Friday, 13 March 2015

The same....but different, or at least it will be.

We’ve been in Caunes for 11 days, and we return to Yorkshire tomorrow. 



The plan was to spend some time in the garden, pruning and spring planting, and to check out some of the work we have had done in the house over the winter. ( That includes having gates fitted to the drive). We were also looking forward to catching up with friends, and hopefully enjoying a bit more warmth than has been around in Yorkshire recently.

We have had a brilliant 11 days. Everything we needed to do has been done….weeding, planting, mulching, painting the downstairs loo, painting the kitchen walls, trialing various Annie Sloan colours on the kitchen cupboards, ready for the major painting job in May, car has been control techniqued ( MOT equivalent), Mark has played golf 3 times, been for a couple of fairly serious bike rides and we have spent time with friends, as intended. Also....there has been some glorious spring weather. days of blue skies, warm sunshine and the smell of almond blossom.

I realise that whilst wanting to blog from Caunes, it would be very easy to rewrite previous first visit of the year posts, and we are now in our 4th year here. I take the same photos every year, I repeatedly  go on about how lovely the village is and  how great the views are. I could easily fill a post with thoughts of almond blossom and wild irises, but I have decided I want to post some different things this year. 

I need to put some thought into what I want my blog to become. I'm not sure what that means yet, but I'm going to make a start here.


So....no photos of almond blossom and glimpses of the abbey from our terrace.

Different things...this time.

A truffle auction in Villeneuve......we've never done that before ! This little lump of tastiness went for 80 euros.
Meeting of our cafe des langues group....at our house instead of in the bar. Most people posing for the photo...Mark and Jean Claude continuing to discuss some burning issue.

ok....we've been to the Limoux Carnaval before, but I've never been covered in confetti before when we've been there.

Spending time with friends has been important this time...it has featured before, but it has been the real highlight of this trip. No doubt, sipping coffee ( or wine) in various cafes with good friends will continue to be important.



Back to Hebden Bridge tomorrow, safe in the knowledge that we will be back in Caunes in about 6 weeks time....and then, we'll be staying put for 6 months. By then, I'll have decided how I'm going to develop my blogging.
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30 comments:

  1. GaynorB13 March 2015 at 14:28

    Good to hear that your visit has been successful.

    My blogging seems to have'hit the buffers' and not certain how to move forward. I've more time but less inclination! I look forward to seeing how 'Janice in Caunes' develops.

    Safe travels xx

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    1. Janice13 March 2015 at 14:43

      Yes, it's strange isn't it.I know I want to continue blogging, and reading others' posts, especially those from people I believe I have become close to through blogging...but I feel it needs to be something different . I just don't know what yet. It is interesting if you feel you are going through similar thought . processes.....retirement eh ? It just gives us more time to think self indulgently ! Take care Jx

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    2. GaynorB13 March 2015 at 14:47

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. GaynorB13 March 2015 at 14:50

      Sorry about the above. I must learn to check before I hit the button!!

      I meant also to say that I think your blog is always interesting has a good mix of the day to day combined with 'historical' topics such as your grandfather, father etc. Hebden Bridge and Caunes. Family life and friends. Ideas and comment. An eclectic mix x

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  2. Chrissie13 March 2015 at 15:15

    Great that you found everything ship shape and had good weather to work in the garden. Lovely to catch up with friends too, sounds like a great mix of work and play and I bet you will be so excited to get back there soon. xcx

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    1. Janice17 March 2015 at 18:30

      We were very lucky with the weather, it made a lovely change from temperatures rarely above 5 degrees.

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  3. Share my Garden13 March 2015 at 16:18

    I think that your blog has just the right mix, it gives a good picture of who you are and the life around you. I like the confetti photo! I use my postings as a visual diary. Some work in progress shots as you painted the downstairs loo would have been good, or a peek at the colour choices on the kitchen cupboards!?
    I'm glad you could enjoy spring weather while in France - you'll see from my postings that you missed a bit of the white stuff back here in Blighty!

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:06

      Thanks....I know what you mean about using the blog as a diary. I had a book printed of my first 100 blogs...and it is, exactly that...a diary that I do look back on quite frequently. As I say...not sure how I will continue, but certainly I want to carry on reading other people's thought on the world !

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  4. Jean13 March 2015 at 20:46

    It's always exciting to check out work that's been done over winter - and such a relief to find it's all been done ok! I'm glad to hear that things are ship shape.
    I hope you enjoyed the same lovely weather as here in the Loire these last ten days - great gardening weather I think. And I bet you're really looking forward to returning for that six month long spell.
    Your blog is always a good read and I confess I'm one of those silent readers who rarely get round to commenting. Good luck with deciding where to go from here!

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:09

      Thanks for this Jean. I , too am a silent reader of several blogs, including a couple of yours! It's strange to find all these links with people and places, but incredibly enjoyable. I am looking forward to getting back for my 6 month stint....but am lucky in that I love being in Yorkshire too....I'm just a bit sick of the cold at the moment !

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  5. Kathy13 March 2015 at 21:29

    Gosh, that sounds like a busy, productive and enjoyable 11 days, Janice! You packed an awful lot in. I can imagine how much you're looking forward to getting back for your long stay.

    I'm another who very much enjoys the mix of posts in your blog. Eclectic is exactly the right term. :-) Caunes is such a world away for the rest of us that we're always happy top hear of your doings there and as you know, I just love your family history posts. I look forward to seeing how you decide to develop your blogging.

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:14

      Thanks P. I know I will continue blogging, but sometimes I feel that I could just repeat previous ponderings. I want to spend more time on family history aspects, as I realise it has fallen to me to keep the knowledge of our family alive....no one else seems to feel the need to check out our roots, but all seem delighted when I do !
      As for Caunes....well, it is a delightful place and as we feel more and more established there, I suppose my blogs are bound to change, with things no longer seeming new and unusual.
      Spring seems to have arrived in Hebden Bridge now.... so I shall enjoy that for a few weeks before heading back to Caunes again.

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  6. Rosemary13 March 2015 at 22:42

    Safe travels back Janice and hopefully a bit of a rest when you reach Hebden Bridge.
    I shall look forward to seeing how your blog evolves, but like others, I think that it is enjoyable and interesting as is it.

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:15

      Thanks Rosemary....we all share bits of our lives in different ways. I think I've just got a bit bored with the way I present mine. We'll see..... Jx

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  7. Helen Devries14 March 2015 at 00:17

    I too enjoy the 'mix' on your blog...but it's your blog to deal with as you will.
    I'll be interested to see where you take us next...and not just in geographical terms.

    'I will do such things
    What they are yet I know not...'

    But I'm sure that they won't be the terrors of the earth.

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:17

      Sometimes, I just feel that my "mix" is all over the place.....but as you so rightly say, we blog for ourselves as well as making the connections we have done through our posts. So.... not sure, where to from here, but I will certainly continue reading posts, and contributing in some way or other. Jx

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  8. Patricia14 March 2015 at 02:01

    Confetti suits you, Janice - what a pretty picture! You have had a busy time, and I'd love to hear more about the Annie Sloan paint and how it works out. I love and enjoy your blog; you bring an interesting mix of topics and living in both France and the UK you have a mix of interesting lifestyle topics to share. And I have enjoyed your family history too. A truffle auction is intriguing - I only tasted truffle for the first time last year, and it certainly is heavenly :) All the best, wherever your blog shall wander. xx

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:20

      There is apparently a "golden triangle" of truffle growing in the Minervois. Villeneuve, our next village is one of the centres. I haven't visited the museum there yet.... somehow paying 7 euros each to wander around a small display of how pigs/dogs sniff out lumps of interesting tasting stuff from under oak trees hasn't attracted me too much. However, I was fascinated by the auction....and the prices reached ! Jx

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  9. Unknown14 March 2015 at 08:33

    Hi Janice. I thought I was busy but it looks as though you have also had you hands full. I do love your new gates. I ran dry when blogging a couple of times. Then I just didn't have time. Now that Petal has gone back to work, I'm enjoying catching my breath - Painting out my house again and getting some time out in the garden. Bliss! Maybe one day I'll start a new blog. Who Knows! I'll keep popping in in to say hello and catch up with your 'happenings'. I too like the picture of you wearing the confetti. Hugs Sue

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:21

      So good to hear from you Sue. It is great that Petal is back at work....and I for one ( amongst many, I know) would love to tune into a new blog from you. Wishing you well with everything. Fondest wishes Jxxx

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  10. BacktoBodrum14 March 2015 at 10:43

    You've put me to shame, my paint pots are still un-opened and seeds unplanted. I love your blog, it's always different and fun to read.

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:24

      I canrt wait to get started on the Annie Sloan paint. It is undoubtedly made for women ( or perhaps I shouldn't say that.... for people like me) No rubbing down, no cleaning, just slap it on, no waiting for hours for coats to dry, just slap on a bit more......no difficult washing of brushes...fabulous colours, fabulous coverage......perfect !

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  11. Penny O'Neill14 March 2015 at 14:03

    Safe travel, Janice. I'll look forward to seeing where your blog goes (just so it doesn't disappear, which would make me cry and whine and whimper).

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:25

      Thanks for this Penny. I love the contact with people far too much, to cease blogging.... but sometimes I feel I lack inspiration......so, I dont know yet what I'm going to do about it. Jxxx

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  12. Hazel Maria Blakeley14 March 2015 at 21:59

    What a treat to look forward to - seeing how you develop your blog. When I first retired Ian pointed your blog out to me - I was inspired by you to start blogging myself.

    I too am finding now that I need to explore new avenues of presenting my nature blog.It is tempting to follow the same species I have followed over the last 4 years.

    So once again Janice thanks for the inspiration - I will try to develop my blogging in a different direction.

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:27

      It's not easy is it ! I sometimes feel that when I put lots of effort into a post, it is really boring for people to plough through.....and then I am surprised by the lovely comments people leave. The real joy of it all is the communication between people. I would hate to lose that. Good luck with yours. Jx

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  13. Ayak15 March 2015 at 15:40

    What a busy 11 days! It's funny how our blogs can start off one way and then take a different direction. It can depend on cırcumstances of course, as with mine having now become primarily a dog blog. I too love your blog and I'm sure whatever you do to it, it will still be enjoyable. xx

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:31

      They do change over time, don't they ? In fact I was talking to Mark about how maybe I'm a bit bored with my format ( and ever repeating content about the pattern of our 2 country life), and said how your blog has evolved. I loved it the way it was....everyday life, which of course was so different from my own, and now, it is mainly concerned with the passion that drives you. That is wonderful Ayak.... I love it, and maybe I'm hoping I can produce something that reflects passion too.....but passion about what ? working for a hospice shop / grandchildren/ family history research/ the garden ....... I just dont know how to get the mix right at the moment. Take care Jxxxx

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  14. nilly16 March 2015 at 23:39

    Heavens! I wish I could pack as much as that into 11 days. I have just Annie Sloan-ed my first chest of drawers quite successfully, only to be told by a friend that stripped pine is the new big thing - again!

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    1. Janice19 March 2015 at 11:33

      Mark has been telling me that stripped pine is bound to make a comeback as soon as I start painting ! I have friends who are considering Annie Sloaning fabulous georgian pieces of furniture.... I dont think I could do that. I will stick to the dark 1980s kitchen cupboards in the kitchen.....oh and a few left over stripped pine pieces ! ( I'll risk it... we can always tell our children to have then stripped again when they inherit !) Jx

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