Grillade Geante

The wonderful festival committee in Esperaza put on a BBQ (Giant Grill) Saturday night. It was set up in one of the town squares and consisted of varied and abundant alcohol and some pretty nice food. It was really special to be a part of something quite local and the French sure know how to party. Andy and I left Mum, Dad, Nic and Sam to it and took Millie home to bed at 10.30 - much to the dismay of the local older generation who thought perhaps we weren't enjoying ourselves. Needless to say there were some hefty headaches in our house Sunday morning after a boozy day at the soccer and a boozy night on the square. I'm sure there were other houses in town a bit like ours. 

Certainly is a giant grill

What fun this staying-up-late business is

Enough to be going on with

Say 'camembert'

Tournoi du Foot

Andy and Dad wandered up to the stadium to check out the regional 7-a-side football (soccer) tournament. They were quietly watching when they were accosted by the antics of the warm-up of the Esperaza team. Their warm-up consisted of a combination of sports drinks (wine and beer), performance enhancing drugs (fags) and general silliness. Their star player didn't actually make it onto the pitch due to a bar-related injury. The team held their own going down 2-1 in the quarter final where the party decamped to the President's house. Dad came home to get us to join the revelry. We had a lovely time at their house and Millie particularly enjoyed a swim in the pool.

Esperaza team (north of the railway line)

Le foot

Loving a swim

Jigalong Reunion

We've had a big weekend starting with the arrival of Nicole and Samantha on Friday afternoon for a little Jigalong reunion in the south of France. We enjoyed some lovely food and a little sightseeing while they were here and they immersed themselves in the Esperaza Festival in style.

Gare d'Esperaza

Outside chez nous

Enjoying the views and sunshine

Fun in the sunflowers with Millie

Bastille Day - 14th July

During our visit of Alet-les-bains we chanced upon a Bastille Day Parade. Tres jolie! We had a lovely day touring around the country side, chatting to fellow Aussies in a very out-of-the-way village and collecting rocks (at least that was Millie's objective for the day).

Bastille Day Parade

Dad in Alet-les-bains

Barnsby-Wilsons

View of the Aude Valley

Pays du Cathare

We embarked on a big loop through the Cathar Country today to see the incredible Chateaus that are perched on top of craggy mountains. We missed the first one (lost??? I think not) but Queribus and Peyrepertuse did not disappoint. After a scenic picnic on the side of the road we took in the views of the two chateaus then headed home on a rather windy, tight road. There was a little confusion on a bridge somewhere with someone thinking that both she and I could fit on it (wrong!) but we managed to get out of that without a scratch on the hire car.
Check out Peyrepertuse Chateau and Queribus Chateau for a bit more info.

We'll get us there don't worry

Notre pique-nique

Le Chateau de Queribus

Le Chateau de Peyrepertuse

Grand-Mère et Grand-Père arrivent

Welcome to Grandma and Pa who arrived yesterday after a very long haul from Perth to Toulouse. They looked like they really needed to go to bed but had to endure an hour and a half in the car first. Luckily the views of sunflower fields and the beautiful French country side kept them enthralled. Still, them and Millie were in bed by 8pm.
We had a nice leisurely walk around the village this morning showing the local sights then after a lunch a rather more hot and sweaty trip up the hill to Rennes-le-Chateau. The views of the Aude Valley are sensational and the village itself quite interesting. We've a big trip planned tomorrow to wear everyone out.

Loving my Grandma

Loving my Pa

Loving my Hoot

At Rennes-le-Chateau

Exploring Esperaza

We've had a lovely week staying around the village enjoying the weather, especially now that I can walk again. There are more tourists these days but the locals seem to be avoiding the heat. Andy and Millie enjoyed finding rocks and skimming them in the river - serious business you know. We found a rather old building near the main square too.

Mum and Dad arrive tomorrow which is very exciting though I do need to navigate a great deal of French motorway first. Should be interesting.

What a tree!

Finding rocks

1783

Esperaza centre