Tuesday

Along the primary highways that connect the small villages of France(not the motorway) you will oftentimes see Plantain trees, lining at least one side if not both. They are beautiful to see and shade the traveler as you pass under them. I am told that Napoleon had them planted to shade his troops when they marched.. many have been cut in the name of progress, and there are long stretches without any, but there are a number of "new" plantings giving hope that the tradition will carry on..the village of Chalebre near Limoux is one of the villages that still have good stands of the trees as you approach the village.

Near Chalebre is the village of Camon also known as the Little Carcassone,and the village of roses. Every house in the village has roses, somewhere...it is very lovely and quiet. There are also about a million sunflowers on the edge of the village, close competition!

Monday Market day

Wow, Mirepoix marche is amazing..we got there at about 10:30 and could not find a parking space. After riding all the way around town we finally saw something open and grabbed it. We walked, along with about 3 dozen others, about 5 blocks to the square..and it was elbow to elbow for about 5 blocks around the square and back.  Michael bought me a beautiful coffee mug from a local potter. He does really fine work and I am sure we will be visiting him again. The first fruit and veggie vendor was half a block long, then cheeses and goods from India, live guineas and chickens, toys and books,bread and pastries, etc. It is interesting to me that at most all markets there is at least one vendor playing the pan pipe CD and selling "authentic" Native American goods..LOL
It is still cool here even on this second day of August.
Here is an observation: The French supermarkets have a way of seeing that the grocery carts are brought back to the drop off place. All the baskets are locked together with a coin slot on each basket. In order to get a basket you must put in your 1 euro coin, then the coin unlocks the chain on that basket and off you go, when you return it and push the chain lock into the slot you get your euro back..handy dandy  and no baskets in the lot.
The drive back from Mirepoix is very beautiful, the sunflowers in the upper elevations are still in full bloom. Along the way are farming communities where you can see the fruit trees and corn and such growing.There is one village that is called "The Rose village", every house has roses growing in front, in rose gardens, in pots in the windows..it is spectacular.
 On the way home we stopped in a pull off and had a little lunch overlooking the mountains across the valley..very nice. I am looking forward to sharing all of this with you all.. Steve I always listen to you when you have good ideas.

Sunday afternoon

Esparaza marche today, always good..plenty of fresh fruit, veggies and cheese and sausages etc..and the sites..oh my. It is a social event as well as a shopping experience.
We spent the afternoon with Paulo and Didier in Quillan, always fun.(Paulo also serves as my shrink, a no nonsense sort of approach) and Didier...makes a simple meal a delight..lunch of sausages,salad,and cheese..superb..and an afternoon of conversation, excellent!
This afternoon I will try to make a skype connection with family in the States at my family reunion..
first one that I have missed in many years.
Tomorrow we will go to Mirepoix for the marche..an all day affair.
 Lazy Sunday afternoon...ummmm it will get noisy later with the BIO fete down in Couisa, but they finished up last night at about 1 am, so hope that will be the case tonight!
We finally got some rain this afternoon. We probably could use a good bit more, but I am glad to see any. Oftentimes we can see the rain falling over the mountain in Limoux, and down the valley in Quillan and we don't get any. Today we are in luck!
I did get the connection with the reunion this afternoon. They had a full house! I was so glad to see so many gathered, especially so many that had been away for a while. It is good to get together and catch up and share a meal and conversation. Sorry to miss my Uncle Sonny and his family who traveled from Alabama to Virginia for the event. I guess that makes me the one that "traveled" the longest distance! 
It sure was good to see my kids and grandkids faces.
by the way, the fete probably wont be so loud since it is raining..we can only hope!

observations along the way

The weather here in Southern France has been very pleasant this summer. The days are warm and nights cool, here in the mountains..great for sleeping..
I have to admit I was nervous about being without air conditioning..I was sure that I would not make it..but it is the last day of July and I am still here and alive. Whats more I am doing very well.
We have no TV here either..imagine that.
My French language skills, how can I say....STINK
The only saving grace is that most French people that I meet have equally bad English..I just happen to be the one in their country...but most are most willing to help..have courage..I might just get there someday LOL
I am sorry to miss my family reunion, tomorrow..
and I sure do miss my family... wish you were here