Exercise

Neither the Captain nor I are fond of exercise, au contraire, but yesterday decided it was time to leave the house. Well wrapped up, we promenaded very slowly round the lake at St Bertrand's park (that's the one on the way to Quillan).

Lovely. 

Back cocooning now. 
 

Our revels now are ended...

 ... and to prove it, the christmas decorations are down. Here's one in the impasse yesterday:

Sunday in Esperaza

A nice market... bit chilly, but one dressed for that. Friends out and about. 

Ole-Bendik conspicuously absent, not having his breakfast of oysters and wine nor his later coffee. No news of him, which we must assume is a Good Thing.

In the afternoon, it rained - slightly -

 Stood under the panel in the square to find out what's going on - excitement looming -

 

bibliotechery__

 

It was a few years ago that dear R. set up Esperazas first free bookshelf, in the Rue d'Arc - it took an occasional hammering from unhappy people but the commune repaired it and it functions still. 

Then another version cropped up in the playground, by the entrance to the frip; that has been moved and is now just outside the play area -

the latest incarnation is by the station  - between the musee dinosaur and the ex-T- Rex. This one is fully legal :)

It behoves us bibliophiles to dig out books to put in the little libraries - and to take out new ones, naturally :) So far they are all in French. Bit of internationalism won't hurt, for sure.

Anyone out there in touch with God? If so, please have a word re; Ole-Bendik, who is in intensive care. Best place for him, of course, but we want him back intact. Please.

excess sociability in 2023

The philosopher at lunch... here's Jim Hankinson after his lengthy foreign travels, glad to be back in France. Nice to see him here. 

Afterwards Regina, Dougie and Marlon came to tea - what a treat - and I was too overcome to take photos. The three of them were on gloriously spiffing form.

Thence to Tim and Gracies party where I failed to photograph our hosts; no idea why not. But look! Here's Kate Coughlan, hardly ever spotted since her removal to a village elsewhere. Kates immune system is on holiday so she kept her  mask on - missed snapping Dermot and many other friends, really need to pay more attention (but was having fun.)

***Im thinking of reading Wittgenstein's Notebooks and Jim recommends doing this with at least one other which will help make them comprehensible. Anyone interested in a reading group? 

 

FIrst footers...

Claudine and Jean are our first visitors of the new year and what a treat to see them... and to learn about French politics. Jean says its good that the Brits can't vote because we don't understand anything. 
 

Happy New Year

Last nights apocalyptic photos... wonderful sky -

followed by a wonderful party with Berndt and Jutta who are back with us for a little while. Hugely welcome, please stay forever -

Nel and Louise

Norbert and Pete

Susan

Charlotte

Jutta

Berndt

Stayed up till midnight :)