Esperaza Follies
- continuing where www.tilling-sur-aude.blogspot.com left off, with gossip and updates from a small French town
July 5, 2025
exit strategy, again
July 3, 2025
It's a trap
Anyone flying from Carcassonne today or tomorrow -forget it!! Air traffic controllers on strike. I should be in the air to Manchester right now. Here's where I'm not going...
https://metaphorum.org/events/conferences/metaphorum-conference-2025
... but trapped in pre-storm Esperaza instead. Heavy here.
The Ryan Air info desk at the airport were amazing. I'II get full refunds plus maybe my hotel bills and a flight to London later. They dealt with me kindly and politely and thoughtfully, pay attention at the back I'm talking Ryan air here!!! Bless them.
June 30, 2025
Hotness is us
Tonight is the start of the Monday night markets. Terrible photo taken off the town electronic noticeboard, but you get the idea...
Stay cool, y'all. We are heading for 39 degrees this afternoon, they say. I'm reminded of a trick of Andree Bonnets - at night, open your windows and shutters and hang wet towel across them. Works for me!
June 29, 2025
Esperaza nights
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Tempted not to go to todays vide grenier, but really glad I made the effort - met the Rushtons and sat under trees getting strengthened by the buvette. Bought some patchouli.
Keep hydrated out there! Keep your shutters closed and your lights low. We have to earn to live with this, it seems.
June 27, 2025
Canicule Friday
Rather a sad pic., featuring the endless disruption caused by The Crane - not bad, just there. And the completely closed chemist.
On a cheerier note, Mattas from the Brazilian cafe on the square has pronounced his terrace cigarette free - I can sit outside and breathe! Their fab coffee and croissants an extra plus.
_
Hot but breezy. Life good.
June 26, 2025
Esperazas English-speaking Wednesday
June 24, 2025
exercise in a time of heatwave
Storms have broken out all over France it seems, but not in Esperaza - where temperatures continue to rise as the river shrinks.
The only chance of exercise is early morning. Pre-dawn is marvellous and cool and pollution free.
Here's an early shot of the rather-diminished Aude without the heron, whom I failed to snap.
Lets hope there'll come a time when photos will include smells. The scents this morning were magical...