okalani<P>Sarha<P><P>Okalani chambres et tables dhotes< Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Having read through this thread I have not found one other person who lives in the Tarn. We are near to Castres and wondered if there are any other forum members near us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garlic Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okalani<P>Sarha<P><P>Okalani chambres et tables dhotes< Posted October 18, 2005 Author Share Posted October 18, 2005 Where abouts? How long have you been here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garlic Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 Hi againWe're in the mountains between Mazamet and St Pons...Been here three years ish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanneclaire Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Hi.We live 6kms from Albi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okalani<P>Sarha<P><P>Okalani chambres et tables dhotes< Posted October 24, 2005 Author Share Posted October 24, 2005 North or south of Albi? How long have you been here - are you working? Any kids? Sorry, so many questions, but might as well get it all asked in one post?Sarha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewima Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Greetings,It's nice to know there are some folks in the Tarn. Our family spent some time in Albi this past summer and we felt it offered some pleasant big city perks in a small town atmosphere. So do others feel that way? We plan to rent a house there in the spring so we can know the area a bit better before looking to purchase a property. Our first impressions were extremely positive. Friendly people, good infrastructure, lovely old section with delightful distractions, pretty town with a river setting, near to Toulouse, and even in August the weather wasn't too hot. Am I wrong??? I'd love to know!The only thing that stumped us was that the old section of town was charming in the day but it was empty at night and it found that to be a bit odd. Where are all of the restaurants? Are there any good cafes where one can sit and people watch at night? We're looking forward to exploring other towns and villages in the area and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Thanks,Dewima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanneclaire Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 Hi Albi has a nice town centre, if a bit expensive for clothes etc, there is a terrace cafe right in the centre, where during the summer they have music and singing on thursday/friday/saturday, very pleasant way to pass an evening. The summers, during August particularly, can be very hot. It is a very friendly place, and we have no complaints about anyone we have had dealings with. We are retired, and live just outside Albi in a small village called Carlus. Toulouse is easy to get to on the motorway and by train. The restaurants are mostly huddled into the town centre, but there are a lot in the surrounding area. I had to take my Mum to the Accident and Emergency Unit at the local hospital, and struggle with my limited french (still learning), they were very helpful, my Mum was admitted and I have only praise for the treatment she received. Sorry to drone on, any specific questions please feel free to ask. jeanneclaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewima Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Jeanneclaire,Thanks so much for the information about Albi, it’s always helpful to have input from someone who actually lives in the area. It’s comforting to know that your mother received excellent care when she was being treated at the hospital - we never know when that might come in handy! I’m also glad to know you feel there is indeed some form of nightlife in town. It’s not that we’re party animals, but it’s nice to go out every now and again. Do you know anything else about the local music offering? Do they have a symphony, or regular classical music concerts?We stopped in the walking center downtown and were pleasantly surprised to see such a well organized center in Albi. We love walking and are looking forward to exploring more of the GR’S. Our other interests include swimming and tennis. Was the summer water ban imposed in your area? If so, were you able to fill pools and water the garden at night? We’re also curious about small charming villages just outside of Albi that offer good basic amenities. Just one last thing, are there very many foreigners living in the area?Oh my, these seems like such boring little questions but we really would like to know more about the area before we arrive next spring.Thanks so much,dewima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Music Yes,Many concerts in summer check out Gartloney Rats website traditional irish music in village fetes and pubs. Also Nicky Lewis brilliant singer plays at the quay bar in Castres every thursday. Packed out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewima Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Maxi.Thanks for the heads up about the music scene. The Gartloney Rats site gives a good idea about their music. It looks like all of them are French but I could be wrong. I wasn’t able to find anything on Nicky Lewis when I goggled but it’s a good Welsh name, and we all know that Wales is know for having beautiful voices! I’ve had a celtic harp for years, and my husband is Welsh - so you’ve given us two good bits of information. We look forward to experiencing a bit of nightlife.Do you have any knowledge about the walking clubs, or the local walks?Dewima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Hi Dewina, Yes the rats are all french although speak excellent english (with slight Welsh accents!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Dewima,Two apoligies 1)spelling you name incorrectly 2) Not realising you are not already living there. However, you say you like the villages outside Albi. Trey looking at Lautrec. The proposed road through the Tarn will make it more accessible to Toulouse and therefore (so I have been told) a good investment. It is a hilltop bastide and is not yet in any tourist book. It is famous for its red label garlic (the champagne of the garlic world) and holds two festivals each year.Walking is excellent around the village and plains with many marked tracks and views to Pyrenees and Black Mountains. http://ot.lautrec.free.fr/ It seems there are many old ruined village houses perhaps the canny owners are waiting for the increase check it out. Karen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewima Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Maxi,Thanks for the tip about Lautrec. We haven’t been there but I did read about their garlic festival last summer. I love the idea of being near to walking trails so we will check out the town during our next visit. Does anyone have any information about the new proposed road that Maxi mentioned? Just how “proposed” is it, meaning just a pipe dream, or actually in the works? I wonder what path it will take.Believe me, you can’t be married to a Welshman who lives outside of his country for over 25 years and NOT know the word Hiraeth! He’s from Gorseinon, but marriage and the lust for travel took him to far off places long ago. Are you still living in Wales, or do you live full time in France? We’re delighted to know there are other wondering Welsh souls in the Tarn....Dewima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewima Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Maxi,Thanks for the tip about Lautrec. We haven’t been there but I did read about their garlic festival last summer. I love the idea of being near to walking trails so we will check out the town during our next visit. Does anyone have any information about the new proposed road that Maxi mentioned? Just how “proposed” is it, meaning just a pipe dream, or actually in the works? I wonder what path it will take.Believe me, you can’t be married to a Welshman who lives outside of his country for over 25 years and NOT know the word Hiraeth! He’s from Gorseinon, but marriage and the lust for travel took him to far off places long ago. Are you still living in Wales, or do you live full time in France? We’re delighted to know there are other wondering Welsh souls in the Tarn....Dewima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Dewima, I have PM'd you with more details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Janet Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 We live in Soreze (right on the border with the Haute Garonne and the Aude) and have done for the past year. We used to live near St Chinian in l'Herault and, having seen the weather over the past few weeks we are very glad we moved! Several people warned us that it always rains in the Tarn but quite often when we talk to our friends who still live in l'Herault we are having much better weather - and we think the Tarn is a very beautiful departement.Janet and David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 You are very lucky to live in Sorreze. I love the tiny little bar there cant swing a cat but what an atmosphere. The Tarn is very special dont see many brits there. Revel market yum yum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geranium Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 Hi,There are loads of Brits in the Tarn - I have heard it called Kensingtarn! We have a house near Realmont and are working on one near Toulouse. Do tell us a bit about yourself and your family.Castres is a great town and I'm sure you must hear english voices at the market on a Saturday morning! I am looking for french classes in the area - have you heard of anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 As this thread has proved that there are people in the Tarn, might I barge in on this,Thinking of buying in Tarn (also Aude, Ariege etc), possibly in the Montagne Noir region.What is the weather like in this region and also in the Tarn generally.Many thanksPaulPS when we were last in Albi found a superb restaurant - the food and drink was excellent and very cheap - if I remember the name I will post it on the forum.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garlic Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I've just caught up on this thread.We live in the Montagne Noir on the Tarn/Herault border. As for the weather well we do have weather! It can rain a lot this (the north) side of the mountains but the scenery is glorious. We get a bit of snow in winter, proper spring and autumn and good long hot summers............I love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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