agog to hear where and which day the best spot was going to be this year to catch the big waves on the rivers. But no luck. Those in the know stay mum on the secrets of the place and time of the best waves. I can understand why -- anyone who has ever surfed a mascaret or tidal bore, know that if half the world is there in the water with you, there is not much pleasure for the surfer. This is one time when sharing is not fun!

But! -- a scoop for the Chateau Lalinde blog! I have the time table of the best waves on the Gironde for 2007!



The Festival of the Mascaret is from the 1st to the 2nd of September this year, but looking at the timetable, I would say be ready with your surfboard on the 29th August onwards. The coefficient - anything above 100 is excellent and these are the numbers for that period:

Wednesday 29 August : 103 : at 17h55
Thursday 30 August : 107 : at 18h35
Friday 31 August : 104 : at 19h15
Saturday 1 September: 100 : at 07h40
95 : at 19h55
Sunday 2 September : 89 : at 08h15
81 : at 20h40

The mascaret forms in different places on the river and in different widths and heights. But the best, according to the connoisseurs, are:

On the Dordogne River: at Saint-Pardon (where the wave can be as high as 2.5 meters in height) a few kilometres from Libourne
On the Garonne River : between Langoiran and Podensac (2,5 m in height)

Christian Rollet, the president of the masacaret association of Saint-Pardon de Vayres, says : "The advantage of the mascaret here in the Aquitaine, is its length and height. Compared with any other bore in Europe, the French mascaret lasts at least 1.4 kilometres --- that gives you at least 10 minutes of surfing!"
That, and the unique ambiance of the surfers - with ages ranging from 7 to 77 years, makes the mascaret in France a very special experience -- and one not to be missed!
And the best place? A little bird told me that the best place to be for the best wave is without a doubt St Pardon.



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