Eating East, Eating West

13.5.16: Persia, Paintings and a Poem

Finally, made it to the tax office; having been closed and with the deadline for submission approaching, there were at least 20 people in front of us at 8.30am. Today's hiccup was that the woman I was supposed to see was receiving in the afternoon and not the morning though JJ was adamant that she hadn't said that. What it meant was there wasn't an office available so I had a consultation in the hall but it did mean that I didn't have to queue. She was very cool about everything so I think I'm on track.
Went to the bar to celebrate over a coffee and was joined by Nicole P when she came by with her two dogs.
Lunch was a real treat; a Persian meal chez Yasmin who as well as inviting Nicole S, Anne and myself, had invited her neighbours Germaine and François. Food was scrummy and conversation interesting.
We all met up again in the evening for the "vernissage" of an exhibition that took as its title

"La femme est l'être qui projette la plus grande ombre ou la plus grande lumière dans nos rêves"  from a Beaudelaire poem. Paintings of women't bodies in black and white that looked like photos. It was well attended and there were lots of people to chat to and after such a good lunch there was little temptation to pick and nibble. Only drank water so finished the evening at the bar with a glass of wine.

Weather:

21° Sun, late afternoon cloud, rain in the evening

12.5.16: Missing a Lunch Yesterday, Making up for it Today

Found a message on my portable this morning from David inviting me for lunch at the restaurant yesterday! Shame, as I had had lunch all by myself.
Discussed maritime superstitions (rabbits on board, not starting a voyage on a Friday), difference between French and British omens of good/bad luck during the language exchange which was a bit different from usual. Same as usual was a glass of wine at the bar though for a change, Nicole P and I went to the restaurant for lunch. So I had the pea soup with goats cheese cream followed by round courgettes stuffed with confit of duck with preserved lemons after all.
Towards the end of our meal, it clouded over, followed by heavy rain. That put paid to the proposed walk with Anne and Nicole S. We went instead in search of a present for Yasmin and had a leisurely chat over a pot of tea as the rain poured down outside.
Ended the day by attending the Council meeting, along with (only) five other members of the public. Jean-Jacques was looking very tired so it was no surprise that he passed on a glass of wine and a bit of bread and cheese chez moi.
Weather:
19° sun and blue skies, cloud and rain arriving at 2pm


11.5.16: Turning down Dinner and Turning up for Dinner

Had to turn down dinner with David and Jean-Jacques at Martine's as Jacques had got in first with an invite for a Mexican meal. Finally got round to delivering François and Jacqueline's photos in the afternoon giving me the added bonus of a bit of exercise.
Made a chocolate cake to take  to Jacques' as a dessert. 11 of us were around the table; we ate well and laughed a lot. At one point, don't know how, the conversation got around to FUDs (Google it if you are in the dark and curious)!
Weather:
16° Cloudy, rain in the evening  

10.5.16: Flower Power

Set the alarm to be in time to go on a bus trip to Gerone for the flower festival and what luck, the rain had stopped. I've always wanted to go so I had a strong incentive to overcome my reluctance to be with a load of Brits! At least once there, Anne, Nicole and I went off together to explore the city and enjoy the floral displays. Had lunch at "Boira" which was the restaurant that Christian and I ate in on our first trip to Gerone. https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g187499-d996102-Reviews-Boira-Girona_Province_of_Girona_Catalonia.html
A pleasant meal, overlooking the river with a bit of a mark-up specially for the festival. Still, we were glad to find a table and take the weight off our feet.
As well as the flowers, one of the churches had a temporary exhibition of 3 Roman mosaics which was a bonus. Click for more photos.
https://picasaweb.google.com/114284735716067114333/6284555581917324689
Came across a gathering of the clans (Jim, Mags and David) on the way passed the bar and was encouraged to stay and have a wee drink.
It had been a long day with plenty of walking so it was a quiet night in with the telly.
Weather:
19°, cloudy with a few drops of rain

9.5.16: Tax, Tea and Talent

Made it to the tax office with Jean-Jacques only to find a note on the door saying that they were on strike. Went off to get a coffee to warm our sorrows and warm up. Met Jean and Françoise in the bar then came back and had another one with Nicole P.
More photo sorting this afternoon before going to have tea with an association where painting is on the agenda. Was made very welcome; tea and cake, friendly faces and lots of talent to admire. It was worth the walk in the rain for such a pleasant interlude.
Weather:
17° but feeling colder. Rain all day just like when we arrived all those years ago.