April was a full month in France and elsewhere for clan AthoTurnbull. Pal Michael has taken an early exit from QUT and is now a fellow St Antonin Noble Val resident. His pals, and co-owners, John & Storm joined him.
On April 8, James took some time off and headed to Germany to see his pal Keno and designed & kicked off a campaign for his company. Stephen and Paulie headed to Barcelona to catch up with Nick and Elena mid month when La Cachette was rented. Liv and Lochie powered on. Paulie and Stephen continued to spread French wings (Paulie is doing yoga in French, has conversations with locals, and a number of social outings are with French or an French/expat mix). Stephen is become somewhat less confused at such gatherings. Local festivities nearly saw the guys join in on a local dance. Paulie & Stephen are really enjoying the transition to Spring - as some photos show, the garden is evolving at a rapid pace.
April 1 - April fools? We think not
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Pal Michael and his pad's co-owner, John arrive form Paris
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And enter their new French pad
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Stephen returns to garden work at La Cachette.
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Gardener John trains wisteria whilst his pal Bilbo assists Stephen
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And around the village trees bloom
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Olivia points out that seasonal change in both hemispheres bring similar temps (although at night for Brisbane)
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Dinner at Michael, John, and Storm's pad.
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Chef Michael cooks their first meal
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Off to a food display near Najac (where Stephen and Paulie discovered the region back in 2012)
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Najac- the first time we've been and it's been "alive"
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.... or open
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Stephen becomes more accustomed to Frech ways on a cycle
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the cliffs around the village attract the para-gliders
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Time to be frugal and buy cask wine? A shock for Stephen
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The wisteria needs emotional and physical support
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Apero time
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followed by dinner
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At 7pm still plenty of sunlight
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Nearby Varen & it's 11th century church
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Paulie and Stephen head up the cliffs
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April 8 - Occitan dancing at the village
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And on the 9th Michael buys a bike and joins the crew off towards Brousses near Cazals.
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and continue on their 29km spin.
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Time to put a door portico up. Simon called in to lead the team.
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Followed by a dinner with newly arrived Storm
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Simon & Linda stay for a BBQ
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Rain cover/portico up - traded for a bottle of wine.
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Spring has certainly sprung outside our house
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and in our yard
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Note vine mosty removed from the chestnut
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A rose break midst cycle to Caylus
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Lunch in nearby Segular
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The fig tree starts to kick in
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Another ride....
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... through secret paths
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... and country lanes
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Viisting neighbours
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Prep for "Financially motivated voluntary self eviction" (renting La Cachette for a bit of extra dosh)
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Which includes a baby guest from Toulouse
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A lot of time spent outdoors
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The chesnut and hibiscus came to life whilst the guys were in Spain for a week
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A second hand purchase from a Vide Maison (empty house or garage sale)
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And an addition for our own garden shrine
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A Sunday cycle means no workers, we can ignore construction work to take a short cut home
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cycle into the light
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the Cazal tunnel repairs are 99% done.
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