Gill and Bev back in the frame, soon

Lifted this from facebook... which may have something to do with the eccentric layout ...

Gill and Bev write that

After consultation with the mayor of Espéraza we have been given the go-ahead to open the store as we sell fabric to make masks and are now classed as an essential business. From next week we will have limited trading hours with strict safety guidelines.

From 4th May we will open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 14.00 to 18.00. After the 11th May, if the lockdown is relaxed in the Aude, we will review these hours, especially if the Sunday market resumes trading.

For those preferring to shop alone we can also open by appointment at other times, just send us a message through Facebook and we can organise it for you.

Customers with paint orders will be able to collect from the shop or we can deliver as previously arranged.

Please note, we have stock of 100% cotton quilting fabric suitable for making masks but unfortunately are unable to supply elastic, however we have bias binding which can be made into ties. Kits will also be available.

Covid-19 Safety Guidelines

Limit of 3 customers in the shop and social distancing must be observed, wearing of masks would be appreciated. We will have fabric masks available for a donation to charity (CSF and SPA Carcassonne)

Non contact cards preferred for payment but cash also accepted.

Door handles, the counter and any other surfaces will be disinfected regularly. The toilet will not be available for clients.

We look forward to welcoming our lovely customers at La Vie Vintage for our range of decorative paints ( chalk paint, lime wash, wall paint, wood and metal paints, varnishes and waxes), brushes, quilting and vintage fabrics, haberdashery and embroidery supplies, painted pieces, hand made gifts and cards and brocante.

See you soon

Gill and Bev

La Vie Vintage

2 Rue Gambetta

11260 Esperaza

Legitimate journey

Behold, Quillans new town hall - which is entirely given over to the production of  fabric face masks. Pretty, comfortable, reusable, in two sizes, one euro a pop. How sensible is that??? Claudine took me there yesterday.
--They'd run out.
We are going back again today.

Lovely to sit in the back of her car and chatter and see the green world.

RIP Jacqui Bosch

Shocked that Jacqui has died. She was young, for one thing - for another she had seemed to be overcoming the cancer that had alighted on her. She was born in Zurich and was treated in Switzerland, coming to Esperaza and Rovenac to rest between treatments.
She had been at many events here over a decade plus, but I can't find a single photo of her. Will post later if one turns up. Can see her so clearly, impossible that she is unpixelated...

Her companion Irene says that Jacqui was the most important person in her life; that she was brave and funny and ''sweeter than cherry-pie' .

There is no funeral or ceremony due to the lock-down. I had hoped to say goodbye to her at the funeral home in Luc sur Aude before she was moved to  to the crematorium at Trebes but today it seems that only Irene may attend.

She was taller than me but we had roughly the same build so when she got bored with the clothes she made she often passed them on. I treasure especially a full-length dark green velvet skirt, skillfully constructed to gloss over the spare tires. She said when she wore it she felt like a bandit princess. An image to treasure.

Jacqui was a brilliant cook! Lemon cakes for parties, clever pasty things with asparagus and so on - delicate and delicious. For a while she lived in our house in Rue des Jardins and our lives got intertwined; people often say to me that I should write the stories of the Esperazanaise and if I'm spared I might do just that. She'll need a big chapter. Her life was not an easy one and she was puzzled by many things that touched her, never being quite of this world. Her loss is a terrible grief to many but especially, profoundly, to Irene - to whom much love.

Post haste

 Look, the post office is opening today! Haven't checked yet. The little post boxes carry this message, saying not to post letters there but to go to the box by the post office.

 Yesterday we lunched on crepes at the creperie, in spirit - carried the crepes home in cardboard boxes -  merci a Kevin, yummy as ever.
And here is all the fun from the dinosaur museum.

Friday night we ate  haddock and chips from the Quillan end of town. It could be that I've forgotten everything but they seemed at the time the very best I'd ever eaten. 

Not sure how reliable I am though. The Netflix nonsense we watch of an evening is beginning to seem rather good.

Got caught in the mega downpour last night. Managed to walk up the old route to the Visigoth Tower in Fa, loved it so much; mad flowers, scents, birdsong; so when the rain started spotting I ignored it  until it was unignorable. Then I sat in the bus shelter by the railway line and texted Bob. Who didn't get it or my phone message but noticed I wasn't at home and rang me, bless him. So the last part of the walk was in warmth and steaming dryness.

Big Mouth

Me and my Big Mouth. No sooner do I write that there is no virus in town when the missive from the mayor arrives; 3 dead and I suspicious illness, in quarantine. It's in the commune,Georges writes - we should all wear masks. Further, he has ordered 2000 washable ones for distribution to the population.

Nice photo here from Louise, who caught the pretty beasties going past her house -

and below, lovely Clare! Who came past this morning, suitably protected and distanced, to collect essential equipment.. She and Pete continue to flourish.

Have also seen Gillie, who is back after a couple of ops for her newly-diagnosed malady. Despite all that, she looked alert and vital and much like herself. Wish I'd thought to snap her.

AND the geckos are back! Watched them on Tobys wall last night as I fell asleep.

Virtual hugs all round, darlings...

sporadic sun

 Yesterday; looking up!

and this little chap was watching me with intelligent fascination - guessing I'm the first human it has seen this season. 

The realisation that the municipal workers are back in harness has its downsides; the noise of strimmers. Peace is over, sigh.

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place to mention the health of our friends but I'm going to anyway... Lorraine is in hospital getting her hip mended after her fall (off the sofa), a long and frustrating time for her. Wonderful that the hospital has stuck to their appointment - and come back dancing, soon, Lorraine :)
Another mate from Esperaza is in hospital at the same time in a different department - hugs go to her too xxxx
The good news is that no Covid19 is in the news here. Be careful, y'all.

Ho hum

Yesterdays river... much like todays. It flows fast and furious but isn't getting bigger. Sympathies to our friends in the UK who are not getting enough rain. Ha.

Jig saw is a worry. I'm new to this game and its taken from the start of confinement to get this far; unless I'm careful it'll be done in a couple of evenings.  Assuming there are three-odd weeks to go, can I bear to start a new one - and if not, what to do as Netflix washes over me? 

Municipal workers are going back to work. This bodes well for those of us missing our little liberties.

Yesterdays warning

Hey ho. Now on yellow alert for flooding... Haven't been out yet on account of it's raining; imagine the warning is still in place.

 Despite the rain it was a lovely evening, full of those perfumed smells that waft about at this time of year. And look who I met on the stroll! Kat and Roland, alive and well if damp.

And a horse. Not snow on his flank but blossom. Nice beastie.

Here and there

The mighty River Aude is up a bit this morning after a couple of days of gentle rain -remembering when it rose to the top of the double arch, we are not bovvered.  Though a deal of it is coming through my roof...

and in the meantime in sunny London New Kelly is coping with the lockdown, cooking for a housemates birthday event. 

Invisible demons

Pleased with this image - :) It is of a figure in the window of  le Musee des Dinosaures, reflecting the old station. 

Only other news fit to publish is that there's a death in the town; an 80-yr old lady, who will be buried tomorrow. Numbers will be restricted to the family and they must observe des restrictions sanitaires gouvernementales. Not a good time to die.

--Very shaken today by the news that (another) UK mate has the illness. He has posted his symptoms and they are frankly horrific. Take care, everybody!  It is serious.

All the excitements

Here's Mike the other morning... in fine form. He carried news. The bit that concerns us here is that a friend who has left his car at the airport where he normally keeps it, as a frequent flyer, has a parking bill. Pointing out that he can't fly in and move the thing he was told, tough. Or words to that effect. Hope none of our other friends are in a similar position - seems terribly mean.

The other excitement is that the artichokes are ready! I was prepping some today and Tango helped. 

It's a full life.

Bit late perhaps

 Possibly a little late to let the Esperazannaises know that Amaranthe is open this morning... thanks to Diana for the info. Bumped into her - shes well - as I was bustling about, ditto Clare who is also well and says that Peter is too - (she brought Lilac and garden produce, for which mille mercis) Then managed a brief conversation with Richard and Eva, below... its hard to talk anything abstract when you are shouting up to a terrace. There is no gossip. Still, it's a pleasure to interact with humans, other than Bob of course. He's well too, thanks to Norbert who got him out of a hole with a flat tire drama.

No news is good news. Stay well, everyone - enjoy the spring.

Last night...

...was better than tonight, which is wet. Albeit gentle and polite rain which feels nourishing and pleasant but isn't visually thrilling.

 The deserted Petanque court; the pretty bridge, with no cars parked; and new Kellys house. Scene of many thrilling culinary triumphs. And with luck many more to come.

This is our fourth week.
Just sayin'.

Easter Saturday on these mean streets

It's all well and good for the govt to give us an hour our for shopping and whatever, but each store has a queue and the streets have a fairly full complement of people wondering which queue to join next. Many people have to be chatted with, it's only polite. Everyone, mostly,  in masks now. So it has taken all morning for me to buy the winning lottery ticket for tonight, collect a kilo of lamb and track down a cantal vieux at Verdiers.

Doctor Coue was in Verdiers, looking hale though hard to tell with a mask on - seemed cheery. Good to know that our health specialists are not ill.

Passed St Gobains en route to Verdiers and was unable to not reflect on what many wonderful and occasionally bizarre times we've all had there - and Kate and Dermots, next to Tim and Yvonnes; both couples moved out of Esperaza now. Impossible to forget - however hard one might try - the party at T and Y's which featured the hunt. And Yvonnes crumpets. And Kates Cake. And on and on... 

Its all happening in Esperaza

Spring has made that leap that spring makes and suddenly the air is full of perfumes and colour is everywhere... pity blogs cant do scratch 'n'sniff.

and I know I said I was done with pilgrimages but I can't help passing friends houses and reflecting; here I'm missing the Dutch and the Scots -

I've heard from many of our friends and no-one seems to have gone mad yet.

Stats, snow, slight sadness

https://www.lindependant.fr/2020/04/07/coronavirus-la-situation-au-7-avril-9-deces-de-plus-en-region-dont-1-dans-les-p-o-et-laude,8837094.php#xtor=EPR-2-[newsletter]-20200408-[classique]

Not sure if the above link will work in this format but it shows the virus stats for this region - it would seem that we are doing well but then we are underpopulated and there are not that many of us to kill off.

here's Andy --- clearly not in the Aude at the moment -

Andy and the snow rabbits

And here's  the house of Gert and Elsbeth which I passed on last nights walk. I'm going to have to stop these pilgrimages, it makes me too sad. We often spent Easter there and ate lamb.

Thinking of this I went to Chez Charlie and tried to order a leg; how many for, son-of-Charlie asked. Just me and Bob, obviously. FAR too big, I was told. But we would have it cold and in pies and make it last... no, no, you can have a kilo. Collect Saturday.

Wonder how much chocolate I'II be allowed at Serranos the bakers.

Who's that masked man??

 The Captain is coping well, obviously. 
Here is the moon out early a couple of evenings ago, by the footbridge...

Good news at last; love Rolfs bread?  missing it since the market has closed? Now you can order it and it will be delivered to Esperaza. Picked up my first loaf yesterday and am feeling a lot more relaxed about this lockdown today.

text Rolf on 0676753028 or if you are in Esperaza text Helen on 0609479440

For my ramble yesterday decided I would visit the homes of past glories and remember what it was like to have irresponsible fraternising. First call was to the Matthews happy home; empty but chokka with memories. Love to them and y'all.

Oswald RIP

Of course this is a terrible time for everyone, far and near - of course tragedy is striking many lives all round the world. It seems somewhat obscene to make a fuss about a tortoise.

But we loved Oswald!

She came to us in February 2012 when her real owner, Jim B., went off travelling. She came for a holiday and stayed for a decade.

Jim had her as a gift when he was eleven years old, 50 plus years ago. Not sure how old she was then.  He liked the name without knowing she was female.

She fitted in so well here. If you put Oswald into the search bit on the top of the page, (and that of the previous blog, tilling-sur-aude) you will find her chasing hens, fighting rabbits, stalking fledglings... she was affectionate and curious and thoughtful. A delight. We are missing  her dreadfully.

The picture shows her coming out of hibernation in January. We put her back and she broke out, regularly, until the real spring when she came no more. The last time I saw her live was by moonlight, happening across her as she stumped across the courtyard to her nest. She was of an age, for sure, but I'm apportioning global warming some blame.

---Commiserations to Jim.

Hosanna indeed

Second week of NO MARKET. That means we have been three week into isolation. Here is the church bravely asserting that it is palm Sunday -

The local police were out this morning. The news on the TV says that the wearing of masks will be obligatory so I asked them where we can get masks. There arent any, it seems. Keep watching the pharmacies, they advise. Lala.

The captain and I ate at Le Creperie yesterday - ring 0468 74 16 06 and Kevin takes your order. At a pre-arranged time you go to the back door, the entrance by the picnic tables outside the dinosaur museum ring the bell (hard) and your meal appears out of the window. In a box. Brilliant.

It seems the trick in these days is to pepper them with treats.

On which topic, Serranos (our award-winning bakery) are doing an amazing little cake called a Napoleon, for reasons that Mde Serrano has forgotten. It's caramel and chocolate with walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios and marzipan. Possibly other things too. Note to self; get more and check.

Getting tedious

 Louise remarked - virtually - that its getting tedious and so it is. We are in the best place with all we need but but .but ... wherever you are you'll be in the same boat and know what I mean.

Here's the river yesterday. The rule says you can stay out for one hour and not go more than one kilometer from home which is a challenge . Stayed overtime yesterday because I didn't think to check and I've no idea how far a kilometer is - ran into Sheila and her dogs and she thought the rec was over a kilometer away. Hope not.

Don't know if ignorance is a defense but yesterday on the walk a car of gendarmes slowed down next to me on an otherwise empty road. I reached to my bag for my paperwork whilst grinning happily (not knowing I'd overrun) - they just burned off.

Chatted with Max last night; he is as irrepressible as ever. Snowbound!!

Here there is sun and the prospect of high temperatures for the weekend. No Toques et Clochers. Yet. 

Sunshine and wind

Tango is getting good at  Jigsaws.

Eagle-eyed Kat spotted this is l'Independent yesterday;

Since March 31, twelve Covid-19 centers are now operational throughout the department. You are reminded that you should only go to these sites by appointment, after calling your doctor.

"These centers are secure at the infectious level. You should not go there without an appointment, which will be given by the attending physician after a teleconsultation during which he will determine if the patient should go there", insists doctor Bruno Gay , general practitioner in Trèbes.

There are now twelve of them in Aude, for a network across the whole department: Carcassonne, Narbonne, Limoux and Castelnaudary are concerned, but smaller cities are also endowed with them, such as Leuc, Espéraza or Caunes-Minervois.

Thanks Kat - good to know we are being catered for.

Just stuck my head into the impasse and note that the sun is out; there is a brisk wind; the mountain is dotted with walkers; there is a deal of traffic. 

The radio said that the gendarmes in their thousands will be stopping cars to check on the drivers legitimacy and there are stories of people talking rubbish out and being fined for not carrying their paperwork. 

-----You have been warned.

Thursday

The TV news showed markets re-opening so I galloped to the square where our little Thursday market wasn't. But Amarynthe the health food co-op was open and was as ever - no masks (well, one) no gloves and packed - as was the 8 a 8. Light feeling in the air people. People seem relaxed. 

Possibly too relaxed.

Many commiserations to Bernht and Jutta, whose sweet old dog has gone to the immortal playground in the sky. Hugs to them xxx

early orchid

An early bee orchid - they are out in the rec which yesterday was deserted as well it might be at this lockdown time.

Beginning to feel guilty for taking my hours walk a day but since its rare to meet anyone I suppose its OK.

Here when someone dies there is a notice outside the town hall and a book of condolences for people to write to the family. Yesterday for the first time I saw a death - it didn't specify what  caused the death but the gentleman was 88, quite young for these parts. Why I mention it is because there was no book to sign but a phone number to ring to contact the family direct - and the information that the funeral will be held AFTER this time of isolation.

Guessing that there's a storage facility  somewhere to manage this -

On a merrier note, all seems well with us and ours. Gert has been in touch - he and Elsbeth are isolated in Copenhagen and coping. They have access to their boat which can't hurt - they send love.

Stay well, y'all xxx