Sporty Sunshine Activities Pic Du Canigou What's on Around the Region
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P-O /LIHLQWKH3\UÂQÂHV2ULHQWDOHVÂÂV2L WOV Walk the Region PPicic DDuu CCanigouanigou Let’s get physical SSportyporty SSunshineunshine AActivitiesctivities Festivals & Traditions WWhat’shat’s oonn aaroundround tthehe rregionegion AMÉLIOREZ VOTRE ANGLAIS SUMMER 2010 AND TEST YOUR FRENCH FREE / GRATUIT Nº 28 Your English Speaking Services Directory www.anglophone-direct.coml h di t Properties of charm throughout the Roussillon The former team of RHF International look forward to bringing you their unrivalled knowledge and expertise. We are proud to announce the opening of our new offi ces and “Property Gallery” in Céret this June. Spacious Village house with terrace enjoying stunning views of the surrounding countryside. This characterful 3 bedroomed property in the traditional, sought after village of St Laurent de Cerdans has been tasteful renovated throughout to a very high standard. 189, 000 € Stunning 3-4 bed villa with pretty garden, swimming pool and exceptional views of the Albères hills and Mount Canigou to. This sympathetically renovated villa is well located in halfway between Amelie-les-Bains and Arles-sur-Tech. 380,000 € Immaculately renovated 4 bedroom villa in Céret with large pool and breathtaking views towards Canigou. This exceptional property successfully combines all the conveniences of modern luxury living with traditional characterful features. Thoughtfully designed landscaped gardens. 850,000 € If you are looking to buy or sell a property contact: Real Estates SARL +33 (0)4.68.83.19.50 1 Place de la République www.real-estates.fr 66400 Céret [email protected] 2 Where property dreams become Real Edito... Register for our Salut tout le monde! free weekly newsletter, and stay up to date with the I have a really clever little wheeze for pleasantly life in the Pyrénées-Orientales. plump people who want to take full advantage www.anglophone -direct.com of the amazing variety of summer food, drink and festivities in the P-O, but know it’s naughty. Buy jeans or a skirtt that are at least one size too big for you and pull nonchalantlyy at the waistband as you order another cool beer or pick at the tapas that accompany the evening apero. In this edition, we have put together some fabulous sporting activity ideas to burn off the calories… and an interesting selection of restaurants to put them back on again! Our summer days out take you up into the mountains in searchch of the perfect saucisson, and along the coast to Saint Cyprien and Banyuls, where calamarimari fans can learn a little about the smart seiche! Leigh and Merry Foster slog up to the peak of Canigou, Ellen Hall takes you round the free photographic expo on the Argelès sea front,t, Michael Brady goes Stone Age, and John Fairclough once again takes on the arduous task of restaurant reviewing! Go steady on the sun and heavy on the sun cream and have a great summer! Kate & Jane Advertise with us Magazine gratuit To fi nd out more about how your Tout Droits réservés,vés,, business can benefi t from advertising in Reproduction interditeerddite PO Life and Anglophone Direct contact Concepteur et Michelle on 06 12 22 23 70 rédacteur: Katee Maquette & Création:éatiion: [email protected] www.blyth-spirit.comt.comm Impression: Imprimeriemprimmerie du Mas Tirage: 90000 ex Ne pas jeter surr la vovoieoie For editorial queries & comment publique - Anglophonedirectlophoonedirect [email protected] accepts no responsibilityponsibility for the competencycy of ppeople and services advertisingtising in PO Life 3 Food&drink Visit our stunning 19th century Hunting Lodge and Gite, nestled in the charming hilltop village of Corsavy, in the tranquil Riuferrer Valley. Our elegant rooms enjoy views of the valley and are equipped with showers, PC’s with DVD players, free unlimited internet access and Wifi . An unrivalled base to explore this beautiful region. After a day’s walking, fi shing, bird watching or skiing, why not relax in our heated pool or 4-seater hot tub English, French, Dutch and German spoken Open all year round www.landreu.com 66150 Corsavy - France 4 Chambres d’Hotes & Gite Tél : 04 68 37 57 22 Index Walk the region Canigou... ................................................6-7 Did you know... ...................................................................8-9 Events festivals & traditions ........................................10-13 Food & drink Selfi sh shellfi sh .................................................................14-15 Restaurant review .................................................................18 A touch of class in Belesta ....................................................22 Out for the day St Cyprien..........................................................................24-27 Saillagousse, Llo and Err ..................................................28-29 Olette via Sansa to Les Angles ............................................ 29 Banyuls Aquarium ............................................................30-31 A tale of two trains ..........................................................32-33 Test your French .............................................................34-37 Améliorez votre Anglais ...............................................38-39 Let’s get physical Summer Sports.. ...............................40-45 Artlife Earth: the Melodrama .........................................46-47 Over the border Empúries .................................................. 48 Who to contact in an emergency ................................50-51 Cave language ................................................................52-53 Leaving a tip ..................................................................54-55 Bank & school holidays ...................................................... 57 Emergency numbers .......................................................... 60 English Speaking Services ...........................................62-63 Vide Greniers Palais des Congrès, Perpignan organises events, exhibitions, salons, Visit our site at www.anglophone-direct.com for an up-to-date list of the vide greniers in concerts and conferences throughout the your area. year. Check out their website on www.congres-perpignan.com Oops...... In the last edition we told you that after the age of 75, drivers need a medical examination every two years to prove they are fi t to drive. In fact, this is not yet law, just being discussed for the future. Sorrrrrrrry! 5 Walktheregion... with Leigh and Merry Foster PIC DU CANIGOU his walk is not for the faint-hearted, but has to be on many people’s ‘bucket list’ of things to do while they can. The sense of achievement and the spectacular views from the top on a good day Tare more than worth the eff ort. Bear in mind the altitude, and the fact that the weather in the mountains can change quickly, so packing some extra layers is a good idea just in case. Good footwear is essential and walking poles very advisable. Getting there 456067E 4709241N. This is where southwest past a small lake We started at 9am in the parking the walk starts. If you have a and climbs the hillside towards des Pompiers in Prades, which suitable vehicle (or an unsuitable Pic Joff re. The clearly marked can be found by following one and a brave driver!) you path up Canigou splits from the the signs to Codalet from the can drive the track yourself. GR10 at 455260E 4709170N. centre. There we met up with Those like us that don’t live in our transport for the fi rst leg The walk the mountains will fi nd the of the trip - M. Colas (04 68 05 Set in a pretty forest clearing, altitude makes the modest 27 08) and his very old and the Chalet provides basic gradient surprisingly hard work. bumpy 4x4, with room for seven accommodation and a people into which we somehow refreshment stop in dramatically After reaching the ridge squeezed eight. This took us wild surroundings. After making (1.8km from the start), the 30 km (1 hour’s drive) up sure we were well supplied turn south and start the long rutted forest tracks and logging with water we set off . The trail, ascent to the summit. The path roads to Chalet des Cortalets at which at fi rst joins the famous is well marked and well trodden, 2150m altitude, co-ordinates GR10 coast to coast walk, heads but still not easy in places where 6 hand-over-hand climbing is You fi nally reach the required. As you go there are surprisingly small summit magnifi cent views to the west at 2784m, 2-3 hrs after starting over the Foret Domaniale du from the Chalet, to fi nd people Canigou and south towards perched on little outcrops of Spain. While taking a breather rock, taking photos and eating we spotted some enormous sandwiches. The famous ‘Croix’ is soaring birds of prey that, thanks there, and the Table d’Orientation to Google, we later identifi ed as with its Catalan poetry by Jacint Spanish Imperial Eagles. There is Verdaguer. You can see the quite a steep drop to the west so top of the ‘Cheminee’, which is do take care. the alternative route to the top reserved for mountain goats and The trail continues south, hard-core climbers. There was up and further up, until snow in the avalanche-sculpted you come to the foot of the fi nal gulley in mid September, as there ascent (3.2km from the start). probably is for most of the year. Here it zigzags precariously up to watch every step. The walking the loose rubble slope to the top. After your picnic and rest, poles come in handy here. It You are tantalizingly close, but at you start back the 4km was with great relief we got 2680m altitude it’s