On the move

Well, we signed for Pissou a year ago yesterday. The year has gone so quickly. I remember, when we arrived last year, seeing signs up in Massat for the 'Transhumances' and wondering what on earth that was all about. I soon learned that it refers to the local tradition of moving the livestock back up to the summer pastures, known as 'estives'. It is a real celebration here, with the herds of cattle, sheep and Merens horses being accompanied by members of the public (fully equipped hiking ramblers for the most part!) on the trek back up to the high mountain pastures where they will remain until the autumn. The event is followed by a 'fête' in the local community with food and dancing. All this explains why Massat was heaving when I drove through en route to St G market yesterday! I learnt also that our local 'berger' Gérard and his 5 dogs have left for the high pastures with his flock of sheep and will spend the summer down towards Andorra and the Spanish border.

Back home, Andy had been getting on with more plaster skimming in various locations which can now be sized and hopefully painted by the end of the day. The door frame surrounds are also ready for finishing so a busy day ahead.

Yesterday evening, our neighbours up the road, Josette and Eric (of goat fame) invited us to the 'inauguration' of their gite which they have at last completed. I headed up with Claudine and met more of our neighbours and had a good chat with others that I have only really spoken to superficially before now, which proved very interesting and worthwhile. It was an excellent 'soirée conviviale' with some scrummy patisserie provided by Gil, the boulanger.