Well it felt like that anyway.
With a significant increase in guests at the seaside apartment this season, we have also experienced a few “less kind” reviews. I won’t go into detail but it’s not been very nice.
Fortunately, the reflected sunset over the only two blocks of apartments on the beach that reach any significant height ( the town council saw sense VERY early on and avoided the “Costa Argeles” look ) was pretty enough to disperse at least some of my gloomy mood on Tuesday.
I do love Argeles-sur-Mer out of season. 
It is abandoned by most tourists at the end of September and goes back to being the beautiful, quirky little town, humming with French soul and Catalan spirit, that I’m sure it always was.
Don’t judge her by her summer clothes.
You could enjoy a lovely long weekend here. And the Cafe gourmand at La Noisette is rather good.
Surely the “house” strawberry meringue pie and bitter salt caramel sauce soothes all angst-ridden, event driven self dialogue?
Blog-sur-Aude 
Sorry to hear of your bruising experience with nasty reviews!! I’ve had one particularly bad one years ago – it’s still there, and people are still asking about it, but I feel more zen about the whole thing now. I do leave reviews, but I only review places I have enjoyed, no point sharing unhappy experiences. 🙂
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I agree. It’s very sad how these often inaccurate and pernicious reviews can stay out there in the public domain forever.
It’s yet to be seen if the ones I had this year affect our bookings.
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It’s a sad indictment of the human condition that so many people feel the need, when given the freedom of commenting on the inter web, to be unpleasant. They, of course would say they are being truthful but my experience is that they just like the petit Hitler power of having their say. I have two examples. One, the most beautiful Auberge in Ariège a couple of years ago. The owner asked if I would write a review. I wrote a lovely review because it was a lovely place. I was quite appalled at some of the things others had said. Really? They must have been staying somewhere else entirely. Last year, HB2 and I took youngest daughter to NYC on a very busy weekend. I found, eventually, a place in Hell’s Kitchen and it must be said that they got much wrong. We were their first ever guests and they had a learning curve ahead. But the place was clean, well-situated and they were charming. So that is what I wrote. I then wrote to the host privately and pointed out the bits that needed some improvement – she was SO grateful. The couple in Ariège sent us a Bonne Année card with the most delightful message thanking us for our lovely words. But the fact is, they were just truthful words. The world seems to be filled with trolls and I am just so sorry you have had to endure this because I know your place must be lovely – not the George V but it doesn’t claim to be for Heaven’s sakes. I’ll stop now – I’m getting too angry xx
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Nowhere near as angry as I was on Monday I bet….
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I imagine not — though Helen Devries and I have been commenting on how our default seems to be angry at the moment ….
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Such a shame that some people have been so hard on you this summer. It’s so important for people to ensure that they leave good reviews as well. Enjoy your little break and put your feet up x
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Some people just like to moan do not take it too heart. Those cakes look amazing.
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Mirepoix. Parking hell on Monday AM. First R onto Marechal Joffre. rue Vigarozy sometimes has open spaces (not well known). Look down street (if spaces full) to other side of footbridge. rue du Beal. If spaces there, continue on Marechal Joffre to end, turn right, one block to rue du Beal. Turn right (one way). The canal is very old, used to be (near #24) the laundries area. I rented #24 three times. When the old city wall was taken down, the stones were used to build some of the houses along the canal, including #24. The place had NOT been improved (a few appliances, but little else changed. The husband was quite old even then, so don’t know who owns it now. The exterior has been improved (perhaps to sell)…
Anyway the little bridge to Vigarozy leads directly up to the town center. This is the best set of photos of Mirepoix…actually the entire website is an incredible exploration of Ariege. Much to explore, much to appreciate: http://www.photosariege.com/article-la-bastide-de-mirepoix-113233491.html
For your literary friends, heading from Montsegur to Belesta, there’s a place (or was) Oh Les Beaux Jours (chambres d’hote) which is where Samuel Beckett (the writer) lived while helping those fleeing from the Nazis get into Spain. Knowing that puts a very different perspective on the play Waiting for Godot.
Back to Mirepoix. There is the Maison de la Presse (rue Maréchal Leclerc) which carries UK papers (next day, via Carcassonne).
Further off the subject but in case you’ve not heard about it, every year in the summer there’s a Sculpture Walk…it runs until 27 October this year, here’s the info: http://www.sentiersculpturel.com/
For those visitors who need a good walk, it’s that and more.
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Thanks for that. Not an area that I have explored but hope to soon
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I think people are learning to interpret reviews. That’s what I tell myself, anyway, every time I get someone who is shocked, shocked to discover he’s not getting the Four Seasons for the price of a dirt-cheap gite. A friend also pointed out that folks don’t read more than the top three or four. It isn’t you. It’s them. On the bright side, maybe those reviews will drive away folks who are like the reviewers. Wouldn’t that be nice?
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Yes, it would…
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Sadly, the latest crap will be at the top next season!
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Ugh! I think there’s a certain set who feel like a positive review isn’t realistic. But at least you have lots of visitors!
Have you and Bev been to Mirepoix for the Monday market? Lots of antique shops, too.
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On the list…
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I love the Mirepoix market and have a fave antique shop there where I have found some great things!!!
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I know it’s very hard to not take it personally but, as we have discovered recently, you can’t please all of the people all of the time 😦
Hopefully a girls day out fabric shopping will cheer you up 🙂
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Thank you my friend x
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