Latest news with #Pyrenees
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Times
Cherry season is here: Celebrate with these two delicious summer recipes
This week I'm focusing on cherries , the juicy, rounded red fruit that will be hitting our shelves very soon. They are known for their deep red colour and intense sweet flavour, and the season is short, beginning around July. European cherries will start to land on shelves from next week, with a season lasting from early June to August. Cherries need plenty of sun and heat to develop good fruit. With the weather of late, we could even see them land earlier than expected this year. [ Two classic shellfish dishes inspired by Donegal chefs at the top of their game Opens in new window ] We used to serve perfectly conditioned cherries from the Cerét region of France, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, in a restaurant where I used to work. Before they arrived, we had grand plans for complicated and artistic dish designs. Upon tasting them, we quickly realised these were one of those magic ingredients that needed zero intervention. A perfect balance of sugar and acid, we decided to serve them as they were, on the stem, over crushed ice. Being the middle of summer, it proved the perfect ending to a lighter menu, particularly with a cup of herbal tea or single espresso. This week's recipes will equip you for the season ahead with both savoury and sweet options. The first uses duck breast, a readily available and cost-effective meat that is easier than you might think to cook. I've added the technique here that I learned in a classic French kitchen – using a low heat to melt down the fat layer between the meat and the skin so the skin goes crispy. With the cherries, I have made a very simple compote that can be batch cooked and kept for months in the fridge. Perfect with the duck, it's also very versatile. Try it with yoghurt and granola, or even on a pavlova for a larger dessert. Black forest gateau. Photograph: Harry weir Speaking of dessert, our second recipe returns to a classic. Black Forest gateau traces its roots to 1920s Germany and calls for chocolate sponge soaked in cherry liqueur or kirsch. Cake baking can often call for complicated equipment, so I have used a standard loaf tin to reduce the hassle. Cherry compote and fresh cherries bring the summer sunshine. This is a perfect dish to prepare in advance and keep in the fridge for a few hours, the soaking time will add to the finished result. Enjoy. Recipe: Crispy duck breast with cherry compote Recipe: Black Forest gateau
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Inside Europe's highest capital city with no airports or train stations – but welcomes EIGHT MILLION tourists a year
EUROPE's highest capital city sits on the Pyrenees mountains with no airport or train station to access it. Nestled between Spain and France, the capital of the tiny country Andorra welcomes eight million tourists a year despite lacking transport links. 5 5 5 Andorra la Vella is located 1,023m above sea level and covers only five square miles but has plenty to offer. Tourists flock to the small city for its stunning scenery, duty free shopping and one of the biggest SPA complexes in Europe. Andorra la Vella can be a perfect day trip destination while you stay in bigger cities in France or Spain. The Andorran capital is a haven for shopaholics with a so-called Shopping Mile lined with department stores and duty-free shopping. Avinguda Meritxell offers a shopping scene with one of the lowest VATs across Europe which means luxury goods for cheaper prices. The Caldea Spa, the biggest thermal spa in southern Europe, is the city's other major draw. It was created in 1987 with the use of the area's naturally occurring hot springs. There are hammams, saunas, and different kinds of baths inside, as well as an outdoor lagoon where you can unwind while taking in the breathtaking views of the mountains. Three hours of access is included in the basic package, which costs €30.50. The city's Old Town is a must-see for anyone hoping to take in some of its charming architecture. The European city with cheap UK flights, famous lagoon spas and summers where the sun never sets Casa de la Vall, a stone mansion constructed in 1580 for a wealthy family and formerly the seat of Andorra's parliament, can be found here. Although Casa de la Vall is currently closed for renovations, visitors can still view the General Council area from 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Meanwhile, history lovers could head to a pre-Romanesque church which dates back to the 9th century. Adventure-seekers would love Andorra's hiking and cycling trails in the mountains, suitable for different ages and skill levels. Summers in Andorra get hot with average temperatures of 24C but winters can get chilly with just 8C in January and February. However, if you'd like to try local cuisine, especially the famous Escudella, it is best to come during Christmas time. Escudella is Andorra's national stew made from seasonal vegetables, meats and local sausages. You can find it in traditional "bordas," which are former storehouses converted into restaurants. But to get to Andorra la Vella, visitors will have to switch multiple transport modes or hire a car. Without airports or railway, the only way to the small capital is through France and Spain. If you're travelling from France, the closest station to Andorra la Vella is Andorre-l'Hospitalet, just seven miles away from the country's border. Those coming from Spain can take a high-speed train from Madrid or Barcelona to Lleida Pirineus. A one-way journey from Madrid costs €75.75 and takes 2 hours and 8 minutes. Once you reach these train stations, you can simply grab a taxi to the city centre. Travellers from Barcelona also have an option of taking a coach from Barcelona Sants Coach Station directly to Andorra La Vella. A one-way Flixbus coach costs just £27.41 and takes three hours. 5 5
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A 3-pet limit? Who knew?
May 15—A Clarkston woman said she was shocked to learn she was breaking the law by having four dogs in her fenced yard. Beverli Lounsbury, who lives on the 800 block of Third Street, received a $1,540 citation after city police received a complaint about the number of dogs at her house. The city of Clarkston has a three-pet limit on the books, which includes cats and dogs and applies regardless of the combination of species the owner may have. However, Lounsbury's ticket was issued because three of her dogs were not licensed and two were not up-to-date on their vaccinations. She was given several weeks to find a new home for the fourth dog, which she was fostering. Ben, a large, fluffy Pyrenees, is now in "doggie jail" at Riverview Animal Clinic, said Lounsbury, who is employed at the veterinarian clinic, and the other three — Carmelita, Axel and Merx — remain at home. "I went to City Hall and got them licensed that day," said the 37-year-old dog owner. "I had no idea about the city's dog-licensing laws and three-pet limit. I was fostering the fourth dog, and now he's at the clinic. Ben hates being in jail. Just like a person, he's bored and lonely behind bars." Lounsbury recently attended a Clarkston City Council meeting to ask the city to reconsider its three-pet ordinance. It's making residents afraid to foster animals inside city limits, she said, and many dogs and cats desperately need temporary care until permanent homes can be found. Otherwise, they end up being dumped in rural areas or euthanized. Councilor Skate Pierce recently reviewed the dog licensing and pet-limit laws and does not believe the city's ordinance should be updated at this time. Similar regulations are used in other jurisdictions, and citations are entirely complaint-driven, primarily for smell and barking issues, Pierce told the council. Pets under the age of four months are not included in the three-per-household limit, so a new batch of kittens or puppies wouldn't trigger a ticket. A kennel-licensing option is only available in heavy, industrial zones, such as the port area. The three-pet rule was established a decade or so ago because of hoarding issues, officials said. Inside Clarkston city limits, it is unlawful to have any livestock, such as horses, mules, sheep, cattle, goats, rabbits, pigs, ducks or geese. Six backyard chickens are OK. "I was fostering Ben because he was about to be euthanized for killing a chicken," Lounsbury said. "He got along well with our other dogs, and they are all healthy and well cared for. We are really hoping to find a good home for Ben with someone who will not give not up on him. We fell in love with him." Abandoned pets are a human problem and not the fault of the animals, she said. "People sign up for the responsibility, but when push comes to shove in a hard time, they surrender their pets or try to have them euthanized for behavior issues that could be fixed through proper training." Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM Lounsbury said animal lovers and potential foster families were alarmed to learn about the three-pet limit in Clarkston. Most would jump through any hoops to obtain a kennel license, if that were an option, she said. "We're willing to pay a fee, but we feel like the city won't work with us," Lounsbury said. "Animals can't speak. We as people need to stand up and speak about this. We would pay more to do the right thing." The number of pets allowed per household varies throughout the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. The city of Lewiston, unincorporated Asotin County, and the city of Asotin don't have limits on cats, but all three have dog rules. In Asotin County, each household can have as many as four dogs. People who have five or more dogs are required to get a hobby or kennel license, said Ed Holbert, code enforcement officer for the Asotin County Sheriff's Office. Breeders need a commercial kennel license, and those operations are subject to inspection. Dogs in the unincorporated residential areas of the county are required to be licensed after the age of six months. A lifetime license for spayed or neutered canines is $25, and tags for dogs who are intact are $25 per year. All dogs need to have a collar with the Asotin County license attached, Holbert said. "That way, if a dog gets out, we can return it to the owner by looking up the tag, instead of taking it to the Lewis-Clark Animal Shelter," Holbert said. Dog licenses can be purchased at the sheriff's office in Asotin or the Clarkston Veterinary Clinic on Peaslee Avenue. Inside Asotin's city limits, the number of dogs per household is also limited to four, said Police Chief Monte Renzelman. A kennel license, which is $50 per year, is required for five or more. Neutered or spayed dogs in Asotin require an annual tag that costs $8, or a lifetime license for $25. Licenses, which are available at City Hall, run $25 a year for dogs that are not fixed. Although there's no law specifying the number of household cats inside Asotin, residents are not allowed to drop off or feed strays, Renzelman said. Across the Snake River in Idaho, there's a five-dog limit for folks who live in Lewiston, said Animal Control Officer Doug Willey. However, enforcement is rarely an issue. If a resident exceeds the dog limit, it's usually because of an unexpected litter of puppies. Willey said he works with dog owners to help find homes for the pups. More information about dog and cat rules can be found online on websites for each city and county in the region or by calling local officials. "It can be hard to find the rules," Lounsbury said. "I didn't know about Clarkston's until the code enforcement officer showed up at our house." Sandaine can be reached at kerris@
BBC News
06-05-2025
- BBC News
Pyranees brown bear: French hunter given suspended sentence for kill
French hunter given suspended sentence for killing protected bear The bear, nicknamed Caramelles, has been preserved and is now on display at the Toulouse Natural History Museum The 150kg female bear, nicknamed Caramelles, has since been preserved by a taxidermist and is on display at the Toulouse Natural History Museum. Fifteen other hunters were also fined and must collectively pay more than €60,000 (£51,000) in damages to environmental associations that had filed a civil suit against them. The man said he had "no other option" but to open fire on the brown bear when it attacked him during a boar-hunt in 2021. An 81-year-old hunter in France has been fined and handed a four-month suspended jail sentence for killing an endangered bear in the Pyrenees mountains. The Foix Criminal Court heard that the group were boar-hunting in the Pyrenees, the mountain range that separates southern France and Spain, when two bear cubs emerged. Shortly afterwards their mother appeared, charging at the man and dragging him several metres, before he shot and killed the animal. "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf, I fell, she was eating my leg," he told the court. "I reloaded my rifle and fired." The shooting happened in the Mont Valier nature reserve near the village of Seix, Ariège. Prosecutors said they should not have been there in the first place, because it was 1,300ft (396m) outside an authorised hunting area. But the defence lawyer for 14 of the hunters, Fanny Campagne, criticised "the lack of signs indicating that hunting was prohibited". The shooter was fined €750, his rifle has been confiscated and his hunting licence revoked. In a statement, bear-preservation association Pays de l'ours said the verdict "seems justified". "All the hunters were found guilty, which is the most important thing for us," the association's president, Sabine Matraire, was quoted as saying in Le Monde. "We hope that this ruling will be followed by a raising of awareness among the hunting community," she added. Brown bear populations saw a sharp decline in the Pyrenees, with only about 70 left in 1954, according to the region's tourism board. But numbers have slowly climbed up since 1990s when three bears were brought over from Slovenia as part of a reintroduction programme. In 2024, the French Office for Biodiversity estimated that the mountain range is now home to about 96 bears.
The Guardian
06-05-2025
- The Guardian
French hunter, 81, avoids jail after killing endangered female bear in Pyrenees
An 81-year-old French hunter has avoided jail after killing an endangered female bear that had attacked him in the Pyrenees mountains in 2021, in an incident that sparked fierce criticism from environmental associations. The defendant, who said he had no choice but to open fire when a brown bear attacked him while he was boar-hunting in the mountain range separating France and Spain, was given a four-month suspended jail sentence. The court also fined 15 other defendants who participated in the hunt several hundred euros and temporarily revoked the hunting licences of two of them. In addition, all 16 defendants will have to collectively pay more than 60,000 euros ($68,000) to the environmental associations that brought the civil suit. During the March trial in Foix in southern France, the prosecution said that the main defendant and 15 other hunters should not have been in the Mont Valier nature reserve in the first place. Defence lawyer Charles Lagier had argued that all the defendants should be acquitted, saying that the hunter killed the bear because he had 'no other option'. On 20 November 2021, two bear cubs emerged from the woods in front of the hunter. Then their mother appeared, charging at the man and dragging him for several metres. He shot and killed the animal. According to the investigation, the bear – nicknamed Caramelles – was killed 400 metres (1,300 feet) outside an authorised hunting area. When the cubs emerged, 'I looked at them with admiration,' the defendant said during the trial. 'I made myself very small. Then the mother saw me. Our eyes met, she charged.' He said he had no choice but to shoot. 'She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf, I fell, she was eating my leg,' he added. 'I reloaded my rifle and fired.' The defendant 'killed a bear because he had no other option; it was necessity. This does not call for criminal charges,' defence lawyer Charles Lagier argued during the trial. But Alice Terrasse, the lawyer representing several environmental associations at the trial, called for all 16 hunters to be convicted and requested a bear be introduced 'to compensate for Caramelles' death'. Such an operation would cost 100,000 euros ($113,000), Terrasse said in March. Animal rights activists view bears as integral to maintaining a fragile mountain ecosystem under threat from human activity and climate change. Bears had nearly disappeared from the mountain range before France began a reintroduction programme in the 1990s, importing them from Slovenia. France's biodiversity office estimates the Pyrenees are home to between 97 and 127 bears. The presence of the predator has led to increasing tensions with farmers because of the threat they pose to their livestock. But for Alain Reynes of the bear-preservation association Pays de L'Ours, this case offers an opportunity to 'help move forward the debate on how hunting and bears can coexist'.
