4th Oct to 8th Oct - Ceret

While the daytime peak temperatures are remaining hot, typically 28-30 deg and are forecast to continue so for at least another 10 days, it's definitely getting cooler in the evenings and early mornings. The apartment got down to 16 last night, which makes it much more pleasant for sleeping and allows us to cool it for the next day. We're still only using a sheet and have the fans going during the night to move the cooler air about.

With a cool 19 deg when we woke up we decided to get out and do our walk/run reps before breakfast. It's crazy how hot it has been, with cloudless skies and no rain. We're now into October. The locals are desperate to feel some rain because, apart from the odd short storm, there hasn't been any since about May.

Apart from market day, the town is pretty quiet. Some of our friends/acquaintances are departing for their home countries - especially the English who now have to ration their 90 days per year in France due to Brexit.

We've had a fairly quiet week. John has replaced the skirting board that was damaged from the leak in the ceiling. I've cleaned and mopped the stairwell. The latter only gets done when we are here because the single guy who lives in the first level apartment (who works as a chef in the ground floor restaurant) never does any cleaning, nor does the English couple who periodically reside in the second floor apartment. We know that because the stairs are layered in fur that has been shed from the two dogs they bring with them. 

On Thursday we drove the 30 minutes to Collioure on the coast. It's an incredibly picturesque seaside town, and one that is dominated by multiple castles both within the town and on the hills surrounding. Throughout history it has been a strategic location for both the French and Spanish, and is currently within French borders. The sea temperature is still easily warm enough for swimming and we had a lovely swim off one of the small beaches. Wearing swim goggles it was easy to see the variety of fish life in the waters below.

Collioure waterfront

One of Collioure's little lanes

We're keeping up our walking and whatever exercise we can. The market on Saturday morning is always fun, though there were noticeably fewer people that this week than last. Things seem to definitely getting quieter now we are into October. 

Lunch with friends at one of the restaurants in our square

Cheese counter at the local supermarket

We've been following the Rugby World Cup games. The All Blacks are doing well, but are going to face a big test in the quarter finals against Ireland.