The Quiet (and chill) before The Season Arrives

 

Back in the Dordogne in the 2nd half of March.  It's a special time to be here, as the temperatures begin to climb but nights still require a little heat or a fire, the work vans start showing up at houses and businesses, and expats and tourists (and long-time villagers who escape south during the winter) start trickling into the streets and cafés.

Trees are just starting to bud.  Tulips are popping out their colorful heads here and there, but most of the landscape is semi-barren, this year with many farmers' fields still underwater from the unceasing rain of this past winter.

And change is definitely afoot.  The major undertaking of renovating and repurposing the ancient hospital is in full bore and taking shape, the massive construction crane an odd but welcome addition to our medieval village landscape.  One friend is returning to his home country.  I mourn this development but understand.  Others are figuring out how to be here more, or always.  There's an energy, an excitement, that makes me anticipate the coming spring as one heralding lots of good things to come.

I am looking forward to hosting friends for casual apèros tomorrow, to reconnect and swap our stories of winter, here and afar.  We've already chatted at the weekly market, haunted the nearby brocante togther, but settling in around food and wine is a different thing entirely.

Good to be back.