esperaza red alert

 Poor old Heron having a hard time this morning - fast flowing water and a fierce wind, which blew it backwards when s/he tried to cross the river.

Apart from that... no trains between Carcassonne and Limoux until the fallen trees have been cleared (I daresay they'll be running buses...)

We're still on the reddest of alerts, which means all the emergency services are paying attention.

-erm, the sun has just come out!

attention weather...

Us locals have all been sent a weather alert from the town hall.. stay in, close shutters, don't leave cars by the river or under trees. Stay prudent. 

Its only spotting with rain now and seems quite pleasant but no doubt the fan will be hit soon. 

Took this snap this morning, showing that the river had a way to go before it breaks the bank.

Apart from that, the plane trees opposite the cafe du Pont are having a radical trim.

 

Overnight guest

 Look who turned up - en route to Africa - yup, Zoe! Trailing hardly any chaos.

good luck with the trip, hope the plans work out OK

Birthday lunch

 

The Captains birthday, which would have been a lot better if he hadn't been crippled by painful gout. Poor chap; though he was largely off his head on painkillers.

Ziggy made the chocolate and banana vegan cake. Bananas, not chips, on top.

 The guests are waving at Regina who has not fully recovered her health after a sudden hospitalisation, so is absent - 

Given the circumstances, it went well :)

The topic of health was unavoidable but we moved speedily onto spooky stories of unexplained miracles. A new and cheery focus.

Yesterdays funerals

Leaving the graveyard at Rennes-le-Chateau after Russell Coopers burial yesterday- beautiful photo by Suzie, as is the one below which shows the spectacular view up there. Couldn't get there but many many people did. Russell carved spaces in all our lives.

And a little farewell to Bill Norris, with Tia his daughter, Saveria and Sebastien, Juno, Guy and me... and Bill on the table :) Which he'd have loved -

 

Get knitting

Ria is establishing a creative group -! Grab your needles and get down there 

Tricoter, crocheter, coudre ensemble c’est relaxant, amusant, convivial et enrichissant.

 Envie de nous rejoindre ?

 Tous les lundis après-midi de 14h à 16h30.

 24, Avenue de la gare Espéraza 

 Apportez simplement votre bonne humeur et votre matériel de loisirs créatifs.

Market thrills

Blown away by this little van library arriving at the market today - thoroughly agreeable librarian with but a handful of English books and they theological or generally esoteric. Bliss! He'll be doing the Sunday market too...

and here's Nightingale, hurrah, back in the creperie and as lovely as ever!

The Capt and I ate there last night and v good it was too - 

Here, below, is yesterdays sunrise. significant especially for the strange glowing thing on the bank (right side) Any ideas? Bob thinks plastic bag. He's wrong.

Tomorrow is Russell's funeral.

Also tomorrow Tia, daughter of Bill Norris, will be at the Pont from 17H so we can share memories of Bill over a glass of wine.

Bonne courage tous.