sun - heat wave in May

 Its official, a Canicule - and the first warnings ever in the month of May. Breakfast TV very excited. 

Heaven knows what summer will be like but for the moment this is paradisical.

Festival des hermits

If you go down to the market today, prepare to be approached by young men wearing nighties, bowler 

hats and a black eye. Don't ask... just give them some money and enjoy whatever is going on. There's a brass band involved.

Jolly hot! Very pleasant morning and night,  siesta midday of course.

And here's an exciting diary date...

We went to the lake yesterday, Quillan St Bertrand, and flogged up to the little lovely cafe there which their website erroneously announced as open... permanently closed is what they meant to say and forgot. Sigh. 

Wandered into Carrefour, bought an enticing bunch of sandwiches and headed to Bob's garden by the river-

magic! Over the years many hands (starting with Ryan and Alecia) have converted a scrubby hectare into an orchard and vegetable garden of calm and beauty. Enhanced by the call of the golden oriels.

 

Bon V O-B

Here's Ole-Bendik yesterday evening, bracing himself for his trip to Norway today. He wants to be there, is looking forward to it, but travel for the aged is hard and he is more aged than most. Bon voyage!!

In the same walk found Marie Ann and Kaye newly returned from travelling and staying in Esperaza for a month,  bringing this fabulous weather with them. It's hot but we are blessed with gentle breezes....

Took breakfast in the Argentinian cafe yesterday where it is possible to sit outside and avoid smokers, joy joy -and read the town info panel. Here's our next BIG vide grenier - 14th June, might be snowing by then:)

 

Louis Fernandez RIP

Dear Msr Louis died this afternoon - a year to the day after his beloved Ginette. His health had taken a dive and Michel went with him to Carcassonne hospital in the early hours, not expecting him to make it through the night. He held on for a few extra hours but has been anxious for the off for a week or so, and off he's gone. 

Feel very privileged to have known him and his family.

Funeral on Tuesday starting in the church, 16 .30 h , thence to the family tomb in the graveyard.
 

away they go!

 

Norwegfranco

Yesterday was Norway's National day and Katrine made a superb cake - and was good enough to bring it round for Bobs family. Hurrah for Norway, we say :)

Market blossomed in the lovely weather, felt vicariously proud of it all.  

Everyone goes today - John, Jean, Maddy and Grace - a great silence will descend.
 

Family Snaps

 

Last night in dull weather at the Poulet en Velo; Sebastien had the foresight to erect a tent for the dinners by the lake. We were all exhausted from the Artistes a Suivre tour round Puivert, Chalabre and Rivel though not as exhausted as Caroze whom l met this morning and who did the same tour - on a bicycle! 

We lunched at Chalabre, an agreeable place Ive forgotten the name of - and Rushton came too, he was wandering about the exhibits as we were.

Below is the church at Rivel, what a cute village - never been before - where they have a statue of saint Anne teaching the virgin to read, my favorite Catholic theme. Probably the only one where women are encouraged to be other than mother, martyr or shepherdess; though you have to be preparing to be the mother of god, of course.

Was taken by the photos of Bruno Wagner in the church, splendidly weird stuff - indeed many of the shows were interesting, but I kept bumping into friends and not taking photos.

Well done to  the artists and organisers of the AaS, they are most able and competent. Impressed too by the numbers of visitors. And -YES- I bought a painting!! 

Photo when its in the house. Really excited :)