There goes June

Bonjour to you all from our little corner of the Tarn

We have finally had some rain, much needed by all, and a break in the very high temperatures that we have been experiencing. From 40°C to 20°C – quite a contrast, and even worse swimming pool temperatures dropped from 28°C to 22°C – quelle horreur! Achingly hot days, cocooned in a cool darkened house, shutters and windows closed tight against the heat have been replaced by fresher damp air, shutters, windows and doors flung open to catch any passing breeze. Duvets have reappeared on beds, nights seemingly chilly by comparison. Days change quite suddenly, yesterday 30°C, today 16°C – a sure sign of a climate in disarray. The need to water the garden has, for now, gone – a welcome break for me. We watch the garden begin to come alive again, rejoicing at the sudden influx of water, rather than my periodic watering, as I am ever conscious of the need to water sparingly, picking a particular area each time, rotating turns for an evening drink.

So much has happened since I last wrote, which is partly the reason for the big gaps at the moment. Life is never dull, there never seems to be a quiet calm moment. I think I dream of that, but instead deal with whatever arrives each day as one must, knowing that there is always someone somewhere who is having a much, much more complicated time than we are. To be honest, our life is not that hard really, just challenging at times. Having promised more regular updates, I am sad to say I have not managed to deliver this month. I have written various posts, but published none! The light is, however, beginning to appear at the end of tunnel, so things can only improve from here!

The best news this month was my son achieving his degree in absolute style – a first and a prize for his final year project. I am the most proud Mother. He has struggled for years now with mental health issues, but against the odds he has pulled it off. Well done to him.

Max and I have had dental appointments galore, which have entailed numerous trips to Toulouse. On one of these, we actually went in to Toulouse via the tram park and ride – free parking and a very cheap ticket (1.70€) took us right into the centre of the city. We haven’t visited for such a long time – my last visit was February 2020! We had a lovely wander along the river enjoying the water, the architecture of buildings overlooking the river and just the time to walk slowly and chat. We also indulged in a tiny bit of retail therapy (wearing masks) which involved a rather gorgeous red skirt for me, and finally a delicious ice-cold drink at the sweetest kiosk on the way back to the tram. My love of architecture enjoys this type of day – meandering up and down streets, across squares, remembering to look up as that is often where the best sights are – windows were my new doors!

I have also started the treatment for my glaucoma. Apparently I have the type of glaucoma that can progress very rapidly and without warning, so I am having laser treatment, which involves creating a hole in each iris to allow better drainage, one eye at a time. This doesn’t sound great, but should prevent pressure and optic nerve damage. Not that much fun, but equally not too awful, apart from the rather scary pre-treatment drops! The laser bit was an odd experience, and one yet to be repeated on my other eye. Lots of eye drops and no swimming for a while but hopefully it will solve the problem.

There have been a few purchases – yes we have been brocanting again. We found a lovely bargain pair of pots for the garden (maybe up by the pool for now, but later at the entrance) and a chaise longue – a long (sorry for the pun) held dream of mine. It needs re-upholstering but is in great condition, albeit a bit smelly. Nothing a coat of bicarbonate of soda couldn’t tackle, and did. I love the simple old fashioned and natural remedies of our grandparents’ time. Louka, one of our band of four cats, seems to have adopted it for now. That may not last once it has been restored, although who am I kidding!

We have finally been vetted by the charity seeking homes for displaced Ukranians. A nerve-wracking time, our semi-organised house on show, progress not as far as we had hoped, too many jobs half done. We had managed to set up two bedrooms, a glimpse at how the rooms may look. Lots of discussion and questions and we got the OK. After months of waiting, due in part to a tiny charity of 2 trying to deal with the whole departement, we have the green light to help out.

We have been busy painting furniture and getting the rooms ready for accommodating refugees in August. A chest of drawers and several bedside tables are looking much smarter, but more on that in another post. We have hauled mattresses and bed bases across the house and finally moved our own bed to our bedroom – bliss. I yearn to stop work and focus on each room, turning it in to the space I know it can be. Back in the real world income has to be earned, so clients take precedence over the would-be interior designer in me.

In moments when not working or painting, I have been jam and chutney making, and also earlier this month picking cherries galore. I discovered a cherry pitter, after pitting hundreds of cherries – now at the top of my wish list! As June progressed, apricots appeared in abundance, shades of orange through to pink, and the potager yielded up its first courgettes. More on all of this in the seasonal food posts out shortly.

The cats have been enjoying the warmer nights, but rushing inside when the rain starts, especially during the storms! They are always able to find a spot to curl up in, whether to keep cool or be cosy. Sometimes one or more decide to stay out overnight. I still worry and now even more so since coming face-to-face (through the window) with an enormous grey cat – possibly Anya’s father from the look of him, but unlike our dainty little grey girl, a long lean handsome and huge cat.

We have also been lucky to enjoy many wildlife sightings and the fledging of a young kestrel. A heart stopping experience as it landed on our terrace wall and wouldn’t move, scared perhaps to brave the next stage, fearful of trying to make it back up to the nest. Little Owl was around a lot too, a cheeky little thing, always observing us while nodding its head. I have a major soft spot for this bird, perhaps also fledging young. We have been lucky to watch hares lolloping along the driveway, deer with their young and a family of wild boar rambling across the newly harvested fields. The joys of the countryside.

So voilà a small round-up of the month of June, suddenly at its end. Time racing by as ever, but we always try to squeeze in a coffee out, taking a moment for a breath. A new month beckons and more projects to set in motion, plus the garden is calling, weeds flourishing, roses needing dead-heading and tidying to do. There are not enough hours in the day!

As I sip my ice cold rosé, intent on getting a blog post out, may I wish you an enjoyable weekend. We have been tempted by some friends to go to an evening vide grenier on Saturday (one I knew about but was trying to resist) …..

A bientôt

Ali xx