Peter Dunn turns 80 -

 Having battled ill-health for ages, Pete showed us how well he is nowadays... fabulous birthday party which I failed to photograph well, being over excited by it all -

I've made some pix black and white because it makes them look better but it was a very colourful night. (Pete was in red.) 

It was packed! Which was as well as there was a mighty amount of food and drink. Many friends old and new. Wish I'd been paying more attention and taken some better snaps!

Here Dom and Norbert join the birthday boy - Roy is out of shot - they've been practicing and it's paid off! FOUR of Petes kids were there and at least two performed with him. He must be exhausted today, though maybe not! His energy and joy de vivre seem inexhaustible.

Here is Lovely Lizzie Jackson, herself a musician, who enjoyed the family -

and a splash of colour from over Ziggies shoulder

La Ravito hits the spot

 Bob and I threw caution to the winds and lunched at La Ravito in Couisa yesterday. We are both agreed that the food, ambiance, space and all that is smashing - which is noteworthy as we rarely agree on anything :)
And look! Elaine...

,,, a treat to catch sight and catch up with the Montazels gossip xxx

Esperaza warm again

Look at which radiant granny turned up yesterday! Our Kells was on a flying visit to check out the little one and Margaret and John gave us all a celebratory lunch. Dead good. Here's an appreciative Father Matthews - Margaret evaded the camera by sticking to the kitchen.

The totally awful grey, wet and cold of the last two days has gone, hurrah, and sun has returned to Esperaza. The cafe Relais Occitan has built a fence, mysteriously.

 

April dinner

It's so warm!! Loving it all - and Gert and  Elizabet gave Kat and Roland and me and the Captain our traditional Easter feast on their terrace, where we watched the light change and the stars come out - magic!!

It seems we are heading for another weather change and not a good one, so enjoy the last of this spell -

 

Thursday in April -

Sad to say goodbye to Richard and Lynne, who have transformed our courtyard... so we went from coffee at the Argentinian café to the Tibetan takeaway which is a bit done-up and has new folk in charge. That did us for lunch. Hung about till Vox Vallis did their practice in the MJC and shared a meal with their appreciative public - great day :)

Vox Vallis

 

Lingering Immortal

 Ole-Bendik is 80something today - 85/6 maybe - and the tribe waylaid him in the station café. He was inundated with cards and gifts and generally fussed over, as befits the occasion. Those of us that are spared expect to be doing the same for the next decade.

Tibetans are back

 

Easter Monday

The other magic Norwegian in town... Katrine gave the tribe a remarkable meal under shade in her garden, all much appreciated; the friendship, the weather, the wine and the amazing cooking.

We're all a bit shocked, after weeks of grey wind'n'rain, to be  catapulted into summer -  no complaints, just forgotten how it works.

Richard and Lynne who have always come here in August, when the heat is intense, are revising their traditional schedule.

We spent the Sunday having lunch in the creperie with Richard and Lynne and Siggy and Laura, and the theologically curious went to mass in Couiza. The church is spectacular, restored within an inch of its life; not a centimetre unpainted; you can see how the folk of these parts thought a posh house should look. Glorious!! 

Here's Venus (we think) early evening on Easter Sunday. Just lovely.

changes in the air

This mornings sky...very cryptic

 

yesterdays brunch, the best British breakfast Ive seen in France - available at la Ravito in Couiza, next to the bus stop, before 12.00 (when lunch sittings start.) Claudine and l were most taken with the place. Run by a charming English woman of these parts, good menu and not too pricey. Lots of space so very comfortable!

Below is brunch from the day before at our own extraordinary Relais Occitan  in the square - Louise and Norbert -

and Kathy and Kenny!!! Whom we expect to see a lot more of, now they've bought a splendid house here.

Bob and I await the imminent arrival of Richard and Lynne, Bobs brother Johns son and wife.  So Id better get cracking....

 

The good news....

... is that the wind has dropped. Sigh.

Everyone, foriegn and French, bored with this endlessly dreadful weather. Its supposed to lift this weekend according to the forecasters but I can't hear anyone holding their breath. 

Had a splendid night at the PMU with a deal of the tribe - not Bob, alas, he was too poorly to come out. Much friskier this morning! Wednesdays highlight of the week now. 
 

Artic Espe

I've been away in Carcassonne, getting two nice stents fitted in my poor old arteries... works a treat, love science and all the scientists involved in the process. And the staff and medicals at the hospital.

 Hugs all round.

Return home to artic conditions, the wind, rain and coldness awful though by the weekend it'll allegedly be gone and spring will reappear. The above view is a taster, a secret corner of Esperaza which is about to be transformed. Don't know when, nor do I know if its safe to write about it - watch this space! I'm terribly excited :)
 

on a day like today...

 ...we push off to the Mediterranean sea! Peter Dunn, blessings on him, drove me, Bob and Clare to St Pierre by Narbonne for lunch and thence to the beach at Gruissan, by the vintage chalets.

In season its unreasonable but at this time, cor - what luck!

monday... and diary dates

voila! Bruno, texting his sister whom we expect on Wednesday - hurrah -

I'm having another go at being stented on Weds but she's going to stay, if I'm spared we'll have the rest of the week to catch up.

And now: Robin is singing in all the events below and since he's no slouch we know they'll be good. Aiming for Limoux since its the nearest. Anyone else going with a car??

 

survivors lunch

A scratch lunch, consisting of  gifts (Reuben, thank you! Siggy, amazing!) and street food, all delicious and easy. Friends back from their travels, and Peter G awaiting the return of his lovely wife.

- we blessed the chemists and physicists and all doctors and surgeons and carers who have got us this far.

Market was sunny and like a grand garden party without the hats.

8a8 now express

First in line this morning... its bigger with lots of fridges, same stock with more of it. Regulars wandering about asking where things were, all highly entertaining.

It's a small village, these things matter!

The Captain is back just now, off to La Chapaire to eat. 

 

poulet au parking

Anyone who has been to Carrefour lately can't have failed to notice a cock and two hens, in fine fettle, pottering fearlessly around the car park. Long may they prosper.

Dear Bev kindly gave me a lift yesterday and we had a happy few hours in the sun, admiring all there was to see -

Today its the dentist for me. If you want to see Dr Botella you must sit outside his office and waylay him since his number is disconnected. His appointments book is packed so I guess many already know this trick... can't honestly say I'm looking forward to my rendezvous but it'll be nice to get it done. And to chat philosophy with him.

 

Morning shadows : yesterdays vote

 This mornings' curiosity... as the roof next door gets removed for repairs. Which means the weather will stay fine for a few days.

My brother Matt has gone home. Sniff.

Here is the chicken roaster in the market - lovely market on Sunday though terribly cold. Many mates dropped in; thanks, y'all!

You will know, of course, that yesterday was the day we voted for the mayor. (I say 'we' but we foreigner's aren't allowed; pay taxes, yes, vote no.) 

Tiny bit decorative though as there was no opposition, just the last mayor's team. I know several people who wanted to stand but couldn't because you have to have a team around you, ten men, ten women. Hard to arrange in a small and largely indifferent community.

Of the 1,375 citizens who were allowed to vote, 746 actually did and of them 25 posted white papers and 40 papers were annulled. We are not told why. It would be nice to see them displayed so we can be sure they are spoiled; make an interesting exhibition!

Funny old week

My brother Matt is here, looking strict - taking care of things while Bob away in blighty and me in hospital in Carcassonne. I was expecting stents but had a mouth/teeth infection so couldn't be done and I'm back in Esperaza,  have to go back to hospital when well enough. So you can visit then.

Matt and I had dinner at La Chapaire last night (gave him a break from cooking, which he does v well) That was fun; fairly crowded but still well-run. I had a tiny glass of wine, the first in a long time, and this morning I feel like an old stoner.

My time in the hospital acted as an (un)dress rehearsal and I am now competent to address the many issues of Bon pour Transport, lost mutuelle evidence, lost carte de sejour (photo good enough for customs to and from Engerland, not for the hospital-) The handiest hint I can offer anyone going in is to get a Samu - that's the taxi/ambulance lot here - who has a gentle and kindly driver, who will guide you through all the processes and deliver you to the right ward. Mine was called Roman, blessings on him - and indeed to the many friends and contacts who aided and abetted especially Marc Antoine.

Many plusses because of this experience. My French is a lot better and my lovely room mate Huguette (aged 90, button bright) complemented me on it :) The nurses liked my hair, which Id been thinking of cutting and now won't. 

 

not a war zone

 Here is Esperaza's 8 a 8 being gutted, extended, re-powered, re-built - dreadful impact on the village and especially me! No-one to chatter to on the croissant run, except the other lost souls bewailing its absence.

We just have to cope, sigh.

In the meantime Siggy has offered lifts to Intermarche to anyone carless, she visits most days and is happy to run people there. Cheers!

We saw Siggy and her daughter Laura last night when we ate together at La Chapaire; and before that had a visit from Regina who has been released into the wild after her heart attack. Given her youth and fitness, this was a shocking event for us all and no doubt for Regina too. But she's recovering :) Allelujia.

Hols by the sea

 Bob and I had a touch of cabin fever and decided to quell our restlessness with a 2 bus trip to Collioure. Roped in the neighbours to take on parrot care and took off early Monday. The Perpignan bus leaves from Quillan at 8.20am and we were on it - to RDV at the Centre of the World with the Collioure bus and arrive in time for lunch.

In sight of the sea.

I'd booked us into the little hotel of the Templars, the one covered in original and exciting paintings from the turn of the last century to the 1960's, and loved it. 

Of course, it was out of season so all the staff everywhere were cheery and happy to chatter. Recommend avoiding summer, its hell there; just ask the staff!

We ate massively and pottered gently, early nighted -

- and first thing in the morning went back to the  beach, thinking we'd be alone, to find a large and growing reception.

Faces painted in camouflage, some running about with guns (hopefully unreal ones), lots of very fit young persons clearly training for the onerous task of protection.

That and the changing weather made it easier to come home - 10.30 bus after hotel breakfast in their lovely bar (more paintings) which got us to Perpignan with 10 mins to spare for the Quillan bus. These trips incidentally now cost 2 euros each. 

-----Mustn't moan about price increases, its still fabulous value. 

Now back. Parrots sulking.

LIfe goes on...

...in a time of war, we are concerned but helpless. Got ideas though! And shared many of them last night with John and Margaret, Gert and Elsbeth. As ever, enjoyed their company hugely.