NOVEMBER--The tradition of All Saints Day and the Fete des Morts leaves the cemetries decked out with their rainbow colours provided by the chrysanthemums and cyclamens placed there by family members.  The priest rushes  from Parish to Parish to say mass in all the little outlying churches.  Families note the times of the mass in their particular churches and plan their All Saints Day holiday week-end around these religious (and social) events.  Unfortunately statiscally it is one of the worst week ends for road deaths.  This has resulted in a  very heavy police presence over the Bank Holiday week-end

Most of the local harvests are now safely gathered in  and tractors can be seen ploughing the fields in preparation for the next season. 

The grape harvests have terminated.  Neighbours propose tastings of their « young » wines, some still fizzy as the fermentation continues.

Migrating wood pigeons have been seen en-masse gleaning in the fields before attempting to cross the Pyrenees on their journey south for the winter.  The weather is still mild and we haven't yet seen the lapwings which are supposed to herald the onset of cold weather.  Deer and hare are a common sight in the valley, the wild boar is less visible but still very much present in the county.

The much prized cepes mushrooms have also put in an appearance in the dinner plates of those « who know ».  The location of these much sought after mushrooms is always veiled in a cloud of secrecy.  Nobody ever boasts of having found any, but will usually admit to knowing somebody else who has!.

DECEMBER……/