Forget the Diet!

19.12.14:

A day free of deadlines and enough leftovers in the fridge not to have to cook, so, what did I do but tackle an overflowing basket of ironing. Didn't give up until all was finished but it certainly left me with a sore back and feeling grumpy. Still, by the time I met up with some of the women from the all but defunct Congo association, for a last get-together, I was feeling on better form. We went to a local wine bar which has recently changed hands. Prices are higher and it took too long to get the food from a limited menu on the table. Tripadvisor has 5 out of 6 excellents and 1 mediocre. Interestingly, all 6 reviews were the first that the folk had written. http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g1080312-d6974168-Reviews-La_Cova-Saint_Jean_Pla_de_Corts_Pyrenees_Orientales_Languedoc_Roussillon.html  I'm reserving judgement.
Christian had a wee whisky and a tray on his lap and was all tucked up in bed when I arrived home.
Weather:
17°, sunshine

18.12.14:

A much reduced language exchange this morning and for my sins I found myself trying to deal with an English couple who speak really poor French and a French 82 year old on his first visit. He was dead pleased to learn a few very basic greetings but living on his own he was difficult to shut up long enough to get a word in edgeways. The group in the other room obviously had a lot more fun from the sound of it. There was only Maggie, Christian and I for a glass of wine afterwards and then just the two of us for lunch at the restaurant where I limited myself to a starter and a dessert. Christian went for broke!
Weather:
17°, sunny spells
Headlines:

• Obama normalising relations with Cuba at long last. 

• International Migrants Day http://www.un.org/en/events/migrantsday/

17.12.14:

Back to Perpignan today, this time on the bus with Ann and Lynn for a day's shopping. Started with a coffee of course, at the recently modernised Cafe de la Poste. Sadly, it's lost it's character and the staff were pretty offhand. The weather wasn't with us either as it rained more or less the whole time. The upside was that lunch at "Aux 3 Bambins" where I went last week, met with unanimous approval and I bought a short skirt and sparkly top for Christmas.
Christian and Jean-Jacques ate together at home after a morning at the Mairie and enjoyed a good bottle of red.
Abandoned him again this evening as it was the last French pronunciation workshop. Arrived to find the group who are there before us still enjoying their Xmas "do" so of course we were invited to join them. Couldn't do much else now, could we? Once they'd gone Hans (yes, we're being tutored by a German!) took us through our paces before we too broke out the cava and nibbles.
Weather:
14°, rain

16.12.14:

The visit to the cardio was uneventful. He was pleased with Christian's improved heart function and even more pleased with himself for being able to bring it about! We knew that it wasn't going to be an easy operation but it was obviously really, really difficult, so well done him!!
On the way home, we tried again to try the new restaurant in Céret and for the second time found it closed despite stating that it opens Mon - Fri lunch times. Annoyed and hungry, we went to Al Catala where we were warmly welcomed and ate well for 15€ including wine. http://www.restaurantceret.com/
Weather:
13°, sun and wind
Headlines:
141 people (132 children) and 125 injured in a Taliban attack on a Pakistan school. Leaves you speechless, doesn't it?

15.12.14:

Back to a bit of normality today that is apart from having tea and our first "galette des rois" (an almond paste tart traditional at this time of year) chez Annie and Richard. Christian had a routine blood test ready for his visit to he cardiac surgeon tomorrow.
Weather:
12°, rain all day
Headlines:
Hostages taken in a Sydney café resulting in 3 deaths (the hostage taker, politically motivated and two women hostages. 3 people injured)