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Chestnuts make an autumn trip in southern France eTaiwan News
By Elaine Ganleyassociated press
COLLOBRIERES, France
Forget summer and the seaside in the south of France. Instead, hit the back country in autumn and go on a treasure hunt for one of nature’s little beauties, a mahogany-colored jewel hidden in a prickly shell that falls from the treetops.
Chestnuts were once a staple of life in hard times in parts of France. Today, they are a treat, and a favorite for the end-of-year holidays, fire-roasted or candied, or transformed into creamy sauces or scrumptious jams — some even drinkable like liqueur or beer.
In the heart of France’s chestnut country, the trees stand like guardians of family memories and, like the vineyards of Bordeaux, embody the soul of the land.
The time for harvesting these fragile fruits, which have a short lifespan when fresh, is especially magical. Sorting the good from the bad and by size is a work-intensive operation lasting about a month, from the start of October to early November. And it’s most always a family affair.
“The trees I have here are 400 to 500 years old,” says Laurent Jartoux, a major chestnut grower in Collobrieres (pronounced co-lo-bree-AIR) in the hilly backlands of the Var region behind the Mediterranean coast, known as the Massif des Maures. “They’re anchored in the histories of the families.”
Most everyone has chestnut trees on their land, and the town, with a population of less than 2,000, holds Chestnut Festivals yearly on the last three Sundays of October.
Chestnuts grow in several regions of France, but the locals of the Massif des Maures vaunt their special variety, the marronge, as the sweetest. Certainly, the scenery is sweet — nature untamed.
Lush hilly terrain marks the scrubland, overgrown with vegetation from gnarled trees to wild herbs, a landscape known in France as the “garrigue.” Small roads winding through the hills lead to the capital of the Maures region, Collobrieres, dubbed the chestnut capital of southern France.
Getting there offers the best of two worlds — beach and back country — since the most practical starting point for the journey is on the coast, in Toulon or Hyeres, where cars can be rented, or nearby in Le Lavandou, a picturesque town sitting on an azure-colored bay of the Mediterranean.
The brief trip is sure to be filled with spontaneous stops — the first in the medieval hillside town of Bormes-les-Mimosas, overlooking the sea. From Bormes, the narrow and twisting scenic route through the back country, the Col de Babaou, unveils new vistas at every turn.
The eye moves across expanses of emerald green with patches of fiery autumn colors flashing through, often with vineyards surrounding a homestead in a distant clearing. Around a corner, rows of cork oak trees, their lower trunks bare, come into view like a line of half-naked soldiers, their bark harvested and transformed into a variety of products, including decorative shallow bowls.
Then, there they are. Chestnuts!
Large green burrs lie on the asphalt or peek through the fallen leaves and scrub beside the road or hang heavy on the branches overhead. Touch with care, or with gloves. They are prickly. Open the casing with the feet, just like some small growers. Out pops the fruit, most often a trio of brown nuts nestled side by side.
There are some 2,000 hectares (4,945) of chestnut trees in the Massif des Maures, much of them growing wild, according to Baptiste Fricau of the Collobrieres town hall. Much of the untreated crop — more than 40 percent in some years — can be inedible, stricken by parasites.
The Rinaldi family, including 83-year-old Gerome Rinaldi, take part in the yearly harvest and sorting of chestnuts from their Collobrieres property. They harvest some 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of chestnuts each year, with only some 600 kilograms (1,320 pounds) good enough to sell.
“It’s a very small harvest,” said Jean-Michel Rinaldi, 53. “We do it to keep up the land,” in the family for generations. At four euros the kilo, “it brings in a little money on the side.”
Three of the Rinaldis, son Jean-Michel, mother Jacqueline and cousin Germaine Rubi, do their sorting in a little shed in the village center, dividing the large, medium and small chestnuts into low wooden boxes. Father Rinaldi keeps an on the operation.
“It’s a pleasure for us. We’ve always done this,” said Jean-Michel, noting that the family, like many others, harvests their chestnuts by hand. Some others use nets to catch the chestnuts as they tumble.
According to the town hall, monks of the Middle Ages took a particular interest in the trees of the Massif des Maures, which helped provide a natural defense against invaders.
In the 20th century, chestnut trees became a vital source of sustenance during the world wars when even bread was a luxury, earning their nickname as trees of plenty, or literally, “bread trees.”
Today, the chestnut is still used to make flour. Even pizzas with chestnut-dough crust can be found in the Var region. More common is the autumn treat, the “chastaignade,” grilled chestnuts, or creme de marron spread and candied chestnuts, a way for families — and the world — to enjoy chestnuts throughout the year.
On the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, chestnuts are transformed into a sweet liqueur. But in Collobriere the latest chestnut drink, still in small quantities, is beer, La Marronge, named after the sweet, local chestnut.
Jartoux, with help from his two adolescent daughters, wife and other family members, makes 70 percent of his income off the chestnuts harvested on his 10 hectares (25 acres) of land. But chestnuts are more than a business for him.
“It’s a passion,” he said by telephone, noting that he gives tours of his chestnut groves to children and adults.
“My grandfather always told us stories. The landscape he described is the same, the trees are still there,” the 42-year-old Jartoux said by telephone. “So we can visualize all the stories he told us in my childhood.”
“Chestnuts live for centuries, and we transmit these family stories from one generation to another,” he said.
In more ways than one, chestnut trees “always ... helped families survive.”
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Epic 600 mile road trip on a Ducati Streetfighter
Highlight of a one day, 600 mile road trip though the backroads of central and southern Utah. Filming from my Ducati Streetfighter. My brother is ...
Where is a good vacation place to send parents for under $600 for the whole trip?
They have never been anywhere. Live in NC. I need ideas for a 600$ trip, for a weekend vacation.
maybe san antonio tx the trip to here (from wherever you) live will be upto 400$ and (they probably wont reach that high) the hotels might be cheap because they dont have any fancy hotel service like on the beaches.
With $600 and a week-end, you'll want to stay close to home I assume. find a nice place on the coast if they like the water, the mountains if they like that, etc.
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How should I pay for a school trip to China costing 3,600 dollars?
My school offers a trip to China this summer and I would really like to go but the trip is 3,600 dollars and im trying to think of ways to raise money for the trip I already have a job that im using most of the money from my paychecks, but my paycheck are not very large because my parents only allow me to work 3 days a week.
I don't know too much about the trip, but often schools plan these trips through special programs for student school related trips (my school uses ACIS). if this is the case, you can see if the company will discount the trip for you or give you a special payment plan. If this is not the case, you can continue working, and talk to your parents to see if they will let you work more hours to pay for the trip (something tells me that they will keep strict on this rule because they want you to focus on your school work, and they probably do not want you to go to china). If they won't let you work more, you can try to appeal to your boss for some higher pay or more hours etc (be careful with this) or you can try to do some fund raising on your own. be creative. sell services or products (such as babysitting or baked goods) and try to explain to your neighbors/family friends/ whoever is an adult with money why you want to go on the trip etc. ask your family members and friends to give you money for the trip for birthdays or holidays instead of other gifts. see if your parents will reward you for getting really good grades or doing chores or other things with trip money. not to bum you out, but keep in mind that there will be more money that you will need to for your trip than just the actual cost of the trip. factor in spending money, food, transportation and travel insurance etc if you haven't already. good luck.
Can I get a plane ticket from JFK to Recife brazil less than $600? round trip?
I already found plane tickets for $600 round trip I was wodering if I could get a plane ticket cheaper than that.
not likely. $600 from JFK to anywhere in South America is already a bargain.
What is the best bike to get for a 600 mile trip that takes up two weeks?
The trip is from Williamsburg, VA to Massachusetts
You want a touring bike. The bicycle business is so competive these days that any two bikes at the same price point are very likely to be similar values. Go to a bike shop and see what fits your budget. Test ride that bike. Go to other bike shops and test as many bikes as possible. One bike will fit you better than the others. You will be able to tell this very quickly after you sit on the bike and ride it for a few minutes. Buy that bike. Ignore brand names. Don't get hung up with component groups. Once you get past the junk, they all work well and reliably. Ignore marketing hype and fancy brochures. The bike that fits you best will be the one you enjoy the most.
HTH
Another good brand is Specialized starting with the Seqouia and moving to the Dolce (Women) and Allez. All of these models put you in the 800 (Allez) to 1600.00 USD price range. You may be able to find a used Trek 1200/1300/1500/2100 on Craigslist or ebay, but be sure to take the bike in for a thorough check-up BEFORE you buy it to make sure that it is road-worthy.
http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/37
A bike that is a good pick, in my opinion would be a Bianchi. Perhaps a Volpe for example.
http://www.bianchiusa.com/08_volpe.html
It's not real high line nor is it too expensive, but a good bike. You can find these new at dealers for around $750.
You signed up for a 600 mile bike trip, THEN started thinking about a bike?
I have a Fiesta 1.1 and want to take it on 600+ mile trip to Belgium, am I stupid or will it be ok?
I live in the UK, was thinking of taking the Ferry from dover to Calais and driving through France.
Its a 1995
I would say - you only get one life - and if you want to do it - do it!
The best thing is be prepared for any eventuality...plan for the worst happening and know that even if everything doesn't go perfectly smoothly - you will be ok
The most important thing is being SAFE ...any mishap that comes your way as long as you are safe you are fine!
Enjoy...life is a journey - and an adventure!!!
If it's 1995 that would be M or N reg so yes, a service would be the best thing to do. Any reasonably trustworthy garage, doesn't have to be a Ford one?
how much gas money do i need to take a 600 mile trip both ways?
depends how many miles to the gallon you get.. take 600/ number of miles per gallon x(times) by the current price of gas at your area
How can I share over 600 pictures with others that were on a trip with me?
*with out e-mailing them out.
*so they can save and print them and take them as their own?
Has to be something fast and easy.
1) put them on www.imagestation.com and then give your friends the logon ID and password to log on to view your pictures.
2) Get ShareGear 2004. Go to http://www.topshareware.com/ShareGear-2004-download-13600.htm for more details. You can save all these pictures on your computer. By installing ShareGear 2004, you are turning your PC into a "server" to allow people to view your pictures on your computer. You can either set up your photo album to be publically viewable or you can set up id and password to people need to log on in order to view your pictures. I have used this software before and it was great.
Weekend Trip on a $600 budget, leaving from Philadelphia?
So, I want to go on a weekend vacation with my Fiance, anywhere in the US, leaving from Philadelphia. We are hoping not to spend more than $600, including hotel and transportation (none of us drive). We could get there by bus or train, but it would have to be near the destination because we won't be able to rent a car.
Here is what I'm looking for: Anywhere except the beach, since it's getting cold. It would be best if it's a fun place, with lots of activities. My time frame is anytime between now and end of November..And don't forget - $600 budget.
Anyone have any ideas??? Thanks!!
$600 total, that is $300 each
are you looking at 600 per person or 600 for both? If your looking at 600 for both have you thought abut getting a hotel in NYC for a weekend getaway? you can take a train from 30th st Station to NYC
600 mile trip. Agaisnt head wind takes 1.5 hours. WIth tail wind takes 1 hr. Wat is speed of plane & wind. Plz?
A plane makes a 600 mile trip. Agaisnt head wind takes 1.5 hours. and returns with a tail wind of the same speed in 1 hr. Wat is speed of plane & wind.
Plz help its my last problem im not exactly sure what to do so please be slow for me <333 to the person that helps me
It would take much longer on ice skates, you posted in hockey
how to raise about $600 for a trip in Feb???
there a trip going on in February 2008 and it like $600 per person and i need to know some ways to raise money??
Carwashes ALWAYS do the trick.
About $7 per car.Have 3 people wash,spray,whatever, a couple people holding signs & shouting, and someone overlooking it all.My local middle/highschool holds a few a week, it's mad fun.