Slightly dismal Sunday

Windy and wet but still fun, withall... the tribes were out and the social wheels continue to turn.

Not so in Couiza where it seems the Carnotzet has burnt down between Friday and Saturday. We drove past the site going to the vets and noticed stuff happening but I just thought they were rebuilding it out of season. I guess they were!

http://www.lindependant.fr/2016/01/31/a-couiza-le-carnotzet-detruit-par-un-incendie,2149921.php

Forgot to say that Georges our Mayor has replied to a letter I wrote proposing a model for an arts association - Kat and Margaret and I ran into the association in Narbonne and were impressed. Georges also thought the ideas interesting. This is apropos our new arts centre in the old presbytry where the works will be starting in 2017; alas, no-one will be allowed to work in there till the project is completed.

Saturday drama

Dear Lily contrived to be bitten by another dog last night and by this morning has a swollen leg that rendered her unable to walk; she was clearly in pain. So early phone call to the vet and a 9.00am appointment. Which was cancelled when we arrived as the vet was off on an emergency, stitching up a hunt dog that had been gored by a wild boar.

Eventually, at noon, we got seen. Lily had an antibiotic shot and a painkiller shot and enough drugs to keep her cheery for the week. At 100 euros, they'd better be good -

 (The photos are her holiday snaps from Christmas.)

Strikes

Everywhere there are strikes. Taxi drivers are blocking the airport roads to complain about Uber, the computer site that connects you to cheap taxis; in the Loire, agricultural workers are striking because at this time of year theres not much to do and they feel undervalued; the tax office in Couiza is on strike because today was the day I was trying to meet with them. 

Alas, the taxi strikes are causing a lot of violence on the motorways they are blocking - the news shows burning tyres, fisticuffs and riot police.

Here all is quiet. Sunny day. Trees having haircuts. 

Met Robin from St Gobain - he and Jennifer have been on holiday and re-open on Sunday.

No better Monday

Beautiful day - drawing in the MJC (where you are welcome if you fancy yourself with a pencil)* followed by studio work, followed by a glutinous dinner at Margarets, without John who is in Ireland.  Heres Bob, enjoying Margarets company - as did Kat, who is out of shot. 

*Mondays, 10 - 12 am, 1st floor, 5 euros to pay for model, no tuition, bring your own materials.

Esperaza Sunday

 The market was lovely and the weather sunny - forced to take off a jumper - thence to lunch at the Creperie.

I've vowed to stop taking pix of our friends eating and drinking but some exclusions must be made. Andree, for instance - here drinking cider from the traditional bowl -
and here Patrick and Claudinne chat while Crystal and Jean just get snapped. Bob got in last night and very good it is to see him but I forgot to photograph him.




Below for no particular reason is yesterdays sunrise clearing the mist.

freezing mist

How nice, after batting through this mornings freezing fog to feed the hens, to get this photo of Max and Toby, Dick and Andrea swanning about in Surinami.

                                                                                                         Teeth will be ungritted shortly.

The day brightened up and the sun shone later in downtown Esperaza...

Margaret and Kat and I have been in Narbonne which was lovely. Their Art museum is at the top of a tower in the bishops palace, three guards and us - mixed bag of old pictures, none especially top rate but all marvellously engaging. Been stealing ideas from the Neo-Classicists:)

Saturday night and Sunday morning

 Kat, me and Margaret in black and white with a pink tint, taken by the agreeable waiter in the Casino where we went for dinner last night. None of us remembered our passports so couldn't gamble (=you have to  have proof that you are old enough )
And breakfast in the market in the sunshine... here are Barbara and Steve, basking.

entertaining lunch

Yet again, we are all agreed that the Cathar Gormand is a major blessing for Esperaza - Kat, Mike and Hilary, Laura and Tristran, New Kelly and I lunched in style today. It was grey and overcast until there was a hail storm after which it was dark and wet. What nicer  way to break the day than lunch with friends? ---and a mad chef, who is terrific fun:)

Talking of chefs, Ryan has accepted a new job in America as the chef in the biggest poshest gaff in town. Start saving, folks.

Just off to the 3D french version of Star Wars in the MJC - see you there??

tranquille days

Lou gave us cake and tea and wine and a delightful evening, playing together... Heres Kat, drawing Kelly having a reflexology session with Victoria; Andy talking to El and Scottish Dave who are well in Scotland despite the weather - and this mornings' hysterical dawn

End of festivities

Holidays over - weather reflecting the sadness and shock of Bowies death - and the towns decorations are coming down. Apart from that, all well :) -Don't forget on  Friday night, Starwars is on at the Centre Culturel, 4 euros, bring a cushion. Those chairs are like rocks.

Sunday Lunch

 Sunday, and all the tribe were out - here is naughty Claudinne pretending to blow her nose on a pretend 200 euro napkin/note -
She and Jean and New Kelly and I took lunch in the Cathar Gormand -excellent as ever - can't help but share my plat which was stuffed brussels sprouts. Incredible.

At 1.30 the traders had packed up, mostly, but the folk were packing the cafe and the pavements, singing and dancing and making music in the sunshine. Its an enchanting place, this. So sad that Bob had to go yesterday; he misses all the fun.

A piece of cake...

Dear Barbara has again sent one of her fabulous christmas cakes and this year, mindful of the turbulence in many lives, I've iced it as a Peace Cake. That is to say, Kelly did the icing - the drawing was the easy bit.

Here are Ibrahim and Mohammed who are some of the friends we shared it with. Delicious, thanks Barbara :) It was properly appreciated.

Other news; Kat's back in Esperaza, with Roland; New Kelly is back and off with the Ski club. Bob has to go back to work early and leaves tomorrow. :(

Rain never stops play -

The little market this morning, between showers...

Spoke with Ryan and Alecia last night and they're fine, send love, Etienne is on the brink of speech and Ryan has cut his hair off - he's earning proper dosh and astonished me and Bob with tales of 5 lb burgers and 10 1b cinnamon rolls. 

sundays report

The weather is turning - today its wet, yesterday was merely overcast. There's snow in the hills, as this photo from the hill garden shows.

 The market was pretty quiet because everyone is off sking.

Back in the swing

After our very quiet break at the seaside, we are back in the social malestrum that is Esperaza :)



Here Bob is opening the marvellous Blanquette before the lunch he cooked for our friend Lizzie Jackson; below is Dermot preparing nibbles for the apero he and Kate gave for a handful of friends. Delighted to see Pete and Nel, Hilary and Mike, Patrick and others - photos a bit rubbish, alas.

Below that are Keiran and Ann who picked up the pieces and gave us a highly entertaining dinner.
Many thanks to all. Will be resting up this week -

first food of 2016

Lunch, chez nous, with Rushton and Clare. It was great. The party at the Centre Culturel continued till 4.30 this morning, I'm told - I slept the sleep of the just and missed it - but I did meet some befuddled revellers at 7.00am wandering around in the morning fog. When greeted with bonne année in Esperaza the correct response is et bonne santé; this inevitably leads to a full and frank assesment of health issues. Small communities share everything :)