Fabulous views this morning from our birds eye viewing spot across the hills and over to the Pyrenees. Mist in all the folds in the valleys, sometimes getting up and just walking from window to window makes the day start in a wonderful way.
Yesterday another busy day for Malc and I, moving a couple of single beds to a house in the area which is going to be offered to refugees. I should add we had a couple of strong lads to do the lifting.
I was with a refugee group meeting a friend from the commune of Verfeil, all at our place for a drink and chat.
The community group at Verfeil tells me that as well as the house divided into flats they now rent three other houses which were left empty in the village. Thirty young people from around the world.
I was invited into one of the houses yesterday and wondered how many languages were spoken in the group, the principle language everyone speaks is French and newcomers are encouraged to learn the language. They were delighted to tell me that most of the villagers were receptive to them all and that village life is now thriving.
It amazes me from a dead space with closed shutters everywhere one can now see some life even in winter.
When we came 14 years ago the decline in Verfeil had set in as elderly residents died, even the boules club which had been active closed after a few years.
I wonder how many Mayors would take on board what Verfeil is doing, encouraging young and young families and positively revitilising the many " dead villages" one sees.
I like the idea of one local Mayor who positively discourages second homers in the village.
Second homers do add a valuable input in the summer months but the shutters closing everywhere at the end of October does nothing to improve the year round life of a village.
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