Enjoying the Last of June

Social life started to pick up with the light nights and extra freedom. There were even events in the village: 

• The annual Fête de la Musique surprisingly (the new Maire is not one to put his head above the parapet) took place on 21st despite being cancelled in most other places. The evening was warm and there were three spots in the centre of the village where a variety of  musicians and singers  played. Much better than the concert style evening that we've had before ... the result of covid requiring smaller gatherings. Saw lots of people I'd not seen for ages. The biggest surprise of all was finding Juste and Josephine there. Despite having been quite close (hols together etc) they'd started to distance from us over village politics before Christian died and then not so long after they moved to Spain (a long term project) without saying a word. They were back to finalise selling their house. Spent the rest of the time that they were there with them. It was as though nothing in-between had happened. Was even invited to go and stay with them. Funny old world. Ended the evening with Jacques on the terrace of the restaurant where we had a couple of glasses of champagne which ended up being on the house! 
•  An open air jazz concert
• The Feu de St Jean didn't happen, however. Firework display will happen in July at the Festa Major. Nicole and Anna as usual decorated the street and I hung out my Catalan flags. The cats are nothing to with St Jean but are an amusing feature of the neighbourhood.
  

Get togethers with friends happened, of course: 

• Apéritis at Michel's
• Apérits and grazing platter with the 3 English women that I meet from time to time at the other bar. The food was a good deal but the covid conversation was wearisome. No risk taking was the order of the day so was surprised that they lived dangerously coming out and mixing, albeit at a distance, with unknown people! 

 

A BBQ at Rémi and Lynne's on the patio overlooking a large well tended grass area and garden. A lot of work that I was glad not to have to do. After a leisurely apéro and lunch we played a couple of rounds of a Finnish skittles game and a never ending darts match round the clock.

 

• Lunch under the shade of the cherry tree at Jean and Françoise's. It's oft said that there's no such thing as a free lunch and so it proved to be. Jean asked me to translate a hour's talk given by an astrophysicist he knows and who, indeed, I've met, too. Gulp! Not having yet got the hang of an online translator, it took a long time. I'm no scientist that's for sure.
  
• Lunch at Jacques.
• Dinner with JJ at the restaurant by way of a thank you for helping me with my tax return. 

• There were even a couple of apéritifs chez moi. 

 One of the days, Françoise and I set off after a coffee at the bar to further explore the Retreat grounds. Out for 2 hours during which time we found the "Belvedère des Poètes". Luckily there was some shade from time to time as it was hot. Treated myself to a shandy while I read the papers when we got back. Have'n't managed any treadmill though so exercise has been sadly lacking.

 

 The papers continue to be a regular activity as does a cuppa at the café while I read them. Even went to the market in Céret a couple of Saturdays for a change of scene.

Chores are not such a regular activity so I surprised myself by tackling the weeds and moss on the cobbles down by the well. Took three mornings and a back ache to get it done but it looks so much better.

Not a month goes by without something not working out. The repairman who said he was coming to sort my washing machine didn't make it after I stayed in and then after the weekend he phoned not to say sorry but that he had just realised that the suppliers had sent the wrong piece!

On a more serious note, I noticed that my left eye had pale filaments in a kind of half moon shape moving around on one side and there were some occasional white streaks. Worried it could be a detached retina I rang my opthalmologist's; of course being Saturday, it was closed. The recorded message said to go to the Emergency Department of Medipole Clinic in Perpignan. Ann came up trumps with transport. Got as far as the triage nurse, who came after the fire officer doing a covid check outside the front door and the admin check in. The nurse sent me off to the hospital on the other side of the city as they didn't have an ophthalmologist on call. Went through the process at the hospital but this time got to see a specialist. Nothing like Casualty on the telly. All very civilised. The retina was fine, it was some gel that had come away which apparently can happen with age. Normally it goes away. Arrived home around 15h45 having left about 10h30. Kept off small screens for several hours and watched "The Last Vermeer" on the big one instead.

You might be surprised to know that we villagers are also aware that there is a world outside. Won't rant on about how things are going in UK but can happily report that the Rassemblement National party (the new face of the Front National) did not do well in the Regional and Departemental elections here. 

So that's that a positive note to end this post on. Will be back (with a bit of luck and a good dose of discipline) sometime mid July to let you know that all's well before tackling the end of month round up. 

Weather:  Lowest temperature was 26° and that was only for one day. Otherwise, the thermometer showed 28° - 32°. Mostly clear blue skies and only one thunderstorm.

Highlight of the Year!

 Off to the Basque Country 

 15.6.21: Started from home at 9am. Coffee stop just before Toulouse and lunch off the autoroute in Pau.  Arrived at our airbnb studio flat in St Jean de Luz at 4pm. Modern and absolutely fine. Following a wind down after the stresses of the route, we set off on the 10 minute walk ( Martine has short legs) via the small port to explore the old town (including the church of St John the Baptist where Louis XIV was married) followed by a strolll along the prom. Lots of independent shops, tourist shops and eating places. Ended up at the Basque Tavern where we had a reasonable meal and friendly chat with our neighbours who were down from the Lot. He rears ducks and was passionate about his job; his wife works in a (upmarket, I imagine) clothes shop.

Weather: 30°, (35° at home), sunny

16.6.21: Off we went for the short drive to Espelette, where the red peppers come from. It goes into everything! Even the outside of the houses are decorated with strings of them. Fell lucky as the market was on. The food market was interesting with its locally produced offerings, especially the Basque sheep's cheese. Very tempting but not the best idea to have it sitting all day in the car. Stayed for a coffee and then went on to Itxassou, a much smaller village for a walk around. We found a Fronton, used for playing the Basque game 'Pelote' in the centre and were amazd by the sight of over 20 black kites flying overhead. We didn't see however, anywhere that grabbed us for lunch so we carried on to Cambo where there are thermal baths catering for people who come ( thanks to the health service) for a 3 week "cure". This one deals with respiratory problems and rhumatism. Luxuriant grounds and a restaurant, the " Pavillion Bleu" open to the public. Sadly for us, they were fully booked but the receptionist suggested " le Chipito" in the town. A much simpler affair but we both enjoyed our well garnished salads. After lunch we wandered into the little park next door; me to write some postcards, Martine for a snooze.

 

Came home and after a a reviving cuppa we went back into the town to explore another part of St Jean. Walked a fair bit and decided to try Paxaran, a Spanish (Navarre) Basque sloe brandy apėritif albeit an early one, it only being 17h. Walked some more, ending up on the Place Louis XIV, where his house is now the Mairie by the port, for rosé and tapas. Made it home early was the area is on an amber storm alert.

 Weather: 33° (32° at home) very hot

17.6.91: It rained heavily in the night and there was unimpressive thunder and lightning in the distance however first thing the rain was off. Even though we knew the rain would be back, set off anyway for St Sebastian (aka Donostia) over the border. Found an underground parking by the 5* Hotel Marie Christina. Pretty imposing. Walked along the footpath looking down on the sea where from time to time people were taken by surprise by the crashing waves. Of course the camera was never in the right place at the right time to capture the spectacular images! 

Gave the climb up Mt Igueldo a miss as did everyone else. After a coffee we contented ourselves with wandering through the old town taking in 19th century Constitution Square with its numbered windows; the numbers above each one of the windows of the houses were in a previous life the bullring boxes from where you could watch the bullfights, the covered market, Santa Maria church with the most amazing 18th Neapolitan creche. Found a pinxos (tapas) bar, the Taverna Alatar, for lunch after which we wandered some more, this time down to the sheltered marina and on to the Good Shepherd church but didn't go in. By this time it was raining more heavily so we decided to head home by way of the motorway. 

Took advantage of a dry interval to go to the local superette to buy in some provisions for our supper as going out was not on the cards. Thus we had the opportunity to drink the bottle of cava I'd brought and to try a Gâteau Basque. In the end up we didn't eat what we'd bought as we'd tucked in to too many savoury biscuits.

Weather: 21°, clammy. Rain more on than off. Heavy at times.

18.6.21:The day brightened up as it progressed which was just as well as we were scheduled to visit Bayonne. When we finally got there (slow moving traffic) we started off with a  coffee at the Café du Théatre and then wandered around this very pleasant historic town ~ river, timbered buildings, Notre Dame, a 13th century church, fort, arcades and narrow streets. Had lunch at Café Chala after which we hit the road for the long drive back having the misfortune to hit Toulouse at rush hour. Arrived home at about 19h15. Tired but glad to be back sleeping in my own bed.

 Weather: 31° overcast on arrival, 24° (Bayonne), sunny

June 2021: A Milestone Reached!

 June 2021:  Yippee!

 The song goes "June is bustin out all over" and that's just how it feels. The weather is much warmer and on the 9th the curfew was pushed back to 23h. Enjoying a coffee in the square listening to the fountain, a saxophonist practicing in the Maison pour Tous and watching the world go by, c'est la vie. Some feeling of normality has returned. Of course, normal always includes the routine things of of life, too. I'll get those over first :

Had some IT issues which Nick helped sort out and Dominique came to paint another two sets of shutters.

The photo project continues ad infinitum but you know me 'I've started, so I'll finish' . . . . whenever that maybe.

Needed to do some shopping other than for food and Jacques was kind (not to mention patient) enough to chauffer me around. Found the planter tray at the 4th attempt, a cable found at the 3rd attempt but at 28€ was left on the shelf and a watering can found straight off. Took more time than we'd anticipated so on returning it was time for tea which we had at his place. We were later joined by Michel; the tea pot was put away and the bottles came out. 

Over the two weeks there were teas and coffees with Hortense, with Françoise, with 5 other Brits, with Nicole, with Martine and with Michel. In return, I had Michel around, Jacques too. Even made it as far as Céret one morning with Michel and on going our separate ways, me to the money machine and on a bit of walk to see what changes had taken place, I met up with Henri who I joined for a coffee. There was also an invitation for Martine, Carmen and myself to Nany's for tea. Sat around the table talking, drinking Earl Grey and eating fresh raspberry and cream cake. Pity that the apéro that I had with Dani and Ann at the bar one Sunday evening didn't cut it as far as 'raport 'qualité/prix' was concerned. 

Still we were on the countdown to the 9th and the opening of the village restaurant. A real treat on the horizon. Martine and JJ came for an apéro before we went to take up our places on the terrace of the restaurant. Meal was excellent from start to finish and didn't disappoint.

You'll perhaps be asking 'where are the walks?' Just hasn't worked out and the photos have been distracting me. Well, for distracting I'd be more honest if it read obssessing. Now it's too hot. All is not lost though; I can go back to using the treadmill and the gym sessions for 'oldies' will continue until end June.

Weather: 23° - 35° most days were sunny all day long
Despite being whiter than white, my shorts made an appearance from the back of the wardrobe as temperatures soared and the watering can earnt its keep given the pump in the well has stopped working. Hey ho, just another thing to sort one day or another.

May 2021

May is a month well peppered with Public Holidays. 1st (May Day), 8th (end of 2WW in Europe), 16th (Ascension), 24th (Whitsun) and the 1st is the only day of the year when newspapers are not printed. Well, it is a day held sacred by trade unions and the workers of the world. Sadly for French workers, being a Saturday, there's no day off in lieu. Strange to think UK is ahead on this labour matter. 

It's also the only day of the year when anyone can sell lily of the valley in the streets. Not that we see any of that around here. I woke in the morning thinking that it would be the first time (last year doesn't count as I was in UK) that there was no one likely to give me any. Christian always did and then Jacques did but he's away.  It was a nice surprise then when Nicole did and Jacques, Valérie, and two Genevièves sent me virtual sprigs. The weather was wet so I spent the rest of the day when I came home from the market on my latest obsession.

I know that you'll be agog to know ..... I've decided to digitalise Christian's slides and my photo so that I can combine the best of both in Google Albums. Now isn't that rivetting news? Seems like a good storage solution. If anyone still enjoys flicking through actual albums, I'll have plenty going begging. It'll be a mammoth, brain numbing task but on the other hand I'll relive memories of friends, family and travel far and wide. Given that Google is replacing its free unlimited storage by a 15G quota on 1st June, there's an added incentive to get a move on.

Covid, like elsewhere in the world is a subject that dominates life. "Have you been vaccinated? Yes, 2nd one done." "Which one? Moderna". " Any ill effects? Just a large red patch." There are people who conform with mask wearing and others who dismiss the whole thing and don't want their liberty curtailed. Still, internal travel restrictions were lifted on the 3rd and on the 19th non essential shops and services  could open and even better, cafés and restaurants could open their socially distanced terraces.  Took advantage of this new freedom with a trip to Perpignan with Françoise to do a bit of "essential" shopping and who should we bump into but Jean-Jacques. We had a stand up takeaway coffee in the sun and even this small event was a treat! 

An even bigger treat was a trip over the border to Figueres to go to the produce market with Michel and Eric, an artist of international reknown who's been recently widowed. What a great day; it was like Christmas, birthday and summer holiday all in one! Started with coffee and croissants, provided by Eric, at Michel's before we all set off for Figueres. As we live within a 30km radius from there, we're allowed to cross the border without a PCR test. What joy to walk around the fresh produce market, have lunch in a 9 Supreme where the food was as good as ever and a cuppa on the Plaça Major. Hand sanitizer was everywhere and staff were vigilant about distancing. And to top it all, the sun was shining.

Have also eaten at the village bar twice. Once with JJ, Jean and Françoise and the other time with Thérèse (from an old village family) who well and truly pushed my arm up my back to join her and her two friends for lunch. Was kind of her but I can't say that I was on the same page as her friends. 

 

 A few invitations to friends' houses for lunch; chez Dali, chez Jean & Françoise, twice chez Jacques one time for a Mexican meal and chez Gérard and Anna for a rooftop dinner with the neighbours from where a vivid sunset was also on the menu along with the roast lamb.  Made dessert (Torte Royale) to take to Dali's. Didn't manage to do a new cake this time, so like most of my good intentions, this one didn't last very long. Lunch was a marathon. Lots of conversation, lots of laughs, lots of cava and red wine. JJ and I were joined in all this by a friend of Dali's who she hadn't seen for 15 years! It was 22h15 by the time we got home. Schhhh! Well, hung for a sheep, well 2 sheep actually, etc springs to mind. Went straight to bed!  Wasn't fed so often this month by Jacques as he was away for almost three weeks. 

 

 

 Also met Nicole for an apéro at the bar but I could only manage a cuppa. Yep, that's right; no alcohol, no food. There was a visit to Thérèse's with Françoise to look at (ie.admire) her garden and to Michel's one time to test a Baba Rum recipe that he was trying out and another time with JJ to help finish off a cream gâteau. There was a trip out of the village with Jean and Francoise as far as Argelès one Sunday morning for a coffee overlooking the marina followed by two outside exhibitions One on coral and the other on the Taïga.

 

 Just in case you're wondering, yes, I did offer some hospitality. Those above came for an apéritif dinatoire which wasn't as meagre as it might look on the photo. A very large snacking board and dessert followed those nibbles. Preparation took a whole lot longer than a 3 course meal but at least I didn't miss out on the conversation. Such a bore being in the kitchen while everyone else is having a lively time.There was also an impromptu apéritif after the market one Saturday. Michel  came for tea one afternoon  as he's trying to avoid the many calories that come with an apéritif or meal. Even so, he didn't say "no" to the biscuits on offer.

 

 Did less exercise than usual, only going on 3 walks; partly due to uncertain weather but mostly because I couldn't motivate myself to get out away from the computer. Did however, start "Gym for Seniors" which gives me 1 hour/week out in the fresh air. Nothing cardiac; more exercises to improve flexibility and suppleness. 

 

Well, that's the fun stuff, such as it was and as we all know, this is the real world. First off was doing my tax return which JJ and I got to grips earlier than usual as he was going to be away at the end of the month. Submitted in with 3 weeks to spare! A first and such a relief. Attended the Twinning Committee's AGM. Martine, the President, the Treasurer and myself resigned; the other two members didn't turn up. The committee that resigned en masse three years ago put themselves forward and were elected. well no one else was up for it. 

On the domestic front, Dominique came to paint two more lots of shutters; only 4 more windows and 2 patio doors to do. And, horror of horrors, I found that the rubber pipe going from the calor gas bottle in the cave to the pipe going up to the kitchen should have been changed in 2001!!!! Jean came to the rescue backed up by his son when he couldn't get it right at the first go. Oh yes, and I had a fibre optic connection installed which gives an amazing download speed. Internet connection though can still be a bit hit and miss at times.

 

Weather: 

Unstable is the only word for it with blue skies and daytime temperatures rising to 28° and descending to a chilly feeling 16°. At other times there has been rain, usually light but a couple of times heavy and accompanied by thunder

 

So, the  month ended as it began with me beavering away at the photos and a light rain shower. I'm still keeping odd hours, eating quick, what ever I can find kind of meals and having too much large and small screen time. But ... life is getting back to some kind of 'normality' and it will be interesting to see if I put the 5kg I've lost back on. What next? Summer is a-coming in and Martine and I are planning a few days away in the Basque country soon. And as I say regularly to myself, I am going to try and get to bed earlier. Well, maybe! We'll see.