Sunshine in Carcassonne

 Miserable day here so took the 1euro bus to Carcassonne where the sun shone - at the bus stop noticed the town panel (below) where the surveillance camera is watching us all and Tita and team are giving away excess garden produce. Collect in Rue des Jardins, opposite the old campsite. Such a good idea :)

Carcassonne is getting its xmas frock on, rather a good time to visit - before it gets insane, hohoho. Station in chaos due to accident, not sure if its last weeks accident or a new one, but lots of trains replaced by buses, aided by an army of security who though nice didn't seem to know what was happening. Good day for hanging out though, I enjoyed it - our Esperaza bus wasn't touched by the disruptions and the drive home in the last of the daylight was just beautiful. Really must get out more.

Weekend activities

 Rammed at the Chapaire last night - luckily, I'd reserved a table for me and Bob to be able to say goodbye to Margaret, who is off again...

Here she is, pondering a political argument with the Captain. 

Great evening; amazed at the quality of the nosh and the value and the ambiance and everything really.

Todays market was about 1/3rd down on its usual activities and clientele, which was most agreeable. There was a sun of sorts and there was room to stop and chatter with friends.  Much music was being made.

Ulysses wanders off * Vide Maison cancelled

 

Extremely fun farewell evening dedicated to Ulysses Borgia at Le Jardin d'Ines last night, enlivened by his singing - hope the other diners didn't mind but he is rather good. Another fine meal, lumps of beef on a stick for me, canard for Ulysses. 

He's off to Rome today, via various interesting stops.

 Bob joined in our earlier conversation though he missed the singing :)

Finally stopped raining here, hints of sunshine. Lovely season really. 

LATER 

Wrote too soon. It's raining again.

STOP PRESS

Sundays Vide Maison at Jims is cancelled! Alas...

Our Kat is French

Here's Kat becoming a chat - not allowed the female of cat because it's quite rude in French.  Roland sent these pix...its taken three years and many dossiers, an exam and the rest so celebrations really in order. Here are some of the other successful applicants from the Aude, including a nun - a Franciscan at a guess, one of my favourite orders. 

Mandy is there too, behind Kat, and presumably Lionel somewhere.

When they all got back to Esperaza there was an apero at Jean-Lucs bar where much singing and general noise occurred, followed by dinner for the intimates at le Chapaire.

BEST Moussaka

Nel and Pete with the Tricolour - and Toby -

La Fille de Jour

 Unforgettable evening. Thanks to everyone and especially Roland who did all the hosting. 

The writing on the wall

 Took this calligraphic note on Sunday morning en route to the market - rain began in the afternoon, much needed of course but time for a break now.

Claudine and I ate at Le Healthy last night and my photos are rubbish but an excellent night, again!

NOTE: Vide Maison 27th Nov at 12 Rue Gerard Sudre, from 11 am -15H. Jims old house: Kate is clearing it out. More books!! See you there.

Healthiness

Le Capt and I hove to Healthy Lifes new gaff last night to test drive and were delighted. There was a birthday party for a 5-year-old going on under one of the tables so the floor show was charmingly entertaining, and though there was no choice on the new menu (lamb, then panna cotta with caramel) it was what we would have ordered anyway, probably. And they still have their burger menu in place. 

A couple of mates were there to enliven us... we'll be back :)

 

Friends in Esperaza

 Claudinne continues to grow in grace and beauty - here she is at coffee yesterday -

and here are Anne and Kiran who joined us for an apero last night, lightening our lives no end :) 

Today, we have the most beautiful weather. Apart from the fallen leaves it could be a high summers day (in England).  

Dining with the Dutch

 

Passed the camera around last night so I am not to blame... here's Roland, snapped I think by Kat -

smashing portrait of misty Ole-Bendik, which must have been taken by Roland -

and finally our hosts, Toby and Leo, and no idea who took that one.

They gave us Leos famous smoked salmon and whiskey starter, favourite of everyone there, and three Thai curries which must have taken a couple of days to prepare. Mega yummy. 

Bob hasn't been too well lately and absented himself at this point, leaving me to manage the strawberry tart before the guilt got me and I went to check on him.

He's betterish today, back gone and totally knackered but struggling along.

Thanks guys, you are heros - xxx

mish mash -

- fairly random pix, starting with the new furniture in the new Healthy Life, now on Quai Jean Jaures and with a most adventuresome menu. The furniture is made in-house! They are open everyday except Thursdays - significantly, open on a Monday when the whole world is closed.

Autumn is marvellous, sensational colours - this snapped from the bridge - and for no reason, here's the adorable Tango helping at breakfast.

 

All calm

The last night with the Harrrismen, at La Chapaire - we had expected to be eating at the new Healthy Life following on from their opening party last night but, yes, it was closed.

 John and Jean left us this morning. Ziggy bought new kit for the event; here she is looking good in sparkling bling  -

Bob had a kip and Jamsie helped me to come to terms with the strange silence with a bag full of oysters and a bottle of blanquette.  And we helped to rehome Jims library, with a glad heart - so we struggle on.
 

St Pierre

Driving to the sea on Armistice Day perhaps not one of our better ideas but it worked out well - we did our silence in this little commune where we were invited to join in the verre d'amite afterwards but declined - wanted to hit the only open restro in St Pierre de Mere before it was full.

All very good indeed, in fact the blue whale is our new favourite sea-side destination. Then we gambolled by the sea before turning home for a well-deserved early night.

 Missed the opening of Healthy Life due to extreme knackerness but hope to go there tonight.

ATTENTION BIBLIOPHILES; Jim Barty of blessed memory left behind an extensive library of esoteric and technical books in English (maths, theology, art -) They will be on sale at his house on Sunday, anytime after 10.00am.  See you there - 

The heart of throbbing Esperaza

Jean last night, at the Chapaire... which was rammed on its return from hols. Very nice evening, plat du jour of pave du salmon et fishy bits for me and Jean, burgers for the Harrismen who scoffed the lot. Fattening puds followed.

Today we are off to the seaside for some exercise and plan to return for tonight's extravaganza, the opening of Heathy Life on the Quai Jean Jaures. 

Jean Jaures closed for the party

 

au revoirs

 Marcus and Amilie left us yesterday to continue their holiday elsewhere - so sad - but very glad we'd shared a couple of days. Here's to the next time xxx

In the meantime, the sun shines in Esperaza. 

I'm rather laid up as a result of the flu jab. I had it a couple of weeks ago, got a bit dizzy, fell - bashed foot which swelled up, toes ditto, nasty but I limped about being brave until I have twisted my spine and am now def hors d'combat. Warm bed and several books await me.

Esperaza Tuesday

Here's our genial host at La Perception des Saveurs Cathares, where the Harris men and their women-folk and Marcus and Amilie ate last night - because everything in Esperaza was closed. Here is the Cafe du Pont being redecorated; Kevin has closed the creperie for the winter; and the staff of the Chaplaire were all eating at La Perception, ha.

No complaints though, very good evening and an eat-all-you-like buffet which got decimated rapidly.

Looks like things may be changing - on Saturday the Healthy Life are closing at Rue Gambetta and opening an actual restuarant or at any rate a place with tables, on the Qui Jean Jaures. See below.

Party night !

 Spectacular light show - can't do it justice with photos - may have to incorporate into painting.

Memorable days

Here is Marcus and his fiancée Amilie being inspected by a curious Rico. No blood was shed. They are visiting for a couple of days and arrived just before John and Jean got in from Barcelona - so there were three Harris men at dinner and pretty raucous it was.

These two coped well with being thrown into the bosom of a strange family. It was a memorable and very very good fun evening, made more so by excellent food - NONE of which I cooked. Darling Charlie did the most delicious onion soup ( the toast was my contribution) Phil and Ziggy did the classic boeuf bourguignon and vedg and Msr Intermarche did the pudding, apricot custard flan. Outsourcing is the new cuisine.

Sunday; this alluring gent is of course Kieran who is leading the way with face fungus. You may not know that November is the month when attention is drawn to specifically male illnesses - a time to raise awareness and money and remember those affected by the various male-only cancers.

Some blokes have their 'taches shaved off, others grow them. Some girls stick 'em on. Same message: get checked, talk about things, contribute to research.

Back in touch

Wonderful evening with Michael and Barbara Bosworth last night - we hadn't spent real time together since March 5th (I looked it up -) hindered by distance, disease, and the usual chaos following the pandemic.

Lots of catching up and stimulating conversation. They were both on form and we were loath to let them go. 

Due to my being ultra-relaxed, the meal was a little shambolic - avocado with gravadlaxed salmon slices, artichoke hearts and a bit of salad, chicken and mushroom in white sauce with steamed potatoes, chocolate mousse which was in fact a pile of cream and mascarpone with some chocolate stirred in. Michael sensibly opted for an apple from Bobs orchard and a bit of cheese (fancy, he can't eat chocolate! How can he be so clever and lively without chocolate??)

Looking forward to seeing his new paintings, soon -

It's cold and there is a thick autumnal mist out there this morning. Dress warmly if you are heading to the market.

Unusual Suspects

Dinner last night* was a fun event with Pete (Clare in a 'plane so absent, alas) Katerinne, Gert and Elizabet - which latter two are leaving us today until the Spring of next year.

Sniff.

-And another thing - our award winning bakers are on holiday, see below. Ghastly news. The 8a8 suggest pre-ordering bread - baked on the premises, naturally- and this seems a fine plan as they will no doubt be taking up the slack.

We soldier on.

* Since you ask: Coquilles sans Jaques, just made with seafood; prawn curry; pain perdu of croissants, raspberries, cream. Par mal.

Future date

 Back from our very relaxing and informative holiday (=museums of Picasso pottery, Chagall paintings and prints, Matisse chapel) Very taken with the Cote d'Azure but it's good to be home again, in our Esperaza nest -

and talking of nests, here's a diary date that looks a bit good. Free but you have to ring them and make a reservation.