weather report

yesterday was quite acceptable; spent it idly wandering and wondering how to make the little fountain slightly more pleasing.

Today the sky is black, we have thunder and lightening and power cuts. At a guess, I'd say the Gods are angry.

Today Bobs brother and partner arrive... trying to work out the chances of them getting here. Good luck John and Jean :)

Day of anniversaries

Lily was 50 yesterday, what a babe; she held her party in their Limoux home so a large chunk of  her Esperaza fans relocated for the lunch there. Plus what must have been all the Ukrainians in the Aude.

 Despite indifferent weather, it was a splendid affair....

 Andree came, of course :) Here she is with Paulette and Hilary, up to no good. Talking of which I was rather pleased to be propositioned by an 86 year old Frenchman in an elegant and courtly way, though as my husband was sitting next to me I had to decline his kind offer of taking off my clothes in a spare bedroom.
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It was our 18th wedding anniversary...
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The evening saw the celebration of our new fence, a beautiful construction of wood and metal incorporating a wishing gate.

Alas, the photos.... but it was a wonderful evening. Many thanks to all for coming. And BIG thanks to Norbert and Bernht, the co-creators of the fence (and of course to Mike for lending the necessary metal cutting and fusing equipment and protective clothing, bisouxxx)

Nortbert,, testing some of the fence he built - 

The evenings' best shirt prize goes to Fran - a man of exquisite taste 

The fact that the photos are so lacking many of our friends and the ones I did snap are such poor quality is a testament to what a great evening I had.
Erm, not a bad excuse.

Saturday's excitements

There is a wedding at the town hall - a worker from the 8 a 8 in Couiza - lots of frocks and these three attendants not quite outdoing the bride, ahhhh...

Missed the big event of last night. Magali rang to say that she was re-opening the St Gobains restaurant, with music starting at 10.30.  Of course at 10.30 we are tucked up for the night.

I hear from almost everyone we know that the place was rammed and it is going to be a grand success which is very good news - we've all missed the place. Will get there soon.

The sheep are back under the new bridge. We are off to the Creperie as my culinary skills are absent, on holiday with my painting skills and all creative endeavours.

Catch up

We have been catching up with parrot maintenance - here is an indignant and perplexed Rico looking for his cage, which was in the yard being hosed down.

All well now.

And here is a man fishing. Weather fabulous.

Bright lights, big city

Went to Carcassonne today to meet with old mates Andrew and Maggie Baldwin.

On the way to the bus stop met George, our mayor, who is back from his sons hospital bed. He was very grave and said how lucky the boy was to be alive. He is now able to sit up and is on the way to full recovery. I passed on everyones best wishes -
                -reflecting the while that the road closure yesterday was due to an horrific crash on the top road where one woman lost her life and others were airlifted to hospital.

                             Drive with caution, all 

Next visitor to the bus stop was the towns' exorcist who told me that evil was abroad. Couldn't help but agree. He is working on an exorcism in Toulouse...
                     .....at which point Victoria Milroy joined us, dropping her parents off for the bus. Naturally I congratulated her on the success of the Artists a Suivre; we shared some jolly memories of the early days of the Chemin des artistes and its transition to the AaS and Victoria and Cathys  stewardship. 

It all went well this year though as ever sales were slight - austere times - 

                               Love public transport here!

Carcassonne was beautiful. I was in the touristy bits with my chums and, hey ho, I can see why the tourists come.

No adventures on the way home.

Pleased to be back. Here's the square after a full day of sunshine. I was trying to find an empty bin for the recycling which gets harder after a holiday but at least we get some exercise.

Normal life resuming

Closed the gallery after a lovely morning there, many friends dropped in - what with the beautiful weather and the excellent company, the whole experience was a joy. Both Angela and Pauline/Poo/Polly/Pol (to give her her full name) have left us this morning and now we are entertaining new guests....

... presents from Richard and Eva. Currently being stalked by the tortoise. 

Shattering Saturday

 We are all tired! Last night was late dinner at Pete and Clares after a long day of art. Clare did us proud. I watched her cook the chicken in mango and she just shoves stuff into a pan, not even tasting as she goes. A miracle.
- Talking of stars, we ate on the terrace and turned off the lights. Fantastic sky. Must try a night painting one day -

Pol and Angela looking at the sunrise photos. Pete has taken 365.

Looking forward to closing the gallery this afternoon...