Today we went down the street to Peter and Margaret’s house, a British couple who moved to Ambialet about eight years ago. They organize the music for the church so we went to visit so that we could practice a few songs with them for our open house Mass this weekend. We stayed for tea and cookies and I really enjoyed talking with them. They rent out bikes in the summer and provide bike tours and that’s what attracted them here in the first place. They told us about their grandkids and everything they know about the town.
They showed us a few pictures of the town when the Tarn river flooded a few years ago, when the “pres qu’il” or “near island” became a complete island. They also told us that since it is prone to flooding every five or ten years, no one is permitted to build anything new, unless it is for renovations of an already existent structure. It makes sense but it’s kind of sad that Ambialet can never really grow any bigger at all. Peter and Margaret are thrilled with the fact- that’s part of the joy of country life- huh? I guess I can understand.
It was great talking to them. they emphasized how great it is for us to be there and for giving the monastery a rebirth. Everyone who lives in Ambialet either took classes in the monastery in the summer, grew up in it when it was a boarding school, or knows someone who did. It’s a major part of the community and I’m glad to be a part of it coming back to life. It means a lot to them that we’re bringing younger people to the community and for reviving the church as well.
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