Organic Saffron – a start
Organic Saffron, Crocus Sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world. No wonder really when you realise that each saffron crocus gives only three stigma per year. Friends of mine have grown saffron and not a…
Life at Montrouch
Dom’s Vendage
The vendage, grape harvest, is a huge annual affair down here in the Corbieres. This year the first white grapes were picked in mid August. It continues on and off for 12 weeks. Sunday was…
Autumn in Les Corbieres- another season over
Autumn is here. The colours of the High Corbieres have changed dramatically, the heat of the Summer, with the lack of rain since April, drained the colour from the forest and garrigue, but now the…
JOURNEE DU PATRIMOINE Maisons
JOURNEE DU PATRIMOINE, Maisons, 17th September. A day of celebration of the history, environment and culture of Maisons. There will be a number of local producers, artists ; potters, weavers, jewelry makers and a photography…
August is the longest month of the year
As August slowly roles by the fatigue has well and truly set in. We start the growing year, if we have a mild Spring, in early March. After a Winter of cutting wood, clearing and…
Thoughts on the Chasse au Sangliers
Today, 15h August, the Chasse au Sangliers begins. For the next six months every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday the Hautes Corbieres will resonate to the barking of dogs hot on the trail of sangliers, wild…
Macron -No new support for organic agriculture
Despite Macron’s campaign promise to support organic agriculture and the environment, the announcement yesterday of no new support for the organic sector, nor any new investment in small holders or the environment in the 2018…
Summer in the Corbieres- wild fire time
Summer time and the fires are raging. Friday evening, plants are being watered, boxes packed and ready for Saturday’s markets. The water seems to be working again after 10 days of being blocked, a dead…
Maisons Wind Turbines Failed
At a packed municipal meeting on Wednesday the proposed wind turbines project for Maisons was convincingly rejected. A meeting of the council to discuss the wind turbine project was, as usual, open to all and…
Wind Turbines in the Hautes Corbieres
Wind Farms have become rather a hot subject here in the Hautes Corbieres. EDF Energies Nouvelles ; working with a number of local Mayors, are working on a plan to install 30-40 wind turbines on…