Seeing Friends, Enjoying Food and Following Floats

28.2.15:
Much better weather today, so there was no reason not to go with the float to the carnival in Céret. First of all, however , there was the club's 28th birthday lunch. Shame that those of us were going had to eat quickly and get off; especially as of course, the cavalcade didn't start any where near the dot of 3pm. Still there was a good atmosphere and it was fun. There were floats featuring Mexican bandits, a batmobile, eskimos, 50 shades of grey, duracell rabbits, Queen (H.M. and Freddie) and more besides. We even won a prize! André and Christian came along but sat watching the floats go by from the comfort of their seats on the terrace of a café, beer in hand . Click to see the photos https://picasaweb.google.com/114284735716067114333/CarnivalFeb2015 At the end of it all the group went back to the club room for a wee refreshment and to rest their aching feet. Despite a full on meal at lunch time, André, Nany and ourselves went to the restaurant for a bite to eat and a good bottle of wine. My dessert (chocolate charlotte with peanuts and salted butter caramel) was very rich and decadent; so much so that I left the boudoir biscuits that surrounded it. And so then it was to bed for a good sound sleep and a new month tomorrow.
Weather:
15° sun shine and rain at the end of the evening.
Anecdote:
Please excuse me but I must tell you that Maria, an elderly Catalan woman, who lives down the street from us, greeted me at the lunch like a long lost friend and full of smiles said to her pal 'if only all the neighbours were like this one ....!" I didn't get the rest as she speaks a mix of French and Catalan but her body language was positive. Just a wee thing but I was really chuffed as when we first moved here she'd pass me in the street with head down. Can't remember how many years it took to even get a "bonjour"!

27.2.15
Nothing other than a trip to the supermarket with Maggie where I met  Hortense who gave me a signed copy of her small book of poems and lots of laughs during our conversation.
Weather:
12° Cold, Strong winds
In the News:
Assassination of Boris Nemstov, outspoken critic of the current Russian government a few yards from the Kremlin.

26.2.15:
Finally, we were able to take Jean and Françoise out for Jean's birthday lunch. With being able to eat

later in Spain, I was able to go to the language exchange and Christian to the Mairie first. It's been a long time since we'd been to El Forgons de Canadal as it had lost it's way for our liking. Glad to say that it was great. We ate well and most of all, Jean and Françoise (always the most critical!) were delighted. http://www.fogonsdecannadal.es/el-restaurante/
From here we went up to La Vajol and the rain that was quite heavy when we left the resaurant was much lighter. Can Conxita was closed so we took our coffee in the square. Not on the terrace though! As Jean and Françoise didn't know the village, we took them around to see all the sights - the sheperd still without his mermaid (as featured in the poem "Empordà" by Joan Maragall) and the Retirada monuments. Then came back home via the forest track.
Weather:
14° overcast with showers

25.2.15:
Met Françoise (another one) to go over the translation that I'd done and then in the evening went for my pronunciation workshop. Otherwise, "nowt!"
Weather:
12° Heavy cloud

24.2.15:
Michel for lunch.
Weather:
10°, Cloudy and very windy








23.2.15:
Distribution of the association's newsletter for me and his usual meeting at the Mairie for Christian.
Weather:
17° though it didn't feel like it. Cloudy with rain in the evening.

22.2.15:

As Henri and Michèle couldn't join us for lunch yesterday, they invited us for lunch at theirs. A good time catching up with three weeks of news. I should have been with the village carnival group for the cavalcade but there was a howling wind, it was bitterly cold and the float didn't leave its shed so I, too gave it a miss.
Jean-Jacques came around for a late supper as he was just back from his S. America trip. There was a knitted beret for me and an ointment of a dubious substance for Christian!
Weather:
10° Blue skies and strong winds

21.2.15:
After doing a quick supermarket shop, we had lunch chez Molas but sadly with cloudy, dull weather there was no rush to grab a table by a window
Weather:
11° Drizzle, cloudy
In the News:
Chaos on several roads leading to the Alps as heavy snow had led to 3 motorways being closed.

Looking Skyward

20.2.15:

Christian was at the Mairie this morning while I fiddled about on the computer listening to "Home Front", a Raddio 4  social history serial set during the 1WW. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b047qhc2/podcasts We then went for lunch at the restaurant at the end of which, the siren went off  three times, which is unusual,  and we saw the fire officer who lives next door shoot off at great speed. A short time afterwards a helicopter went overhead and looked as if it was landing next to the fire station. I'll fill in the details later as and when we get any info.
Weather:
14° Sun and a light wind
PS. The airlift was for a young person had been seriously fitting. Maybe 3 blasts of the siren are for a helicopter call out. I'll need to ask one of the "pompier" who comes into the café. 

His and Hers Aperitifs

19.2.15:

Resisted the offer to go to the restaurant for a coffee/glass of wine after the language exchange but went straight home as I wanted to finish the translation that I told you about a few posts ago. Got the job done thank goodness but still need Rowena to check it over.
As I was about to get ready to go for  an apérobio with Lynn and Ann, Jean and Françoise phoned to say that they were coming over for an apéritif chez nous. In 15 minutes flat we managed to cobble something acceptable together and on reflection, they ate better than I did. This time there were no extra touches, so we had to content ourselves with anchovies, cheese and cold meat. I'm sure that they've cut down on the quantity too. The mood was to have the next apérobio at the bar. Still, Sabrina did give Lynn and I a (small) glass of wine on the house but Ann, who by this time was on the tea, went without a top up. I've said "small" for the benefit of UK readers who are used to 125/250ml glasses of wine; here, it's chic to serve not much more than 2 fingers of wine in the bottom of a glass. There, don't say that this blog is not instructive! If you think that the photo should be entitled 'hubble, bubble, toil and trouble", you'd be wrong. It's just Ann, Lynn and Sabrina watching a tea flower unfold, that the latter bought in Harrods while on holiday recently. Lady Grey is fancy enough for me!
Weather:
14° Sun
In the News:
Chinese New Year (Goat)

Willing to Walk

18.2.15:

The weather gods are with us again. There were blue skies and sunshine so, no excuse not to join the walking group this afternoon. I'm so glad that I went. Beautiful views and the smell of mimosa in the air really energised me for my French workshop this evening. Still, I get ahead of myself; Martine came back for a cuppa lovingly prepared by Christian. If you're wondering how he is these days, he's managing to go to the Mairie for a couple of hours in the morning, his afternoons are dedicated to a snooze followed by a ritual making of the tea at 5pm.

Weather:
15° in the sun

Flowers, Friends and Food

 17.2.15:
We were over in Cabestany this morning and ended up having lunch at a restaurant in Mas Guerido, a large commercial zone. Not being in a touristy area, the setting was nothing special but the waiter was charming and the food home cooked at a very reasonable price. http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g1080286-d5796727-Reviews-Lebistrot_Mas_Guerido-Cabestany_Perpignan_Pyrenees_Orientales_Languedoc_Roussill.html
Once home Christian had a siesta before we went over to see Michel who broke his wrist while out walking. He'll be out of action for 6 weeks which is a shame as he was due to play with his group at the village hall this weekend.
Weather:
12° Cloud,  chilly and windy

16.2.15:
Started the day with a visit from Jacques (he, who always plies my Mum with sweet Muscat wine when she comes), came bearing a lovely bunch of mimosa which has filled the kitchen with a very heady perfume. Not that I was singled out as all the other women in the street had the same. We're so lucky to have such nice neighbours. Nothing else other than Christian having his last dental appointment and needless to say a whopping bill which I'm sure would have been even worse if he'd had a dentist elsewhere. Oh yes, and from now on the weekly meeting at the mairie for André's group is now a Monday rather than a Tuesday.
Weather:
13° Cloudy
In the News:

• Worries that the Russian/Ukranian ceasefire won't hold
• Desecration of over 200 Jewish graves in Alsace by five youths aged 15 - 17 years old

Eat, Talk and be Merry

Phoned Mum who's starting to feel a bit better though still needing to have her finger dressed. Didn't move from home all day  but busied myself making a few things to serve Maggie and Martine when they came this evening for an apéritif. We got through 3 bottles of cava (less the two glasses that Christian and I had had before lunch) and numerous topics of conversation. Christian dropped out about 21h but we carried on until the fire had died down and our throats were dry.
Weather:
12° The rain that started yesterday continued through the day but with some afternoon sunny spells.
Of Note:
Another shooting in Copenhagen, supposedly the same person who in turn was shot dead by police.

Valentine Treat

14.2.15:

Awoke on Valentine's day to a beautiful sunrise which sadly the photos don't do justice to. That's why we were here and not for the shower which was impossible to drain and the lack of a plug in the wash basin. The breakfast was copious (consisting of just about everything that you could wish for short of a "Full British") and our table was next to the window with that view. Shame we weren't able to stay on as the hotel was fully booked but the sky had clouded over and Christian was feeling the cold so we headed straight for home and didn't spare the horses. After our splendid breakfast, we didn't need lunch but had thought to go to the restaurant for dinner. It was not to be though as they were fully booked. Contented ourselves with champagne and foie gras by the side of a roaring fire.
Weather:
13° Cloudy in Spain but home to sunshine which turned to steady rain during the afternoon.
Of Note:
Mortal "terrorist"shooting in Copenhagen at a conference on the freedom of the press.


13.2.15:

We were late getting off for our overnight down on the Costa Brava, finally getting to have lunch at "La Taverne dels Cargols" at 3pm. Even though there was a menu del día, we weren't offered it and you know how I feel about this way of treating customers. Still, we had a deliciously tender shoulder of lamb in an exposed stone traditional dining room. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1237068-d3673214-Reviews-La_Taverna_del_Cargol-Pont_de_Molins_Province_of_Girona_Catalonia.html
The hotel we'd chosen at Empúries (where there are Greek and Roman ruins) and while we'd had lunch there we'd never stayed. The older part is in an Art Deco style but more recently they've adde some enviromentally friendly ground floor appartments. we stuck to tradition and a balcony overlooking the sea.
Arrived there at 5pm and once checked in, Christian went for a sleep which was interrupted by workmen banging and I went for a walk along to Sant Martí and took a few photos. Click the link to see them https://picasaweb.google.com/114284735716067114333/OvernightEmpuries?authkey=Gv1sRgCP3ysI7t5Jn8Hw
As you'll see, the view is just splendid but the room was a bit jaded and took ages to warm up to our idea of an acceptable temperature. We had champagne both before and after dinner which was something a bit different. Christian had octopus and I had stuffed cabbage (which came at the same time as Christian's starter as I wasn't having one) but it was the desserts that were the most interesting. I had crumbled chocolate brownie scattered with curry biscuit crumbs and homemade vanilla ice cream. Christian had apple ice cream, diced blue cheese, fresh apple sticks scatterd with biscuits crumbs. It's a good job that we'd had a reasonable lunch as the portions were not designed for hungry souls! http://www.hostalempuries.com/en/environmentally-friendly-hostel-in-costa-brava/villa-teresita-restaurant
Weather:
18° (over the border), sunny spells

Which Way Venice?

12.2.15:There were even less of us at the language exchange. The flu and the need to fulfill grandparental duties are taking their toll. Christian went to the Mairie. In the afternoon, Maggie and I went to visit Nicole who's flat on her back after falling. Christian slept. This evening we watched tv and so ended a fun filled day.
Weather:
13° Sunshine, cloud later

11.2.15:

We were up a bit earlier this morning and were rewarded with a beautiful sunrise. A red sun that became large and bright in a sky that was rapidly losing its cloud and becoming blue.
Had lunch at the restaurant and then in the afternoon I went again to help make flowers. When you see the float (and it's not finished yet), it feels good to be part of it. Ah, such simple pleasures for we rustics.
Weather:
14° blue sky, sunshine and cloud

In the Bleak Midwinter

10.2.15:
Lit the fire, started the translation and Christian had his weekly evening meeting at the Mairie

Weather:
14°, blue skies:
Of Note:
An ex-Iraqi minister is putting Saddam Hussein's noose up for auction! Expected to raise millions

9.2.15:
Christian was up and out for 8am to attend a meeting in another village and I thought to have a lazy mornind but Martine telephoned out of the blue to say that she was going to our hairdressers and did I want to join her. Leapt at the chance as I've been looking a bit like a scarecrow of late. Usually the place is like a fairground but Mondays are quiet and such was the case ..... that is until a team of three and their tanker came to sort out some blocked sewerage pipes!
Weather:
15° though feeling colder, blue skies and sunshine
Of Note:
Hollande, Merkell and Kerry trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine

8.2.15:
A nothing kind of day during which we stayed cby the fire and I attacked a huge basket of ironing. What joy! Luckily there was "Spiral" to catch up with.
Weather:
Still cold

7.2.15:
Had lunch at the restaurant and spent the rest of the day close to the fire in an effort to keep Christian warm.
Weather:
9° Cloudy, small patches of blue sky with 5 minutes of barely perceptible snow

6.2.15:

Started the day with a visit to the garden; do you remember that 5 us bought it to work on a co-operative basis but that the co-operation didn't last very long? The young man who was working it didn't last very long either and now Debra is interested in taking it on. Even when she saw its overgrown state she didn't bat an eyelid so it looks as if we've solved a problem. to celebrate we had a coffee in the bar. Came home and set about organising the photo album for the association and making a cake for this evening's "soirée tapas".
Despite the cold, rampant flu, rugby on the telly and the start of the school holidays, there were about 60 of us present dressed in red and black, the theme for the event.
Weather:
6° Blue sky, some cloud and lighter winds
Of Note:
Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation Day http://www.un.org/en/events/femalegenitalmutilationday/index.shtml 

5.2.15:
As we'd been to the restaurant yesterday, we didn't go after the language echange and so the rest of the day continued in the same vein, ie., nothing much.
Weather:
4° On an amber alert for winds of 140km/h, even stronger off the coast.

4.2.15:
Di, who's here on holiday for a few days, called in to see if I was going on the association walk this afternoon but I had to decline as there were more flowers to make. Can't remember how many thousand are needed. That's not my only good deed ... I've taken on the translation of a leaflet in time for the tourist seaon.
Today, the restaurant reopened so of coure we had to go .. We were the only two in.
Martine came in for tea then it was the French workshop. While there, I had a call to say Mum had fallen and wasn't well at all. Oh dear!
Weather:
4° Cloudy and very windy
Of Note:
World Cancer Day http://www.un.org/en/events/cancerday/index.shtml

 3.2.15:
Jean-Jacques came for supper by the fire as tomorrow he's off to South America
Weather:
4° Cloudy. Snow in the rain for about 20 mins.

A Bit of Blarney

2.2.15:
Took a trip into Perpignan where Ann and I wandered those shops that were open and had lunch in "La Carmagnole", a restaurant chosen at random. It's in the Rue de la Révolution Française and it's called after a revolutionary song. http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g187156-d801030-Reviews-La_Carmagnole-Perpignan_Pyrenees_Orientales_Languedoc_Roussillon.html#REVIEWS It was small and could have been a bit warmer but it was friendly and provided us with a decent menu at 12€ for 2 courses. Neither of us felt in need of a pud even though the cold weather provided a good reason to indulge. Christian and Jean-Jacques went out for lunch to the Relais d'Ullrich even though I'd left a chicken risotto. Still, never mind that's tomorrow sorted.

This evening, we were invited over to Jean and Françoise's for an apéritif dinatoire organised to meet Linde's Irish musician friend, Phil who's in Europe for a month. As well as playing penny whistle and accordian, Phil does guerilla gardening and pictures of one of his projects feature on the sleeve of the cd he gave us. As we all know, there's no such thing as a free lunch; the same applies to an apéritif dinatoire, so we were able to jig about and tap our feet in time (more or less) to his music.
 Weather:
4°, blue skies and cold

1.2.15:
Well, that's the first month of the year and hasn't it gone a great speed? Seems like that even though we've not ventured out much since Christmas.
Started the day late, didn't cross the threashold but busied myself about the house so no need for a guilty conscience.... yeah, as if!!