Lots of Firsts

7.6.97:
A few things to celebrate with the gift (champagne) from BMW in Royon;  the new car, Christian's "last "folly; the long awaited visit to La Rochelle and an overnight visit to June and Bill (our ex-neighbours) in Toulouse.

 14.7.97:
A different 14th July for us both. Christian suffering the monsoon in Rangoon and a not very exciting embassy drinks party. Mine was

more eventful. A village gathering in the square to hear Monsieur le Maire give a speech about "liberté, égalité et fraternité" and present medals to veterans of the Algerian war; the band played the Marseillaise while the municiple police and fire officers saluted. after that they removed their headgear and the Maire his tricolour sash and everyone headed for the apéro which had been laid on for one and all. finally, dancing of the sardane which was far to complicated for me to join in with. Next year? Lunch at the "Mas" (Philippe and Giselle's in -the -process-of-being-renovated farmhouse) al fresco. Fireworks and dancing in the evening.

 13.7.97:
"Feria" - what an experience! Bulls running in the streets with young men hanging off every part, music, dancing, water sprays, colourful hairdos, the red (blood) and black (death) of the corrida officienados, drink and merry making in excess.

3.8.97:

First birthday in France celebrated with Philippe, Gisèle and Jen at Can Tomás in Rabos, over the "border". http://www.restaurantcantomas.com/inicio_franc.html A picturesque village with church, paved streets, flowers and the chimes of midnight when we walked by. Followed the next and actual day with an al fresco lunch up at the mas with Josette and Jacky after a phone call from Christian. Veuve Clicot and cake to complete.

9.8.97:
A welcome return for Christian after 8 long weeks in monsoon Burma, shared with Gisèle anf Jen on the small terrace.

Back home after 8 long weeks; it's really nice to come back to your big house and your wee wife with so much love to share. (Christian)

14.8.97:
I was the one who arrived well before the oven! Now I know where you're phoning from. What a great choice of house and area - watch out, I halls be back! Remember vous êtes dans le sud - no rush, think of the possibilities. Every happiness to you both for your future here.
 All my love, Jen

13.8.97:
One of many visits to "La Taverne" but this time with Frank, Clara and the children before they head back to Sete. Our  first  "family" visit with zarzuela" all round.

24.8.97:

Many thanks for a wonderful visit and for showing us your corner of France and Catalunya. There is always a warm welcome for you in Meussac. we hope to come back soon, but please, please, arrange for a gros orage to STOP les clôches.

Bonjour la Catalogne!

30.5.97

Our first visitors to OUR little corner. Papi for an apéro and Philippe on his return from Paris for a night cap.
After so long talking about it, ça y est, on est chez nous! (Christian)

27.5.97

Furniture arrived without any problem and the windy road to José's garage (a short term storage solution) was negotiated with held breath as our's was very large lorry taking up most of the available space. Fortunately, we only met one car which stopped while we squeezed by.
Celebrated settling in to our "petit coin" as "The Nest" is not yet finished..

25.5.97

After a tearful "goodbye" at the airport, Christian who had come back a week early and I arrived "chez nous" having had dinner with Frank in St Germain. Was really nice to have some new home cards waiting for us .
To clarify, our friends (a family of 4) from whom we have bought the house are still ensconced. Their solution for our absorbtion into the living space was to give us their bedroom. We soon found our own solution and took over a small "suite" consisting of a bedroom, shower room and  Philippe's study to convert into a sitting room. Best of all, there was a door to make it self contained! Meals, however were taken "en famille"

Goodbye to All That

25.5.97: FRANCE,  HERE WE COME!! (Gleaned from Our Travel Notes)

19.5.97 - 25.5.97: Decamped to the Cotswolds to say our last goodbyes

25th: Up and away from B'ham airport to pastures new

24th: Chez Chris and Rosie

23rd: Chez Jill and John

22nd Dinner and overnight with Dad

18.5.97: Overnight with Mary

17.5.97: Overnight with Jean

12.5.97 - 16.5.97: Back to Mary Kate's 

16th: Last night in Scotland with Mary Kate

15th: Lunch with Marlene at the University Staff Club. Overnight with Colin and Sheila

14th: Lunch with Ann K at 76, St Vincent Street

13th: Dinner with Ann and Ellen at Two Fat Ladies

12th: Lunch with Agnes in Edinburgh. Dinner with Sheila C. at Café Étoile

3.5.97 - 10.5.97: Staying with Jen in Yorkshire

3rd: Lunch at Harvey Nic's

28.4.97: Staying with Mary Kate
2nd: Dinner at Pierre Victoire with two of the train girls
1st: Lunch with Maureen at CCA. Dinner with Karen at Bombay Blues then a drink with Angie at the Pot Still
30th: Lunch with Jill at Jensen's, compliments of "Auntie "
29th: Dinner with suzanne. Mexican meal on Dumbarton Rd

26 - 27.4.97:

Overnights with Ann and Noel

24 - 25.4.97:

Overnights with Colin and Shiela

23.4.97

Last day in the wee"hoose". John, Simon H and Oliver up from the Midlands for all our worldly goods yesterday and then 4 weeks of hoping not to overstay my welcome with various friends and relatives. The next entry in this book will be when Christian and I are in "The Nest" having met up in Paris and travelled from Orly to Perpignan. Looking forward to our new life, different life, together.
Ovenight with Julie and Morgan

13.4.97
17h50 Time to go; wee bit sad but life is in front of us. The future is bright. (Christian)
A night in the Travel Inn picnic style before Christian's early start for Abu Dhabi en route to Burma.

12.4.97

Ruth and Christian are members of  the N mafia. we will miss them very much!! We look forward to visiting them in the very near future and long for their visit to Scotland . (Ann)

We will miss you. We have had very happy times together. We remember Bastille Day and Christmas Pantomimes. We look forward very much to visiting you in France. (Maureen and Angus)

11.4.97

A la nueva casa en Francia. espero que vive en Barcelona y visitara muchos veces. (Mary Kate)

We were late as usual - but we promise we'll be on time when we visit you in France. Can't believe the change that's happening - it's great and shows that life is always beginning, exciting and new. It's reassuring and exhilerating. Great night, great event and reason to meet and I'll talk about it for months and months - who knows where it will lead. (June)

Signed Willie

I love everybody! (Johnny)
 Me too! (Ruth)

Et moi (Mary Kate) 

One more time with all our friends. Maintenant je vais parler français et je vais vous dire combien je vais penser about you; je vais missed you a lot already. I am quite confused! (Christian)

PSHow could anyone not love someone like this?
PPS It's not hard to imagine that a good time was had by all!

10.4.97

Gordon and Ena as usual, provided an evening with lots of laughs, old memories and good food at the Cochrane Inn. http://www.cochraneinn.com/ Joined back at the house by Liz for a night cap and discussions about future visits.

8.4.97

A lovely surprise! Flowers from the research team.

7.4.97

It's already 7 years since we are in our wee house and if the walls were able to talk, they would say how much love and happiness was found here. (Christian)

6.4.97

What will we remember about Ruth and Christian???

Strawberries in Champagne (Morgan)

Generally educating my palate .... and ice cream - raisin from Bryson's Garage (Sheila)

Long lazy afternoons into evenings, sunny patios, saucisson, cheeses, pâtés, lamb with rosemary and flageolets, paella, champagne, wine, kir, liquers, gin etc, etc .... definitely "au revoir" and not "goodbye" .. bon voyage .... Julie xxx and Holly 

Friendship, good food, good wine and laughter. We'll miss you very quickly. Hope to see you sooner rather thn later. (Colin)

March 1997

27.3.97
Well, pourquoi pas? An extremely wet Thursday, the last round up the office, lunch at Café Rouge and signing the release papers. That in itself warrants a celebration.

10th - 24th
Two weeks for Christian and two weekends for me up in Peterhead. Being taken care of in Morven house made up for the town.
Home to a double celebration - sale of the house and voluntary redundancy. A pity that Colin and Sheila couldn't join Ann, Noel and ourselves.

 7.3.97

 Celebrated  out first decade together quietly enough. A meal at home with some Veuve Clicot (my favourite) and drinks chez Colin and Sheila.


5.3.97
Happy Birthday, Christian! Sunny drive to Aberfoyle for dinner at the "Braeval" (Nick Nairn's restaurant)

• Kir Cardinal (made with Beaujolais) and canapés

• Leek and watercress soup

• Halibut on a bed of tarragon ratatouille with deep fried parma ham

• Duck, pommes dauphinoise, celeriac purée, parsnip purée and spiced red cabbage

• Icelandic chocolate dessert with chocolate mousse, crème brulée with rhubarb

• Coffe and calvados.

Food was excellent as was the Victorian house B and B where we had a room with a view over Loch Ard..... and of course, our two Rennie MacIntosh flutes came with us for the apéritif.
C'était bon, c'était court! (Christian)

February 1997

16.2.97

The results of yesterday's baking spree were shared with Colin and Sheila after a wet and windy trip to Cost Co with Colin and Sheila. Such is domesticity!

January 1997

26.1.97

A good bottle of "La Chasse du Pape", Côtes de Rhône Réserve, compliments of Mary Kate and Johnny to accompany a brunch of cheese, cheese and cheese. Last excess before rice for one and a diet for the other.

25.1.97
A "last" supper at the North Beach with Colin and Sheila before Christian's departure for Burma. a good an excuse as any to open a bottle. Or was it to toast Rabbie Burns as we'd passed on the haggis.

20.1.97
Back, home alone, after a weekend in the Waterside Inn in Peterhead. Food didn't live up  "Taste of Scotland" expectations. roll on Friday and some home cooking for two.


11.1.97
Early birthday meal with Sheila; just the 4 of us. "Martin Charlot", a gammon joint (leaving loads left over for during the week) and cake.

10.1.97
Day off. Leisurely lunch at Fouters - our first trip of '97. Then, home for a quiet evening in with chocs and fizz.

4.1.97

Mary Kate and Johnny bearing Xmas gifts. A fishy evening and late breakfast or rather brunch after the "Archers" for me.



2.1.97

A welcome return after a cold Christmas in France and even colder New Year in a B and B in Warwichshire with Colin and Sheila, sampling the goodies from the boot and testing out the grillade with venison steaks. Sadly it was a quiet affair as all the family were down with the flu.