St Andrew's Day

Not that there was either any haggis or whisky for us.I guess the snow is as near as we got to things Scottish. Left at about 9.30am which was just as well as there was an "alerte orange" (severe weather warning) and the snow ploughs were out rendering only one lane of the motorway open. Progress was relatively slow but had there been more traffic, it could have been worse. Came out of the tunnel at the end of the Massif Central to 6°, rain but no signs of snow. Amazing! Stopped in Pezanas for lunch for the third time and yet again we didn't find anywhere interestin to eat so ended up in the only place open. Please if any of you readers can give us a recommendation, we'd be pleased to give it a go.
It's so good to be home even though there's nothing in the fridge and Christian took himself off to a meeting at the mairie!

Winter Wonderland

Time to go home but ready as we were to reach the south we'd made plans for an overnight stop in the Massif Central. The countryside was beautiful as we travelled through hard frost, freezing fog, snow and sunshine. Had lunch in Artan, just off the motorway where we found an honest, down to earth restaurant that did a good meal for 12€. What was even better was that there was a parking space right infront so there was no tramping through the snow to be done.
The B&B was also down to earth and comfortable though we did wonder what we were coming to when the bloke opened the door (remember there's thick snow outside) in his vest!

Family Affair

Packed our bags and said goodbye to No1 son and his family to go to No1 daughter's via cousin Kathy's where we had only time for a coffee. At Valérie's we celebrated No5 grandchild's birthady along with No2 son and his family. Still with me?

Spice of Life

As we'd heard that Alain, an old friend of Christian's from his student days had also had heart problems, we went round to see him and compare notes. In the afternoon Frank, Stéphanie and all the kids came for tea and in the evening Valérie served up a great tajine. We always seem to time our visits after they've been on holiday and thus benefit from Valérie's wish to try out some of the things they'd eaten. This time they'd been trekking in Morocco.

Yet More Roast beef

Still very cold but we had to go and shop for this evening's dinner which we're in charge of. Lunch time we were invited to Léon and Christine's (in-laws)for lunch and yet another joint of beef.
Quite by chance we'd learnt a couple of days before that there was to be a visit to the orphanage (now a centre for children with disabilities)where Christian spent several very long years and it was to be followed by a reunion with some of the former "inmates". We were expecting a lot of upset but while the outside looked much the same, the inside was completely different so painful memories didn't surface. Everyone was more interested in what the others had been doing since they'd last seen each other. The afternoon had been organised by someone who had used Gilbert's (Christian's best friend in those days)memoires to write a book about the place. Of course there were copies on sale and Christian being Christian sweetly asked the author if there was a discount for the little orphans that he'd written about! We came away with a copy at half price.

More Roast Beef

Woke up to snow but we braved the weather to go to the market in Montivilliers and to have lunch with Christophe in a local créperie. In the evening we were reinvited to Sylvie and Christophe's where we had another roast beef meal and a good laugh about the mix up.

Olde Worlde

On duty as baby-sitters this morning so we took the bors to the market and had hot chocolate and a game of dominoes in the local bar. You can just about see the owner sitting at her desk collecting in her money like someone out of Dickens. The chocolate is expensive but it's worth for the experience. On the way out we fell prey to Madame who was selling a book that she had written about the place and the famous people who have eaten and drunk there.
All this made us a bit late for lunch with Jeanine who fed us our first roast beef meal of the week. In the evening we thought we'd been invited to Sylvie and Christophe's (more cousins) only to find that Sylvie who was in Paris, thought we were coming in December! A bit of a relief really as another big meal would have finished us off.

Old Times

The sun is still shining and it's still cold. Had lunch of roast pork with cousins Lydie, Bernard and Jeanine after which there was time to get out the family album and look at photos of when they all lived together.

Normandy Shores

Sailed into Le Havre after a reasonable nights sleep more or less on time. Of course, chez Christophe everyone was out going about their daily business. We took ourselves off to Fecamp for a walk in the sun but my goodness it was cold; Searched aimlessly for somewhere out of the town to eat but what with it being a Monday in November we ended back close to the house before we found something. Spent the afternoon quietly and the evening in the busom of the family.

High Seas

Left Margaret's after a Sunday fry-up and went back to Jill's to pack, have a sandwich lunch and say our fond farewells. Called into Chris and Rosie's to say goodbye to them and Mum before heading south to take the overnight ferry. Weather was miserable but I braved the outdoors to try and take some photos of the "Spinnaker" but with rather strange results!

Yet More Wedding Bells

Our fourth wedding this year was a great mixture of tradition and innovation. The bride was in white, the groom in a morning suit, there were a host of bridesmaids and two best men. The venue however, was the Nottingham Playhouse which meant that we all had comfotable seats for the speeches and no need to crane our necks. The reception for 200 people was in a local tapas bar. Sign of the times ... we couldn't wait until 1am for the bus getting a taxi instead back to Margaret's. It was a really good do but David was sadly missed.

Happy Families

As it was Mum's day, we bit the bullet and headed for Banbury, TK Max and Aldi. Needless to say, nothing jumped off the rails and into my arms. We had lunch in what I suppose would be called a gastro pub where Christian gave the sign his seal of approval. Had dinner with Jill, John and the kids and very good it was too.

Hoi Poloi

Took Mum over to Daylesford (those of you who read the Sunday broadsheets will know that this is the Cotswold Farm shop frequented by the rich and famous and of course a few nobodys like us). We had hoped to see one of the restaurant staff, a young Goan who became friendly with Mum when she and Barbara could still afford to come here for tea but unfortunaltely he as having to work elsewhere so it wasn't possible. Generously and a bit embarrassingly, he picked up the tab for our coffee. Hope the staff discount is a heafty one.
We had lunch of an eye-wateringly expensive sandwich in Stowe which arrived after a long wait but what do you expect from a Cotswold tourist village beloved of the green welly brigade?
After dropping Mum at home we joined John and Jill for a Chinese meal that more than made up for lunch.

A word to Santa?

At last, a lazy start to the day with a walk around the town and lunch at the Bell which has now become a regular stop when we're in the area.took a trip to the garden centre in the afternoon, admired the Christmas decorations and had tea.

Crossing Counties

A very cold and misty start to the day but that didn't stop us from having a wee walk and admiring the countryside. Went into Hay to see Di in her natural habitat before setting off for leafy Warwickshire. Stopped off in Ross-on-Wye for lunch and then at the Evesham garden centre for tea and a browse through the shops in hope of finding a stunning outfit for the weddind on Saturday. Arrived at Mum's to a 'I thought you'd got lost' kind of welcome and stayed for tea before heading over to Jill and John's.

Sea Breezes

Had a lovely walk along the prom and pier in welcome sunshine then after a quick lunch we set the GPS toward the Welsh border. It was a long drive to deliver Diana's painting but we were well recompensed with a good pheasant dinner..

Boating Weather?

A walk in the morning, then lunch with Jean, Nadine, Bruno and Christine chez Agnès. All too soon it was time to leave for the ferry in the wind and rain that had started up again. Met up with Valérie, Hugo and Maureen just long enough to hand over a few goodies. Believe it or not the centre of Le Havre is a UNESCU World Heritage site. Of course, like everywhere it looks better in sunshine.
Armed with our ipods the voyage went quickly enough and we arrived at Bob and Chris's in Bounemouth in time for a late supper at 10.30pm. Finally made it to bed for 2am after a couple of wee drams; Well, Bob is a Scot ...

Calvadosland

The weather was every bit as bad today as yesterday but we travelled on ever further north to have lunch with Christian's godmother who was widowed a year ago. Her husband was 95 when he died and she is 90 this year. There was absolutely no question of going to the restaurant when she could cook. She is just one of those strong, amazing women who always find that there is something to be thankful for. I feel such a wimp in comparison!
From there it wasn't too long a drive to the town that we are twinned with. Stayed with Agnès and had dinner with several of the others chez Martine and Michel.... and what a feast!Martine really goes to a lot of trouble to feed her guests and we just loved it!

GPS set to Fair

It's Christian's feast day today but you'll know all about that from previous posts and we left the village heading north in beautiful sunshine. Had lunch in a local brasserie in Marmande (also a variety of tomatoes, if you're interested). By the time we arrived the other side of Nantes, it was raining heavily and very winidy. The hotel looked splendid from the outside but the rooms were disappointigly ordinary. The upside was that dinner was good but downside was that the wine was very expensive.

Armistice

Here in France today is a public holiday and every village, town and city has its parades and commemorations. By now you'll know the routine - we attended two ceremonies, one in each part of the commune; each with a refreshment afterwards. I found today's particularly moving as the Mayor had written a poem dedicated to women and their often ignored contribution. In both villages he received sponaneous applause. When I have time, I might even put it on the blog for you all to see. The weather is glorious and not in the least cold.
Being a holiday we decided to eat at the local auberge ... any excuse!
Did you hear the news report of the near diplomatic incident in China? David Cameron who is on a visit there was wearing a poppy and the Chinese thought it was a reference to the 19th century opium wars. Don't know if it had an effect on the rather meagre number of contracts he's come away with. Sarkozy, on the other hand, did very well which considering all the problems over Tibet between the the two countries last year makes you wonder what's been given in exchange. Maybe I'm just being an old cynic.
Jesper came around for a drink this evening and now it's time for a relatively early night, so "goodnight, one and all".

Buenos Dias!

Two magpies, two cormorants that wouldn't stay still long enough for a photo, a jay and lots of ducks were this morning's tally of wild life at the lake. I'm still continuing with my "Coffee Break Spanish" podcasts as I walk but goodness knows if I'll ever get to the point of being able to speak put it into practice. Christian is walking a little faster so he at least can see some benefit.
Spent the rest of the day, baking two Christmas cakes; a bit late I know. This evening we met up with Thérèse, Joan, Linde and another couple at the local wine bar where there was gypsy guitar music. We've an early start tomorrow for the Armistice Day ceremonies so no more blethering, I'll away to my bed.

Best Foot Forward

No walk this morning as Christian had an appointment with the chiropodist at 8.30am. After that we did one or two errands in the town where we bumped in to Patrick and Jany and then Linde so we all went for a coffee. There was even time to go and see Josette before Christian's appointment with his GP. While Christian was at his meeting this evening, I went along to a meeting to hear how Linde and Marie had fared in the Congo where they went to take the 3 manioc mills which had been bought from fundraising efforts from here. It's realy great what the Association has achieved in such a short space of time and of course they've come back having identified more need, particularly in the area of secondary education for girls.

Marianne and her Faithful Friend

As last Monday was a public holiday, Christian's surgery was postponed until today. Ipods at the ready we set off to wait for customers who never came. Of course, we had a meal at the local restaurant and we were the only two in there if you don't count the cat.
Marianne, by the way, is the name given to the bust (also the figure head on French stamps)that you find in every Mairie.

Phew!!!

Finally, at last, enfin, the blog is up to date!! I say that deserves a cuppa .....

81 Years Ago

Happy Birthaday to Mum who is doing well and looking forward to day out with Mary. This photo was taken when she was here a couple of weeks ago, so you can get much more up-to-date than that. Hope that I look as good at her age.
Our Saturday was as usual apart from lingering a long time over our glass of wine at the market - the fault of Jacques and Mireille. As the weather was fine, we stopped off at the bar and had lunch on the terrace. Worked on the blog all afternoon and now there's only 10 days to catch up with.

Hola

Today it was the first session of the Spanish Workshop. Have to say that despite my efforts with the podcasts, I was pretty lost among the others who coming from here have something of a head start! Finally managed to spend some time on the blog, too much Christian would say, but I've caught up at over a month's worth of posts.

Chimchiminchimcimcheree!

I'm not sure that I like the new Thursday morning regime. Committee meeting from 9-10.30am followed by the language exchange, programmed to finish at 12 noon. Of course having cut down the time, it ran over so it was quite late by the time we managed to get everyone out. I now have a lot of sympathy with the bar staff in Glasgow who were for ever telling us to "do your talking whlie you're walking!"Had the chiminey swept this afternoon even though the sweep said that it didn't need it but here if you don't do it every year, your insurance is invalid. A do-it-yourself job doesn't count either as it needs to be done by a registered sweep.
Had a walk with Jany this afternoon, she's still depressed and on my return belatedly started soaking the fruit for my Christmas cake.

Is it really November?

Even though today was meant to be our day together, Christian went early to the Mairie for a meeting with the printer of the commune's newsletter. Still, I know that it's a relief for him to finally get it away so I didn't give him any grief. Eventually made it to Figueres where the shops were still open and had a stroll around in the glorious and very warm sunshine (24°). More by luck than judgement we found ourselves at a very pleasant restaurant in Palau Severada where we ate out on the terrace. Definitely one that ticks the must-go-again box.
Once home it was off to the museum to remove Margaret's paintings and in the evening there was a get together with the neighbours for a castenyade (roast chestnuts). This year's theme was les pommes/pommes de terre (ie apples and potatoes). My apple cake went straight fromthe oven to the table but as we were outside, it had time to cool. It was incredible; we were out until nearly 11pm and it was only then starting to feel cold.

Weather Update

Still very windy but with temperatures of 18° and just look at dear old Canigou in all it's splendour.

High Winds

Despite this being a public holiday, there was no slacking for us. Off to the lake for a good walk to find that the wind had brought down several trees. Later we called in at Patrick and Nicole's where we were invited for an apéritif and then there was another one in the evening at Michel's. No comment!