6th - 8th August - Ceret and Laroque des Albères

This morning we were exhausted. Yesterday's effort to-ing and fro-ing around Perpignan seeking out auto parts stockists, drenching our clothes in sweat, was an experience not to be repeated. We enjoyed a very leisurely start to the day, which included our usual shop for fresh fruit and veges at the Saturday morning market, and a coffee at Le Comptoir.

Next, it was off in the car (which started beautifully with its new battery) to a town 30 minutes closer to the coast, where some long-time French friends live. They'd invited us for lunch, and we were all looking forward to catching up with each other after an interlude of nearly three years. Lunch was a wonderful affair, kicking off at noon. We were spoiled with an amazing meal, sampling both the delights of locally caught seafood, and the bountiful produce from their garden. It was simply delightful and very special. John particularly enjoyed some preserved kumquats - hopefully our little kumquat tree in Nelson will grow a bit faster.

Our great friends Pascale and Miquel produced another stunning lunch for us. 

We said our farewells at 4:30pm, with the sky was looking a little ominous. We were hopeful that the forecast thunderstorms might lower the temperature and bring some rain, but although the temperature dropped to the low 30s, the rain never eventuated. The forecast remains the same for the coming week and everyone continues to pray for rain.

We have been watching quite a bit of the Commonwealth Games on TV but managed to catch the All Blacks vs South Africa match later in the day. I wish we hadn't. It was very disappointing seeing the All Blacks beaten. C'est la vie.

Sunday and Monday were both very quiet days. We have had incredibly few days when we haven't had something on the calendar for the day, thus it was most enjoyable to take it very quietly, read a book, do a bit of exercise and stretching, and enjoy the odd coffee or two. We have also been finalising our bookings for the trip to and back from Tuscany for our nephew's wedding. Our plans have changed very recently because we are now driving down to Rome to meet Bella at the airport when she arrives, and then the three of us will drive to Cortona, where the wedding festivities will be held. John and I will be leaving a day earlier on the trip now, so head off in just one week's time. 

Looking down into our square in the early morning.
The pale light filters through the trees and it is very serene and quiet.