Family and friends

It’s ages since I posted anything, and that is because life has been a little hectic.

I have been stepping up my recovery and exercise regime........and completed a 10km walk last week.

I meant to blog about that, as it involved some amazing landscapes and several ancient shepherds buildings, known as “Capitelles”. I think it may feature in a blog at some stage.....the stonework patterns on these ancient ( and restored) shelters is incredible.

My friend Jan came to stay for a week. We have been friends since we started school together in 1959....we then went to the same secondary school, did some of the same A levels, moved to Manchester and Salford for college when we left school, lived in the same flat with our respective boyfriends for a couple of years, then kept in close touch over the years......so we have a lot of shared history ! We spent a lot of time nattering. It was brilliant.

 

Mark, Jan and I visited some Cathar castles in Lastours, we spent some time in Carcassonne, Limoux, Mirepoix and La Grasse, doing touristy things. We went to a jazz club concert, spent some time lazing by the pool, ate some good food and drank some excellent wine and enjoyed the mellow autumn warmth.

Then, we got the call......3 weeks earlier than expected....Flynn, grandchild number 5 had been born. We were sure he would be late, just like his brothers, but he surprised us. So, we quickly booked a flight back to England for a viewing....and some cuddles.

Mark with Flynn Richard Marvel Pattison ( unusual 3rd names have become a tradition with Matt and Sarah Jane.....Dexter's 3rd name is Magneto and Clark's is Xavier)

Unfortunately, in and amongst all this, I managed to get shingles ( la zona, in French......the visit to the French Dr will certainly warrant a blog in its own right at some point, it was hilarious, and brilliant at the same time). It hasn’t been too bad, and hopefully I’ll be fully recovered soon. I think that compared with cancer, shingles is a doddle ! ( Sorry to anyone who has suffered horribly with it.....I think I have been lucky and caught it in time )

We came back to England for 4 days, until tomorrow, when we have an early flight booked back to Carcassonne. We’ll catch up with Jess tonight in Liverpool and hear all about her first 2 weeks of teacher training. Then next week, we head south from Caunes, to Benicassim  to see Bibi, and Alacala  to see Annie. ( Those of you who know Annie through her blogs and have followed my story during the last year, will know how much I am looking forward to seeing her again).

So.....not much in the way of posts from me recently, but plenty of adventures which will probably make it into a blog or two or more in the future. Somehow I suspect there will be a joint effort planned from southern Spain next week sometime.

Clark and Dexter with their new little brother

 

The Pattison Packer fans.