A package was waiting for me at the post office. In it a couple more legendary French cars which ran at the Le Mans 24h race.
Bugatti
Mirage Renault
Had a pleasant drive across the Black Mountains (Montagnes Noires) yesterday after to arrive in Albi late afternoon. A quick heck-in at the hotel and we were off wandering around the old town. A very dark sky but no rain and quite warm in fact. We settled for an Italian restaurant next to the Cathedral Sainte Cecile.
Back at the hotel which has a roof terrace with a bar and restaurant. That proved very handy for a night cap overlooking the old town.
After breakfast, fairly early we went for another wander around town.
The objective being to visit the Cathedral yet again as it is a real wonder inside and one discovers something new every time.
After a quick coffee break, it is time to drive to the BMW dealer where we are expected. The formalities are simple, quick and efficient. The car is waiting for us, all ready and gleaming.
We raise a couple of questions on how to do this or do that… It has been a while since I have driven a BMW!!!
and we take turn driving home by yet another route which was a little bit longer but involved a short run on the motorway.
First impressions: Excellent ride, quiet and powerful if needed and I have not tried the Sport set-up yet… That will be for the roads in Brittany next week.
June was most likely named for the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women. Another interpretation says that the name came from the Latin juvenis, “young people,” who were celebrated at this time.
But most importantly
June 21 is JJ’s birthday
DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE
▫️ REGIONAL INFORMATION
Thanks to the figures communicated this Saturday 29 May by Santé publique France, here is the outcome of the epidemic in the region, in the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales.
On 29 May, the region had 877 patients hospitalised for Covid, 33 less than the previous day. A figure not seen since 20 October last.
Some 181 of them are being treated in critical care units (intensive care unit, intensive care unit or continuous surveillance unit), i.e. 2 less in 24 hours. This is the highest level since 13 January.
In addition, 4,491 deaths due to Covid were recorded in health establishments in the region, i.e. 4 more than the previous day.
And 20,915 people have been able to return home since the beginning of the epidemic, including 46 since the previous day.
The decline stabilises in the Aude
In the Aude, the number of people hospitalised for Covid reached 76 on Wednesday (stable in 24 hours). Unpublished since the beginning of January.
Among them, 10 are in critical care (stable). A figure not seen since 25 March.
In the department, 361 deaths due to Covid are to be deplored in hospital, one more in 24 hours. In Aude, 1,169 people have returned home since March, 2 more than the day before.
Back to the end of January in the P.-O.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales, 100 patients are being treated in hospitals in the department, 1 more than on Friday. This indicator is back to its level of 21-22 January.
Some 14 of them are being treated in critical care (resuscitation, intensive care or continuous monitoring), i.e. 1 less in 24 hours. This is a figure not seen since 18 January.
One more death has been reported since Friday. In total, 319 people have died in hospital in the department since March 2020.
Finally, 1,332 patients were able to return home, +1 in 24 hours.
▫️ TRAVEL NEWS
I guess the news of the week which affects some of us is that France, following Germany a few days ago, is imposing a ‘mandatory isolation’ for travellers arriving from the UK. The quarantine measure is due to come into force from Monday May 31st. Compelling reasons will be required for non-resident foreign nationals travelling to France from the UK, who will be required to produce a PCR or antigen test that is less than 48 hours old.
Until now, sixteen countries were subject to mandatory quarantine in France, including Brazil, India, Argentina and Turkey. For these territories, the police can check the presence of travellers at their quarantine location without warning and impose a fine of between 1,000 and 1,500 euros if they are absent.
Travellers must also present a negative PCR test less than thirty-six hours old (instead of seventy-two hours old), or a negative PCR test less than seventy-two hours old with a negative antigen test less than twenty-four hours old.
▫️ INCIDENCE RATE
Another slight drop of the Incidence Rate in the Aude departement.
▫️ INFORMATION
Covid-19: why the situation in the UK is worrying again
It is a country to which many eyes are turned. The UK is raising fears among its European neighbours as cases of Covid-19 linked to the Indian B.1.617 variant, particularly the B.1.617.2 sub-lineage, have been rising across the country in recent weeks. The number of infections with this potentially highly contagious variant has risen by 160% in the past week, reports the Guardian.
The health agency Public Health England has counted 3424 confirmed cases, compared to 1313 confirmed cases on the previous Thursday. These figures are likely to be underestimated, the health agency said, because of a “time lag between the collection of samples and the revelation of the variant identified in the positive tests”. These outbreaks of the Indian variant could jeopardise the lifting of the latest restrictions in England, scheduled for 21 June.
The B.1.617.2 variant has been identified in at least 86 different locations around the country, including Glasgow, Scotland, reports the BBC. According to Public Health England, “clusters of cases across the country” have been recorded. The Indian variant is therefore on the way to becoming the majority in the country. However, the UK has not yet seen a dramatic increase in the number of new cases of Covid-19. As of 23 May, the country had recorded an average of 2254 cases per day, compared to 2074 cases on 14 May, Reuters reports.
▫️ TRAVEL (🔸 = NEW)
🔸 28/05: France is no longer on Ireland‘s red list. Passengers coming from France no longer need to quarantine in a hotel. They can do it in a place of their choice and come out of quarantine after 5 days if they pass a negative PCR test.
🔸 28/05: Compelling reasons are no longer required to travel to Norway. However, it is still mandatory to spend at least 7 days in a quarantine hotel.
🔸 27/05: Flights to Sri Lanka will resume on 1 June with a limit of 75 passengers per flight and 14 days quarantine for all passengers, vaccinated or not.
🔸 27/05: Tunisia to abolish quarantine and PCR testing for vaccinated people on 1 June.
🔸 26/05: France imposes mandatory isolation for arrivals from the UK.
🔸 26/05: From 31 May, vaccinated people will be exempt from quarantine in Switzerland.
🔸 26/05: Spain will accept vaccinated tourists from 7 June, without requiring a test.
🔸 26/05: Georgia to open its land borders on 1 June.
🔸 26/05: Cambodia‘s tourism ministry suggests that the country is preparing to welcome tourists again in the fourth quarter of 2021.
🔸 26/05: Mauritius extends the closure of its borders until at least 30 June.
🔸 25/05: Mongolia will reopen its borders to vaccinated people on 1 July.
🔸 25/05: New Aquitaine and Brittany are no longer considered at risk by Switzerland. People coming from these regions are no longer subject to quarantine or PCR testing.
🔸 25/05: Algeria will reopen its borders on June 1st, but with very strict conditions: 3 flights per week from France, PCR test of less than 36 hours, 5-day quarantine in a government-approved hotel, PCR test at the end of containment, 5 additional days of quarantine in case of positive test.
🔸 25/05: Germany no longer imposes quarantine on people who present a negative test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from covid.
21/05: Spain has announced that it will let in all vaccinated people, regardless of their country of origin, from 7 June. It is not yet clear whether this means that vaccinated people will be able to enter without a PCR test.
21/05: US land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed until at least 21 June.
21/05: Panama temporarily closes its land border with Colombia.
21/05: Belize will reopen its land and sea borders with Guatemala and Mexico on 31 May, but with a requirement to stay in a Golden Standard hotel.
21/05: France is now considered a risk country by Zambia, which means an additional test on arrival and a 14-day quarantine.
21/05: The Minister of Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, hopes for a gradual resumption of international flights throughout the year: “From mid-June, we will try to reopen international flights, from and to North America, Africa, and some countries in South-East Asia.
19/05: As of 9 June, you will no longer need a compelling reason to travel to Guadeloupe, Martinique or Reunion.
19/05: Denmark has reopened its borders.
19/05 : Thailand: Phuket confirms it will reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists on 1 July.
18/05 : Austria to lift quarantine requirement on 19 May.
16/05 : Algeria to gradually reopen its borders from early June.
16/05 : Italy has ended its quarantine for European tourists.
16/05: From Monday 17 May, people coming from France will no longer have to undergo quarantine when arriving in Portugal.
14/05: Vaccinated people no longer need a PCR test to enter Greece.
14/05: People who have been vaccinated or have had covid no longer need a PCR test to enter Germany.
14/05: France’s border reopening strategy has been published:
“Within the European Union, travel facilitated by the health pass To travel within the European Union, it is currently not necessary to justify the reason for travel, but prior testing obligations (-72h) are required.
The government is working with the other Member States on a “green pass” to support the resumption of tourism and facilitate border crossings through common standards.
While the test is already an element of proof used, this “green pass” will enable travellers to show that they have been fully vaccinated at border controls.
For travellers entering France from outside the European Union, tourist flows will be reopened from 9 June depending on the health situation in these countries. France will have a policy of controlling entry to its territory that is proportionate to the health situation in each third country, in accordance with a vision shared with the other Member States of the European Union.
Pending European harmonisation of the criteria for classifying “red countries”, and in order to protect the French without delay, France has already put in place these drastic measures for incoming flows from the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (list as of 10 May 2021).
For EU citizens wishing to travel outside the European Union, it is necessary to find out in advance about the entry restrictions and health situation in the destination country.
12/05: Reopening of borders: France expects reciprocity from the United States.
12/05 : The suspension of international flights to and from Nepal is extended at least until 31 May.
12/05: Self-tests are now accepted to enter the United States. However, you still need to have spent at least 14 days outside the Schengen area to enter the country.
11/05: Thailand may fully reopen its borders by 1 January 2022.
10/05: Fully vaccinated persons are now exempt from PCR testing to enter Cyprus.
10/05: Morocco has extended the state of health emergency until 10 June.
10/05: Travellers from 12 countries will be able to travel to England without quarantine from 17 May, but France is not one of them.
10/05: French Polynesia will not open to travellers from mainland France without compelling reasons until July.
10/05: Tunisia has put in place a new general lockdown from 9 to 16 May.
07/05: The quarantine requirement for entry into France has been extended to seven additional countries: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar. For these countries, a PCR test of 36 hours (instead of 72 hours) or a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours accompanied by a negative antigen test of less than 24 hours is now required.
07/05: Australia‘s borders may not fully reopen until mid to late 2022.
▫️ SATIRE
▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸
▫️ THE FABULOUS FRIDAY (FUNNIES) GROANS from Paul
▫️ MUSIC OF 1969
Another hit in France during that very special year of the 1st moon landing and Woodstock
▫️ FUN (thank to Graham T)
Apparently, it was banned.
▫️ WEATHER
Hot and sunny today. This should help the pool water gain a couple of degrees
▫️ ADDITIONAL READS FOR THE DAY
🔸 What it was like on board the Qantas supermoon flight to nowhere
🔸 NASA’s Mars helicopter goes on wild ride after navigation error
It is not difficult to understand why the imposing Cathedral of Albi in the French Occitanie region is probably the most visited cathedral in the world.
It has retained all of its splendour and colours over the centuries which is in real contrast with the unusual brick building itself.
We had a bit of spare time in the town yesterday and took the opportunity to visit it.
I was surprised and fairly happy to see that the BMW car we tested was actually carrying the famous BMW Sport Pack logo.
I did not try to unleash the obvious large amount of horse power during the test drive but look forward to it when we pick up the car, which has now been purchased, next week.
DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE
▫️ VACCINATIONS
Stéphane Bancel, the French CEO of Moderna, told the Journal du dimanche about his strategy for fighting Covid-19 in the coming months. On the one hand, he wants to vaccinate teenagers this summer and administer a third dose to people at risk in the autumn.
▫️ INCIDENCE RATE
Last evening, the incidence rate in the Aude departement was 69,22. Let us hope this long bank holiday weekend and the thousands of tourists which have invaded the town will not reverse the situation.
▫️ Blue Flag Award 2021
Occitanie first region in France for the quality of its beaches and ports
With 109 beaches and 21 marinas, Occitania is the first region in France in terms of the number of beaches and marinas with the Blue Flag label. These continental and coastal beaches and harbours meet the 60 criteria required by the label.
The Blue Flag is a sustainable tourism label awarded each year to marinas and municipalities for their beaches, which implement, on a permanent basis, a tourism policy that respects the environment and human beings.
Once again, the Blue Flag has achieved a record number of awards with 525 sites in France, including 410 beaches in 196 municipalities and 115 marinas. In 2021, 34 new laureates, 24 municipalities and 10 marinas, will enter the list.
With 109 beaches and 21 marinas, Occitania is the leading region in France in terms of the number of beaches and marinas awarded the Blue Flag. With a special mention for the Hérault, which has the highest number of Blue Flag sites in the region, with 44 sites in total. Then comes the Pyrénnées-Orientales with 30.
The Blue Flag is for the inhabitants of a municipality, and for tourists, the assurance of being able to spend a summer with their feet in clean water, or in an environmentally friendly port. Each year, the municipalities that apply for the label must meet specific criteria of cleanliness, facilities, reception and information for the public, and respect for biodiversity to receive the label.
Last year, the municipality of Marseillan lost its Pavillon Bleu due to technical problems, particularly with the first aid posts. This year, it has been awarded the label and is delighted.
▫️ TRAVEL (🔸 = NEW)
🔸 21/05: Spain has announced that it will let in all vaccinated people, regardless of their country of origin, from 7 June. It is not yet clear whether this means that vaccinated people will be able to enter without a PCR test.
🔸 21/05: US land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed until at least 21 June.
🔸 21/05: Panama temporarily closes its land border with Colombia.
🔸 21/05: Belize will reopen its land and sea borders with Guatemala and Mexico on 31 May.
🔸 21/05: France is now considered a risk country by Zambia, which implies an additional test on arrival and a 14-day quarantine.
🔸 21/05: MEPs and Member States reached an agreement on the European Health Pass, which should come into force from 1 July. The document will contain a QR code indicating that the holder has been vaccinated, has had a negative PCR or rapid antigen test or is immune after being infected with Covid-19. It will be available on smartphones as well as in paper form.
🔸 20/05 : All flights to Sri Lanka are suspended from 21 to 31 May.
🔸 20/05: Colombia has reopened its land borders.
🔸 20/05: Flights to Bangladesh have resumed, but a fourteen-day stay in a government-approved hotel is required.
🔸 20/05 : Vaccines are effective against all variants of the virus according to WHO.
🔸 20/05 : Since 19 May, you no longer need a compelling reason to travel to Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. However, a PCR test less than 72 hours old and a 7-day quarantine are still required.
20/05: As of 9 June, you will no longer need a compelling reason to travel to Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin. For Reunion, Mayotte and Polynesia, the lifting of compelling reasons only concerns people vaccinated with two doses.
20/05: In French Guiana, the lifting of compelling reasons is not on the agenda. For New Caledonia, the local government has decided to limit regular flights and to maintain the compelling reasons at least until 30 October.
19/05: Denmark has reopened its borders.
19/05 : Thailand: Phuket confirms it will reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists on 1 July.
18/05 : Austria to lift quarantine requirement on 19 May.
16/05 : Algeria to gradually reopen its borders from early June.
16/05 : Italy has ended its quarantine for European tourists.
16/05: From Monday 17 May, people coming from France will no longer have to undergo quarantine when arriving in Portugal.
14/05: Vaccinated people no longer need a PCR test to enter Greece.
14/05: People who have been vaccinated or have had covid no longer need a PCR test to enter Germany.
14/05: France’s border reopening strategy has been published:
“Within the European Union, travel facilitated by the health pass To travel within the European Union, it is currently not necessary to justify the reason for travel, but prior testing obligations (-72h) are required.
The government is working with the other Member States on a “green pass” to support the resumption of tourism and facilitate border crossings through common standards.
While the test is already an element of proof used, this “green pass” will enable travellers to show that they have been fully vaccinated at border controls.
For travellers entering France from outside the European Union, tourist flows will be reopened from 9 June depending on the health situation in these countries. France will have a policy of controlling entry to its territory that is proportionate to the health situation in each third country, in accordance with a vision shared with the other Member States of the European Union.
Pending European harmonisation of the criteria for classifying “red countries”, and in order to protect the French without delay, France has already put in place these drastic measures for incoming flows from the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (list as of 10 May 2021).
For EU citizens wishing to travel outside the European Union, it is necessary to find out in advance about the entry restrictions and health situation in the destination country.
12/05: Reopening of borders: France expects reciprocity from the United States.
12/05 : The suspension of international flights to and from Nepal is extended at least until 31 May.
12/05: Self-tests are now accepted to enter the United States. However, you still need to have spent at least 14 days outside the Schengen area to enter the country.
11/05: Thailand may fully reopen its borders by 1 January 2022.
10/05: Fully vaccinated persons are now exempt from PCR testing to enter Cyprus.
10/05: Morocco has extended the state of health emergency until 10 June.
10/05: Travellers from 12 countries will be able to travel to England without quarantine from 17 May, but France is not one of them.
10/05: French Polynesia will not open to travellers from mainland France without compelling reasons until July.
10/05: Tunisia has put in place a new general lockdown from 9 to 16 May.
07/05: The quarantine requirement for entry into France has been extended to seven additional countries: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar. For these countries, a PCR test of 36 hours (instead of 72 hours) or a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours accompanied by a negative antigen test of less than 24 hours is now required.
07/05: Australia‘s borders may not fully reopen until mid to late 2022.
▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸
▫️ MUSIC
I have one again managed to avoid watching this yearly horror show. I simply loathe that program.
No further comment
🎶 / 🎶 / 🎶
▫️ FOOD & DRINKS
Four of us went to “Florida Blanca” yesterday for lunch. I have to say it was excellent yet again. What a pleasure it is to be able to go restaurants again.
▫️ THE FABULOUS FRIDAY (FUNNIES) GROANS from Paul
G’day from a new vantage point this week…
◼︎ A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, “Everyone who thinks they’re, stand up!” After a few seconds, Little Larry stood up. The teacher said, “Do you think you’re stupid, Larry?” “No, ma’am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!”
◼︎ She hurried to the pharmacy to get medication, got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys inside. The woman found an old rusty coat hanger left on the ground. She looked at it and said, “I don’t know how to use this.” She bowed her head and asked God to send her some HELP. Within 5 minutes a beat-up old motorcycle pulled up, driven by a bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag. He got off of his cycle and asked if he could help. She said: “Yes, my daughter is sick. I’ve locked my keys in my car. I must get home. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?” He said, “Sure.” He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was open. She hugged the man and through tears said, “Thank You SO Much! You are a very nice man.” The man replied, “Lady, I am NOT a nice man. I just got out of PRISON yesterday; I was in prison for car theft. The woman hugged the man again sobbing, “Oh, thank you, God! You even sent me a Professional!”
◼︎ Q: What do you give a pony with a cold?
A: Cough Stirrup!
(Is that because it’s a little hoarse?)
◼︎ I have a response to one of the jokes.
“How come when you mix water and flour together you get glue… and then you add eggs and sugar and you get cake? Where does the glue go?” — Rita Rudner
Answer: On the hips and thighs
◼︎ I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.
◼︎ All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
◼︎ The jockey was riding the favorite at a race meeting, and was well ahead of the field. His horse rounded the final corner, when suddenly the jockey was hit on the head by a turkey and a string of sausages. He managed to keep control of his mount and pulled back into the lead, only to be struck by a box of Christmas crackers and a dozen mince pies as he went over the last fence. With great skill he managed to steer the horse to the front of the field once more when, on the run in, he was struck on the head by a bottle of sherry and a Christmas pudding. Thus distracted, he succeeded in coming only second. He immediately went to the race stewards to complain that he had been seriously hampered.
◼︎ “I want to have children, but my friends scare me. One of my friends told me she was in labor for thirty-six hours. I don’t even want to do anything that feels good for thirty-six hours.” – Rita Rudner
◼︎ If it weren’t for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn’t get any exercise at all.
◼︎ Funniest Quarantine Jokes: topicalFunniest Quarantine Jokes
∙Why did the chicken cross the road? Because the chicken behind it didn’t know how to socially distance properly.
∙Two grandmothers were bragging about their precious darlings. One of them says to the other, “Mine are so good at social distancing, they won’t even call me.”
∙Who’s idea was it to sing “Happy Birthday” while washing your hands? Now every time I go to the bathroom, my kids expect me to walk out with a cake.
∙My husband purchased a world map and then gave me a dart and said, “Throw this and wherever it lands—that’s where I’m taking you when this pandemic ends.” Turns out, we’re spending two weeks behind the fridge.
∙Ran out of toilet paper and started using lettuce leaves. Today was just the tip of the iceberg, tomorrow romaines to be seen.
∙My mom always told me I wouldn’t accomplish anything by lying in bed all day. But look at me now, ma! I’m saving the world!
∙After years of wanting to thoroughly clean my house but lacking the time, this week I discovered that wasn’t the reason.
∙If I keep stress-eating at this level, the buttons on my shirt will start socially distancing from each other.
∙Every few days try your jeans on just to make sure they fit. Pyjamas will have you believe all is well in the kingdom.
∙Yesterday I ran out of soap and body wash and all I could find was dish detergent. Then it Dawned on me.
∙Being quarantined with a talkative child is like having an insane parrot glued to your shoulder
∙I never thought the comment “I wouldn’t touch them with a six-foot pole” would become a national policy, but here we are!
∙The World Health Organization announced that dogs cannot contract COVID-19. Dogs previously held in quarantine can now be released. To be clear, WHO let the dogs out.
∙Since we’re all in quarantine I guess we’ll be making only inside jokes from now on.
∙I’m not talking to myself, I’m having a parent-teacher conference.
∙This morning I saw a neighbour talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat understood her. I came into my house, told my dog–we laughed a lot.
∙Nothing like relaxing on the couch after a long day of being tense on the couch.
∙Pollen still coming out during a global pandemic? Bitch read the room.
∙ Knock knock. Who is there? Seriously, don’t touch my door and get back 6 meters to social distance.
∙ Day 121 at home and the dog is looking at me like, “See? This is why I chew the furniture!
∙”If you bought 144 rolls of toilet paper in preparation for a 14-day quarantine, you probably should have been seeing a doctor long before coronavirus.
∙How did the health experts lie? They said a mask and gloves was enough to go to the grocery store. When I got there, everyone else had clothes on.
∙Quarantine has really put a damper on comedy. For months nobody has walked into a bar.
◼︎ The family of a deceased businessman was awaiting the reading of the will. “To my loving wife Rose,” the lawyer read, “who stood by me in the rough times as well as the good, I leave the house and $2 million”. “To my daughter Jessica, who looked after me in illness and kept the business going, I leave the yacht, the business and $1 million.” “And to my cousin Dan, who hated me and thought I would not remember him in my will, you were wrong: Hello, Dan!”
◼︎ And a few short one to round out the week.
∙ A man in an interrogation room says, “I’m not saying a word without my lawyer present.” One of the cops replies, “You are the lawyer.” The lawyer says, “Exactly, so where’s my present?”
∙I told my niece that I saw a deer on the way to work this morning. She said, “How do you know it was on it’s way to work?”
∙Did you hear about this new restaurant called Karma? There’s no menu. You get what you deserve.
∙My dentist told me, “This might hurt a little bit. Are you ready?” I said, “Yes, I’m ready.” He said, “I’m sleeping with your wife.”
∙My wife dated a clown before she started going out with me.I had some pretty big shoes to fill.
∙My wife said to me this morning, “What would you do if I won the lottery?” I said, “I’d take my half and leave you.” She said, “Great! I won $12 yesterday, here’s your $6. Stay in touch.”
Catch you from the same place next week!
▫️ SATIRE
To come
▫️ FUN
▫️ WEATHER
A little too cloudy for my liking
▫️ ADDITIONAL WEEKEND READS
The post lady, a new one, delivered this one a couple of days ago.
Courage Compétition 🇫🇷 was a racing team and chassis constructor company now owned by Oreca, based in Le Mans near the famous Circuit de la Sarthe. It was founded by Yves Courage, a French race driver who ran hillclimbs before founding the company. Following the purchase of Courage by Oreca in 2007, Yves Courage has re-founded the company as Courage Technology in 2010, attempting to develop electric racing cars.
A must car in my collection of French cars which took part in the Le Mans 24h over the years
DAILY AND WEEKLY STATISTICS HERE
▫️ REGIONAL NEWS
The situation of the epidemic in the Aude, the Pyrénées-Orientales and in the region on Thursday according to the figures of Santé publique France.
In the Aude, this Thursday evening, 97 patients are hospitalised (-2 in 24 hours): 45 in conventional hospitalisation (as much as Wednesday), 10 in intensive care (a stable number compared to Wednesday), 45 in follow-up care or long-term care and 1 in other structures. One additional death was recorded on Thursday. In total, 357 people have died from Covid in the department.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales, 133 patients are hospitalised this Thursday evening (-3 in 24 hours): 61 in conventional hospitalisation (-4), 17 in intensive care (+1 compared to Wednesday), 53 in follow-up or long-term care and 2 in other structures. No additional deaths are to be reported in the Pyrénées-Orientales on Thursday. The department counts 313 victims of Covid.
In the Occitanie region, this Thursday evening, 1,148 people are hospitalised because of Covid (-55 in 24 hours): 506 in conventional hospitalisation (-45), 219 in intensive care (7 less than Wednesday), 411 in follow-up or long-term care (9 less than Wednesday) and 12 in other sectors. In total, 4,432 inhabitants of the Occitanie region have died from Covid-19, including 8 in the last 24 hours.
▫️ INCIDENCE RATE
Another significant drop of the Incidence Rate in the Aude departement.
It now stands at 76,2
▫️ INFORMATION
In this period of tax declarations, the Directorate General of Public Finances (DGFiP) is warning people to beware of identity theft scams. Beware, these are phishing attempts. Be careful, these e-mails do not come from the DGFiP and you should not respond to them under any circumstances.
Most of these attempts concern :
▪︎ bank card fraud with the promise of a tax refund (example of a fraudulent e-mail: “we announce that you are eligible to receive a refund of €490 from the Direction générale des Finances publiques on the card registered in your customer area” – a reference number beginning with GOUV is even indicated;
▪︎ calls to overtaxed numbers (some websites refer to overtaxed numbers such as 0 899… or 0 891… to reach public finance centres);
▪︎ fake transfer order scams carried out by mail, telephone or e-mail, sometimes with fake forms attached and usurping the DGFiP’s e-mail addresses (companies are particularly targeted, by getting an employee to make a bank transfer to a fraudulent account, by usurping the identity of the real creditor);
These are fraudulent manoeuvres to induce you to provide personal data (bank details, proof of identity or residence). In general, beware when you receive an e-mail message where the sender :
▪︎ asks you for money or offers to pay you back a sum of money ;
▪︎ seeks to collect personal information (bank details, civil status, etc.).
The services of the Directorate-General of Public Finances never ask for bank details or personal information by e-mail or telephone.
If you have any doubts about the origin of the messages you receive, do not reply to the e-mails and destroy them immediately. If you have already responded to a fraudulent message by giving your bank details, you should first contact your bank to stop the transaction.
For any information or to report an attempted scam:
by internet on ” internet-signalement.gouv.fr ” ;
by telephone via the freephone number set up by the government: 0 805 805 817.
▫️ TRAVEL (🔸 = NEW) – From France point of view.
🔸 19/05 As of 9 June, you will no longer need a compelling reason to travel to Guadeloupe, Martinique or Reunion.
🔸 19/05 Denmark has reopened its borders.
🔸 19/05 Thailand: Phuket confirms its reopening to vaccinated foreign tourists on July 1st
🔸 18/05 Austria to lift quarantine requirement on 19 May.
16/05 Algeria to gradually reopen its borders from early June.
16/05 Italy has ended its quarantine for European tourists.
16/05 From Monday 17 May, people coming from France will no longer have to undergo quarantine when arriving in Portugal.
14/05 Compulsory quarantine for entering France extended to Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Bahrain.
14/05 Vaccinated people no longer need a PCR test to enter Greece.
14/05 People who have been vaccinated or have had covid no longer need a PCR test to enter Germany.
▫️ SATIRE
▫️ FUN
▫️ NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND 🇺🇸
▫️ FUN FACTS
▫️ WEATHER
Very pleasant despite a few clouds. Will lounge by the pool I guess/
▫️ ADDITIONAL READS FOR THE DAY
🔸 Solar Orbiter mission spots eruption from the sun
🔸 Twenty firms produce 55% of world’s plastic waste, report reveals
We made the most of yesterday’s 1st de-confinement day and chose to head for the seaside. I love our South of France large and empty sandy beaches. In the background the Pyrenean mountain range and therefore Spain.
It was nice to be able to walk into a beach restaurant which finally were allowed to open.
And despite the strong wind, this one is particularly nice.
For a 1st day of operation, the welcoming and the service was very good. The food was good as well but I thought the dishes could have been a bit more copius. We did mention it to the manager.
But the main point of the day was to meet up with friends, that we did. Did I mention the rosé tasted good?
We’ll be back for sure
