The Cost of Living at Moulin du Bayle

 Another week in paradise has flown by and there is a distinct feel of autumn in the air!

We thought we'd share a little about the cost of living over here and a visit to the supermarket ...or the Intermarche as our local is called. There are three supermarkets within a 5-10 min drive from us but it is the Intermarche that is our favourite. 

We consider that on balance the cost of living here is no more expensive than in NZ even with the conversion to euros. The following prices are all in euros (current rate around 55c NZ to euro):

Fillet of chicken 5.50 per kg 
Fresh fish fillets 8.90 per kg
Fresh Salmon 9.50 per kg

Pork chops 2.45 per kg

Pork sausages 3.60 per kg

Bottled Beer 6x50cl 2.39

Tomatoes 1.20 per kg

Cucumbers 1.00

Cheese (where do you begin...amazing variety) can range from 6.00 to 30.00 per kg! Mouth wateringly good!

Eggs under 1.00 a dozen, (bright  
yellow/orange yolks-very yummy)
Olives (stunning variety) 6.00 per kg

Bananas 0.90 per kg                                      

NZ Kiwifruit 5 for 1.00

Potatoes (absolutely fabulous tasting) 1.90 per kg

Grapes free from our vineyard and ready to eat now!
PLENTY FOR A VEGETARIAN TO LIVE ON!

Patisserie HUGE selection 5 for 4.00, flans to die for 5.00

Croissants 5 for 1.00

Baguettes Flute 0.85 which we have fresh and toast as there is no toast bread worth eating here.

As at home there are always promotions, this week it's a huge wine sale which we have taken advantage of...a little!

Water is very cheap here we can buy 6x 2L bottles for 1.12. Our drinking water is okay but is very hard so we prefer to use bottled for the jug. However, at a neighbouring village we have started to fill our own containers from a mineral spring which is rumoured to have healing properties and has been a place where people come from miles around to drink the water as well sit in the thermal pools for hundreds of years.  There is a large water bottling plant next door. The water is beautiful and free!

Diesel is about 1.12 per litre, (petrol 1.45 L). We have been doing about 2000 kms per month that's about 200 euros per month to keep our little Pugget mobile, which we think is pretty good value! 

We have bought a load of firewood at 70 euros per cubic metre, cut and delivered native oak, not particularly cheap compared to NZ. 

A two bedroom village house to rent is around 400 per month. That same house you could buy for around 70.000 euros ($127.000 NZ). A gite (BandB) around 50 euros a night for two, can be a lot more if you want real luxury! Rates and insurance about the same as at home. 

A visit to the doctor (to check out the hematoma) was 22.00 euro for a very thorough examination which took 20 mins, heart checked, blood pressure checked-both arms as well a hematoma prodded!

Well, you get the picture I'm sure. We have been pleasantly surprised at how far our NZ dollar has been stretching.

As always we send our love and smiles to you all. Seems strange to think that as we begin to think about winter you all will be getting ready for a well deserved summer. The statistics here proudly boast that there are 300 days of sunshine in the Aude region, we are certainly hoping that this is the case!
Take care til next time
Martin and Peggy

Communication, Cycling and Chateaux

We're back in the land of internet! 

You will have noticed a decided paucity of information on the blog over the last few weeks...it's not been for want of trying believe me! No, it's been more like a lack of internet connection at Moulin du Bayle for the last 6 weeks. The satellite 'box' died and it has taken this long to persuade the internet company that they needed to send us a new one. We were prepared for it to take some time, we are in France after all, however, 6 weeks was a lot more than we bargained for! During that time we found two wifi cafes (McDonalds being one-brilliant for a vegetarian!) which we haunted in order to keep up with news from home and send friendly, pleading, begging and finally nasty emails to the internet company who would respond (in French naturally) by basically thanking us for our email and take an number! We eventually found a wonderful technician who spoke some English and who had previously worked for this company and it was he who finally got through the bureaucratic web and persuaded them to send a new box. So we are back on the communication highway. Long may it last!

Looks like she's been doing it for years??!

Probably our biggest news is that we are now proud owners of two bikes which we have been riding along some awesome trails. The best has to be the Canal du Midi which stretches from the Mediterranee to the Atlantic some 500kms! Our biggest 'journey' so far has been about 12kms...certainly a lot further than the 'carrot'! Needless to say there are few (if any) hills!
All had been going swimmingly in the riding department until Peggy decided to fall off her bike nearly sending Martin into the canal. She is now sporting a rather large lump on her leg which is not very attractive and has slowed the riding expeditions this week. The Plane trees you see in the background of the pictures were reportedly ordered to be planted by Napoleon so his troops could stay out of the sun when they were marching cross country. You see them everywhere.

Dressed for...

Chateau Puivert

We continue to explore in and around our 'Department', the Aude and are never short of a chateau or two to visit. This area is known as Cathar country and has an amazing history of some very horrific wars and battles, very often connected to the Catholic church and the Inquisition. We are in the heart of 'Dan Brown' country, with Rennes le Chateau being the church where the mystery of possible Cathar treasure (Holy Grail?) is centred. Many of the chateaus are just skeletons of their former selves but they are amazing to wander around especially when you realise the history that they hold in them. Views from the top of the surrounding landscapes only serve to further confirm that this is a truly beautiful part of France.

Chateau D'Arque

View from top of Rennes le Chateau, Pyrenees in back

Well, enough for now, it's now way past wine time and there is a glass just waiting for me. So here's wishing everyone all our love and best wishes. Til the next time. Will end with a couple of pics from other 'happenings' in our neck of the woods.

Our grapes ready to harvest any day now!

Our Village 'Fete', Martin making friends with the locals!

 Love and smiles from Moulin du Bayle!