Just thoughts...

I am astounded by the variety of trees in this area. Right outside our house are aspens, yet, we pass palms on every drive...and, they are healthy palms which demonstrate the mildness of the winters here. Winn is thrilled to see a walnut tree just behind the house. We have lavender bushes surrounding the front of the house. The variety is amazing!

We've pondered the history of this dwelling we inhabit and have decided that at some time in it's past it was a barn in the downstairs which now is the kitchen and large dining area with fireplace and a small, fusty smelling bedroom. Lots of mold in the house, not unexpected with all the damp weather here. They have had no snow to speak of last winter and a dry summer with no appreciable heat, so Lake Montbel is very low now.

Today is overcast and a bit cool and Judy and Winn have gone to find the Canal du Midi while I catch up on ordinary chores and get a bit of rest. Judy either has a mild cold or perhaps allergies and I'm trying not to catch it, if it is a cold. I was up 'til 3:30 downloading their pictures and burning disks for all of us to share. I left my charger and spare battery at home and then tried to get it mailed to me, but it seems that batteries can't be mailed, so for practical purposes I have no camera. However, their pictures are splendid, so I WILL have some good ones.

Last nights dinner with Josep just for us was such a treat. He is such a nice man and he brought all the food and I furnished the wines. Judy had made a smashing bread pudding using local ingredients and that made quite a hit. We asked if they might have an idea of someone who would give her a day of cooking instruction in the local foods and some mention of the woman who runs Esme's was mentioned, so I'm hoping there could be a chance for that to happen. We might all three crowd in if it is possible. She would so like to have a chance to see/learn the local style of cooking.

They were horrified at the story of the girls in the market and advised them that they had been 'robbed' and should have refused to pay for the food...40 E for the food was awful! We hesitate to translate that into bottles of water and for potatoes and a chicken stew that no one even tasted! Well, live and learn, but we can't afford that sort of lesson again. On the other hand I've discovered a wine that is pretty good, made locally for 1 Euro and Winn bought the red and says it's pretty good. Of course I love the Blanquette de Limoux and it's not high priced. If you don't know the history, it was the first sparkling wine made and dates from the 15th Century and is made nearby around Limoux. The 1 E wines are table wines.

I'll post more later, but need to go see why we can't see pictures we post...can anyone see the one at the beginning of the blog? We can't and I'm not sure why.

Pat