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- continuing where www.tilling-sur-aude.blogspot.com left off, with gossip and updates from a small French town
May 29, 2023
First Vide Grenier of the season...
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May 27, 2023
Returning friends
They bring the weather with them, allelujia. The South of France is recognisable again. I'm off to the market and the vide grenier, hurrah...
If le foot is your thing, the Big Match is at the stadium today at 3.00, free entry - go and support Esperaza and join the party at Le Pont afterwards.
May 25, 2023
All quiet, ish
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Rico enchanted by Charlotte |
Busy day of action - doing (and failing to do-) all those bits and bobs, interrupted TG by Charlotte for a snifter. Thereafter to le 'ealthy with Pete and Di.
Pete had just got in from a stress-driven UK trip and had been dreaming of a large cold beer. Di has got access to her new home and had been stripping walls and floors - we ate mightily, tagliatelle in peso for me, steak for Pete, pizza for Di. All most contented.
Its still not south of France weather, more like Streatham, but one lives in hope. Here's my morning view...
May 20, 2023
Sat OFF
Visited O-B after eating with Phil and Ziggi, who saved some of their loverly chile-con-carne for him. Having taken a tumble he is on the mend, carefully guarded by Cleopatra of course.
Fairly early night here as John, Jean and Bob head out early for the UK. Apparently the weather is better there.
May 19, 2023
OFF again
The family ate at Le Perception in Couza last night and loved it, of course - overate from the buffet - it was fairly crowded and as ever had a jolly atmosphere. A by-product of overeating, no doubt. Tonight it is the turn of the Pierre Lys to entertain and feed us.
The reason I'm not cooking is that I'm occupied with the OFF. (And the fact that there are people prepared to take me out.)
Here are some of todays visitors....
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There are five fledglings and two adults |
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Our Kat |
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Mike and his astute purchases |
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Welcome to this Tibetan family new in Esperaza |
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Artist Raj Gopal and Cosmo |
Miserable weather, cold and grey and occasionally wet so thanks to you all!
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Claudine |
May 17, 2023
'ealthy and The Off
TODAY please come!! To the OFF I'm holding over the Artistes a suivre weekend, starting at 10am this morning. Will close at 12.00 and re-open at 4.00, closing at 6.00pm. Not too taxing then -
May 16, 2023
Family news
Dinner with Phil and Ziggy last night. After the extensive apero, there was onion soup, veal whatnot, cheese, chocolate and orange mousse and raspberry crumblecrispy cake. Amazingly good cooks, those two. Bob and John, above, are, erm.... awaiting a caption, perhaps :)
They have all tipped off to the coast today, where with luck it is not raining.
I have to stay behind and get organised; the Artistes a Suivre is looming and I'm doing the OFF. Opening Thursday till Sunday at the Gallery in Rue St Saens, opposite the Centre Culturel. All welcome.
May 13, 2023
John and Jean
On Friday we went to Tout l'apero (which never fails), and I made cassoulet for us all plus Phil and Ziggy. Last night it was Le Chapaire that fed us, to our great satisfaction.
Today - please keep the rain off! Its the first vide grenier of the season.
May 10, 2023
Happy days
May 9, 2023
Amphibian
Isn't he lovely?? Sitting on the bottom of the pond where he can't be kissed and forced to resume responsibility. But digress...
Sad news is that Yann's wife has died, though I gather it is a relief from pain and illness. This is why Le Healthy was closed on Wednesday and will not be open tomorrow, the day of her funeral. We all wish Yann and his children the best.
Oena Harding has had her scooter stolen, on a road covered by some of the towns security cameras. (It seems this happened on one of the few blind spots in town.) The point is, it is irretrievable and uninsured and now she can't get to work in Rennes le Chateau. Anyone got one lying around that they aren't using? It would be a kindness.
May 7, 2023
Hermits and Liberation day
Urs Zimmerman lives on...
... there is an exhibition of Urs' sculptures at Rennes le Chateau, mostly at the top but also scattered throughout the village. My source (Colin) says they will be taken away next week. Recommend you see them before they go -
May 6, 2023
Season begins....
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May 4, 2023
food oddessy
She liked it.
It was 30-odd degrees and delightful. Lovely day out.
THEN we'd arranged to meet Peter Dunn at Tout l'apero prior to eating at l'Healthy.
(Here's a snap snapped en route.)
But shock horror!! L'Healthy was closed!! So we wandered down to La Chapaire where the plat de jour was seafood lasagne. Really delicious. And as ever, a lovely night chattering away with Peter - and before that the friends who rendezvous at Tout la on a Wednesday, always interesting.
It's the people that make a place, really -
PS Have been told that Urs Zimmerman of blessed memory has an exhibition of his sculptures up at Rennes le Chateau. Not on for ever. Get there soon.
May 2, 2023
Charlottes 21st
The table below, apparently collapsing, didn't collapse until some half an hour later; a predictive camera, what an alarming concept.
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Toby and Bob |
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The birthday Queen |
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Louise and Katerine |
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Naughty Rose |
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Louise |
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Ceri |
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Nel |
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Yvonne |