Monday in the Aude

Yesterday was paperwork in Carcassonne with Pete'n'Clare, which lead us to the old city for coffee - it is all open there, masks obligatory, not as rammed as usual. Still good stocks of ceremonial swords.
 

Then shopping, so lunch in Limoux - such a sweet town -

and the day ended at the new chess club in Esperaza. Mondays, 4 till 7.00pm,  first floor of the Centre Culturel. Improves your colloquial French ! Very welcoming, very good fun.

Ace Sunday

The day began auspiciously with the discovery of a new shop in Rue Gambetta, in the old florists. Don't know when this tapas bar, wine cellar and grocery store will open but soon would be good.

Pottered happily round a lovely market, not too crowed but pretty packed, masks still required; the shops were handing out mothers-day flowers to women. By the time I'd explained I'd never been a mother it was too late for them to grab it back :)

Then to the bar, to wish beautiful Gillie a happy birthday. Its a year since she began her cancer treatment and she has come through shinning.

Thence to lunch with Kat and Roland and Peter G. Here is Roland revealing the centre-piece, a paella incomparable - and he told us how to make it. There may an outbreak.

After a decent rest, we hove up to Roses house where she had organised an apero for Gillies birthday. We'd all settled down on the terrace when the rain started, the gentle pitter-patter mixing eloquently with our friends chatter and with me and Norbert humming selections from Beefheart and Zappa....

Then there was CAKE!!

and a rainbow!! It doesn't get much better.

 

Art projects

Regina and Douggie came to see a couple of projects and were forced to stay on account of my bullying tactics , mostly Blanquette de Limoux based. They had to run home to beat the curfew. Hope they got down the road without being arrested

It was such fun! What a pleasure to chatter and laugh...

opportunities abound

Come  to the MJC and play chess and/or scrabble on Mondays - what a good idea - see you there :)

 

Esperaza Terrace sur le Pont

Peter, Erika, Clare

 ....Charcuterie, beef in red wine and chips in cholesterol, jackson fruit salad. That happy and satisfied look? Easy!!

Le Capt who is being healthy had an omelette and chips, no starter, no wine - but the advantage of virtue.

party time

 The commune of Esperaza was definitely en fete yesterday. We had our vide grenier and a band and much joy abounded, though masks are still de rigour. 

There was a fee-paying public for the band but the rest of us stood outside and listened. Sounded good. Wasn't afraid to miss the light show :)

                              I went to Alet-les-bains for their vide grenier too and ours was better.

Much excitement here when after many years of close attention I have seen an electric car charging at our electric car recharge point.  It's behind the Museum of Dinosaurs should you be considering a change.

Anyone know anything about makers' marks? Bought this  at the vide grenier and delighted to see that someone made it - but don't know how to find out who, where or when. 

And maybe its not a markers' mark at all, not my field of expertise - 

Lifting the spirit at Pentecost

The nearside of the river is closed to traffic today, pending the arrival of Nadau tomorrow and Monday. The rest of the riverbank is devoted to parking, whilst over the river is being decked out with bunting and such for the holiday.

Been having fun here and forgetting to photograph it - plotting with Helene*, coffee with Louise and Norbert in their high castle, shopping with them in Limoux (Le Parchemin open, got new clothes and a book!)  apero with Robin and Jane and Zara to celebrate the arrival of Robins Carte de Sejour which means all the foreigners in our quartier are tooled up. And spotted Gracie.

*The reason I was plotting with Helene is that we want her to sell our mountain land. It's too much for  these geriatrics. Anyone want a couple of hectares of vineyard, rock and garden on Mt Marot? Complete with water well, cherry trees, a little stone capitol and sundry sheds, views to die for... I'd always expected to be buried there but forgot I'd have to get there first.

You've probably seen this (below) but it still makes me smile... have a happy holiday weekend out there, y'all