welcome visitors

 Our drab lives have been lit by the arrival of Bobs great nephew William and his sister Hannah. Great company!

And they brought bad weather, grey and wet - cool - very very happy here :)

of Mice and Breakfast

Charlotte and I were having an innocent coffee this morning when look who arrived.... Andy and Lou, hurrah! Would have stayed to chatter all morning had I not had a call from Electromanager, who were coming to examine our dreadfully ineffective washing machine.

( Well, it was effective at washing the floor but little else.)

The mice had feasted on our pipes... 

Can't recommend Electromanager enough, he's local (next to Intermarche) will sell you all your white goods and more importantly, come out and fix then when they're manque.

All this excitement meant I forgot to photograph Norbert and Louise who came for coffee. They are blossoming, take my word for it. Ditto Charlotte, who somehow never photographs.

 

chilly weekend

 Our very kindly friends Richard and Alison Samuel offered to collect us and drive us away for a cooling weekend by their swimming pool, nearly at Belpeche. What joy!

We stopped at Bastide-sur-l'hers for lunch on route.

This little dish is coquilles st jacques, very finely sliced into a marinade - we were all thrilled with our various plats, its clear the chef knows a thing or two :)

En route, we noticed that the heat wave was thinning and by the time we got to Peche Luna it was chilly. Some of us braved the pool - not Bob -  but then it was closed up for the weekend. Sigh.

After weeks of uncomfortable heat, all felt this was not fair. It stayed cold until we left. Now back in Esperaza, we swelter again.

However, we stopped off at the Cafe de Fa to cheer ourselves up and had a terrific meal there too -

here's a bit of Alisons fresh crab pasty, which was a great success. All happy! That little place goes from strength to strength; congratulations to the team there.

Too hot for me to go to the night market but hope all who go have fun -

heat, more heat and the river

Here's the sun, just hitting the Aude and the pont  and about to blast us this morning - like most sensible people I went out early and had to wear a jacket it was so chilly! Set to get back into middle 30's again today though. Bits of France were evacuated in the night because of fires but so far we've been spared.

We braved Limoux yesterday in the high heat. Between lunch, shopping and medical stuff we took a doze under the trees by the river which was very pleasant - 

In two separate locations saw two different sparrows chasing Asian hornets. Does anyone know if they are chasing invaders - do they invade sparrows nests? - or are they a crunchy snack. The hornets are back here over the bees nest in the old chimney but the bees remain, pro tem anyway. 

I forgot - alas, alas - to photograph Margot! She gave us dinner the other night in her rented apartment. Looking wonderful. Hope she'll be back soon, checking out her old mates here.

 

in and not-in

 There's quite a lot going on - I'm just not participating. The Monday night market being as usual on a Monday, clashed with the fete du vin which is always on the 20th, which this year falls on a Monday.

Ah well... judging from the noise, both were well attended! 

Its the heat, noise, dust and smoke that's keeping me from scampering about. With shutter and window management, its possible to keep cool. But nothing else, alas.

Missed Bastille day, now called le fete nationale for unknown reasons.  When asked by French friends when is England's National Day I can only come up with bonfire night, November 5th, which is quite hard to explain.

weather-bound

Not a very informative photo but a souvenir for me of a calm and cool evening a couple of days ago, in Margaret and Johns garden with Pete and Clare. The first time I've felt at ease in my skin, as they say here, since these heatwaves crashed to our shores.

Still no storm! - 

How is everyone else coping?

 

somewhat late latest-

 Still hot!! 

This morning, Weds., there have been a few drops of rain and a merciful cloud cover - hoping this mysterious chap will eat the sun and give us all a break.

Monday night market wasn't as crowded as usual, at least not when Bob and I were there; early and not for long as the noise and smoke and heat increased. Here is a fine dead fish. Made by Tim out of his mussels shells and pretty much how we felt.

Here's Ziad and his family. They make extra great Lebanese food and must be exhausted. 

Here's Peter Dunns granddaughter Libery, plus partner - see, we know some more young people!!

Here are Rose and Yvonne, seasoned people...

perhaps

 there'll be a storm and an end to the chaleur soon - weather makes a change from talking about health but it would be nice to get back to metaphysics -

Aude flow

 The mighty Aude, this morning - still flowing - much like life in Esperaza where all is quiet. as far as l know :)

hotness continues

 Despite the heat - which is extreme - the Tour de France came and went. I followed on the TV. Here they are, whizzing by the Caderonne and not passing down to the town;

Things go mysteriously wrong or at least they are not as they are in pre-heat-wave times. Todays appointment with Orange, for example, long standing and carefully arranged, was cancelled last night by text. To quote them (in translation), the rendezvous 'will not be honoured'. Can't blame them, of course.

Many old friends will remember when Larry and Barbara Jackson joined us here, centuries ago now ... Barbara has written from Southern California sending love to all. Some disturbing news; she pressed a wrong pedal and drove into a Magnolia, which is undamaged - her car however is not and at 94 she's decided to cease driving. The logistics of life are now complicated, and we all wish her well with that -

We continue to be sensible, only outdoors early morning and evenings which are very pleasant. Here's the town Heron looking a bit scrawny - otherwise not much going on with the wildlife either.

hot, hotter, hottest

Another birthday has floated past, still alive - and here's Peter Dunns image of me and the captain to prove it! 

Had a lovely time and am so touched by the attention I get and do not merit. 

Esperaza continues hot but not as hot as it might be. Further south there are huge and scary fires, fanned by the winds; evacuations being shown on the breakfast TV, harrowing all round. The quality of the air is a problem and of course we are all fretting for the wildlife that can't escape the flames.

Forecast projects that temperatures will continue to rise. Stay safe, y'all. Close windows and shutters, dim lights, give up all pretentions to work.
 

Seize it seize it

 Dear Claudine framed up this photo of us both in a London pub in 2008 - remember many highlights of that trip- this morning was more sedate as we had coffee at the station bar and considered managing age.

Which we both do v well, BTW.

Weds evening, Peter Dunn, Bob and I ate at La Chapaire - as did many other people. Still good, still reliable. Worth noting!

Info: The strange fruit I asked your help to identify is called an Empress or Paulownia tree, native to east Asia/China (Michael and Barbara had an avenue of them near them their home close to Delhi)

And yet more info: The T de Fr goes across the top road, not through the village; so cushions and chairs to the fore if its not too hot.  The roads will be closed, public transport deranged. If you're expecting to take a bus anywhere, check first. 

Lovely warm and windy weather here, the  more pleasurable as it's really not going to last. A huge heatwave awaits us. Seize the day!

Tuesdays lunch

 Lunched some friends yesterday - Margaret, John, Barbara and Jim - photos dreadful except this of Jim.

Was rather pleased with myself in that most of the food was edible though had to enlist Margaret for help with some of it and John to carve the lamb- and credit for the salad is entirely due to Barbara.

Here's a treat in view  when the T de F will go whizzing past the front door or possibly across the top road - not sure where the D118 actually is. Will find out.