April 2020

Nigel asked me if I was going to continue with the Gesina blog. I think perhaps it will keep going for a little while longer. I feel we have a bit of a saga to come before we finally move into our landlubbers role!

Although the Notaire and Mairie in the centre of Castelnaudary were closed to the public, it was fortunate for us that the Mairie here in Fendueille was open, and prepared to witness and sign the Proxy forms to purchase our house in Brittany. This was done not inside the their building, but through an open window. I wish that I had photographed the proceedings, as it would have become an historic document, reflecting back on how we tried to live through our daily chores during the 2020 Corona virus pandemic!

I'm full of admiration for wild life photographers. For many years now I've tried to capture a good picture of the little  Red Start.  It gets to close to us wherever we go. But each time I reach for my camera it flies away. Still no luck. I have many blurred images of it, but nothing satisfactory.

However, after many unsuccessful attempts, I finally got a photo of this gorgeous little chap (I suppose it's a 'chap'?). He visits us regularly and sits just outside our French window.   My one concern is that he sits in this tree, just above the nest of a pair of Great Tits who are dashing back and forth frantically appearing to be feeding young. I hope the beautiful red squirrel doesn't think that the chicks would make a tasty meal!

Cutest pose ever!

 Perhaps I'll be lucky with a Red Start here in this garden, though to date I've never even seen one here! Wrong type of  foliage I guess.

March 2020

We had hoped to move into our new house up in Brittany by mid-March, but that was not to be. Various things delayed our departure from Castelnaudary. So, by 2nd April, we are still in the rented gite 5Km from the town centre, surrounded by our packing cases.

Our last trip out before France went into complete shutdown was a drive through the hills along the route to Mirepoix. We took a picnic lunch and enjoyed watching the birds of prey swoop and dive through the air. On our return journey we stopped by a farm where the owner had put a Pyrenean Mountain dog to do the job for which they were bred, i.e. guard the sheep. He didnt seem to be unfriendly towards us, but then we aren't wolves!

We have pleasant views from both the kitchen and bathroom windows.

Wild anemones in the lawn.

View of the Black Mountains from Bathroom window.

A RED squirrel visits the garden regularly, as do magpies, a pair of nesting blue tits, and a multitude of different coloured butterflies, all scuttling away when 3 different cats prowl through, and just before I can get my camera out to photograph them! In the field alongside the property we see an egret, and peregrine falcon.

Luckily there is a boulangerie in the village, and I take the very pleasant walk down there daily for some exercise.  There's always something interesting to see.

Ant's nest.

 I muse on this little heap of gritty sand pushed up through the path by all those hundreds, thousands even perhaps.  There they are busily living their lives free to travel where the whim takes them. Whilst here we humans are with time to stroll by and observe them. Normally we would be whizzing somewhere most probably by car, in too much of a hurry to notice all the other life around us.

Village Chateau

February 2020

As a tribute to our dear little dog, Tashi Delek, I had a  metal work dog made by our friend Willie. It was to be a Christmas present for Ni. But of course when I first asked about this, I didnt know that Tashi would no longer be with us.  So it remains a poignant reminder of her presence, as if we need that!

Spring has definitely sprung here at the moment. Cherry trees are blossoming away, as are japonicas. Today on our drive to Carcassonne we saw rows of daffodiles sparkling in the sunshine.

Everyone in port is busily scrubbing away and cleaning, repainting their boats ready for the off. Some have indeed already left for waters new. Others yet to return.

We are looking forward to the British Film Festival week, with lots of good films in VO.  We have the added delight of C&C fish & chips. Gosh, you miss them SO much when you can't get them, even if you only ate them twice a year in the UK, but they were there to be had.

Having packed and transported our belongings from Gesina to the gite, The Old Lady looks quite tidy, but bare.

Empty galley!

 And this is where it has all gone, temporarily, but not for too long we hope!