Words strain, / Crack and sometimes break, under the burden, / Under the
tension, slip, slide, perish, / Decay with imprecision, will not stay
in place, / Will not stay still. -T.S. Eliot, poet (1888-1965)
Up at 8:29 am when the wind knocked one of my bedroom shutters against the outside wall. Wondered what the day was going to be like as it had rained last night, before we went to bed, as we sat in the living room and solved many of the world's pressing problems, not to mention those of friends, relatives and loved ones! Once I threw the living room shutters I was greeted with another glorious day, the vineyards shining after their late night/early morning rinse, although wind remains blustery. Will be a test of Sir James' endurance to ride in such hurricadoes!
With my Instanto at my side I plan to work on the sorely neglected Diaries until Baron Fumble von Bumble wakes to fill the place with snatches of song. Rather pleasant, indeed, to hear him sing and whistle, the sound of his deep, rich bass baritone reverberating throughout the abode. His explosive flatulence, however, is another matter altogether. "Boy, will you stop making those horrid smells!" This line, a classic, was uttered by his father, for obvious reasons, when Jamie was a young lad of nine or ten. I, of course, Dear Reader, never break wind with such stentorian relish, preferring to adopt Cora Lee's discrete approach, coyly feigning ignorance of the waves of noxious vapours, her own particular greenhouse emissions, the rival of any odoriferous piggery I've ridden past, here in Languedoc, or elsewhere, for that matter. But enough, Battistini awakes and his minion/valet/batman must begin preparations for another breakfast feast, featuring, courtesy of Yannick Nardini, fresh kidney purchased yesterday.
Worked on The Diaries while Jamie went for a short bike ride to get to know the gears and when he returned he had a nap for a couple of hours. Around 5:00pm we set off and he did very well, although still seems to have an inordinate amount of difficulty judging when to shift down in time to accomplish a smooth hill climb. Nevertheless, it was a grand outing as we headed for Fontés and then on towards Cabriéres. At the intersection at teh base of Mont Neffiés I continued on to Cabriéres, (about a 2 km roud-trip), to give him time to start the ascent. Caught up with him near the second swithcback and he was doing fine in spite of the simply ferocious mistral, howling out of the hills, buffeting us like corks in a bathtub.
I rode ahead and turned around once I'd reached the turn-off to Vailhan, making my way back to find the straggler. I hadn't gone very far before he came whistling around one of the curves and I shouted out directions for him to follow until I could describe a tight turn in the middle of the road. Once we were headed towards Vailhan it is pretty much downhill so we cruised along, Jamie certainly enjoying the spectacular views. Into and out of Vailhan to rece down the hill below the Presbytère and we were en route towards Roujan. Took the short-cut through the vineyards before reaching Roujan and were back in Neffies a little after 7:0o pm. I went ahead of Jamie once we were actually in town to start on dinner. He didn't arrive until 15-20 minutes later as he happened to meet another cyclist and they had an enjoyable, seventeen hour chat.
Stats for this afternoon's/evening's ride:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/376477254#.UjaTcAvjzA4.email
Back home Il Barone Fumble von Bumble decided to have a soak in the tub so while His Nibs splashed and sang, I continued with dinner dinner preparations: mixed green saladin topped with green basil infused cheese; pasta, (torsades), with merguez and last of the Espetec Catalan 130 sausage, sautéed with garlic and red oiniones in tomatoe sauce, (Panzani Tomacouli, saveur basilic). Once everything was almost ready and upstairs bathroom vacated, I took a quick shower. Put pasta on to boil and while it was bubbling away heated up sauce. When everything was ready callled The Hunt and Pecker à la table and we sat down to a wonderful meal, if I do say so myself, Dear Reader! The remarkable 2010 Chateau
Fongrenier-Stuart, Bergerac, 14%, €3.20/$4.40, bright black fruit,
well-balanced with some lovely vanilla and cassis on the fine finish.
(All this for well under $5!), didn't hurt matters either!
Jamie dried dishes while I washed and then we repaired to the living room to talk about all and sundry, finishing off with some delish pistachio nougat for dessert. Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! A snort or two of maltage for me, (BFB was still working on his pre-dinner Pastis), before we turned in at midnight. A very, very pleasant day and I know Sir James truly enjoyed the ride. Just too, too bad that he won't be here long enough to up his distance. He could be a strong rider but needs a bit of time and discipline to improve to the point where he can manage steeper routes, further afield.
Hi Kathryn!
I've signed up for (G)Literati!
If I'm needed, perhaps I'll bring some of the simply wonderful wine I've been bathing in so far. Here are a couple of examples:
La Croix Gratiot, 2012, Picpoul de Pinet, 12.5%, €6.50/$8.93, recommended
by chap at wine shop in Pézenas, was a mouthful of citrus and pear. Extremely well balanced acidity,
(Typical of this varietal, I have come to learn/understand: "Picpoul de Pinet is
a designation or cru which may be used within the Languedoc appellation
for white wines made exclusively from Piquepoul blanc in the communes
Pinet, Mèze, Florenzac, Castelnau-de-Guers, Montagnac and Pomérols. The wines are green-gold in color, full-bodied, and show lemon flavours."), with a long, lingering finish showing appealing spice and minerality.
2011 Chateau de la Liquière, "Vieilles Vignes", 14.5%, (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan),
€9.50/$13.06,
another fabulous recommendation from our favourite
wine shop, (Cave Alain Reinaldos, 7, Place de la République) man, and another incredibly intense offering from Faugères,
(a fairly rugged hill appellation about 18 km from tiny village of Neffiès, where we are living),
wonderful
red and black berry fruit, with elegant tannins and a most refined long finish.
Both are incredible,
unbelievable "steals" and I simply cannot imagine buying wine of this
quality for less than double/triple the price, or more, whether in
Vancouver, where we live, or in
Healdsburg, where we love to visit and taste and buy!
Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pic: growing number of empties; Alain with friend Jamie, from London; view from living room balcony, last night, this morning
Hey, the south of France! There's no better place to find quality
well priced wine. I confess I never studied the appellations within
Languedoc, Rousillon, or Provence (excepting Bandol). What a great
experience. Yes, Cellar club will be out in November,
and we’ll be having some exciting new releases that I’m looking forward
to trying for the first time.
Cheers!, Andrew
A few useful ideas: http://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/
Hi again, Andrew! Hope to see you in November. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics:
Alain, of Cave Alain Reinaldos, in Pézenas, who suggested some of the
wonderful wines, with my friend Jamie, visiting from London; Gravas,
100% Mourvedre, simply stunning, from Faugères; view from our house, south towards Roujan. I simply
love the avenue of plane trees, so typical of the French countryside.
Patrick
Anne Dunn's birthday is on Sunday September 22nd. Anne will be 100 years old.
Click below to choose one of our specially recommended birthday greeting cards and we will send it on Anne's birthday...
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In the next three minutes you could help solve the water crisis: https://waterforward.charitywater.org/b3/
Hope you and Jamie. Are having fun. Crazy bus ride to Siena from Florence. Not enough seats for everyone. Found villa and it is lovely. Just had fab dinner and off to bed.Tail bone still very sore. But managing. Tomorrow day of rest, no plans.
Love to you both,Corinne
It will be hard to say goodbye. Please let him know that I wish him god speed. and you remember how much we love you.
On to Siena by bus tomorrow. You are in my thoughts.
Much love Mom
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