Hello Everyone
The statuesque vines of the Alsace, regimentally placed in neat rows up and down the hills and dales, are tall, green and healthy. Bushy affairs with grapes of dark purple and golden yellow which hang about half way down the tree. You had to be quick to catch them at this time of year as the vendange was in full swing . Back in the day, a bottle of Blue Nun or Riesling was quite the thing to take to a party. After several wine tastings last week we were hard-pushed to discover why.
Returning home after practically a day on the road, the noble terrain of the Roussillon came into view. A hot day had given us a clear blue sky with flying-saucer clouds hovering overhead welcoming us back to our land of tasty tannic reds, sharp, succulent rosés and light, aromatic whites.
At the beginning of September we had our Walk For Life event in Maureillas. The weather was perfect and quite a number of us walked. The stalls with books, bottles and bric-a-brac were laid out under the préau where at lunchtime we all sat and ate our picnic.
We raised over €600 for CSF. We donated half of the registration fees to our colleagues at La Ligue contre le cancer in the Pyrénées-Orientales who provide us with much support. Have a look at our photos:
At the Drop Ins this month tickets for the Autumn Ball will be on sale
Wednesday 3 October – Céret – 10.30-12
Pablo’s welcomes us back this month. The trees will be shedding their leaves but hopefully they‘ll be enough shade for us to sit outside. Come and have a chat, meet up with friends and browse through the books.
Monday 15 October – Laroque – 10.30-12
At the Café des Artistes there’s always a good turn-over of paperbacks, English and French. Also CDs and DVDs. You can buy a coffee and take two books.
Wednesday 17 October – Eus – 10-12
This month we will be at Maggie’s place! Last time, Brenda Myers gave us a demonstration on how to make marzipan fruits. This time we will be having a go ourselves and making marzipan fruits to sell at the Christmas Market. Maggie will provide all the ingredients. Just email Maggie and let her know you are coming and she’ll give you directions.
Saturday 13 October – AUTUMN BALL – Bages – 7pm **
(Salle des Fêtes, Rue de la Salle, Avenue de la Méditerranée, 66670 Bages)
TICKETS NOW ON SALE you’ll need to buy your ticket before 10 October
No tickets will be available on the night
This is the event of the season! A relaxed evening, sitting with friends and joining in the fun. It’s also an important fund-raising event with prizes to be won on the Tombola and the Bottle Raffle, plus of course our Auction. So far this year we’ve had promises of a Fish & Chip Supper, Adventure Park & Canyoning, Wine Gift Boxes, a Reiki Session and a half -day Boat Trip.
** Bottle Stall and Tombola will be open from 7 till 8 so please come early**
There’ll be music from the band Zircon and a Tapas style meal, a dessert plus a glass of wine. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be on sale at the bar.
The ticket price is €15.
Important! You could win a Tombola prize if your ticket is drawn on the night so bring your tickets with you.
We are always very grateful for the support you give us at this event and remember, the money we raise on the Tombola we split with La Ligue contre le cancer.
(If you’d like to donate bottles to our Bottle Raffle – any shape or size, plastic or glass – or you have any unwanted, unopened gifts for our Tombola, please bring them along to any of our Drop Ins or drop me a line and I’ll arrange a pick-up.)
Looking Ahead
Thursday 15 November Conference VAINCRE LE CANCER Perpignan 2-7pm
CSF always has a stand at this conference organised by ONCO-PO (Le Centre de Coordination en Cancérologie des Pyrénées-Orientales). It takes place every year at the Palais des Congrès in Perpignan. It’s free and everyone is welcome to come to any part of it.
Cancer Specialists present to the public the various preventative measures, the latest therapeutic advances and the proposed support given to patients throughout their care pathway. They will be there to discuss various topics and answer your questions.
Sunday 25 November 10th CHRISTMAS MARKET 9.30 – 5.30
The Christmas Market at St Jean Pla de Corts is celebrating its 10th Year!CSF will have a Raffle and a stall selling books, Christmas cards, notelets, umbrellas and tea towels and much more.
There will be arts & craft stalls, cards and gifts, stocking fillers, homemade puds, mince pies and cakes, Father Christmas and Christmas Carols and masses of British food products.
Lizzie Smith will be running the cafe and selling tea, coffee, cakes and sandwiches.
We’re always very pleased to hear from anyone who would like to help out on our stall for a couple of hours (morning, lunchtime or afternoon). If you’re free, please let me know by email what time would suit you best.
Wednesday 30 January AGM CSF Sud de France 10.15
Our CSF Annual General Meeting takes place at the Restaurant L’Oliveraie, 850 Boulevard Denis Papin, 11000 Carcassonne (just off the A61)
It’s the 10th Anniversary of CSF Sud de France so at the meeting we’ll be looking back as well as forward!
Put a note in your diary and wait for more details next month.
Wednesday 10 April CSF Open Meeting Perpignan
This is our annual get-together when we meet up for a short meeting and a long lunch! It’s very informal and everyone is welcome.
I’m pleased to say that we will again be at the Hotel Le Mas des Arcades and will taste the delights of their fabulous restaurant La Table de Mas.
The meeting will start at around 10.15 and end with a three-course lunch.
Please make a note of the date.
Finally, if you have any questions or comments or would like to be taken off the mailing list, please do email me.
Diana Eastaff
