Moving into Autumn

28.9.14:

Christian was on duty this morning representing the Mairie at charity event in aid of cystic fibrosis. It was just a question of buying a coffee, some raffle tickets and showing face. Rather than come home, we decided to go to Latour de France where Pierre-Louis Marin (a new michelin star chef) has opened a restaurant. "La Fabrique plm" is more of a community facility with space for events, a bar, wifi point, tourist info and more affordable prices than his flagship restaurant "L'Auberge du Cellier" in Montner. http://www.aubergeducellier.com/  They also do the meals for the primary school kids. Lucky them.  The food was fine, if a little heavy for September hereabouts and there was a pleasant terrace to sit out on but we wouldn't go back especially to eat there. Kids with nothing else to do than zoom up and down on their motorbikes rather spoilt it. http://www.lafabriqueplm.fr/ and this house is rather quainter than the modern building that housed the restaurant 
Weather:
23° Cloudy, a little sun, rain showers after lunch becoming torrential in the evening

Headlines:

• Apparently, the Air France strike is over with the company no changing their plans to develop "Transavia" low cost flights in Europe which had been the bone of contention. 
• Partial elections to the Senate have resulted in a move to the right with 2 seats for the FN

27.9.14:
Christian's had a sore leg for a few days and still hasn't shaken off his cough but will he do anything? No ... he's a stubborn so and so.
Went to the supermarket instread of the market - now there's a fun activity for a Saturday. Got back in time for a glass of wine in the village and spent the rest of the day doing nothing much at all.
Weather:
24° Sun with the tramontane blowing later in the afternoon
Headlines:
Air France pilots' strike goes into its 13 day

26.9.14:

My goodness, it was hot in Maggie's garden for the MacMillan/Cancer Support France coffee morning that she organised. There were about 30 folk there all told, only three of whom were French. Luckily I was on selling raffle tickets and didn't have to mingle too much. Still the morning ended with a couple of G & Ts and 485€ was raised to boot, so it was bearable.
The association had its AGM this evening and I did my bit as translator. Christian meantime was at an apéritif for the retirement of a long serving fire officer.
Ended the evening at the restaurant with Nany, André, Jean-Jacques, Michèle and Henri to celebrate our wedding anniversary. All very pleasant!
Weather:
25° Sunny

25.9.14:

Same old Thursday to start off with - language exchange, bar for an apéritif then lunch al fresco at the restaurant. Made a couple of cakes in the afternoon; one to take to André and Nany's this evening and one for Maggie's coffee morning tomorrow.
At long last Nany managed to get us all together this evening for the handing - over - of - the - pot ceremony by way of a thank you to David and Laura for their hospitality last May. It was no ordinary pot from over the border but a rather splendid affair that weighs an absolute ton. Laura is talking about taking it back with them to put in the hall ...... and to think that we thought we could go for something that they could use here so didn't stint on either size or weight.
Weather:
24° Sun

24.9.14:
Went for a coffeee this morning to escape the frustrations of a non-connecting internet. In the afternoon I went to Perpignan with Lynn to act as interpreter at her outpatient's appointment.
Weather:
23° Sun
Headlines:
A French mountain guide beheaded by extemists in Algeria

23.9.14:

Spanish this morning but we didn't really get down to work. Even after a couple of years, Paul remarked that I pronounced every word that I read out wrong. ¡Ay, Dios mío!
Called by the Mairie to see Dick and Lidy,  Dutch  members of the association who were getting married.
In the afternoon there was a ceremony as in every other village in France, to mark the 1st World War. Not to glorify war but to recognise the loss and suffering that came with it.
Christian had a Council meeting this evening which left him in need of winding down over something to eat at the bar which gave us an excuse to try out their new menu. 
Weather:
23° Sunny but cloudy later and chilly in the evening
Headlines:
Fiasco - Three presumed jihadists who should have arrived in Paris from Turkey arrived in Marseilles but the Turkish governement had not informed the French authorities! The three men walked into a small Gendarmerie not far from Montpellier and gave themselves up, surprised that there had been no one to take them in when they touched down. To add insult to French pride, the passport control's computer programme was down so there had been no alert which, of course, they couldn't blame on the Turks.

22.9.14:

A call from Michel to say that I could have a hair appointment with Sylvie, leaving from their house in 15 minutes, saw me throw on whatever was to hand and get out of he house without a scrap of makeup. At the best of times  I hate having to look at myself  with plastered down hair going lighter by the minute and clown eyebrows going darker at the same rate - not a pretty sight - no makeup and I see an escapee from the little house of horrors in those huge  hairdresser's mirrors. Still, 2½ hours later I was able to confront the outside world. Christian came to pick me up and we went to Cantallops, which means "cry of the wolves" for lunch. Nothing pretentious but it was fine. In the evening there was a lengthy meeting at the Mairie about the old Mairie project and for a change it was Christian who was at home waiting to eat.
Weather:
25° Cloudy