what mask???

 Here's Will - of Chez Will, in Rennes les Bains. What a treat to see him after this long years' hibernation:) You can order pizza and plat des jours to be collected +33 4 68 69 19 61 :) I'm missing his brie-and-pear pizza... he is well, as is Marvi and their child who is now, gulp, 10 years old.

Anyway, he took his mask off for the snap. Most folk in the market were masked up and the third policeman was going about reminding people - and we are outside, you can duck the unmasked.

Not if you use l'Amaranthe, the co-op run whole food store. It's a small space. They only let three people in at a time, unless they are really packed and they are then too busy to bother. There is a sign saying masks are obligatory but when I pointed this out to the staff, re; the non-masked, I was told; we are not policemen. 

My but-l-am-vulnerable-rant was treated to a series of magical passes which I'm assured will protect me. 

Not going there again.

Life delights

Yesterdays lunch; carrot soup and Scooby Do's and Ruby Tuesday pudding and the perfect setting with the best hosts :) Big thanks to Regina and Dougie who made us feel so special and cherished.

It was a little too hot on the terrace, hahaha, who'd of thought that was possible even a week ago? Keep muttering that we've had snow in May before now but for the moment, hush my mouth, it looks like we are through the winter.

Here is last nights moon in all her splendor. Didn't exactly break curfew to get the picture, it was, erm,  out of a window. Yes. Honest.

And look! Jamsies new book has arrived. A gripping read,  a rigorously scholarly tome. 

 

spring in the step

Weather so lovely yesterday - impelled to walk to the barrier, air full of the smell of blossom and birds doing the alleluia. It seems we have survived the winter. A year ago, just before the first lockdown, the Captain and I were writing our wills... though it ain't over yet and the possibility of jabs seems still remote.

But the wood anemones are out and a couple of sand martins have returned. 

Whilst coming back to Esperaza on the little Campagne road, was startled by a large white van creeping up behind me. We all know that this road is closed to traffic. He pulled up next to me and asked where he was; are there more barriers ahead??

He was on GPS and delivering for Amazon and having found the road blocked simply lifted the barrier. Who knew. eh?

 

We are not alone

- half the town headed for the lake with us, decent temperatures and bright skies leading the way.

Thanks to John and Clares' forward planning we had the finest table - next to the stream, by the lake - and ate a hearty picnic. Violets and cowslips and celandine and speedwell and more all out to the accompaniment of bird song. Never, ever, has a spring been more welcome.

 

Monday visitors

Delighted to see Original Kelly, after a very long absence from our lives. The dear girl came to swap some books and we had a long catch up, non of which is repeatable :) She is well, didn't get Covid as it ripped through her family, everyone better now.

It's a grey and damp and windy day making guests doubly welcome. Below is Vincent who popped in to check on Rico. He it was that brokered our stewardship of the beast after the previous stewards' death - Rico had not been allowed out of the cage in the previous regime so he was happy to play with him.

 

ça marche, le marché

 I hung out and and followed people around. Kat said I was like a stray dog. Nice way to pass an overcast Sunday morning though.

Here in order of appearance are Ann from Couiza, not spotted for a while; and our own dear Edith. Many other mates were out but I randomly focused on the rarities. Ole-Bendik was his usual shining self - he asked after the English, were we all dead?  

There was an awareness of criminality today. I was bumped by an agreeable young man who handled me copiously in apology - it was Roland who had me check my purse and mobile. No harm done but it seems we must not be occasions of sin by providing temptation to the vulnerable.

Cold and windy. Bob says rain is forecast. 

Virtual hugs all round. Stay safe.

Sleepyville

Keep forgetting to take snaps of our friends, despite enjoyable occasional contacts - instead here is the church just before curfew tonight, Rennes le Chateau glinting on the hill in the background. 

Town is mobilising against the closure of a class at the school. We have been here before - I suspect its for the chop this time. 

Reflecting on the changes that Covid has wrought, found myself in receipt of the newsletter from Paul the chef.... he of the superb pies. 

All Brits who use the market know him and Val.

 As a response to the enforced closure of their resturant, they began bringing pies to us on Sunday and now are increasing their largesse. Email them to get the newsletter which tells you what is available and lets you order it for collection.

pauletval.bridgestock@orange.fr