First Vide Grenier of the season...

... miles of it, in hot sun and frankly not that interesting. Writing as a scavenger queen, you can take it it was not good. Friends out and about said much the same thing.

My standards may have risen; I was hunting for unrecognised medieval MS so possibly doomed to failure.

Here's our frog.

 

Returning friends

 At La chapaire last night; the Matthews have re-joined the fold after a gruelling drive but are in great good form. I have a fine photo of Father John but he expressed his doubts about it quite volubly so you are spared.

They bring the weather with them, allelujia. The South of France is recognisable again. I'm off to the market and the vide grenier, hurrah...

If le foot is your thing, the Big Match is at the stadium today at 3.00, free entry - go and support Esperaza and join the party at Le Pont afterwards. 

All quiet, ish

Rico enchanted by Charlotte

Great day yesterday, beginning with a zoom to Australia pre-dawn - not auspicious, but worked out well.
 Busy day of action - doing (and failing to do-) all those bits and bobs, interrupted TG by Charlotte for a snifter. Thereafter to le 'ealthy with Pete and Di.

Pete had just got in from a stress-driven UK trip and had been dreaming of a large cold beer. Di has got access to her new home and had been stripping walls and floors - we ate mightily, tagliatelle in peso for me, steak for Pete, pizza for Di. All most contented. 

Its still not south of France weather, more like Streatham, but one lives in hope. Here's my morning view...

Sat OFF

Gracie and Bonsai were todays chief gallery visitors.... and following the small dog theme that seems to have emerged, here are Ole-Bendik and Cleopatra.

 Visited O-B after eating with Phil and Ziggi, who saved some of their loverly chile-con-carne for him. Having taken a tumble he is on the mend, carefully guarded by Cleopatra of course.

Fairly early night here as John, Jean and Bob head out early for the UK. Apparently the weather is better there.

 

OFF again

 The family ate at Le Perception in Couza last night and loved it, of course - overate from the buffet - it was fairly crowded and as ever had a jolly atmosphere. A by-product of overeating, no doubt. Tonight it is the turn of the Pierre Lys to entertain and feed us.

The reason I'm not cooking is that I'm occupied with the OFF. (And the fact that there are people prepared to take me out.)

 Here are some of todays visitors....

There are five fledglings and two adults 

Our Kat

Mike and his astute purchases

Welcome to this Tibetan family new in Esperaza

Artist Raj Gopal and Cosmo

 Miserable weather, cold and grey and occasionally wet so thanks to you all!

Claudine

'ealthy and The Off

To l'healthylife last night, where a sensational new waitress is like a rocket and ensured a lovely evening, with Dougie and Regina, Jean and John and Peter Dunn. Each of us was highly pleased and they took particular steps to manage some dietary peculiarities :)

TODAY please come!! To the OFF I'm holding over the Artistes a suivre weekend, starting at 10am this morning. Will close at 12.00 and re-open at 4.00, closing at 6.00pm. Not too taxing then -

 

Family news

 Dinner with Phil and Ziggy last night. After the extensive apero, there was onion soup, veal whatnot, cheese, chocolate and orange mousse and raspberry crumblecrispy cake. Amazingly good cooks, those two. Bob and John, above, are, erm.... awaiting a caption, perhaps :)

They have all tipped off to the coast today, where with luck it is not raining.

I have to stay behind and get organised; the Artistes a Suivre is looming and I'm doing the OFF. Opening Thursday till Sunday at the Gallery in Rue St Saens, opposite the Centre Culturel. All welcome. 

John and Jean

Not blaming them, of course - but ever since John and Jean arrived it's been steady to hard rain. Fairly rough on people used to walking and expecting the usual delights of Esperaza...

On Friday we went to Tout l'apero (which never fails), and I made cassoulet for us all plus Phil and Ziggy. Last night it was Le Chapaire that fed us, to our great satisfaction.

Today - please keep the rain off! Its the first vide grenier of the season.
 

Happy days

 

This morning we had to go to Leclerc in Limoux to buy a new printer - since the antique we've been nurturing has passed - which is a great excuse to drink their fine coffee and eat their croissants. Bob is, I hope, happier than he looks. Printer works. 

And this afternoon I ran into the Glamour Granny of Esperaza!

Saw other friends and caught some gossip: to whit, Fran and Clare are due this weekend, Roy returns from Memphis on Friday and, erm, that's it really. So far.

Amphibian

 Isn't he lovely?? Sitting on the bottom of the pond where he can't be kissed and forced to resume responsibility. But  digress...

Sad news is that Yann's wife has died, though I gather it is a relief from pain and illness. This is why Le Healthy was closed on Wednesday and will not be open tomorrow, the day of her funeral. We all wish Yann and his children the best.

Oena Harding has had her scooter stolen, on a road covered by some of the towns security cameras. (It seems this happened on one of the few blind spots in town.) The point is, it is irretrievable and uninsured and now she can't get to work in Rennes le Chateau. Anyone got one lying around that they aren't using?  It would be a kindness.

Hermits and Liberation day

What are these trees? They burst into flower for about a week and are heavily, sweetly scented... species of laburnum? Anyone know?

Yesterday was the Festival of the Hermits when young people in white shirts don black bowlers and paint an eye black, attach themselves to a brass band and get drunk. Slightly inhibited by intermittent rain this year. 

Today being the 8th of May is Liberation Day, when the allies helped the French back to a life of self-determination. Alleluia!

 

Urs Zimmerman lives on...

 ... there is an exhibition of Urs' sculptures at Rennes le Chateau, mostly at the top but also scattered throughout the village. My source (Colin) says they will be taken away next week. Recommend you see them before they go -

We were lucky to have known him, sniff.

Season begins....

...naturally we start with Poulet en velo and Sebastien's tender care - lovely evening, relaxed and happy - voila, Toby, Ziggy, Phil and Bob.

making plans to kidnap some little frogs when they emerge. Our need is greater.

 

food oddessy

Claudine and I went to Carcassonne to shop, exhausting and exciting - there's so much stuff out there! - naturally recharged at Wokland which I was delighted to introduce Claudine to, can't believe she'd never been there before. 

She liked it. 

It was 30-odd degrees and delightful. Lovely day out.

THEN we'd arranged to meet Peter Dunn at Tout l'apero prior to eating at l'Healthy. 

(Here's a snap snapped en route.) 

But shock horror!! L'Healthy was closed!! So we wandered down to La Chapaire where the plat de jour was seafood lasagne. Really delicious. And as ever, a lovely night chattering away with Peter - and before that the friends who rendezvous at Tout la on a Wednesday, always interesting.

It's the people that make a place, really -

PS Have been told that Urs Zimmerman of blessed memory has an exhibition of his sculptures up at Rennes le Chateau. Not on for ever. Get there soon.

 

Charlottes 21st

A random selection of the random snaps from last night, where a handful of dear ones gathered to celebrate Charlottes recurring 21st birthday. 

The table below, apparently collapsing, didn't collapse until some half an hour later; a predictive camera, what an alarming concept. 

Toby and Bob

The birthday Queen

Louise and Katerine

Naughty Rose

Louise

Ceri

Nel

Yvonne

It was a noisy and delightful evening of course, given Charlottes skill-range! Can't wait till next year xxx (please stay being my friend)