Tibetans are back

 

Easter Monday

The other magic Norwegian in town... Katrine gave the tribe a remarkable meal under shade in her garden, all much appreciated; the friendship, the weather, the wine and the amazing cooking.

We're all a bit shocked, after weeks of grey wind'n'rain, to be  catapulted into summer -  no complaints, just forgotten how it works.

Richard and Lynne who have always come here in August, when the heat is intense, are revising their traditional schedule.

We spent the Sunday having lunch in the creperie with Richard and Lynne and Siggy and Laura, and the theologically curious went to mass in Couiza. The church is spectacular, restored within an inch of its life; not a centimetre unpainted; you can see how the folk of these parts thought a posh house should look. Glorious!! 

Here's Venus (we think) early evening on Easter Sunday. Just lovely.

changes in the air

This mornings sky...very cryptic

 

yesterdays brunch, the best British breakfast Ive seen in France - available at la Ravito in Couiza, next to the bus stop, before 12.00 (when lunch sittings start.) Claudine and l were most taken with the place. Run by a charming English woman of these parts, good menu and not too pricey. Lots of space so very comfortable!

Below is brunch from the day before at our own extraordinary Relais Occitan  in the square - Louise and Norbert -

and Kathy and Kenny!!! Whom we expect to see a lot more of, now they've bought a splendid house here.

Bob and I await the imminent arrival of Richard and Lynne, Bobs brother Johns son and wife.  So Id better get cracking....

 

The good news....

... is that the wind has dropped. Sigh.

Everyone, foriegn and French, bored with this endlessly dreadful weather. Its supposed to lift this weekend according to the forecasters but I can't hear anyone holding their breath. 

Had a splendid night at the PMU with a deal of the tribe - not Bob, alas, he was too poorly to come out. Much friskier this morning! Wednesdays highlight of the week now. 
 

Artic Espe

I've been away in Carcassonne, getting two nice stents fitted in my poor old arteries... works a treat, love science and all the scientists involved in the process. And the staff and medicals at the hospital.

 Hugs all round.

Return home to artic conditions, the wind, rain and coldness awful though by the weekend it'll allegedly be gone and spring will reappear. The above view is a taster, a secret corner of Esperaza which is about to be transformed. Don't know when, nor do I know if its safe to write about it - watch this space! I'm terribly excited :)
 

on a day like today...

 ...we push off to the Mediterranean sea! Peter Dunn, blessings on him, drove me, Bob and Clare to St Pierre by Narbonne for lunch and thence to the beach at Gruissan, by the vintage chalets.

In season its unreasonable but at this time, cor - what luck!

monday... and diary dates

voila! Bruno, texting his sister whom we expect on Wednesday - hurrah -

I'm having another go at being stented on Weds but she's going to stay, if I'm spared we'll have the rest of the week to catch up.

And now: Robin is singing in all the events below and since he's no slouch we know they'll be good. Aiming for Limoux since its the nearest. Anyone else going with a car??