Scorched Earth! Well not quite. If you’re up among the massive, craggy limestone rocks in the gorges somewhere between Arles sur Tech and Saint Laurent de Cerdans
and take those roads which wind through the forests, it’s green and lush and full of birdsong.

Early Sunday evening, travelling back from Montpellier on the A9, we turned off at the sign to the Sigean African Reserve to take the scenic route back to Argelès. The heat from the sun and the deafening hissing of the cicadas convinced me I was bumping along a dusty track in the middle of the Serengeti. The sky was a deep mix of steel grey and bright blue, and the clouds were getting ready to tip down their sandy droplets. I thought I could see Kilimanjaro rising up to our right but no, thankfully, there they were – the familiar peaks of the Albères!

This is the finishing line of our four-day Cycle for Life – Carcassonne to Sete which took place between Thursday 25 June and Sunday 28 June.

It would be impossible for me to try and describe the atmosphere surrounding the events taking place each day. I could not do justice to the tremendous effort made by all who took part and by those who gave support along the route and at the many stop points.

Far better for you to have a look at the Facebook page where you will find all the details and plenty of photographs. Go to Facebook and search CSF Activity for Life or try follow this link.

 Between the 9th and the 24th September this year every CSF association will be holding an Activity for Life event. In the P-O this will be at Prat de Farga (not far from the Le Boulou exit of the A9) – the big field with parking and plenty of facilities in Maureillas.

There will be 2 sponsored walks, one approximately 8km and a shorter stroll. (Dogs on leads will be welcome to walk with their owners.) In order to fund the centrally organised CSF training programme, 50% of sums raised will be donated to CSF National. If you would like to do these sponsored walks or help as a volunteer, please email Lynn (lynnrhall66@gmail.com) and she will send you updates and, nearer the time, a registration form and details of the chosen CSF sponsorship giving site.

This is a fun day out for everyone. If you’re not doing the walks just come along and support the walkers, play in a (friendly) pétanque tournament, and have your picnic. There will be BBQ facilities, a Bar and, of course, cakes will be on sale. As will Books, CSF items, and Christmas Cards (!) . There’ll be music and even somewhere to sit.
DO PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY NOW.

This event replaces the “At Home at Caixas”.

 

 We know that we can count on your support at what is always a very relaxed evening, sitting with friends, joining in the fun and winning some prizes. Out of the money we raise at this event, we always split what we make on the Tombola with La Ligue contre le cancer. CSF (National) has a partnership agreement with La Ligue (Nationale) and it is through that partnership that CSF has been accepted by those in the French health system.

As always the band Zircon will provide the music. There‘ll be a bottle stall, a tombola and an Auction of Promises which will be slightly different from last time. We will have our own Master of Ceremonies who will act as Auctioneer and there will be a small but very varied selection of « promises » up for auction. More on that next month. The ticket price of €15 includes a Tapas style meal + dessert and a glass of wine. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be on sale at the bar.

We’d be very grateful for donations for our bottle and tombola stalls. Unused and unopened bottles can be filled with anything – wine, water, shampoo, tomato ketchup – plastic or glass. For the tombola we are looking for unopened gifts or unused knick-knacks e.g. household items, jewellery, china, scarves, etc. It would be great if you could bring your donation along to one of the Drop Ins or just drop me a line and we can arrange a pick up.