April Arrives

Stephen remained in France to the 13th April for the arrival of Sister & Brother-in-Law Jan & Jim. The residence baton for La Cachette was handed over and Stephen headed home via Angleterre where he was MEANT to be delivering a session at Southamptn Uni on the 14th. Postponed! Stephen moved from Michael's to La Cachette, had a few social outings, a few good cycles, and then greeting Clan Dunlop. A dinner for local friends to meet Paulie's clan was great fun -linguistically dual table talk and our friend le Capitaine John proposed to Sharon (offering to take on the French boyfriend).

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Stephen readies himself to move to La Cachette on the 2nd April. But until then stays with host Michael Stephen heard noises. The Pompier at practice. .
Milly is here to welcome Stephen to his home. Where's Paulie she asked? And Stephen got to meet her kittens. Damn. We never got to sterilise her. Cute ... but feral .
. An attempt to keep them off the path (which is NOT kitty litter) with "Puss Off" doesn't seem to work that well Some revamping of window boxes .
Lawn mowing.. During some lovely days Meanwhile... James with one of his heroes - Natalie Bennett, leader of the UK Greens (and fellow Antipodean) As the trees kick into Spring
And in Paris Paulie's sis Jan and Jim slowly make their way to La Cachette John and Storm drop in to welcome Stephen back to La Cachette. Which offends John's cat Bandit... he wasn't asked .
The house needs a little tidy up after winter So "Bleach Boy" Atherton goes to work. .. and work it did. On one of the lovely days a peddle up to le Roc d'Anglars..
... a significant peddle up Meanwhile, Jan & Jim head to Berlin before joining Stephen for a few days Plants continue blooming at Paulie and Stephen's pad .
.. including the blooming cats . Some of whom start to be wary of Stephen's lack of kitty love April 8 - Friends drop in and say hi & wave to faraway Paulie - Sharon, Yolande, Rosie and Robin
April 9 - a peddle off to lunch 28km away at Rosie & Robin's at Larroque Whilst Stephen hops on his bike en France, Olivia is trainer/physio to AFL umpires in Brisbane Spot the rock climber Not as easy as spotting the cyclist
Who gets a wet welcome by Sophie Dog on arrival Talking wet...The 28km back again is not as much fun in 7 degrees and rain But a few days later the sun is out As are the locals
April 11 - Stephen arranges security for Clan Dunlop's arrival From Berling to Toulouse with ease Settle in with a wee bite and cuppa .
. And get shown the sights from Roc d'Anglars . Then home for a break before friends come to meet Paulie's sister and Bro-in-law
. Alan drops in from Milhars John and Michael from Rue Droite .
. Making an important point 7:15 pm and the Weber is alight for the first time in 2016 Some raindrops and dark drive the folks inside.
Welcoming family from afar After a big night it's time to look around the region Including some intallations in the "Hindu Art House" at Cordes Sur Ciel .
. . Time to leave Cordes ... for Albi
. Stephen lights a candle for a Saint he and Paulie refer to as "St Margaret of the Migraine" She'll get better with rest... To the Bishop's Palace gardens
. . . Admiring the cloisters of St Salvi (Cloitre de la Collegiale Saint Salvy)
. One more look at the cathedral and it's back to St Antonin for Stephen to pack to head to England in the morning 13th April - 5:30 am Stephen farewells La Cachette & Michael drops him & Storm to the airport. An early start, plane to Heathrow, bus to Oxford, city bus up Abingdon Rd and Stephen wants a rest in James and Keno's rooftop garden