summer season begins

 

The mayor Msr Soula and representatives from the council of the region (sorry, didn't catch their names) gave speeches to kick off the season - and there's Guillame in the background, who put it all together. He runs two of the towns restaurants and still manages to assemble this weekly event with bands and food and drink... hero!!

Father Matthews checks things out - (sorry John, but I love the photo)

Regina and Ziggy - both born in Frankfurt - and another of Reg

We went early, ate Ziads delicious Lebanese food, said a brief hello to a few mates and left before the real crowds arrived and the music started. The smoking is what drives me away but next week, if its not too hot, will mask up and try to stay longer - such a privilege to share tables with an entire village, and their friends :) Yes, after the downpour, I've become sentimental - 

cleanup

 I went walking yesterday in a moment of coolness, under these clouds - and made it home just before the storm broke. Glorious and fierce with large hailstones. 

Which means tonights night market will be perfect!! See y'all there :)

mild market

The market is muggy with a merciful breeze - I was out early but still, few punters! All of whom are praying for a storm.

As I wrote that, the sun came out again. Sigh.
 

heat stops play

Not really equipped to do much except paint - just about made possible by a little aircon unit that grumbles and rattles on, for which I'm very grateful. 

Anyone know what this tree is? It had lovely blossoms and now has these weird things... 

that's it really though I did run into a group of friends this morning, coming and going, hither and yon. Younger than me, for sure!

 

waiting for the end

Here are Terry and Di and Tango, yesterdays visitors - 

Terry and Di were en route to collect Bob from the airport and I'm relieved that he's safely back. The parrot lives here. 

Work goes on in the square, hindered of course by people watching and needing a chat. Only the early birds though - temperatures are really inhospitable. Stay cool indoors. 

 

and the heat goes on...

Not reporting much as there's really nothing to report in my corner of life - early morning walks, late evening if there's any energy left - found this strange sign on a panel by the river, what can it all mean??

 This being Sunday I should be hurrying to the market before the heat kicks in. There's a vide grenier by the river - no chance!!

Though if an unexpected spurt of energy kicks in, who knows?? 

Keep drinking water out there. Government health warnings say alcohol banned in this weekends music festivals.

HOME

 I'm back in Esperaza with a huge sigh of relief - though travel does do something for the mind, especially travelling by public transport where people can't get away from you. Met a group from Uzbekistan (who could only talk through an interpreter) who were charming and thoughtful and a man from Eritrea, who undertook to educate me about his country and Islam.  Long train journeys plus long bus rides (= East Midlands to York) -and of course the plane flight- have given me enough info to fuel my thinking for weeks.

So what's new here??

Early morning, before the real heat, strange doings in the square - it seems that they are pulling away the paving around our trees to give them some space, and filling in the gaps with this dubious gravel.

Guessing the benches will be back soon - maybe they already are, too hot to go and look.

Had breakfast with some friends this morning. Its a relief to find that not a lot is going on!