At time of writing it’s pouring with rain and that lovely sprinkling of snow that was covering the Albères has melted and trickled down to join the streams and rivers gushing down the hills. In Argelès-sur-Mer we are often marooned at this time of year as La Massane causes chaos at all points where it meets the road. We’ve had some sun though and some extremely cold temperatures. There have been days when one is coaxed outside and others where the crackle and spit of a flaming fire makes us pull up a chair and settle down with a good book.

It’s the countdown towards the rising of the sap. The cherry and almond blossom and the mimosa are hustling for the position of Best in Show. Apricot and peach buds are bursting to show off their petals. Shrubs are being cut back, vines have been clipped and tied, camp-sites are being spruced up, weeds are being torched (yes, really) - there’s a mad dash to get everything ready for the Spring. As always, keeping a cool head in all of this is our friend Canigou reminding us that Winter is not over quite yet.

On the subject of putting the clocks forward, I haven’t quite grasped the logic of it but according to someone I know, if you make a start at the beginning of March and get up earlier each day, there’s a good chance that when the time comes you won’t miss that lost hour - that feeling of sleep deprivation (which grips the psyche of some people lucky enough to sleep longer than 6 hours a night) will have completely disappeared! I’m all for Nature taking its course.

The beautiful song of the Nightingale which until quite recently accompanied our night’s sleep is dearly missed. During the day we are now being treated to the plaintive coos of our friend the Hoopoe. (Apparently pronounced Hoo-poo for reasons which I won’t go into in case some of you are reading this over breakfast!)

Scorched Earth! Well not quite. If you’re up among the massive, craggy limestone rocks in the gorges somewhere between Arles sur Tech and Saint Laurent de Cerdans
and take those roads which wind through the forests, it’s green and lush and full of birdsong.

Between the 9th and the 24th September this year every CSF association across France will be holding an Activity for Life event.  In the P-O this will be a day of activities (and picnics) for all, based at Prat de Farga (not far from the Le Boulou exit of the A9) - the big field with parking and plenty of facilities in Maureillas. 

Join Cindy and Fiona for an open day on the 2nd September. They invite you to meet them in Arles sur Tech to discover  the fabulous natural produce, herbs, spices, lotions and potions lovingly picked and  created by the white witches of Saint Laurent de Cerdans