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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Use Cork and Save the Planet

This is the International Year of Forests, a perfect time to look at the cork oak tree which supplies us with natural bio degradable fire resistant cork.
Cork oak trees thrive on the Mediterranean climate -- lots of sunlight, low rainfall and high humidity. The Cork oak tree (Chêne-liège) is fairly easy to recognize in our forests here – the trunk is thick, the branches knotted, it is a sturdy tree.
To obtain cork, the oak tree must be over 20 years old.
Using a special hatchet, the cork is cut from the thick rugged tree in late spring, or early summer. The outer bark is carefully peeled away leaving the inner bark completely intact.
The tree has an amazing ability; it quickly forms new layers of cork to protect itself. Even though it might have been stripped 16 times at 9 year intervals the tree is still valuable for 170 years or more.
This ability to renew itself means we don’t have to cut the tree.
Also, cork trees absorb 30% more CO2 than other trees.  And, according to CRPR, Regional Centre of Forested Properties in France, one ton of cork can absorb two tons of CO2.
Who first started using cork?
It appears the Greeks were the first to seal wine jugs with cork followed closely by the Romans who also used it for fishing floats and shoes. Today, we too, appreciate our comfortable, healthy cork footwear.
But that’s not all. 
Soft but durable cork has so many other uses: cork flooring and wall panelling, everyday products such as handbags and watches, cork furniture and accessories for the home, to name a few.  Even NASA recognised the heat insulating properties of the versatile cork and used it in the construction of rockets.
With the environmental and ecological obligations that we face today is it not important that we protect this natural heritage? Cork harvesting not only sustains the livelihood of many but also protects our precious woodland forest.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Le Thoronet Abbey

The cloisters

The lavabo

Church interior
Nested in amongst the cork oak tree forest of Le Thoronet village is the remains of a fine old Cistercian monastery, a place of quiet beauty and one I like to share with visitors to the Provence.
There are only few abbeys in the Provence; Le Thoronet, situated between Draguignan and Brignolles is one of three Cistercian abbeys known collectively as the “The Three Sisters of Provence.”
Built between 1160 and 1230, the monastery originally housed 20 monks and many lay brothers. These lay brothers, mostly of peasant class were not bound by religious duties but  were responsible for all the manual labor on the estate especially in the making of olive oil and wine, the main source of income for the abbey.
The screw operated olive oil press and some eighteenth century wine vats that the laymen used to make wines are still housed in the cellar.
The abbey was built according to the rule of Saint Benedict -- an abbey must be situated far from economic centers and should have everything necessary – water, a mill, a garden, a bakery so the monks have no need to roam outside which is in no way beneficial to their souls.
The architecture at Thoronet Abbey is a fine example Roman Provencal art. It also reflects simplicity, strength and sobriety.
The walls of the church, dormitories and cloisters are made of dry pressed stone blocks cut and assembled by hand using ancient techniques.
Most impressive though, especially to musicians, is the acoustic property of the church – approximately 12 seconds of reverberations (second after the Taj Mahal) Often the tour  would end  in the church with the tour guides singing – quite  spectacular for visitors.
Concerts are held in the church during the summer.
I attended a concert here one September evening. The sun poured into this simple but majestic church without decoration, without distraction as I listened to the choir perform the Gregorian Requiem – a moving and uplifting experience.