This photo of Mick and Derek shows just how excited Mick was to be able to share some of his knowledge about the local wines. And Derek is trying hard not to look like he was interested. But he was.

Derek and Helen’s plane landed early. Yes early. RyanAir from Stansted to Perpignan in two hours. The plane was packed as Mick and I noticed while we waited for the dozens of passengers to file past us before we saw our friends.

First stop was Estagel for a coffee. Derek and Helen has had an early start; catching a bus at 3.45am to get their 6.00am flight. I’d gone online to the RyanAir website to check if the flight was on time only to get a message saying the airline didn’t fly between Perpignan and Stansted. Got the same message when I put in their flight number. Weird.

Anyway, coffee and something to eat was necessary for the four of us as we had a morning of wine tasting planned.

First stop was Thuvenin–Calvet, one of the fancier producers in Maury where half a dozen wines were sampled inside the ultra-modern, green-energy cave. We’ve been there before of course, and I was advised that next time my loyalty card would be honoured with a whopping …….

……..5% discount.

We left with a few bottles for the car boot and onto our next stop.

Mick instructed me to pull into his favourite winegrower Serrelongue. The elderly proprietor was just finishing his lunch and a glass of wine, but graciously welcomed us into his living room. He apologised for the smell of his cauliflower soup, but it actually made us feel hungry. He remembered Mick and me from our previous visits earlier in the year, and although he speaks no English, the five of us had a wonderful half an hour. He always pours very large samples and wanted us to taste each of his wines. Helen was very keen to try his rosé after Mick had given her the build-up of it being the best, and cheapest, in the area. But, there was none left. Harvest commences next month and small wine growers like him, are happy to have space for the upcoming production. Helen would have to wait.

Because I was the driver, I was not sampling his wines, and when he packaged up the wine we had decided to buy, 6 bottles of his cheaper 100% carrignon reds, he handed me a gift – a bottle of his most expensive red, normally retailing for €22. He insisted I enjoy it with a nice meal. What an experience.

Our third stop for tasting was at Marc Majoral’s – he was not there, but some tastings took place and more bottles puchased. The car boot was full. So it was time for lunch.

We then headed to our accommodation in Caudiès de Fenouilledes, a chamber d’hôte. A first for us. Like a bed and breakfast.

A converted cave. How appropriate??

Unfortunately, our room was not ready, but thankfully Derek and Helen’s was, so they headed off for a much needed nap.

At the same time, Mick and I wandered around the village and went for another tasting at a wine grower’s that is not open during winter. We needed some more wine!! We had just received an invitation to go to Fenouillet for apéros.

On the way back to our accommodation, we spotted one of our friends, the artist who has the amazing art collection who plays the piano accordion. He invited us in to examine the progress on his mural in the back garden. He then invited us for apéros, but we had to decline as we were already booked up!! Not a word of English was spoken, but we managed.

After a pleasant catch-up and a glass of wine with our friend in Fenouillet, where we had spent the first 3 months of the year, we headed back for dinner, cooked by the owners of our accommodation. Four courses including wine and beer for €30.

Very impressive.

We were seated in the back yard with other patrons and fed a very elegant meal of salad, followed by a bisque, then a trout (caught that morning), and dessert.

But, by the time our fish was served,  the light had faded, which added a degree of difficulty to its consumption.

The night ended almost at midnight. What a huge wonderful day.