January 2024

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1st- after a big night (see December 2023), a walk is in order 4th - a bike rack to bring some order meanwhile in South Australia Olivia catches some sun 9th - Stephen flies into Heathrow and then buses to Oxford. Next morning a walk is in order around HQ on Essex Street
First call- checking out the house that Keno and James are buying. Lovely! 3 beds, 2 bathrooms a nice yard etc Then on to Florence park and some food shopping for a (James) family dinner. Stephen had a few Thai and Viet vegan dishes to prepare. Sadly Step-Pa Graham's mother died some days earlier and Graham was heading back to the Antipodes the next day, half-bro Julian likewise was to head back to is temporary home in Amsterdam (Daniel lives & studies in Oxford). So it was an opportune time for James to host a dinner. 11th- James took Stephen on an evening wildlife watching walk to the river - muddy and flooded!
Meanwhile Olivia enjoyed the high life (well, at least second floor). Chilling at the Glenelg Oyster Bar 13th - Stephen flew home the day before and it was time to check on Yolande's equine pals at her Mirgat farm Ruben obviously appreciated it When the day cleared up, Paulie headed off on a cycle whilst Stephen returned to Mirgat with Yolande
Coffee by a charming bench Lovely views... ...and wildlife to spot 14th- Borrowing Tash & Ben's restaurant, "Pause", to prep for Michael Docherty's 70th party that evening.
Daniel Docherty, who is a kitchen hand there, gets things in order And we take time to pop a champagne to toast the old man. That evening the drinks flow and food is passed around Ben oversees things and Daniel is cocktail guru
Michael enjoys Julia's company And Paulie enjoys her table's company Time for a quick toast so Stephen gets the attention of the troops ... Both glasses and voices are raised in celebration
17th- helping Yolande prepare for her grandkids and daughters who will arrive for a belated Christmas. . 20th - After some warm(ish) days, some cold ones are due. A minus 5 degree morning outside of the kitchen window The sun offers very little warmth
And as Paulie discovers on her daily walk to the river, there is plenty of frost. . 21st - Stephen is out at sunrise. Lovely It warmed up again (15 degrees) so a walk up the mountain is in order
Stephen has competition! It seems there are other Athos in the village. 22nd - It's time for James to visit and Stephen and Paulie collect him at Blagnac Airport It's tricky finding the best route to Toulouse & the airport - farmers are protesting 23rd - breakfast Time back at La Cachette
Catching up with Paulie James balances professional work (numerous video meetings)... . ... and household work.
Wood stacking done . 24th - But there is time to get out and about. It's time to take him to Yolande's farm to do a few chores and meet new friends.
Arthur enjoys making new pals. He also enjoys his water filled ... ...and his hair brushed. As does Rubens
Sweeping and collecting leaves. On the way home the team collect a few rocks for the garden Meanwhile in Adelaide Olivia and Andy are out walking. 25th - Time to show Daniel the caves and get him out and about. One of James' favoured walks
Up they climb Nearly at the peak To a grotte .
. The high visability vests are on as it is hunting season and we would prefer not to be shot. And down again .
Along a ridge VIDEO- we loved the peaceful stream . a quick visit of another cave (best visted in the dry months)
. Pit stop for a quick lunch And back towards the village. Home base reached
Rewarded with a wee rose 25th - a short drive to Caylus to see a sculpture by Ossip Zadkine (see October 2018 for more of his work) We travelled to a gallery of his work back in 2018 with pal Yolande. 27th - Ben and Tash set up a Raclette dinner at Michael's. Good fun & they even arranged for vegan cheese for James.
26th - the lads went off for an hour of cycling up the hills and down secret paths 27th - a final walk around the village for James. To the old chapel and around the gardens of the village Andy and Olivia must have known James was heading home as they raised their glasses in Adelaide
But then in the car and following the trails of various flights, headed off on the 75 minute drive to the airport And back to Oxford James went On the way home, Paulie and Stephen tried out the chevre cheese vending machine near Penne. Viva la France! 11€ of Goat cheese goodness :-)
29th - another warmish day was a good time to cycle and stop for a picnic And the next day do some garden chores. A Garden bag repair business might be an opportunity. 31st- the sun is out so first BBQ for 2024