It was such a pleasant morning, that we decided to have a wander around the village and take a few photos of the autumn colours. All that exercise and fresh air built up a thirst for a bottle of wine made in the village.
It is now Sunday and I’m fully recovered from yesterdays wine fete in Tuchan (http://tuchan.the-world-in-focus.com/). We motored down at about 11am and it was in full swing. Lots of activities in the main village square, including pony rides and games for the children. There were also stalls selling local products and needless to say an area for sampling local wines and food. We had a wander around and then headed to the new visitors centre/tasting room at the Mont Tauch winery (http://www.mont-tauch.com) to have a gander. Very impressive indeed. The last time we went to Mont Tauch, to buy wine, it was a tatty old warehouse with the wine cases piled on the floor and not a lot else.
We snapped a few photo’s and shot some video and then pootled back to the square just in time for the wine tasting. Not having to drive, I sampled a good number of wines along with the food that was also on offer. There was a group of traditional musicians to keep us entertained while we savoured the local fayre.
Not being ones to do things in half measures, we headed back to the Mont Tauch winery for their tasting which was held in front of the new tasting room/visitors centre.
All in all it was a most enjoyable day. The sun was shining, but there a breeze to keep it nice and coo, and best of all an endless supply of free food and wine. What better way to spend a Saturday lunchtime!
Window of the Mont Tauch Visitors Centre
Video of the Fete du Vin/Fésta dal Vin.
Just finished reading
Clean Cut by Linda La Plante
This is the first La Plante novel I’ve ever read. The reason being that the televised versions are just so good and I did not want to take away from my enjoyment of them by reading an even better written version. I picked this novel up at an English language book swap, so thought I would take the plunge. I’m pleased that I did. It is an excellent novel. This novel is a thoroughly gripping read. The characters are full bodied and the gritty interaction with each other means a stunning fast paced read. I will now have to look out for new releases by Linda La Plante.
Product Description
Dedicated, intuitive and utterly obsessive, DCI James Langton is ruthless in his pursuit of a gang of illegal immigrants, killers of a young prostitute. When he is horrifically, almost fatally injured by one of them, it falls upon DI Anna Travis to put her own career on hold as she nurses him through his intense frustration and desperation to bring his would-be murderer to justice. Then Anna is assigned to a different case, the brutal killing of a quiet, studious woman whose body was discovered by her daughter returning home from school. A senseless attack with no obvious motive or immediate suspect. Until, chillingly, the case becomes unexpectedly linked with Langton’s and Anna finds herself under similar threat from those who almost destroyed his career and his life.
About the Author
Lynda La Plante was born in Liverpool. Her novels have all been bestsellers internationally and she has won BAFTA, Emmy, British Broadcasting and Royal Television Society Writers Awards. Her biggest television triumph has been PRIME SUSPECT starring Helen Mirren, and she is currently working on her latest series of TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION and THE COMMANDER.
Tags: Corbieres, Fésta dal Vin, Fete du Vin, Fitou, Linda La Plante, Tuchan, Vin, Wine
My second village of the day, Embres-et-Castelmaure is just a short drive from St. Jean and is even smaller, but no less attractive.
Tags: Embres-et-Castelmaure
The sun was out and the air smelt of wild thyme. What better way to spend the morning then exploring local villages. Here are a few photos I took in St. Jean-de-Barrou, a small Corbieres village.
Tags: St. Jean-de-Barrou
Still and video camera in hand I ventured in the wilds of Villeseque des Corbieres to Randallize it. I spent a happy hour or so pounding the lanes and burning shoe leather and snapping away and filming to create my newest website http://villeseque-des-corbieres.the-world-in-focus.com
I still have some more bits and bobs to add to the site but all the pics and video are on there and I will update when I re-visit the village, which is about once or twice a year. Fingers crossed the weather will stay bright and sunny so I can Randallize a few more local vilages before the years end. This really is the best time to be out and about. The light in wonderful, nature’s showing here true colours and the roads are free from the normal tourist hoards.
Tags: Aude, France, Languedoc, VILLESEQUE-DES-CORBIERES
Villeseque des Corbieres is a nice little village off of the D611 on the small D50 road. Basically a residential area there is nothing of great interest to see but the friendly cafe/restaurant Le Maronnier
Tags: VILLESEQUE-DES-CORBIERES
Villerougue Termenes is a very nice village on the D613. The castle here in in very good order. Its dates from the 1300s and was built on the site of an earlier Cathar fort that was destroyed in the wake of its conquest by Crusaders in 1210.
Tags: Villerougue Termenes
Tags: Villefranche de Conflent
Tuchan is a scenic village on the D611 worth visiting just for the lovely drive to admire the beautiful scenery along this road. Tuchan has the regular services that you would you expect in a village it’s size. There are cafe’s and the Restaurant Du Relais D’auilar 04 68 45 47 84 serves good local food.
Thezan des Corbieres is on the scenic D611, and although there is not much to look at in the town, it is a pleasant drive for admiring the local scenery. There is the Cafe De La Paix 04 68 43 32 39 on the main road if your thirst needs quenching.
Tags: THEZAN-DES-CORBIERES
Termes is a very attractive village 7km off of the D613, on the D40. Driving toward the village you will get a fantastic view of the castle.
Tags: Termes
Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse
Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse is on the D613 by the river Nielle. There is nothing of great interest but it does have the usual shops and a cafe restaurant on the main road.
Saint Hippolyte is on the D11 off of the N9 and is a pretty village with a pleasant town square which has a restaurant and the usual patisserie. Well worth a look if you are driving along this road as there are some fine buildings here.
Tags: Saint Hippolyte
Saint Jean de Barrou is on the D205 off of the scenic D611 by the river Barrou, it is a small residential village that you will only pass through if you fancy a nice drive as there is not a lot there!
Tags: Saint Jean de Barrou
