We have settled again in Thuir – our third stay in the village, looking after the same house. We also had a 6 week house sit in another local village, Villelongue, in April/May in 2015 – after we left Canada. So this area’s been a bit of a base for us in France. Lots to explore and do. Close to Spain – just a short drive over the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean Sea, many historical religious sites, heaps of vineyards and cellar doors. Although the Roussillon isn’t renowned for top quality wines they’re much better than we’d hoped. And very cheap to buy – another bonus!
We arrived to help friends Jonathon and Rachel – “Domain Treloar” – with the last day of harvest. It wasn’t the original plan – the harvest was just exceptionally short this year. Hot weather meant everything ripened ahead of schedule. We did our best anyway. Reg spent the morning helping in the vineyard, I spent time updating the blog site and organizing lunch. When I say organizing lunch, my contribution was minimal. Rachel had made an amazing lamb/chilly dish – all I did was turn the oven on. So we’d hardly earned our place at the lunch table with all the exhausted workers who’d staggered in from the vineyard – but we made the most of it anyway. Enjoyed a great afternoon of celebrations! Such a relief to see all the grapes safely picked, in the winery, and doing their thing. Lots of work to still do – plunging, pressing, racking – but the process has begun. No bragging of course but Jonathon and Rachel are getting lots of accolades for their wines – they are doing a great job!! Interesting story of how they left New York after Sept 11 2001 and bought a vineyard in France. Just google “Domain Treloar Roussillon”.
We’ve had a couple of visits to the coast – a lazy afternoon on the beach with Moray and Ann after church and a meal in a restaurant with Colin and Barb. Both at Paulilles – really a series of little protected inlets rather than one long beach. No village as such – just a museum, restaurant, some large gardens etc. Also a lovely backdrop of vineyards and hills. Hard to tell how busy the beach would be in the middle of summer but it wasn’t over crowded when we visited with Moray and Ann – a few families, couples, seagulls flying in and out looking for food. Nice to sit and watch the boats anchored just off shore, bobbing up and down, sheltered by surrounding cliffs. Apparently one large boat with a Belgian flag has been sitting there all summer – what a life! We left late afternoon. Big storm clouds on the horizon – but made it to the car park without getting wet. Our second visit to Paulilles – with Colin and Barb – was more about wine and food. Work comes first so we helped Colin and Barb clean a gite in Le Boulou that morning. It was interesting to see the little back streets of Le Boulou – we’d only passed through before. Lovely terraced stone houses, a very cute little chapel. The gite was full of character. Its front door opens onto the street but it actually sits behind another house. Large decking at the back, views over the surrounding countryside, the local river just a few steps away. Lots of levels in the house, rooms off rooms – architecture always fascinates me! There is a second gite on the property – called the Hobbit’s House – tiny but perfectly formed. There’s a health spa nearby – on the outskirts of Le Boulou – and people often rent the Hobbit’s House when taking the “three week cure.” Very common in France. After the cleaning was done we drove to Paulilles for our meal and then back to Porte Vendres – a lovely local town with a very beautiful harbour. Stopped for a walk along the marina and some aperitifs at a local cafe before heading home.
Our biggest adventure since being back is a day out in Llivia – again with Colin and Barb. Llivia is small Spanish enclave in France, high up in the Pyrenees, close to the Spanish border, on the way to Andorra. Fantastic drive through the mountains – little villages perched on cliffs, deep gorges, dark clouds and mist hovering over the mountain tops. We had just about everything weather wise – rain, a bit of sunshine, heavy hail on the way home. Always makes things interesting! Llivia itself is a fairly typical alpine town. Lots of chalets – closed now until ski season starts again. Off the main road and tucked away is the original village – large old church on the hill, Roman archaeological digs, some very rugged winding cobblestone streets, lovely old stone walls. Reg had googled a restaurant in the old village; so armed with an address on a slip of paper we headed off for lunch. The food and wine were exceptional! Staff very helpful. A real treat and moderately priced. As we left we noticed a Michelin Star Recommended sticker – so deserved!!! If you’re ever in Llivia visit “Trumfes” – you won’t regret it!
Lots of love
Di and Reg
PS Just as an aside – you may have noticed that Colin and Barb feature in many photos and updates that include large amounts of wine and food in France. Our indulgent lifestyle can be totally attributed to them – they are the common denominator!
This entry was posted in Europe, France, House Sits, Thuir, Pyrenees Orientales, Thuir, Pyrenees Orientales (3)