Yet more fun with Sarah & Mark

Down Winnats, through Castleton, across Ladybower Dam and up on the ridge to our friends Sarah and Mark's farm.  It looks magnificent as ever. I am truly jealous of their veggie garden! We met years ago and somehow have managed to meet up either in Derbyshire or Manly ever since.  

Last time was in Allambie where Frankie and Arthur joined us for lunch on the terrace followed by a walk on North Head.This time we caught up with George over dinner at the farm. Frankie and Arthur in London. 

We celebrated our final night with a wonderful, authentic Italian meal with Pedro, Sarah and Mark at Sheffield's Bottega restaurant. I loved Mark's story about heading off to Ireland for a gig. Of course, he had to book a separate seat for his violin - oh, how my brother used to complain about having to pay for an extra seat for his instruments!

Anyway, Mark booked the violin under 'Mr. Violin', which caused absolute chaos at the airport when 'Mr. Violin' couldn't be found for boarding.

All too soon, our paths diverged: we were off to stay with Maria in Sheffield, while they headed to Stockholm for a summer house exchange.

We've shared so many meals, adventures and stories ...I wonder when and where we will meet up next!

Goodbye Middleham, Hello Derbyshire

On the morning we left Middleham, everyone dropped by to say goodbye and wish us good luck.  'We'll be back' we say ... but when? So as we leave we have our usual mixed feelings -  sad to leave, but eager to continue the adventure and to meet up with family and friends.  

We set off over the moors that are just sprouting their purple sprouts, but its strange to see the moors so brown and dry.  Of course in the usual Yorkshire fashion it wasn't long till the heavens open and there are the usual cow jams and sheep wandering across the road. 

Over the moors our first stop is Alderley Edge to meet up with our two nieces Laura and Katie with their children, Jessica, Conner and Rory.  Oh and Roger's brother Chris flew in from Portugal for the day! Yeah!

Laura cooked a wonderful lunch. Oh how the children have grown and so much news to catch up on. Must try to get to Portugal next year.

Then it was down Winnats Pass to Sarah & Mark's Farm.  Oh this is such an emotional trip for me.  So much of my childhood is tied up in this part of Derbyshire.  Adventurer's badge with the guides, climbing MamTor,  hiding in dillops and hollows until the fog lifts.  Blasted by wind, sleet, snow and occasionally by sun! LOVE IT!

winnats by Julie Howard

Facebook Blunder to a Wensleydale Feast

It all started with a mistake as many good things do.  Somehow Facebook posted that it was my birthday in June. As people started to send me messages I replied that it was actually in July and for the first time in a number of years I was going to have a summer birthday in Yorkshire!

Rachel saw it and said 'Oh we should have a cousin's get together.' Helen picked up on the idea and started at WhatsApp group.  All I had to do was organise the venue and the meal!

Back in Oz I thought that won't take long! Ha! Quickly the numbers grew to fourteen from six different counties. They were all looking forward to a pub that provided good food, was in driving distance of six counties, had parking and accessibility for a wheelchair user! Now pubs in the Yorkshire Dales are known for their ambiance and food but not for their larger dining rooms or accessibility.

At the time I was preparing for three concerts, two home exchanges, BeanZ events, packing and yes still trying to finish my novel!

Thank goodness I found Oliver at the Wensleydale Hotel only a 300 metre walk from Foxglove Cottage where we were staying! Thank you! You were a lifesaver, the service and food were superb! 

 

Its incredible to believe but I hadn't seen Rachel since she and Lucy gave me 'bridal horseshoes' 54 years ago at our wedding!  The other cousins I've seen briefly over the years, so there was a lot to catch up on. 

Everyone brought photos and there was lots of laughter, news sharing and anecdotes galore. 

It was strange to see other people's photos of your own wedding and amazing they have kept them all these years.

Rachel wasn't driving back to London until the next day and so we were able to do the Shawl walk one last time!

Oh and I guess we shouldn't leave it another 54 years till our next get together!

Celebrating Yorkshire Day in Style!

What a day to visit Richmond, Yorkshire Day!

We headed straight to the market square to hear the official proclamation, followed by a quick five-minute Zumba session with a group attempting to break the world record for the longest continuous Zumba event. Afterward, we joined a fantastic walking tour of Richmond led by Delphine, one of those terrific guides who seamlessly weaves centuries-old history into modern-day stories.

One of the most fascinating stories she shared was about a local lad, Ben Wilkinson. He built his wealth after getting into commercial drone technology—a sector that exploded in demand following the war in Ukraine, making him a multi-millionaire. Over the past few years, he has been purchasing and restoring historical buildings around town to turn them into thriving businesses. The impressive Fleece Hotel, originally built in 1898 in the Scottish Baronial style, is one of his key properties. He is currently redeveloping several other local sites, including Friary Lodge, the former Barclays and TSB bank buildings, and Oak Grange Farm. It is wonderful to see these heritage structures saved from decay and bringing new energy to the town.

The Fleece

Delphine also shared the story of Richmond Castle, whose construction began in the 1070s under Alan Rufus (Alan the Red). It remains a magnificent sight on the cliffside today. Although it fell into decay by the 16th century, the castle grounds were leased by the military in the 19th and early 20th centuries. During World War I, it served as a detention center for conscientious objectors—most famously the "Richmond Sixteen," who were held in the cell blocks before facing court-martial. We didn't have time for a full tour inside the castle this trip, but it is high on the list for our next visit.

Richmond really is a bustling town with a surprise around every corner, framed by vibrant summer flowers this time of year—though you certainly need your walking legs, as those cobbled streets are steep! We rounded off an incredible evening with delicious Thai food served with a warm Yorkshire accent, followed by a terrific performance of The Tempest at the restored Georgian Theatre Royal. It is well worth a visit if you ever get the chance!

You know you are in Yorkshire when ...

Cakes, zumba, tractors, sheep jams and misbehaving dogs within the castle walls!
 

Horsing around

Met up with Simon in the morning and he took us around the stables and then off to the gallops. 

Every morning string after string of racehorses walk up through the cobbled streets of Middleham village to exercise. They are heading to the training grounds which span vast stretches of open moorland - the Gallops. The gallops are used daily by around 13 to 15 local racehorse trainers and 16 training yards, serving over 1,000 thoroughbreds! 

Lovely to see Olivia ride across the tracks while Simon told us all the inside goss of all the horses and trainers ha ha!

We will miss these beautiful horses (and their riders). 

We got back to Leyburn just in time to meet up with Anna and Ben and family at the famous Tennants auction house. No wedding here this time but lots of interesting things on auction including fashion house items ... ties, shoes, bags, dresses, coats and much more.  I was very careful not to move in case I made a bid!

We loved the Shawl walk and its stunning views.  The local story is that it got its name from Mary Queen of Scots who when she escaped from nearby Bolton Castle dropped her silk shawl, giving the escarpment its name.

Mmm, on the other hand historians suggest 'Shawl' comes from the Old Norse/Old English word schalle, referring to a cliff, slope, or wooden ridge.

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes

Hawes is a lovley town, with markets, lots of craft work including a stall selling old musical instruments.  OMG has anyone ever lifted a tuba.  The one we tried weighed 13.6 kg.  Imagine marching with that and playing in tune!

It had an incredible museum, fabulously curated with really friendly knowlegeable staff. I sort of knew about tin mining but I had no idea that knitting was such a part of Dales culture

In Hawes hand-knitting cottage industry was at its peak in the 18th and early 19th centuries, Whole households, men, women, and children, knitted continuously while walking, carrying loads, or sitting around the hearth. 

An average family would turn out 6 to 10 pairs a week. In the late 1700s, the Dales region produced roughly 5,000 to 6,000 pairs of stockings every week. This added up to over 250,000 to 300,000 pairs of hand-knitted socks and stockings per year, which were sold across Britain and exported to military forces abroad.

To produce that quantity purely by hand, knitters in Hawes used knitting sticks which were to strapped to the waist to anchor one needle, allowing knitters to use both hands for rapid, continuous movement reaching speeds of over 200 stitches per minute. I loved the rag rug, I used to make those with my grandma.

One section of the museum was in the train.  It showed regular life in the Dales but the police section had a notice displaying crimes for which you could be jailed including false thoughts! 

And all that Jazz!

 

1 August is Yorkshire Day

It's celebrated by all things Yorkshire, food, parkin, brack, Yorkshire puddings, cheese as well as  beer, flat-cap throwing, parades, dancing and much more daft stuff.

Yorkshire flag.

The Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity is read aloud every year on Yorkshire Day in York, the historic capital of the region at four designated points along the ancient city walls: Micklegate Bar, Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, and Walmgate Bar.

It was a protest against the changing of traditional boundaries.

I, [Name], declare that Yorkshire is 1,141 years old. That it is the largest, finest, and most noble of the English counties, and that its borders are to the North, the River Tees; to the South, the River Humber and the county of Derbyshire; to the East, the North Sea; and to the West, the Pennines.

I declare that Yorkshire comprises the West, East, and North Ridings and the City of York, and that no part of it has been transferred, ceded, or severed by any act of government, local or national, or by any other authority whatsoever.

God save the King and the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of York. 

I'd better tune up, I guess we'll be singing On Ilkley Moor Baht 'at 

the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire!

Meanwhile our choir has been enjoying its tour of England.... Bravo! Sounds like a fabulous tour.

Watch out! Wallace is about!

Off to Hawes today... I love how everything, like France is only twenty minutes away and so much to see and do.  First stop the market which was full of fresh fruit, veggies and seafood.  We stocked up with scallops, salmon from Scotland and tiny prawns which were so yummy. 

Then off to the creamery... Wallace and Gromit country. 

 

I love Wallace and Gromit... and of course Shaun the sheep.  My favourite episode is A Grand Day Out, where Wallace builds a moon rocket  to find more cheese! Couldn't resist watching it again on youtube... and yes of course we bought cheese. 

Then off to the most amazing museum... more of that next post.

 

A Bubble of a Birthday, Wedding and Auction

My birthday started with phone calls, cards and flowers..from around the world, continued with a wedding and an auction and ended with champagne and seafood!  What a day! 

Though now a famous auction house based in Leyburn, Tennants actually started as a small local firm right here in Middleham. It auctions vintage cars, bikes, artworks fashion, grandfather clocks and TAXIDERMY! which is quite confronting when you walk into a room of stuffed animal heads.

It famously auctioned a rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for £80,000. It was one of only 500 hardbacks printed in the original 1997 first run. The author's name was listed simply as "Joanne Rowling," and had quite a few typos. It gives us writers and editors hope!

When we arrived, the complex was buzzing as a massive Indian wedding was in full swing with hundreds of guests. Each side of the family wore a distinct colour, and this particular group was dressed in vibrant pink saris. It was an extraordinary sight!

We had chosen Tennants for Anna and Ben’s visit specifically to catch the fashion exhibition and display of auction items, featuring pieces by Louis Vuitton and Dior (just your average everyday wardrobe, of course!). With Libby studying textiles and design, we hope she will enjoy it when we come for lunch next week.

 Actually managed to get in a short walk around town too.YaY!

There's some reight queer signs in Yorkshire!

Of course they're not real cats!!! What do you think we are!  Percy Shaw from Halifax, got the idea for reflective road studs in 1934 after a cat's glowing eyes reflected his car headlights on a dark, foggy night, saving him from driving off a steep road.  They must have saved thousands of life. My dad always remembered him because he had 5 television sets!!

 My parents always called me a daft Apeth (halfpenny) when I was a kid, but we never saw signs for extreme wildfires.

The 'give way to oncoming traffic' sign is a daily trauma as the road narrows to a single lane bridge or laneway...  and the Kettlewell sign is just fun!

That’s the Moors for You!

An easy 5-mile walk today... across the moors and along the river.

Of course, we got lost straight away, but we crossed paths with a lovely guy from Leeds who pointed us in the right direction. He told us that not so many years ago, the village didn't  have electricity, and even now, there are still only two streetlights! Back then, they relied on a local hydro scheme, and twice a week, you’d take your batteries down to the river and get them recharged.

Once we got our bearings, onto the moors we went. They really are  steep .When you’re walking across them, it feels like your ankles are bent at right angles to your feet! Of course, we saw sheep, more sheep, and... yes, even more sheep.

The moors are vast, and right now, there’s just the faintest blue haze before the heather develops its purple bloom in September. 

Walking here brought back so many memories. Growing up, it was drilled into us: If the fog comes in, DON'T MOVE. Sit down and wait. Fog can descend in an instant, and one wrong step could send you into a deep chasm. I can still remember sitting huddled in grassy hollows with my friends, watching the mist drift past, until suddenly it cleared and we were bathed in sunshine - or, more likely, pelted with sleet and rain.

Well... that’s the moors for you!

On the way back we  e\ven found a kissing gate ... a teenage delight! Still fun!

Foxglove Cottage, Swinton Estate, and a Summer Birthday

A great day out with Jill who has just returned from Oz.  She has been staying in our apartment in Allambie.  So relieved that she loved her visit to Sydney.  She walked from Allambie to Manly, Mermaid Pool, Manly Dam, visited the Opera House, did some whale watching and visited the Christmas markets at the Rocks. Much more I'm sure because her energy is amazing.  

Thanks Lynn for giving her such a lovely welcome and to Lori and David for inviting her to dinner at your place... she loved meeting your guests and your generous hospitality

House swapping is such a fun thing to do. We  love her little cottage 'Foxglove' here in Middleham.  In front of us is Middleham Castle and behind us Simon Kent's stables.  We are surrounded by friendly people, abbeys, pubs, sheep and creameries!  What could be better.?

Couldn't resist adding this photo of the cottage shrouded by winter snow.

Jill took us to lunch at the fabulous Swinton Estate. Oh my goodness it was grand.  A woollen merchant built the 'home' in 17th Century on over 20,000 acres.  Through all those times it has only been owned by two families. It is now a hotel and spa and of course has this fabulous restaurant.

I am trying to find a slot in our timetable to have a relaxing spa before we set off for Sheffield and Manchester.

 

My birthday today... first summer birthday for a while. Very exciting!

 

A Decade Since Manly. Reunions, New Beginnings, and Baby Evelyn!

I can't believe it's ten years since we last met up in Manly!   Really enjoyed seeing  Andrew (Roger's second cousin) Alex and Evelyn at the Richard III pub . As you can imagine there was lots to talk about.  So much has happened - Covid,  Andrew and Evelyn living in New Zealand and moving back to UK, new houses and apartments and of course the arrival of Evelyn!

The pub of course is full of horse memorabilia. The chef at the pub has great reviews but on this day had had an accident and broken her hand!  Still a great meal and catch up!

Roger even managed to snatch an hour's reading!

A Dales Walk with a Dash of History

Our plans for walking on this trip had been thoroughly thwarted by the intense French fires, but the Yorkshire Dales finally gave us our chance. We set off for a short walk around Jervaulx Abbey, and just as we parked the car, we bumped into Ian Burdon - the current owner of the abbey and its surrounding 350 acres of land.

We stopped for a chat… because of course we did!

His father, Major W. V. Burdon, bought the abbey and land back in 1971. When the Major died in 1980, the estate was inherited by his eldest son, Rae. But really, who wants to inherit a crumbling 12th-century Cistercian abbey ruin? Rae certainly didn't. Luckily, Ian did. He bought out his brother and has spent the decades since managing and preserving the site.

Bravo, Ian!

With the abbey’s history fresh in our minds, we set off on our six-mile walk, wandering past sleepy sheep, ancient stone bridges, a fair few stiles, and sweeping farmer's fields. A bloody brilliant day.

A Perfect Visit (And More to Come!)

Our next catch up is with our lovely friends Anna and Ben and their family. We first met up on a boat in Galapogos in 2010.  At the end of our trip around South America we met up with them again in Hutton Rugby. Libby was born in UK and then they moved to Melbourne for a few years where Clara was born before moving back to Hutton Rugby. We love staying with them as they always have a packed itinery for us to enjoy.  This time is no different!i

The 'Shot House' is looking as magnificent as ever and we settled right back into our old room! A BBQ on the terrace set the mood before we spun down the A1 to the Middlesbrough Folk Prom. 

Headliners Rachel and Becky Unthank brought back so many memories of singing with my brother in Sheffield folk clubs, when I was a teenager. They brought the house down when they started clog dancing! I know it doesn't sound cool but it was incredible. 

Ellie Slorach conducted the Royal Northern Sinfonia with so much energy, supporting every act brilliantly, including indie art-rockers English Teacher. Having Radiohead's Philip Selway on drums was such fun! Oh and I loved how the soloist wore the BeanZ orange dress!

A massive thank you to Anna and Ben for pulling out all the stops as always. 

Of course we managed to squeeze in a walk along the River Leven and a visit to Grace Priory before Clara headed off to rehearse for her concert that night, Libby to prepare for her big netball game in London tomorrow (her team were National Netball Champions last year) and we headed back to Middleham to get ready for Andrew, Alex and Evelyn's visit tomorrow!

Gallops to Gossip: A Day in Ripon

Exploring the horse racing history around Middleham made for a fantastic start to the day before our trip to the beautiful town of Ripon. Roger's brother Mike and his wife Jane live there in a lovely bungalow complete with wildflower garden. Our niece Becca joined us after work   bringing along her trademark quirky humour and unique perspective on life... we absolutely loved it!

Everything is looking a little brown right now with the dry summer weather and ferocious fires across Scotland and Europe, but we still managed to catch a few pretty flowers on camera. The hedgerows look amazing!

 

Castles, Cheese, and 'Super-Sheep'

We had planned explore the countryside surrounding Trausse where there are lots of famous walking tracks and historical buildings but because of the raging wild fires (which are still burning) access to the forests was banned.

Here in England with the cooler weather we grab the opportunity to walk.  Of course most of the castles and churches here are in ruins due to age, the vikings, the hundred years war or the rampaging Henry VIII. 

About 3 miles southeast of Middleham is the amazing Jervaulx Abbey. It was one of the great Cistercian abbeys in Yorkshire. It was dedicated to St Mary in 1156. It's the only privately owned abbeys in England... but more of that story in a later post.

At the height of its prosperity the abbey owned half of the valley and was renowned for breeding horses, still a Middleham tradition. It was also the original home of the famous Wensleydale cheese which was originally made with ewes' milk. 

We haven't had time to visit Wallace and Gromit (Cheese! Gromit!) yet but we did get to explore the abbey. We go early to all of these places before the crowds come - although to be fair Europe is VERY quiet.  In France it was the heat, fires and threat of war.  I'm not quite sure here.  Maybe the school holidays aren't in full swing yet.

It was incredible to sit in the midst of this huge abbey listening to the baaing of Swaledale sheep.  The first thing you’ll notice about these sheep (usually while they are standing in the middle of a road refusing to move) is the face. It's jet black, but famously broken up by white 'spectacles'  around the eyes and a white muzzle. Their heads look exeptionally large as they have just been shorn. 

They are remarkably nimble. You’ll often find them balanced on limestone pavements or tucked into 'bields' (natural stone shelters) under crags during a blizzard. While other sheep are busy dying in the first frost, the Swaledale is busy digging through six inches of snow to find a fresh patch of heather.

Farmers take the hardy Swaledale ewe from the hill and cross her with a Bluefaced Leicester ram. The result is the Mule - a hybrid "super-sheep" that combines the mother’s toughness and 'will to live' with the father’s ability to produce multiple lambs and better quality wool.

Enough of sheep and back to the abbey...

I'm always amazed by how many stories there are and how they survive. There's a long complicated tale about how in 1279 Abbot Philip of Jervaulx was murdered by one of his monks. His successor, Abbot Thomas, was initially accused of the crime, but a jury determined that he was not to blame, and another monk fled. 

After the abbey we have a serious task to undertake... visitors are coming and its our task to check out the local eating places.  First stop the Richard III - an historic 16th century coaching inn in the centre of Middleham.  A great place to watch the horses go by - oh and to catch a few minutes of internet connection.

 

Ey Up! We're in Yorkshire!

After all the kerfuffle with the car hire people, we arrived in Middleham at 9.00pm on a Sunday night! Very quiet!  Lovely village and Foxglove Cottage (1st picture on left) is just gorgeous.  Boy oh boy those flights of stairs up to the top floor are going to keep us fit.

Managed to find an Indian Restaurant open in nearby Leyburn.  Delicious authentic Indian food Another beautiful village. Every village is different and has a claim to fame. Here it is that the castle that the house faces onto belonged to Richard111.  More on that later... 

Oh and don't panic everyone, I haven't fallen over, I'm a slow blogger because of lack of internet.... finish this soon!

My mother's village Dore, was famous in Anglo-Saxon history as the site where King Egbert of Wessex was accepted as overlord by the Northumbrians in 827 AD.  In effect the first 'English" king. Just as in this village we were woken each morning by the sound of horses hooves on the cobblestones. Here though the hooves are those of thoroughbreds. There are around 500 inhabitants of the village and over 600 horses!

In front of us are the castle walls and behind us the stables of Simon Kent where race champions are trained.  Olivia and Simon are firends of Jill and like everyone else in the village give us a cheery good morning and offers of help.

The Route du Soleil

The Route du Soleil is a beautiful road through the French countryside unfortunately on the day we are travelling it is the Bison Futé - Great Exodus - a RED ALERT for slow holiday traffic. Everyone is travelling to the Spanish border.  A major accident added to our woes BUT we got there.  We dropped the car back and hopped onto the local train to Toulouse.  OMG it was PACKED.  

On the train was one of those gut wrenching situations. A toddler in the seat in front was screaming,  His mum was on the phone. Every now and then she noticed him, got exasperated and to my amazement hit him.  On the platform, I'd chatted with the people around me ]but when I looked at them wondering what to do, they just shrugged. It was so awful. I had strawberries with me and thought of offering them to him quieten him down but then I was worried he might be allergic to them. Oh was my French was up to the nuances of this situation? Definitely not.  I felt terrible. So did everyone else BUT no one said anything. I hope that if I'd been in an English speaking environment I would have spoken up!

We  tumbled off the train into the fabulous Gare de Toulouse Matabiau and across the Canal du Midi to our hotel... which had air con and a lift!!! Great guy on the reception who recommended a 'funky' restaurant. It sure was... great food and atmosphere.

Next morning a walk along the Canal du Midi and its Au Revoir to France for yet another year.

We usually get the Eurostar to London but this year we are going to Manchester and so we decide to fly ... big mistake!  For one it is triple the price  but that's not all!  We arrive at the airport at 9.30 for our 13.30 flight. Much too early we think! Two hours later we manage to check in! Then off to security... another hour waiting in line.... then to customs - another hour. Of course the plane was delayed because none of the passengers could get on.  

We were wedged between the Rugby teams who had played a competition in Toulouse. Totally unconcerned they said  Yeah it happens everytime we fly. One of the player Paul Vaughan, (Australian Rugby player - think Australian team, NSW State of Origin) kept us amused with his laconic comments.

AND yes Ryan air customers do still clap and cheer when they land!!

So to Manchester where we had a gruelling time picking up our car (which actually is pretty flash especially after the grotty manual car we had in France). Then off through the golden fields to the cottage at  Middleham.

 

Les Jeudis de Béziers Allées Paul Riquet

I must say the French do know how to enjoy life!  Our 'friends' from the street kept saying don't worry it will be okay - it's Jeudi.  Ok its Thursday - what's so good about that!  Well we find out, 200 yards away is the magnificent plaza - Allees Paul Riquet.  We discover they have something happening there everyday and evening. On Thursday nights it's the Food and Wine Festival.  How good is that! During the two days we are there we enjoy a fabulous Vide Grenier and Art Show.  Oh and yes the food and wine were terrific!

Our final night was the concert at the Theatre des Varietes... it's worth looking up on line. Truly magnificent venue... the music... a rather limp Vivaldi... how is that even possible!

 

Dramas at the Théatre des Variétés

Hello again.... No we haven't had any dramatic moments that have stopped me blogging - just no internet or phone for a while.  Think I might have it sorted now (internet pub and cafe!)  We have had a few dramas though - well that's travel isn't it.  

We left Trausse Minervoir for a beautiful hour long trip through the French countryside to Béziers.  The magnificent Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire beckoning us through the traffic jams, one way systems and preparations for the massive Béziers Feria which happens every August.  I can't believe they still have bullfighting and how popular it is.  But that's another story.  

We eventually found where our apartment should be - overlooking the magnificent Theatre where we will go to a performance tomorrow. But where was it.  No one on the street had ever heard of the Loge du Theatre. It wasn't a very long street.  Everyone started to help.  Xavier from the local hotel managed to call the owner. Oh its the nameless blue door.  Simple just add the code and get the keys.  Code?  Oh yes 'desole' he said and sent it again.  An hour later success we had the apartment and the keys.  Up the stairs... its France of course there are stairs! Keys in lock... nothing happened. Frantic phone calls.  Someone on the way.  An hour later Mikael (owner)  tells Xavier to shoulder charge the door and we are in. Everyone is happy!  Well after two hours in the sun and a dubious lock on the door I'm not sure happy is the right word for me. 

The next two days are spent with lots of 'bonjour Monsieur, Madame and lots of Ca Va's and offers of help.  The apartment is beautiful and yes it does overlook the wonderful Theatre. We book a quiet day cruising along the canal du midi for the next day.  Think we need some chill out time.

Faire La Fête

 

For such a small village what a turn out!.... Such a great evening.... Music, dancing, food and lots of great company. Missed Erin and Milton but great to catch up with everyone else!

Of course the following day was La Fête nationale française or Bastille Day.  

The Flags of the Minervoir which usually fly on the Tour and pretty much everywhere else are taken down and the French flag raised.  It's a much more sober affair although they did serve wine and raclette at 1.00am!!!  It was actually very moving to here the Maire speak and we all sang La Marseillaise led by four primary students and of course led by the local brass band.  It was strangely moving.  Especially as Jessica Servet is so vibrant.  The pompiers (fire brigade) stood bravely in the 38 degree sun in their heavy uniforms while Jessica acknowledged each one of them for their efforts to quell the horrendous fires we have had. 

We were supposed to walk to the cemitiere to honour those who died in the war (like anzac day) but it (like many other events) was cancelled because of the intense heat.

So with a shower of 'Bonne fête nationale !' and 'Joyeux 14 Juillet !' we made our escape to air con.  For us it was sad as we were not sure when or where we would see everyone again...Oz, UK, France?  Who knows.  Our trips are always such a flurry of hellos and goodbyes!

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