The market was less packed than usual, perhaps on account of the major rise in Covid-19 cases announced in France -- though we in the Aude seem to be (mysteriously) clear.
I had a great early-morning rummage in the fripperie with New Kelly who is inspirational re; clothes. Here she is, forever out-of-focus...
Also forgot to snap our Gracie who came round with our new friend Robin.
Here is Esperazas heron, before the sun got going.
Clare and Fran took pity on our isolatedness and invited us to dinner... blessings on them, wonderful night.
and below is the house of Gert and Elsbeth... missing you guys :(
Appointment made with Dr Lemarque for 11.00.
Bob drove us there and sat in the car while I assumed the translators hat. Turned out the good doctor can speak beautiful English, though he didn't want to; we only found out when he sniggered at some English remark we made. He diagnosed kidney stones plus infection and sent us off to the Clinique Montreal in Carcassonne as an emergency.
At the emergency department they took Phils mobile off him and whisked him away.
Bob sat in the car and I sat in the waiting room. For four hours. The wait was enlivened by two little boys aged four and six, whose mother, carried in on a stretcher, was having an abscess dealt with. They were with their grandmother who had no experience of children and resorted to her rosary - the alternative to pulling their hair, it seemed. All most peculiar. I don't like children per se but found myself identifying with them - we drew and played word games ('Moi j'espionne avec mon petit oeil'; they didn't get it though they laughed a lot) The family lived in Bordeaux and were on holiday in Carcassonne. Due to the mothers excruciating pain had done no sightseeing so far.
How we all cheered when she walked out of the emergency ward!
When Phil also tottered out later with a doctor in tow, the news was hardly shattering. He's got kidney stones and an infection. Also he got a sizable prescription. And instructions to get it dealt with on his return to Perfidious Albion.
He feels fine today after a good nights sleep. Started the course of antibiotics. More anon, no doubt.
Very hot again today. Not budging.
And behold, the blur! New Kelly back in town and muttering dark things about never going back.
Only fly in the ointment was that Phil isn't en forme - he's taken to his bed and missed the evening completely. BTW he tested negative for Covid 19 before coming here...
-and here is this morning sunrise chasing away the clouds. It's hot already here which bodes well for tonights market; what to wear???
Sun breaking through now. All will be well for tomorrows night market, the only social life most of us have nowadays. Sigh.
Lizzie Jackson overnighted - our first visitor since before lockdown. Then Phil, one of Bobs brothers, arrived here for a while. And then Angela arrived! We lunched at the creperie, outside and round the back of the dinosaur museum.
Angela has now left, seen here at Carcassonne station beginning the long voyage to quarantine.
No other visitors in sight for a long time. Weird and sad but really easy on the laundry!
Finding we were in Caca to take Angela to the station and at lunchtime, well --- fave gross out Wok Land beckoned. It would have been rude not to respond. No oysters today but plenty of other treats. (fat smile)
Below is a random snap from the night market featuring Lizzie, Jamsie, Susan and Sheila - as you can see, masking and social distancing was observed, ahem. The local police did patrol the perimeter and no-one was allowed in without a mask which at least showed willing.
Phil, Bobs younger brother, is on his way - expected today or tomorrow. He is driving from the midlands in a 2CV called Rachel. He may well need to rest up when he arrives - I'm off to make a bed up :)
Gave lunch yesterday to Richard and Alison and regret the lack of evidence - forgot photos - gave them a tagine and salad, cheese and plumb crisp with many wines. It was good and wonderful to catch up with them and the news of their kids. Known them all forever and now find that Richard has become German, one of his sons is French and another Australian. Is this usual among our friends as the Brexit boat continues to sink?
Todays open studio got snapped though...
Bob took me to lunch at the new creperie afterwards. Nightingale was back in harness with two others... Kevin was turning people away by the time we left, a full house and a packed terrace. Saw Georges, our ex-mayor, en route - begged him to come back. He too is distressed at seeing four years work overturned.
The only other news I missed though being at the Atelier Ouverte.. . it seems there were a group of malcontents in the market complaining about the wearing of masks. Since they were watched by the police and since the police are empowered to impose fines from tomorrow, when mask wearing everywhere is obligatory, we await developments!
Saw a stunning meteorite from my bedroom window a couple of nights ago so got dressed to go out and look at the stars. Which is how I discovered that the new mayor is keeping the street lights on all night. Disastrous for the star-struck.
Diary date; Atelier Ouverte on Sunday, 10 - 12, at the garage next to La Casa. Masks obligatory. Want to see my new work out of the actual studio. All welcome!
Said goodbye to dear Bruno yesterday - will miss his erudition.
Hot here; waiting on the promised storms.
and introducing Gracies brother David, here on a quick visit from sea management. The only man I've met - to my knowledge - who has pictures of sea slugs on his mobile.
(there would be a photo here but this new blogger makes shifting stuff impossible - hate these changes, anyone know how we can return to old format????)
Below is Lucy, also visiting our Gracie - and below again, Bruno - who spent the day with us. We lunched at the creperie on tables outside by the dinosaur museum. There was a pleasant breeze which died down later, leaving us all baking hot.
Driving home was exciting. Just outside Esperaza at about 10.30, we were pulled by the police who had Bob blow into a breath tester. Most disappointing for them... the most alcohol Bob has drunk in two decades was an ill-advised rhum baba three years ago.
Last nights night market was distinguished by the entertainment being karaoke and very entertaining it was too - and by the fact that the moules frites man wasn't there, throwing 'my' table into a spiral of chaos and despair. 
Sunday, though a usual frisky market day, was mercifully overcast and the temp dropped 10 degrees or so - phew. Walked up to the garden at Mont Marot. It needs attention but the view remains.
