19 May - Market Day

The market this year looks to have improved on previous years. There seem to be more small artisanal stalls, such as a wider range of cheeses, not that we buy them often as they are very much more expensive than at the supermarket cheese counters. There are also more fruit, veg and other food suppliers.

The fresh fruit and veges are just excellent, and we eat quite differently to in New Zealand. At the moment the asparagus is great, there are strawberries and cherries in, the first of the rockmelons have arrived, and there are small and tasty apricots. We've taken to buying a bunch of mint for Moroccan-style mint tea, and at this time of the year it is so green and fresh.

In town this year are a couple more new bistro-style cafes, one specialising in oysters and the other in tapas platters. They are a welcome addition. Meanwhile our once-favourite bar, Bar le Pablo, is slipping down the ranks. Despite perhaps the best position in the town, and pretty good coffee, the staff are lacklustre and the house wine consistently dreadful. The reduced patronage there shows it's clearly losing ground to more go-ahead establishments.

We've been welcomed back by many people, both local French residents and ex-pats. It's very nice to be hailed in the street, or greeted with a big smile by our local baker or real estate agent. We are really chuffed by how friendly everyone has been that we have run into so far, whether it's our car insurer, a notaire (lawyer), bakers, tourist info receptionist, neighbours and friends. We are already feeling so much more relaxed here and are very much looking forward to the next few months here.

One thing we have noticed on our walks is the wonderful array of spring flowers. Roses are everywhere, both in gardens and in the wild. The fields are filled with red poppies and also yellow and white daisies. It really is a delight to be here at this time of year.

Beautiful rose bushes are in bloom everywhere

I had a lazy afternoon watching the TV coverage of Harry and Megan's wedding. John was not so keen but the FA Cup Final a few hours later was a little faster paced. Our son-in-law will be gutted that Manchester United didn't win. A bit of rain, thunder and lightning this afternoon made our apartment seem very cosy indeed.