My 47th birthday passed without too much excitement. Funny how they get less important as you get older. As a child, age seems to carry status - the earlier your birthday in the school year, the more you are revered. But then, when you're young, you change a great deal in the course of a year - growing taller, becoming more mature and more knowledgeable. Now, the effect of another year is less visible - a few more grey hairs and wrinkles, a subtle deterioration in joint flexibility and skin elasticity, perhaps - nothing too noticeable.
The weather has been quite sunny here lately so we've been able to get on with a few outside jobs. I've been sanding and varnishing the window frames and doors to the companionway and workshop. Most of the old varnish had worn off by itself so they're looking a lot more cared for now. David has sawn up the last of our wood supply. We've brought it all on board and expect it to last us for the rest of the winter.
We hired a car for a few days last month and went south to visit some friends who are leasing a house near Perpignan for the winter. It was a long drive but a really interesting one. There were some dramatic scenery changes as we drove over the Massif Central. There had been some snow in the higher areas and the frost covered trees looked magical with fabulous vistas looking down onto mountain villages and medieval castles. The viaduct at Millau is amazing. We stopped there for lunch on the way down - it was just warm enough for a picnic if you kept your coat and hat on! As we started to descend, there was a noticeable difference in the landscape - it became much drier and more 'Mediterranean'.
My big change over the last 12 months has been my way of life. This time last year, I was living in Wigborough and teaching full time. Now, I'm living on a boat in the middle of France and am happily unemployed. There are times when I miss my friends and family but otherwise I'm enjoying it all - even having to walk/cycle to the boulangerie when it's cold and wet!
The weather has been quite sunny here lately so we've been able to get on with a few outside jobs. I've been sanding and varnishing the window frames and doors to the companionway and workshop. Most of the old varnish had worn off by itself so they're looking a lot more cared for now. David has sawn up the last of our wood supply. We've brought it all on board and expect it to last us for the rest of the winter.
We hired a car for a few days last month and went south to visit some friends who are leasing a house near Perpignan for the winter. It was a long drive but a really interesting one. There were some dramatic scenery changes as we drove over the Massif Central. There had been some snow in the higher areas and the frost covered trees looked magical with fabulous vistas looking down onto mountain villages and medieval castles. The viaduct at Millau is amazing. We stopped there for lunch on the way down - it was just warm enough for a picnic if you kept your coat and hat on! As we started to descend, there was a noticeable difference in the landscape - it became much drier and more 'Mediterranean'.We enjoyed the mountain/coast combination and visited a spa town as well as the beach. Carcassonne was a big highlight. I'd like to go back and spend more time there. We checked out the port - great location near the centre of tow
n though closed for the winter again.
n though closed for the winter again.
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