The Glums

15.8.17: Off Duty
The usual Rallye Pedestre didn't happen this year as there were no volunteers forthcoming to organise it. The kids were disappointed but they still booted up and went to explore the Cathar Castles instead, therefore, I had another day left to my own devices with the added bonus that I was to be relieved of cooking duties.
Met Nancy and Nicole P at the café and stayed on to have an omelette lunch.
Spent the afternoon being a couch potato. So what? It is a public holiday after all.
Jean and Françoise stopped by to bring some photos of the hike and stayed for a quick drink.
Dinner was a real treat and everyone contributed.

On the menu:
Guacamole and nachos (Pierre), melon,saucisson
Chilled Cucumber Soup
Stuffed Aubergines
Panna Cotta with Strawberry Coulis
White Chocolate Cookies (Maureen)
You don't need me to tell you that it was a good meal but sadly there was a bit of a hiccup as Maureen went into a strop when the conversation strayed on to her future studies. (Look, you can see from the photo, she isn't always a mardy soul). As there was no lifting the mood around the table, when the meal was finished Valérie and I went to the café in a search of a bit of a wind down and light relief which we found at the bottom of a teapot!
Weather:
29), cloud and a few spots of rain
PS For those of you who are too young to remember, the Glums were a radio family from the 50's - 60's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSk3of8kZ4c

14.8.17: Yet Another Problem Coming to Light

The family were up and out very early to meet Françoise to go on a hike up in the mountains. The plumber turned up as arranged and fixed the leak under the bath but while sorting this problem, he found another; there's a small gap between the floor and the wall so any surface water finds its way there and drip, drip, drips into the sitting room below. All very depressing; it's just one thing after another. There was only one remedy and that was a cuppa and chill out at the café.
Weather:
28), sun


13.8.17: Salutations and Songs of the Seventies

Valérie and I started the day with a walk up to where Christian rests in the shade to say "bonjour", reminisce and admire the view.
I stopped off at the bar for a cuppa while the family headed off to Spain for the whole day. This suited me fine as I was able to do some cooking and have a bit of settee time.
They came back absolutely exhausted so there was no interest in the least to go to the bar to listen to music; in any case they could hear it from the house. The terrace was packed so I was pleased that Nicole V, Anne and Jacques had saved me a seat. It was fun singing along to songs from the 70's. The accordionist made us laugh with the most fixed dead pan expression we'd ever seen. It didn't crack once!
Weather:
31°, sun