Head in the Clouds

Of course we went to the market first despite the menacing clouds; it was fairly quiet and it was easy to circulate. Our cheese supplier is still on holiday (boo hoo) but the charcutier is back (grin, grin). By the time we were reday to drive up to a hotel restaurant in the mountains, the cloud was down and the rain was heavy. Such a shame as the view is spectacular which is more than can be said for the food. There were 30 of us altogether from the Mairie and their supporters; Luckily there were new people to meet and entertainment provided by some of the guests. Jean sang in Catalan, Jany read a hilarious letter from a mother to her son and Joséphine and Kathy gave a flamenco demonstration. Even Christian strutted his stuff!

What's New?

Apart from the new Mairie being open and functioning, nothing out of the ordinary has been happening here. The two regular meetings of the Association, Christian always in his second home, tea at Joséphine's, life goes on. In the States though, a couple have paid 100,00$ to have a clone of their dead pouch and a woman in California has had 8 babies. In France Sarkozy is removing people from public office on what seems to the outside untutoured mind, a whim. Strikes yesterday all over the country - 2.5m people on the streets according to the organisers, 1m according to the police. Perhaps the strikers counted the riot police in their tally! A wee word to Edofglasgow, "take it easy, enjoy the rest, even if it is enforced!"

Take the Bull by the Horns!

It's the Chinese New Year and we're entering the year of the ox which just happens to be my year and incidently that of Barak Obama as well! The year is starting routinely for me with an Association meeting at 11am and more excitingly for Christian with the long awaited move to the new Mairie. We're invited out to lunch to Alain and Monique's so no need to trawl through a yet again empty fridge. At this rate I can foresee several cancelled holiday bookings but rest assured, those of you who are coming or thinking of coming, I won't let you starve! In the meantime 新年好 (xīn nián hǎo) ou 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuàilè).

Tea for Ten!

The electricity was still off and Christian went off to do his civic duty helping to check on the elderly folk then he went off on a bread run to Perpignan where there was a bakery fuelled by wood so several families didn't have to forego their daily bread!

In the afternoon we were invited for afternoon tea up to Rowena's who has her mother staying. Despite no electricity, she put on great spread and we all tucked in with abandon! Came home to find the elctricity back on so we were able to watch Mel Gibson in "The Patriot" - Braveheart with a different flag and a happy ending.

Red Alert!

Gales hit the West coast of France and they headed our way! We took at a trip to the market which was quiet and then scuttled home to batten down the hatches. 2.30pm the electricity went off, so as darkness fell the candles came out so that Christian and Jacques could see to pour the apéritifs. Jacques has just returned from South America were he was covering the "Dakar" rally. Still jet-lagged, an early night suited him fine. We did the same; Christian to sleep, me to read a gruesome John Connolly thriller called "The Black Angel".

Fame at Last!

What with one thing and another, it's been over six month's since we've had a jaunt out with Anne and Henry but as usual it was easy to pick up where we left off. Anne and I had a quick wander around Figueres while the fellas sat in the café in the park. Believe it or not the sun was too strong through the windows for them to wait for us inside. Not that we long, we were hungry. I did find a pair of "skinny" black trousers in the sales for 16€ which isn't much to lose if the weight goes back on. We ended up going to the same restaurant as last week and the meal was every bit as good. Anne who reads the blog and has seen lots of our other friends can now see herself smiling out at the world!

Présentation des Voeux

Spent the afternoon watching Obama's inauguration. I was tempted to cheer sdo many timeswhen he didn't mince his words. To see so many happy, hopeful faces was quite something. Here, too our own politicians were centre stage. Cards are sent in France at New Year rather than at Christmas and it's traditional for organisations and institutions to formally present their best wishes publically during the month of January. At the same time a round up of the year's activities is given along with a indication of what to expect in the forthcoming year. Tonight it was the turn of Monseiur le Maire. There was music, speeches and of course an apéritif. The hall was packed and it all went well. Gilles and Kathy came back with us for supper so we climbed the little wooden hills later than usual.

Blue Monday

Apparently, today is the day of the year that the most people feel down; Christmas is gone, spent out at the sales and spring seems a long way off. Well not in this house, folks. The only thing blue is the sky. At lunch time we played guinea pig as Françoise tried out a new recipe for a tagine which was delicious. I'll let the arrangement of the bottles on the photo pass without comment!

Sunny Sunday

Lovely blue skies and it feels warmer but loads of ironing that has been lurking around since way before Christmas has taken precedence and of course catching up with the blog. Time has gone so quickly since the last post - the language exchange on Thursday, Perpignan on Friday morning for my annual check up (all continues to be well), Philippe, Danielle and Nancy for dinner in the evening and the market yesterday where we met Jean and Françoise for a drink. So life continues much as normal as we go into a new week.

A Wee Find

As Christian spent all day and evening at the Mairie yesterday, we made good our escape for a day out. A wander around Figueres in the sunshine full of hope that might find some bargains in the sales. We didn't find anything to buy but on our way back to the car we noticed some publicity for a new restaurant and when we found it we weren't disappointed. Imaginative food which was well presented, pleasant surroundings with a verandah that over looks the river and all for 18€ including wine.

No excuses!

Harry has done it again. What on earth does he have for a brain? Almost as sickening were the interviews with the BBC's royal reporter Fitzwilliams and some woman who's written a book about the princes. So sychophantic it made me want to throw up. Just good fun, bah humbug!

As you can see by the time evening came spirits have lifted. An apéritif dinatoire chez Jean-

Jacques and Michelle was enjoyed by all. If you look carefully you can see the third galette des Rois that we've eaten in less than a week. Funny how the blokes all ended up on one side and the women on another.

Deposed!

At last today there are blue skies but we've no great desire to venture forth into the outside world. We did that yesterday with a visit to the supermarket (boring), to the auberge for lunch ( the lazy option) and to Juste and Joséphine's (not boring) to eat more "Galette de Rois". This time it was Philippe who was king and I've returned to being a mere pleb. Ah well, it was ever thus. Joséphineinvited some of us who'd supported her during the Téléthon - Philippe and Françoise, Joëlle and Michel, Nicole, Katy and Martine. I can assure you that I had a better time than the photo would suggest! Arrived home at 9.30pm as the galette was followed by pizza.

This week Andy and Maureen introduced us to the delights of "Skype" but so far we've only managed to speak to them and my sister Jill. It's great fun to see the other person as long as you don't mind them seeing you looking dishevelled. Does anyone else use Skype????

Once again Christian went into the breach. He'd just cut off the water and taken a tap apart when there was an urgent call for him to stand in for the Maire at an AGM of an Association. Off he went and said a few well chosen words off the cuff. He's definitely getting into politician mode!

Beware Husbands Bearing Gifts!

If you need a bit of liver, a new kidney or bone marrow, if it comes from your husband just make sure that he doesn't want it back or be compensated if you divorce. No surprises that the story comes from the States. No surprises either that with this cold weather people are dying on the streets or that events in Gaza are reaching an all time low in the inhumanity stakes.
Chez nous life is banal in comparison and i feel almost ashamed to write about it.
It's cold here and trying to snow, Christian has been at the Mairie all day yesterday and this morning and I've been to have tea with Nancy who's over from the States, been to the Language Exchange and had Rowena here for dinner, ( a bit of an exaggeration we had soup, albeit a substantial one!) bed and breakfast. The fridge is empty again but the supermarket can wait until tomorrow

Three Wise (?) Men

So far this week there have been three meetings for Christian, two social engagements and one day of snow. Monday evening we braved the cold to go to Brian and Danièle's for mulled wine and English conversation then Tuesday we braved the snow to go to Joëlle's for a slice of "Galette de Rois" and a glass of cava or cup of tea. This tart of almond paste is traditionally eaten at the Epiphany and who ever finds the charm in their slice becomes king/queen for the day. Start tugging your forelocks and bending your knees it was me! Joëlle invited several elderly neighbours so we were 6 women ( Andrée, Germaine, Juliette, Conchita) and appropriately enough, 3 men ( Geronomi, Christian, Michel) and the camels were abandoned in favour of huskies and sledges. Should we be starting to worry that we're being included with the old folk?

Just call me Rudolph!

Picked up the threads of normality with a visit to a much reduced market and much needed visit to the hairdressers for a double booking. In the evening we were invited to Jean and Françoise's along with Linde, for an apéritif; I don't know whether it was the punch or the still burning embers of Christmas spirit but Christian and Françoise gave us all a real laugh. Jean refused to put on the antlers feeling that his monster slippers with red claws were enough while Linde and I could only look on and wonder!

Révillon

30th Dec - 2nd Jan:

Loaded up the car putting in a couple of rugs in case we should get caught in blizzards but it was a prcaution too far; the skies were blue and there were no problems on the road to St Gaudens, 2h.30 from here. Found Pascale's ( Christian's 2nd cousin) house easily enough and were made welcome by Janine (Christian's 1st cousin with whom he grew up for the first five years of his life) and Pierre and Laurie (Pascale's kids). On the 31st we went into the neighbouring village for a walk around and lunch at the local Logis de France. Then it was home to organise for the evening meal which was shared with Marie and her daughter Celia. By chance it was a rerun of Christmas with oysters, smoked salmon, foie gras and turkey!

New Year's day was spent quietly especially by me as I took to my bed with an upset stomach. Came home after lunch on the 2nd and settled in by the fire for a quiet evening.

Bonne Année!

Happy New Year to Everyone where ever you may be. The blog is one year old today and what a lot has happened. We hope that you enjoy reading our ramblings which give an idea of what life is like for us. There's nothing very profound but hey, that's life chez nous. Our invitation to visit stands, don't wait to be asked ..... have a healthy and peaceful 2009 et à bientôt!