gecko attack

Just opened my balcony door and a gecko fell on my head, surprising me no end... she looked startled too, before legging it behind  bookcase. 

What can it mean??

Mornings here are lovely, here's the river yesterday, but the day was awfully suffocating until late. Hoping to see an otter - did see the kingfisher -

 Later, have caught up with news on the street; O-B has been operated on, all well, will recuperate in Limoux it seems. Tomas leaves on Weds to commence restoring palace murals in Monaco. 

That's all that's pertinent and publishable, l think.

Tomas with new toy

todays chaos

It's not that the closure of one side of the square isn't well signed - it is - it's that drivers seem to think they are exempt. Bob and I had a lovely breakfast watching furious drivers hurling themselves down a one way street to the detriment of all.

Lovely Thursday market, sitting in the Argentinian café watching the fun. And here's a nice motorbike for those that enjoy such things...a Royal Enfield as used to be made in my last hometown of Woolwich. (pang of nostalgia there)

Talking of fast living, Ole-Bendik has taken a tumble. Rumour says he's broken his hip, the other one. News as and when.

 

star blessed evening

Such a joyful night!! Good friends, good food and cool enough to sit outside, alleluia!

Huge thanks to Fran and Clare (who must have been cooking for days), to John and Janet and Norbert and Louise for being there and for being themselves. 

We sat under the stars and marvelled at it all.
 

Early Limoux

 Me and Captain H had an early RDV with the tax office in Limoux, gulp - armed with every possible piece of paper, we got there neurotically early. Breakfast in the Grand café, pastries from the boulangerie opposite and down a bit.

It was a beautiful day; what could possibly go wrong??

the unnerving answer is, nothing... we were early to the office and the tax man saw us immediately. He was bright eye-d, wearing shorts and a tasteful tropical shirt, sorted us in seconds and bid us a good day.

We were so shocked, Capt H allowed me to go alone into my favourite store Super U where I spent a tidy sum.

I always forget how bewitching Limoux is, how helpful and graceful the inhabitants. 

Curious low-tech furniture abounds in the cafes. adding to the air of welcoming charm. 

Its a mere 24 degrees here, sunny and pleasant. All good :)

 

 

Rogues gallery

 At last, remembered to take photies of friends...

Kat and Elaine

Barbara and Catherine

Jamsie seriously unfocused

It was a lovely Sunday, not too much heat and friends out in force. Today is rather cold, overcast, grey - fabulous!!

imaginary scenes

 Keep forgetting to make use of photo opportunities... last nights dinner with Jamsie, at the excellent Chapaire (who are still doing the Phil-designed English breakfast), the coffee the day before with Gert and Elsbeth who are back with us and looking marvellous, breakfast with Rushton this morning at the Argentinean cafe. Possibly other events but unless I have a visual on them, I forget :(

So here is the last of the life drawing of the season instead. Thomas has a job painting palace walls in Monaco, restoring murals rather than toshing. He will be missed. He is the groups convener so we wait for him to return to us.

voila! The new Quillan/Perpignan bus timetable

other VERY important travel news is that Carcassonne airport is closing from November to mid-December, to re-lay its runway. Plan carefully.

 

cooling

 Here's the secret back room in the café on the square - a shelter from the crowded market. Esperaza tourist-riven. But safe....

Poor Pomas, about 15 Kilometres away towards Carcassonne, has had a tornado, causing frightful damage though mercifully no deaths.  

Our house in London has been evacuated due to collapsing bits following building works fore and aft. 

So what with one thing and another, a safe corner of the world is something to treasure.

Think that's all, and quite enough too! Weather much cooler and heads are popping up over the parapets.