An Unhappy Start to the Week

29.8.14

Met Hortense (now, that's someone that you've never heard of before), for a coffee to talk about advancing a service at her local Mairie offering help to anglophones. A larger than life character, with a similar outlook to myself, I thoroughly enjoyed our meeting. After two hours discussion, we were joined briefly by Christian and Michel but we didn't linger much longer, not even having a glass of wine.
The afternoon followed its usual pattern and then in the evening we went over to the bar to hear Laurent (in the hat), singing. The terrace was well packed but we were both pleased that we'd not eaten there as the chicken and tagliatelle didn't look at all appertising. Ended the evening with a last glass of wine at Michel's and for Christian and our host, a fried egg and bread!
Weather:
27° Cloudy with the occasional spot of rain

28.8.14:

Went for my usual coffee at the bar before going to the Language Exchange and took this photo of the swallows assembling and getting ready for the off. They were not just on the electric cables but were hanging onto the church tower too.
There were only six of us at the Language Exchange but it was more interesting than the last one that I went to. Christian was already at the bar sitting with Jean-Jacques, Nany and André when I arrived and we all ended up staying for lunch. The company was a lot better than the food I have to say. After Christian's siesta, we went to collect his blood test results and called in to see Michèle and Henri. Back in the village, the swallows had gone.
Weather:
29° Sun

27.8.14:
Had a meeting this morning with Annie who wants to learn English. She spoke about once a week but I'm not convinced that she'll stay the course. This afternoon, after a long absence, we made it over to Juste and Joséphine's only to find a houseful. Unexpectedly, they found themselves taking in their son and daughter-in-law,  two couples and two small children in addition to their daughter, her partener and baby who have been there for 10 days already! Chaos reigned but it was happy chaos and I was just so thankful it wasn't chez nous. Looking back, I don't know how we managed similar situations when we first moved here. There again, we were a whole lot younger.
Weather:
29°
Headlines:
Intermarché, a nearby supermarket burned down.

26.8.14:
Well, you just never know what's around the corner. On our way over to the bar for a coffee we met the local beekeeper (he, that Michel's ex-wife "went off" with but who had since dumped her for someone else) in a real state. His new partener died at the weekend in a freak accident when they were out mushroom hunting. She slipped and fell face first into shallow water and drowned.Just too awful to think about it.
Weather:
29° Sun
Headlines:
Christian Bourquin, President of the Regional Council died from cancer aged 60.

25.8.14:

Christian's tum is still not right but he went to the Mairie for a short time all the same. I had a session of physio which has moved up a gear to take in exercises as well as massage. Difficult at times especially, as the physio says, I'm not very supple. Met Nancy on the way back and we had coffee together. This afternoon Christian and I went into town and had a cuppa before calling in on Jean and Françoise who offered us something stronger and introduced us to their new pets.
Weather:
26° Sun
Headlines:
New governement to be formed after Montebourg (Economy Minister) and Hamon (Education Minister) are sacked for speaking out against Governement policy

Another Weekend

24.8.14:
Apart from a coffee at .... where else? ...... the bar .... we just pottered around at home as Christian had a funny tummy and wasn't feeling so good.
Weather:
25° Sun came through about midday 

23.8.14:

There was time this morning for a coffee at he bar before getting the leftovers out of the fridge for lunch. We'd invited Jean-Jacques and Michel to help out. Michel, who came straight from the market, came bearing oysters so there was still enough for doggie bags and then some.
Weather:
23° Early blue skies turning to grey later on.

22.8.14:

Well, we were really lucky last night to avoid the rain as today it just threw it down for most of the day. being made of stern stuff, a few drops of rain, albeit large ones, didn't get in the way of our trip to the bar for a change of scene. First of all there was a coffee and then a glass of wine with André, Jean-Jacques and Florence sitting out uon the terrace, protected from the elements by an awning. This afternoon, I took myself off to see Rowena who was on duty at her exhibition. Here's her website, if you're interested. http://quirkydotcom.com/ As I was waiting for the bus back, some folk from the village came by and gave me a lift though there was a bit of a hold up on the road back as people were trying to get a small digger out of the ditch. Still, I was back before the bus and I saved 1€ into the bargain!
This evening we braved the rain and went over to Kathy's for dinner and talk of forhcoming holidays.
Weather:
21° heavy rain and cloud

Unseasonal Weather

21.8.14:

Elsa left today for home and the bright lights of Paris. She's no trouble which is surprising for a 19 year old and coped very well with this exceptionally quiet time that we've been having. Christian drove her to the station in Perpignan and after doing a shop on the way back, we had a drink at the bar with the language exchange folk and lunch at the restaurant tête-à-tête. It was a pity that Elsa missed the outdoor Spanish song and dance evening that Christian sponsored as I think, it's something that she would have come to. By the time that the show finished just after 11.30pm, it had become a bit parky but at least the rain held off. By the time that we'd had an after-show supper with the artists and others, it was 2am by the time we made it to bed. There was enough food left over to see us through the next few days, yippee!
Weather:
23° Cloudy

20.8.14:
Rose early this morning to organise Elsa for a hike with folk from the village that she knows but lo and behold she decided at 7.15am that she didn't want go. Having showered and dressed, there was no question of going back to bed. It did mean, though, that I had time to get on with the organising the outstanding Finnish/English/French translations for a photo exhibition.
Jean and Françoise called in briefly.
Christian still breathless and sleeping for at least two ours every afternoon.
Weather:
24° cloud and rain on and off

19.8.14:
Physio this morning and Michel, who sorted my laptop which was running too slowly, for lunch. We'd been given some giant yellow and green courgettes that were just right for stuffing with a spicy chilli.
This evening there was an "apérobio" and Christian and the other blokes came along later. This heavy weather is playing havoc with his breathing so, I was pleased that he was able to make it.
Weather:
26° cloudy

18.8.14:

Today, Elsa and I took advantage of the bus which costs 1€ for any journey within the Département, to go into Perpignan for a bit of shopping. Waited paitently in shops that I wouldn't normally go into while Elsa tried on clothes and melted her plastic card. she wasn't interested in looking at any of the sights and architecture which surprised me for someone who wants to do animation design. Still, our route to the restaurant that I'd earmarked took us passed the Cathederal and Campo Santo, so all was not lost. "Le Figuier" did not disappoint. Reasonably well priced Mediterranean food eaten out on the terrace, shaded by olive trees. My kind of place!
http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g187156-d1141216-Reviews-Le_Figuier-Perpignan_Pyrenees_Orientales_Languedoc_Roussillon.html
Funny how  2 reviews, 2 days apart are so different on Tripadvisor.
Weather:
27° Sun, cloud and a shower of rain

17.8.14:

Coffee at the bar with Jean-Jacques but without Elsa. Fortunately she seems happy enough with her own company doing what ever she does in her room. This afternoon, I did manage to get her out for a walk but she felt that it was too hot, even at 4pm, to walk for more than an hour. still, as you can see, you don't have to go far to get an eyeful of great scenery.
Weather:
27°, sun

Champagne by the Pool

16.8.14:
Valérie et al left this morning for the next stage of their holidays and hoped that they wouldn't get caught up in the endless traffic jams which are an inevitable part of Saturdays during July and August. We, by contrast, only went as far as the market and were lucky enough to get a parking space. Elsa and I wandered around and called in to see Rowena before joining Christian, who, not having found Henri at the café, had been kicking his heels waiting for us.
This afternoon, Elsa and I wandered over to Maggie's again but this time, I didn't go in the pool. Instead, she and I polished off a bottle of champagne for no particular reason, other than it's a very pleasurable thing to do on Saturday afternoon. Walking back with her dogs helped deal with the guilt and extra calories.
Weather:
26°, sun and cloud later

Making Us Proud

Today was a public holiday - the Assumption - funny, that republican, lay France has so many holidays for religious reasons. As usual there was a 10km+ walk and giant paella. Valérie, Hugo, Jean-Jacques, Linda, Elsa and Maureen did the walk, (coming 5th out of 25 teams), while, Christian, Nancy, Nicole, Guilhaume, Emma  and I took the easy option and drove up. On getting back, while the others took it easy, I went off with Roger to Rowena and Cindy's vernissage.
Weather:
26°, overcast

End of a Long Haul

14.8.14:

Took the bus with Elsa, Nancy and Linda to the market. It was pleasant in the sun but there wasn't much to keep us occupied until the bus to go back. It got us back to the village in time for us to go to Michel's for apéritifs with Corinne and Philippe Jean-Jacques, Françoise and Bernard. Once again Elsa gave an invitation a body swerve.
This evening was fun there was an apéritif musicale with a  a really entertaining band from Brest who we're going around small villages with their families, setting up camp and playing for free during the summer holidays. All very travelling circus but without the animals, of course. Not feeling like leaving all the buzz and to celebrate Christian's homecoming, we stayed on at the bar for something to eat.
Weather:
26°, sun and cloud

13.8.14:

A session of physiotherapy then lunch with Nancy by way of a belated birthday treat for me. Christian came home to a warm welcome from Valérie,  having been discharged from Banyuls.
Weather:
24°, rain on and off

12.8.14:
Weather:
26°
Headlines:
Robin Williams committed suicide


11.8.14:

Went for a coffee at the bar this morning on my own as Elsa preferred the company of her tablet to mine. In the afternoon, we walked over to Maggie's for a dip in her pool. Yes, even me! My courage was rewarded by a cool glass of rosé; Elsa was more absteemious. Valérie and family arrived as planned in the early evening. The road had been long and dusty but for the next few days they can take it easy.
Weather:
26°, cloud and sunny spells

Life Outdoors

9.8.14:

While Elsa took herself off to the market on the bus, I did a Cinderella preparing lunch and putting the welcome home mat out for Christian.
André called by at the end of the afternoon and we ended up joining him, Nany and Martine down at the recreation ground for "Moules/frites". Elsa, as you might be able to see, prefered her iphone to our scinterlating conversation.
 




8.8.14:

A warm sunny day, spent getting organised for Elsa's arrival. With Christian in Banyuls, she had to get herself to a nearby village on the bus. Martine kindly picked her up and came in for an apéritif before we all went to the bar for a meal of tapas and an evening of flamenco. We were joined by Nicole and the Normans, so it was a very convivial table. The "no entry" sign was not part of the stage set; oh for photoshop unless anyone knows how to paint unwanted images out .....

Plodding On

7.8.14:

For the first time in many a week, I made it to the language exchange. Nothing has changed and really not worth the effort and sore back from sitting on a backless bench for an hour and a half. Had a reviving drink at the bar before going home to prepare dinner for 7 of us this evening.
My labours were interrupted by an unexpected visit from Manu (Christian's godson) and his family who are in the area on holiday.
It never ceases to amaze me how long it takes to prepare food and how I always over cater!
Apéro:
Cherry tomatoes, melon cubes, radish, tomato and cerrano toasts
Broccoli and Blue Cheese Quiche
Curried Chicken and Rice Salad
Potato, Broad Bean and Chorizo Salad
Green Salad (made by Nancy)
Peach Upside Down Cake
We gave the cheese a miss as we were on a time schedule and in any case didn't have any space left.
While the others went off to the for - one - night - only oudoor cinema, I cleared up and arrived for the interval. Felt far too tired to stay for the second half so went home to collapse into bed.
Weather:
29°, sun with cloud later

6.8.14:
Dominique gave me a lift over to Banyuls and even paid for lunch at Del Patio http://www.delpatio.fr/ I had decided that this week, I would only go over to see Christian once as he was getting home every weekend. Not such a good idea as he obviously felt a bit neglected. Hey ho!
fortunately, by the time that I phoned to say "goodnight" he was cheerier having gone down to the town for a coffee overlooking the sea.
Weather:
31°, sun and blue skies
 Headlines:
The media put Alistair Darling for "The Better Together" campaign slightly ahead after last night's first televised debate.


5.8.14:

Took the bus to have lunch with Michèle and Henri and of course, to catch up with news of their Australia trip. Henri drove me back in time for a seession at the physiotherapist's. Bumped into Nancy on the way back and had a cuppa with her and Lynda.
I feel a bit like these wee swallows do.
Weather:
28°, Cloudy
Headlines:
Baroness Warsi resigned over the Governement's policy towards to the war in Gaza as "morally indefensible" and its continued acceptance of arms sales to Israel.

4.8.14:
Only thing of interest today was a short debriefing about the transfrontier cycle race and apéritif at the Mairie.
Weather:
27°, rain and thunder later in the day

On Parole

3.8.14:

It was good having Christian home though there were moments when his breathing was difficult. He had last minute thoughts about going to our "twin's" annual transfrontier market even though we were getting a lift with André and Nany. André told him firmly to get in the car as he could just as easily spend the day sitting down in up there as sitting down at home! So, we that's what we did. The market had only 10 stalls, 3 of which were from here and at least another 45 folk went over the border to participate, more of us than of them! It's only tiny but a nice wee place. Chr sat in the shade all the time and was very restrained when faced with the apéritifs and tapas offered by the Mairie. 34 of us  sat down to lunch. It's a pity that they don't support us in the same way. Given that it was my birthday, Christian paid for all of us to have cava with dessert so with a red face I first listened to "Happy Birthday to you" in both French and English before saying a few well-chosen words. After Christian had gone back to Banyuls, I wandered over to the bar where there was music on and met lots of people. So all in all, it was a full day.
Weather:
28°, sunny with thunder storms in the afternoon

2.8.14:
Christian made his get-away from Banyuls after a lecture by the cardiologist which lasted nearly an hour and a half. On a Saturday, too! Arrived home in time for lunch after providing a taxi service for two other inmates who were coming this way. The afternoon was spent quietly by Christian while I translated something off the Harry Potter web site for a woman here who is a great fan. It took ages and frankly, I don't understand the appeal but there again I was never into fantasy. Well, not that kind anyway!
This evening Jean-Jacques, Jean and Françoise stopped by for an apéro and to see Christian, of course.
Weather:
26°, sun and heavy rain

Two Steps Forward, One Back

1.8.14:

This week has been more of the same but with strange weather, depressing news, and a few worries about Christian thrown in:

• Visits to Christian on Tuesday and Thursday, coming back with Brian and then Terry and Ann.
• Dinner of chilli with Nick and Lizzie on Monday
• Drink in the bar on Tuesday night with Nancy who is back in the vilage for the summer
• Dinner with David, Laura, Martine and Maggie at the restaurant on Thursday after which I went over to the bar to listen to the music and where I joined Nancy and her visitor, Lynda . The singer was mediocre, I have to say.
• Dinner chez Nancy on Friday
• Three sessions of physio for my back
• Had the front door painted
• Supermarket shopping with Maggie on Friday

Christian hasn't been so good although he doesn't really let on. He's been having difficulty with his breathing and is starting to accumulate a bit of water around his middle.

Weather:
28th: 24°, Rain in the afternoon
29th: 25°, Sunny 
30th: 28°, Sunny and windy
31st: 31°, Hot and sunny
1st: 28°,   Rain and thunder

Headlines:

• Heavy Israeli bombing in Gaza. Schools hit and the death toll is mounting rapidly
• Conflict in Libya intensifies with expats being evacuated
• Ebola deaths mounting with more African countries being affected
• 100th  anniversary of the outbreak of 1914-18 war in France