Blogs from Midi-Pyrénées, France, Europe - page 48

In Harrogate, Hallowe’en seems to mean spending the evening of 31st October greeting a steady stream of cheerful young witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls to the door threatening tricks if they don’t get their treats. Here in nearby Belesta, it’s something rather different, since the period round Hallowe’en is for them La Fete de la Citrouille - the Feast of the Pumpkin. Well, just look at those pictures. If you could grow pumpkins like that, wouldn’t you want to celebrate? Yesterday, we had real fun looking round on the first day, which was also their Vide-Grenier day (Empty Your Attics!). Pretty much like an English car boot sale really, except the stalls spread through the streets of the town. French attics and barns can turn out some splendidly puzzling tools and equipment, and as for the ... read more

Something the French seem to do rather well is enjoy themselves at the weekend by finding a Fete or Festival somewhere nearby. We’ve been to the Fete de la Pomme at Mirepoix, where there were apple stalls, pressed apple juices and cakes and pastries of every kind that could possibly incorporate the odd apple or two. Tractors that should have been fresh from the museum but were probably in routine every day use processed clunkily round the square, adding a rich dose of diesel to the more welcome perfume of maturing apples. We’ve seen a Heavy Horse Show at Saverdun. French heavy horses aren’t Suffolk Punches at all, being much trimmer and almost daintier but there were plenty of them, and it’s clear that they still have a big role to play in French farming. ... read more

We’ve kept up our walking itinerary. Every day has seen us either yomping up some Pyrenean crag, eagle, red kite and buzzard watching; poring over the rather unsatisfactory French OS maps wondering how it could be that our 3 ½ km stroll has turned into an 8 ½ km hike; or simply following the ex-railway line that encircles our area in a scenic ramble through the countryside - yes, France clearly had its Dr. Beeching too. Today however, we decided that the Gorges de la Frau had the vote. We knew they were supposed to be spectacularly beautiful, and a hard slog too, but we thought we shouldn’t put it off. The hot weather has gone, and the fleeces are out, though the days are still sunny and sparklingly bright once the early morning frosts have ... read more

We're getting ready to go to France next week, Malcolm and I, to our house in Laroque d'Olmes. Lots to do, and not feeling as enthusiastic as we thought we would. We've been looking forward to this moment for more than 3 years when we first bought the house, but now we're not quite so sure.....I think it's the thought of missing all our friends, and more particularly our 2 year old twin grandsons, Ben and Alex. And at the same time, I'm packing for India in November.............lots to do... read more

Today Monday planning to download big new itinerary but computer does not allow use of memory stick; Thanks to all for messages _ Viv and Bryan Dave and Barb May and Ivan Marg Kay Ann and Jo; In Biarritz today and was on beach til 7 last night watching surfers in an amazing sea. Bit of scare late last night when Andy thought ankle sprained but all ok today. Planning on getting few miles down coast today and can see Spain at last. Planning a seafood meal by harbour before we move on. Latest on headlights _ non! tried 3 garages but we are dealing with Fiat; now no air con and very hot so will persevere in Spain; Love to all A and A the still travelling taylors!... read more