Submitted by maisons on Mon, 02/01/2012 - 18:10
| It's official the local newspaper this morning confirmed that the first almond blossoms have appeared and that this is a sure indication that Spring is on its way! Spring? we haven't even had winter yet.Temperartures today are around seven degrees, its pouring with rain grey skies and overcast. As the locals will mutter darkly 'c'est le temps anglais' or typical English weather. Van Gough became inspired in Southern France and began the most productive period of his painting career. When he arrived in Arles in March 1888 the fruit trees in the orchard were about to bloom. Excited by the subject matter he completed nearly one painting a day, within a month he had created 14 paintings of blossoming fruit trees. Blossoming Almond branch in a glass was one of his first. |
 |
Submitted by maisons on Thu, 29/12/2011 - 15:23
 |
The supermarkets here are full of them and almost everyone eats them. Children are introduced at a very young age.The nearest oyster beds are in Bouzique www.bouzigues.fr on the Meditteranean but some connoisseurs will tell you that the best oysters come from the Atlantic coast http://www.huitre-vendee-atlantique.fr. Me I love them all.They are an absolute must on either of the French Reveillons which are Christmas Eve and New Years Eve also known as the fete of St Sylvestre. Here is the New Years Eve menu from one of our best known local restaurants Domaine Gayda http://www.maisongayda.com/ |
Submitted by maisons on Thu, 29/12/2011 - 15:22
| Wow, went to Formigueres yesterday, it was fantastic, clear blue skies, good snow and only 27€ for the forfait (daily ski pass). Formigueres is in the Pyrennees Orientales www.formigueres.fr just over an hour south from Limoux, so easily dooable in a day! All seventeen of the runs were open and in good condition, the restaurant was basic but good and we spent a couple of hours having lunch and getting a sun tan on the open terrace!!!! A great day out. |
 |
Submitted by maisons on Thu, 29/12/2011 - 15:12
The quality of life here is outstanding, it’s official. The comparison website www.uswitch.com rates France as one of the best in Europe for healthcare and life expectancy. Many people who are in their forties or fifties come here to start businesses and to change their lifestyle, in one go. Anthony and Rachel Pinwill started their Chambres d’hotes in the Languedoc after loosing 40% of the value of their property investments in the UK. They moved to the Limoux area and finally bought a Maison de Maitres in the medieval village of Pieuse (http://www.maisonlaurent.com). The couple had originally looked at Provence, but having looked at the Languedoc in more detail they feel “It’s a very beautiful unspoiled area where tourism is secondary to the wine industry. That means there’s life here all year round”.
We sold Anthony and Rachel their house and followed their renovation project. They have done a fantastic job. We found them a couple of local builders and gave advice and (hopefully!) encouragement. We currently have several ‘Maison de Maitres’, take a look and let us know if you would like further details, or just to have a chat on the ‘phone.
