Having Fun, Gaining Kilos

6.2.18: And then there were .... 3

Eating out with friends, eating at friends', finally, it was my turn to invite people to mine.
Spent a long time preparing an apéritif dinatoire for seven of us but during the day, Kathy, Jean, Françoise and Jean-Jacques dropped out which left just Daniel and Michel to eat the array of things that I'd made. Never mind; though I have to say it almost feels like the Agatha Christie that I'm listening to as I write!
Earlier I'd been listening to coverage of the 100th anniversary of some women obtaining the vote in 1918. What a long time it took but there again French women had to wait a darn sight longer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCtGkCg7trY
Weather:
6°, sun, cloud

5.2.18: Out with  Foodies
Another little lie in before heading off to Perpignan for a gastronomic tour with Michel, his cousin Daniel, here for a few days and Christian, a Belgian recently returned after nearly 40 years in Venezuela. Started with "la Maison Paré" a mouth watering butchers and chacuterie shop with a bistro attached. If you don't believe me just follow the link. http://www.maison-pare.com/index.php
Next came a stop for Michel to buy baba rums after which it was time for lunch at the "Orchidée Thai" where you eat cheaply in a corner of an Asian grocery shop surrounded by sacks of rice and exotic fruits. Christian obviously found it pretty downmarket to what he was used to but didn't complain. " https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g187156-d1076799-Reviews-L_Orchidee_Thai-Perpignan_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html
Next there was coffee at Eric and Kathy Marsiam's beautiful flat in a listed Art Deco building. I'd never been before and was well impressed. Eric is an artist of some reknown and will be one of five painters chosen to represent France at a forthcoming exhibition in Shanghai or is it Kuala Lumpa?

Sadly, we were running late and couldn't linger.
Final stop was  for cheese near the Place de la République. I was tempted by a pice of Corsican sheep's cheese decorated with an imbedded fern. Eyes watered again but this time it was because of the  price! https://www.google.fr/search?tbm=lcl&ei=Np6JWsHsLIb1gQb206XgDw&q=hélène+colls+perpignan&oq=hélène+
Another telly night rounded off the day.
Weather:
10°, cloud, rain

4.2.18: Upping my Cultural Game
Slept in a bit, had coffee as usual and was joined today by Françoise. Lunch, ironing, computer and then a concert given by 11 cellists from the National Orchestra of Toulouse. Not a great fan of the instrument, I'd forced myself to go (a free ticket tipped the scales) and I was so glad I did.
On the programme:
Bela Bartok ~ Danses Roumaines
Kurt Veill ~ Alabama Song
David Popper ~ Polonaise
Maurice Ravel ~ Kaddish
Astor Piazzola ~ Adios Nonino
Heitor Villa-Lobos ~ Bachianas Brasilieras
Piotr Illitch Tchaïkovsky Mélodi
Astor Piazzolla ~ La meutrte del Angel
Johann Strauss ~ Le Beau Danube Bleu
Piotr Illitch Tchaïkovsky ~ Trépak
Weather:
11°, cloud, rain

3.2.18: Indulging my Sweet Tooth

Michel's back and Jacques is away so there was no contest to give me a lift to the market. Had coffee with David and Laura who are back for their winter break and a sprinkling of other folk from the village. Had lunch at Michel's with our deceased dentist's wife. She's getting her life together and luckily for us, has managed to sell the practice. All being well, the new dentist should be installed around the end of February. She brought the most delicious dessert from a nationally known patissier who has been winning awards since 1984.https://www.olivier-bajard.com/en/
Walked from Michel's over to Flo's for  pancakes and a trivial pursuits type game. Nicole S was there and was her usual competitive self, being miffed when she drew the card which automatically gave 1 point rather than having the chance to win 2 points by answering a question correctly.
Spent the night in front of the tv.
Weather:
10°, sun, cloud and cold wind