November 2023

Roses, great in October

Halloween

Cold swimming in October

The year seems to be going fast, just got back from Toussaint holiday with family in Roses, Spain.  Great time in late October.  Kids had fun on the beach, swimming and catching crabs.  Halloween was a big success, with Charlie and Evie dressing up, along with many locals, a live band and shops handing out sweets.  We enjoyed the Sangria and Tapas.  Roses is a great place to visit, it's just over the French border, (less than 3 hrs without a stop)  but very Spanish.  Lots to do, boats to natural water parks, snorkelling, scuba, crazy golf, excursions around the hills of Roses or a boat visit to Dali's house and museum in Cadaques.  Fabulous Spanish food, the kids thoroughly enjoying all the seafood and paella.  Great atmosphere and very friendly.  We will go again.  The apartment we rented through AirBnB was a great success, fantastic terrace to enjoy the sun rise and set.  Close to the bars and restaurants and most importantly 50M from the beach.

Back home I'm taking it easy after my operation (no lifting for a few months)  I don't think a glass of wine counts!  Kids are back at school and life has returned to normal, feeding the animals and walking the dog.  The two new ducks Evie bought for an early birthday present seem to have become part of the flock, however, Romeo and Juliet (christened by Evie) so far they have not produced an egg!  Unfortunately while we were away, the budgerigar died. 

Have a soiree Friday with Australian friends, which should be fun,  it's being held in an old watermill in Cambounet-sur-Sor.  All the usual suspects will be there, so it will be a drunken affair!

Weather is changeable, but today sunny and bright.  I'm sure based on the weather forecast, more rain is due.  Time however for a bonfire while the ground is damp.

The swimming pool now has a new filter, the last faulty one would have cost more to repair.  I hope to get the suppressor pump for pool robot repaired foc, I am also considering a pool mosaic band around the top of the pool to cover the yellowing stain from suntan cream that will not come off.  I also need a new pool cover as the current one has a few small tears and is used daily through October to June.

Winter preparation is underway, storing the pool recliners in the ecurie, play furniture, slide etc moved into playbarn to protect from frost.  All the plants moved into ecurie or bootroom for winter.

I have organised a boys ski trip (next year Tom will come) in Austria again.  This time in Bad Gastein which is a high resort, so hopefully good snow for the guys.  I do not ski now due to my ataxia, but enjoy the mountains, apres ski and the camaraderie. The kids want to go either Xmas or February.  I have not booked yet as I will check out the snow conditions for Xmas and book if good for a week.  Currently February is more difficult as my friend JP's son has later holidays than my three.  However, we may be able to do a long weekend trip Friday to Monday, so four days on the slopes.

Autumn in the Tarn

Christmas is fast approaching, so I have ordered Christmas cards and arranged a party for 23rd December.  We will hold the party in the Grange, as there will be 25-30 people.  I will put up a tree and decorate with the kids (Evie's favorite Christmas tradition).  We will have Royal gin fizz, hot chilli and baked potatoes.  The log burner will be keeping us warm, along with the mulled wine and Christmas songs.  It will be great to get my French and expat friends together, to celebrate the start of the holiday season.  I'm even now starting to plan Christmas lunch (with friends) as I will need to order the turkey soon.  In France the largest turkey you can buy is 3 kilos, so I normally get two.  This year I'm going to try brining the birds, before the roasting.

My French conversation class is going well (I am not the weakest link).  However, the French class I take on Thursday is quite hard.  I'm in a tougher class, as the entry class was full.  I just have to work harder.  The good news is my friend Paul attends too, so he can explain things if I am completely lost.  The bad news is I have to give a presentation in French mid January.  Luckily I have a French teacher on-site, so I will book a few hours, one to one with Clementine.

Autumn arrives

It's the end of the month and we have our first frost "cold and bright"  very blue sky, may have to get the log fire going and watch a Christmas film....maybe Bad Santa, always a favourite, but not for the kids!  I have now been invited to a Christmas party 9th December with about 50 people, so it should be fun.  Christmas is a month away, but it's still autumn here.  Trees are still green, a few yellow, gold or red and some are starting to lose leaves.  All the pot plants are now under cover, so as long as I remember to water they should make it to spring.

Christmas lights are going up in all the villages and the Christmas fair in Castres has been built.  We normally go there for last minute shopping, mulled wine (adults) and toffee apples and other sweet treats for les enfants.  Next a tree to go in the Grange for the party and then moved to the house for Christmas.  I have started to buy presents and stocking fillers.  Also a food order with Bacon by the box (great for expats) and the British corner shop, Christmas crackers, as the French do not have them!  This year from M&S.

Weekend tradition

It's Sunday so I have a coffee, and watch Saturday morning kitchen, before a full English, (ok you may notice the haggis) and a cup of tea.  How British of me.  Some traditions are just that. As it's so nice out, the dog and I will take a walk avoiding any Sunday hunters.