31 st December...

on Sunday, all was bright -

today, however....

and very very cold. Brrr.

 

Adventuring

 We are so bold... we went adventuring, on public transport, like hip young things. Here are the shorn plane trees over the bus stop by the school;

it was clear and cold and at some points of the day, too bright to function without sunglasses.

We met with Lizzie Jackson in Carcassonne, at Freaks Bistronomie, 30 Rue de Verdun - a real find and place we will be returning to. They had three main courses on the menu so we each tried one and nibbled at each others. Ingenious and wonderful nosh. And pud was brioche perdu!! 

During the meal I discovered that the other two had never been to the Maison des Memoires, never. Not even Bob. Can't have that... it's at no 53 Rue de Verdun so off we went.

Huge buzz for me to introduce them to the home of Jose Bousquet, to see the room in which he passed more than twenty years after being shot and paralysed in the first European war, to inspect the memorabilia of his many classy visitors. 

Eluard, Ernst, Magritte, Valery, Weil... a who's who of surrealism and modernism. Hallowed ground. Plus the environs are gorgeous and the place is empty!! The staff are friendly, there's a lift, the toilets are clean and well designed. They rarely advertise anywhere sensible so the best way to find out what's on is to pop in and prepare to be surprised. 

----Still haven't got over running into a Picabia expo there, some many years ago -  the best collection I've ever seen - and that includes the Haywards sorry show.

There was no 4.00 train alas (usually there's one that goes to Limoux) -  but there was a bus that took us all the way home. Tired but happy.

Bosworths

Here are Michael, Barbara and Mair Bosworth who came up with the ingenious post-christmas pre-NY lunch; order it from the Tibetan takeaway and collect it on the way round.  Brilliant! We had soup and stuffed dumplings and stuff I didn't know the name of and it was delicious. Relaxed and easy, though I did go mad and boil some quails eggs. And made an uncertain jam-based pasty thing. 
 

It was the first time we'd met Mair and we were most taken; sage, funny, capable and pretty much what one would expect for from such ace parentage. Come back soon xxxx

P.S. and last nights sky...

crimbotuled

 

Christmas day began really well with an appearance from the hibernating frog... we had a bit of a chat and s/he had no complaints, for the moment...

We were due at A Table in Couiza for lunch - 2.30, Andy told us when we booked, way back when. When we turned up slightly early the place was already packed and we were told we were actually due at 5.00. and to come back then. These things happen... being fairly stuffed from the day before we went home and had a poached egg.

Turned up again at 5.00, again early, first in in fact - and they were expecting us. Then Phil and Bev arrived, nice surprise -

I kicked off with lobster and smoked salmon, rather guiltily - the lobster had clearly been so beautiful alive - but Bob outdid me in guilt with the pate de fois gras...

The main course of course was turkey et al and by the time it arrived I was beyond eating (took it home in a box for later -) Bob coped admirably. 

The space is very small and very crowded and a bit low on air and since I have breathing difficulties... well, I just had to bottle out. No pudding for me.  Sad.

My diet over the last few days has been far too rich and splendid and it's all my own fault.  Greedy.

Thought I'd do fruit today and waddled off to the market:

which is absent. One van selling meat. So it's yesterdays lunch in a greasy fry-up for us!! Happy Boxing day out there, hope you can take it easy :)

Jenny Corrick R.I.P Sun 22nd Dec 2024

 Dear Jenny has died.... 

Jenny was the chief consultant in our garden and in all our outdoor planning, growing, cropping, plotting - she was herself a force of nature.

She was also a very good model - our life drawing group loved her muscularity - and fortitude - she had an instinct for a good pose and could hold it, like a rock.

She sent a card from her hospice in time for Christmas, a meditation on Janus which is very moving. Her valedictory statement; 'at this turn of the year- look back in peace, look forward with joy.'

Happy Christmas

 

Happy Christmas to all - though the photo was taken to send to Max, who was on line at the time.

The happy few ate at Katrines house, a tradition that the poor woman is stuck with.

Here she is... wondering if she can wriggle out of it next year, no doubt.

Thanks, dear one! A traditional Norwegian feast makes christmas complete -

We did have some sombre moments, reflecting on the friends now absent - 2024 was hard - but we continue to develop the philosophy of making the best of our many remaining days.

farewell, Hilary

 

Some of Hilary's friends and family by her billiard table, where the nibbles were laid out for last nights' farewell event. A gentle, loving night full of reflections and fond memories.  

Mini wake

At Toutla last night - Mikes son and daughter have arrived, Hilarys two sons are here. A bitter-sweet evening, following on from Hilarys death.

 

also present, O-B, Norbert, Roy and Bob and maybe others arrived - Bob and I left early to manage parrots and dinner.

Apart from the great sadness of the occasion, the families have the joy of meeting up - and the job of keeping Mikes spirits up- so the conversations were fascinating. One of Hilarys sons has lived and worked with his family in Mayotte, an island currently in the news as having been hit by the latest natural catastrophe (Not so much hit as totally destroyed.) Anyway, the tribe will be here for the funeral- which looks like being on Tuesday -  so we'll all meet again.

Hilary Harrison RIP 1948 - 2024

So very sad to report that Hilary died last night, just after 8.00pm. Mike had been in the hospital with her shortly before she passed on and the family, her children, have all arrived - relieved that he has them around at this awful time. 
 

She had been ill for so long that her death is a shock. Mike has been devotedly caring for her all these last painful years... She and Mike came to each other somewhat late in life,  out of other relationships. It was a real love affair. Hilary called him 'my man' and she meant it, he was the love of her life.

Before her illness she was into everything, an attentive and thoughtful woman. She knew when people needed cheering up, she knew who to get round and feed (excellent cook!) she really enjoyed the gentle gossip of village life. She was a practical and grounded woman, having run a maison de retrait in her professional life. She was Dutch by birth and French by her first marriage, so linguistically amazing :)

As she withdrew further into her illness, she was less engaged - but still managed the odd sortie, as the lunch with the Matthews not so long ago proved; she came in a wheel chair wired to an oxygen tank and still managed to engage, though alas, not for long. Fatigue was an issue as well as her other problems. Both she and Mike fought the cancer long and hard, heroically. 

Cremation info will follow, as and when. Much love to Mike and the family. Remember the good times.

+0 on the chemist

 The pharmacy has an outside screen with date and temperature and this morning showed it was zero degrees. 

 Frost on the church to prove it. Saw a shag heading downriver, still looking for a decent place to sit since their tree was removed by the river management authorities. Then heard the most extraordinarily beautiful bird song, absolutely no idea what was doing it nor could I see the critter. Very  cheering.

Candle lighters out there - light one for our Hilary, who has been in hospital since Sunday. 

allelujia

 Esperazas little church played host to Vox Vallis and their carol service, this evening - terrifically good, in the two years since their inception they've grown in confidence and ability. Lovely mix of carols, French and English with the customary bits of Latin and German. Lots of joining in, lots of happy faces afterwards! Well done the choir, well-done James McOran-Campbell, le chef de choeur - in June they'll be performing St-Saens masse de requiem, more info nearer the time .

The market was tiny and good-hearted, despite the weather and the shortage of stalls. All the gossip is about health care, as befits our age...

The Law is for Everyone

The Captain last night at le Chapaire, where Pete and Clare took us for dinner after apero at Toutla...

To say its the only place in town to eat is not a misnomer. Le Healthy still not reopened though threatening weekly so to do; Kevin closed the Creperie for the winter about a month ago; Le Ponts lunches wont be available till the end of Jan, since the chef has had a knee op.

A merry crowd there including Ria, our new neighbour with her sister Crystall. (They have bought Jutta/Pete/Savs old house) Welcome to the street :)

Interesting experience at the police station yesterday. I trotted in with a note that someone had left, unsigned, on Bobs windscreen. Bob parks legally on the disabled parking space opposite our impasse and the note said he could not use it continually, which was not what we'd understood - hence me seeking clarification. The policeperson took the note, crumpled it up and threw it in the bin!! with a deal of passion. He repeatedly tapped his shoulder where his ID is sewn, saying it was up to no-one but him to say who could park where. Then he took the note out of the dust bin,  uncrumpled it and said he'd talk to the writer. The law is for everyone, I was to tell Bob. He knows Bob, knows where he lives, knows his malady (MS) and was jolly clear about his rights. Most edifying.

******************************************************************

***Jenny; if you read this - thanks for everything and your valedictory note, which is an inspiration. Hugs and blessings. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 

Weather report

 It's been raining.... but not (yet) snowing. The sky is full of it and the town has that quiet that falls when cars are missing. Probably stuck in snow drifts elsewhere. Take care out there :)

ghost market

 Todays market - the smallest ever seen and that includes the day the 25th December fell on a Sunday! Brr.

Esperaza weekly

A late posting, but there are others - as ever, James has proven his mettle by knocking our singing friends into shape. All these venues are beautiful so a chance to let the spirit soar -

especially as it must be getting warmer. Our frog popped out for some air this morning so it must be nearly spring. The meteo, on the other hand, are predicting snow...

Yesterday we lunched with Siggy at La Chapaire which has got its christmas frock on. Its amazing, that place - le plat du jour was chopped salmon with pineapple and avocado. Loved it.

I seem to have lost the photos of the Mayor's christmas box which is a pity - grasp of technology, always slight, getting worse. Lovely anyway and a big thanks to all at the town hall for their kindesses, including the fun of the collection.

Here's a random sunrise instead.

Nearly forgot - Thursday, I think it was, Kat and Margaret and I travelled to Limoux to lunch at Lelerc's cafeteria. All us locals know that it's brilliant there,  hearty well  cooked food for a low price. And the comfort to sit and chatter, which we did; until they started sweeping up around us. Then we went on the brocante trail, starting at La Cavanne, then Parchemin, finally the place near Carrefour in Quillan. All three of us found treasure! Great afternoon.

 

Tim gets older

Older, and curiously blurred - my camera was on an iffy setting last night. 

Tim and Yvonne hosted party at Toutla, to celebrate his continuing life - about 22 people there, others restrained by 'flu and/ or absence. 

my snaps are random, as ever, but I quite liked this one of Roy and Louise... and Gordon and Alain and a hint of Mike 

This event is now in its second year and therefore a tradition!! Thanks to Tim and Yvonne...

and here's the town's arty christmas tree. The lights were on the decorations last night - will photograph all when I sort out camera settings.

 

Mondays

The market in all its splendour - short of a few stalwart stalls but plenty busy. 

And this mornings slow sunrise...

 

we have discovered an internal heated and private swimming pool for hire by the hour, which is our chief pleasure nowadays. Will happily pass on details if you want them.