Dawn and a long day

Caught this beautiful dawn as I was out early to catch enough cool air to walk in - magic. Been hot and hotter since, culminating in a tiny shower and a noisy thunderstorm. Still hot.

After a baffling letter from the authorities asking that I renew my permission for a temporary structure NOW, or else, l carried it round the corner to the town hall where Christine obligingly deals with such stuff. 

Christine is on holiday. The new lady on the desk suggested Mark-Antoine (of le Studio Solidaire)  - whom I know is ridiculously busy- or that I find computer competent French friends to have a go. I'd already tried two.  Then I remembered it is Tuesday and Ronan, the towns computer genius, would be just about open.

Galloped down the road and was in time to catch him. For once there wasn't a queue of sad people hugging their wounded digital kit demanding help; he was happy to have a go at my paperwork.

Not wanting to re-live the details, suffice it say that the expert thought it, shall we say, unnecessarily cumbersome. He did it though, we think - so the water pump in the garden by the river gets another few years.

-----Not that it signifies as we ain't allowed to use it on account of the drought. We were forced to put in a water meter a few years ago and since then have barely used the thing - despite that we pay regular fees for water extraction.

Anyway, BIG THANKS to Ronan. Long may he prosper.

I'm off to Blighty tomorrow and wont be back for three weeks. What with the Ladies Walking Group being away as well, the town will change timbre.... be good, y'all.

 

O-B in recovery

Siggy has sent this of Ole-Bendik from Carcassonne hospital :"He's well cared for and looked after and is in a good mood and says hello to everybody", she writes.

Hurrah! Now he has to crack on with the autobiography :) 

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!!