Welcome to a new blogger

This isn't really a post, but just a recommendation to any of the people who ever look at my blog, who may be interested in the blog that my husband Mark has just started writing. Mark is fascinated by learning and has been an educationalist with tremendous integrity all his working life. His experience in the education world has been wide and varied, from being a teacher, an advisor, an inspector, a head of an advisory service with an LEA, a deputy director, and LEA director of education, a head of a service brought in to assist LEAs, a director of a central government agency and most recently a consultant.

He is also interested in the way blogging can be used for learning in its widest sense.....and as a way of sharing our learning experiences.

Anyway, if you are interested, have a read.

http://markslearningjourney.blogspot.fr/

Mark, learning to relax !

Visiting Annie part 1: Pasea, descubre y cuentalo.

 

 

( This is the nearest we could manage to a joint blog......Annie's comments are in blue, mine in black, and be warned....part 2 is currently in preparation )

This trip has been long awaited. (And eagerly anticipated.) Annie and I, having known each other for about 20 years, have become close since I started to follow her blog about moving from England to Spain. (After we’d bumped into each other in Kingsgate Car Park one day ...and suddenly discovered how easy it was to talk to each other. I could have stayed chatting there until we were asked to leave!) Then, she persuaded me to start blogging nearly 2 years ago, and our friendship has developed.  As her life in Spain progressed, moving from place to place until she and her family finally found their chosen spot, near Alcala la Real, I have ended up living partly in England and partly in France.  

So…..this long awaited excursion south, from my French home in the Minervois, has finally happened. At one stage we talked about getting together in Barcelona, or having a girls’ weekend somewhere we could both get to easily. However, with me being ill for best part of the last year, those plans were put on hold. (I think ‘best part’ is perhaps not quite the right term, Janice! The worst part of the year would be more appropriate… and thank goodness it’s over. ) (As you mention Barcelona  isn’t it  - or wouldn’t it be - still a wonderful venue for a meet up one day - maybe with a few other blogging friends..?)

My husband Mark, said he would be happy to take me to see Annie, so we started to plan a short visit for this autumn. (Mark really is part saint!)

We combined it with visiting another friend and her family, who live just north of Castellon in Benicassim. ( My blog about this part of the trip has already been published).

What can I say ? We drove 2,500 kms ( well, I drove about 60kms…..Mark drove the rest), and had an amazing time.

Sam and Dave's guest house is at the top of the road going up, just left of centre in the photo....the house with the long shuttered window at the top. That was our bedroom. The photo does not do justice to the steepness of that road....it was practically vertical.....appropriate only for extreme sledging.....if. of course, there was ever snow here.

 

Tour guide Annie refused to let us find the guest house on our own. Her view was that even with the SAT-NAV, we would fail to find it. I am so glad she met us in town, in order to take us up to Sam and Dave’s guest house. It was at the top of impossibly steep and narrow roads, at the other end of town to the incredible fortress which dominates Alcala la Real. How people walk up to their homes, I have no idea. Annie said that there are often people with broken bones to be seen wandering the Alcala streets in the winter when things get a little slippery. I can believe it. (Actually Janice, it was a thinly disguised ruse to make sure I could meet you as soon as possible - and to share in that view you describe in the next paragraph…)

Annie, emerging from our precariously parked car, after she had directed us through Alcala's narrow steep streets.

 

However, the view from Sam and Dave’s terrace was amazing. After a pretty long and tiring drive from Benicassim, we were ready just to sit, chat, have a glass of wine and watch the light fade over La Mota. It was an excellent start to our visit to see Annie.

Annie, with us, on Sam and Dave's terrace



La Mota, as the light fell, from our terrace

The next day, Annie met us and began her personalised tour of Alcala la Real. I know she had struggled to find the perfect house in which to finally settle……but I did not realise quite how many Alcala homes she had viewed in her quest. Dozens of houses were pointed out, as having been potentials at various stages. Some were no hopers because there was no garage/parking space/light/outside space, or there were not enough rooms, or as in one case, the children were so horrified by the steepness of the street that it had to be abandoned as having any potential at all.

Mark, with our very special tour guide

We explored one of Alcala’s churches….the posh one, apparently. Behind the altar was the most spectacular golden shrine I have ever seen. Along each wall were various life size madonnas and other saints. Some of them are taken out of the church for various processions during the year. We came across our first weeping virgin, our lady of sorrows, and watched the local women who must spend hours in the church each day, cleaning, polishing, arranging flowers and of course, praying.

 

 

Forteza de la Mota, dominating all views of Alcala la Real

 

Then Annie took us to La Mota. The words on the tourist information leaflet about the fortress are

“pasea, descubre y cuentalo”, meaning stroll, discover and tell.

La Mota, with Annie's pine forest, where Darwin has been taken for many walks.

I understand Annie’s passion for this amazing place, and it does need to be walked around and discovered and then shared with others. I loved it. (I SO enjoyed seeing it all again through your eyes too.)

 

Annie and I nattering away.....which we did quite a bit of ! Captured by Mark who had wandered off up one of the towers.

There are Neolithic and bronze age remains at the site, and of course, the Romans were there too. However, the majesty and power of the hill site were properly realised during the 12th and 13th centuries under Islamic rule. The remains of the town within its outerwalls reminded me a little of Carcassonne. There is evidence of the butchers, the pharmacy, of  people’s homes as well as that of the military and defensive purpose of the actual fortress.

 

Annie loves every stone of the place, and easily transmitted it to us. Her grasp of what happened and when was a little more vague. It was pretty easy to forgive her though. Her overwhelming passion for this beautiful place was very powerful.

Actually, I’ve always been a historian more interested in why something happened than when it did, but her “ oh it was ages ago”  or “ a long time ago Janice”……meant I needed to look things up a bit, so I at least had some idea of when the Christian arrived and when various sieges took place. (I’d forgotten I had two historians in tow...dates were never my strong point. I found it interesting to be asked ‘when, exactly’ and ‘what happened before this?’...but obviously hadn’t a clue about any of it. I shall endeavour to find out and remember for future visitors - but I suspect they won’t need quite so much detail!)

 

It seems that the Moslems were losing to the Christians, in Alcala at around about the same time as Christian crusaders were claiming land all over the place from French landowners who protected the Cathars further north.

The ruined, and now partly restored abbey within the fortified town was beautiful. Evidence of Romans, Wisigoths, Moslems and Christians can be found. A well produced film shown in the cavernous ruined abbey showed some of the changes that had happened over the centuries, and showed dear old Napoleon, personally lighting the match that burned the place to the ground. (And I did learn some things I didn’t know before even though I’ve seen this particular film three times already...the problem is that I tend to get all emotional at the end as the music swells and the film shows all the best bits of the town...I forget the detail then in the great swell of pride and amazement that rises up in me…)

The stunning interior of the restored abbey building, destroyed by Napoleon, where the film show took place.

I could go on…..about Alcala la Real, and about Annie…..but I intend to blog about Annie in her home village of Villalobos, as part 2 of this adventure. So, I will just add a few photos to our text, and promise a bit more of our adventures in my/ our next blog. (Looking forward to seeing the photos - and chipping in where I can!)

la Iglesia Mayor Abacial, with evidence of the town outside.....homes from the 16th century.

Spain: the first stage

 

My trip to Spain began with the drive south from Caunes, across the border near Jonquera, ( what a strange place….a real border town, making the most of selling stuff in Spain, to the French, who can pick up cleaning products ( and booze) at a fraction of the price in French supermarkets), further south to Figuera, bypassing Barcelona and onto Benicassim.

Theatre in Figuera.....me experimenting with the black & white setting

 

The sun shone, the autumn temperatures climbed and we decided we should have packed the sun tan lotion after all.

Arriving at Bibi’s home in Benicassim was lovely. Her garden guest house was very inviting and comfortable, and her adorable daughter entertained us with her amazing grasp of English. Uma is 6, but is very capable of speaking English and American, and clearly understands the subtle differences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibi prepared a gorgeous meal, taught me how to prepare red peppers in the most delicious way, and she and Vicente made us very welcome.

 

The next day involved us walking on the beach and visiting a magnificent restaurant in the mountains and seeing Benicassim far below us.

 

 

The evening was spent eating wonderful tapas and walking through the town before stopping for a coffee while Uma played at a playground. We talked about “the crisis”, which did not seem very obvious to us, from watching a busy, clearly affluent town, where businesses flourished. Strong Spanish family ties…..where parents and grandparents are supporting the young is one way that the crisis is being hidden. In some areas 50% of young people are unemployed. A hidden economy exists where earnings are not declared, and cash payments required for work undertaken. These are ways of surviving in a climate where benefits, and huge social welfare cuts are being made.

Bibi with Vicente and Uma

So, some serious discussions, amongst catching up with Bibi and her family. I was one of Bibi’s teachers in 1984/5, when she, like me, spent a year in an American high school.  It is an experience that was important for both of us, and it is a real delight to me that we have kept in touch over the years. Bibi lived with a family in Sheboygan, Wisconsin during that year, and her American “mom” became one of my great friends…..she also taught at the high school. Needless to say, some of the talk between Bibi and I was about her US mom, my friend, Jane……and how we would love to get her and Lee over to Europe again. Now that they have Bibi in Benicassim and me in Caunes…..a mere 5 hour drive away, we think we can build a good case.

It was with sadness that I left Bibi, but it is great to realise that we are only a few hours apart now…..so, getting together will be easier now than ever.

Looking forward to seeing you again soon Uma.

 

A warning of posts to come

I have just returned to Caunes from a 6 day trip to Spain. I went to see Bibi in Benicassim and then travelled down to the far south, to see Annie in Alcala la Real.

This is just a very quick post, to say how much I am looking forward to catching up on all my favourite blogs that have been published while I have been away...and to warn you that a few posts from me, probably some from Annie, and at least one joint blog will be appearing soon !

Those of you that know Annie and I will have imagined that we would have a good time, getting together at last. I think it is fair to say that we did.....and our adventures, short though they were, will be documented here.

Let me just say that weeping virgins, Sadler teapots, Oklahoma ( or was it Oh Calcutta) Romans, wisigoths, moors ,crusaders, Spanish hairdressers and fig jam will feature, amongst other fairly random things.

 

Janice and Annie outside Annie's home.





 

Family and friends

It’s ages since I posted anything, and that is because life has been a little hectic.

I have been stepping up my recovery and exercise regime........and completed a 10km walk last week.

I meant to blog about that, as it involved some amazing landscapes and several ancient shepherds buildings, known as “Capitelles”. I think it may feature in a blog at some stage.....the stonework patterns on these ancient ( and restored) shelters is incredible.

My friend Jan came to stay for a week. We have been friends since we started school together in 1959....we then went to the same secondary school, did some of the same A levels, moved to Manchester and Salford for college when we left school, lived in the same flat with our respective boyfriends for a couple of years, then kept in close touch over the years......so we have a lot of shared history ! We spent a lot of time nattering. It was brilliant.

 

Mark, Jan and I visited some Cathar castles in Lastours, we spent some time in Carcassonne, Limoux, Mirepoix and La Grasse, doing touristy things. We went to a jazz club concert, spent some time lazing by the pool, ate some good food and drank some excellent wine and enjoyed the mellow autumn warmth.

Then, we got the call......3 weeks earlier than expected....Flynn, grandchild number 5 had been born. We were sure he would be late, just like his brothers, but he surprised us. So, we quickly booked a flight back to England for a viewing....and some cuddles.

Mark with Flynn Richard Marvel Pattison ( unusual 3rd names have become a tradition with Matt and Sarah Jane.....Dexter's 3rd name is Magneto and Clark's is Xavier)

Unfortunately, in and amongst all this, I managed to get shingles ( la zona, in French......the visit to the French Dr will certainly warrant a blog in its own right at some point, it was hilarious, and brilliant at the same time). It hasn’t been too bad, and hopefully I’ll be fully recovered soon. I think that compared with cancer, shingles is a doddle ! ( Sorry to anyone who has suffered horribly with it.....I think I have been lucky and caught it in time )

We came back to England for 4 days, until tomorrow, when we have an early flight booked back to Carcassonne. We’ll catch up with Jess tonight in Liverpool and hear all about her first 2 weeks of teacher training. Then next week, we head south from Caunes, to Benicassim  to see Bibi, and Alacala  to see Annie. ( Those of you who know Annie through her blogs and have followed my story during the last year, will know how much I am looking forward to seeing her again).

So.....not much in the way of posts from me recently, but plenty of adventures which will probably make it into a blog or two or more in the future. Somehow I suspect there will be a joint effort planned from southern Spain next week sometime.

Clark and Dexter with their new little brother

 

The Pattison Packer fans.

 

 

Walking with Visigoths

The Visigoths, who were a Germanic tribe, challenged the Roman Empire in its dying days. They occupied this part of France from about 400 – 500. The Visigoth Kingdom’s capital was in Toulouse until the Franks drove them into Spain in 507.

Evidence of their time in the Aude can be clearly seen in and around the Minervois village of Villarzel  Carbardes.  So last weekend, following  an article appearing in L’Independent, showing a guided walk, we went off in search of  Visigoth graves.

Setting off, between some houses, near the entrance to the village, on the D335,  ( after a somewhat frustrating drive around the village, looking for the starting point )we followed a reasonably well marked route which took us past some spectacular views, some fascinating local oddities, and eventually to les tombes Wisigoths.

 

After walking through vineyards, where the grapes are starting to hang heavily from the vines, we passed the Chateau de Villarlong, which has been converted to apartments. It was quite a sight. The gardens contain a giraffe and some blue sheep….not what you expect in what looked, otherwise to be, a very formal French garden.

 

Living in Yorkshire, we are used to stone walls and sheep.....but not quite like this.

 

After passing some ancient lavoirs, we came to the church of Saint Pierre. It is almost a ruin…but has beautiful stain glass windows. They looked new, or recently restored, which all seemed a little odd , within the walls of an almost derelict building. Perhaps not so strange as the giraffe and blue sheep though.

 

 

A further walk through vines and  past spectacular cypress trees led to the Visigoth cemetery. The site was excavated in 1967, but was well known , by locals, before that. It was known locally as la Colline des morts.

 

 

It dates from between the 5^th and 7^th centuries and contains 44 graves, arranged in family groupings  on a peaceful hillside. Artifacts found at the site includes earrings, bracelets, pottery  and drinking glasses. These can now be seen at a small museum in the village.

 

 

We started the walk early, to avoid the heat but by the time we had arrived at the grave site, the sun was quite high.  This was my first longish walk for sometime, so we sat for a while, under the trees alongside the graves. The ancient branches gave a subtle filtered sunlight to the peaceful, gentle scene.

 

We continued through more open fields, and vineyards, and past some beautiful views of the mountains. This included Montagne d’Alirac….named after the king who led the Visigoth army when they sacked Rome in 410.

 We were very tempted to pick the rose-hips and blackberries which seemed to be growing everywhere, and eventually wound our way back to our starting point.

The circular walk is about 7kms, and took us about 2 hours. It was all gentle walking, with no particularly difficult inclines…..perfect for me…….and , it was beautiful.

 

                                                                                    

A Spanish dilemma

In just a few weeks Mark and I will be heading south, to spend a day or so with Bibi in Benicasim and then a few days visiting Annie near Alcala la Real . So..when the Feria came to town, it seemed like a good opportunity to practice ( I'm not sure what we thought we would be practicing….eating tapas maybe ? ).

Feria 2013 poster

The newspaper has been full of contradictory views about this year’s Carcassonne Feria. There have been no bulls here for the last couple of years….but this year, they returned, with all the controversy that was bound to follow. So, on one page the report was about the triumph of the kill, with all the gory accompanying photos of macho men in sparkly jackets plunging sharp sticks into stunningly beautiful animals…..and on the next, were reports about the protests. Forgive me for not including scenes of  animals dying in agony .

No caption needed here really.....image taken from L'Independent newspaper

I remember seeing bull fighting near Avignon, where little flags were looped around the bull’s horns…but no blood was involved. This was clearly the full blown Ernest Hemmingway approved battle to the death stuff. At one stage of my life I thought I understood the fascination with bull fighting, but then I was very young, and was probably more fascinated with Hemingway than the bull fights.

Mark and I did not attend the bull fights.

However, we did wander into Carcassonne on Friday night to see what was going on in one of the town’s main squares.

We found tapas and sangria, plenty of wine, salsa and flamenco, and families having a wonderful time.

 

Not a particularly good photo, but we watched the 4 people on the right of this picture for ages....they had a wonderful time.

I love the moodiness of Flamenco....he was mean and moody

...and so was she..... hardly a smile all evening, fabulous !
 

Heart and soul involved with every note.

 Another moral dilemma I faced due to the Feria ( the bull fight dilemma was not difficult to resolve, there was no chance that we would support such horrors), was: should I take photographs of people without asking their permission ?

Some of the costumes were fabulous

I have always enjoyed photographing spectators at events. When I was at the London Olympics last year I approached dozens of supporters from all over the world, who then posed beautifully for me. I have taken crowd shots at various sporting events, and then possibly zoomed in on particular faces at the editing stage.

I took this one from some distance away, but I couldn't resist her expression

In Carcassonne, I shamelessly pointed my camera at people who were clearly having a great time. I also spotted some great costumes….particularly children who were joining in the fun and the whole spectacle. I couldn’t help myself. Should I have asked them if they minded ? Should I have found their parents and asked them for permission ? I wouldn’t have got such natural images if I had….but all the same…..I feel it wasn’t quite right.

Again.... from some distance, and I couldn't resist taking the photo.

No permission needed for this one....Mark buying his first ever churros. He asked me what they tasted of, all I could say, was they taste exactly as they look like they should taste. He agreed.