An Englishman in Murol

MUROL.FR

2009-04-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

MUROL.FR
A useful website for those interested in Murol and the surrounding area.

Murol - a beautiful day

2009-02-24T01:09:00.001-08:00

Went for a hike up to the Château last week. It was a beautiful day, clear blue skies and bright sunshine, but about 2 degrees above. The kids had a great time pretending to be knights.

Sport's top ten biggest bellies - Times Online

2009-02-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

Sport's top ten biggest bellies - Times Online

Bellies gonna get ya!

The 20th Sancy Snow Jazz Festival in Auvergne

2009-02-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

The 20th Sancy Snow Jazz Festival in Auvergne

A great event - with some excellent artists. Loads going on and the place is buzzing.

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

2009-02-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

Torres - great to have you back again.

Come on Liverpool!

The live Red Nose Day launch | Red Nose Day 09

2009-01-30T04:23:00.000-08:00

The live Red Nose Day launch | Red Nose Day 09

The Auvergne Region of France : travel to a region of healing waters and landscapes | Web in France Magazine

2009-01-23T05:47:00.000-08:00

The Auvergne Region of France : travel to a region of healing waters and landscapes | Web in France Magazine

YouTube - Live at the Apollo - Series 4 - Episode 2 (1 of 5)

2009-01-22T04:37:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Live at the Apollo - Series 4 - Episode 2 (1 of 5)

Al Murray - genius!

Freezing Their Nuts Off!

2009-01-22T02:06:00.000-08:00

It’s freezing out there. The track is sheet ice! Perfect conditions then for the drivers competing for the Trophée Andros, a series of motor races which take place each December and January in some of Frances chillier locations. Rallying doesn’t get more extreme than this!

The races take place on specially created floodlit ice circuits and attract drivers from all types of driving disciplines. The symbiosis of highly skilled driver, nerveless navigation and finely tuned machine over some of the most testing of tracks provides a highly entertaining spectacle as the drivers push their machines to the limit. Unsurprisingly, this unique event brings out the crowds in large numbers despite the often sub-zero temperatures, who contribute to the uniquely Gallic atmosphere with strong vocal support for their favourite drivers. Spectators are warmed not only by the spectacular racing but by plenty of vin chaud and hot food. Even so you would be wise to equip yourself with a sizeable hip flask and some good silk underwear before venturing to the track.

King of the constructors is Toyota which with its Auris and Corolla cars has secured 16 victories out of 27 races since its debut in the 2006/7 season. The current Andros trophy champion is Toyotas quadruple F1 world champion, Alain Prost, who was also victorious in the 2006/7 season. However, Alain has some way to go to beat the most successful ice racer of all time, Yvan Muller, who has no less than ten championships to his name. Another driver from the world of F1 on Toyotas books is Olivier Panis who, whilst not as successful as Prost, regularly appears on the winner’s rostrum. Last seasons grand finale at the Stade de France was attended by over 62,000 spectators and saw Prost and Panis, who teamed up for this exhibition event, continuing their domination of the sport with yet another victory. No doubt then that the competition attracts some of the best drivers in the world.

For the technophiles among you the Auris “ice” is a four wheel drive four wheel steer model built around the Lexus RX 300 3 litre V6 rear mounted engine pumping out over 300 bhp. The lightweight glass fibre body sits over a rigid welded steel “cage”. Tyres are standard issue Continentals, with a tread only a few inches wide covered with hundreds of tiny steel studs for extra grip on the ice.

The climax of each season is always at Superbesse in the Puy de Dome region of the Auvergne, in the Sancy Mountains south west of Clermont Ferrand. This year’s event is on Saturday 31^st January. There are two classes of car race, the top drivers competing in the Elite Class and the second tier of drivers competing in the Promotion Class. As well as the main car races there are also ‘Pilot’ bike races and the Trophée Andros Feminine in which teams of female drivers in tandem with their instructors compete for the championship in 600cc buggy style cars. Each victory is celebrated by car and bike riders alike showing off their skills at hand brake turns and wheelies, almost as spectacular as the racing itself.

Spills, thrills and skills. Not something you get every Saturday night. Well worth the admission price.

For somewhere to stay near the action visit Auvergne France Vacances.

Rugby union: Heineken Cup: Charlie Hodgson's choices will be key to Sale's mission impossible in Munster | Sport | guardian.co.uk

2009-01-17T02:06:00.000-08:00

Rugby union: Heineken Cup: Charlie Hodgson's choices will be key to Sale's mission impossible in Munster | Sport | guardian.co.uk

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Sale | White to leave Sale for Clermont

2009-01-08T01:22:00.000-08:00

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Sale | White to leave Sale for Clermont

BBC NEWS | Health | Obesity 'set before age of five'

2008-12-17T01:40:00.000-08:00

BBC NEWS | Health | Obesity 'set before age of five'

A worrying trend.

What we need is more discipline in our diets and more exercise.

Why not take an active holiday in the Auvergne.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Binge drinking comes to France

2008-12-17T01:11:00.000-08:00

BBC NEWS | Europe | Binge drinking comes to France

Blue and yellow is the colour

2008-12-09T01:26:00.000-08:00

The French passion for rugby union is as well known as their love of fine wine.

But, in the same way that wines vary in quality so does the French national side, sometimes even in the same match. Capable of sublime attacking flair the French have the ability to beat anyone; witness the second half come back against the All Blacks at last years world cup, but at the same time can make hard work of beating lowlier opposition and are prone to self destruct during a match. When things start to go wrong the players can get frustrated and quickly loose their discipline.

Nowhere is rugby held in higher esteem than in the French region of the Auvergne, represented by one of the country’s top 14 clubs, Clermont Auvergne, based in the capital of the region, Clermont Ferrand.

The club was founded in 1911 under the initiative of Monsieur Marcel Michelin, one of the founders of the giant tyre manufacturer, who remain one of the cities biggest employers and the clubs owners and, not surprisingly, one of its chief sponsors. The official title of the club is ASM Clermont Auvergne. The initials ASM originally stood for Association Sportive Michelin, until, in 1922 the French government passed an act which forbade the use of a firms name within the title of a sporting club. Not wishing to discard the now well known initials, the club changed its title to l’Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne, thus retaining the abbreviation ASM.

In 2008 the club completed the re-development of its magnificent €12 million, 16,000 capacity stadium, named after Marcel Michelin Surrounded by beautiful volcanic uplands, the ground is one of the most picturesque in the country, dominated by the Puy de Dome, the highest point overlooking the city. A visit to this stadium on match day is a treat for any rugby enthusiast. The traditional French band maintains a constant medley of trumpet inspired tunes, not even letting up during kicks at goal, a feature in contrast to the silence observed at grounds in the UK. Together with the frequent chants of A S M, A S M, even when the crowd is at less than full capacity the ground can feel full. However, with an average attendance of 14,185 for the 2007/2008 season ,this is a rare event.

Despite ASM Clermont Auvergne’s size and support they have not quite reached the level of achievement expected of them, particularly in recent times. They have been runners up no fewer than 9 times in the French championship, most recently in the past two seasons, and have never won the title. Their greatest successes have come in Europe, with two victories in the European Challenge Cup, the second tier European competition behind the Heineken Cup, in 1999 and 2007 and one runners up spot in the same competition in 2004. However, their aspirations must be to finally land the French championship and go further in the Heineken Cup. Their task in the latter has not been made any easier in recent times, being included in the same group as Munster (the eventual champions) last season, and again in this year’s competition. Despite the surprising loss to Sale in the first round of this years competition, Clermont Auvergne are a fine team at home as demonstrated by victories over Munster last year and in Sundays third round tie. However, like many French sides, they are flawed by their away form. They are still in with a chance of qualifying for the knock out stages but have yet to play Sale and Munster away from home, a tough proposition for any team. Clermont certainly have the players to cause an upset at next week-ends return fixture at Munster. The return from injury of their inspirational captain Aurelien Rougerie, the in form battering ram props Thomas Domingo and Davit Zirakashvili and the quality of Australian fly-half Brock James combine to give Clermont hope that they can go one better than last year and turn over Munster at home.

The Snow has Arrived!

2008-11-28T04:29:00.000-08:00

Auvergne Holidays - Self-Catering Auvergne - Ski Auvergne - Welcome

2008-11-28T04:19:00.000-08:00

Auvergne Holidays - Self-Catering Auvergne - Ski Auvergne - Welcome

BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Portsmouth 2-2 AC Milan

2008-11-28T02:40:00.000-08:00

BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Portsmouth 2-2 AC Milan

Liverpool - Kings of Europe?

2008-11-27T02:24:00.000-08:00

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.

Murol Knights

2008-11-25T04:29:00.000-08:00

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 Murol itself. This great brown stone mediaeval castle is one of the finest examples of 13^th century military architecture in France, standing on a basaltic outcrop overlooking the town. This elevated position commands magnificent views from all sides (the summit of the main tower is at 950m) and would clearly have been a formidable structure for any invading army to try and penetrate. Since 1889 the château has been classified as a ‘monument historique’ by the French Ministry of Culture.

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. Quite an achievement for any small child!

Murol (alt 833m/2733ft) is a small mountain village located in the Puy de Dome department of the Auvergne, one of Frances most beautiful regions.

The Puy de Dome is land of extinct volcanoes, lakes and rivers, providing one of the most unique landscapes in Europe. Many of the castles in the area were built by the prominent mediaeval barons as defensive strongholds high up in the mountains, such as Murol.

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 1^st June to 31^st^th century, inspired by the magnificent scenery, and in particular by the attractive winter landscapes. October from 10.00am – 12.00pm and 2.30 – 6.30pm, entrance €3.50) officially classified as a ‘Musée de France’. Situated at the entrance to the ‘Parc du Prélong’ the gallery exhibits impressionist paintings from several artists who visited the region to paint at the beginning of the 20

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 14^th 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 13^th 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.

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Honeymoon over for Johnson

2008-11-23T02:53:00.000-08:00

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Honeymoon over for Johnson

BBC NEWS | UK | Football clubs owe tax millions

2008-11-23T01:31:00.000-08:00

BBC NEWS | UK | Football clubs owe tax millions

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | 'No justification' for Brand show

2008-11-22T05:07:00.000-08:00

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | 'No justification' for Brand show

Skiing down a volcano

2008-11-20T02:17:00.000-08:00

No you do not have
to 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.

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Sitcom quiz

2008-11-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Sitcom quiz

England do win at Cricket!

2008-11-19T04:27:00.000-08:00

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.