Table turning

 It may not seem like much in  a global context but the arrival of a new table in our home is pretty major for us, our friends and our parrots.

Rose and Toby

the table

Big thanks are due to Toby, Rose and Norbert (out of shot -)for the dismantling and reassembling of this beautifully crafted bit of kit. We are thrilled.

Katherine and I had lunch on it today so its been inaugurated. 

I've been lax lately but am finally freed from that which ailed me, so will remember to snap mates when they next occur. Missed doing Mr and Mrs Rushton on Sunday and indeed the many lovely friends in the market and hanging about the impasse. Toby is the attraction; she's off tomorrow, but will be back.

Changes in Espe

 I'm still fairly sluggish after la rheum but tottered over to Tobys to bid farewell to the setting of many a happy time. As everyone knows, the house previously known as The Dutch House has been sold, about to become a French House again; we won't loose Leo and Toby who will still visit, just not in this mansion.

Impossible to forget the last 20-odd years of japes! 

Other news; 'our' Tibetans have bought a restaurant in Quillan  (next to The Terminus) and have sold on their Esperaza branch to another Tibetan family. Full report to follow :)

Traditional Wednesday

 

Wednesday evenings have evolved into a pattern - anyone with a beard goes to Tout l'Ap for an hour or to and  those less favoured pick them up at a convenient time to go and recharge at le healthy. 

At this time of year with sporadic customers it's pot luck, really - Bob and I shared a pizza and Di ate a burger thang. Then we came back home for some music and a gentle catch up... lovely evening!

Still coughing here but getting better. Very warm, apparently we have June temperatures. 

Tuesday night

 

Dear Claudine instigated a night at Tout l'Apero, bless her - just what the doctor ordered.  

We ate deep fried battered prawns with a mysterious mayo and drank fruit juice. Actually Claudine drank beer. Bob and I are too enfeebled to cope with alcohol. 

Various friends materialised - David Bailey from Rennes le Chateau and his team, including Sally. A treat.

Daresay we'll be back :) 

Packed market in the sun

 If it weren't so cold, it would feel like spring, brilliant blue sky and strong sun. By the end of the market some folk were in t shirts -  the young hardy ones.

You can spot the Captain and I inside the café, having hot chocolate. We'd been to Carcassonne on a reckie and were knocked out by the beauty of this place, snow on the mountains and all. Feeling better, though not recovered. Hope my fellow sufferers are doing OK> Reuben merrily told me about two mates who'd just about shaken it, then came down with covid. 

Cheers, Reuben.

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.