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)