The march of time

Spring in Lunel is always a time of hope - new growth, bright skies and longer days - but this year it has brought sadness too as our friend and neighbour Michel Cazanave died suddenly last week of heart failure.

Michel was the first person to greet us in the road as we arrived at the end of 2006.  He lent us the stepladder we still have and use, to fix the house lights that were almost completely lacking when we arrived.  This photo was  taken at his surprise 70th birthday party a year or so after, a crowd of friends and ex-pupils gathering in a nearby manade on a warm summer evening.  His enthusiasm for sports, notably cycling and rugby both of which he led and coached over the years, was infectious, and there were many times when he would rush across the road to share views on the latest 6-nations match - he was a patriotic supporter of Les Bleus but generous in acknowledging the talent of 'our' (British) rugby players.

The stepladder was also symptomatic of his practical side - this picture of him directing the concreting of his new driveway a few years ago is typical, and even if others were doing much of the work he was always around to comment, to observe, to ensure things were going as he and Monique wished.  But it was his friendship that always shone through, friendship to neighbours, and the wide circle of people he knew in the life of the town over the years, and particularly friendship for young people.  He was inquisitive and curious in the nicest possible way, and a frequent participant in neighbourhood meals and get-togethers.  His disappearance is all the more shocking because he was so active and present.

It is hard to imagine the life of our little road without him, and our affectionate thoughts are with his family.  He will live on in our hearts and memories.  For people like us, making a new life in a country far from our own family friends like him (I am glad to say there are others still around us who help make our life here better) are all the more important.  And, without being trite, life goes on - that same week our neighbour Robert, himself widowed some years back and one of Michel's oldest friends  - they moved into the new road at the same time as it grew out of the old vineyard -  rushed by to share the news that he has just become a great-grandad; recently we were at the christening party of the little grandchild of another neighbour Christine we've known since we arrived. 

A few more photos to finish.  RIP Michel.