February 2026 and the Days are getting Longer

1.2.26: No comment!

 

The Galettes des Rois are forgotten until January next year having been replaced by crêpes. You wouldn't know that Lent started in the middle of the month; no sign of abstinence here. Gone are days when I was a kid and gave up chocolate. 

In recognition of a bit of cultural balance, the Chinese New Year of the Horse fell 17th. Both the café and restaurant reopened and is our tradition, JJ, Martine, Jacques & Suzette were there for the latter.

I won't bother you with the usual round of meal, apéros and coffees with friends but here are other meals of note: 

  

Ann's 80th 

Chinese Meal followed by Champagne for Michèle's Birthday

 

 

 

 

Delicious Chicken & King Prawns at the Village Hall to raise Funds for the forthcoming Twinning Visit

 

There were 7 of us at our table with the remaining 3 being filled by the man standing in opposition to the Maire, and his Mum ( I've studiously ignored her until now for a remark she was said to have made about Christian 17 years ago; mon dieu!) and a woman who's not unpleasant but presents as wishy washy and uninteresting even though she volunteers at a food bank and charity store. Nothing for it but to concentrate on our copious meal and the bottles of wine that kept coming while trying not to become embroiled in the political swiping.   

Yes, municipal elections are upon us after 6 years of the current Maire's term of office. Leaflets, candidates on the stump, political meetings watching who's in a huddle with whom and bated breathes to see who's on the 3 lists (of 23 people that must respect male/female parity) to join battle for the Mairie for the next 6 years.

 

Good timing. The Municipal Library (open for 2h Wed am, 2h Thurs after school hours and 3h on a Sat am) was inaugurated at the end of the month giving the Maire the chance to meet prospective voters. With the President of the Communité des Communes and two members of the Conseil Départemental in support, he was able to tell those in attendance, what a good job he's been doing. An apéritif  (or two) on offer, there was a respectable turnout.

 

  

There's more to village life than political manoeuvringsI've been involved in the EvS (Éspace de Vie Sociale). It aims to increase social integration and reduce isolation through workshops, networking and other activities. First off a small group of us with the help of a co ordinator, shared 50:50 with Céret, worked on a Charter for users and those offering activities. Here's hoping it will take off. Already there are sewing and knitting groups, both of which have as their base an action to benefit others. Of course, there's help with personal projects if need be a cuppa, biscuits and plenty of chat as well. 

 

As well as continuing a weekly English conversation session with my Japanese friend, Lisa, I've now started a Spanish/English exchange with Pilar.  Feminist, singer/guitarist she already speaks English quite well and is ready to come from Céret to mine on a weekly basis. Not only that, Pilar speaks Catalan, Spanish, French and German as well which she used to teach until she retired. It's not hard to see who's getting the better deal!!uess who's getting the best deal!

 

 All's well, on the health front; just some dental work and haven't put on any weight. Downside is, I haven't lost any despite needing to.

One screen or another is ever present in my life. Having abandoned my original cloud storage provider as too expensive, for Microsofr 365, I soon realised it had not been a good move. Couldn't get to grips with it and found Copilot trying to take over my life. But where else to go? 

The computer bunny burrowed its way into my brain and took me down, the "I must clear my phone of so many photos as google keeps telling me that I'm maxing out my free storage allowance, rabbit hole". It was a very deep rabbit hole and the hours spent hardly made a dent. Once again, I had to go for broke by tagging, editing, collaging and organising. OTT to say the least.

I need to try and keep a rein on my obsessive behavior. Too many very late nights bingeing on box sets can be added to the list. Even my neighbour opposite as commented on the light being on when she gets up in the middle of the night. 

 

I did watch "Hamnet" and Bill Nighy in "Hope Gap" (known as "Goodbye" in France) which were several steps up from my usual fare. I should add I didn't watch Hope Gap in either German or French but of course, in English.

 

 As for the weather. There have been wild swings of temperature with very little rain. It was colder at the end of the month (11°H, 6°L) than at the beginning (16°H, 9°L) having reached the dizzy heights of 24° and the lowest nighttime temperature of 4°. 

But there are signs of better things to come.

Nature Notes: 

Two Turtle Doves

 

  

So, all that remains is for me to leave you with a couple of anecdotes:

1. 1st February is National Yorkshire Pudding Day. Who knew that?

2. 27th February Neil Sedaka died aged 86. Who remembers him? 

 

 

Still Sizzling!

1.1.19 - 7.7.19:

It's still hot and I'm still avoiding anything energetic. My time has been spent watching tv (How to get away with murder) and more cookery book sorting. After years of collecting dust, so few were "must keeps" and such a small number of recipes (sometimes none) were worth scanning and keeping.
Things have gone wrong too. A leak from the tap on the side of the loo, (sorted!) malfunctioning heater control (yet to be done) and 120€ accumulated on my pay as you go phone card, lost. Here, you need to use it or lose it unless you renew before the 2 month expiry date. (Grinning and bearing it!)
Venturing into the ouside world, there was a quick trip to the market, going for a cuppa sometimes meeting friends, sometimes on my own. Had some restaurant lunches firstly with with the language exchangers, then with Lynne in Spain when we went to buy cava coming home via the Col de Banyuls and finally with Nicole at the bar. Was also invited with Harry and Sue to Angela and Paul's in Palalda and with Sophie, Martine and Martin to Joan and Thérèse's where paella was on the menu.
Other than eating and drinking, there was a jazz evening at the bar and on a more serious side, a trip to the clinc to catch Rowena when she was down from her mountain retreat for an out patient's appointment after a fall.
Click the link for the story so far in photos:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EtjAha9Ft8JDjmVc8
Weather:
32° - 35° with rain (not enough) and thunder on Sunday, 7th

Thank goodness for the café and invitations from friends

28.7.18: Out for dessert:
Missed going to the market as I was waiting for a parcel to be deliverd some time between 8 in the moning and 8 at night. Damn thing didn't arrive! Luckily, having opted out of a full meal, I have a date to join Michel and Anita to eat dessert (cheesecake) at his place. More later.
Weather:
29° cloud then sun. Not a breath of air

27.7.18: Out for apéros

Coffee with Nicole and another lethargic afternoon. Mojitos chez Michel livened up the evening especially as a young couple, his airbnb guests, arrived and joined us.
Passing through the square on my way home, the bar was thronged with folk listening to the music. Despite being better than the last concert, I resited requests to stay, preferring to try and catch the lunar eclipse from my terrace. Sadly cloud obscured the view for much of the time but I did manage to snap the tail end of it.
Weather:
34°, hot and sunny, cloud later

 26.7.18: Routine Thursday
Language exchange followed as usual with a stopover at the bar.
Weather:
37°, hot and sunny

25.7.18: Out for apéros

Had a change of coffee venue this morning (Joëlle's) though not of company.
This evening though was the highlight of the week with apéros at Jim and Mags'. A good mix of French (including JJ), Scots and English with endless Pimms to drink and a variety of goodies to eat looking out on a fabulous bit of scenery.
Weather:
36°, hot and sunny

24.7.18: Out for coffee
Coffee with Nicole P, worked on the association website.
Weather:
31°, hot and sunny

23.7.18: Out for coffee and tea
Supermarket with Nick, coffee with Nicole P and walked to Nicole S's for tea.
Weather:
31°, hot and sunny

Where's the Excitment When You Need it?

4.3.18: Feeding the Masses

For the first time ever, I was the only one at the café on a Sunday morning. Sat it out for a bit, talking to who ever came in and then went off a bit earlier than planned to help set up the tables for a meal organised by the association. A couscous with all the trimmings for 90 of us was on the menu and as usual, Mimi did us proud. Bought a portion to take away so I don't have to cook tomorrow or even the day after. Once again, the President came when all was ready and left after eating. Still, I shouldn't throw stones as I didn't stay on for an afternoon of dancing; just wanted to put my feet up and drink endless cups of tea.
Weather:
15°, sun, cloud and rain at the end of the day.

3.3.18: Finally, a Bit of Social Life
Had a coffee at the bar while waiting for a lift to the market with Michel. As usual, I didn't do any shopping but had coffee with Michelle and Henri and then joined Bridget who was minus Hortense and thus on her own.
Continued working on the web site (I am getting there) until it was time to go for dinner at Nick and Kathy's. We were also joined by an Irish couple who'd not been able to travel back home due to the snow and bad weather. In contrast, just look what temperatures we've been experiencing.
Weather:
18°, blue sky

2.3.18: Another Dull Day
Went to Margaret's to check that her house was still holding tight as the repairs to the chimney are not yet done. Too many roofs taking priority. All was well. One bright spot was bumping into Thérèse who said that she was ready to come back and give me a hand in the house. Otherwise, I spent a lot of time on a futile hunt for some keys.
Weather:
16°, blue sky

1.3.18: A Dull Sort of Day
Thursday and yes, well remembered, it was the language exchange and a cuppa afterwards at the café.
The afternoon was no more exciting; just a trip with Maggie to buy pellets for my stove. Predictably, the evening was spent in front of the tv.
Weather:
12°, cloud, heavy rain later

When Flapjacks are the Highlight of your Weekend!

21.1.18: And then there were Two

What a surprise when I went out of my front door to go the the bar for coffee. The wind was warm! Nicole P, Florence and 5 others were there; just Nicole, Martine and I stayed on for a single course lunch.
I was expecting six folk in the evening for an apéritif dinatoire and as of yesterday morning, they started calling off until there was only Martine and myself! Was I right not to take it personnally?
Weather:
18°, cloudy

20.1.18: Downsizing

Went to the market with Florence; met Françoise and had a leisurely coffee. This afternoon Roger and Don came to pick up my old freezer, which is far too big, to take it to a good home.
I made some flapjacks for tomorrow night's guests; wait, who am I trying to kid? The Christmas cake being finished, there was nothing to go with my afternoon pot of tea and I've become used to having something sweet in the afternoon. By the way, I think it deserves more than the 3 stars it has on the website.
https://goodfood.uktv.co.uk/recipe/chocolate-and-ginger-flapjacks/
Weather:
18°, sunny spells and cloud

19.1.18: Nothing is ever as it seems here
Not having heard from the other builder since last week, I finally chased him up only to find that he'd been and had an estimate in his car ready to deliver. All that feeling guilty about taking my eye off the ball for nothing. Took the opportunity when he arrived to whisk him back around to Margaret's to look at the verandah. Said it wasn't for him but he recommended someone else. Family don't seem to be too bothered about how things are going as there's been next to no contact coming from their direction. I'm starting to wise up!
Lunch wth Maggie https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g196603-d11928905-Reviews-Restaurant_GuyMolas-Ceret_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html that gave me the opportunity to have a good ol' moan; did me the world of good.
Home where telly and relaxation was on the agenda.
Weather:
16° sun, rain overnight

Heat and Dust

6.8.17: Best 2€ Worth I've Ever Had.

Stomach not so bad though still sounding like a tuba but having spent all day inside yesterday, it was over to the café without a moment's hesitation.
Met Nancy's current visitors; Linda, an ex ballet dancer/teacher turned biologist and Emma, a fresh faced young woman passionately interested in History. This village is amazing for the diverse and talented people that you can come across.
Back home, I did some more cleaning, a bit of cooking for tomorrow, more B and B hunting and caught up with one blog post.
After all the mundane stuff, this evening's musical offering at the bar was just fabulous! A group playing Rock, Latino and Soul wowed us all. A great evening of music all for the price of a cup of tea!
Weather:
29°, chilly start after overnight rain

5.8.17: Heat Wave Goes On
Gave the market a miss as my stomach is worse. You'll be relieved to be spared the details, I'm sure.

Despite my woes, I cleaned the cave (needs must and all that) and for a bit of light relief, continued my B and B research.
Jean and Françoise called by to check up on me which was kind and just the best medicine.
Weather:
35°, sun

4.8.17: Heat Wave
Went for an early coffee to makethe most of the cooler air. Then I came home to start the clean up ready for visitors next week. It was hot and tiring but I kept at it until the end of the afternoon with only a short break for lunch. Oh, Thérèse, why did you have to break your wrist when I needed you most? Don came by to see about the fireplace so there's more dust to come but I won't go there as it's too depressing to think about at the moment.
For some reason, my stomach has started rumbling and rolling. My goodness, what a moan I'm becoming. These two birthday cards sum up my current state: how I 'd like to see myself and how I'm actually looking!
Weather:
Another scotching day, 38°

Just About Staying the Course

3.8.17: Don't Ask "How Old?"

What a masochist I am! Instead of pampering myself on my birthday, I went to do my duty at the language exchange and it didn't exactly set the heather alight. Still, I had a trip out to lunch in La Jonquera to look forward to with Yasmin, Nancy and Nicole S.
Temperatures reached 100° today and much to our surprise there were people sitting out on the terrace under heat-trapping parasols at the restaurant instead of enjoying the cool of the air conditioned dining room. It was a simple but pleasant lunch in good company and some lovely earrings came my way too.
Still feeling tired, I had a wee siesta and rest on the bed for a couple of hours until it was time to head over to the bar to heat Lolo and his friend play the night away. JJ, Nancy, Kathy, her goddaughter, Nicole S and I soaked up the atmosphere of the full terrace and appreciative audience while bopping as we sat!
Weather:
38°, sun, stifling heat

2.8.17: Three Little Maids Are They!

Had a more leisurely start this morning and then a leisurely coffee with Nicole P and Nancy. Sadly we said "goodbye" to Jacques, Lisa and Yaneth who are not only on their way back to Paris but also heading off to live in South America. Who knows when they'll be back this way and despite a warm and pressing invitation, I'm not sure I'll make it to see them.
There was even sadder news from Michel who phoned to say that his friend, the village dentist, had died while they were on a cycle ride out in the country. Michel, of course was in bits having struggled for 15 minutes to revive him while awaiting the emergency services.
On a much more mundane subject, the sweep came this afternoon to give my chimney a good clean in readiness for the pellet burning stove.
This evening Jim and Mags hosted a reunion of the group that went to Scotland but I felt so drained that I didn't really enjoy it as much as I should have. Feel tired and flat and I'm wondering if it's because I've let gluten slip back into my diet these last couple of days. Or maybe it's just the heat as temperatures soared to 95°
Weather:
35°, sun and no breeze at all

Spending Time with Little Result

11.7.17: In a Bad Mood

Delivered some posters for a forthcoming vernissage ending up at the bar for a coffee with Nicole P. Diana who is in the village for a few days joined us.
The only other thing that I did was try to transfer some ebooks from an email to my ipod. Usually, it's the easiest thing to do but for some reason, only one out of seven went. Spent ages without success and frustratingly couldn't understand why.
It was a relief to stop and rid myself of my bad mood when JJ called by and had a beer.
Weather:
30°, sun



10.7.17: In a Dither

After my morning coffee with Nicole P, I spent most of the day foutering. I just couldn't make up my mind which usb key, ipod cover and galaxy cable to order. Finally got the order off with the usual frustrating moments when the online site didn't play ball.
Later Don and Vlad came to look at the work to be done to make the fireplace ready for the stove that I'm putting in and that was it.
Weather:
28°, rain and thunder

Quiet Weekend

2.4.17: Lazy Sunday Afternoon
After such a late night, it wasn't surprising that I slept until 9.30am. Jacques called by in the morning with a bunch of flowers to make up for me not having been at the market to buy my own (or so he said!)
Of course, there was coffee in the bar with the two Nicoles and Yasmin, among others, followed by an omlette lunch. Came home to work on the blog and do some more foutering.
Weather:
16°, sun but chilly wind making it feel cooler

1.4.17: April Fish

The French mark the 1st April too, by making fools of people but for them, the object is to pin a fish on the person's back as well as to make up fantastic but almost believable stories as in UK. As usual, our doors were decorated with fish; cardboard not fresh, I might add. The only difference from last year is that mine was lilac and not red.
No market as it was raining and only went as far as the bar for a coffee. Foutered on the computer, watched tv and then foutered until after 2.30am when I finally called it a day and went to bed.
Weather:
15°, rain