practicing for the apocalypse

We are doing better than other regions in France - though Mike in Quillan is worried as the river creeps up his garden, Aileen and Olle-Bendik have discovered that their newly-repaired roof aint, Elly in Rennes-les-Bains is posting images of the River Salz eating the road and a giant rock leaving the cliff face and  heading for the road into town - but stopped by the steel nets slung there.






Susie H has moved from her
emergency cabin on Bugerach (where she's lived since a fire destroyed her home) into a friends place until the river subsides. Much trauma all round, in short. But this aint Perpignan or Narbonne or any of those places that have serious floods.

The market was rather jolly with cameraderie and wellies.

wetness

Its wet and grey... the rabbits are damp and baleful. Spent this morning playing in Ediths studio, clay is such fun; coffee with Pete, who is marvellously well; tonight, Kat and I plan to go to the creperie.

Last night Andy and Lou, Jon and Sue graced my dinner table. Forgot to take photos though took this before they arrived. Pity - it was far more interesting with them around it. Lovely gossipy evening xxxx

more ducks.

Having been convinced that the mystery ducks were Widgeon, as identified by Nel, now Im confused; Jim has sent a link to a duck site and the beast could easily be this critter, see link here;
http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/fuligule.nyroca.html

Perhaps one sunny afternoon we should head for Campagne with binoculars and confront this serious issue.

Today I went to Carcassonne and bought books.
Amnesty have a book fair, on till Sunday, 9.30 till 18h non-stop. Its at the Salle Jose Bosquet in the old town hall on Rue Aime Ramond. Walk down from the station to the square; cross straight over and its on your left as you head towards the fountain outside the old gate. Clearly signed. Most books 1, 2 or 3 euros - many in English (Italian, German etc) and some knackered ones are given away.

A little further on past the Salle and on the  right, is the endearingly named Le Phuket where for a handful of euros you can eat traditional Thai nosh - very very good for book fatigue.

Wigeon on the Aude

Nel writes;

Is this may be the duck you've seen in the Aude?
If so, it's a Anas penelope, Canard siffleur, Eurasian Wigeon.
Quite common. I think they're the smallest ducks.

It  certainly is the duck and I'd never seen one before - arent they lovely! Great name too.
Cheers Nel :)

Its raining BTW; our spring weather now has spring showers. Unnaturally warm - the house is full of bees for some reason -

Attention scottish contingent

An ex-Esperazanaise writes;

 

Well here we are again. The decorations have been up on the Dome for a month and the shops are now full of it so no matter how much you try to avoid it Christmas is nearly here. The definitive proof that Santa is lurking is that the Loud and Proud Christmas Concert is almost upon us. Is there a better antidote to the glitter and glitz of Coca Cola Christmas than the subtle camp of Loud and Proud bringing you an almost traditional mix of carols and festive tunes. Included are wine, cake and a beautiful venue and for the almost derisory sum of £10.00 or £7.00 concessions.  It hardly needs much thought. It takes place at St Cuthberts Church , Lothian Road and is on FRIDAY 12th December at 8.00pm. Tickets can be had from me with no booking fee. You know you want to. It’s a guilty pleasure

Text or phone 07814447450 or email iainmacdonald@ymail.com

 

Bring the choir to Esperaza soon, Iain??

latest

The latest news commences with Nels new haircut :) Very pretty indeed - must find out which of the towns three hairdressers did it.

The other big news is that those of us who signed the petition to prevent the changes by the station (see post for October 22cnd) have had a letter from the mayor, signed by himself on behalf of the Council; with three exceptions. The letter points out that he (the mayor) is freely available at any time and that a petition is a last resort. He outlines his plans and their history and includes the new designs for the road system.

I'm delighted, not only because we all now know what is going on but also because none of the big plane trees will be cut down and the trees already dispatched will be replaced. Not sure that we need another road between the bridges but we're clearly going to get one.


Perhaps it would have been easier to display the plans in the porch of the town hall???

who are we?

The powers that be are changing our regions' name from the Languedoc to something as yet unspecified. You can vote on a range of possible names in the local rag -

http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2014/11/21/1995920-choisissez-le-nom-de-votre-future-region.html#sondage-771

Any duck lovers' out there? Spotted a pair I've never seen before, quite difficult to see in these pix as indeed they are in real life. If their little white flash didnt bob and down they'd be invisible on the water.

 

Here is a snap of what greeted me this morning, over last nights' washing up - a little scorpion and a wiry spider clasped in a death embrace. I guess they got each other. Aint nature wonderful.

Pete and Nel on form

Pete and Nel came to supper and I forgot to take photos but take it from me, they both looked wonderful. Instead heres a picture of a twig from the river with delusions of grandeur, now hanging over the dining table.

 

Our neighbours are complaining that there are no mushrooms. Weather too dry.

jolly day in Carcassonne

 Carcassonne was pretty in the autumn sunshine though it was rather a bizarre day. Couldnt get a fridge anywhere; Geant was hosting a strike (and didn't have small fridges anyway)

Geant are making des profits colossaux whilst cutting staff and salaries.
    ---Isnt that what supermarkets are supposed to do??

After finding the Beaux Arts closed, sigh, I found an expo of amateur work at the town hall. It was awful - every single one was a copy of something else already painted.
And talking of amateur art, the stupendous exhibition of Art Bruit that was left to the townsfolk of Carcassonne has been moved to Lagrasse. It showed that amateur art could be a sensational source of creative material. Not clear why its left its agreed home.

The good news is that they are hosting a show of the work of Raul Dufy in Feb 2015.

And finally my train was searched by some 16 customs officers and their sweet black labrador - not before I'd seen them chase a white-faced young man from the station. Really don't like drugs nor their impact on lives but hope he got away. And learnt a lesson, of course.

saturday night at the palace :)

local snaps

 That I have no social life is evident from the way Im wandering about town taking snaps... here is the river yesterday, a beautiful calm evening.
Below is the square where building works dominate every corner; a wall at the side of the church is being demolished (according to Kat, to make a brothel), a house is being uncrepied on the bit opposite the church and the 8a8 undergoes more disruption as the ground is prepared for paving.

My heart sinks everytime I see a man with a theodalite...

This mornings sunrise was something else though - so red that the houses were all tinted pink. Beautiful but ominous.
Bit like a man with a theodalite, come to think of it.

Solidarite

Many people witnessed this shocking event, after the fete des vins in September when a car mounted the pavement and chased a young man, repeatedly battering him. Julien Jouve was left just about alive. The fact that the driver is still at liberty - reputedly in Spain - means that the insurance for  Juliens health care is in question.

So; this Sunday there will be a march for him, starting over the footbridge in Le Maroc at 3.00 and ambling to the square, taking a collection as they go. We are asked to walk and show solidarity and to help collect funds for the family, plus alert the media to this situation.
And to wear a white top.

SOLIDARITE POUR JULIEN !!!!!
Le CARIE organise Dimanche 16 Novembre à 15h00 une marche de soutien pour Julien Jouve. En effet, victime d'un grave accident le 20 Septembre 2014 lors d'une manifestation dans notre village, nous souhaiterions que tous ses amis, commerçants et artisans ainsi que les associations de la Haute Vallée, élus ou bien même simple parents et enfants prennent part à cette marche qui débutera à 15h00 de chez lui (quartier du Maroc) à travers les rues d'Espéraza pour se terminer place de la République où sera proposée une grande collecte de fonds et le CARIE reversera la totalité de la collecte à Julien. Le but est de soutenir la famille financièrement et sensibiliser les médias et l'ensemble des Français sur le fait que la personne ayant provoqué l'accident est toujours en liberté.... Alors merci de vous mobiliser en nombre pour qu'un maximum de personnes soit présent Dimanche pour JULIEN.
Il serait souhaitable que tout le monde s'habille avec un haut blanc
MERCI

Quillan Market

Wednesday is Quillan market day. When Kat said she was going and offered a lift I didnt think twice about quitting the studio - the weather is lovely and Quillan market is the home of the English Book Exchange, run by the generous and open-hearted Sue and her friend. Many of us ex-pats cluster there.
And Lo! Today there was Mike, who has been laid up for years with firstly a bad back and latterly bad legs. He's been operated on and is out and up and beaming in the sunshine.
Incidentally he and Pauline are anxious to be with their family in England now and their pretty house has had an absurd price drop. Get in touch if you are house hunting.

 And below, Jenny. This is a mixed blessing. It was wonderful to see her - she has gone to ground since selling her house and preparing to return to England and her family there so we were thrilled to catch her; then horrified to discover that this is her last day here. Shes off tomorrow, for good. Sniff.
Instead of a valedictory party, we had a coffee.
Not the same.

 Apropos of houses, Quillan has a new tourist attraction by the church. Four burnt out houses. People were saved, including a pregnant woman, now rehoused for the time being in the campsite. The shocking news is that the landlord is in big trouble as the properities were not insured - houses that are rented out must be covered.
Anyone living here should know also that insurance is rendered invalid in the case of fire if you don't have a certificate from a professional chimney sweep showing that the chimney is sound. I'm waiting for the sweep now (total co-incidence BTW, he was booked weeks ago)
Why are sweeps regarded as lucky in the UK? Are they so regarded in France?
I will ask him.

remembering

Msr Pozo, boss of the fire brigade, salutes as the Mayor Georges Reverte helps the schoolchildren lay a bouquet at the Verdun memorial. We sang the Marseillaises, ably led by more schoolchildren; a definate theme in this centennial year.






Here by Rue des Jardins - on the site of the old cinema and subsequent tennis courts - a square was named for Andre Illac.
He was mayor here before my time and by the current Mayors' panegryic a very special one - much building and creating of the town was laid at his (communist) feet. Was shocked when our Mayor talked of his disappearance. Hastily finding a friend with the authority to explain that one (he works in the town hall) I was told that he'd drowned in the Aude, just behind the square named after him - though I understood either that he wasn't found or that he'd been looking for something at the time. Not clear which, what with the tape recorded music and attempts at discretion.

*UPDATE have looked him up - he fell into the river whilst blackberrying in September of last year. The reason I know nothing about it was that I was away exhibiting in that month. French WiKiP has a tranche on him if you want to look him up.

 The next memorial to be unveiled was to General Lafite - Mayor when most of us got here and admired by all. Smashing chap. Here his widow, aided by Georges, unveil the plaque (by the station, in front of the bus stop opposite the school) A difficult time for the family, remembering and being proud but in the public gaze...

 Heres one I took earlier of Madame Lafite, before she was tearful -

 More ceremonies, more flowers, more taped music - then to the MJC for a glass and a crisp.
Kat and I did the trail together and left the reception early on the grounds that we'd chatted with everyone we wanted to talk to on the walk round the towns' war memorials. Nice day for it and a pleasure to engage with our commune.Thanks go to all for making us so welcome .

today only...

...at the MJC*, an expo called 14-18 with a collection of military stuff that is both fascinating and chilling. It comes from the Musee Militaire in Floure (Impasse des Vignes, tel 0603782207)

Tomorrow being armistace day there are many events in town - a mass at 10.00, wreath laying at the war memorial at 11.15, the dedication of a memorial space to General Michel Lafite, our last mayor-but-one, at 11.30 by the station . At 12.30 there is a glass of wine at the MJC* for all the citizens of Esperaza :)




*AKA The Centre Culturel, next door to the Creperie

circus in town

  Rather a dismal circus has arrived though I haven't visited - it could be truly marvellous, perhaps. Selection of glum animals walking in chained circles outside dosn't make for confidence.


On a cheerier note, the 8a8 is open :) Its like Paris, but cleaner.


Everyone working there now has a 8a8 jerkin with their name written on it. They have a posh new till that is terribly slow (or that no-one can use) so the queues today during the market were a grand opportunity to catch up on the gossip.
There wasn't much though.

the moon this morning

hibernation

Didn't take this pic, stole it from Facebook  - Etienne and Ryan being desperately cute and expressing this time of year rather well.

All our fair-weather friends have flown - Bob leaves today - leaving the hard core francophiles to heat their homes and 'cocoon'.

Still, there is no end to the excitement. The 8 a 8 - our local store and the social hub of the village - is re-opening today after five days of renovations. Off to check it out shortly.

Weather cold, moon full, rabbits outraged by the changes. They are either grumpy or running about trying to keep warm.

tragedy averted.

- I suppose to call a broken camera a tragedy is pushing it, but when my camera gave up the ghost I was gutted. Missed the farewell portrait of Toby and Leo, who have driven off to Amsterdamn. Missed ditto of John, who has flown to England. Missed the full moon over Esperaza.

This gorgeous photo of Kelly sewing last night at Lou's was taken on Andy's phone and emailed to me for blogging.

But today, joy! I was inspired to try a different battery charger. Problem was with the charger, not the camera. Rejoice :)

The Big Rains are passing us by but it is delicately wet here. Damp, really. Getting colder. 

Tea and Stollen

 Andree gave tea to me, Bob and John - not English tea but not bad :)

We went to Quillan for the evening and ate at Marie-Claudes (opposite the station) where she has taken in a pregnant cat and her subsequent five kittens. They live in the resturant, of course. The food there is so very good that there is no chance  of this putting off the health concious.

We were in Quillan to go the cine-club and see Scarlet Johansson in Under the Skin. Loved it massively. Its showing again tonight, if you are about it is highly recommended
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/16/scarlett-johansson-interview-middle-ground-under-the-skin-sodastream

swimming with Toby?

Toby is suggesting a foray to Rennes-les-bains before Thursday, when she leaves; though the pool will stay open until end November (monday-saturday from 14-19 and Sunday 10-19). 

There is another "Open doors" next weekend 8/9 november. You can choose from 3 sort of treatments  for only € 18  and use of the pool is included. 

She adds; Flipside is that the weather will change next week, but we're young and want to have fun.

 

Get in touch if we want to go en masse :) In case you don't know, the pool at Rennes is heated by volcanic geezers and is both warm and very very pleasent. At this time of year there is the added plus that it is not over-used

 

Pic- nic lunch at Annie and Petes mill. They are off again, hither and yon. Alas.
                                                                                    Come back soon

Ryans chin made a surprise appearance. He cut his beard  off to prevent his son tugging at it. Now the ingenious child hangs from his pigtail. So sweet :) as usual, Etienne stole the show.


Below is a snap of the frip in the morning mist; well spooky

Bills Bash

 

Haven't seen Bill from Belviane for an age so was delighted to be asked to dinner last night -  the more so when it became clear that he could cook and had lovely friends:)

Some old chums were there- Di and Stu - and new ones, John and Geraldine, Elizabeth and Scott. With Bob and his brother John - who is staying here with us for a short week - we were a merry crew.

day of the dead again

To the graveyard this morning to chat to the dead... the living fairly good value too. Met the son of General Lafite at his tomb (last mayor but one, much missed) Hes a colonel and has some of his fathers charm :)




Last night to the creperie where Toby had organised a Fete des Vosignes with our neighbours Jeanette and Louis, her neighbour Vincent, Scottish Daves neighbour Anton and missus, near neighbour Josette, not-neighbour Kat and erm I think that was it. Jolly good fun despite my cold (which seems to have gone this morning.)