Fête du Melon

As you can see, one of our neighbouring villages, Pezens, was holding its annual melon fête today. It was everything one would expect of a village fête. There were plenty of stalls selling melons of various sizes from all around the region. There were also other stalls selling local wines, fruit and veg, charcuterie and a wide range of bread and pastries.

The event was held on the local pétanque pitch in the welcome shade of the plantane trees. It was really well attended. Strolling around the area, listening to the Banda and soaking up the atmosphere of the event was lovely. The apéros were being prepared but unfortunately we left before they were served. For those who wanted, there was a repas for 10€. The entrée was melon, bien sûr.

Le Tour de France

When we lived in the UK we always followed the fortunes of the Tour de France. Now we live here we are able to see it live. The first two years is was close to home, yesterday we had to travel a little further. We arrived at Thézan-des Corbières, 26 kilometers from the finish in Narbonne, three hours before the caravane and four and a half hours before the cyclists would come through. It wasn’t too early. Spectators had already parked their cars and campervans in strategic spots. We found a great place on the edge of a vineyard. We were armed with books, a newspaper and picnic. Time seemed to fly by. The caravane arrived first and was amazing. There were a whole range of lorries, vans and cars decorated to advertise their products. We collected loads of cadeaux this year, such as key rings, newspapers, hats, sweets and even fabric conditioner, which were thrown by the people from the vehicles. It was great fun.

About an hour later we were told that the cyclists were on their way. The first clue was the hoard of helicopters circling in the sky. Next came the cars and motorbikes ahead of the riders and finally the cyclists. Although it only took about a minute for all the riders to pass us, it was an incredible event. They flashed by so quickly it was difficult to identify anyone.

Arnaud Gérard, Juan-José Oroz, Samuel Dumoulin


The peleton with Cadel Evans in the Yellow Jersey

It amazes me how some people follow the Tour throughout July. Unless you are living in a campervan equipped with a TV, it impossible to know what is going on. There is also a limit to how many key rings etc one wants to collect.
We had recorded the Tour and when we got home watched the race. We just spotted ourselves on TV, waving as the peloton went past.

Well done Mark Cavendish. Can you do as well in Nîmes today?

Bastile Day

As we had been to the last two Fête Nationionale celebrations in our village, we decided to see what happened in Carcassonne on 14th July. After the speech and placing of the gerbes. a real band played La Marseillaise rather than a recording. There were representatives of many organisations based in the town, police, gendarme, the 3rd RPIMA and youth groups amongst many others and afterwards they were acknowledged by the dignitaries. It was very impressive.

In the evening we visited friends who live in a beautiful house on the Malepère hills. They have a most wonderful view of the Montages Noire and Carcassonne and the plan was to watch the fireworks from the Cité. We went last year and unfortunately the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and after the initial burst all we could see was smoke! Last night was superb. It was lovely wining and dining on the terrace whilst watching an amazing display.

Thank you Kate and Jim for a fantastic evening.

Paëlla and Fireworks

After a hot and sunny week, the weather has changed over the last few days. Following a thunderstorm overnight on Friday, it kept raining for most of the day on Saturday so we spent a lot of time watching the Test Match from a sunny Lords.

Fortunately, the weather was better on Sunday, as we went to a Paëlla Dinner in the village square followed by fireworks. It was a very simple but lovely meal with plenty of wine flowing.

Just before 11 o’clock everyone started to walk to the site where the fireworks were be lit. All the children carried Chinese lanterns with a lit candle inside. The whole procession was very impressive.

The fireworks were quite a spectacle. They shot into the sky and cascaded over the field. It is amazing that a relatively small village can put on such a superb show.

Sunflowers

Today is 1st July, so obviously the Sunflowers have come out. The temperature is 31 degrees and there is a beautiful warm Marin wind blowing. We must be living in the South of France.