Mini wake

At Toutla last night - Mikes son and daughter have arrived, Hilarys two sons are here. A bitter-sweet evening, following on from Hilarys death.

 

also present, O-B, Norbert, Roy and Bob and maybe others arrived - Bob and I left early to manage parrots and dinner.

Apart from the great sadness of the occasion, the families have the joy of meeting up - and the job of keeping Mikes spirits up- so the conversations were fascinating. One of Hilarys sons has lived and worked with his family in Mayotte, an island currently in the news as having been hit by the latest natural catastrophe (Not so much hit as totally destroyed.) Anyway, the tribe will be here for the funeral- which looks like being on Tuesday -  so we'll all meet again.

Hilary Harrison RIP 1948 - 2024

So very sad to report that Hilary died last night, just after 8.00pm. Mike had been in the hospital with her shortly before she passed on and the family, her children, have all arrived - relieved that he has them around at this awful time. 
 

She had been ill for so long that her death is a shock. Mike has been devotedly caring for her all these last painful years... She and Mike came to each other somewhat late in life,  out of other relationships. It was a real love affair. Hilary called him 'my man' and she meant it, he was the love of her life.

Before her illness she was into everything, an attentive and thoughtful woman. She knew when people needed cheering up, she knew who to get round and feed (excellent cook!) she really enjoyed the gentle gossip of village life. She was a practical and grounded woman, having run a maison de retrait in her professional life. She was Dutch by birth and French by her first marriage, so linguistically amazing :)

As she withdrew further into her illness, she was less engaged - but still managed the odd sortie, as the lunch with the Matthews not so long ago proved; she came in a wheel chair wired to an oxygen tank and still managed to engage, though alas, not for long. Fatigue was an issue as well as her other problems. Both she and Mike fought the cancer long and hard, heroically. 

Cremation info will follow, as and when. Much love to Mike and the family. Remember the good times.

+0 on the chemist

 The pharmacy has an outside screen with date and temperature and this morning showed it was zero degrees. 

 Frost on the church to prove it. Saw a shag heading downriver, still looking for a decent place to sit since their tree was removed by the river management authorities. Then heard the most extraordinarily beautiful bird song, absolutely no idea what was doing it nor could I see the critter. Very  cheering.

Candle lighters out there - light one for our Hilary, who has been in hospital since Sunday. 

allelujia

 Esperazas little church played host to Vox Vallis and their carol service, this evening - terrifically good, in the two years since their inception they've grown in confidence and ability. Lovely mix of carols, French and English with the customary bits of Latin and German. Lots of joining in, lots of happy faces afterwards! Well done the choir, well-done James McOran-Campbell, le chef de choeur - in June they'll be performing St-Saens masse de requiem, more info nearer the time .

The market was tiny and good-hearted, despite the weather and the shortage of stalls. All the gossip is about health care, as befits our age...

The Law is for Everyone

The Captain last night at le Chapaire, where Pete and Clare took us for dinner after apero at Toutla...

To say its the only place in town to eat is not a misnomer. Le Healthy still not reopened though threatening weekly so to do; Kevin closed the Creperie for the winter about a month ago; Le Ponts lunches wont be available till the end of Jan, since the chef has had a knee op.

A merry crowd there including Ria, our new neighbour with her sister Crystall. (They have bought Jutta/Pete/Savs old house) Welcome to the street :)

Interesting experience at the police station yesterday. I trotted in with a note that someone had left, unsigned, on Bobs windscreen. Bob parks legally on the disabled parking space opposite our impasse and the note said he could not use it continually, which was not what we'd understood - hence me seeking clarification. The policeperson took the note, crumpled it up and threw it in the bin!! with a deal of passion. He repeatedly tapped his shoulder where his ID is sewn, saying it was up to no-one but him to say who could park where. Then he took the note out of the dust bin,  uncrumpled it and said he'd talk to the writer. The law is for everyone, I was to tell Bob. He knows Bob, knows where he lives, knows his malady (MS) and was jolly clear about his rights. Most edifying.

******************************************************************

***Jenny; if you read this - thanks for everything and your valedictory note, which is an inspiration. Hugs and blessings. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 

Weather report

 It's been raining.... but not (yet) snowing. The sky is full of it and the town has that quiet that falls when cars are missing. Probably stuck in snow drifts elsewhere. Take care out there :)

ghost market

 Todays market - the smallest ever seen and that includes the day the 25th December fell on a Sunday! Brr.

Esperaza weekly

A late posting, but there are others - as ever, James has proven his mettle by knocking our singing friends into shape. All these venues are beautiful so a chance to let the spirit soar -

especially as it must be getting warmer. Our frog popped out for some air this morning so it must be nearly spring. The meteo, on the other hand, are predicting snow...

Yesterday we lunched with Siggy at La Chapaire which has got its christmas frock on. Its amazing, that place - le plat du jour was chopped salmon with pineapple and avocado. Loved it.

I seem to have lost the photos of the Mayor's christmas box which is a pity - grasp of technology, always slight, getting worse. Lovely anyway and a big thanks to all at the town hall for their kindesses, including the fun of the collection.

Here's a random sunrise instead.

Nearly forgot - Thursday, I think it was, Kat and Margaret and I travelled to Limoux to lunch at Lelerc's cafeteria. All us locals know that it's brilliant there,  hearty well  cooked food for a low price. And the comfort to sit and chatter, which we did; until they started sweeping up around us. Then we went on the brocante trail, starting at La Cavanne, then Parchemin, finally the place near Carrefour in Quillan. All three of us found treasure! Great afternoon.

 

Tim gets older

Older, and curiously blurred - my camera was on an iffy setting last night. 

Tim and Yvonne hosted party at Toutla, to celebrate his continuing life - about 22 people there, others restrained by 'flu and/ or absence. 

my snaps are random, as ever, but I quite liked this one of Roy and Louise... and Gordon and Alain and a hint of Mike 

This event is now in its second year and therefore a tradition!! Thanks to Tim and Yvonne...

and here's the town's arty christmas tree. The lights were on the decorations last night - will photograph all when I sort out camera settings.

 

Mondays

The market in all its splendour - short of a few stalwart stalls but plenty busy. 

And this mornings slow sunrise...

 

we have discovered an internal heated and private swimming pool for hire by the hour, which is our chief pleasure nowadays. Will happily pass on details if you want them.