Hols by the sea

 Bob and I had a touch of cabin fever and decided to quell our restlessness with a 2 bus trip to Collioure. Roped in the neighbours to take on parrot care and took off early Monday. The Perpignan bus leaves from Quillan at 8.20am and we were on it - to RDV at the Centre of the World with the Collioure bus and arrive in time for lunch.

In sight of the sea.

I'd booked us into the little hotel of the Templars, the one covered in original and exciting paintings from the turn of the last century to the 1960's, and loved it. 

Of course, it was out of season so all the staff everywhere were cheery and happy to chatter. Recommend avoiding summer, its hell there; just ask the staff!

We ate massively and pottered gently, early nighted -

- and first thing in the morning went back to the  beach, thinking we'd be alone, to find a large and growing reception.

Faces painted in camouflage, some running about with guns (hopefully unreal ones), lots of very fit young persons clearly training for the onerous task of protection.

That and the changing weather made it easier to come home - 10.30 bus after hotel breakfast in their lovely bar (more paintings) which got us to Perpignan with 10 mins to spare for the Quillan bus. These trips incidentally now cost 2 euros each. 

-----Mustn't moan about price increases, its still fabulous value. 

Now back. Parrots sulking.

LIfe goes on...

...in a time of war, we are concerned but helpless. Got ideas though! And shared many of them last night with John and Margaret, Gert and Elsbeth. As ever, enjoyed their company hugely. 

 

Art resurgence

 Hadn't planned to go to last nights' vernissage since it was in Quillan and I don't drive, but a last minute offer revolutionised my thinking...

An American artist called Dave has opened the old boulangerie as a gallery and studio - not sure if it has a name yet - and he exhibited a handful works by his students. I'd forgotten how much fun a group of artists could be :) 

Dave put on a very good spread with lashings of blanquette. He has interesting plans for the gallery, involving trying to establish an art audience to appreciate the many artists of these parts. Life drawing is a pivotal part of his plans; drop in on him at 6, Rue de la mairie for all info. if you fancy it.

Esperaza news on Thursday

 Our neighbour Michell is here for a week from the Cote d'azure, bearing oranges and lemons from his orchard in Menton...

Also arrived are Margaret and John - in fine fettle - and Gert and Elsbeth, not yet spotted but here somewhere. You can tell its spring :)

The bad news is that the 8a8 will be closing for three weeks from Sunday. It's being made bigger and smarter and though I keep telling them its alright as it is, they will insist on change. Bah.

If you are one of the many who have their parcels delivered there, you'll have to go to Couiza - ring 0468 74 09 10 for info. 

RIP Frank Dunnett. d.20 02 2026

Frank left Esperaza with his (then) wife Liz in 2019, deaf to our pleas to get them to stay- 

they were a delight to be around and we shared many a meal, many an interesting conversation, many a merry evening.

Frank had the sweetest manners; we all know that Esperaza is the safest place one can imagine but he would insist on walking me home after many a riotous party. He and Liz were most kind to my appalling dog Lily too, knowing I was a vegetarian they'd keep bones for her. She adored Frank!

I visited them in the UK... here they are in Bexhill-on-Sea, where they'd relocated. Frank was a member of the yacht club and of course maintained his golf obsessions. He was well-known in Esperaza as the man who bought his wife a golf club he wanted for christmas. She didn't play.

Their divorce was a sadness but after 40-something years - and diverging interests - it arrived. 

Liz rang me today with the news of his passing and instructed me to let his old friends know.

                                                   All the best to her and to Franks family. 

 

Sun set last night

-not only beautiful but there were bats! Perhaps this endless winter has finally moved on. 
 

Early market

 Thick mist!! It'll be cleared, no doubt, when I go back for round #2 Below is Ruben, preparing our lunch. He's simultaneously hosting breakfast for the other stall holders, they take it in turns - wine, bread, cheese, pate. That's why they're always so cheerful :)