Most of the day was spent preparing for the Association's AGM this evening. Mostly it went well apart from someone going home in a huff because we needed to be reminded to thank her for her help. Oh dear! It was all a bit over the top and I almost regretted having put myself up for re-election!
These last two days have been spent making chutney therefore there wasn't time to do more than put the foie gras that Joséphine bought for us in Samatan in the freezer. in the evening David and Laura took us up to a refuge up in the mountains for dinner. It was warm enough to eat out and the views were spectacular. Only blot on the landscape was a table of Brits who tried to get into conversation with us but we slung them a deafie! One of them had rather loudly told us that he was a retired vet so I presume that the slice of ham that his wife wrapped up in a napkin was for a pet waiting patiently at home.
20 year's ago today the sun shone on us as we walked down to the registry office to tie the knot. Today, was also a sunny day and pleased to say, we're still happy together. Marked the day with a good lunch out. What else?
Finally made it to the market and finally caught up with Jacques and Yaneth before they head back to Paris. While having coffee at the bar, there was a procession of traditional Catalan giants accompanied by a band of musicians. A little while later the skies opened and the rain came down in abundance.
Yesterday passed predictably with Christian at the Mairie and me at an association committee meeting and language exchange. We came together at the bar for aglass of wine and ate left-overs for lunch.
The sun came back yesterday and an engineer came out to fix the telephone. We didn't hang around this time hoping for it to sort itself out so normal sevice was soon resumed.
Yesterday was quiet, calm and wet so we spent the day quietly recovering. Today dawned brighter but cool in the wind. 16 of us from the Association gathered at the local campsite for a boules match. All went well, no one complained about the meal so I went home relieved.
No market this morning as we needed to get ready for Ben and Sandrine's wedding to which Gina, and Joséphine gave us a lift. The mairie first followed by the church but as Ben's parents are atheist, we went with them for a coffee during the religious bit. The weather was menacing so instead of the "Vin d'honneur" being al fresco up in the mountains we all gathered in the local village hall. A fizz cocktail and a generous spread of delicious canapés. Came back to the village and went to the bar where the ever hungry Christian had omlette and chips. We three just looked on
Had a pretty drive home in the sun, visiting Rupit on the way. A really charming village which can be accessed by a swing bridge. Had a late lunch at Mas Salelles which was as good as ever. This evening Christian had a Council meeting so life was quickly back to normal.
First of all, a leisurely breakfast then off to explore Vic where Christian replaced the wedding ring he'd lost when he'd lost weight. Visited Estany, a pretty village followed by lunch in a down - to - earth hostal. A snooze in the shade, another picturesque drive and back to prepare ourselves for the gastronomic menu.
I'm actually writing this on 24th October and I know at least two people have been wondering what's been happening. Sorry to have left you in the dark ... we're fine, just been busy being busy! Just read on and all will be revealed sooner or later depending on how much of everyday life gets in the way. ...........................................................................................................
it via the internet for it's "look" and promise of good food. The chairs in the dining room were seats from an old cinema and when conversation flagged, there were plenty of other interesting things to look at. We had the menu of the day which was far from run of the mill, so we started with a glass of fizz (funnily enough a Blanquette de Limoux was on offer rather than cava) and moved on to...
Just for a change rather than go to the restaurant at lunch time we had a picnic up in the mountains. It was even cool and the views were just magnificent. In the early evening Christian had a Council meeting and we waited patiently at home in front of an apéritif before going to the local bar for a meal afterwards. Mum's treat.
A new bar/restaurant owned by a local caterer with a very good reputation opened today near our local supermarket . Thought we should check it out at lunch time. Purpose built with a superb view, the food was good and not expensive. Pity it's only open during the day but I suppose despite the view not everyone wants to eat out at a commercial centre! Still, it will be handy when we want to do the shopping and eat simply at the same time.
While Mum and Maureen went to Mass, we went to the bar for a coffee and not wanting to miss out on their daily fix of either Muscat or Banyuls, they came to join us once they'd breakfasted on the croissants that Christian had bought them. No, they weren't a Sunday treat, he's been getting them everyday. No wonder Mum thinks he's a nice guy! Believe it or not, we ate at home this lunch time 'confit de canard'. All this activity meant that a siesta was called for before we could think of going out again. As you can see from the photo, the weather wasn't as bright as it has been so we just went to the lake and had a stroll around, stopping near the restaurant on the way by to watch a tea dance in progress. Another apéro in the bar before eating at home. Please note, that's twice in one day!
Another crowded market day and after getting our two charges fixed up with fans, Christian and I left them to their own devices. We wandered around the town like tourist's and like tourists we had our photo taken in front of the fountain. Mum and Maureen didn't manage to get lost so arrived at the appointed time at the bar for an apéritif. Weather still warm and sunny so we decided to go the restaurant of a nearby campsite and eat there rather than come home and cook. Another reason was that the Association is having a game of boules and lunch there soon so it meant that I could finalise a few details at the same time. rest in the afternoon and a wee stroll before the inevitable apéro at the bar, completed the day.
Christian had a day off, well from the Mairie any way, to go out with his household of women. First stop was Capmany to stock up on Cava to take to baby Isla's christening.
busy so we carried on to Cap Creus where we had breathtaking views over a beautiful blue sea. There's a restaurant and bar serving simple food so we plonked ourselves down on the terrace and gazed out to the horizon.
Gave the Association a miss this morning although I did take Mum and Maureen 
along to the bar to meet up with everyone at lunch time. Christian had an appointment with the cardiologist this afternoon and he was pleased to note that things were better than he'd hoped. The leak has not become any worse and his heart is less enlarged so that was good news.
Mum and Maureen arrived at Girona airport this afternoon having had a trouble free flight. Did a wee bit of food shopping on the way back as it's not so easy to wing it when there 4 mouths to feed. Toddled along to the bar for an apéritif and to enjoy the evening sun after they'd settled in to their usual rooms. Just hope that they'll be able to deal with the temperatures that are in store for us (30°+)
Christian had his usual meeting at the Mairie this evening and I went along to a meeting where I started my sponsorship of a young Congolese woman. The aim is to enable 14 young women to get a secondary education because needless to say it's the boys with in the family who normally benefit. just a small way of valourising women and hopefully helping to lay a foundation for the future. We've already had a couple of local and national grants , have direct links with an association in DRC and are sure that the money will go to where it is meant to. Christian put his hand in his pocket too and gave a donation so if any of you, dear readers, feel the same way inclined, please let me know!.
Once again it's the first Monday of the month so after a fairly quiet day with only a "go" on the treadmill to liven it up we drove up into the mountains for Christian's surgery. He spent a lonely couple of hours while I went to catch up with Annette and admire the passionflower growing around her front door.
There was more rain over night so it was a little cooler this morning. As we were to have lunch with a number of others (15) up in the mountains we decided to go a little earlier and have coffee in a little village over the border. Lunch was in honour of Nicholai, the Roumanian artist and there were three other artists in the company. 
Before lunch there was an apéritif in Eric and Kathy's garden just down the road from the restaurant. There was also the possibilty to look around his studio. Lunch was good, as usual and as usual I had the duck. Then it was back to the house for coffee and petit fours in the garden, accompanied by Jean and Michel on acoustic and electric guitar.
Despite feeling tired after two nights of merrymaking, there was no let up today. The market in the morning after washing up all night's glasses. Met Joséphine and had an apéritif and were persuaded (without much effort) to go back to hers to have a pot luck lunch. It's been really hot and humid and at last some rain came down as we sat on their terrace tucking into pork chops and tomato salad. It didn't last for long but at least it was enought to save watering the plants.
score than we might have expected after the first 15 minutes. I know it's a bit clichéd but the ref made some very odd decisions against the Dragons but we would say that wouldn't we?
Oh dear, the computer was down for four days but thank goodness we were able to pick up our messages at the bar which has a wifi connection. Thursday 3 people from the service provider team came out to fix it. Not quite sure what they were all doing but we were told that call outs weren'talways so top heavy.
