January in the haute Vallee

 The most beautiful Thursday in Esperaza - 18 degrees at its peak - though its downhill for the weekend, they say.

Didn't think to photograph the beauty of the day till it was over. Then it got a bit weird.

Blood thirsty Quillan

Strange old Quillan this morning, where there's a lab that tests bloods to prove that you are not malingering (:I'm not)

Bumped into old friends heading for sun and sand by public transport starting with the Perpignan bus. In the café Terminus -where most pre-dawn life can be found- uncovered a host of French friends, quelle plaisir, including a neighbour from 2 doors down in Esperaza. 

Having been a long time in bed, it was thrilling to be out among people.

Back to bed now though, enough excitement.

If you too have this virus - go back to bed.
 

laid low by lurgy

 The news is late as I've been flattened by whatever bug it is that doing the rounds.  However....

here is Oona with joyful news!

 We welcome Zachary, all 4.5 kgs of him, to our little world. 

And I tested for Covid -negative- before going out to dinner with Barbara and Michael on Saturday night, a treat we'd so been looking forward to. The others loved it all and I'm sure I will too. Because of this virus l didn't get the full benefit, which means we must go back. 

We were at a table in Couiza

All the good things you've heard about it are true. 

Creative cooking, no musak, good service, bit cramped but it would be, wouldn't it!! 

christmas gone

 Esperazas street decorations came down yesterday, confirming what we'd suspected; fun season over. Sigh.

 Mikes funeral is on the 16th January at 9.30, at the crem in Trebes. If anyone from here is going and has space for another, please get in touch. 

I promise not to be maudlin.

Mike Hinc RIP

 

Mikes life and career were often shocking but todays shock is overwhelming. 

He took ill over christmas, apparently, and died on the 9th Jan.

Mike was an artist which was how I knew him. So it was a surprise to be in his studio (on the road to Quillan) and see gold records on the walls. They were for Rough Trade, a record company, which one of my brothers had been signed to. Turned out Mike was my brothers agent. 

I put them back in touch but within minutes they were fighting again. Seems this is normal with musicians and their representatives.

He had stories!! And knew all the big boys.

I really can't do his career justice, I'm expecting that the music press will do a decent report. His was a very rock'n'roll life, which he quit in order not to die young following a heart attack.

He retrained as an artist in Herefordshire. His work was challenging and amusing and often technically amazing. Lets hope that the family can fix an exhibition of his work as part of the celebration of his life.

MIKE HINC, RIP - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL

New Years calm

 Unusual silence due to absence. Went to Toulouse which was multifaceted; some lovely memories, some less so. Very glad to be home despite the rain - I mean, the market today was slight, to say the least.

Time to hunker down with a good book and wait for it to pass.

Movements of Andy and Lou and local bus stop.

Went a-visiting yesterday and caught these two at home, before their pre-dawn departure today. They come and go like ships in the night - never time to catch up properly. 

Lou and James got in some skiing while Andy was laid up with Le Bug. Lot of it about. Take care out there.

STOP PRESS for anyone travelling by public transport today, tomorrow or Friday; the bus stop is closed and relocated temporarily to the Ave Andre Malraux. Which is over the river, opposite the Cafe du Pont. Where the irritating road and bankside works are, which makes catching a bus there really challenging. 

Apparently the changes are to accommodate the road works in  the village; of which there is no sign.