absent

 No prizes for guessing - I'm in London. Sigh. Horribly wet. Back ASAP

galloping rhume

 Snivelly cold is now full blown so no kissing again today - a great market anyway though depleted by rain and chilly weather. Lovely for the determined locals. Spent most of the morning sitting in the plastic bag that the Argentinians have put over their outside tables, bless'em, with les Rushtons. 

Bumped into Will of Rennes les Bains who tells me that his restaurant(s) are open Thurs., Fri. and Sat until April. Good to know...

Captain and I got taken to Ax les thermes by Jo, aided by Charlotte, on Friday for 'the treatment' . Simply wonderful. Long mountain drive featuring snow, then two hours of hot soaking in various pools. We ended up outside looking at the view whilst toasting in steaming clear water. Surely hot mineral water can only be good for you - and along with everyone else we had the sort of idiot smiles that children draw with wax crayons on pictures of their families- but afterwards we were knackered. Slept well, for sure. Can't wait to do it all again.

Taken from the car  -

Historic day today as Msr and Mdm Linares close up their shutters after 28 years of toil. They're off to play with their grandchildren. 

The gap in the market will be absorbed by Erika in the 8a8 - no idea what, if anything, will happen to the store in Rue Gambetta.

Caught and caged...

...the towns' christmas tree safely installed.

 

The lights are up too, much as ever though pretty nonetheless. 

Lunched with Siggy at le Pont today - she pointed out how creative the chef is there nowadays. Plat du Jour; ducks hearts, salsify, salad. 

Strong sun caused interesting shadows -

Here's the captain sternly confronting his chocolate pudding.

A man has to do what a man has to do, bien sur.

Paucity of market...

 ...and none of the promised snow. Only us locals about; nice. I'm developing a streaming cold so forbore to kiss my friends.

Here's the big event. Msr and Madame Linares really are retiring - thought they may have changed their minds, but no - and their business will move to the 8a8. They'll miss us.

 

metropolis Esperaza

 Here are Lizzie Jackson and Barbara Darling, both eating at the Chapaire for the first time - imagine! It was a success, grilled salmon followed by a lemon coupe. Despite the fullness of the place we were able to sit and chatter quietly - 

It's cold; despite the gloom of the neighbours, no snow. Yet.

Jamsie de St Ferriol

 

In a collection of terrible photos from last night, I thought this was rather eloquent - birthday boy Jamsie in his chateau, ponderin' - below, just about to tuck into Suzannas steak pie, which was followed by bread-and-butter pudding. Wren was dancing attendance, great team.

We were there with Di Dunn and Ole-Bendick, Cleopatra and Masha. Ill-health (Bob's) called for an early retirement but I'm sure the party frisked on without us...

This week -

Forgot and missed a lot this week but a spot of bird watching yesterday reminded me I hadn't posted for an age. Photos at best inept. I've ringed these two dippers so you are spared having to wonder whats going on. 

Whilst watching them - amoung my favorite birds - I remembered a sighting last year when a kingfisher flew to inspect two of them. Wonderful sight, blue streak between two black and white birds... and just then the kingfisher shot out of the water, wings fully extended, very wet, most gorgeous - snapped him on the branch he came to rest on. 

Apart from this excitement, went to Carcassonne and had lunch at Chez Fred with Lizzie. 

Both wonderful.

Bobs been away for the last few days seeing his London specialists so I've been on parrot watch.

He's back! So off to market-