October and holidays at last!

Farm we pass daily

Apologies my blog is very late as we have been away on holiday.

It's been a busy season, but now its over, however there is still lots to do at La Bastide.  We have an end of season shutdown which consists of storing outdoor furniture, moving plants to survive any frost's, lots of cleaning, painting and  project planning.  For next season we plan to install a new bath and shower in the cottage, so that families with small children have even better facilities.

We had friends visit throughout the year, enjoyed great company, food and wine at home and out and about at our favourite places.  My business partners at LAN2LAN visited in October and we had a great time, including some dancing at the Swing-bar in Réalmont, great food at Le clos d'Adele in Lautrec and La Bombardiere in Cuq-Toulza.

Totoro our favourite film

View from our apartment

On the beach

We have our annual holiday out of season, this month in Spain.  It's a six and a half hour drive as we head down via Bisbal, Tarragona  and our final destination this year - Denia.

Bodyboarding Charlie style

The kids play on the beach, swim and bodyboard.  We do the same with the odd Vino Tinto, Sangria or Café con Leche.  It is time to unwind, relax and enjoy another culture.  The highlights for us were visits to some great family run restaurants, paella, playing cards or watching the sun go down at the beach.

The kids enjoyed a Spanish Halloween, played football on the beach and made friends in the surf.

Tarragona mural

 Denia restaurants

Els Paeller's

Painter in the farm

Our friend Neil came to La Bastide via Munich to look after the dog, cats and enjoy a visit to France, we get a few days with him on our return.  This year he made full use of the new log burner in the cottage....he said it was too warm!

Teasel in the garden

Janine is visiting her sister in November, so I will have my work cut out looking after Les enfants.