LanguedocGal2

Lit motorways.

[quote user="You can call me Betty"] Having sarnies for lunch, and NOT having them at 12:30 precisely. Eating gherkins just for the sheer hell of it, and NOT having pate or charcuterie with them Just knowing someone who is a vegetarian [/quote] So true Betty[:D] Not doing things in couples. Even in the UK, my French friends used to comment on the fact that they didn't understand why so many Brits could do activities and go out so often in male or female groups without their OH.  I've found here, it's still very much expected that when one goes out, it should be with one's OH if one is in a relationship. Sports activities are different. I'm talking about going to dinners, clubs, concerts, holidays etc. Etrange!  Or perhaps it's just me and my friends that are etrange but it always seemed the norm to me in the UK. Which is it? EDIT: Also, people do not receive social security benefits in the UK. If you are unemployed, there is no help at all from the govt. I loved that one[:D]  

Nice to see photos of our little 'coin' de France. I may post  a few one day. Perhaps of Collioure and Beziers as you don't have many on your site. The pretty and not so pretty areas for some balance. Mind you, in the sun, even the ugly streets have a tendency to look quite lovely too.

[quote user="Jc"]It's the bit between Nimes & Perpignan that I'm interested in.I can't see them upgrading this bit of line;too many corners(bends).[/quote] Nothing  I have ever read on this project has mentioned difficulties with the terrain but you no doubt have. The budget has to be agreed in Paris and let's face it, the regional leader does have a tendency to get on the nerves of the suits in Paris. At this rate, the Marseille-Nice line will get all the money it needs and be completed first. The terrain on that side doesn't appear to be an easy one either. I just consider LR fortunate to be well-served by the network despite this little blip on the line. EDIT: Peter, just seen your post. Thanks for the info.

[quote user="Jc"]Where is the new TGV line going to run?;it's funny to see TGV's go thro' our village station at about 50/60 mph.One even stopped for a few minutes due to a lineside fire.[/quote] JC, there are regular reports on the lines progress in the local and regional press. However, here are two links.  The LGV/TGV are the same things. http://www.aquitaine.equipement.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/LGV_FranceEspagne2004_cle6b938f.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGV_Perpignan-Figueras If you are in Dept 66, there are bound to be more detailed plans you can see. Contact the Mairie. It's such an enormous project for the region that there must be tons of information on it locally. Also, keep an eye on the Perpignan official websites (town and agglomeration). If I come across any detailed plans, I'll post it here. It will put Perpignan at 50 minutes from Barcelona.  On the Spanish side, you can see that the fast link is being completed between Barcelona and Madrid. This will mean that from Languedoc to Sevilla, the journey should be very easy by train as the Madrid-Sevilla fast link has existed for years. The weak link in this amazing network is the bit between Nimes and Perpginan. The TGV's are there already but cannot travel at the full speed until this section is upgraded. The region has fought hard for this but only the Perpignan section is under construction.

5-E, I said guaranteed space, not sun. You've just ruined my very very cunning plan to divert attention from the more popular bits. We can now officially blame you for the future over-population of the dept and ALL the ensuing problems. Hope you  can live with that.[:-))]

L-R is so popular that I’ve seen figures of a population increase of 800,000 within the next 10 years. If the predictions are on target, that's a hell of a lot of extra people to cater for in such a short period of time. Montpellier’s frenzied development is thus a necessary evil. The region needs a major capital and that’s what Freche has achieved (let’s give credit where it’s due even if I think it’s about time he retires to a plage ou deux). Like 5-E, the lack of greenery and the traffic, has made the smaller towns of Languedoc more appealing.  As most are well served by train and buses, getting to Montpellier is never a problem so one can take it or leave it. The region, on the other hand, can but benefit  from its attraction to the young and it’s strong university/research culture. Montpellier’s development is already having some positive knock-on effect on the smaller towns such as Nimes and Beziers.  Being a poor region – due to it’s traditional industry disappearing at a rapid pace – it’s vital these towns -  Perpignan, Nimes, Beziers and Narbonne -  also develop to take the pressure off Montpellier.  The TGV extension between Perpignan and Barcelona should have a positive – jobs wise – impact on Perpignan in the long run, so the region can have important commercial centres on it’s western and eastern borders. That would be a good balance beneficial to the whole of L-R. I do, however, feel a little sorry for people who moved out to small neighbouring towns/villages over the past decade hoping to escape to the calm and a little countryside. Sadly for them, Montpellier is very quickly catching up with most and many are becoming part of the capital whether they like it or not, for example, Castelnau. How can a commune with a population of  around 15000 people, so close to the centre of MTP, continue to justify a separate Mairie and administrative machine? Doesn’t Freche have a cunning plan (temporarily thwarted) to have the MTP agglomeration extend as far as Sete? I suppose that those looking for guaranteed space had better start looking at parts of the Aude and Lozere.

[quote user="RumziGal"][quote user="LanguedocGal2"]  It would completely freak me out if I woke up and saw those landscapes on opening my windows, [/quote] Yes, it would make me want to throw up.   Are we twins?   [/quote]  Good Question!  The Sun Sisters? On the phone to dear old Mamaaaa, as I write….. Pandora’s box – open….comes to mind. Freaky! [:D]  

[quote user="Mpprh"]Hi I've edited the link. It should be working now. Peter [/quote] Peter, saw the scary pix.  Was it taken near your home and how long did the horrid thing hang around for? I’m assuming that you are in the Gard, so I’m a little reassured. [8-)]

[quote user="Mpprh"][quote user="Pads"][8-)] yes peter its snow ....................... you OK?[/quote] We haven't had snow in my part of Languedoc since 2002. Last snow here : http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-026.htm I know people say it is pretty etc etc etc. I used to live in Sweden. The prettiness wears off after the first 6 months ? Peter [/quote] Yuk! Hate the stuff too.  Looks good in photos though as in the winter shots thread. It would completely freak me out if I woke up and saw those landscapes on opening my windows, as that would imply hibernation. Would have to move further south[:(]. Peter, I can't get your links to work.

[quote user="opas"] [quote user="Jc"]Why does every side-road SE of the town take you to Lattes whether you want to go there or not?[/quote] Our daughter wants to know why the trams have big multicoloured flowers on them. [/quote] Opas, the response to that will depend very much on your daughter’s age.  If she is under 12, tell her that it’s because the Emperor of Montpellier (also of the region but cares b ugge r all for the rest of the realm- leave that bit out), is a sweet and gentle giant who adores flowers and their perfume.  This gentle soul had a vision of his splendid capital being criss-crossed by the biggest and prettiest flowers imaginable. He then decided that the only way this could be achieved was to have them painted on a tram. If she is older…. Euh, I think I’ll not offer any explanations as the thread may be deleted… 

[quote user="Jc"]Why does every side-road SE of the town take you to Lattes whether you want to go there or not?[/quote] JC, you don’t get it, do you?  The urbanistes (planners) of Montpellier and Beziers are a breed apart. I think they have a set idea of where THEY want people to get to and they will get you there, come what may.  You simply don’t realise that you REALLY want to go there too[:D] Has anyone seen the Lacroix designs for the 3rd tramway trains?  Must have cost a packet but ‘’It’s Lacroix, darling, Lacroix’’ (To be read a la Edwina/Eddie). No doubt wrong thread but… Read that the extension of the Beziers-Vias airport runway is due to be completed Feb 20. So the airport is closed until then. However, still no news about which airlines (Unless anyone else has news on this). The article just says charter and low-cost. I'm personally hoping they'll have flights to places like Seville, Madrid, Lisbon, Oporto and not just the UK. At the moment, flights go to Ajaccio and Paris.

[quote user="RumziGal"] I think you made that up, 5-element.   Everyone knows that France has no traffic and a fast, efficient public transport system.   [:D] [/quote] Agree with you RumziGal. Think 5-E really meant to say that she was held up by beautiful wildlife, whilst crossing the lush green fields to get to the quaint shopping centre and buy some terroir paint.[:)]

If this link works then you will have a few addresses. http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/ciweb2g-pagesjaunes/RecherchePagesJaunes.do If not, do a page jaunes search for PEINTURE and then  look under PEINTURE POUR LE BATIMENT and choose PEINTURE ET VERNIS - detail www.pagesjaunes.fr. You will find a few and the nearest ones to your home.