Daytime

We have had a few phone calls this week from friends in the UK talking about the weather. We see from the Internet that most of the UK is wet, but down here in Cruzy, it is hot. Too Hot.
It was 37 yesterday, and 36 today and its expected to be in the 40s over the weekend.
Today, I had to change my t-shirt twice as the heat was not quashed by any wind. After lunch both Alan and I had to have baths to cool down.
I spent most of the last week in the garden playing with my post and making a mess. Poor Alan was up in the Study working hard.

I found a great use for an old Star Wars toy... do now worry, I have 3 still in their boxes.

I found some new friends in the garden, all with lots of legs.

We went out for rides on our bikes this evening and found a new route out of the villand and a different view of the village. Its rather nice with all the vines in front and the church dappled by sunlight.

Lastnight we drove to our nearest multi-screen cinema some 30km away on the far side of Beziers. We went to the newish 12 screen cinema to watched the latest Harry Potter film, The Order of the Phenix, but as it was the French version (without English subtitles) it shall be know as its true name, Harry Potter et l’Ordre du Phénix.

Click below to watch the French advert and notice name changes. For example Hogworts is called Poudlard (sounds like "poo-lard"). Professor Snape is called Professor Rogue.



It was easy to follow the film as we had both read the book and everone speaks slowly and clearly in Harry Potter films, exept when screaming or running from Dementors.

The French version of the film is a little shorter the UK release and has a number of small, scenes missing. Very strange. Also, there were no adverts in the French cinema for future releases. The adverts were show on a small screen in the lobby of the cinema.

Bikes and heros

20th July 2007

Some would say standing in the summer sun waiting for men on bikes for 4 hours was a waste of a good day. We disagree. While waiting for this years Tour de France to blow through a nearby town, we joined friends from the village and took along picnics to help pass the time. Little did we know that just 45 minutes before the frontrunners were due, a large procession of cars, vans, trucks and ... well plastic floats, come bombing past.

Now this is nothing ordinary, but when you discover that 11 million freebies are thrown from those passing vehicles, you may begin to appreciate the sense of excitement felt by the crowd, and the Cruzy contingent. We were inundated with freebies. hats, key rings, foam hands (special favourite) food, drinks, purses, papers, posters, banners, sweets, florescent straps and best of all, fabric bags (great for shopping). We were in competition with the 8 year old and his mum just to our left. Often we had to let the little guy win the prize, but we managed to catch items faster than they could at times, otherwise we'd have very little in our bags. They walked away with a larger bag of bootie than us, but we believe we were after the quality freebie, rather than just the quantity of freebies.

Hands up those with Freebies.

If you look closely, the chap in the Yellow Jersey is "winner" at this point, althought he came in 47th and is being investigated for taking drugs... well he did not attend 2 drug tests. 3rd time and he's out. Turns out it was his own countries national paper that ratted on him... poor show!

14th July 2007

Ah what a day for the meek, geek and hero worship. Kieran met his Hero of Heroes, Luke Skywalker. Yes, I know its Mark Hammil, but to my 8 year old heart of hearts, it was Luke Skywalker himself. Now, I know paying to meet a celebrity is not really counted at meeting, but when I have photographic proof and video evidence, it counts to me and in 20 years I can change the story to meet my fantasy needs.

Kieran and Luke sitting in a tree, K. I. S... you get it.

Mountains and bugs

Yesterday, we drove out from Cruzy to visit a friend who lives 55km away towards the Pyrenees.

We enjoyed lunch and decided to walk around the village to help burn off a calorie or two. Our host then took us off track into the local undergrowth, and I found it rather difficult at times in my Nike flip-flops. Of course, our guide knew what she was doing. The other side of the vegetation we emerged onto a rockbed with running water and glistening pools everywhere.

Here we saw fish, frogs and cigale. See snap for the image. These things make a wonderful noise. There are 1000s of them all around and they create a sort of "muzac" wherever you go - a bit like piped music in a shopping centre.

They are a lot larger than we ever expected.

After the water and the rocks, we walked up into the hills and around the vineyards. And yes, I began to point out that the village was to the left, and we were continuing to veer right and away from the comfort of the dinner table... and coffee.

Later that night, back in Cruzy, Alan came downstairs, and on his way back up screamed out like a man possessed. I came running thinking he was tumbling down the stairs. No, it was worse. He had just brushed his hand inside his t-shirt to discover a scorpion (the largest so far) in the small of his back. Having brushed the scorpion, he looked down to find the scorpion now in his hand... so screamed some more.

Suffice to say, we are now paranoid about scorpions... anyone know if they sell a scorpion/fly spray?

Sun, Mountains and Lakes

With such hot weather demanding we leave the cool comfort of L'Abeille we headded off into the Montains. Just 30 minutes away are the thick forrests of the Haut Languedoc.

The day before we had spent the evening on the beach just 20 mintues away from home, but we decided that the lake would be a lovely place to spend an afternoon.

Its all uphill on very bendy roads, but what a lovely drive. Luckly the Renault Scenic has enough room for picnic hamper, extra ground sheets and the iPod.

The closest lake to Cruzy is about 20km away. so I drove up and up into the mountains. The views were lovely and I was a little overcome by its beauty, but also the sence of being miles from anywhere. I drove around the lake and saw a few fishermen and a couple out on a dingy.

We popped the boot, and got our our beach kit (always in the car) and made our way to the shore.

We had cheese, fresh bread and fresh cherrys. What a delight. Alp read Harry Potter in French, and kept updating me with the French versions of popular Wizarding terms. I shall share what he told me. So, Harry goes to Hogwarts in the English edition but to Poudlard in the French book, and the four houses are called Gryffondor, Poufsouffle, Serdaigle and Serpentard. I think i need to see the film in French now.

Amazon sell the French verson of the Harry Potter book. Click on the link to see it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/2070612368/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwfreshlysta-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=2070612368">Harry


 The rest of the lake was ours and the picnic was the best one ever.

Of course, on the way home we tried a new route... at it took almost another hour to find our way back home.

C.R.A.Z.Y. - Space Oddity

Such a good film. Well worth watching - and reading - its in French with English subtitles.

No TV - Watch DVDS

I'm known as one not to miss an opportunity to watch a good film. Just imagine how hard the last six months have been without any television, French or English.
Many would argue I've missed nothing on TV, but when it comes to the cinema, boy am I behind.

This week I watched Jean de Florette followed by Manon de Sources. Both were excellent and have been out on DVD for years, but they were new to me.

Above is the punch-line, so do not watch it if you have not seen the films. Its is a proper spoiler.

To round off my week of French culture I watched C.R.A.Z.Y. Beautifully shot with a good soundtrack. The script and the acting really shone through and I thought I'd share the trailer with you.
Above, is a YouTube video of the lead, singing along to David Bowies Space Oddity.

Catch it if you can.