Spring has Sprung!

Spring has arrived at Moulin du Bayle with daffodils and other spring flowers I cannot name popping up everywhere. The skies are blue and the temperatures during the day are 18-20 degrees but seems a lot hotter if you are out of the breeze. The trees too have begun to take on the spring feeling with blossom on some of the fruit trees.

First signs of spring, the gardens are full of spring flowers. Our daffodils planted last year are popping up everywhere!

 Martin finally got to go skiing and had a wonderful day. He and a friend went to a ski field called Ax Les Therme in the Pyrenees and an hour from home. There are 65 kilometres of groomed slopes catering for all abilities. They enjoyed beautiful sunny conditions skiing in 12-15 degrees C. Muscles a bit sore the next day but heading back again next week!

Great facilities with so few people!

The town of Ax Les Therme, very pretty, wonderful patisseries!

The Pyrenees as a spectacular backdrop.

A very happy chappy!

We spent yesterday, Sunday, enjoying the 'Carnaval de Limoux', which takes place for 10 weeks (Jan 30-to Easter ) every year  in our closest large town-Limoux. The tradition of the carnival has been handed down from generation to generation. It is the longest running carnival in the world apparently and is quite a spectacle with up to 100 bands taking it in turn to lead the carnival with each day in the weekend having a different 'theme'.  Locals dress up as different characters with the focus being on the masks that they wear. Some of them are incredibly intricate. Small children too, take part dancing and skipping in front of the band.Yesterday it appeared to be related to outdoor pursuits like mountain climbing, skiing, hunting etc. We sat in the sun at a lovely cafe with a carafe of rose and a large number of locals listening to the music and watching the masked procession go by. At each bar the procession stops and are given free drinks and food so the whole parade can take quite a long time! Confetti is thrown as they go by so the streets (and people) are covered in confetti wherever you go. A really enjoyable experience. We'll be back to see more masks and costumes!

In the Place de la Republique (Square) you can buy masks, food and there are simple rides for children.

Happy people, music, singing and dancing...so cool!

Children lead the procession, they have all the 'moves' just like the adults!

 Another day where we pinched ourselves and thought how very lucky we are to be here in France!