Blue sky and sunshine. That’s what it’s all about. From about mid June, the weather started to get warmer and warmer.
The nights are cool and the sun warms the air and the pool during the day. With temperatures getting as hot as the mid 30s during a heatwave at the end of June, we were grateful for living in a stone house.
Around the village, the sunlit atmosphere invites outdoor adventure and lazy riverside lounging alike. The Aveyron river is the center of attention with its popular canoeing trips and picnic areas.
The surrounding landscape invites climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and via ferrata routes at spots like Roc d’Anglars. There are activities for all styles and levels of bravery.
And there is the St Antonin market, of course. What a difference! Suddenly, the market has grown. Oh, it must be tourist season!
The locals, I’m told, don’t go to the market on Sundays anymore as of end of July. Because it is incredibly packed. You have to get there very early. Such a popular place. People drive to this market from far.
The covered hall and surrounding streets overflow with cheeses, honey, fresh fruit, cured meats, crafts, and breads. In July and August, the evenings bring night markets featuring local tastings and artisanal products.
This summer wrapped the village in gentle heat, the soundtrack of cicadas, and sun-scented markets. Crickets chirped, river laughter echoed, and evening entertainments—like guinguettes and outdoor concerts—were set against golden light and crisp evenings. It’s a scene where nature, culture, and community blend seamlessly.
Towards the end of July, we welcomed some light rain to refresh the air. And then, in August, just in time for our own holiday, the heat crept in for real.
With a long drought period, even the trees in the valley have an appearance of autumn. We hope that their roots are deep enough to survive. The crunch of the leaves beneath our feet as we drift from house to pool reminds us that water is precious.
We are not allowed to water anything. Grateful for the rainwater collection system in place, however, there needs to be more. That’s something else on the to do list.
The frogs are silently begging us to refill their ponds. They have to be patient.
Fearing that the chickens may suffocate, I make sure they have water in several bowls and feed them melons every day. With their beaks open, they are probably grateful for their coop that is in the shade of the Elderflower tree.
The weeks of extreme heat have caused even the thick stone walls in our house to warm up, so even I have to turn the fan on to fall asleep. I long for cooler nights and I visualise gentle rain falling on the plains. Let the rain dances begin!
As we rake up the masses of dried, dead leaves covering the dark red soil, I spot a bit of green grass. And I remember how all this was covered with lush green grass and tons of small daisies 5 months ago. What a difference!
Yes, it’s true, there are four seasons here and they certainly can be extreme. And what else is true is that there certainly is a lot of sunshine and blue skies in this area.
Let’s see what autumn brings.
