Tuesday 11 September 2012

What a difference a year makes


This time last year we were getting ready to move into our house in Caunes.
Mark and a very empty room....just a year ago.
 
The sad loss of our gorgeous palm
We have now spent a year watching the garden, discovering the different plants that have appeared....some where we wanted them, and some requiring removal....some, unfortunately dying in the cold temperatures of February.

The trees blocking the view have now gone...so has the strange little fence
 
We have had some improvements made to the area around the pool.
 
The bathroom fittings that just had to go.
 

We have had a new bathroom installed, and we are planning another, but mostly we have just tried living in the house, to see how it suited us. We have experimented with various places for eating outside....on the terrace, by the pool, with the best view of the village, etc.

 
We now know where we want a further terrace built, and where the various sitting spots will be....one, high above the house, giving the best view of the mountains,  and one in front of the house, giving the best view of the village.
 
It has been good not to make too many changes, just to see how we, and the house got to know each other. Basically. We don’t want many changes.... it is beautiful as it is.

A whole year...of meeting neighbours, of discovering local wines, of navigating around local villages, exploring Narbonne, Beziers, Montpelier, Perpignan, Limoux, Carcassonne, Minerve, of discovering the Cathars, of watching grapes, figs, almonds, hazlenuts develop on our vines and trees, of learning how to maintain a pristine swimming pool, of wallowing in thunder storms the like of which I’ve never seen before, of practising French, of drinking coffee in the bar, of entertaining friends and family, of watching grandchildren grow in confidence in the gorgeous freedom of a large and wild garden where the noise of crickets and bees accompany their squeals of delight,of concerts and fetes, of trips to the jazz club, of bread and marble, of cassoulets and confits, vide greniers, beaches, lakes, mountains, sunrises and sunsets, cloudless blue skies, nights with no light pollution that can be filled with star gazing and knowing that we can do it all again this coming year.
my first figs
 
 
Carcassonne
 
Marble looks just as good in the snow
 
 
 

 

15 comments:

  1. You're so right to live in a place and let it tell you, in a way, what it wants.
    After all...why did you choose the house if it didn{t appeal to you?
    We never rushed into changes until we had wintered and summered a place and that went for the garden too!

    You're going to have such a fabulous time in Caunes!

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    1. It is very reassuring knowing that, although I'm back in the Uk at the moment....for daughter's wedding in 3 days time
      (aggghhh), soon afterwards, I will be back in Caunes, loving the views, enjoying the cooler weather and working on the French ( language....not people ! ). J.

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  2. Ah, those place names - we started holidaying in Northern Spain when I was a child in the 1950s, taking the overnight train from Paris. I always woke up in my "couchette" when I heard the balefully intoned, "Narbonne, Narbonne" as dawn broke in Southern France. Happy days!

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    1. It is a beautiful part of France, and I am looking forward to getting to know it more. I'll think of you next time I'm in Narbonne. J.

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  3. Beautiful views and great to have a pool.

    You are so right about living somewhere before you decide on any changes. We know that there are changes we'd like to make to Le Pre Vert, especially our monument to the 1970's bathroom. We've had the house nearly three years now but the changes will need to wait until we can spend more time there. I'm a Libran so decisions are difficult :o).

    A bottle of bubbles by way of a one year anniversary celebration?

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    1. I think a bottle of blanquette will be appropriate. We'll be back there just 2 days after the official anniversary of taking ownership. Clearly the 1970s were the high spot for French bathroom design. Our pink scalloped monstrosity is now sitting in our basement, awaiting a suitable vide grenier.

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  4. What an eventful and fun year it sounds. I think you're right to not make too many changes too quickly too! I love the contemplation of 'sitting spots' - speaks of life to be lived at a more pleasant pace...
    x

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    1. We are spoilt for choice for sitting spots Alix, there are appropriate spaces all over the garden...perfect for various times of the day, and for different seasons. I'm looking forward to developing them, and then...just sitting.

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  5. A wonderful year, Janice, captured so well in this post. It has gone really quickly but how much has been packed in. You have a really lovely spot here and I confess to a little envy...(but...we'll find our place soon or will at least enjoy the time whilst we look.)
    Definitely worth celebrating with something bubbly on one of your sitting spots when you return - and have a wonderful wedding this weekend.
    Much love,
    Axxx

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    1. Thanks Annie. It has been a fascinating year, and has gone past so quickly. One of the things I intend doing , when in a suitable sitting spot, is start planning our Barcelona get together for next spring ! J xxx

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  6. A lovely summing-up of an eventful and enjoyable year, Janice. What a glorious spot you were lucky enough to find. With a view like that you can afford to take your time making any necessary changes. We've had our house 9 years now and it's still not finished.....

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    1. Yes, Perpetua, I have a feeling there will always be some ongoing projects, but in the meantime, it is lovely just to be there. I'm looking forward to getting back, to enjoy what will be our 2nd autumn.

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  7. I enjoyed reading your events and your pics about your home and life in France.....it looks amazingly beautiful there, just stunning. Good idea you have that while living there you can see what changes to make to suit you and your Family. How nice to have everyone come and visit while you are there and make some memorable memories....seems like a peaceful life there. Love the marble...where my husband is from in Turkey they also mine marble.
    Thanks for sharing...I really enjoyed this post. Erica....

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  8. It's obvious how much you love the place from the way you have written this post. And what's not to love - what a fabulous view you have and in such a beautiful part of France.

    You're so right about not making changes too quickly. We have abandoned many of the first ideas we had about our little house and have found that most of its little foibles are perfectly livable with. Mind you, after five years this is wearing thin as an excuse for not tackling what is, without a doubt, a truly horrible bathroom !!

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  9. One of the first posts of yours that I read, Janice, had to do with what to do with that commode. My how time has sped forward - and what a wonderful house you have there in Caunes. I always feel that it takes a while for a house to grow into one's very own home. From your pictures and posts, it seems like everyone feels comfortable there - especially the grandkids. Well done!

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