man the barricades

Sudden and startling addition to Rue Gambetta - no doubt to close off the road for market days.

News flash: Walter has re-opened Le Relais Campagne - the lilac building on the way to Campagne sur Aude - looks good. Anyone tried it yet? Phone is 06 31 61 18 45.

Diary date; Friday is the celebration of 25 years of the MJC which is celebrating - yeah, you got it - with a performance about secularisation!! There will be a party afterwards and according to Kate, who has seen it, the show is charming. 6.30 start and I'm certainly going. The subject is dear to my heart and anyway, it'll be good to see everyone.

Its become almost unbearably hot... its been so long that I've forgotten techniques for managing, like not throwing open all the windows but closing the shutters, hanging damp towels, all that. No complaints and anyway, today is looking cooler.

Proper weather

Old mates from Greenwich, Tony and Helen, drove from their home in Lastours for lunch yesterday - and bought the lunch, paella from the market and fresh apricot and peaches. Now the weather has turned proper South of France the market was glorious and the world was hanging out in a happy daze.

The same today - hotness makes for happiness :)

Late night, again...

Spent last night chewing the fat with Tim and Cyndi, who have been in Esperaza for nearly a couple of years. We met in Carcassonne when he was talking at the esoteric conference I was involved with last week, being aware of each other in Esperaza (we have a handful of friends in common) but never before meeting...  Tim (Wallace-Murphy) is the author of several books on the esotericism of the region ; the night was fascinating:) Great addition to the neighbourhood.

Happy birthday Louise

 Its Lou's birthday today and she started celebrating last night, with apero for family and friends. Here she is looking like a gal from Tatler; only she's much prettier than yer average deb IMHO :)
The preposterous flower behind her is a magnolia from the garden.

My photos are weirdly shaky - something to do with the night before, perhaps. I really like this one of Mike and Marcus in deep conversation and the rather random group shot below that shows how well-behaved kids are today (really!) Below that is Lou descending the staircase. Shakily.

It was a treat to see old friends and have some good conversation. I'd meant to leave early (ref; last night) but found myself among the last out. Lou's ma was fascinating, her sister Annabelle and man Andrew were full of interesting ideas. Mike and Barbara always are, of course - great evening, thanks to all xxxx

Why I am not loosing weight...

Breakfast began with Joe and we were joined by Steve, seen here, then the group from last night as exemplified by Barbara seen here with cinnamon twirl.

Lunch was at mine with Kelly, Bill and Dragon -

 followed by dinner with John and Margaret, Fran and Clare and Louise,  Robert and Barbara.

And this remarkable drawing is done in snail goo by a snail on the back doorstep this morning. Still thinking about it.

definite improvement....

...weather good enough to bless John and Margarets barbie last night; feels like summer has come back, again:) 

Heres our Kat, looking unusually demure -

the workers, John and Mike and below, visitor Robert - his first visit though Barbara his wife is an old hand

We sat under the stars and marveled at the sky so it was late when I tottered off - and to my delight, found a DVD playing in the bakers of our marvellous baker, baking. Could have watched for hours.

And below, our town hall looking very like a V van Gogh pic of another town hall. Nice. 

bathrooms and voting

Here is a hole, drilled through the new bathroom wall to the street behind in order to fit an extractor fan. Our poor extractor fan fitters had a wretched time and bent a drill (which I plan to use in an art work, naturally) The wall is over 2 foot thick and built to last.

But, more importantly, I've been to the town hall and asked about  procedures for the upcoming vote about surveillance cameras.  It seems the citizens of Esperaza can expect a ballot paper in their post box, which should then be taken to the Maire with proof of habitation - a household bill, something like that. Then you write your name and address in a book, after which you can put your paper in a big transparent box (which is already in place).This must be done before the 6th of July, I think. If, like me, you haven't yet got your ballot paper, might be worth dropping in and asking for one.
Also ask who pays for the cameras and who watches them, are they stored digitally or on tape and for how long.