9-11 November

Saturday morning was market day as usual. Neither of us were feeling great, because our flu or colds seemed to revisit us. We got ourselves to the market around 11am and had a quick coffee. We didn't join a group of our friends at their table because we didn't want to pass on our bugs. I can't even remember what we did during the afternoon, obviously very little. 

I slept very badly and again felt flu-y on Sunday, but thankfully John was definitely on the improve. We got ourselves out to the cafe 100 paces away to sit in the sun while we had an espresso. We didn't realise until we got there that a sardanes band was just about to get underway in the square directly opposite the bar. The band was from Banyoles in Spain, and the sardanes music it played was quite different to the local variety, and seemed somewhat softer and more melodic - not actually very difficult as sardanes is typically rather loud and piercing. Despite it being cold, and everyone being dressed up in thick coats, scarves and woolly hats, many people stripped off a layer and joined hands to dance. It was lovely to see. It's a wonderful dance in that anyone of any age can join, and do as small a shuffle or big a hop as they like. One old man could hardly move his feet but he was there and enjoying himself in the circle of dancers. Some little girls were just jumping up and down and trying to emulate the adults. It was fun to watch. A little boy was standing nearby, complete with mini saxophone. He clearly loved the music, and the band leader let him play his drum during a break.

Sardanes band under the arch, the dancers make impromptu rings everywhere

Fun for old and young alike

Yesterday afternoon was quiet. We try to enforce a rule of doing no work on the house in the weekends, though there is little in the way of maintenance to do now at any rate. 

However, the highlight of the day was of course Skyping with Bella and family. It was Heath's birthday, turning the grand age of one year old. Bella had made the most fabulous cake, and Heath, as usual, was all smiles. 

After seemingly endless debate and heating of brain cells, John and I have, we think, come to the conclusion that the second property we viewed just out of Cortona in Tuscany is just not going to work for us. It is a stunning property, with immense potential particularly in the grounds, and has a spectacular view. However, with the nearest cafe a good 15 minutes walk away, we think we might get lonely, though of course our focus would be on working on the property rather than on socialising right outside our doorstep as we do here in Ceret. The hour's walk to Cortona doesn't put us off at all - it would just be good exercise and would take in small paths not on roads - but it's not something you would do every day. Cortona is a beautiful town that we don't think we would tire of. However putting big money, long hours and energy into a project that would massively cut our time in Ceret doesn't seem to fit the bill. We don't want to sell Ceret, but it could stand on its own feet by renting it out. Having said that, renovating the Cortona house and terraces would be immense fun.

Monday was Armistice Day. It hadn't really registered with our sub-par brains, so we walked down to the mechanic's shop in the hope of reminding him to send us the details of the parts we have to order. Of course when we arrived he was closed up. Dumb. It's a public holiday. No wonder there was so little traffic on the roads... We got back into town in time to enjoy a coffee in the sun before arriving at Place de la Liberte for the 11am Remembrance service. All the town bigwigs were out, and the pompiers (firemen and women) lined up in parade with their fire helmets shining. After some remarkably short speeches and the laying of wreaths, and a little band music, it was all over. Time to go back home for breakfast, at 11:45am.

Armistice Day. Pompiers in their bright yellow and red hats are lined up on the left

John spent a few hours in the afternoon putting the finishing touches on finishing up the wall he had been working on. It's as good as new, and now sealed internally so nothing can escape from the flue below the wall.

We were both feeling substantially better, and about time. It had been a long haul, but we hear from so many people that this illness is doing the rounds.