May Birthday in Monze

Well my milestone birthday arrived on May 16th. 

I’m a day older than yesterday and a year older than last year. But I feel the same! 

As we went to sleep last night I joked that I wouldn’t be “64” anymore when I woke up the next morning. 

Happy Birthday to me! 

All that was planned for today was a lunch date with Monsieur Honey. 

We decided on the the “Restaurant le M’11”  in Monze (two villages away from Montlaur). 

It is about 6 miles away as the crow flies, about a fifteen to twenty minute drive (it may be faster if you are a Formula 1 race car driver) on the winding roads.

Situated on the D3 with such amazing views of the vineyards, farmland and the mountains in the background. 

The sun was shining and there was a breeze blowing so we opted to be seated inside. 

We enjoyed aperitifs, delicious tasting wine and food by the open fire. 

You may wonder why I take photos of the menu? It’s so I can remember what it was and can try to recreate the dishes that most intrigued my palette. 

Everything was delicious ... my favourite though was my entrée (starter) ... the goat cheese/ honey /onion compote wrapped in phyllo pastry.  

Monsieur especially liked his starter a tuna & rice salad plate, but as he always says you can’t beat a “French poulet” dinner.  

I watched my pork tenderloin being grilled on the open fire, then served with a most tasty pesto sauce ...

and let’s not forget the French fries! 

We then walked to the winery “Les Jamelles” next door, of course we came away with some wine and some other souvenirs. 

Impressive history of this winery! 

Ah Monsieur what are you thinking? 

My day was complete with many birthday wishes via email, messenger and FaceTime calls from family and friends.

Thank you everyone! 

Sunny Days

Well the past two weeks have flown by ... today is Tuesday, May 28th, 2019.

Two weeks ago today our little “Peugeot Airbus” did another run to the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. 

Travel time is about an hour and half depending on the weather, time of day and if there are no “bouchons” (traffic jams) on the auto route. 

We made it in time for an unrushed checkin for Jennifer’s return flight home to Canada. 

On our return trip back to Montlaur, we stopped in Trèbes for a little snack on the Quai before some grocery shopping. 

The skies were blue and the sun was shining. 

The tapas menu at “Les Vignes de Bacchus” is delicious plus they have a great wine cave; it’s a great spot on the Quai for people and bird watching. 

We watched this female mallard duck being wooed by the male ducks. 

Poppies just starting to show their pretty faces along the Canal du Midi ...

We spent the afternoon outside enjoying the sunshine on the terrace.

This is one of the simplest pleasures we enjoy while travelling. 

Who wouldn’t want to sit here? 

Of course it’s all dependent on Mother Nature. 

Like the saying “You have to make hay while the sun shines” and take advantage of the chance to do something while conditions are good. 

Remember those cherries from Ceret, Monsieur Honey hand-pitted them and later in the week he baked a cherry galette for my birthday. 

Later in the day we went for a walk and wandered to the Tuesday market in Montlaur held from 4:30 to 7:00pm near the Place de la Maire.

We watched some of the local activity ...

Sights today ... the bus and one of the many farmers that regularly travels thru the village. 

We woke to beautiful sunshine the next day and continued with some more down time. 

Today was a perfect day for an alfresco lunch! 

This is the view from our bedroom window over the patchwork tiled roofs and the mountains. 

I look every morning, it’s like my personal weather barometer. 

We did a little container gardening (dead-heading/watering) on the terrace and relaxed the balance of the day. 

Tomorrow (May 16th) I will wake up with my personal odometer having added another year! 

Flamingos & Salt On the Island of Saint Martin in Gruissan

Monday, May 13th, 2019 

#Gruissan#Gruissanplage#Postcardsfromthelot#Frenchtravels#frenchmarkets#lesalindel’iledesaint-Martin#lesalindegruissan

#Lesalindel'îlesaintmartinàgruissan

Our travels today took us thru lush vineyards and along the étang under blue, blue skies to Gruissan & Gruissan Plage.

Jennifer wanted to see the Mediterranean Sea and we hoped to make her wish come true. 

Of course it was another windy day ... the windsurfers were out in full force as we drove along the shore. 

We arrived in Centre-Ville where the Monday market was happening. 

It was a cornucopia of fresh foods and a kaleidoscope of colours ... 

You can’t go to the market without your basket, so just in case you forget yours ... you buy one here for 5€ that you fill up with all the fresh goodness you’re buying. 

A little more shopping and we found a café for lunch ... with a reservation made for later, we stopped for a pre-lunch apéro.

 

Soaking up the sunshine with a pre-lunch apéro.

A cute boutique ...

Lunch needs to be seafood when you’re at the seaside ... 

We visited the 13th century Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

A walk around the port/ marina ... 

Those are flamingos ... not my best photography, too far away! 

Then we stumbled upon a surprise ... « Le Salin de l’île Saint-Martin « an amazing spot with a Museum, guided tours, boutique, restaurant, etc all set against the beautiful, pink salt marshes. 

Salt piles ...

Today was Jennifer’s last day. 

We hope she enjoyed her whirlwind taste of a small part of France. 

Tomorrow it’s back to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport for her return flight to Canada where we are sure her beautiful boys and hubby will be happy to have her home. 

Bon Voyage!