We have
been very thankful for a comparatively mild winter this year,
although it has been a bit wetter than normal. Still we seem to go
through our central heating oil pretty rapidly – buying a new
tankful and paying for it all at once really squeezes the wallet!
We bought
some tickets to watch Brive Rugby play – discounts for three games. We
chickened out for one game as it was a freezing cold night, but did
get to watch them play against Grenoble and Newport.
For Judy's
birthday we had a very nice meal at the village auberge – special
birthday cake provided!
I suppose
being fairly rural we should expect a few power cuts, and with some
high winds we had a few this month – a pain as of course the
central heating stops as well.
Went to
Brive to watch Lala Land, a very enjoyable film. Afterwards went for
an Indian meal in what I believe is Brive's only Indian restaurant.
Not a great success – our American friend Rhonda is not a fan of
Indian food and this didn't convert her!
Since my
last effort I have been taking lots more photos to produce my short
then and now videos, plus I have updated some of the older ones. If you want to see any go to YouTube and search for cliftondj.
Our new
windows were fitted in February (well almost all of them). Tim and
Barry started fitting them when we had a power cut which lasted
overnight. Luckily it came back the next morning, as we had planned to
take a short break and leave them to it!
We headed
off south and found a very nice hotel to stay in near the town of
Mirepoix in the Ariege – we had been there several times before and
its a lovely area. The hotel has wonderful views of the Pyrenees from
our bedroom, and we had three very nice nights there.
Mirepoix
As well as
Mirepoix we visited a number of other places, including the
impressive town of Foix, and the breathtaking fortress of Montsegur.
Well it would have been breathtaking if we hadn't stayed at the
bottom...
Another
interesting day out was to Carcassonne. Again a magnificent mediaeval
city, perhaps a little over restored, and very much a tourist magnet.
Still a must see though.
On our
last night we met up with our friends the Nobles at their holiday
cottage in the delightful village of Esperaza. Nigel was in the RAF
with me many years ago! With them we visited the village of Rennes le
Chateau, famous in modern legend for tales of buried Templar treasure
– very Dan Brown!
The Nobles
Esperaza
Back home
to find all the windows bar one fitted – the house now seems very
quiet. This is quite lucky, as soon after we got back they started
digging up the road outside our house – work which is still ongoing
as I write this in May. First they laid a new water main, filled it
all in, then came back and dug it up for a new sewer. The road itself
is often shut without notice, which can be a real pain. Our Mayor
assures us it will all be worth it!
Shrove
Tuesday – Judy made some delicious pancakes, and I almost managed
to persuade a couple of friends in UK that as dedicated ex-pats we
ate them with Marmite!
We have
tried to get out for our picnics as much as we can. One good day
ended up at the Gallo Roman site at Cars again – the 2,000 year old
picnic table! Occasionally we chickened out, as we did a couple of
weeks ago when we chose a very rainy day to venture out, and ended up
eating in a restaurant – we did have the picnic for supper at home.
Bent over
one day to put my socks on and my back “went”. Very painful for a
few days, but gradually cleared up by itself, and hasn't reappeared
thank goodness.
Our
Auberge has carried on with its special evenings – a Couscous Night
was very enjoyable!
For our
44th anniversary dinner we went to La Treille Muscate, a
restaurant and hotel in a very old building in the lovely town of
Uzerche.
Our
village historical society had an evening meeting, at which I learned
I was a guest speaker. In fact we just showed my short video of
Voutezac then and now. It would have been rather more impressive if
there had been sound with it. The main talk was about the bridge in
Le Saillant, just down the hill from us. There were several
references to the various times Les Anglais and Le Prince Noir had
“visited” the area, and a few pointed (I hope humorous) glances
in my direction. Interestingly the current chatelaine of the Chateau
du Saillant, Madame Lasteyrie, was there. She is the sister of ex
President Giscard D'Estaing. The Lasteyrie family have owned the
chateau for over 600 years. Revolution? What revolution?
The couple
who run our lovely Auberge, Fabio and Marie, got married a few weeks
ago and very kindly invited Judy and me and Rhonda and David Lush to
the wedding(s). It's in the plural as here the only legal wedding is
that held in the Mairie before the mayor. The church service after is
presumably more a blessing. We were all asked to wear clothes from
between 1890 and 1950, and the groom wore a kilt! No I have no idea
why! During the ceremony at the Mairie the couples dog, a very laid
back golden retriever, wandered in and lay down under the mayor's
table – she never blinked! From there to the church to be met by
two highland pipers! After that the vin d'honneur back at the Mairie
– a great day.
One very
busy day to describe last week before I sign off. Had to wait in for
an oil delivery – when he came he couldn't use his normal spot
because of the roadworks, so he just parked in the centre of the road
and carried on. Then to check chez Makepeace at Malavaud and read the
meter. Almost sure I switched everything off....
From there
to lunch at le Tilleul de Sully in Montgibaud a lovely restaurant in
a tiny hamlet. Wonderful food. From there a walk around Uzerche –
very photogenic. Then to see Janie at Chateau Bellefond for high tea
– her welcome to all her friends on her return from the USA. Just
couldn't do it justice......
Uzerche
