Catching Up

Just the other day we went cycling off into the fields round Cruzy and discovered this old stone sign on the side of the road under a tree. Apparently it was erected in 1884, just one year after our house was built in Cruzy.

In March we spent a great deal of time in Montpellier. One night we ate at a lovely restaurant in the heart of the old town. Bistrot d'Alco. For desert I treated myself to desert consisting of a small coffee, a crème brûlée, a vanilla fairy cake, and chocolate muffin. I asked for the coffee to be a Grande Crème (Coffee with milk) and I got a large cup of whipped cream!

The first Veid-Greniers/Brocante in the village was planned for the 14th March. We have boxes of stuff that could easily be sold on at one of these car-boot events. Unfortunately, the first one was not for us as we were both away. I heard it was a good gathering and lots was sold.

I love looking at old road signs and old adverts that cover the length and breadth of France. I have been building a small collection of photos and this Total advert is in Montady, but advertising the Total petrol station in Capestang, some 7km away. The station is now run by Intermarche, the supermarket chain.

Valentine weekend we drove though Maureilhan and just had to stop the car. There on the side of the road was a camel. There was nothing for it but to take a snap and wonder about its future... the zebra crossing was about a mile further back!

A full month after the storms that his the area, we went for a stroll along the Canal du Midi close to Cruzy and were surprised to see so many trees down, many blocking the canal itself.

Time for Spring Cleaning and we began by allowing Spring to see our courtyard. Our friend Roger came round with his very long ladder and chainsaw and he promptly took the tops off the trees... about 10 foot for each tree. The wood was then chopped into smaller logs that will keep us warm for months.

Along came February and I managed to get a stiff neck... old age! Anyway, we drove to the doctor in Cressan, who was very kind, and she suggested a little physiotherapy. She recommended a guy in Puisserguier. Well he pulled and pushed and even cricked my neck. Well, if I had not laughed, I am sure I would have cried. In the end, we spent 45 Euros on pills and cream. Ibrobruphen tables of 1000mg - that's the equivalent of 5 tablets from Boots.

There is nothing like a good Christmas Concert in a church... in the middle of January. Alan played along with violin, Monique tinkled on the piano and the Cruzy Choir (Les Cigalous) sang beautifully. Afterwards everyone was invited into the home of one of the singers were we all enjoyed a little Muscat and home baked cakes.

Driving from Cruzy to Argelliers I had to stop the car as a huge flock of birds flew around the car. There were thousands of the little dark birds and eventually I had to hoot the horn to create a route though.

In January the sun came out and we headed for the beach. The sky was a lovely blue and the beach was covered in debris. Mainly bamboo and wood, so we packed the car with as much as we could carry and spent the next month using it a kindle for the fire.