Yes, the title IS an echo of a similar one at the end of May. I’ve just re-read that, and the next one; leaving the clip-board in Garth View’s kitchen turned out to be the least of our worries, and as for the catch on the fridge door – une bagatellle – it’s a twice a week occurrence. Just snap it off, put back on again and carry on.
But there are similarities with May’s departure; the sale of Garth View was completed on the 21st. Today, 21st September, we expect to sign the acte de vente and so become owners of our new home. So we’ve been homeless, or houseless (sorry, Harry!), for exactly 4 months.
Hausloß, ja, besser!
We came to Puivert saying it might be for two months. It’s been two months, two weeks and two days – we don’t plan to leave till tomorrow. Today is too busy.
Curiously, yesterday evening was the first time we’ve seen anything like a sunset. Someone told us we’d get sunsets in October. Maybe we’ll get another tonight.
There’s a gliding club just a couple of fields away, and we often see the towing plane taking off with the glider still attached. It’s taken a long time to get a photo, but here’s one. Minutes later the towplane comes back on its own and very soon repeats the process.
While we’ve been here the CADAC barbecue has been much in use, all its accessories having been tried out. Just in case last Sunday did turn out to be our last Sunday Lunch here, we made it a big one: a lamb shank each with the vegetables cooked all round, and plenty of red wine – some even found its way into the sauce – then took a photograph when it came to the dessert.
Today has been a mixture of relief, celebration and anti-climax. We met the agents and the vendor at the house to check on things before going to the notaire. Another long, detailed explanation of all the papers, each sheet to be initialled and / or signed. Then the handing over of the keys and WE HAVE A HOUSE! Caroline, the former owner, (wife of Stephane, curiously) couldn’t stay for the customary drink, having to get back to Perpignan for family reasons, so we had a glass with Natalie and Marie, the agents who have looked after us vey well, but they wouldn’t come back and share the bottle of Blanquette from Harry’s fridge as they had other commitments. So we went to the house again just to look around on our own and now we’re back for the last evening at Puivert. They’re not doing meals here tonight and Natalie told us that Mike and Vincent, where we might have gone to eat, have closed for a two week holiday. We’ve no ongoing contact with anyone on site, nor immediate neighbours, so the Blanquette will stay unopened.
But hey – no matter; we have a house! And next Friday it will be furnished!
Stephen's space 
Coolio!! But are you saying that bottles of Blanquette should only be opened when more than two are gathered together…?? Cos we’ve trangressed that one several times in our house….!
Well, no … but we do think a bottle, once opened should be consumed in one sitting, not re-corked as some other wines may be. Carol’s taste for bubbles is limited to less than one glass, and mine doesn’t run to the rest of a bottle. So, till we have someone to share with, we’d rather save it. BTW – do you – or does any one else – want to place an order? We can get really cheap stuff for less than 5 euros, or quality for over 10. (10 e = £8 to us). We can bring plenty over next month – for our own use, of course.