Beers, Books and Baked Potatoes

30.4.17: Unpretentious Sunday Lunch

There were quite a few of us for coffee at the bar including a couple of visitors. Nicole S, Yasmin and I rashly decided to go for lunch over the border but had to abandon the idea as the traffic was at a standstill. Then had to trail around looking for somewhere else which wasn't easy. Tried 4 places before we settled on a baked potato place. Not really my idea of a leisurely Sunday lunch but the meal was fresh, surprisingly tasty and the young women whose business it was, really did a good job on making us welcome.
Weather:
22°, blue sky and heavy rain later

29.4.17: Book Bonanza
The books are fairly flying off the shelves and even though some new ones have appeared, I needed to do a top up. Went into the market with Nicole P and met up with Yasmin for coffee. Nany and André joined us. Apart from that the rest of the day was filled by computer stuff and telly watching.

28.4.17: Cheers!

Went to Jacques's to give him some feedback about the German visit but couldn't stay long as I was meeting Lynn and Ann for coffee. He did, however, invite me to join him for lunch which I did. Beats having to raid an all but empty fridge! He can turn out pretty decent food so I was on to a winner. What did he get in exchange?  My stimulating company, of course!!
Dominique came by after that to box in the ventilator pipes that the electrician had installed. That's my purse quite a few euros lighter once again.
At the end of the afternoon, I'd arranged a visit for the Association to the micro brewery that has not long been open in the village. There were about 25 of us and it was great to hear Christophe speak with such enthusiasm about his brewing. Rather than buy over the border, I'll need to support this local initiative instead.
From here, it was a quick sprint down to the latest vernissage. Some lovely seascapes but sadly there were only a handful of us to appreciate them.
Weather:
27°, sun, blue skies and a cool wind

Food at Friends, a Funeral and a Fire

27.4.17: Taking the Chill Off

Language exchange, tea at the bar with the exchangers then stayed on for lunch with Nicole P, Terry and Ann. More sadly, in the afternoon there was Jacques's funeral to attend. Not my neighbour, I might add but another one that I knew quite well. Despite him having health problems, the end was very sudden; he was a really nice man and only 71.
Once home, I lit the fire and settled down with a pot of tea ready for a quiet night.
Weather:
14°, cloudy, cold wind but warming up later

26.4.17: Viva Mexico!

Spent all day in front of the computer doing association stuff so was pleased to get out in the evening to Jacques's for a Mexican meal. Doug and Erica, Nick and Lizzie, Jean-Louis and Eve from the bar were invited too. There was guacamole, margaritas (for some), pork with chocolate, refried beans and rice. There were also sombreros and other head gear to try on; so, lots of laughs.
Feeling pretty tired, I was the first to leave and in theory went straight to bed but in practice I spent 20 minutes looking for something. Maybe it was the antibiotics or maybe there's too much going on in my head.
Weather:
12°, rain all day and my goodness, it's feeling chilly

25.4.17: Beggars Belief!
Went for the blood test to see if the antibiotics that I'm taking are doing any damage to my liver and thankfully they're not. Met Françoise for a coffee, came back on the bus and stopped off at the bar for a cup of tea. After that I met up with the two Nicole's to go for lunch at Yasmin's.
Carol, a ex-colleague from UK and Isabelle an independant freelance tour guide from near Albi were also there, so Reza, heavily outnumbered beat a retreat to his room and left us to it. Isabelle, to my astonishment, said that she had a Scottish name originating from Barra which is the nearest point in "England" to America!!!!! Of course, I reminded her that Scotland was not in England.
Went straight from here to a meeting for those of us offering B and B to members of a German Mandoline "orchestra" that will be here for a week in October.
Before heading home, I stopped off at the bar to catch up with Lone for yet another non-alcoholic beverage.
Weather:
21°, sun and light winds 

24.4.17: Occupied with the Association

Association committee meeting this morning after which I installed the bookshelves that we've donated to the Mairie. There is one for books in English and another for books in French and they sit on the window ledges of the old Mairie. it's the ideal spot as there's shelter from the rain, it's next to the café and on the way to the hairdressers. What's more it's on a wee pedestrianised road so people can stop easily to browse, take, leave or exchange books.
Had coffee with Nicole P and then went home to prepare for the meeting this evening with the participants on the forthcoming Scottish trip. I say meeting, but it was really a get together over an apéritif to answer some last minute questions which were mostly about the weather and what clothes to take.
Weather:
19° low cloud, blue sky and more cloud later.

By George!

23.4.17: Your Turn to Feel Sorry for Me
It was indeed a long hot day.  Set up our bookstall, and encouraged people to donate a few coppers in exchange for taking as many books as they liked. In return they were given a rose in keeping with the Catalan tradition. We raised about 350€ which has gone to the local schools' outings fund. There were people in costume, music and the percussionists from Figueres to add to the atmosphere. I was on the go from 8am and it was after 6pm by the time all the decorations were down. No shade and with only a sausage and chips lunch and a rose with missing petals as recompense, I was feeling done in. Methinks it's time for a bit of collective sympathy to come my way, n'est-ce pas?
Weather:
23°, hot and sunny

22.4.17: Just a Weenie Bit Sorry for Myself

Went to the market with Nicole P; met lots of people and then sat for a long time in the café where we were briefly joined by Jean and Françoise. Enjoyed the couple of hours I had to myself before heading over to the square to decorate it ready for tomorrow. Missed the concert in the church but went instead to the bar to listen to Joan sing in Catalan as part of a Catalan evening that had snails in tomato sauce on the menu. Sat on a barstool on my lonesome and sipped tonic water which gassed me up! Better stick to tea in future. Went home to watch tv and relax before a long, hot day tomorrow.
Weather:
20°, cool start to the day but sunny

Thank Goodness for Friends

21.4.17: That Sinking Feeling
Ugh! The most horrible gunge came out from the pipe under one of the kitchen sinks. I'd tackled the "u" bend as had Frank but the problem wasn't there. Dominique had had a look and said I should get a plumber. Today, I decided to try and unscrew other pipework but had neither the strength nor the right tool to get very far. Jacques not only lent me the right equipment but sorted  the blockage. Horrible job but he did it with good humour and patience. See how interesting life is. Anyway, I took him off to the bar for an apéritif by way of a thank you.
In the last few weeks, there have been two doors to sort, the leak in the shower and now this. Oh, how I hate having to get my head around all these small nuisances.
In the afternoon, went with Maggie into Perpignan to the bookstore to find a gift and apart from that "nada".
Weather:
16°, feeling warmer in the sun

20.4.17: Up on a Charge!
Language exchange, cuppa at the bar, a quick lunch at home then I was on duty receiving and sorting books ready for the Association's stall at the Fête de la Sant Jordi (St George). Nicole S kept me company and lent a hand but sad to say, Mme the General said we didn't do it right; well, the organisation of the French books that is! Nicole not best pleased as she considered that her organisation was logical and not at fault. Consoled ourselves with tea in Céret.
Weather:
16°, blue skies

19.4.17: Big Screen, Little Screen
Worked on material for the Scotland trip and watched some tv.
Weather:
18°, blue skies but feeling even chillier

18.4.17: Almost Ready to Give Up
Coffee with Nicole P. Spanish becoming impossible. Translations way above our heads. Hope I can keep going until the end of the term. Prepared tapas for an evening on the terrace with Margaret, Kelvin and Irene.
Weather:
21° but there was a cold wind

Easter Traditions

17.4.17: Eggstravagant!

Coffee with Nicole S, JJ and Gabriella, a sandwich lunch at home and then a relaxed afternoon.
I , too, had made sure of my right to partake so joined over a hundred others for the Pascal Omelette. Of course there were loads to sample and I didn't hold back.
Weather:
25°, sun

16.4.17: Boo Hoo, No Easter Egg
Apart from the Easter decorations in the street, it was a usual Sunday; coffee with Nicole P, lunch with Nicole P, Gilles and Martine.
Spent a lazy afternoon at home.
Weather:
20° blue sky and chilly wind

15.4.17: Eggs, Eggs and More Eggs

The bus to the market was pulling away from the bus stop five minutes early as I arrived to get it. Margaret was there looking a bit worried that I wouldn't make it. Yasmin joined us at the "Pablo" which I usually avoid on a Saturday and sitting there, it came home to me why I do. All those "la la" voices speaking in English. So glad that I don't fit into that category!
Home via the supermarket, rushed a quick lunch to be ready to open up the association's room for Hannele who was taking some old cupboards. She was an hour late and then decided not to take the cupboards but that's Hannele all over.
Nicole P and I went out to listen to traditional Catalan songs.  Here's a photo of the Maire lowering a basket full of eggs and other things to make the Pascal omelette thus being sure of his right to partake of it on Monday.
A chilly cup of tea at the bar and then dinner at Jim and Mags' with David and Laura to dot the "i's" and cross the "t's" of our forthcoming Scottish trip.
Weather:
18°, blue skies and cloud

A Welcome Midweek Break

14.4.17: Clean Sweep

Coffee with Nicole P, then a delicious lunch at the restaurant with Margaret. In the meantime Thérèse more than earnt her money dealing with the dusty footprints resulting from all the coming and goings in the house.
Association website in the afternoon and telly in the evening
Weather:
24°, blue skies

13.4.17: Pottering around the Village
Language Exchange, tea afterwards, hair appointment, tea with Nicole P and attendance at a long tedious council meeting at the Mairie.
Weather:
26°, blue skies

12.4.17: Game of Patience
Tided up the garden; a long over due task. Had the handrails installed in the afternoon and spent ages untangling and sorting cables that have been lying around for ages. It's hard to know what belongs to what and even harder to know what it's supposed to do. Bet you've a drawerful too. Doesn't everyone?
Weather:
23° blue skies

11.4.17: Out of Bounds

Margaret, Anne, Nicole and I went off for a different sort of shopping today; this time for cava and so, altogether more interesting. And there was no one taking charge! Had lunch at "La Plaça" in Garriguella which you'll know from previous posts, serves good food with a bit of style.
Had hoped to look at the impressive standing stone on the way to the monestery at St Quirze but the access had all been cordoned off by the landowner. How many other gems are we denied? An old photo just aint the same.
Weather:
22°, blue sky and some cloud

10.4.17: One Bitten Tongue
Mme le General rounded Marguerite and I up to shop for some kitchen units for the Association's new room. She was on a mission and there was no time to lose. Had a tea sitting the garden in the other bar with Nicole S and not much else.
Weather:
23°, blue skies

Spending Time with Friends

9.4.17: More Eating and Drinking with Friends

Coffee with Nicole, Margaret, Irene and Rosie. Stayed on for a wee snack to keep Nicole company.
Home to do a bit of work and then back to the bar to meet Yaneth, Lisa and Jacques. It was a super evening with warm sunshine, lots of people on the terrace and the fountain working. Margaret and Irene who was relieved that the marathon had gone without mishap, came to eat so I lingered a bit longer. Apart from that, nothing else and so the weekend ended on a quiet note .
Weather:
23°, clear blue skies

8.4.17: Eating and Drinking with Friends
 Met up with Irene and Margaret at the "Grand Café" for a change. Kelvin was away in Paris to run the marathon tomorrow. Can only admire him as his son had had to drop out so he was running on his own. Stayed on for lunch at the "France".
In the afternoon, I went for a walk along the prom in Argelès with Françoise while Jean sat in a café with his book until we could join him for a drink.
Home for a bite to eat after which I joined Margaret and Irene at the bar. They were on the red wine and I stuck to tea.
Weather:
20°, blue skies

7.4.17: Making Life Difficult for the Postie!

After such a slow week, a trip to Figueres with Nicole S and Yasmin made a welcome change. Started with a leisurely coffee and made my regular trip to the dried foods shop. It's the place to buy loose dried fruit, nuts, pulses, grains etc. Couldn't believe that the price of the ground almonds was half that you'd pay in France. Looked at a few clothes shops too but for once, didn't buy anything. We had lunch at the "Ous d'Or", always a sure bet in a pleasant environment as you'll know from previous posts. We had tea on the Plaça Josep Pla at the "El Pau" coffee and bookshop opposite the lovely (if you like Art Deco architecture) Municipal Theatre. http://www.lapau.org/  Definitely worth top place on my good places to go in Figueres list.
Came home in time to go to a vernissage in Christian's room and thank goodness that I did as there were only six of us from the village there. At least the Maire took time out from his banda practice to put in an appearance. To make things worse, the artist had no one there from his side apart from his wife and granddaughter. Jacques Vincen's work is modern and not to my taste but the idea was an original one based on the mail (postal) art movement that originated in the 40's and 50's. Highly decorated post somehow gets delivered despite the address being well camouflaged among all the art work. Apparently one artist sent one such "postcard" on a slipper and it too was delivered. Jacques had posted a great number of "postcards" from all over the world to the Maison pour Tous and all arrived! Follow the link for a better explanation than I've given here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_art 
Came back home to a less enlightened evening in front of the telly.
Weather:
20°, clear blue skies, no wind

Giving the Camera a Rest

6.4.17: Eating with Friends Known and Unkown
Went to the language exchange and met an Estonian family with a 4 year old and 6 year old that Hannele had brought along. They spoke neither French nor English but were all smiles and very polite. The children will be going to school here in May and Hannele who is Finnish, will employ the parents to help with the house that she is building here. Europe in action!
Had a drink (tea) in the bar and then 6 of us went to the restaurant for a change. A good meal it was too.
Oh dear! As I'm writing this ages later I know from my notes that I made an Orange and Almond Slice for tea that was well received but have no idea who came to eat it! http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/almond-slice-with-apricot-glaze-4106
Normally, I say to folk that I take photos so that I know what I've been doing but today, I didn't so my tea companions remain unknown!
In the evening JJ invited me to eat a pizza with him and catch up; of course, there was cake for him too.
Weather:
19°, sun, wind, cloud

5.4.17: Anticlimax

Took myself out for a walk; not only was it a lovely morning but I also felt that I should get my legs to do a bit more work than of late. Harry and Sue were enjoying the sun in front of their holiday home and invited me in for a drink (water).
In the afternoon did some Association admin and then wandered around to the square to see the filming that was going on. A Catalan crew were making a tv film set in the 60's. The hairdressers was transformed into a newsagents and the bar was used for the costumes and make-up. There was very little action which was disappointing so I beat a retreat home to get out of the cold wind.
Weather:
18°, sun and high cloud with a cold wind later on

4.4.17: Recycling Books
Coffee with Nicole P sitting out on the terrace of the bar then met Philippe to oraganise the bookshelves he's to make to put on the window sills of the Maison pour Tous. There's one each for English and French language books that peole can take, borrow, exchange or leave.
More work on the computer and that was it.
Weather:
21°, sun, wind

3.4.17: Non Alcoholic Apéritifs
Gosh, it was such an ordinary day that I'm almost embarrased to write about it but you know me, I'm OCD enough to not leave any gaps so here goes!
The man came  to do an accurate measure for the stair rail, I did some admin and took the bus into the bank to get some money, go to the supermarket for a few bits and pieces and leave Saveur a cheque for the electrics.
The evening did at least bring a bit of variety to the day by way of an apérobio with Ann and Lynn but I didn't even think to take a photo to liven it up. Familiarity breeds contempt as they say ...
Weather:
20°, sun, wind

Quiet Weekend

2.4.17: Lazy Sunday Afternoon
After such a late night, it wasn't surprising that I slept until 9.30am. Jacques called by in the morning with a bunch of flowers to make up for me not having been at the market to buy my own (or so he said!)
Of course, there was coffee in the bar with the two Nicoles and Yasmin, among others, followed by an omlette lunch. Came home to work on the blog and do some more foutering.
Weather:
16°, sun but chilly wind making it feel cooler

1.4.17: April Fish

The French mark the 1st April too, by making fools of people but for them, the object is to pin a fish on the person's back as well as to make up fantastic but almost believable stories as in UK. As usual, our doors were decorated with fish; cardboard not fresh, I might add. The only difference from last year is that mine was lilac and not red.
No market as it was raining and only went as far as the bar for a coffee. Foutered on the computer, watched tv and then foutered until after 2.30am when I finally called it a day and went to bed.
Weather:
15°, rain