Dali emotion & Piggies.

I don't do much emotion these days. Especially after my cancer op and subsequent loss of my Vagas nerve. I cannot find, and have not thoroughly or extensively searched for, any evidence or research into 'Vegas nerve/emotional affect' but I do know it has affected in some way the delicate balance of head plus gut emotions that made up the totality of what I previously experienced as a full 'emotional response'.
So what happened tonight as Tanya and I took our evening stroll surprised me somewhat.
I'm in 'Port Lligat' just above 'Cadaques'. The moon was high and bright and bestowing one of its magical vistas over the bay which happens to be the same bay as depicted by Salvador Dali in his famous tantalisingly seductive painting of his wife looking out of the keyhole shaped window of his house. I was on the quiet lane directly above that house and its famous window, now a Salvador Dali museum and popular tourist attraction. Yes the vista was stunning but the tears welling up were directly connected to Kate, my deceased wife, and the very special time we spent here many years ago when love was on fire and neuronal pathways were created and laid down in their thousands.
The area and town of 'Cadaques' is sensuously and stunningly beautiful which is why I regularly make the trip here. The place seduces me everytime. Tonight though was different, powerful, and emotionally intoxicating. I was caught unaware but pleasurably affected with accompanying tinge of sadness giving bite to the overall emotional mix. Meditatively I was motivated to then walk for another hour as slowly, the fact I had received a treasured gift, sank in and connected. Tanya seemed to sense the moment too as she energetically accompanied me bathed as we were in the powerful moonlight.
In fact I was surprised at her 15 year old doggy energy as over the last two days, of gorgeous weather we have partaken of two long E bike on and off road expoditions around the area and out to 'Cap d Creus' and the lighthouse. These 'expoditions' by their very nature, also involve a lot of doggy walking.
We found a beautiful and totally wild cove out of the cool breeze but in full sun. Off came the clothes for first sunbathe of the year. I will add here that such an occurrence will this year be limited to such isolated spots. My rake thin 70 yrs old new body shape adorned still with prominent operation scars is not a site for public display. But the sunshine and crystal clear blue Med water is once again pressing my snorkeling buttons. I think a visit to Decathlon is a good plan with  wet suit purchase possibly being the way to 'fatten me up' plus hide my all too obvious NHS signature scars.
Tanya, while at our secluded cove, disgraced herself. I was quietly meditating & just enjoying the warm sun & occasional cool breezes touching my body when it went quiet. Very 'Tanya's not around quiet' . Called her. Nothing. Clothes on and retraced our steps back to track and E bike. Nothing. Walked back down and listened. Nothing. Climbed out on a rocky promontory from where I had a good view of the cove area.
"Aha, I see you."
Clamber back down, scramble round the tide line, getting wet feet in the process, and dragged her off the carcass of a well rotted, with accompanying aroma, seal. She got her mouth and beard well washed out with salt water for that little escapade.
However; I don't think the abrupt ending of her 'rotten seal' bliss was quite as traumatic as the run in she had with the three resident wild piggys back where we were wild camped in a large flat public area at the top of 'Port Lligatt' village. She was quietly pootling around outside when she came face to face with 'the piggy gang'. Piggies United Ltd quickly determined Tanya was not one of them and gave chase. But Tanya was also quick off the mark, did a screeching turn around and while still accelerating entered Rap3 through her open door with one mighty leap coming to a crumpled and crashing halt against the bottom of the fridge. No matter. A quick shake and flap of her ears and from her new and safe haven position she glared at piggy threesome who, undaunted, hung around just outside until boredom set in and off they wandered in search of more fun. Tanya was a tad more wary after that incident. She still wandered freely in and out of Rap3 but quickly retreated to her safe haven at any sighting or smelling of 'the piggy gang'.
Tanya and I plus new friend Lou from Hebden Bridge sadly said bye bye to the piggies this morning as we moved off on our separate journeys. Thank you once again 'Cadaques'. To me you are a very special place. I will be back.

Emergency Evacuation

"Uho!" thinks me. This is a very pleasant stroll with my nephews wife and toddler Maeve, and it was also a very pleasant meal we had all shared with her husband during his French two hour lunch break.

"But: right now, like instant, I am going to have to head back to the restaurant, kinda super sharpish, and use their facilities".

This, thankfully was accomplished without an embarrassing incident, but unfortunately heralded the onset of a full ten days of intermittent serious emergency Evacuations before eventually normality returned. I say it was the crab soup 'wot done for me' , but who knows. No one else was affected so I suspect, especially as it took so long to correct itself, it was a combination of the said 'crab soup' plus my 'different' post Oesophagael cancer innards. These 'different innards' are proving to be somewhat erratic and not as robust as my previous set up; a perfectly standard 1948  Lichfield maternity hospital model. They just don't make things like they used to any more!
..........
The 10 days of 'jippy tum' were not all doom and gloom as I did manage three days away near 'Giens' on the 'Hyeres' peninsula where warm sunshine made for a very pleasant stay. I'd originally gone to 'St-Mandrier-sur-mer' where there was a small Moho Aire. Parking/camping overnight around this 'Cote-de-Azur' area is very difficult & nigh on impossible during the holiday season. At 'St-Mandrier' I squeezed into the last remaining space & settled in for the night only to be disturbed by a knock on the door from fellow Moho'er Chris & his two gentle and well mannered lady Lurchers Bella & Bethan. A lovely evening was had swopping different tales of each of our experiences both of us being that rare combination of retired single male travelling mainly fultime with canine companionship.
Chris was also more familiar with the area and well versed in the dark art of finding wild or free spots to park up in this Moho unfriendly area. Turns out he runs the database of wild/free moho parking spots for the well known, and well used, www.wildcamping.co.uk of which I have been a fully paid up member for several years.
Hence our decision to move round to 'Giens' the next day & a perfectly acceptable layby next to the 'Salins' complete with their resident pink Flamingos. I, and Tanya, thoroughly enjoyed our three days of sharing time and doggy walks with Chris and his gorgeous canine ladies.
My 'intimacy' with the little white room in the back corner of Rap3 was by this time becoming manageable although I was starting to register an unease at continually having to tighten my belt on my recently purchased smaller waistline trousers. I didn't dare weigh myself and stayed firmly in a kind of denial trust that when ready, my body would re-appetise and regain the lost weight.
I headed back, after our time together, to 'Puyricard' and my tight spot next to my Nephew & family's house. There I stayed and enjoyed even more family as my younger sister and hubby joined us for a few days of 'Grandchild Maeve' time.
I'm also happy to report the 're-appetising and regaining of weight' is now underway but the depletion of wallet is now of concern as I just cannot keep out of the local Boulangerie/Patisserie. Those 'Tartes-de-Pomme' are going to do a crab soup on me in a minute if I do not re-establish some semblance of willpower over my unruly gluttonous pastry greed.
Plus, I've also fallen in love with over fired Baguettes.
Woe is me.... there is only one way out.... Get over that border and into Spain. Well I'm on my way. SW of 'Montpellier' tonight & possibly Spain tomorrow. No, I'll have one more day in France because if I remember correctly there is that Artisan Boulangerie in 'Port Vendres' and they do the most delic...........!