Changing seasons
We seem to have really hit "fall" with a bang this week. The whole south of France has been hit with massive rainstorms, even causing evactuations and flooding in some areas. The Possum Kingdom seems to have been spared the worst, although we've had plenty of rain and falling temperatures. I'm even considering that it might be time to start pulling those sweaters and warm clothes out of the closet where they've spent a quiet summer.
But the weather isn't the only thing that is changing. Good friends John and Hazel Lacombe have left town for a two-year return to London, where John was made an offer he couldn't refuse. He'll be managing five Gastro Pubs while Hazel takes advantage of her new found free time to perfect her French at a local university and take driving lessons.
It's a wonderful opportunity for them, but a major loss to Chalabre. First, on a personal level, those of us who have come to know and love John and Hazel will miss them mightily. Second, the village is losing not only two valued members, but their wonderful Chambre de Hote, which is now closed. They've actually put the house on the market, figuring that when they return, they would like to find something outside the village with more land, so that Hazel can spend all her time gardening. We've put pictures of it up on our website if anyone is interested in moving into a house that needs absolutely no work whatsoever!
Also, I had a surprise visit from the owner of the Chateau de Terre Blanche, the beautiful renovated gite around the corner from the 8 รก Huit. It seems that due to personal reasons, they are selling the property. Another loss to the community.
I hope that new owners will soon be found for both properties, whether it is to live in them as individual, private dwellings, or return them to commercial use. It's never good to lose good people and businesses in a small community.
Ciao for now.
Randy
But the weather isn't the only thing that is changing. Good friends John and Hazel Lacombe have left town for a two-year return to London, where John was made an offer he couldn't refuse. He'll be managing five Gastro Pubs while Hazel takes advantage of her new found free time to perfect her French at a local university and take driving lessons.
It's a wonderful opportunity for them, but a major loss to Chalabre. First, on a personal level, those of us who have come to know and love John and Hazel will miss them mightily. Second, the village is losing not only two valued members, but their wonderful Chambre de Hote, which is now closed. They've actually put the house on the market, figuring that when they return, they would like to find something outside the village with more land, so that Hazel can spend all her time gardening. We've put pictures of it up on our website if anyone is interested in moving into a house that needs absolutely no work whatsoever!
Also, I had a surprise visit from the owner of the Chateau de Terre Blanche, the beautiful renovated gite around the corner from the 8 รก Huit. It seems that due to personal reasons, they are selling the property. Another loss to the community.
I hope that new owners will soon be found for both properties, whether it is to live in them as individual, private dwellings, or return them to commercial use. It's never good to lose good people and businesses in a small community.
Ciao for now.
Randy
