Delightful Accommodation in Occitania, France
No this is not a book review, but instead a little post about our small crop of olives that are currently being harvested. Although, if we can steal a quote from Carol Drinkwater’s earlier book, The Olive Farm, there may be some parallels between us in addition to a shared surname 🙂
We could spend a lifetime exploring the historical, beautiful villages of Occitania. It’s the little details that make these sort of adventures exciting: the antique collections dotted around; art and street displays; historic features that accentuate old buildings, and the care and attention that people put into the exterior of their homes.
The Tour de France is heading to Occitania, and as cycling fans we’re very excited to see it coming through, not least because this time it’s on our very doorstep!
Departing from the famous Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy on July 2, 2016, the 103rd Tour de France heads quickly to the mountains, dipping into Spain and Andorra during the Pyrenean stages before also visiting the Swiss Alps later on. Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe, takes a starring role in the 2016 edition, and the iconic Mont Ventoux will also feature once again.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
As we move into the holiday season and Winter months, it is clear to me that those of us who are fortunate to be able to spend time with our nearest and dearest have a lot to be grateful for. It is a time of endings, resolutions and renewals, and for us, a time to be with family and enjoy Christmas at home as well as out and about in the Minervois and Carcassonne.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus
We love this season. The colours of Autumn and the foliage on the trees. The harvests of wine and olive. Halloween fun, wool scarves, long sleeves and boots; walks in the woods and around the lakes… or in Michael’s and my case, just across the back lawn! 🙂
There’s cathedrals… and then there’s Narbonne Cathedral. You really must pay a visit!
It’s a busy time of year here in Cathar Country as the annual harvest, or vendange, gets underway!
Continue reading “Harvest time!! #vendanges #recolte #domainedepalatz”
Windy and overcast today. Perfect for getting out and about a bit! Anyone fancy a trip up the Black Mountain?
Hello, good evening and good night!
Short and sweet for a bonne nuit.
The Lauran Cabaret cooperative is a significant producer in the Minervois, accounting for about 15% of the total production of the Languedoc area, and a fairly diverse selection of wine. They produce young, fruity and full-bodied wine, as well as wines for ageing with different vinification methods (traditional vinification, carbonic maceration, cold wine). It can be purchased directly from their production centres in Laure and Villeneuve Minervois.
Continue reading “It’s wine tasting time! Tonight we are imbibing our local Lauran Cabaret”