Le Couvent Diary

The guests are all out hiking the Pic de Tantajo, swimming in the Mediterranean, or settling down to a lunch of oysters. I've just popped in while the pool cleaner does its work keeping the water sparkling. Ali's making her shopping list of fruit, ham and cheeses for the guests' breakfast. The dogs are asleep at my feet, some hens are on the nest, the birds are keeping up a tuneful chatter - and for once the cicadas have stopped their usual whistle. The temperature's a very comfortable 26 degrees with a breeze and the skies are blue with wisps of high cirrus clouds.

I can't hear any cars, the church bells are silent, but there is the lazy drone of a distant small plane.

It's 12.30 - all the Roujanais are inside having lunch before their siesta. Bon appetit.