Friday, 19 July 2013

Calm before the storm


After 2 glorious weeks in England, we flew back to Carcassonne a few days ago. The house in Caunes had hardly noticed we were gone. The automatic watering system I had installed ( ok, we had installed ) worked, the vegetables were not dead, the figs and grapes had developed well and the pool had not turned green. So all was well.
 
We’re just having a few days by ourselves before the 2 older kids, their spouses, their 4 children, and Mark’s ex wife, and her partner arrive. A few days after that, daughter Jess and her best friend for the last 21 years 7 months will arrive too. So there will be a houseful.  Needless to say we are making the most of the peace and quiet.
 
We went for a 5K walk yesterday morning. The heat of the day makes longish walks impossible, for me anyway, so we began early when the morning still felt a little crisp, the blue sky had not quite arrived and things were ever so slightly misty. It was lovely. We walked along a disused railway track which gave us some beautiful views of the Black Mountain foothills, glimpses between vineyards and of parts of the village.

 


 
and finally back into Caunes in time for a coffee in the bar
 

 
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28 comments:

  1. ArtyZen19 July 2013 at 08:48

    I know how you feel, Janice, though I don't expect quite the storm you're about to get! The photos are really lovely and do capture that peace you describe. That pool of yours is absolutely idyllic!
    Looking forward to some photos - but I suspect it might be a little while before you have time for another post! Love to all the family - have a great time.
    Axxx

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    1. Janice19 July 2013 at 09:11

      Well, by my reckoning you have another couple of days of peace and quiet before the grand return. I hope you enjoy it, and have a safe trip to Malaga to get them all ! Luckily, Carole is great at helping out, and she will organise everyone so I don't have to do too much ! I've also worked out that with one village repas, one take away pizza day, one concert that comes with food, a music night at our favourite restaurant and an ordered lasagne for 10, from an English woman who has opened a great little café in the village......I wont be doing much cooking after all.
      Love to everyone Jxxx

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  2. Kathy19 July 2013 at 10:55

    What a beautiful walk and I really envy you that wonderful pool. (Perpetua turns green, unlike the pool.) I'm dumbstruck that you can even consider having 12 guests at the same time! Does your house have elastic walls? :-) When DD and her husband and 2 sons visit our house feels full to bursting point and DH takes refuge in the campervan for some peace. :-)

    Have a wonderful time and I look forward to hearing about all your fun well after the event.

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  3. Janice19 July 2013 at 11:40

    2 or 3 boys in bunk beds in the room next to us, upstairs.....on the understanding that any nightmares are dealt with by their parents and not us ! 1 double room downstairs with 1 set of parents and a 1 year old, second double bedroom downstairs with another set of parents and possibly the 2 year old, if he doesn't cope with sleeping with the big boys upstairs....Jess and her friend on the sofa in the basement ( coolest place in the house ! ) and Mark's ex wife and partner in the camper van that they will have driven down from Yorkshire, parked outside. We could manage 2 more on the bed settee in the living room, but that really would be stretching it a bit.
    I think it will work, the pool might get a bit crowded from time to time, but otherwise it will be great ! It will be good to be back here again though, in September and October with fewer visitors ( and my planned trip to see Annie in Spain ! )Jx

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    1. Kathy19 July 2013 at 11:52

      Ah, all becomes clear. :-) I knew your house is bigger than ours, but 2 extra bedrooms AND a basement make a big difference. Aren't campervans useful for extra guests?

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    2. Janice19 July 2013 at 12:18

      I have plans for turning the basement into a dormitory....a few sets of bunk beds which will continue to accommodate the grandchildren as their numbers swell...4 now, 5th one due in September and that's before Jess decides to get on the band wagon. Hope you are having a really good time in your corner of France. Jx

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  4. Used-to-Bees19 July 2013 at 15:31

    Beautiful walk! Have fun with all the guests but enjoy that calm first!
    x

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    1. Janice19 July 2013 at 16:40

      Thanks, I know we'll have a good time with the kids here, and we can always rest later when they are gone !

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  5. Team Pattison19 July 2013 at 16:26

    Janice has my downed bridge been fixed for runs?

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    1. Janice19 July 2013 at 16:39

      I don't think so...but the railway bridge in the photo is on another route that might be interesting.....very flat, and very straight for nearly 2K. Looking forward to seeing you Jx

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  6. GaynorB19 July 2013 at 16:26

    I'm sure that once there all the family will rlly roundand take turns at doing what needs to be done. The preparations will be a bit daunting with so many bedrooms to prepare.

    Still... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time; it's the same with bedrooms- not eating them, of course!

    Have a lovely time. x

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    1. Janice19 July 2013 at 16:43

      Mark has just taken the appropriate bedding into each room.....next bite will be actually making a bed....perhaps tomorrow ! Looking forward to seeing the graduation photos and hearing all about the day. Its so good the weather has been so brilliant for "our graduates" this year. Jx

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  7. nilly19 July 2013 at 23:27

    What a wonderful walk! My best friend and tramped round Fountains Abbey today in the sweltering heat we are having at the moment. As usual we were gossiping so much & sorting EVERYONE's lives out (we know best!) so we barely noticed the lovely views.

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    1. Janice21 July 2013 at 10:44

      I love those sorts of walks...and of course you know what's best...I do too ! Jx

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  8. Chrissie20 July 2013 at 10:32

    Looks like a very beautiful and peaceful walk and nice to look forward to a coffee at the end. That is one of the things we love about being here, to be able to just sit and relax even for a little while in one of the many bars, watching the world go by. Enjoy your guests I'm sure you will have a lovely time.

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    1. Janice21 July 2013 at 10:46

      Thanks Chrissie, I'm sure we will. I love just sitting in bars here, where it is absolutely fine to drink a coffee, or sip a beer or a glass of wine, and just sit, natter, read the paper and people watch. Perfect !

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  9. Erica (Irene)20 July 2013 at 12:29

    What a beautiful walk....and your home will sure be busy with all the guests. Enjoy your family and guests and I'm sure you will have an awesome time with lots of memories.

    Just love your home in France....wish we could have one there also but it is so far from us.
    Take care....

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    1. Janice21 July 2013 at 10:48

      The walk was good, and although 5K isn't much, it was the first time I have walked that far since my surgery....now I'm going to build up to joining my daughter, son and grandson on a 5K run, planned for November ! You take care too. Jx

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  10. Penny O'Neill20 July 2013 at 14:35

    A wonderful, peaceful pre-storm calm, Janice. We will have a similar "storm" in a little more than a week, for only a few days, but, days I'm looking forward to. Anyways, I loved your walk and your photos. What splendid views you had; all those vistas and vineyards, and a perfect welcome back into Caunes with those stunning flowers - and a perfect spot for a cuppa joe!

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    1. Janice21 July 2013 at 10:51

      Enjoy your "storm" Penny. from what you have been saying, it has been very hot in Illinois, I hope it has cooled a little for you. temperatures are perfect here, 28 -32 c. most days, cooling at night...and the water in the pool hit 30 for the first time yesterday...perfect for tempting the little ones to throw themselves in. Jx

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  11. Ayak21 July 2013 at 07:19

    Make the most of the calm before the storm. You are going to be so busy with such a house full! I know you'll enjoy every minute though xxx

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    1. Janice21 July 2013 at 10:53

      Mark is trying everything to stop me feeling as if I have to be busy when the house is full...including having a local caterer prepare meals for us ! The house is ready, the beds are all made, and the shade by the pool looks gorgeous...let the onslaught begin ! Take care....and stay cool. Jxxx

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  12. Helen Devries21 July 2013 at 11:33

    It's a beautiful place...no wonder you love it so much.
    You take me back to the times we had the house full of family and friends all summer...I used to love it, but, like your lot, they would all muck in so apart from stripping beds I did less work than usual!

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  13. Janice22 July 2013 at 10:12

    There is something great about having the house full, especially with the little ones coming. I love the idea that they will always have memories of this lovely place.....but as soon as they are old enough for chores, believe me, they will be allocated with things to do to help. Jx

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  14. Hazel Maria Blakeley22 July 2013 at 22:01

    Lovely photos of your walk.The pool looks as if it is just waiting for your family to enjoy.Will look forward to photos showing lots of splashing going on.Enjoy. Maria x

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    1. Janice24 July 2013 at 14:32

      Thanks Maria. They are all here now...and splashing is the quietest of their activities ! It is lovely having them all here...and I think splashing is probably the favourite game..that and pushing their dads into the pool. Jx

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  15. Maria25 July 2013 at 08:06

    It's certainly warmer in your part of the world, Janice. Although here in Brisbane it is never REALLY cold...we just think it is! Lol thank you for leaving a comment on my blog...as the years have gone by, Christmas in July has gained more momentum...many hotels and restaurants host celebrations where a typical English Christmas menu is served...present giving is not widespread ...but it's just a it of fun. My local quilt shop has an afternoon tea in July to celebrate Christmas in July...crazy aren't we? Lol

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  16. Janice25 July 2013 at 09:36

    I think it's a great idea...I must admit to feeling very strange about Christmas in the heat of an Aussie summer when I experienced my first Australian Christmas...we were staying just north of Cairns, and loved the idea of swimming in the sea on Christmas day...but thought Santa must be pretty hot in all that red trimmed with fur stuff. Jx

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