Beautiful sunshine in the Languedoc


Were I on holiday right now, which of course I AM NOT, down here in the Languedoc, I may well be sorely tempted to be lying out enjoying the extremely agreeable temperatures. By agreeable I mean warm enough to be positioned on a steamer chair in the garden in a swimming costume quite possibly with some entertaining book fighting off the drowsiness induced by the heat.
As it is the windows are flung wide open and the table has been laid up for lunch on the terrace.

Yesterday (I swear this is true) I was forced to concede that I needed one of the battered straw panama hats to protect me from the sun. His Lordship shattered my peace mind by busying himself with fishing leaves out of the pool. 'Where are my shorts' ? or 'I'm going in for a swim' kept being repeated in a parrot like fashion within earshot making sure I had no chance of a quick doze. You wouldn't go in for a swim though unless you were a) barking mad or b) had a wetsuit !!

In the morning we had taken The Grand Duchess out for a spin along the deserted roads into Mirepoix. Piercing clear blue skies overhead and a breathtaking view of the jagged peaks of the snow topped Pyrenees were laid out before us in a panoramic vista. The medieval town of Mirepoix never fails to delight. In particular the 12-13th century arches that have been wonderfully preserved hold bijou shops and numerous places in which to sit and watch the world go by. The particular lady in the photograph above holds a beatific expression whilst some of the others carved into the beams are supposedly taken from the inhabitants of the town all those centuries ago. Fascinating stuff. We were working (of sorts) test driving the scenic route of one of the wonderful wine tours we offer in The Grand Duchess to our guests at Le Chateau.


Meanwhile I sincerely wish it were possible to wave a magic wand to whisk you all down here to simply listen to the birds twittering and feel the heat seep through to your bones.
I tell you what I'll do though, whip out my swimming costume and lie prostrate on the sunbed for you all.

Nobody can accuse me of not being all heart.

Comments

mountainear said…
I wish you could wave your magic wand and whisk us to your chateau too. sounds just the thing. The rain has stopped here momentarily, but , boy is it grey and bleak?
muddyboots said…
l see you are at again old fruit, it is raining up here [again], and you are writing about sitting out on your terrace in the sun looking out across the wonderful vistas to the snow capped pyranees, me thinks l am in place yet again. can't wait to wonder around those ancient arcades in Mirepoix, soaking up the atmosphere of those long forgotten tales & legends of Cathar resistance ... by the way, mine's a large glass of red le fort please.
Zoë said…
well thats it, I am off to sulk the sulk of all sulks. Sunshine indeed!

Mirapoix sounds fabulous and I loved the photo, and the info about the town, it would be interesting to see/hear more.
Wizzard said…
ohhhh can I pop over for a swim please?
Wx
ChrisH said…
If it wasn't for the fact I am shortly off for some sunshine myself I would be seriously envious! Unlike you though I have to get on a plane - how lovely to be at home and feel the sun on your face.
mpprh said…
We also had 20C with cloudless skies in the other end of Languedoc.

One of my neighbours doesn't cover his pool (it has a sheltering wall round it). He tells me he is still swimming everyday. The pool is facing gue south, and must be in a warm spot as he grows grapefruit, oranges and lemons along the wall.

A braver man me.

Peter
The Languedoc Page
www.the-languedoc-page.com
lampworkbeader said…
It's raining here,again, but sorry, that rotten old euro keeps getting higher, or is the pound getting lower?
Be a luv and bottle some sun and send it over.
Crystal Jigsaw said…
Just as a matter of interest, what's the weather like in May? I have been looking at the Languedoc area near to the beach. I have some vouchers to spend so will be taking a trip to the travel agents tomorrow. We are looking for a villa for 4 people with a private pool.

Crystal xx
Un Peu Loufoque said…
Ah me! Quelle Chance!!
Elizabethd said…
GO away Sally, it's raining here. How can you.........
bodran... said…
Thank you for that now i'm really FED UP!! lucky you xxx
Wooly Works said…
It's -16 C here. I just don't want to hear it. :( In all truth, I'm glad someone has some weather worth reporting!!
Casdok said…
You are to kind!! :)
Sally's Chateau said…
Well, what a difference a day makes !! It is JANUARY..........
elizabethm said…
You quite sure you are not having us on? The whole place here is dripping gently. I think you must be making it up! sunshine? swimsuits? Things from another life.
peter said…
Oh what cynics and disbelievers, here !

A nice winters day can be up to 20C in most parts of Languedoc.

Some years, we have had breakfast outdoors (not very early, you understand !) on 1st January.

A couple of years ago I went sailing during the first week in January.

And the beaches are normally pretty busy over Xmas.

Some photos :

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-067.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-116.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-117.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-022.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-113.htm

and, er, :

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-437.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-026.htm
(it lasts less than 24 hrs here).

Peter
Mary said…
Oh for some sun Still it may happen this year!
Sally's Chateau said…
Peter, thank you for all those links containing luscious photographs of the Languedoc in January, sadly they can't be opened so I'll pop them on a blog for you so we can all enjoy x
Oh Sally ..a wailing shepherdess on the side of a wet and wind blown hillside ...sun..warmth ..I neeeeeeeeeeed some NOW!

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