Irrepressible Sunday in Esperaza

Sundays' market, with the stallholders usually near the stage moved to other spaces. Worked well. Got very hot! We are so lucky to have the weekly market, source of fresh vedg., knick-knacks and joy :) 

The fete carried on in the afternoon and evening. Us oldies did other things - specifically, lunch at Margaret and Johns. Where those two get their energy from is a matter for science to discover. Kat was there and Mike, pineapple peeler extraordinaire, was there with Hilary. She was making her first tentative social call since getting out of hospital; hopefully the first of many more events. 
 

The weather was gorgeous and so was the food and the guests. 

Fete ongoing

 To La Chapaire last night, at the invitation of Siggi and her family; which has grown by one, Maria - totally charming baby. Here she is with her Mama, consulting the menu - (and that is Nel in the background, there with Pete and friends -)

Maria again, with her besotted uncle -

the town fete continued in the square, pleasing the town greatly - 

and Maria slept through it all.

4 degrees this Sunday morning brrr... market in interesting fettle, because of the fete a lot of the stalls are relocated to Rue Gambetti. Sun is out now though - things are warming up :)

Esperaza fete

It's that time of year... the feast day of our patron St Michael, bringer of cold and rain! Here are Jamsie and Masher last night checking it out - judging from the videos on you tube, the DJ was a great success. 

The funfair continues over the footbridge... 

Right now, Saturday afternoon, the communal meal is in full swing. I took a look around and was impressed by the obvious fun, despite the weather - 

If you don't fancy it, this is on tomorrow night. 

 

going or gone

 Allenna's gone back to Toronto; Bobs in Blighty; and now Valentine is leaving us! Many Brits will fret.

She'll be off in a month to work in Bram. The drive to and from Carcassonne every day was doing her in. Bah.

Perfect seaside at St Pierre

 Pete and Clare, Bob, Allenna and myself stopped somewhere for a coffee en route to St Pierre - this motorbike was tied to the wall. It dates from the 1950's sometime and is called a Beckham?? Or similar. The village was called Taliban. Or something like. Not really on the ball today, after a most relaxing little break.

Lunch was in our third choice, all our fave restos being closed. This wasn't bad... salad, moules, chocolate mouse. Mostly; there were variations.

This is my self-portrait, apparently looking into a microscope, with Pete and Clare in the distance.

Here they are, up closer...

The weather was just perfect. Not too hot, no wind, couldn't have designed a better day. 

I made a recording of the gently plashing waves which I have tried to put up here for your pleasure, but it exceeds some limit and it can't be done. Sigh.

alive and wellish

 

Still twinkling, Ole-Bendik is in re-education in Chalabre where he is well cared for. Notwithstanding, he says he'll be out next week as he wants to come home. Is it us he misses?? Ha! It's Cleopatra.

 Lovely to see the old boy and hear of his mishap from the horses mouth, as it were. Knocked about by the forces of darkness while leaving Annie and Petes, in the rain. Mending heroically fast, he says.  

Allenna and the ruins

 Been doing the tourist thang in the Aude with Allenna; started at Alet-les-bains, with the beautiful ruin of the cathedral - hundreds of photos of course - here's one.

In the adjacent church spotted this angel driving a car.

much other good stuff including a portrait of Nicholas Pavilion

possibly not the pirate of the same name but who knows?? Seeing as Nostradamus is supposed to have lived down the street, anything is possible.

Next stop Rennes-le-chateau where we enjoyed a hearty lunch at the bistro of les amis, much appreciated; and a quick tour of the church where I noticed this stained glass for the first time, Lazarus being called forth. Rather good, amongst the kitsch.

That's us exhausted then.

Today, market day, was WET. Coped well, saw lots of friends, now cocooning.