Well here we are in England again. The last couple of weeks in France were cold and busy. Winter finally showed up with temperatures dropping, misty days, and snow on the mountains. We decided to have a farewell lunch at our place – any excuse! We put out the invites and about 20 people arrived for spaghetti bolognese one Sunday afternoon. Too cold outside so we all packed into the family room – noise level high, the room warmed by so many people in a small space. No need for radiators!! A great day of good food, wine and conversation. Sorry about the boring repetition – what can I say. Life in France!
Divix – our house sit dog – has found a new home with friends Herman and Riana while we’re away. We visited before we left and she has settled in well. It’s lovely to see her being a part of a family with children to play with, another dog for company, and a couple of cats. The cats of course are for chasing – her favourite pass time!!
We spent our last night in France in a hotel in Perpignan – just down the street from the train station. Colin and Barbara met us at a nearby restaurant for dinner. What a find!!!! Nine amazing courses, tiny in size but huge in presentation and flavour. One of the best meals we’ve ever had. An Aussie chef – I guess that explains it all!! We caught the train the next morning. A great trip up through the centre of France. Very beautiful!! Arrived in Paris, caught the underground to Gare du Nord, found the Eurostar platform and left for London. Interesting trip through the channel tunnel and the countryside of Kent. Arrived in London, caught the underground to the bus station, and then on to Canterbury. Whew!!!!
We had a lovely few days staying with Chrissy – old friend from NZ. Spent a day in the Canterbury city centre wandering around and doing some shopping. Getting desperate for winter clothes. Lovely cobbled stone streets, huge cathedral, cute little pubs – we visited one while waiting for the bus home. Then a couple of days later it was off again. Bus to London and then another bus to Cambridge. London traffic was very full on – it took nearly 4 hours to do the normal 2 hour trip to Cambridge. But we arrived safely and all was well. Peggy and Betsy seem to remember us – we were greeted with lots of meows. It could of course been hunger pains – we did arrive much later than planned!!
We hear that temperatures have been regularly in the 40s in South Australia. Sorry to hear of the devastating bush fires and loss of life. Very sad.
Love to all
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in England, Europe, France, House Sits, Thuir, Pyrenees Orientales, Thuir, Pyrenees Orientales (1), United Kingdom
hey…… glad you finally made it. I love reading your blog, hearing what you two are getting up to and to check that you are not having to much of the RED stuff. You are going into winter and we are going into summer. Its was 25 degrees here the other day which is high for New Plymouth. Have fun!!!!
yes…weather is grey and cold here in England and will get more so. Enjoy the sunshine! xx