Phew!!!! Life has been full of wonderful lunches with really lovely people! After our lunch at Cafe des Artistes in Laroque-des-Alberes – see last blog – we visited Caroline and Guy’s house in Can Patere, a small hamlet near Arles-sur-Tech in the Tech Valley. We cut across the mountains from Thuir – a beautiful drive. Caroline and Guy’s house is their home away from home; they spend most of their time in Cheltenham, UK. Although not as sunny as the south of France it’s still not a bad place to live. Erika and Doug joined us again for lunch. Guy cooked a great lasagne, followed by some great cheeses and a little more red wine. A very relaxing afternoon.
Next was Wednesday fellowship with more friends from Riverchurch. It was held in Moray and Ann’s courtyard – they live in the next village to us. Another great time of chatting, eating and drinking some good wines – national pastime in France. Then after church last Sunday it was off to Doug and Erika’s house for lunch – getting to be a habit!!. Joined by Carol and Brian. Indian this time and Erika surpassed herself. Amazing!
A day out recently was along the Tet Valley to Villefranche-de-Conflent, a very famous and beautiful walled village on the road to Andorra. Andorra is a tiny country sitting high up in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. Hope to visit it sometime. Anyway, walking through Villefranche is like stepping back in time. So well preserved. The village is set at the narrowest point of the valley and has been an important strategic defence site throughout history. There are still parts of the 11th century protective outside wall in place – so common in this area of France – with a arched walkway between the wall and the village houses. Lots of room for soldiers to position themselves while defending the town. There is also an amazing 17th century fortress built on the mountain above it. After spending an hour or so wandering the streets of Villefranche we checked out Olette, a small village further up the mountain. We parked our car near the main road and walked up a long narrow street into the village. As we reached the top we found the village car-park and square on the edge of the cliff. Amazing views from the village towards Andorra. Also had an attempted conversation with a very friendly local man! A lovely day out!!
Only two weeks till we catch the train to London. House sit back in Cambridge for most of December. Looking forward to seeing our house sit cats Peggy and Betsy and friends in Cambridge again. Thinking of buying a car or campervan while in England – apparently the paper work is much easier. Will see what happens.
Bye for now, much love
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Europe, France, House Sits, Thuir, Pyrenees Orientales, Thuir, Pyrenees Orientales (1)