Eclipsed, very partially

 

Yesterdays cryptic partial solar eclipse - or whatever this is. I trotted to the riverside garden at Garenaud which I thought would give me the best view, in full sun - and it clouded over as soon as I arrived, some 5 mins before the expected excitement. I did actually see the edge of the sun being nicked between cloud cover and found this perplexing photo when I got home.

But Bieke was there and that was a treat, we chatted through the light showers. Walked home along the river where there is quite of lot of damage from the high winds, fallen trees and branches. Saw a little black squirrel! And all the spring flowers are out, magic.

Now the clocks have changed. It's later than you think.

The ladies in my keep-fit class were talking about it; in France, the hour changed so they could work in the garden before school. 

same old same old

 There's a certain amount of repetition going on for lack of anything to say.... here's todays frog, coming up to battle the mossies -

It's been raining but the mighty Aude is taking the water in its stride -

...But look what excitement looms!!!

Me and Aileen Hennes will be signing (and flogging) our books in the British Library, Quillan, April 12th. Def a diary date.

Nel has made a poster, photographed in the window of the library. 

I'm sharpening my quill.

Our mayor gets a grip

 Here is our Mayors letter from Facebook,  clumsily translated by their resident bot:

4 prickly issues.

Regarding the Avenue of the Pyrenees, the SAUR will intervene tomorrow to clean the gravels and make us a clean avenue.

Contacted Enedis this morning regarding power outages. They are working on it but having trouble identifying the cause. We should quickly regain the sustainability of our networks.

Similarly, at the City of Sarrault's public meeting, the selection of trees didn't seem to have everyone convinced. We shredding this morning. There will be honey trees and other caramels. Less high, less harmful and clearing more friendly effluves.

Final point much more complicated as we have no return on TNT and the loss of channels. Following the calls from our assistant Rose-Marie Darot we currently have no return. Business to be continued...

Good to know! The entrance to the town, the Avenue of the Pyrenees, has had work on it for ever and is still a mess. The power failures have become routine, they are so many - we've lost a TV channel and would like it back.

But exciting to know that le Maroc will be having honey and toffee trees!

Other than that, we had a splendidly cheerful Wednesday night at tout-la - Ole-Bendick and Cleopatra got a standing ovation when they arrived - and Bob and I concluded the evening by eating chez nous with Pete and Claire, Terry and Di. It was good.

Here are some of the guests leaving, which is when I remembered the camera. Sigh.

mixed bag

 The resident frog yesterday, up and feeding after this long winter - seen again this morning but too jumpy to photograph. The birds are going ballistic and the cycle of life is moving into a good bit :)

And our resident immortal, Ole-Bendik, in the market after surviving his heart attack. Seen him look better but confident he'll be causing trouble soon.

A lull in our busy schedules, ahem, caused Bob to announce a trip. Accordingly off we went to far-flung Bram, to check out Barbara's exhibition. Without first checking out opening times, duh. Hoping to get back later this week, most imposing venue...

Fierce winds seen to have passed, causing many exciting electricity cuts last night. There's been an earthquake on the cote d'azur centered on Nice.

Have to give myself a plug now; in case anyone doesn't know I've written an informative book about death which outlines all the possibilities that science, philosophy, religion and new agers can imagine. 

It's available on Amazon.

 

Update

 Friday morning on the bridge... and I forgot to take photos of Gert and Elsbeth with whom we lunched at the Cafe de fa, which was lovely. We all like it there; and given that Erika is leaving us and abandoning the Cafe du Pont (in August, not for a while -) we need them!! On the plus side, Kevin has re-opened the creperie. No reports yet.

Susan is a brilliant cook, perhaps she can take on the Pont? Unlikely - but she gave a dinner last night which was superbe, a selection of salads and Lebanese-style dips, then trout and spinach lasagne (augmented by a tuna bake by Rose) and chocolate cheesecake and apple tart. Given that our friends were there and the music was also choice, it was a most successful evening :) Thanks all.

here's Maryann, back from Australia and en route to Switzerland - be here for the summer though.

and our Rose, looking good -

Mike and Kaye under the Periodic Table, deep in conversation - 

and our lovely hostess, programming a mix of eclectic music for our pleasure!

Weds the new sat nite

Terrifically frisky evening at Tout-la last night- Kay and Maryanne are back! - and Terry and Di, Cen and Rae - some of us hoofed it to the indefatigable Chapaire for a burst of animal protein. It was good.

 

Spring...

...has sprung and our friends have returned to us! Hibernation is over...

everyone looks rather serious in  this photo but my memory of the event - yesterday - was that it came into the immoderate laughter category.  

Dougie and Regina are back amongst us, and we were lucky enough to catch Pete and Clare as they returned - before having to go again. Families and health issues call. 

If you too are in travelling mode, get to Dublin for the end of the month to see our own Kenny McKendys exhibition - Kenny McKendry RP — GORRY GALLERY

His use of paint is nothing short of magic IMHO. And I'm not alone in this opinion, critical approval hurtling his way- can't seem to upload a painting but have a look at his gallery, link above.

And on a more prosaic note; I've been spending time with our local computer wizard, 

If you too have problems with the machine in your life, Ronan is your man! Just past Chez Charlie

As recommended

 So many friends have told us that the newly tarted Cafe de Fa is wonderful that we were emboldened to give it a whirl- and it is indeed a marvel.

We booked ( obligatory, nowadays) for 12.00 which was cunning because half the known world poured in at half past and the place became respectably full. Mysteriously, in some space-bending way, the place is bigger. More relaxed table space and a bigger terrace. Plus a little shop of local products, which we used - prices not outrageous.

We ate the set menu for the day... so, a really good little salad, mine dotted with Pyrenean cheese and the Captains with bits of ham (he doesn't do cheese): a boeuf bourguinon  (cows from Limoux, so happy cows, so that's alright, hmm): then Captain had his absolute fave dish, apple crumble with vanilla ice cream and I had a ball of crunchy coffee ice cream which is my new best flavour. That was 17.00 something euros per person which we bumped up with the drinks to a still respectably acceptable sum considering the excellent quality. Good service too.

Half of Esperaza turned up during our meal and sat on the terrace where they could smoke. A  beautiful dog wasn't allowed in but was encouraged to sit with his owners at one of the small tables in the front garden space.

And Raj Gopal was exhibiting! Another plus.

Kats not-birthday party

For some reason, Kat prefers to ignore her birthday so an end-of winter-spring party was held on the day instead. Very timely and a very happy evening for us all! 

Here are some carefully edited photos...

Michael Bosworth,  artist and writer of these parts -
 

Yvonne, fit and well - 

Louise and Stephan -

and below, Charlie Brown

It's so hard to snap friends with their eyes open and their mouths shut :) 

So finally, here's Stephan  (of  the famous Montazel wall) chatting with Roland who did a sterling job of watering and feeding us all . Great non-party, thanks darlings!

Happy Tibetan New Yer

 

wander lust

 Seized by the romance of travel, I gathered my walking stick and took the bus to Carcassonne, where I stayed in a dispiriting and uncomfortable room for a few days. And it rained, most of the time. At the tourist office I was looked on with pity; its February, there are no open galleries or theatre-  except for a hip hop festival.

When it didn't rain and and when I wasn't knackered, it was fun. Though its very clear my travelling days are over. Unless chauffeured and carried about of course - always a possibility :)

sunny day

 our beautiful frog is out of hibernation - or having a break. Thrilled to see her/him.

Went to Quillan this morning for various domestic reasons and spotted this critter:

- a cat looking like an owl posing next to a virgin and child.

all the news..

 ...thats fit to publish. Top of the list is that DogShit alley is closed while the school gutters are fixed, so no sort cut to the market tomorrow.

Other than that;  just had tea with Saveria, brill, and a trot above le Caderonne, to the old Spanish border (in the 15th century) Love it there, clear air views to take your breath away. Ancient soil.

When the current project is finished I'm off there to paint.

Valentines day news

 This being the day when birds traditionally start nesting, I've been paying attention... here's a fine shot of the heron escaping the camera. 

Also escaped; a pair of slightly bedraggled long tailed tits, new to our bird table. Gorgeous! And gone, by the time I got the camera out. Sigh

Here's a good shot from a couple of days ago, when the tribe gathered in Tout-la

and that's it really. Except to mention that today is Hilary Aberson's birthday and also Jill Coopers. Both partying in heaven, no doubt.

Bobs apero

Bob turned - miraculously - 76 years old yesterday so a small apero was in order. 

Photos random and apologies all round. Good evening though!

 

Claudine, Bieke, Robin...

Janet, Bieke, Robin, John

Roland and Janet

and Aileens book! Bob is the privileged recipient of the first signed copy... 

I've started it and had trouble tearing myself away, can't wait to get back.

Kat took this of O-B on the way out... well lit-up hoho

mysteriously xmas

Ruston and Clare decided to give me and Bob and Eric and Alison another christmas feast, since only Eric could make the 25th December. And Eric was well up for the re-run - seen below, with his adorable and engaging dog whose name I forget.

marvellous way to pass a Friday afternoon :) Thanks to the Rushtons for their everything xxx
 

Healthyish

Mike out of hospital, seen here with Robin - much celebrating at tout la last night. Ferren is also out and back home. Roy damaged in a fall, it seems (though not snow boarding). Lala we'll need a guest annex at the hospital soon if people don't stop all this... on the plus side the weather is beautiful and I spotted a couple of sand martins out, so spring is pretty well here. Bonne courage, mes amis!!
 

February already...

 ... where does the time go?

Been in Perpignan with Siggy, for the ballet Romeo and Juliette at the Palais de Congress there - excellent time, appartement in the St Jacques quarter and bus from Quillan. 

Saw an Osprey outside Aileen's, sitting on the telegraph lines!

And yesterday, spotted this beauty:

Louise in the market with her brother Harry, who has become a father...

Love the child's healthy suspicion

Bob made it home yesterday. Realised en route to Stanstead that his passport was elsewhere. Managed to volte face, grab it and take a taxi to the airport  (cost more than the flight) where he did that skin-of-the-teeth thing. Stress followed by great joy.

Here's a bit of Perpignan. Life is good. Candles lit for Gillie and Alain, getting better - and Mike, in safe hands and hopefully home soon.

 

Dates

Here's one for the diary!! Barbara exhibiting her beautiful pots in Bram. 

And here's one to ponder - Tony Williams, who is plotting the Hat Festival for Esperaza. Exciting days -

This is NOT Esperaza - :) - me and Margaret were driven by Kat to Carcassonne yesterday, where we hung out in the all-but deserted cathedral. It's out of season and it was raining so we had the pleasure of the place to ourselves... plus the empty town. Managed to get a lunch from one of those little places that are dotted about, not bad and at any rate open; thence to a spot of shopping and hot chocolate in Limoux, at the Grand café which has had a bit of a make-over in time to be trashed by the carnival. That started on Saturday.

Lovely having a day out with les filles...

Hanging in the Tibetan takeaway