Last of 2016

Nothing very exciting apart from a trip to the pub to check my emails. Otherwise it was more telly and more knitting. Mum went off to church with Carmen and David and hedonistic  heathen that I am, I enjoyed a moment to myself. We were invited down to Carmel and David's for a drink which made a welcome interlude. Their house is full of interesting books, pieces of art and David's own works done in wood. After that it was home for the long haul until midnight and the obligatory toast to 2017.

A Succession of Friends

30.12.16: More Friends

Another day and more friends made their way down to catch up with me; this time it was Kelvin, Irene and Margaret who live near Melton Mowbray. They came to the village and met Mum and I in the community café. Once we'd dropped Mum off home we headed down to "The Bell" which you'll know from old is a favourite eating place of mine.
We ate well, enjoyed an apéritif of cava and laughed a lot.
Next up, it was a trip into Stratford for a walk around and a cuppa. here they are outside Shakespeare's birthplace
I'm lucky to have such good, kind, caring friends both in France and UK.
Took the bus back to Mum's and had just settled down when her neighbour, Liz came up for a chat. Liz's mother was Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, the Nobel prizewinner for Chemistry and she, herself was recently nominated by the actress Miriam Margolyes as part of the Women's Hour "Chain". We talked about her work in South Sudan and the importance of education for girls and young women. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04p8pbj
  
29.12.16: A Tourist Gem

I went down into the town to meet Jean and John who were driving down from near Warwick. Met in Mrs Brown's Tearoom and after hot chocolate drove off to Stow on the Wold  "where the wind blows cold" or so say the locals. http://www.cotswolds.info/places/stow-on-the-wold.shtml  It's a pretty Cotswold stone market town with interesting shops, plenty of pubs and these old stocks. We settled on the Kings Arms for lunch where we managed to get a table near the fire. Then we had a wander around the town finishing with tea and scones/tea cakes looking out onto the main square. It's easy to understand why places like this draw the tourists; it's so pretty and no problem at all  to while away an afternoon. John and Jean dropped me back at Mum's as night was falling.
This evening the needles got into gear again; this time to knit  a sweater in turquoise. Not really sure about the colour but the woman in the shop convinced me that I needed something bold. What a push over!

28.12.16: Great Food

Jen left this morning to head back home in very cold foggy weather. I caught the bus into Stratford having enough time to whizz into M and S (clothing hasn't improved) before meeting Karen who came down from the other side of Birmingham, for lunch. Went to the theatre rooftop restaurant and this time it was a lunch that didn't disappoint. It looks down on the river, the menu was creative and the service pleasant. Thank goodness it was this way round as Karen would not have been as accepting as Jen and I were yesterday. Took our time without being hassled and caught up with each others news. https://www.rsc.org.uk/rooftop-restaurant
Caught the bus back to Jill and John's and had an action replay of the last two nights! Me, I'm all for consistency!

27.12.16: Poor Food

Made a leisurely start on a bitterly cold morning and went over to Mum's to go out for lunch. Didn't want to have to go as far as Stratford and battle with the sales crowds so settled on the garden centre which we thought might have a few shops open and a nice lunch. Wrong on both counts. Such a disappointment although Jen was too polite to say so,  it was pretty poor both on the service and quality front. Shame as it had always been a pleasant place to eat. Went home for dessert and tea. Then it was back to Jill's to settle in for more of the same as we had last night.

 26.12.16 Angel of the North!

Well, that's it all over for another year! Bah, humbug, says I!
Never mind, Jen arrived from up North this afternoon which was a real treat for both Mum and I. Jen was always a favourite. It's got to be nearly 40 years since she's be in the village though of course I saw in July. Needless to say, there was still plenty to talk about over tea and cake. Early evening we went over to Jill and John's where a warm welcome, good meal, bottle of cava and a comfortable bed awaited us.

Joyeux Noël à Toutes et à Tous!

          to all my family and friends wherever you are

This morning Jill came and picked up Mum and I to go over to Alison and Dan's to see the children open their presents. They were having a wonderful time as you might imagine. Great family atmosphere with 4 generations present including Uncle and Aunt from next door. Of course, there was chocolate, biscuits and cava on offer. 
It was not too long though before Mum could cope no longer with the noise making her hearing aid buzz so we said our farewell's and headed back clutching our presents.
The rest of the day was spent watching tv (dire programming apart from "Call the Midwife") and eating more chocolate both before and after our lunch of duck.
For some reason can't get the colour uniform!


 

Christmas Spirit

Toddled down to the town with 'little sis' and stocked up on wool to keep me going now that the neckweamer is finished. The Salvation Army was playing carols and folk were scurrying around doing last minute shopping. We, however, found time to go to the TripAdvisor recommended tearoom for a hot chocolate.  mrsbrownstearooms.co.uk
Lovely to spend a bit of time doing things that many sisters take for granted.
There was more family time at the end of the afternoon as Dan and Alison had organised a treasure hunt around the town. 11 adults, 3 children and a bump (due any day now) followed the clues to find the makings of Santa Claus's and his reindeers' supper, a key for him to get in  (there's no chiminey) and stockings for the children. All in all we were out for nearly two hours. The kids kept going very well and enjoyed seeing a number of houses adorned in lights and of course finding the booty hidden in various friends' gardens. There was even a red robed, white bearded biker who went zooming by on a Honda Golding with an Xmas tree on the back.🎅
No time for a Christmas warmer sadly as I was due to meet Mum coming out of church so that I could get a lift back to the village.
We spent a quiet evening in front of the tv; a far cry from a traditional French start to Christmas.

Getting Around

23.12.16: Another One Rides the Bus

Well, time to bed-hop so I took the bus over to Jill and John's to spend a bit of time with my "Little Sis". In between getting on the bus and walking about 150m at the other end, I managed to lose my prescription glasses ******! Much to my relief,  I was able to buy a pair of reading specs in the local chemist's. Phoned the bus company to no avail. "Tant pis", as the French would say.
Weather:
9°, Cloudy

22.12.16: Walk on the Wild Side

Left the comfort of Mum's cosy cottage to walk down to the pub to use the wifi. The village in winter is still pretty but a bit mucky underfoot and of course, gardens look a bit sad at this time of the year. A few houses had outside lights strung in trees with the utmost taste; well this is the Cotswolds, so no tacky Father Christmases clinging on to house fronts here!
Anyway back to the pub, where I found an armchair next to the fire so settled in and ordered up a small white wine. Couldn't believe the price ..... £5.20! Here, I'd have had a half litre for the same money. Still, I made it last for a least an hour and a half while I caught up with emails.
Spent the rest of the day as I did yesterday. The neckwarmer is coming on a pace.
Weather:
8°, blue sky and sun in the morning, cloudy and showery later

21.12.16: On the Road Again

Had a leisurely breakfast and then set off to Mum's in time for a quick coffee at the community café. Had lunch (a tasty stew) in the house so that Mary didn't have to do any more driving than necessary, then spent the afternoon and evening quietly (apart from the clack, clack of my knitting needles) in front of the tv.
Weather:
9°, Showers, Cloudy   

20.12.16 Leaving on a Jet Plane

Left home with Jean and Françoise at 6h30 to get to Figueres bus station for the journey to Barcelona airport with time in hand. Yes, I'm off to UK for the festive season. As it was a 3 hour journey and there weren't any onboard loos, it was prudent enough to keep my liquid intake down to a minimum, so no coffee to kick start the day. Despite these minor irritations, the time passed more quickly than anicipated with arriving directly at the airport being a real boon. There was a three hour wait until take off but that passed well too.
I felt a bit of a wimp with my travel anxieties when a young Korean woman travelling on her own, who turned out to be deaf and mute, asked for directions. I'd love to have had a glimpse of our mimes, one of which involved arm flapping to signal departures! Just imagine having to cope daily with  that level of communication difficulty.
The flight was uneventful and Mary was at airport to meet me for an overnight stay and good catch up chez elle.
Weather:
9°, cloudy

Just so that You Know

19.12.16:

Nicole and Anna were busy yesterday decorating the street in order to bring a bit of Christmas cheer. Yes, folks in case you haven't noticed, Christmas is a coming. I'm not sure when I'll find time to keep "Chitchat" up to date. I don't expect that you'll have time to check in either but at least if you do, you'll know that I'm fine, just busy!
Weather:
10°, Cloudy then rain

Two Markets and a Birthday

18.12.16: Market 2

Went into the Christmas market with Kitty; first of all there was a breakfast at Chris and Fanny's around which the chorale had a last minute rehearsal before their spot at the market. As non singers, Chris and I made small talk in the kitchen.
Once at the market, Kitty and I went our separate ways; a bit of shopping and coffee with Françoise for me which meant that I missed the carols! Didn't miss the apéritif at the Mairie though! After that six of us accompanied Hortense to the pizzeria to celebrate her birthday. Met Helle, a Norwegian who lost her husband only 3 weeks ago, for the first time and Deborah for the 2nd. Both interesting women and therefore, good company.
This evening, Jean-Jacques came for an apéritif and I introduced him to the possibilities of free downloads of ebooks.
Weather:
13°, cloudy, sun later

17.12.16: Market 1

Coffee at the bar with Nicole who's had a busy few days with her son in hospital for a back op and an ill grandchild to look after. While  there Michel, my chauffer, arrived to give me a lift to the market where I had another coffee with Françoise. Rest of the day was without note.
Weather:
13° sun followed by cloud

A Few Days of Relative Calm

16.12.16: Another Take on Fruit and Veg

Coffee in the morning with Nicole S and then nothing of interest until the evening when I attended a short Council meeting followed by a vernissage. Once again there were only a few people there which was a shame as the black and white photos of fruit and veg taken at odd  angles from close up were original. What's more it was fun trying to guess what they were. The one that I had most difficulty with was a just a section of the peel of a hass advocat.
Weather:
13°, Rain, heavy at times for most of the day

15.12.16: A Welcome Bolthole

Another language exchange and another lesson in patience. The two most tedious participants (English speakers) were in the same group as moi. Luddites the pair of them and not in the least bit of fun. Do I need this? No, I don't but I feel obliged to go to help keep it going. It wasn't all "sacrifice however as Hannele, a Finn, had brought some Swedish cookies which was kind and what's more they tasted good too even if she did bring them in a metal dish that looked as it could be a dog's bowl!
Back to the bar for a coffee and stayed on for a bite to eat with Jean-Jacques who'd left his house keys at the Mairie. Only had an omelette and a couple of glasses of red wine before making my home across a very bare square now that all the trees have gone. No, more pink blossom in Spring but no more petals and dead leaves that fall to sweep up later. Every cloud, eh?
Weather:
15° sun, clouding over later

14.12.16: Square Eyes
Spent most of the day in front of a screen and ate far too much chocolate.
There was an unexpected interlude however, when I went up to Ken's English conversation group to give back the scarf he'd left last week. The participants had brought in a few goodies to share and I was invited to stay for the session which I did. There was a choice of "The Glenlivet" or a muscat sec to drink. No prizes for guessing which one passed my lips. Sláinte!!
Weather:
14°, sun and blue skies


13.12.16: Bringing on the Substitute

Before I got stuck into my "to do" list, I had to deal with an early morning email from the person processing my grant application. The people who will decide if I'm successful or not want my estimates for the work to have my first name on them and not just the name I use. Good old André the project manager did the necessary tout de suite.
Ploughed on with my list, interspersed with my Spanish group and a bit of telly and then toddled over to the bar for an apérobio. Lynn having a cold gave it a miss sending Colin in her stead to do justice to the tapas that Nico had prepared. Terry had been asked but preferred to stay and watch his football team on tv.
The bar was quiet so there was no competition to get ourselves installed next to the fire where we enjoyed the good things put before us by Eve.
Weather:
13°, sunny

12.12.16: Copines go Chinese
匹口戶工內三弓 Had a little lie in until 8am, took it easy and then went to meet Nicole P for coffee. Came back and did some get-ahead cooking which you'll know is an usual event for me. Ironic really as I was out with the "Café des Copines" for a "Chinese" buffet in Le Boulou. in case you don't know or have forgotten, "copines" are female pals. I usually avoid this type of restaurant but Kitty who's pretty fastidious had been and said it was good value for money (12€80 for a weekday lunch) so I was read  to give it a go. It wouldn't be my first choice of restaurant but was fine for a change and the other women were happy; so enough said.
Came home and prepared an apéritif dinatoire for JJ, Jean and Françoise. Amazingly, I managed to tuck in along with the others. Conversation was a lot more stimulating than of late with Victor Serge a Russian revolutionary born in Brussels in 1890 and died in Mexico (like Trotsky) in 1947, who fiction, non fiction, poetry, essays and pamphlets being one topic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Serge
Another topic was JJ's presence at the signing of a convention (Ségolène Royal for the government) bringing environmental grants to the area. Most people tag a holiday onto an official duty but with JJ, it was the reverse so no profiting of  public funds here!
Weather:
16°, sun

Cassoulet, Cinema and Christmas Cheer

11.12.16: Christmas Market

It was a cold start at 8.30am when we gathered in front of the Mairie to set up our stall. Still, we had an ideal place in the sun so, no complaints. We sold our bits and bobs for next to nothing; the mulled wine was 1€ for a generous helping. We felt well pleased with the 257€ raised which will be given to the "Restaurant du Coeur" an association that provides food, basic necessities and work experiences for people in difficulty. It was founded in 1985 by Colouche, a much loved comedian and irreverential critic of the system. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coluche
There was a good buzz in the morning with lots of children coming to hear the story of "Gaga Tió" at the end of which they tap a log from which, fruit, sweets and little cakes fall out from the rear.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%C3%B3_de_Nadal
I managed to grab a very quick one course lunch at the bar with Nicole S before heading back to welcome the Anglophone choir on behalf of Carmen from the Mairie who had not yet finished her lunch. There are a couple of French people in it too and although the carols were predominantly in English there were a few in Latin and French. Fewer people came in the afternoon so we happily cleared up just after 4pm.
I had intended to go to the carol service in the church but I felt I'd had my dose and it had been a long day so just stayed home.
Weather:
17, sun°

10.12.16: Is She Guilty or not Guilty?

Whilst waiting for the bus to go to the market, Jacqueline came by and gave me a lift. That's the 3rd time that she's picked me up. Met Françoise for a coffee, saw Hortense too and came back with Jacques and his son Pierre.
In the afternoon a couple of us loaded up Maggie's van with the stuff that we were to sell at tomorrow's Christmas market. I also made about 18 litres of mulled wine while my thoughts strayed to other years when I stirred and Christian tasted - all in a good cause of course!
Finished the day with a trip to the cinema with Nicole S to see "Allied" starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. It was the kind of film that you might watch on a borrowed DvD on a wet Saturday afternoon. If you watch this clip, you have the whole film apart from the very end which I can fill you in on if you wish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlp94-C31cY
Weather:
14°, sun, cold night

9.12.16: Doing my Duty, Having Dinner
Coffee at the bar this morning, admin and then dinner at Jackie's this evening along with Nick and Lizzie. Yes, the same couple who were around at my place on Wednesday. It was a typical French dinner with apéros and savoury pastries, a fish in sauce starter, cassoulet (a bit on the heavy side for a late night meal), cheese and dessert. It was just shy of midnight when we left the table. Conversation was very general but at least Jackie didn't start to cry when her husband, who died about five years ago, was mentioned. All a bit sad really as they'd only moved from the North of France a couple of days before. Jackie's no family here so we've all tried to encourage her to come to the café des copines, Sunday morning coffee and the Association but no, she isn't one to mix. Can't do more but as they say "you'll reap what you sow" and that's something I can attest to.
Weather:
14°, sunshine

Life in the Crawler Lane

8.12.16: Nowt Much Going On
Language exchange, hot chocolate at the bar, leftovers for lunch, blog catch up and the latest episode of the Dr Blake Mysteries was the sum total of a not-in-the-least-bit-exciting-day.
Weather:
16°, sun, blue skies and cloud later.

7.12.16: Cullinary Challenge

Spent a couple of hours this morning with Maggie and Marguerite sorting out the leftovers from the Téléthon and organising the stuff that we'll be selling at the Xmas market in the village. Another long day in view but that's Sunday and there were more pressing things to do for this evening's dinner guests: Nick and Lizzie, Roger, Margaret and Ken. Ken is allergic to chocolate and citrus fruit and doesn't eat meat from 4 legged animals. Not being great at cooking fish, I fell back on Moroccan Red Harissa Chicken http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/moroccan-red-harissa-chicken.html
Have to say that I didn't bother grilling and skinning the red peppers, used a jar instead. There's even enough of it left to do a lunch for me and there's also some apple cake too for tomorrow afternoon's tea time. Was a pleasant evening and I only switched off when they started talking "dogs". Ah well. Not everyone is up for the cut and thrust of political discussion.
Still having to get used to entertaining on my own; feels strange and what's more there's all the clearing up to do single handedly!
Weather:
13°, sun and blue skies
 

6.12.16: Musings, Mayors and Music

Kathy, who does from "Ou own Correspondent" for BBC radio from time to time came for coffee. Here's her report about French Mayors featuring her thoughts on ours. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02rzb8q
If you've been here or if you've followed "Chitchat" for a while, you'll know that André did indeed stand again and won another 6 year term in office. What you won't know is that the shopkeeper split from her husband and moved away and he became more and more offhand not giving much incentive to shop there. He too, has now gone and we have a small modern supermarket where there's a warm welcome and courteous service run by someone else more suited to the job. Now, that's more like it.
After that little detour, I'll explain that she came to talk over what we might do about the intermediate English workshop that is losing its leader who's returning to UK. As an experienced TEFL teacher and the person who headed up the BBC's language learning output in China, she has a good brain to pick.
You'll know that today being the 1st Tuesday in the month, there was a "Soirée Guitares" in the bar. I didn't go over until about 9ish and didn't stay too late. Caught Vincent who sings the most dismal reggae I've ever heard so thank goodness for Gadjololo who livened things up afterwards.
Weather:
16°, sun and blue skies

5.12.16: Chores
Respite over, another early start to take advantage of a lift to the supermarket with Nick. Apart from that there was nothing other than Spanish homework and some ironing.
Weather:
15°, low cloud and heavy rain

Work, Rest and Play

4.12.16: Christmas Cheer

Oh! So good not to be on an early deadline. A change today from the usual Sunday routine as I accompanied Kitty to a nearby village for their Christmas market. She was singing carols with a predominately expat choir. I'm not much taken by sacred chorale music but I can do carols and they sang "Gaudate" (means rejoice in Latin) which I love to hear. There are loads of versions on You Tube but I finally sttled on this one by Steeleye Span because of the glass of wine brought to the stage by one of the band members, the clarity of Maddy Prior's voice, and plain old nostalgia for a youth in which the band figured! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDc2FD-vy8M
Enough of that .... back to the present ....
Met Hortense by chance so, coffee and a catch up was in order. As well as a load of other people, I also saw Penny which wasn't a surprise as she was working hard with her "Cancer Support France" stall. Frank was there too sweating under a Santa costume which ever year he swears will be his last.
Came back to the village for lunch where we were joined by Gilles and Martine.
Sunday being a day of rest, I just chilled out for the rest of the day
Weather:
16°, heavy cloud and rain

3.12.16: Roll Up, Roll Up

An early start to the Téléthon big day. By 8h30 I was up at the village hall along with Maggie and Marguerite to set out our wares and apart from a half hour lunch break, I was there until 6pm. There were stalls, a Catalan hunter's breakfast (including red wine!) accompanied by Joan singing Catalan songs, the apéritif was accompanied by the village banda in which the Mayor plays trumpet and the British tearoom, including "guess the weight of the Xmas cake" (2.9kg) and guess the date of the photo (April 1971) was animated by the babble of voices while a whole range of musicians and singers (even carols) gave their best under difficult circumstances.  Our stall made 638€ selling accessories and running a bottle lucky dip; the village made 17,049€; even more than last year.
I was invited to stay on for the helpers' meal but my back and legs made a stronger plea to go home to the comfort of the settee.
Weather:
12°, sun (not that I saw much of it!)

2.12.16: Sigh of Relief
Spent the morning updating the Association website; yet another long overdue task and then in the afternoon, I went up to the foyer to make up goody bags for those children who turned up for today's Téléthon activities. Stayed on a bit afterwards but beat a rapid retreat when told there wasn't any need to stay on. A lucky escape from noise and youthful buzz.
Weather:
15°, sun

Bargains Galore

1.12.16: A Slow Start

It was a bit nippy this morning when we went to set up our accessory stand outside the bar at 8h30. Had to quickly rethink this plan as there was huge earth moving equipment and a deep trench in front of the terrace. Headed over to the square in front of the Mairie having borrowed a few small tables from Jean-Louis to display our wares on. Not the most ideal place as there were few passersby. Selling at 2€,1€ and 50c, we made about 60€ which was better than I thought but worse than previous years. Hopefully we'll make up a bit with our Saturday sales.
Went for a coffee afterwards then went home for a lunch that had come out of the freezer.
Couldn't be bothered to do the Association website, settling down for an afternoon of telly instead. Or so I thought; Ann and Terry called in and stayed for tea so yesterday's digestives were just the thing. .
Weather:
13°, sun and blue skies