Eat, Drink and be Merry

21.10.13:The first apéro was at lunch time; well, it wouldn't have been at breakfast,do I hear you say? Anyway, Dominique came around to see a small DIY job in the house at the right time so ...... Then, this evening Jean and Françoise phoned to say that they were coming over with oysters for Christian. Fortunately, I was able to russle up some nibbles that saw us through a very pleasant evening.

22.10.13:
Oh dear, I should check my mobile phone more frequently. We went off  to meet Anne, who helps me with Spanish and had invited us for lunch. The restaurant is a modern, characterless one on a commercial estate whiched is saved by a pretty view on one side. Anne, is normally on time so after 10 minutes watching  the hors d'œuvres buffet disappearing fast, I phoned her to find that she'd left a message on the mobile saying she was not well. There was nothing else to do but to stay and order. The buffet was disappointing (shame as I just love buffet starters) and the rest of the meal not very interesting.
23.10.13:
Lunch at the restaurant and then back again in the evening for an apérobio with "les anglaises" taken out on the terrace.
24.10.13:
This evening we were invited to Jeannine and André's for dinner, along with Michelle, Henri, Laura and David. Although you wouldn't know from the weather, that it's autumn, the menu gave it away.
Chestnut and pumkin soup, duck and potato pie, sweet chestnut purée and Berry dessert and cheese, of course. We didn't get anything decided about next year's trip to Scotland; even the dates are up in the air what with the municipal élections in March and the Europeans in May.
25.10.13:

Finally,  the last of the Association's stuff (the booze) was collected as it was needed for the apéritif after tonight's AGM.. How good it was to be able to just turn up. All went well and there was even an acknowledge of my contribution to the Association's success, which was nice. The meal afterwards which started with a far superior buffet than the last one that we'd had, was spent in the company of Michelle and Henri was a pleasant end to the evening.

Border Patrol

Along with loads of other people, young and old from Catalunya North and South, we made our annual pilgrimage to the Monument to Lluis Campanys. Follow this link for more information about his life and excecution by the Franco regime http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llu%C3%ADs_Companys  The weather was good, the flame of liberty arrived by motocycle escort (photo), there were speaches, wreaths laid, music and an al fresco meal. There was a great ambiance and much talk of next year's referendum on independance.
As dessert was a piece of fruit and a bit of prepacked cake, we went down into the village with the Mayor, his wife and grandson for an icecream. We lingered out in the restaurant garden, enjoying lovely, warm sunshine. Our current weather is such a bonus for this time of year. Long may it continue.

Three in a Row

16.10.13: Today was one of those "Blue Peter" days as I couldn't put off decorating our door for autumn any longer. It would be impossible to be  the only neighbour not to participate. Sadly I can't claim this work of art hung at the beginning of the street, our effort was much more modest

17.10.13:
Jean-Jacques birthday though I won't tell you which one it was. Can you guess from the photo? He's the one in the middle. Anyway, that was the evening, before that there was a lunch al fresco at the restaurant for just the three of us.

18.10.13:
Had our second trip to the restaurant today, this time for dinner on a mushroom/chestnut  theme,
accompanied by this season's wine. Can't say that I'm a great fan of  "vin primeur" but I did my best to help finish the bottle. Robert joined us for the meal but for some unknown reason we were only 12 people there for the menu.
19.10.13:
Yes, it's Saturday and as you'll know by now, Saturday is market day. As usual we didn't do any shopping and as usual we joined friends (David and Laura) for an apéritif out in the sunshine. There was something to eat in the fridge so there was no excuse to eat out and that came as no hardship after all our restaurant visits over the last few weeks.
This evening we'd just settled down in front of the tv when we received a phone call from Michelle and Henri who wanted us to join them at the restaurant. Yep, that's right, we did, making it the 3rd time in as many days. Tonight, however, I just had a starter size salad and Christian only had two courses. The evening finished with a nightcap back at ours.

Grannies on Wheels

Drove Mum and Maueen to the airport where we handed them over to the assisstance people who took charge of them, whizzing them through check-in and off to departures. It's the way to do it. No worries or stress for them and no drawn out goodbyes for us.
Have yet to find an interesting eating place either in the vicinity of the airport or on the route home, so we drove a little farther on to St Colomers which is equally enthusiastic for independence. Had the intention of going to the nice restaurant where we've been a couple of times before but we were out of  luck though as it was their day off. Contented ourselves with the hotel Pinxo which provided us with a decent simple meal for 16€ all in.

Golden Girls

8.10.13: Mum and Maureen arrived by good old Ryanair.
9.10.13: Left Mum and Maureen to settle in this morning and this aftenoonr we strolled around the village and visited the two art exhibitions. With a few feelings of guilt, we abandoned our charges this evening as we'd been invited to James and Beverley's for an apéritif and for him to give André a painting that he had done of him. James's son Guy was also there and he's as exhuberant as his Dad so conversation was lively. The evening rolled out as one would expect until a jug of water was put on the table. Once Beverley mentioned an after apéritif stroll, we took the cue and made to leave. James, Beverley and Guy accompanied me on foot while Jeannine and André dropped Christian off. The next bit was really funny ... we asked them in for a drink before they set off back home .... two bottles of cava later, they left!
10.10.13: For once, we decided on a day out in France rather than over the border. Had coffee and a stroll in the sun in Collioure,  lunch in Port Vendres and then a stroll along the prom in Argeles to aid the digestion. Then this evening Jean and Françoise came

over for an apéritif dinatoire and did a grand job entertaining our visitors.
11.10.13: Spanish this morning and then it was into the car and off for lunch, this time over the border. An ordinary sort of meal but the grilled meat found favour. Decided on a bit of retail therapy in the afternoon at the new shopping centre. Christian left us to it until tea time which we took on site. What a disaster .... Mum's tea was too weak, too milky and cold, the service was off hand and the grumbles wound me up no end. Giving the centre a second chance wasn't the best idea that I've ever had; should have stuck with first impressions. This time, it is really "never again"
1210.13: Market day with Mum and Maureen going off to do their own thing while we bumped into people every 20m and ended up taking a succession of apéritifs. Firstly with Henri and Michelle, then Jean and then Jean-Jacques and his friends Dominique and Alain. Mum and Maureen finally caught up with us and didn't say "no" to a wee refreshment before we all went back to the village for lunch at the bar.
13.10.13: Made an early start this morning. Mum and Maureen went off to Mass, Christian went to a conference about cork and I went to help out at the Association's stall at the October Fair. It was lovely and sunny and there were loads of people to talk to. Have to say that organisation has gone to pot since I've left the committee  ...... how satisfying is that.? Very, says a smug little me!
James had a stall too selling his paintings and doing a demonstration. Maureen bought one of his paintings and she and Mum came away with a couple of freebie prints. As well as the forum, there was a carboot sale, dj, zumba demonstration, food market and human towers. Of course, there was the possibility of eating there which normally we would have done but Christian was eating with the VIPs from the conference at the restaurant and the arabic style meal was a definite "no, no" for Mum. We three  went to the bar and for the 2nd day running, Mum had ham and chips. Sorry to harp on but it's so frustrating not really finding anything to suit.
14.10.13: Our last full day before Mum and Maureen leave so we attempted another day with lunch out. Firstly to the village where they make espaidrilles, then the scenic route over the border where we stopped for a coffee in the square in Maçanet. Idependence flags were much in evidence. From there we went on to the lake for lunch. Mum was happy with what was on offer and it showed; us less so and it probably showed.

Dodging the Rain

3.10.13: Ugh! Mammogram time again so yesterday I made acquaintance with the centre's new, state of the art  machine and what a brute it was. Don't know if it was the machine or the radioographer but for the first time ever I came away with bruises. Rain, supermarket shopping and a meeting to prepare for next year's elections for Christian then finally an omelette at the bar. whilst there we got talking to another couple (friends of Vanessa and Keith, that's a reminder for me and not in the least bit of interest for you) who came back to ours for a nightcap along with Robin and Di who we picked up along the way.
4.10.13: Even more rain today and my goodness it was heavy. There
were two vernissages, back to back,  then a quiz and meal at the restaurant. With Henri and Michelle we came second; not bad given that the theme was "the cinema" and none of us are film buffs. Of course, at the end of it, it was back to ours for a nightcap.
5.10.13: Rain never stays for long here  and today the sun is back. We went off to the market and met up with several Celtic friends and Martine who's birthday it was. Had an apéritif al fresco, needless to say. Spent a quiet afternoon and then this evening attended the first Téléthon event. As well as fund raising, it was also the swansong of the kids' theatre group.
6.10.13: Christian was due to cook scallops for lunch today but after a drink in the bar we decided to go to the restaurant instead.
7.10.13: Had the scallops, today cooked by the masterchef himself. We thoroughly enjoyed them before Mum's arrival tomorrow and a week of plain fare.

The Games Afoot!

Horror of Horrors, an anonymous letter against the Maire and several others on the Mairie has been received by several people in the village.  The content was personal and base and the Gendamerie are investigating. Problem is, how will we ever find out who's responsible?
This evening there was a bit of (light??) relief as the committee took us to the restaurant in the village as recognition of what we've done for the Association. now there's a thing, if ever there was one!

Music in the Air

Yesterday was the first day of being a bit more energetic, christian is taking the long way round to collect the paper and I've dusted off the treadmill.
Today, Christian had his evening meeting at the Mairie and I reluctantly attended a meeting for the Congolese education  project. Couldn't wait to get away for the Ist of the season guitar evening in the bar. What would you know, it was warm enough to sit outside!