complexities of life

This is the lady from the Vintage shop in Rue Gambetta that I failed to download for the last post because the camera wouldn't let me. (Didn't catch her name, alas)

The reason it has downloaded now is that the camera got dropped in the toilet last night. Today it seems to work.

Not knowing that it works again, I didn't take pictures of lunch - which was with Kat and Bob at Andrees Maison de Retrait  in Limoux. The food was great and being friday was all fish - anchovies with little pots of tomato and garlic and tapenade and toasts: filets de rougets with a bisque sauce and carrots, courgettes and almonds: cheese: fresh fruit salad: coffee - and of course, a carafe of wine each.

We ate the same as all the residents and they all looked well on it :)

No news from Toby but I'm sure all is well. Will report as and when.

Vintage 'r' us

New store in town!!! Very classy, pop in and say Hi. Run by very sweet Brits. Here by chance is a random picture of Kats reflection over someone elses, in their shop window.

Had a smashing apero here the other night with the newly-returned Max and Andrea - they dropped in on their 42cnd wedding anniversary  ("we were born married") - Our new Canadian friends naturally got roped in. Then the Airbnb tenants turned up and were dragged in too. Great night :)

The saga of my photos continues. It has become clear that the computer is at fault.





Accordingly the machine must go to a technician  so any unnatural quietness will be due to missing a computer.

In the meantime, here are snaps of Oswald thinking of hibernating.Heaven knows why they came out and the others were unopenable...

Fin de Siecle

The mornings' definitely have the breath of autumn and last night was the last of the night markets, in theory.
In practice, there'll be one on Saturday night...

last nights' was fun, still crowded but not oppressively so, band fit-for-purpose. Wonderful to see everybody out and about.

Our Canadian friends have moved in, Dylan and Beth and their two daughters who have totally charmed me. Photos when appropriate.

YAEEH dunnit

 using the skills of a very lateral brain, have downloaded a random selection from last night. Had to loose a lot of definition: perhaps no bad thing.
You can see how much fun was had..love this photo of Bieke, above, and I'm not sure who the subjects of the image below are. Interesting snap though

 Here's the rarely-spotted Laura, effervescent and a delight to behold...

 ... and I cant resist this of Louise and Norbert

 Here are Kat and Rose having a laugh and Aileen, back with us after a nasty bout of badbackness

 The boys being serious (Norbert and Ole-Bendick,)and lovely Nel.

Thanks so much to our hosts. It was an unforgettable evening xxxxxxx

Andree blooms

Saw Andree yesterday morning - en forme and sends love to all.

The evening was Bernht and Juttas party which was amazing - apart from the quality of the hosts and the food and drink they provided so generously, the quality of our friends is superb. It was such a treat to be able to sit down and talk together. Guests clustered in the fairy-light-lit garden, the living room, the dining room, all comfortable for the large - 40-odd? happy group.

The summer season is fun but exhausting and things are coming back to earth now, gently and reassuringly.

There are photos that I'm proud of. However; the machine will let me download NOTHING. 

---I only have this picture of Andree because after taking it I tested the printing machine in Leclerc in Limoux and it worked (showing that my photos are  OK, its the computer that is damaged) I scanned the print of Andree and could then post it. Maybe will do the same with the party snaps, tomorrow.

Roland took a picture of the group for Toby; perhaps I can get hold of a copy, please? 

Probably this machine will have to go to be repaired. Sigh.

Didn't therefore photograph the market, not Pete and Clare - Pete en route to hip replacement in London, good luck there and I forgo hiphop jokes-  nor our Canadian guests.

Normal service will be resumed as and when. 

vacances

Despite appearances, Bob and I have been working quite hard on the domestic front so we took yesterday off to get to the mediterranean for a day of reflection and, lets face it, lunch.

Ate at the Restaurant de la Marine at Narbonne Plage - tiny place,  amazing fresh fish, perfect service. Will be trying to do the Moules in Roquefort here though I think the half-pineapple with cumin sauce, holding a selection of fruits de mare is beyond me.

We had planned to lie about on the beach after lunch but it was too hot for us so came home again, refreshed and delighted with our holiday :)

 Back at the ranch I went for a twilight saunter and ran into this amazing cloud over Esperaza. Dunno what it presuaged, strange portents  and that.

TOBYNEWS; Should have said earlier that Tobys surname is what Toby calls 'moontalk' for the French so she is called Antonia - just Antonia -  in the hospital. Thats who to ask for should you be visiting.

Freddie en forme

Todays random selection is... Freddy!!! Here she is at supper the night before last. Blossoming; a family tradition, perhaps. (All the Bowyers grow up good, a tribute to their parenting by Annie and Pete.)

Camera demon still not exorcised so no pix of Beth who ate with us or indeed of Bruno, with whom we lunched yesterday. He's in excellent form. We spoke of the happy days of the Caderonne, where organic food, good music and art were daily occurrences in Esperaza. Sigh.

TOBY UPDATE: The girl is good and has started on re-education. This means she is no longer lounging about in her room but out, being exercised, so if you want to visit best come after 4.00pm.

Monday in Esperaza

 Louise and Andy popped in and saved me from excessive housework... young James also but the nice  photo of him scowling into his little slab of technology won't open. Camera dramas continue to the extent that the photos on this blog are self-selecting.

Same from last night, lots of pix won't open ('catastrophic failure') so here's what we have; Beth, Freddy Bowyers friend from Chicago who is staying with Freddy at the Mill, next to Nel - welcome, Beth! (And Hello Freddie, nice to see you again :))

 -and a glimpse of Pete, Mikes hat, Janets nose, Ian ducking out of frame.. and all of Esperaza having a fine night. The band did good covers and the food was non-gourmande except for the brebis ice-cream. Missed you, Toby. Several other friends have left for strange places - the Scottish Daves' and Max, for example  - which on the one hand made conversation easier but on the other meant less people to converse with.

Summer lingers

 Splendiferous market yesterday....in the sunshine at this time of year, how could it be anything else? Interesting grey stripe on the photo to do with problems downloading stuff. Any bored techies out there will be given a warm welcome and a delicious cup of coffee.

Missed the Fete du Vin on account of being invited to dine with Jamsie at St Ferriol - here's the chateau, imposing as ever -

and here is Bob with Jamsie commencing an enormous multi-coursed meal. A rare chance for the three of us to chat, quelle plaisir. 

And the view.

Marche nocturne tonight, hurrah!

Glamour abounds

 Max and I visited Toby yesterday; the indomitable! 

Bruises that would please a Fauvre artist, apple green, purple, blue, crimson and gold - 

repair work on the leg looks fab  and her spirits are high, despite not being able to leave her bed. One arm in plaster means that her writing skills are impaired but only impaired - Toby is not one to be put down by events. Hats off to her :) She sends love to all and is bored. 

Here's the view from her window...

' The evening saw the opening of Bobs' Aud'e'on, a cinema in the garage he has been putting together for ages. Mary organised last nights event which was perforce private; no association yet, no insurance, etc etc. The UNITE education officer for the NW of England was in Esperaza with the film of The Beast of Bolsover - Dennis Skinner himself - J  had permission to show it and gave us an introductory talk before running the movie... lively debate afterwards, filled with admiration for the man and his commitment to his constituents. Great start to Bobs venture.

It was its first French showing so two premiers last night.

Good Friday

 -excellent Friday, actually. Lunch in St Hilaire, pretty little town where our friend Lizzie lives in splendor. She enjoys cooking:) And chooses particular wines to accompany each course. And has engaging conversation to match.

Late siesta, then rush to Mike and Hilarys house where Louise had arranged to get fish and chips for us all. There is a van outside Quillan sometimes (there is a proper schedule, I just don't know it) where you can order the proper stuff. Louise planned it all - for her, Norbert and Lucy (here for the weekend -) Hilarys son Morgan and his wife Carol plus their two children (ditto), Ann and Keiran,  me and Bob and of course for hosts Mike and Hilary. Organisational skills second to none and better fishnchips than I've had in years.

 It was decided that 13 at dinner wasn't really unlucky and that certainly seemed the case. It was a fun night which I hope will be repeated (hint hint).

TOBY is in Limoux hospital - edging her way home! Visiting hours are 11.30 to 20H.

And the coroner's report on Debs says that she died of a heart attack. Miriam is with Stan now and we can expect to hear about the cremation shortly. Much love to them and wishing Stan a speedy recovery; hope he will be able to walk again soon.

heart heart

Having trouble with the camera - or the computer, dunno - but for some strange reason can access this random snap of a sweet potato turning into a heart.

Only posting to say that there was a mega plus hailstorm in the night - deafening and anything that could leak, did - and today there is a grey and gentle rain. Rather nice after a long hotness.

Diary date; Sunday night is the Fete du Vin at the Relais Occitan. Get your tickets soon from the usual suspects.

Toby continues to grow in health and grace and will be in Limoux, soon. Still no official report of Debs death though plenty unofficial - when the body is released, Stan has said she will be cremated in Trebes. He himself has damaged his ankle and can't walk... hearts to all.

Assumptions

The feast of the Assumption closed France yesterday - except for the cafes and bars, mercifully. Bob and I took breakfast in the Relais Occitan. Because the smokers think that standing fairly close to the door inside isn't smoking inside we had to sit right at the back (can't handle cigarette smoke on account of asthma) Fleche, the bars' dog, was understandably suspicious...

Email from Toby :) Here are extracts...

Hi yes a big shock it was indeed. But they’ve repaired it. Apart from the ribs. That needs time. As i am on eternal holidays thats ok. 

Hate being dependant for a pee or other essentials. And miss out on all the fun. But happy to be alive. 

If you see Mr Posso tell him im ok pls. I will go and see them with big cake and blanquette and prob beer. They did a good job. 

No books needed got my ereader. I'm glad so many people paid tribute to Debs. Would have gone as well. 

Tell Andree not to worry. All is well

To Carcassonne...

... to buy lining fabric for curtains and toys for the parrots.

Fabric shop has closed down and pet shop closed for the holidays till the end of the month.

Sigh.

Good news

Good to have something happy to report.

Older readers will remember Therese Camelin, my first Esperaza friend, taken too soon. Still missed.
Her lovely daughter Sophie came to lunch today to introduce her new partner Frederick to the region and to say hi; the kids Gregoire and Solange stayed with friends elsewhere. Great to catch up and reminisce and to meet Frederick  -

Other good news is that Toby is doing well but will be in hospital for a long while. And the rest of the good news is that there is no bad news to report!

Dangerous days

Nicked this from Els message...

Hi everyone, just to say that Leo Dave and I went in to see Toby last night. She is ok but has a long road of recovery to go. We think it is a bit early for visitors at the moment as she is in intensive care unit. Linked up to every machine. She is quite cheerful but is still in a bit of shock as I am sure you can imagine. It was a really bad smash. Maybe early next week if anybody is thinking about visiting but you could you liaise with Leo first. No flowers allowed, she has her phone and ipad so messages I am sure will be appreciated. Her wrist is in plaster so her reply may be limited. I told her everybody was sending their love. I have directions and visiting times if you want them later on.  

Saw Msr Pozo, boss of the Pompiers, this morning. He asked after Toby as he it was that pulled her out of the car and he was worried for her...she was unable to talk when he got her out and he was was fretting that there was chest/throat damage.
 I asked after the guy who hit her; he has damaged his foot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last night was Stans tribute gig to his wife, Debs Swallow. A curious sense of nostalgia, loss and excellent music. The place was packed; here is a distant image of the man playing the blues.

 Because I couldn't get near, I passed my camera to a (nameless) friend and she returned it with this couple of curious images...

my photography is less mysterious, just plain piss poor. Alas.

Toby alive alleljia

Our farewell dinner with Phil and Carol - here seen tasting each others puddings - was shockingly interrupted by Scottish Dave with the news that Toby had been in a car crash and was in hospital.



Leo said, it was lucky they'd got a new car. The car that drove into her was a write-off and Toby had to be got out of the back window by the firemen - the old car would have killed her.



As it is she has a broken leg, wrist and ribs. She is being operated on this afternoon. SHE IS ALIVE and will soon be well :) Much love to her.

Lunch in the rain

 Rain drove us under the sunshade, where we got happily dripped on - what a relief :) Grey skies, wind and rain have rarely been more welcomed.

We had planned a buffet lunch for Di and Terry and Peter and Clare and Clares niece and nephew, plus Kelly and ourselves. Then Max arrived in town and was speedily dragged in, followed my my cousin Caroline and her husband Simon who were passing through on their way to the high mountains - what good fortune, that these people who are strangers to one another should have met and enjoyed each others company.
 It was wonderful.

Clare and Simon

 Ive changed all the settings on my camera expecting better quality snaps. Turns put the problem isn't my camera. Sigh.

breakfast, lunch and rum

 The best breakfast!!Norbert and Louise gave Kat, Bernht and Jutta, me and Bob a breakfast to remember - homemade banana bread and cinnamon swirls and fruit salad and coffee ( I'm hungry again just thinking of it). And it was held at their house up Mont Marot so the views of Esperaza are spectacular.

Temperatures are mercifully lower and the gentle breeze is back which made it a perfect day to introduce my very old friends Roger and Karen to the village. Karen refuses to face the camera, fiercely, so here is Roger - lots of chattering and catching up and debate about future projects.

Still got a couple of entertaining family guests here - Bobs brother an his nephews' wifes' mother - they spent the day in Collioure and our evening was a tranquil event of toast and pate and rum.

Don' t forget Stans gig on Friday at the Cafe de Fa - a tribute to Debs. The cause of her death is still unknown. Forensics still at it, according to the local paper.