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.