Fridays inertia

 Early morning, before the horrors of the heat; fountain cut off but poubelle back. Then - glory - no heat, but  a stonking storm. The town rejoices.

Gillie is looking splendid with the end of a black eye and a marvellous cheekbone. There is some pain involved, alas, and food is mostly sucked.

Should have snapped but (unusually) overcome with delicacy. 

Limoux night market

 Having failed to meet with Lizzie Jackson at the Esperaza night market, we went to meet with her at the Limoux version. Here she is; we ate at the Grand Cafe, where Phillipe Cross is exhibiting his paintings....

No surprises at the market but all very charming and calm after the heat of the day (which is milder than of late)- and we thoroughly enjoyed our first night out for ages and ages -

C'est la vie

Yesterdays overcast morning, really quite chilly - thank goodness - so off with Dougie and Regina to the Rushtons for lunch and to test their pool. Both were excellent. Though John often naughty.

He did a concoction of barbequed watermelon slices in a dressing, topped with grilled langoustine and served with scattered fetta. Most good, very unexpected.

It rained! Slightly, with a fresh wind, so we decided that the night market would be cancelled and made appropriate arrangements. 

                    It was not cancelled. Blew that then. But enough fun for the day... 

and in the evening Andy and Lou and James popped round. Looking glam and gorgeous and I was overcome and forgot to snap them. Next time. 

Today is fresh and cool too, brisk wind; all very pleased to be out of the heatwave.

Day away

Terrace view of sunflowers and mountains

Richard, Alison and MacD

 What better way to get through this interminable chaleur than to spend it with old friends round their swimming pool - and wouldn't you know it, that chosen day was the coolest for weeks. Today is already a scorcher. 

Rays birthday

 Ray is but a boy of 70 and shared his birthday with a select group last night - at Comme a la Maison (39 Ave de Carcassonne, seriously recommended.) Here he is, sorting clever camera...

Comme a la Maison have a little marquee in their garden where we feasted, blessedly moderately cool  - much blanquette flowed and the food was superb. They use only locally grown organic stuff. The salad which started the event was the best! Then it all got a bit hazy, to be honest. Though Ray made several of his famous cakes. Here are some random snaps :

Val

Derek

Fiona (Friend of Sallys, will be visiting again)

Rays speech - in two languages, with two meanings - one thanked the French friends for everything and the other leapt into the shambles that we call the British government :)

And last but not least, beautiful Sheila who has partnered Ray for these long years, wife and mother of his children; and last night not obliged to do the washing up :) 

Was struck - not for the first time - by the calibre and intelligence of our many friends. Should have lined them up and done a group shot as I missed photographing so many. 

Water walking

Here is me walking on the Aude last night, trying to get cool - failing - and Tango eating a sunflower.

Not a lot happening. I missed the fete du vin on account of the heat but it looked good as I strolled past, hunting for a breeze.

I've got geckos in my bedroom :)
 

And they're off.

Here are El and Dave just before leaving us for ever at the entrance of their historic home. Ex-home. The purchasers have already moved in. Toby took the picture as she waved them goodbye.

But life must go on :) Here we are at the Modern et Pigeon, a favourite and superbe resturant in Limoux. Haven't been there for years because we're too poor but sweet Lizzie Jackson took us out yesterday and we had a tremendous blast. Oh la.

I always attract smokers even in posh places. So grim for asthmatics. Trying hard to be forgiving 

cough cough.

 Notwithstanding, a magical time.

Good news; young Mr Harris, Phil, has made it back -  having driven from Nottinghamshire in hideous heat.

The bad news concerns Gillie, who has taken a tumble and is in hospital ; broken jaw, teeth, black eye. No doubt the community will cluster round, especially as Alan has to be cared for - so more on this later. 

It's cooler here, almost tolerable, with a playful breeze. Phew. Longing for rain. 
 

Mondays report

 Last nights market was made possible by cool breezes... thoroughly enjoyed it. Tribe out in force, nosh available if not haute cuisine, band played at least not too loudly. 

Ziggy

Rarely spotted Dave, back briefly -

Father Matthews and young Ian

Farewell again...

 ...to the Scottish Daves. It seems that they are really going; hard to believe after all these years. Dave made a nice farewell speech and I for one remembered many previous parties and shenanigans at their lovely home. Here are some random snaps;

Bernadette, who lived many years in the house the S.D.'s have sold - to people she knows and likes.

Daves speech was much heckled - if he was so happy here why is he going, kind of thing - 

So, despite the fact we'll almost certainly meet again, this is goodbye. Until we meet again. :)

Folkies of the Aude

 Among our many blessings in Esperaza are Alex and James... Alex posted this on Fb and I haven't hesitated to steal it to share with y'all. Book now!

..... I wanted to let you know that due to events beyond my control my 'Islander' gig at Cafe d'Alaigne (24th July) has been CANCELLED - however I have decided to go ahead with it anyway and have the event at home in our lovely garden on the banks of the River Aude. This is your invitation to my pre-tour concert! The new date is now SUNDAY 7th AUGUST at 14h30 (gate opens at 2pm). There will be a wine bar (5 euros donation with free top up) and you may bring your own picnic and drinks. The programme will include songs from my current folk ballads album 'Turning the Tide' and some of my own songs from my new album due out mid August (So there will be a chance to pre-order). It would be wonderful to see you and celebrate my music with you. There are limited spaces, so if you would like to join me for a relaxing summers afternoon in the garden - please reserve your places at islanderfolk@gmail.com. www.islanderfolk.com

Missing....

 

A burst of ill-health caused me to miss Katerines birthday party yesterday, but I filched this birthday portrait from this mornings mail - thanks (I think) to John of Janet and - lovely pic. Seems I missed a delightful soiree, dammit.

Got up from my bed of pain this morning to see how I was - not good, is the short response - but clocked Erika dressed to storm the Bastille in the 8a8. She's open till 12.00 today, and I'm back to bed.

Hottttt

 Yesterday a scorcher. It was too hot for me to get to the night market, though judging from the noise drifting over the river others were hardier:) Today we are braced for the same.

Above is the river just after sunrise when its cool enough to walk. Still verdant there though the mighty Aude is very low. 

Take care y'all. I plan to spend the afternoon in the bath with a whodunnit.

The garden of earthly delights

 The Captain has been working hard on the courtyard and yesterday invited Filip and Lorne and their family to take apero there, despite the heat. It was just lovely. 

No pix of Filip, the competition was too strong :) Really good to talk with the daughters who are doing amazing work in the real world. 

Esperaza hosted a literary event at the MJC, where many many writers and artists had stalls in the hall and in the garden, under the trees. No idea there were so many talented writers in the region. 

It being Sunday yesterday, the market was in operation though my visit was brief - it was baking.  Here we continue the fight with the mosquitos.

Farewell to Trisha

 Pity I forgot the photos last night - Margaret was in a rich Kline blue, John in horizontal stripes and Katerine in vertical ones, would have photographed well. Nice evening anyway.

Other news, the sad first. Remember Trish? We who knew her won't forget. Here she is, terrifying Mike, in the kitchen of la Maison du Chapeliers a long time ago. She is Louises mum and alas, has died. She had motor neurone disease so her sufferings are ended. She leaves memories of her amazing vivacity and naughtiness and indomitable spirit. Much love to the family. 

This is the weekend of Feria, where the town parties on the banks of the Aude. Bulls and paddling pools are involved and a deal of that bom bom bom music, which for the last two nights has carried on till the early hours. It's ongoing. 

Claudine is back from Toulouse, in great form; we had coffee at the PMU on Friday and here's a photo to prove it.

She has alerted me to the possibility of renewed Gillet Jeunes actions this week and to the possibility of a general strike. Nothing on the mainstream news but maybe they only report after the event. So if you are travelling, leave lots of time as the roundabouts at Limoux and Carcassonne, en route to the airport, may (or may not) be affected.

This is attached to the Maire. I guess we should all go, despite the Bastille Day message being mixed. No doubt it has a new narrative  - another reason for attending - to find out what it is :)

More news; the little health food store in the square, run by volunteers, will stay open on Friday nights so people with jobs can have access. Nice  of them. 

It's hot here and the mistral has been blowing which means any open windows and doors will be banging. Today seems calm though; just very very hot. Off to market now - and to check out the bulls. Maybe.

calm evening

 Rather pleased with this Aude sunset last night. The calm cool of the evening is a pleasure, for sure. Erm, thats it really....

Independence Day

 Had a lovely birthday yesterday, lunch at The Pont - always good - with Richard and Alison, old chums from my extreme youth - and of course the night market in the evening.

The market is a great success, all the village were there and food ran out fairly quickly - note, get there earlier next week. Very touched at how many people remember the 4th is my birthday and delighted with the large number of bottles of wine and chocolates I was given. Getting to be one fat drunk...

Goodbye again

I came across all arty last night - an excess of blanquette at lunch, no doubt - so Janet took my camera and did good photos, see below (thanks Janet) Though I do like my pic of Dave, above -

Heres another Max photo - he made a very moving goodbye speech which we'll all remember, sniff.

 

The first farewell

 Our friends are packing up - basically Brexshit - and life will never be the same without them. 

Max and Andy are off  next week and Dave and El shortly afterwards...

Here's Max with El and Bob and below are Scottish Dave and Andy.

And the next farewell is tonight :)