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.