La Chaleur

The weather a couple of weeks ago was like an Auckland summer - gentle breeze, around 26-28 degrees, a few showers earlier on - which have long since dried up. But now we are into "la chaleur" - the heat. I've just checked the forecast for Cambieure and today we can expect temperatures in the mid 30s. Our overnight lows are in the low 20s, which I realise is higher than most of the highs in NZ right now, as well as in most places in the UK, who apparently are having an awful summer. We are due to have some heavy rain next week on Tuesday, but if it is as reliable as the rain we didn't have the other day then it will still be dry as a bone.

images thanks to http://www.lachainemeteo.com/meteo-france/

Today's temperature forecast
note that we are on the SE corner - between the 30 of Perpignan and 37 of Toulouse

Tonight's temperature forecast

Luckily for us there is still around 2 meters of water in the well which means we can keep watering the garden. A lot of things in the garden are coming to an end, but there is still enough action to keep us busy and we are trying to plant some late crops to take us through the autumn weeks.

The vegies - well we've had tomatoes galore, along with - potatoes, courgettes, beans, capsicums, carrots, chillies, onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, figs, figs, figs (thankfully this crop has finished but there will be another lot end of September), pickles/gherkins, pumpkins, beetroot, sweetcorn and melons. As much as possible has been preserved for later in the year - the cellar is full of onions, potatoes, pumpkins and beetroot; the freezer is full of cherry tomatoes, chillies, fig pulp, cherries, capsicums. The tomatoes are just marching on like a line of soldiers and I've given away heaps as we just cannot fit anything else into the freezer.

Also growing are gourds, scorsonere (like salsify) and some flowers, like spicata (purple spikes), Reine margrieten (queen marguerites), zinnias, bella di notte (night beauty or belle de nuit), nasturtiums, artichokes (we let these flower rather than pick them and use them to eat as apparently they are hard work for little reward) and a few other bits and pieces. We can't wait to try the melons and I have developed a taste for pickles - never been interested before but now we have our own supply I thought it was time to try - and I'm pleasantly surprised with the result. I've preserved them in a light vinegar and several small batches have been done with different herbs like rosemary, bay leaf or thyme.

Artichoke flower

Interesting eggs on bean leaf - anyone know what they are?

Figs for preparation

Pumpkins weighing in at between 5-9 kilos each

We have found that some things don't seem to work, at least, don't work when and where we planted them, like peas. I will try a few more for autumn and see if they like the cooler temperatures. Planting by the moon is popular here so let's hope I've chosen the right day to plant out the seeds!

Recent full moon

Sweetcorn was a success, but not with french seeds - we found that most bought french seeds are pretty awful, especially given the price of a packet - the stuff we had from friends in france and new zealand is much better so I have managed to freeze several cobs - by NZ prices, about $70 worth!

Wouter with tjankol

and as a boy in Indonesia tending corn with tjangkol

The fete de Cambieure was a lovely evening with around 300 people turning up with family and friends to enjoy the village feast, music and later dancing entertainment.

Setting up

In full swing

Warming up the audience (it's a challenge in France!)

The problem with our internet seems to be fixed at long last. Apart from lots of my time and patience it only took around 10 phone calls to Orange and visits from 6 technicians to do it, spread over several months. The real cause, well, it's not known, but the technicians who were here last could see the problem happening and they simply changed us over to the other line which links Cambieure to Belves. Before that final step we had lots of dubious wiring replaced within the house and the cable from the house to pole also replaced. Now we have internet all day and it's reasonably fast and this makes it easier for us to manage our emails, correspondence and Skype.

In the last couple of months people have been busy clearing out their attic or garage and there were lots of vides greniers (with entertainment) for us to attend and try and pick up some bargains.

Traditional music on Sheeps body pipes

Sampling wine from local growers

We found a few things, including some outdoor lamps which have come up really well after cleaning glass, repainting the frame and hanging on hooks. A lamp with genuine parchment shade:

"Where did you get that lamp, where did you get that style....."

Lastly for this blog, after some effort to get our webmaster into action, our B&B site is running - to take a look:
http://www.lapradecambieure.fr/Site/Welcome.ashx

Mirepoix

Mirepoix is a bastide (square formation) town just over the Ariege border around 30 minutes from Cambieure. It's known for its Medieval buildings in the main square and for its weekly market, which is attended by many people from far and wide. In summer shuffling around the market is fun, in winter there is more space but also there are less traders.

Gargoyle Beams

Covered terraces to drink coffee

Hanging baskets on Medieval buildings

Shops also sell their goods and there is plenty of interesting shopping under the covered terraces.

Character abounds

Pan de bois

Pottery market before it was too hot and full of people

I'm in pale yellow with orange backpack

Saucissons, shoes, cheeses, wines, biological products,....

For the pot
One hears English, Dutch, German, Occitan, French, Spanish

You have to experience the bustle of the market

Obviously I had no idea I was in this shot!

"Behind the scenes"

Mirepoix market is held every Monday and in the summertime they have evening markets. There are other markets held periodically, like the pottery market. Just outside the square is a lovely cathedral.