First round

 Market jolly, as ever; a little muggy with heat and no breeze but mustn't complain. We can complain, however, at the election results. Trying not to panic until the finals next weekend. Pundits either gloomily predicting a catastrophe for Europe if the Pennists get it or hoping for a tiny Macron majority. Either way the traditional system here seems somewhat unworkable. 

stuff happening

Hannah's boyfriend Tom arrived yesterday so the creperie called for last night - they're here together for a week. Daniel is also here and though I have hundreds of photos of him they are not post able! They are failed passport photos. The algorithm doesn't like him and his passport is lost, so he may be here some time...

so its a well the season is marching on!! Voila, night markets commence.

Anyone going to the flamenco tonight, at Montazels old hat factory? If so, can they offer a lift to the beautiful and charming young people above?? Cheers!!

 

narbonnnnnnmmm

My favourite bad boy, dug up under Narbonne train Station and now tarted up and on display in the Norman Foster designed museum, Narbo Via.

What a day we had! Many of the British geriatrics of Esperaza got loaded onto a coach and had, firstly, coffee and croissants by a motorway, then the magic museum tour (with guide and in my case a walking stick with a little seat attached) After which a large and notable lunch on the terrace in the shade, thence to various activities - mine being a boat trip up and down the canal. It was hot but comfy and enjoyed by all. We saw a fisherman catch a fish on our way down for the first lock: on the way back, he did the same thing. 

 Hats off to Marie-Pierre who is an organisational genius; and to John Morley and other helpers for keeping the wanders under control. 

Hannah came too. At nineteen years of age, she brought the average down somewhat :)

missing, presumed stolen

some persons unknown and unkind have stolen one of Jeannie's pots... possibly after the music festival.  It was big to carry away. 

Upsetting.

Anyone see anything?

Jeannie tells a cautionary tale (apart from nailing your flowers down ) The police came for her on account of finding a box inappropriately binned, which carried her name and address. No matter that she didn't live at the address on the package or that it was v old - she got shafted for a hefty fine.

For a town covered in security cameras, its all rather surprising.

*****

Here's Hannah sitting outside at John and Margarets where we were fed to excess, unable to say no - too delicious! - and young Peter Dunn, in a similar state. 

                            There was also present a 3ft long grass snake, most beautiful but alas, dead. 

Clare, Margaret and John didn't get snapped, weirdly. 

Another time.

 

Fridays sport

The pond becomes fascinating as our frog has a friend, courtesy neighbour Vincent... not knowing a thing about frogs I was watching closely to see if they'd be OK together. This morning they were on adjacent spots, looking fat and happy and eating mossies.

Here is the mighty Ole-Bendik with Jazz last night at the festival of music.  Mixed reviews of the evening as shouty DJ's and loud ticky ticky ticky drumming into the early hours not that popular with our age group. I'm sure they are excellent of their genre... 

Hannah, Clair and Cleopatra

 

gentle weather

 While France - and the world in general - suffers from heat or floods, we lucky ones have a soft and gentle time, and are grateful.

Me and les filles have been away at Puilaurens, drawing, painting, eating and drinking. Sigh.

Fete de Musique tomorrow!! In the square and in front of the school. See you there :)

sat/sun in June

This would have been an amazing photo if I hadn't been so slow off the mark, showing John flambeeing the fruit after yesterdays lovely lunch. It was terrific, served with brebis ice cream. 

I can claim a hand in it though... I promised to bring dessert for lunch and totally forgot (ouch! And ouch again!) so what our hosts prepared was a symphony of unprepared ingeniousness. Erm, how fortunate they are to have friends who offer them the opportunity to be creative. Um.

And today was tea-time with Samuel, who laid out this plate to help explain to us all how the French governmental system works. He fears that the far right will win the upcoming election and has put his house on the market in order to return to Greece. Much debate.

Here is le Pont this morning, where I sheltered from sunlight and smokers. Lovely.