March 2026
Yellow mimosa has given way to white almond and pink peach blossom creating stunning images with cloudless blue skies and a snow capped Canigou in the background.
There was colour in the village, too. After the quiet of the post Xmas season, there was a burgeoning of village activities.
Carnival time.
St Patrick's Day
Celebrated along with a full house wearing the green at the bar and even ate there. Irish Jack responded to my request for "Only our rivers run free" and oh, did my skin prickle when the guy on the penny whistle joined in.
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A mini concert:
Ventured out in the evening despite the damp chilly weather, to the village hall. Really enjoyed it. Top notch and different. Melodic sound for songs in German, English, French, Spanish, Yiddish and vocal cords from a German singer and Israeli guitarist. Stayed for the usual apéro and caught up with various folk.
Lizzie's Vernissage.
She made plenty of sales, the proceeds of which were shared between an association that neuters cats and an animal refuge. It too, was followed by an apéro accompanied by Jennifer singing and Tony playing jazz.
There were more serious events, too.
MsF's Soirée Tapas
It's a while since I attended one of the association's tapas evenings. It was a convivial evening with new people to meet, a variety of interesting food to sample and foot tapping music to enjoy provided by Gadjo Lolo. No regrets!
The association marked with it's traditional salon du thé with the men serving women. Our street also did it's bit. We were invited to choose a remarkable woman and write a short text about her to be displayed at the start of the street. Decided on Gisèle Pelicot, the French Woman who was drugged and raped by her husband and 50 other men while she was unconscious. Backed up the text with some statistics.
“Shame must change sides.”
The Café Litteraire
As usual the winter edition of the group met at the bar. This time it was upstairs in the "private" room. I listened with interest but didn't present a book. Maybe I should think about Gisèle Pelicot's "Hymn to Life" when I can find the confidence.
Municipal Elections
After six years polling day arrived. Finally, there were 3 lists in contention but the incumbent Maire polled 50.02% of the vote on a turnout of 64.5%, thus avoiding a second round. In reality the Maire was only 2 votes in advance thus the most serious contender put in an appeal to the Sous Préfecture as he believed there had been irregularities.
Next came the official "Installation" of the Council which I attended. The elected members which included 5 members of the Opposition, had to elect the Maire who then named his 6 Assistants i.e. those heading up particular functions and entitled to wear a sash. Just for interest, the Maire's has gild metallic tassels and the assistants silver. There was a bit of a rumpus when the Maire wouldn't let two Opposition replacements participate as he ruled that the correct procedure hadn't been followed. So, another appeal was lodged. The Leader of the Opposition nitpicked his way through the session to the amusement of some and the annoyance of others!
On the home front there was the usual round of social events with friends, chez eux, chez moi and at the café. Won't enumerate them. Trips outside the village merit a note and photo though.
Hansel & Gretel Salon du Thé, Céret
Le Jardin de Céret with Friends from Soréde
Marfil Restaurant, La Jonquera
Here, we met up with Dali's daughter, and her fella. I went for a starter of escalibade followed by paella and Irish coffee which was generous to say the least. The house offered limoncello and a herby type liqueur, leaving the bottles on the table, to end off the meal. Dali invited us (Henri & Michèle, JJ & Jacques, Nany & André, Cathy {her daughter} and Gérard {an ex Usap player}) all back to hers for whisky, chocolate and cake. The whisky at 105€, a bottle came from Cap d'Ona and was recently awarded best whisky in the world! I had to point out the codicil was "in it's category and we don't know either which organisation was making the awards and how much it cost to participate.
Perpignan with Joëlle
What's with the toucan? It was part of the street art expo. We didn't settle on anywhere to have lunch but had tea and patisseries at Brasserie 1900.
Farther afield, I had a day out over the border.
Roses with Jean & Françoise
Despite very strong winds, Françoise was having none of it and wanted to go to Roses. So, to Roses we went. Had coffee at Si'us plau then, battled our way along the front. Settled on a restaurant but settling on a table took 3 moves and even at the end up she wasn't satisfied as there wasn't a clear view of the sea! The meal wasn't to her liking either .. her entrée was tasteless, her main course was tasteless though her tiramiso was cleared without a negative word.
Finally, some exercise . . .
On the Coastal Path
Wanting to take advantage of the warm sunshine, Françoise & I were joined on the coastal path leaving from Sole Mio by Véro. A bit chilly despite the sun.
Over the Channel, Little Sis had a birthday and inspiration didn't fail me
What better present for a cheesaholic? And the funny thing is I came across this one in France!
One last thing:
Of all the screen time I had, "Immortal Man", the Peaky Blinders film and "Togo" about an Alaskan husky were the most memorable.
Nature Notes:
Weather:
Highest Daytime 22°; Lowest Daytime 11°
Highest Nighttime 12°. Lowest Nighttime 5°
Lots of rain, strong winds