Can you guess which it is?
Looking over Ceret to Les Alberes
Yes, you’re right……..France, was again voted the number 1 country in which to live.
Ceret
This is the fifth year in a row that France has been number 1.
Ceret Market in Winter
Have a look at http://ow.ly/TOb5 for more information and see where your home country was placed.
Best Wishes
Jim
A Happy New Year to you and your families.
We have had a busy and enjoyable festive period, with more guests staying with us at this time of the year than ever before and what a lovely group they were. We had people from; Ireland, France, England, Russia, Spain, Romania and Belgium.
The weather hasn’t been too bad here, certainly no where near as dramatic as Northern Europe, but we did have our own little bit of snow.
Canigou
Les Albere
Canigou always has a covering of snow at this time of the year, whereas the Alberes rarely does. This shot was taken from the terrace on 9th January 2010.
More please
Someone is eating too well!
Every year there is a wonderful Nativity display in the Eglise St Pierre’ the main church in Ceret.
Nativity scene in St Peter's Church
With each year being different to the previous years.
Nativity Scene
I am sure you will agree , this really is a great display. Did you spot the “Pont du Diable” (Devil’s Bridge) and L’Hermitage at St Ferreol?
Nativity Scene
Not forgetting Gillie, about to wash the empties in the river?
Eglise St Pierre, Ceret
The recently refurbished St Peter’s in Ceret.
Gillie and I had a walk around the town this morning and whilst it was chilly in the shade it was beautiful in the sunshine, with the cafes doing a roaring business.
Until later
Jim
And the winners are…………………………………………………………..
Bill and Maddy Edwards from Bedfordshire.
The answers are:
1. Tautavel
2. Collioure
3. Ceret – New library
4. Ceret – between the car parks
6. Prats de Mollo
7. Ceret – Picasso’s house
8. The Abbey Fontfroid
9. Molitg les Bains
11. Prats de Mollo
12. Renes le Chateau
13. Salses Fort
14. Collioure
We are looking forward to welcoming Bill and Maddy back to La Chataigneraie in the New Year.
Jim
This year we will be spending Christmas here in the South of France and opening our doors to guests over the festive season.
We would love to welcome you back, and perhaps other members of your family or friends to La Chataigneraie to experience Christmas in Catalunya. (at our normal winter rates.)
Local restaurants will be open for Christmas Day lunch but not the evening, however we can arrange Christmas dinner at La Chataigneraie by special request.
A cosy xmas fire
The house is centrally heated and a roaring log fire will be in the lounge for you to sip your wine by.
The first winter snow has fallen on Mt Canigou and by December 25th the mountain will be gleaming white against the blue sky, so much more breathtaking than in the summer months when the mountain is green.
Mt Canigou
Winter is the time to enjoy walking or climbing in the magnificent foot hills of the Pyrenees where the air is clearer and the views sharper and your energy will not be drained by summer heat.
Snow caped peaks
Other activities for all the family can include horseback riding or a wagon ride through beautiful country lanes of Vallespir under the gaze of Mt Canigou and around the lake at St Jean pla de Corts pulled by two Percheron horses. A truly memorable experience! After your ride you could take ten minute car journey to the coast to sit at the beach side cafes for coffee or lunch and relax in the winter sunshine.
Wonderful Winter Weather at Collioure
Time for that coffee I talked about
The nearby cities of Perpignan, Carcassonne, Montpellier in France and Figueres, Girona and Barcelona in Spain, are within striking distance to explore without the madding crowds of summer. Christmas lights will be adorning all the buildings and the smell of coffee and delicious patisseries will entice you in to the many cafes.
The Ventous
There is plenty to see and do in the region during the holiday period:
4th to 7th December A wonderful Medieval Christmas Fare of quality goods in the beautiful setting of Castle Royale, built on the rocks above the sea at Collioure. Fabulous atmosphere with penned livestock on the straw covered courtyard and mulled wine served in the outside bar/cafe, a choir in medieval dress strolls around the castle adding to the general festive spirit.
9th and 13th December Argeles Christmas Market
12th December La Boulou Christmas market
12th and 13th December Castlenou Traditional Christmas market with local produce
18th to 21st December Port Vendres Christmas market
19th December Christmas market in Ceret
19th to 24th December Father Christmas Parade through the streets of Ceret.
20th December Christmas Food Fare in Ceret.
20th December Christmas Carol concert in St Peter’s Church in Ceret.
There are many activities being added to the Christmas programme each day, so keep an eye on the “What’s On in Languedoc Roussillon” Web Site.
We hope to see you.
Best Wishes
Gill, Jim and family
Can you identity the following locations. The winner, or winning couple, will receive (FREE) one nights accommodation and breakfast, to be taken between November 2009 and March 2010. Anyone may take part, but the prize will only go to past guests, not next door neighbours!!!
Here we go:
NO 1
NO 2
NO 3
NO 4
Some are easier than others.
NO 6
NO 7
NO 8
NO 9
NO 11
A little clue, the are all in France and not over the border in Spain.
NO 12
NO 13
and finally, an easy one on which to finish.
NO 14
Answers to me at:
jamfririt@gmail.com
Closing date is 10th November 2009.
Good Luck
Jim
We have had a very good year here at La Chataigneraie, but we are now starting to slow down . October is a wonderful time of the year, the day time temperatures are often perfect, as I write it is 27 degrees and I have just had a swim. The trees are slowly taking on the autumnal colours and there is very little traffic on the roads, making it a real pleasure to explore the region.
Yesterday, a friend and I drove to Rennes le Chateau, a beautiful little village in the Corbieres, perched on a hill top with majestic views all around. The village featured in Dan Brown’s, “The Da Vinci Code” and so has many visitors. The drive there, via the clifftop castle of Queribus and the Gorges de Galamus, is spectacular. We spotted at least 10 eagles during the trip, which took us through the wine regions of Maury and Caramany.
Building this road must have been an enormous engineering challenge and one really wonders why is was ever built as it does not link any communities , however, I am pleased it was built as it is a breath taking drive.
The Church in Rennes le Chateau
Rennes le Chateau
Rennes le Chateau
We had lunch in Rennes le Chateau before heading homewards. We made our way through another gorge, this time the “Gorges de St Georges” and whilst the engineering and road building skills involved were the equal of the “Gorges de Galamus”, the drop from the road side to the bottom of the gorge was not as dramatic. There was a far greater likelihood of a rock fall; we stopped to take the photographs you see below and the chap on the bicycle warned us not to stop as it was dangerous, we closed the car doors very carefully and crept out.
Gorges de St Georges
Gorges de St Georges
We then headed up into the foothills of Mt Canigou crossing the Col de Jau at just over 1500m. The temperature dropped from 25 to 16 degrees and with a chilly wind it felt more like 8 degrees.
Col de Jau
We were soon back in Vallespir to a welcoming 25 degrees.
A most enjoyable day out.
We have been reliably informed that Ryan Air are buying 300 new aircraft opening up Europe even more; do, therefore, keep an eye on their Web Site, and “New Destinations” as there are some fantastic fares on offer. For the Scots amongst you, your prayers have been answered as there are flights now scheduled from Edinburgh to Girona and Carcassonne.
We would love to see you
Jim
During the last year or two we found an increasing number of couples and their families and friends have stayed with us before a wedding. No doubt attracted by the wonderful weather and scenery.
MT CANIGOU FROM LA CHATAIGNERAIE
A GIFT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL
A GARDEN TERRACE
WATCHING THE SUN GO DOWN
Being in such a peaceful location has proved to be extremely popular with Newly Weds, who enjoy the tranquility of the house and the views from their own private terrace.
Until later
Jim
In recent years it proved difficult for Gillie and me to venture to far from La Chataigneraie during the summer months. This year we have had help running the business and this has allowed us to have the odd day off; quite often at very short notice. We have a number of friends who we keep promising we will have a day out together, but our trips are often spur of the moment decisions and so we go it alone. For instance, if guests have breakfast early who then head off for the day and there is no need to shop etc, we can sometimes, as we did yesterday, decide to enjoy the area in which we live, and we did just that.
I know I have mentioned it before, but Beget is such a charming little hamlet, I feel I must mention it again. You will no doubt see why! Gillie and I enjoyed a relaxed lunch there in the shade of the trees and we were reluctant to leave.
Jim
Golden Oriole
I do believe the beautiful small town of Castelnou has been mentioned in earlier Blogs. It is such a charming place that it warrants a further mention along with some photographs.
A typical road in Castelnou
Gillie took these photographs to give guests an idea of just how beautiful and quaint the town is.
Exploring the colourful streets
Lunch with a view at l'Hostal
A Tempting Table
The area of Castelnou produces its own wines, ranging from a sweet white of about 16% through to a light Rose of 11%. The local honey is equally popular.
Hands Off, they are mine!!
Gillie fancied a salad
Another hard day!
No Cars is this town!
Various Artisans can be found in the little cobbled streets of the mediaeval town. One small shop that we never pass by is a Wood Turners.
Eric Salles has been producing wonderful pieces from local timber for quite some time now. Some of the wood he uses retains its smell for years and years, Juniper is one example.
Wonderful Views
What a location!
Well, what do you think?
Gillie and I are rarely able to visit our favourite places in the Summer months, so it was a much more colourful and vibrant Castelnou than the one we normally see in December and January and it is only about 45 minutes from La Chataigneraie. It features high on our list of recommended places to visit.
Jim