Can’t believe our time in Thuir is over again – our third house sit in this house. The owners live and work in Dubai so the house is empty. It’s been good to have someone come and stay every now and then – we tidy up the garden and generally breathe a bit of life into the place. Houses don’t like being closed up and empty for too long. Thuir has been a great base for us in Roussillon, France – everything we need is close at hand. Several supermarkets in walking distance – we have a little shopping trolley we wheel along behind us, a bank with an ATM, post office, boulangeries galore, a boutique wine shop etc. Also a great market every Saturday morning – fills the main town square and overflows into the side streets – lots of colour, lots of local produce, lots of people. Sometimes we just go for a wander without buying anything – a great atmosphere. The old centre of Thuir has lots of very narrow streets zigzagging and crossing each other, with little squares tucked away in the middle of it all; tall terraced houses around their edge. Some squares have a few shops and an open paved area for people to sit and watch the world go by, others are used as car parks by the local residents. Parking is always scarce in French villages – highly prized if you can get one. We also have friends Moray and Ann living in the next village – we “visit” them regularly to use their internet. Many thanks! They also pick us up for church and mid week lunches/fellowship etc. Not having a car can be a pain, but we really can’t complain. We’ve been very spoilt.
No more adventures to report since our last blog; no little outings or drives into the countryside, no trips into Spain. But we’ve still managed to keep pretty busy. Another very enjoyable mid week lunch at Colin and Barb’s – a great curry, dinner at our house with a few friends, an after church lunch with Doug and Erica, and a charity ball to raise money for cancer research in France – not really sure how we got invited but it was a lot of fun. We sat with some Riverchurch friends but also got to know a group of lovely ladies sitting at the end of our table. Lots of chatting, lots of laughter. We had a platter of bits and pieces – cheese, pate, salmon, cured meat, bread etc – to nibble on, and a variety of very nice wines to wash things down. Also a great band playing music from the 60s and 70’s. Got up for a couple of dances – couldn’t help ourselves. Discovered rather quickly that we need to up the fitness level again. Ongoing problem!
Tomorrow we leave Thuir and catch the train to Toulouse. We’ve been there before – a lovely city, full of character – but we’re not staying this time. We’re being picked up by Sally – our next house sit person. Sally lives with her husband Chris in a very small rural village called Perchede – about a two hour drive west of Toulouse, in the region of Gers. No supermarket etc but we have a car to use while we’re there. Yeah! Will be great to check out the area – it’s been on our “must visit” list so a bit excited. We’re looking after Sally and Chris’ house, two dogs, and two horses. Love having animals around – really looking forward to it! One of the horses is 35 years old – apparently in fine form at the moment but needs someone around to keep an eye on him. Hope he remains in fine form while we’re there!
House sits are always different. Just in the last 6months we’ve had Mourne Park in Northern Ireland, Spiez on Lake Thun in Switzerland, Thiur in the Roussillon, and now Perchede, a small rural village in Gers. Love the variety! We are visiting Lisbon in Portugal after Perchede, then flying to Liverpool for a brief overnight stay before catching the ferry to Belfast. We have another 3 month stint at Mourne Park. It’ll be very different being there in winter – hopefully we’ll get some snow. One of our very favourite things! Really looking forward to catching up with everyone. Apparently Chris – our fellow Mourne Park resident – has lost weight since we left and needs fattening up again. We will do our best!
Love as always
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Europe, France, House Sits, Thuir, Pyrenees Orientales (3)
Wonderfully informative, Di. Have a great time. Carol xx
xxx
Your photo of the baguettes may not have bright colors, but it appeals the most to me. When we eat out and great bread is served, I remove the center part and generously butter the crust.
We have had an unusually golden autumn in Colorado. I recently read the best description of golden.
“They’re those days when Italy’s sensual pleasures harmonize, and you just bask in the golden glow of it all.”
Judy . Colorado . USA
The leaves are starting to turn here in Gers – very beautiful xxx
Hey.. sounds like you guys are having a great time. sorry haven’t been able to skype – my new computer isn’t working well with Skype. Have to take it to the shop. Well i have surgery in 9 days – bit scary really. Im in overnight, then home for 2 nights then off to manna for 4 nights to be looked after. God is working in my life in BIG ways, ways i never thought of.
Enjoy the next step of your journey – hopefully can skype soon – miss being able to talk and see you. I need a Di hug
Lots of blessings and love
Tarsh xxxxx
Hi Tarsh….we are back online again so try and skype if you can – would be good to see your face xxx