Before last nights' party, Bob and I were reflecting on the number of close friends we had lost in 2019. Opening my email, there was another - an art school colleague - and then we heard that Mado had died, on the evening of the 30th.
Anyone who has been to Esperaza knows Mado. She was in a wheelchair, minus legs; either driving down the road or parked outside a cafe. Indefatigable. Her full name was Marie-Madeline Labatut and she will be missed.
Notwithstanding... we all met at the bar now belonging to Mattieu (X Luc's) and sampled the premier bulle, again. Then trotted up the hill to Roses house, where she had made marvelous preparations for the hungry and slightly pissed (in my case) hordes. Small but perfectly formed group, missing those regulars who are away and those faint hearted who couldn't make it, naming no names :)
Here is our gracious hostess, flanked by Olle-Bendik and Norbert.
And here is the last evening shot of 2019, the view from St Ferriol. Below is the lottery card I bought on a whim whilst buying a stamp to pay the water-extraction bill. It doesn't cover the bill - 169 euros to pump water out of the Aude to water the garden! - but it cheered me up. Each of the 5 numbers was a winner, hurrah! That's me set for 2020.
May the new decade bring you health, wealth and much happiness and joy, surrounded by those you love.
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