Space, Light and Air

It is hard to remember a day when the sun was not shining here in the Languedoc Roussillon. Even when we arrived, witnessed thick snow and sat by log fires in the evening, the sun glinted through the trees making the white ground sparkle. Now, as summer is truly underway, the temperature has gradually soared – each day is around 35 degrees or more - and the heat remains until well into the evening. The village is awash with colour, the straight line of plane trees seems sharper than ever before and the space, light and clarity of air lend us massive perspective: life here is to be enjoyed, cherished, embraced.



Mr. Fix It has been working through this heat to get our 2nd ensuite bathroom up and running: I marvel not just at his knowledge of all things electrical and all things plumbing but his determination to renovate this house with such grace. The large grainy tiles we bought are square and perfect – yes he fitted those too – and so our new showers feel like sheer luxury. The 2 ensuites are side by side, not huge but big enough for each to house a large oblong ceramic shower tray, a square basin and loo.

The bedroom with the newly constructed window is glorious: light on 2 sides, stunning views of the Church, our garden and the little road beyond. Mr. Fix It took down the inner door to this room and raised the gap at head level so it truly is a large ensuite bedroom. The ensuite on the other side will serve the bedroom which looks square on to the garden – and is by far the warmest as it faces east and soaks up the strong morning sun.

Although we have yet to make our new balcony, which will run the length of both of these bedrooms, the pigeons still sit and coo on the sill, protecting the eggs which remain in their makeshift nest. When the tower was still here, Mr. Fix It was sometimes on the verge of taking dummy pot shots at the pigeons who, true to say, did rather mess up our lovely door steps and once even took the liberty to use Mr. Fix It’s forehead…. So imagine my intrigue when I saw him rigging up a cardboard sunshield to protect the box nest from the direct morning sunlight. Mr. Fix It seems to think of everything and although possibly loathe to admit it, feels for these pigeon parents trying to nurture their eggs.

Our carpenter, Jean-Louis, has arrived here early most days this week to avoid working in the deepest heat of the day. We discuss football, door hinges, types of plaster, babies (his son’s wife has just presented him with a new grandson) and joke about the unreliability of English weather and getting older. He is a wonderful man, like the “old school” artisans I remember from my childhood, taking real pride in his work. He has fitted us the 3 new doors, 2 downstairs and 1 upstairs and they look beautiful: they are large and graceful with 4 double panels of window down to I suppose waist level.



Yesterday evening I strolled out to the promenade with the aim of taking a few photos in the lowering sunlight. The lovely couple who own our bar were themselves sitting out and I joined them for a glass of good Languedoc-Roussillon red wine. An English couple we know a little joined us, tanned and smiling. Inevitably, the conversation gets around to life in the south of France and trying to list the reasons why it is so joyous. “Clarity of air,” said Jenny, the English lady. “The Mediterranean climate,” said Ludo, the owner of the bar. “Space and light,” I offered.

In truth, it is all these things and more that makes life special here. There is an intangible quality of peace and fulfilment amongst this community and it is rubbing off on Mr. Fix It and I day by day.

Alexis
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