Summertime, summertime
This weekend, the 14th of July, is really the "official" start of summer here in France. It is when families really start taking vacations, and life as we know it slows to a crawl as far as getting anything done administratively.
Last year, everyone in the area was complaining about a lack of tourists. I don't think anyone could say that this year, as the Possum Kingdom seems to be really hopping. JM and I noticed that there seem to be lots more cars parked all over the place, and this morning we looked out the window are were rather surprised at the number of strange faces we saw walking around doing their before lunch errands.
For the local merchants, summer is really the busy season. The shops that are normally closed all day Sunday, open up in the morning until around 1:00, and the bakery no longer takes Wednesday off, but instead opens in the morning as well.
Friends, Diane and Evan, were here for a few days to celebrate the Fete National. They went to both Limoux and Carcassonne to see the fireworks (held on consecutive nights) and declared them both spectacular and the best they had ever seen. Being the rather boring Possums that we are, JM and I preferred to stay home in the relative peace and quiet of the Shire.
Last night was Chalabre's fireworks display, which followed on a Vide Grenier (like a giant, communal yard sale) and barbecue all held at the Boulodrome, which is also known as the Abattoir (which it once was). We were quite concerned about how this would affect Maggie, as that's very close to home and our windows were open. I'm pleased to report that we've now found the miracle drug, Xanax, which got her through the experience better than I could have hoped. It's nice because she doesn't get drugged up, just doesn't panic at the explosions. We're delighted at the discovery.
It has also been very, very hot here, as it has been in most of Europe. Although, to be fair, it is far less hot than it was in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Most days, it doesn't get above the upper 80s, which feels hot because we've gotten used to cooler temperatures. I read that places in L.A. hit 122 yesterday, so truly, we have nothing about which to complain. Of course, we also don't have air conditioning, so I hope it doesn't ever get that hot here! Even closing the shutters before the sun hits the rooms wouldn't help against that kind of heat.
But, we all learn to cope, and as crowded as the streets were this morning, my guess is that once it is lunchtime, everyone will fade away to eat and rest through the hottest part of the day. That is certainly our plan.
Ciao for now.
Randy
Last year, everyone in the area was complaining about a lack of tourists. I don't think anyone could say that this year, as the Possum Kingdom seems to be really hopping. JM and I noticed that there seem to be lots more cars parked all over the place, and this morning we looked out the window are were rather surprised at the number of strange faces we saw walking around doing their before lunch errands.
For the local merchants, summer is really the busy season. The shops that are normally closed all day Sunday, open up in the morning until around 1:00, and the bakery no longer takes Wednesday off, but instead opens in the morning as well.
Friends, Diane and Evan, were here for a few days to celebrate the Fete National. They went to both Limoux and Carcassonne to see the fireworks (held on consecutive nights) and declared them both spectacular and the best they had ever seen. Being the rather boring Possums that we are, JM and I preferred to stay home in the relative peace and quiet of the Shire.
Last night was Chalabre's fireworks display, which followed on a Vide Grenier (like a giant, communal yard sale) and barbecue all held at the Boulodrome, which is also known as the Abattoir (which it once was). We were quite concerned about how this would affect Maggie, as that's very close to home and our windows were open. I'm pleased to report that we've now found the miracle drug, Xanax, which got her through the experience better than I could have hoped. It's nice because she doesn't get drugged up, just doesn't panic at the explosions. We're delighted at the discovery.
It has also been very, very hot here, as it has been in most of Europe. Although, to be fair, it is far less hot than it was in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Most days, it doesn't get above the upper 80s, which feels hot because we've gotten used to cooler temperatures. I read that places in L.A. hit 122 yesterday, so truly, we have nothing about which to complain. Of course, we also don't have air conditioning, so I hope it doesn't ever get that hot here! Even closing the shutters before the sun hits the rooms wouldn't help against that kind of heat.
But, we all learn to cope, and as crowded as the streets were this morning, my guess is that once it is lunchtime, everyone will fade away to eat and rest through the hottest part of the day. That is certainly our plan.
Ciao for now.
Randy
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