October 2024

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1st- this is one Frog that is finding somewhere warm as winter approaches 3rd - on inspection (required for insurance) it was discovered that despite years of passed inspections, La Cachette's chimney failed. The flue only went halfway and the chimney was open So the guys called in experts. The apprentice was also on the ball. Well, holding on to it anyway The dynamic Dutch duo scaled the hights of La Cachette...
...and the depths of it's chimney. A flexible flue was installed. The chimney was blocked off (starving possible chimney fires of oxygen) and a flue hood installed and the stove burnt brighter than before. And the inspection passed. 4th - The Danish couple, Ebbe & Inga, who Paulie and Stephen met at a lunch in September asked them to their home
The guys had often wondered who owned the hilltop house that is only 5 minutes out of town but so wonderfully situated (as seen driving up the lower Road to Caussade. House near right corner of shot) Ebbe and Inga's property runs all the way to the cliff And to keep the Republic's Heritage architecture department happy, the swimming pool is hidden in the ruined barn. .
Hanna and Jan enjoyed the company... ...as did Stephen and Paulie With the duo's Danish neighbours Brigit and Robert to the left and their Dutch neighbour Hans to the right, Paulie enjoyed the conversation. Ebbe says a few words. In English fortunately.
Stephen had driven Brit/Dane Chris home to check on her husband Jörgn who was unwell. He returned on the bike knowing that driving after the 5th hour of the lunch might be an issue. 5th- Yolande had harvested her apples from her farm. A cooperative had set up shop at a nearby village. Time to press, filter, pasteurise and bottle the apple juice. An interesting process that is summarised on video in the "film archive" link on this website.
After watching the pressage jus de pomme process, lunch was served at the farm. 6th - In Adelaide Olivia continues with her training Balanced with a healthy social life. Here with Patrick and Hannah. Whilst back in France, Paulie and Stephen attend the season's closing gig at the country venue 10km up the road
You'll find a video snapshot of the Senegal grooves gig on the "Film Archive" link. Stephen was grateful that he wasn't filmed bopping awkwardly to the West African vibes on the dance floor with Paulie. But great fun... Returning to Saint Antonin, Paulie and Stephen dropped in on sa foire aux plantes biannuelle Jardin Noble-Val (bi-annual plant fair) across the road from their house. and then warmed up in the sun...
9th - Olivia out for an Adelaide beach walk . . 10th - the guys collaborated with Julia and Michael who prepared sections of the menu for the Pop up Thai restaurant.
The new enhanced kitchen bench made catering a breeze. 11th - Olivia's home evolves as do her furniture installation skills . .
. And her gardening skills. Plans are underway to transform outside. Back in France, Paulie chats to Monsieur Le Rouge-gorge (Erithacus rubecula) who sings a lovely song at her feet. On the way back from a doctor's appointment in Gaillac the team stop off at Vaour to visit the 12th century Commanderie des Templiers ruins.
. . 12th - off to the Writers Festival - Festilitt - at Parisot to hear M.L. Longworth talk. The duo enjoyed the "Murder in Provence" TV series and Paulie had read the books, so maybe it's time Stephen did. Time zone differences means that sometimes video catch ups are attended in a broad range of attire
13th - quiet lunch on the new temporary terrace keeps feet free of mud. Then off for a cycle . And that evening Yolande brings her telescope to the plateau near Vaour
To look to the west Sitting on the Dolmen, Paulie is on watch under the bright moon . And there she goes- the Tsuchinshan-Atlas comet.
The wisteria is spoiling the view of the stones so it goes Mary has been hidden behind wisteria for a while. It looked like she was playing the organ, so Stephen painted on some keys. 15th - Jardinaire extrordinaire Turnbull tidies up. Wisteria off the wall, fig branches trimmed, herbs planted
And then a visit to the Lexos Déchèterie. 16th - The Oxford boys host Keno's family from Germany. An outing to London takes them to Hyde Park An unseasonably warm autumn confuses the roses at La Cachette But what isn't unseasonable is the rain. A flood (inondation) warning is issued by Madame le Maire
The canal rises somewhat 18th - but not a lot. All is well. 20th - Market Day in the village means fresh veggies .
. Exhausting . An afternoon walk - yet another lovely day
Just in time for some pétanque action . And cat sightings 21st - Paulie heads out on her own for a 20km pedal up what the duo call "One Tree Hill" near Le Ségalar Bas
And home in time for dinner. 24th - Paulie sends Olivia a floral gift to celebrate her promotion - she starts her new role on the 28th Back in Brisbane, proud Dunlop parents attend Stefan's new exhibition at the Edwina Corlette gallery Back in Saint Antonin the morning fog is yet to burn off
. And the changing colours of the season progress A catch up at La Halle 24th - preparing for apéro with Michael's property manager Mihela
25th - A colleague from Australia, Caroline Steel, drops in. She was at UQ and then worked for the LMS provider, Blackboard. But now consults independently Her partner Graham and she are en route from Monpazier in the Dordogne to Uzes in Provence on holiday before attending a Paris conference Meanwhile in a heavy vehicle training in Cairns, Nick gains some new licenses. New practical skills! .
On another day of machinery training for Nick in Cairns. Great skills to acquire 26th - Nick joins his friend and heads to the Atherton Tablelands for the weekend. . 27th - Paulie and Stephen take advantage of yet another mild day and cycle up the hills to Grotte de Bosc
. 30th - Paulie and Stephen woke up to a joyful announcement from Brisbane. And they will be in Australia in time for the event! Storm & Daniel's housemate in France, Michael, toasts to the occasion. Hopefully Daniel will be well enough to return to his homeland with Storm at some stage after the wedding. Preparing a few things for a birthday lunch the next day. And then 7 days later it's Paulie's birthday. Their own festive season!
31st - The dynamic Duo wake up to a beautiful morning in the vilage. . One of the more impressive birthday messages Stephen received was a song Brisbane pal Peter Grimbeek forwarded (the tune itself is on the Film Archive page) Whilst at the same time Olivia heads to a beautiful evening at Grange Beach in Adelaide for an after work run
A small team gathers in the garden for Birthday Boy Stephen. Michael delivers Chateau Neuf niceness and Yolande gifted a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. The challenge - to cellar them for a year or two. . . And so October ends on a lovely note enhanced by good company, food, and wine.