Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Liverpool - Kings of Europe?
Well, the mighty reds have won through to yet another Champions League knockout phase by beating Marseille 1-0 last knight at Anfield.
Our match winner again was Stevie Gerrard who scored his fifth CL goal of the season making him current top scorer in this years competition.
Fernando Torres, still coming back from injury, had a quiet game but for most of the match he was feeding off scraps and must have been very frustrated to get such a poor service. When he did get the ball he was isolated and too easily gave up possession. Let's hope this is all money in the bank as far as fitness and sharpness is concerned.
Marseilles played some very decent football but in the first half lacked any penetration and were too easily knocked off the ball. Liverpool were in command. However, in the second half Marseille came out with much more attacking intent and more than held their own in terms of skill and possession. Indeed, it was sometimes difficult to tell which were the home and away teams as Marseille pressed for an equaliser with that man Jamie Carragher having another immense game in defence, preventing many a scoring opportunity. Dossena on the other hand had a poor game and was lucky not to give away a penalty in the second half. Bring back Hyypia for the next match please.
Liverpool looked quite ordinary at times with some disappointing periods of poor ball retention and some poor passes. This is unexpected with the likes of Gerrard, Aurelio, Mascherano and Alonso in your team. They will need to improve on this if they are to go further in the competition and maintain their challenge for the Premiership.
All in all I think we got out of jail last night as Marseille were worth at least a draw. On the positive side Liverpool have qualified after two poor performances and can play a lot better.
Our match winner again was Stevie Gerrard who scored his fifth CL goal of the season making him current top scorer in this years competition.
Fernando Torres, still coming back from injury, had a quiet game but for most of the match he was feeding off scraps and must have been very frustrated to get such a poor service. When he did get the ball he was isolated and too easily gave up possession. Let's hope this is all money in the bank as far as fitness and sharpness is concerned.
Marseilles played some very decent football but in the first half lacked any penetration and were too easily knocked off the ball. Liverpool were in command. However, in the second half Marseille came out with much more attacking intent and more than held their own in terms of skill and possession. Indeed, it was sometimes difficult to tell which were the home and away teams as Marseille pressed for an equaliser with that man Jamie Carragher having another immense game in defence, preventing many a scoring opportunity. Dossena on the other hand had a poor game and was lucky not to give away a penalty in the second half. Bring back Hyypia for the next match please.
Liverpool looked quite ordinary at times with some disappointing periods of poor ball retention and some poor passes. This is unexpected with the likes of Gerrard, Aurelio, Mascherano and Alonso in your team. They will need to improve on this if they are to go further in the competition and maintain their challenge for the Premiership.
All in all I think we got out of jail last night as Marseille were worth at least a draw. On the positive side Liverpool have qualified after two poor performances and can play a lot better.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Murol Knights
Driving along the D5 road between the Col de la Ventouse and Murol you will pass through some beautiful countryside as you head towards the Sancy mountain range which rises in front of you after a few kilometres. Further on you are treated to the magnificent sight of the château of Murol which appears ahead of and slightly below you as you round a bend and start the winding descent into the town of
Today, a group called ‘les Paladins du Sancy’ run the château and stage excellent authentic demonstrations of mediaeval combat, weaponry and horsemanship in the châteaus purpose built arena, which seats over 400 people.
Each week during the school holidays children can attend knights training school in the main hall in Murol where they can make costumes, shields and swords (from scrap materials, I would stress) and learn how to behave like a mediaeval knight. Afterwards the church square in Murol turns into a parade of trainee knights resplendent in their new outfits. Suddenly in the distance you hear the clatter of horses’ hooves, growing in intensity as the baron and his men ride into the square. They dismount and each trainee knight is knighted by the lord and handed a certificate to mark their passage into the ranks of the nobility.
Murol (alt 833m/2733ft) is a small mountain village located in the Puy de Dome department of the
The Puy de Dome is land of extinct volcanoes, lakes and rivers, providing one of the most unique landscapes in
Located on the banks of the Couze de Chambon at the foot of the wooded Tartaret volcano, Murol is a pleasant place to stay and an excellent base from which to embark on a number of excursions by car, or by foot along one of the numerous and well signposted paths. A number of reasonably priced self –catering properties and small hotels are available in and around the area.
Murol is also home to the art gallery ‘Musée des Peintures de L’Ecole de Murols’, (open from 1st June to 31stth century, inspired by the magnificent scenery, and in particular by the attractive winter landscapes.
Close to the gallery is a small cottage houses a collection of local artefacts from the Gallo Romains period (opening hours from 1st July to 15th September 3.00 – 6.00pm).
Murol, with its rich history and traditions plays host to one of the regions most authentic Bastille Day celebrations. Every 14th July, to celebrate the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the people of Murol don the costumes of the nobility, peasants and soldiers from the period. There is a street market, marching bands and many other themed activities throughout the day. You can even partake in a traditional meal based upon a typical menu from the period of the revolution. In the afternoon Marie Antoinette is paraded through the town on her way to the Parc du Prelong where her trial is re-enacted, with typical French farce, culminating in her beheading. The whole day is rounded off with a ball at the Château and a fantastic firework display from its walls.
Events in and visits to Murol are inevitably dominated by the château. Whether you are a student of mediaeval architecture and traditions, a curious tourist or a parent of small children who dream of becoming a 13th century knight a visit will fulfil your expectations. But, Murol also fulfils the needs of the visitor who wants to explore the region on foot or by car and appreciate everything that this beautiful region has to offer.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Skiing down a volcano
No you do not haveto travel to a far flung outpost of the world to experience ski-ing down a volcano!
Just hop over to France and visit the Auvergne where hurtling down volcanic snow covered slopes is a very popular pastime.
The Auvergne is home to the ‘Monts Dome’, a range of mountains located to the south west of Clermont Ferrand, made up of over 80 volcanoes which became extinct less than 4000 years ago. This stunning terrain has several high peaks (known as Puys) with the imposing Puy de Dome overlooking Clermont Ferrand reaching 1465m and the Puy de Sancy an impressive 1886m, the highest peak in France outside of the Alps and Pyrenees.
The two main classified ski-centres of Superbesse and Le Mont Dore are located on the south and north side of the Puy du Sancy respectively and are linked to form an overall ski terrain of 85km. The ski pass (7 days €135 per adult, €94.60 per child in high season – 2008/9) covers both resorts. In December 2008 a new cable car will open in Superbesse improving access to the summit; the Puy de la Perdix (1850m). The smaller resort of Chastreix-Sancy is located on the west side of the Puy de Sancy which has 16km of slopes. This is not linked to the two main resorts.
Several smaller resorts combine with the above to form the Grandes Espaces d’Auvergne, where you will find over 200km of downhill pistes and 900km of cross country pistes. The region is best suited to beginners and intermediate level skiers and is an excellent place to learn to ski. The 2008/9 ski season runs from 1st December to 26th April.
The Auvergne ski resorts are very much geared towards the family. The main resorts all have ski schools catering for all levels of ability. Superbesse and Le Mont Dore both have nursery ski clubs (Piou Piou) where children from 4 years old can learn to ski in a separate domain away from the main slopes. For younger children there is a nursery at Superbesse catering for children from 3 months old.
Access to Superbesse and Le Mont Dore is via car (arrive early to ensure a space) or for those wishing to arrive minus the stress of hunting for a car parking space via the free snow shuttle buses which run frequently from Besse and Le Mont Dore to the foot of the slopes.
Apart from downhill or cross country skiing there is a wealth of other winter activities available in the area. You can try tubbing (hurtling down the mountain on a tyre inner tube!), sledging, ice-skating, snow-kiting, ice climbing, winter quad biking, dog sledding or speed ski-ing to name but a few. All of these (outdoor) activities have their own dedicated safe areas.
A great way to explore the snow covered landscape is by taking one of the many snow shoe trails. You can take off on your own (equipment is available for hire) to discover the area at your own pace via the marked trails or take advantage of the services of a mountain guide. Half day or full day excursions are offered as well as night trips with a meal and overnight stay in a farm or mountain ‘buron’.
Accommodation in the area is plentiful and varied with a good choice of hotels, bed and breakfast and self catering houses, chalets or apartments. Away from the resorts accommodation is cheaper and several agencies in the area have a good choice of holiday rentals within 10-20 minutes drive of the slopes.
There is a good choice of restaurants in and around the ski centres to suit all tastes and budgets. Traditional Auvergne dishes include truffade, a carbohydrate laden feast of potatoes, cheese and cured meats which is an ideal meal after a hard day on the mountains, and aligot, garlic mashed potato usually served with French sausages. Of course lighter meals are available but the emphasis is on traditional country fare, typical of this predominantly agricultural region.
Throughout the winter season a number of special events are held. From 29th December to 2nd January Superbesse is hosting ‘Nordic Week’ showcasing typical Scandinavian winter activities such as dog sledding, biathlon and Nordic cross country ski-ing. The ‘Sancy Snow Dog’ a dog sledding race takes place over the week-end of the 3rd and 4th of January in Le Mont Dore. On 31st January Superbesse hosts one of the famous ‘Trophee Andros’ series of races in which cars compete over a circuit made entirely of solid ice. Not for the faint hearted! And between 12th and 21st February is the ‘Sancy Snow Jazz Festival’ featuring New Orleans and traditional live jazz playing in bars, restaurants and discoteques. These and many other events help to make a winter visit to the Auvergne a unique experience.
Access to the area from the UK is via the channel ports (approximately 7 hours drive from Calais) or by air via Paris to Clermont Ferrand. The nearest airport with direct flights to the UK is Limoges, approximately 2 drive hours to the west of Clermont Ferrand.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
England do win at Cricket!
Do not despair all you loyal England cricket fans out there. The tour of India may be practically over already but an England cricket team has been victorious recently. Yes, a team representing England, made up of first class cricketers from the English county game, was successful in its challenge for the 2008 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes trophy.
And they beat Australia (OK, Young Australia?) in the final on the very last ball of the innings.
After England's performances in the rugby league world cup and against Australia in rugby union at the week-end it is good to know that we can 'Save our Gracious Queen' and country by proudly parading the trophy around the streets of good old London town (surely there will be a parade?) on the glorious return of the all conquering heroes led by the magnificent Ashley Giles.
Who says we are rubbish at Sport? ....
Oh, hang on a minute we're playing the old enemy, Germany tonight at football with half our first choice players missing!! Get the excuses in now. Watch this space for match report tomorrow.
And they beat Australia (OK, Young Australia?) in the final on the very last ball of the innings.
After England's performances in the rugby league world cup and against Australia in rugby union at the week-end it is good to know that we can 'Save our Gracious Queen' and country by proudly parading the trophy around the streets of good old London town (surely there will be a parade?) on the glorious return of the all conquering heroes led by the magnificent Ashley Giles.
Who says we are rubbish at Sport? ....
Oh, hang on a minute we're playing the old enemy, Germany tonight at football with half our first choice players missing!! Get the excuses in now. Watch this space for match report tomorrow.
Strictly Controversial
There has been a lot of press in the UK recently over the dance programme 'Strictly Come Dancing' (the US equivalent is Dancing with the Stars) which screens every Saturday night. The subject is the continued success of one of the celebrity dancers, John Sergeant, who is basically being kept in the competition by the public vote as he is by some distance the worst dancer left in the show.
The judges are getting more and more agitated as the weeks go by and another 'good' dancer leaves the show and John stays resolutely put. There have been attacks on Johns character and calls for him to resign from the show to maintain the integrity of the dance competition.All this is complete crap. John is still there because the rules allow it. Why should he resign? He has done nothing wrong. He has the disadvantage of being older, less fit and agile than the other remaining dancers and for this he is given greater credibility by the British public who will always go for the underdog.
The BBC must be rubbing their hands with glee over the interest generated by this situation and I'm sure they do not want to change the rules, although there is mush pressure to do so now. This has happened before (remember Julian Clary) and the opportunity to change the rules was not taken then because the BBC know that situations like this generate more viewers.
I think that many people are taking the whole matter much too seriously and should just remember that this is a light entertainment show and something that will be forgotten about until the next (interminable) series starts.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
More Cheese Please!
You may not be aware of this little known fact but the
The principal cheeses are: Bleu D’Auvergne, Cantal, St. Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert and Salers.
Each of these five cheeses has gained PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) accreditation, guaranteeing products of the highest quality. PDO identifies products whose character is linked to a particular region and each product is regularly analysed to ensure that they continue to meet the required standards. Since 1992 PDO has been recognised at a European level.
Bleu d’Auvergne is probably one of the great blue cheeses of the world. Milder than the more famous Roquefort, it has been made since the mid 1900’s in the traditional manner from cows milk. The blue veins were traditionally formed by the addition of mould from crushed rye bread. Today, the veins are created by the addition of penicillin Roquefort and later pierced with wire. The cheese is then placed at the entrance to one of the many caves found in the area for ripening. Today, production is limited to six dairies and only one farm, which manufacture over 6,000 tonnes per year. Great to eat in salads or by itself, good Bleu d’Auvergne has a firm but creamy texture and should spread easily onto bread or crackers. Other great dishes to use Bleu d’Auvergne include ‘Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin’ and ‘Pear and Blue Cheese Tart’, best washed down with a sweet wine, montbazillac or sauternes for example, to counteract the somewhat salty aftertaste.
Cantal cheese is defined according to its age; Cantal jeune (young - ripened from 30 to 60 days), Cantal entre-deux (medium- ripened from 90 to 210 days) and Cantal vieux (mature – ripened for over 240 days). Younger Cantal has a mild, buttery flavour whilst more mature versions have been likened to cheddar, although Cantal has a softer texture. The cheese (and the region) gets its name from the highest peak in the region, the ‘Plomb du Cantal’ at over 6,000 ft. and has been produced for over 2000 years. Two types of Cantal are produced. Cantal Fermier, is made from un-pasteurised milk and is farm produced. Cantal Laitier is made from pasteurised milk and is the main commercial dairy mass-produced version. Both types use milk from the Salers breed of cow. The cows are fed solely on hay in the summer months. It is a versatile cheese and can be used for example in omelettes, salads, soups, truffade (a traditional
The production of St. Nectaire is limited to 70 towns located in the volcanic Monts Dore region. Farm produced
Fourme d’Ambert is a very mild blue cheese, less well known than Roquefort or Bleu d’Auvergne, but is nevertheless a fine all round cheese. According to legend this cheese was in production at the time of the Druids and the Gauls and its main market soon became the town of
Made from cows milk Fourme d’Ambert has a musty scent, but its flavour is mild and creamy. To appreciate the lighter flavour of this cheese it is best enjoyed simply with a crust of bread or as dessert course accompanied by a sweet wine such as Sauternes.
Salers completes the set of Auvergne AOC cheeses. It is produced in the Cantal region and is the only
Cheese heaven! If you want to experience the great
Happy tasting!
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