Février/February 2024

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The boys in Oxford visited the home they are buying. The sale might come through soon Keno was not really impressed with the loo under the stairs. From afar Stephen WAS impressed with the cellar. And the kitchen
Stephen started the month by having a car boot close on his head . Paulie's Misty Morning walk Paulie makes a storage bag for outdoor cushions.
Under the watchful eyes of Miss Mouse and Miss Mouse Junior 6th - a short drive up to the ‎Forêt de Grésigne behind Cazal and the guys walk 30 mins to the scene of a Nazi ambush (shown in the movie "Charlotte Gray") . 7th - Olivia debriefs Paulie and Stephen on a house inspection
It's the first time Stephen and Paulie actually met Andy It's time to prepare for an apero with neighbours Hans, Brigit and Robert . 10th - the Adelaide pair are out for a hike
They meet some locals In France Stephen and Paulie head to apero at Yolande's Where the company and wine is always great 11th - it's off to nearby village, Milhars, for their basket festival
Product for sale . And weaving workshops 13th- off to a a bureaucratic day in Toulouse- to finalise the 12 month visa a chest xray is required (our 3rd!) France is overexposing us in rads!
14th - outdoor furniture care Just before Paulie & Stephen arrive in France a house fires 50 metres from La Cachette - 2 other houses damaged care of a cheap drone battery. The biggest cat we've ever seen lives on Rue Droite VIDEO -Indeed we think he's a Lynx who wouldn't mind tasting a few Antipodeans
17th - Olivia is out on her regular training for the May half Marathon in the Barossa Whilst Stephen and Paulie catch up with Denise and Owen in Brisbane. And Lola who is in play mode Gifts and a lovely card arrive from Olivia VIDEO- 18th - Paulie walks up early to a quiet Sunday market. But good vibe
VIDEO - 19th Time to check on Yolande's farm. Arthur and Paulie are feeling playful 20th - Stephen heads out on the Fenyrol cycle On the way back Stephen is stopped by Paulie and Corrina who are out walking The daffodils join the snow drops
. 21st - Paulie and Stephen decide to head to Cahors for an outing. The 1100s part of the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne. It's a confused Cathédrale- Gothic style on a Romanesque base in the apse. Byzantine syle domes in the nave. Gothic cloister added in the 1500s.
Out in the streets are some interesting buildings And of course the defensive Pont Valentré which which took 70 years to build and was completed around 1345 during the 100 Years War. . Paulie and Stephen drove up the the hills to look down on the city
MOVIE - an elevated look at the city from afar. Back home, the Blackbird in the garden regularly sings one of his songs 22nd - Paulie's morning walking pals lead the way Later Paulie and Stephen cross the bridge and walk up the hill to share Mary's winter view of St Antonin
. Meanwhile Olivia has a night out with pal Diana 26th - Stephen joins one of James' hosted sessions to build a community around regenerative practices Luckily James did not have his surname or it would have been obvious to attendees that Daddy was a "Nosey Nellie". Might remove that surname next time.
A quick check on the Mirgat duo (Ruben and Arthur) and Paulie and Arthur request a school photo. Given February 2021 was when the house flooded, we get nervous when it rains for days in a row and the river rises. But the next day the canal near us lowered 20cm. Paulie's walking buddies meet most days at 08:00.
It's not spring yet, but given the (mostly) warm weather the flowers make an early start . And the home garden continues to come alive 28th - as the end of this 3 month stay in France draws nearer, the guys want to get out and about once more. Enroute via the vinyards to Gaillac
Some vines are yet to be pruned . . And some are well and truly tended to
On arrival in Gaillac we head to the Abbaye Saint Michel where the Maison des Vins de Gaillac is located Time to explore the various wines - many with grape varieties unknown in the New World. Duras (Red indicates variety) is an ancient grape varieties thought to have been introduced by the Romans 2000 years ago. It is typically blended with other varieties. Galliac sparking wines are interesting. The reds are improving
. On the way home from Gaillac Paulie spots a ruin on a hill on the outskirts of Vaour. The guys walked up and discovered it was the Vaour Commandery of the Knights Templar founded in 1140. . The entry gate still stands, but the keep which was 20+ metres high fell down in the early 20th century.
. The large barn has been renovated and was used to store produce from the local area that the Templars used for crusade funds. It is now used for local events. Photo of the keep in the late 1890s from the Bibliothèque de Toulouse (Wikimedia Commons). It collapsed around 20 years later. Back home a Gaillac Perle is tasted. A near-sparkling that has had an interrupted fermentation.
. The sun is out as the month winds up 29th - the last day of the month required a long-ish cycle. So up the mountain to Grotte de Bosc we go. Stephen will get around to posting a "SlowTV" video of the cycle on the "AthoCinema" page. Stephen spots a deer in the field, but his camera doesn't. Bambi bounces away. Farewell February.