We've received the first picture in September's photo competition!

CATS! This fun picture of a giant mouse scaring a tiny cat was sent by Jayjay (aged 6). Start sending your pictures! This month's theme is : CATS!

Corent is the capital of the Auvergne!

Not quite true... Corent is, perhaps, the capital of the Arverne. The Arverne? It's the name of the Auvergne region in ancient gaulish times (2000 years ago... remember Asterix and co.?). This summer, archeological digs were carried out on the plateau of Corent and enormous quantities of fabulous treasures were dug up! The archeologists think that Corent was in fact the capital of the region (not Gergovia). And it did not look like a gaulish village as we imagine it but rather more like a big roman city (with up to 20000 inhabitants!).

If you go to the MAISON DU PATRIMOINE in MARTES-DE-VEYRE (3 rue des Forts) before 10 September you can see an exhibition of the latest finds (jewels, gold, silver, bronze, amphora, bones, etc.). If you can't make it, don't worry, the dig itself will be reopened next summer; We can expect lots of new exciting finds!

And the most horrid monster is....

THE SPIKY GREEN XYLOMONSTER!

This picture of an 'orrible forest creature was sent by Mr P (aged 10). It was taken during a family walk in the forest near to Vernet-la-Varenne. It's the winner of August's photo competition! Mr P gets a tea time token for a slap-up nosh at the Compagnie du Chat Noir tea shop in Clermont-Ferrand!