Toutes les Dernières Nouvelles - all the latest news

In response to an avalanche of complaints about arty pontification - okay, one complaint truth be told, and you know who you are, Jessica! - and requests for more detail of a 'personal' nature (Jessica again), here is the latest low down on life in the Languedoc.

Kirsty Jean came to visit. A delightful house guest who came close to threatening Sarah's Eat Your Body Weight in Brie world heavy weight title, but fell short on a technicality (she prefers goat's cheese). Our break-neck jaunt around the beauty spots of the Herault took in Séte, Pézenas, Montpellier and, of course, Marseillan, with Pézenas the clear winner for K-J, who had to be restrained from putting down an immediate deposit on an atelier and setting up an on-the-spot textile/ceramics workshop.  Several kilos of impulse purchases having been advance shipped back to Oz, K-J left us for Geneva and the next leg of her Demi Monde tour. Still sadly missed - hurry back Kirsty! 

Next to arrive was the irreplaceable Holly accompanied by Lola, the world's sweetest dog, who impressed my parents beyond belief as she spent six days in our company and DID NOT BARK ONCE. After exhaustive house hunting around the region, we recovered with a memorable session at the feet-eating Fish Spa of Pézenas.  Holly staggered back to Paris loaded up with many purple varietals of daisies from the garden, an art deco mirror and a floor length black fur coat from the fabulous Sunday brocante at Marseillan Plage, plus a greatly enhanced capacity for imbibing vast quantities of Picpoul de Pinet, our local - and very delicious - white wine. Due back in the latter weeks of May to replenish her daisy and Picpoul stocks, we just can't wait to see her again!

The Big Day of the Arrival of Folie Monsieur almost didn't happen as, not only did he have visa problems in Brisbane, once in France he then missed his train South from Paris! He did make it in the end, thanks to friendly French staff at the Gare de Lyon, and we were happily reunited after three months.  At the house, the swimming pool and the guitar (from the brocante!) were warmly received, the vagaries of the French language have been welcomed and the Sarah/Kirsty cheese challenge greeted with serious gusto.  Our trip to Morocco served to emphasise the ease with which exotic and far flung places can be reached from a European base, and, of course, the joy of encountering amazing cultures and expanding travel experiences - something we are both looking forward to embracing in the future!  It took Folie M. a few days to adjust to the pace and surroundings of his potential new home, but the two hour lunch ritual and the long, long sunlit, wine drenched evenings have quickly found a place in his heart.  We continue to explore our surroundings, checking out as many villages, towns, ports and beaches as we can to make sure our final choice is the right choice. 

Our latest house guests, played by The Lovely Katy and Folie M.’s Dad Lee, coincidentally staying at the same time, provided us with endless fun in the sun, cold wine and warm conversation, hilarious bicyle rides though the vineyards and a specially requested visit to Marseillan's  celebrated Chocolatée, made famous by this very blog -or at least I like to think so!  It's all starting to feel very much like home....