Uninspiring Start to the Week

31.3.18: Returning Hospitality

No market this morning. Was so busy organising this evening's meal for Mags, Jim, Terry, Ann, Nicole and JJ that I forgot to go and listen to the "goigs", Easter songs sung "carol" style in the streets.
Being Easter, I did a roast leg of lamb à la Jamie. https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/lamb-recipes/best-roast-leg-of-lamb/ It was very easy and tasty, so give it a go. Ann, bless her, brought a seriously delicious raspberry and chocolate tart. The Anglo/French mix worked well too.
Weather:
17°, sun, blue sky, wind


30.3.18:
Went into Céret with Margaret, Kelvin and Irene. Had a pleasant leisurely time and then Margaret and I came back for an omelette lunch at the bar. Jacques came in the afternoon to take apart a wardrobe for me which rather than take to the dump, he's decided to treat the wordworm and keep it himself.
Weather:
19°, sun in morning, cloud latter.

29.3.18:
Went to the market in Figueres with Michel. It was also his birthday but sadly we couldn't go to the restaurant he'd thought of as it was closed. Ended up in the one by the market which was hardly worthy of a celebration.
Back home I played "matchmaker" between JJ and a new member of the association as they are both interested in philosophy. Even though it was apéritif time, I just drank tea. Tea drunk and after a polite period of time in conversation, I went home to watch tv which was more to my style.
Weather:
17°, sun

28.3.18:
Pottered and then prepared supper for Margaret, Kelvin and Irene who are over on holiday. It was a simple affair of apéros, soup, cheese and dessert. The soup was actually ace. It was a minestrone livened up with "putanesca" flavours of finely chopped olives, anchovies, capers and chillis.
Weather:
21°, sun, cloud later

27.3.18:

Did some work and then went for a walk to crank up the step counter. Took this photo on my way around. Makes me wonder why I don't get myself out more to take advantage of all this gorgeous scenery. Came home and did some more work on the website. Tv and a long chat with Jen and then ended with even more tv.
Weather:
18°, sun, cloud

26.3.18: Busy Day, Lazy Evening
Committee meeting, coffee with Nicole, lunch at home. GP appointment this afternoon, a visit to the painting group but to busy to have tea with them. Gave Kevin's "live aid" meeting to organise a benefit concert for those effected by the "tornado" a miss this evening in favour of staying infront the TV.
Weather:
16°, sun and cloud

Wet Weekend

25.3.18: Happy Adults

Rain has stopped so no need of the umbrella for my trip to the bar for coffee and apéritif. Turned down the offer to stay on and eat with Françoise and Philippe as there was an invitation to have dinner at Jean and Françoise's in the evening.
A bit of work on the computer this afternoon the it was off to eat "lentils saucisses" (Christian's favourite) along with Thérèse and Joan. Lively conversation and an update on the conference on climate that Jean is helping to organise in Collioure. Going to be quite an important event.
Weather:
14°, sunshine, cloud and showers

24.3.18: My Happy Inner Child

Carnaval in the village was cancelled because of the weather. Braved the rain to go and have coffee with Nicole and stayed in looking at the small screen all day as the rain didn't let up. Watched "Paddington" and "What we did on our Holidays" with Billy Connolly. Easy going and something to chuckle at.
Weather:
9°, heavy rain all day

23.3.18: No need for the TV

Helped Maggie unload and tidy up after last night during which time, Yasmin phoned suggesting that we meet up. She's going back to UK a week earlier than expected so she wanted to spend some time with the sister she never had!
Had a coffee to start and with still plenty to talk about, we decided to go to "Molas" for lunch. Limited ourselves to the hors d'œvres buffet and dessert. Hope you're impressed.
Met with Nick at the end of the afternoon to talk about the new Association website.
In the evening off I went around to JJ's for dinner with two other widows (there are a lot of us about) and another woman who might as well be one as she does very little with "him indoors". JJ did himself proud with pork fillet wrapped in pastry!
Weather:
19°, sun, cloud in the evening

Ticking Over

22.3.18: Three Widows and a Widower
Language exchange took place with quite a few more French than Brits. Says something about motivation.
Afterwards, rather than tea I had a quick Banyuls in the bar before going with JJ and Nicole for lunch at Martine's.
It was no surprise that the meal was delicious and the conversation amusing.
Not long after returning home, it was time to get myself out again in order to prepare the apéritif for new members. There were about 25 folk present and there was plenty of "getting to know you" going on. Plenty to nibble on and to drink, so folk went away happy. It's amazing what they get for their 10€ of membership.
Weather:
12°, sun, wind in the morning

21.3.18: 2nd Chance to make Resolutions
I learnt from Yasmin that today is the Zoroastrian New Year https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowruz
as in Europe, it's associated with the rebirth of nature (tulips and hyacyths are much in evidence), house cleaning and buying a new outfit. The first day of spring here was sunny but colder than it should be.
Had lunch with Michel and we were joined for coffee by Martine who was due to come to mine to help me through the "applying for nationality" maze! Wasn't as complicated as I'd thought. It's just tedious.
Weather:
13°, cloud, blue sky and strong wind

20.3.18: If only Woodworm attacked Robots!
 Up with the lark to be organised for the arrival of the workers who were treating the beams in the house. The job was done in a day and they were polite and cheerful which is always a plus. I did nothing other than sit on the settee, catch up with emails, watch some tv (now there's a suprise) and started to read "I, Maybot" by John Crace, the Guardian columnist https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/amazon-best-seller-robotics-i-maybot_uk_5a2913a4e4b0fa7986123cab It's a quick fire, rapid satire on the lamentable state of  Britain's leadreship post Brexit.
once the guys had left, I went for a cuppa with Michel and then for the monthly "Apérobio" with "les Anglaises". Nothing exciting to report.
Weather:
8°, cloud

19.3.18: Thank Goodness for Box Sets!
Took myself to a sparsely populated bar for a coffee. Kevin, the guitaist  came in and I leant that he wants to do a "Live Aid" type of fundraiser to create a village solidarity fund.
Computer in the afternoon then back to the bar for a cuppa with Nicole and apart from a long chat with my lovely little sister who was celebrating her birthday, the day came to a close in front of the tv.
Weather:
13°, heavy rain

Raining on Our Parade

18.3.18: Off the Hook Again
Only six of us around the table for coffee at the bar. Had a quick lunch at home before (reluctantly) setting off to get ready for the carnival. Not a soul in sight as the group organisers had decided to give it a miss. Shame no one thought to tell me! Another free afternoon. Yippee!
Weather:
13°, sun, cloud later

17.3.18: Wearing the Green

Michel and Jacques both phoned offering me a lift to the market but Yasmin is back and had beaten them to it. Met up with Françoise for coffee and were later joined by one or two others from the village.
Had a quick lunch at home and headed off to see what was happening about the carnival. Weather threatening and the organisers decided to postpone until tomorrow. We stayed on for a cuppa before disbanding. Between you and me, I was glad to have a free afternoon and time to rest before the St Patrick's night in the bar.
There was a good mix of French, Brits and other nationalities not to mention a lot of green in evidence. Even if I do say so myself, my wig went down a treat!
Weather:
15°, cloud, heavy rain later with the temperature dropping rapidly as the rain set in

Certain Women, Uncertain Weather

16.3.18: Women who Lunch
Went again into Céret with Maggie this time to do battle with the tax people on a friend's behalf. We actually got it sorted! Stayed on in town for lunch at  "The France" during which time, the skies opened so yet again a sprint was in order. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g196603-d3655802-Reviews-Le_France-Ceret_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html
At home I did more work on the computer, watched a whole lot more tv and started to cough.. 
Weather:
15°, sun, cloud, heavy rain

15.3.18: Missing Something?
Language exchange, tea at the bar, computer at home, supermarket shopping with Maggie.
Tonight there was another film featuring women "Certain Women". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZdw0pvVI10 Quite honestly, I couldn' find anything in it; it was so slow and I wasn't the only one with the same opinion! The Guardian however, went into raptures!
Weather:
20 deg, sun, cloud, rain later

14.3.18: Home Alone
Stayed in all day working on Association admin.
Weather:
15°, sun and cloud

13.3.18: Spring in the Air, A Spring in the Step

Lynn, Ann and I took the bus to Perpignan to go in search of a present for Roger's 80th birthday present. The day followed it's usual pattern; a lengthy coffee at the Café de Catalogne, (the owner's Mum, lives in the village), a bit of a stroll along the canal where the daffs were in bloom, then lunch, this time at the VIP where we ate well. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187156-d1100971-Reviews-Le_V_I_P-Perpignan_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html
There was plenty of time for a bit of shopping (a top for St Pat's night for me, a scarf for Lynn for the same reason and chocolate for Ann, well for Terry actually). A cuppa before catching the bus and then a quick sprint back to the bus. I continued on to Céret to see Françoise about the article she was writing about Women's Day in the village.
Did an even quicker sprint from hers to the bus stop only to find that once again I'd misread the timetable and had a 40 minute wait. Fortunately, I had enough time to make some soup for supper with JJ.
Weather:
19°, sun, cloud later

12.3.18: Hail Friends, Well Met

Meeting with Marguerite to put away the equipment from yesterday; meeting with Nick about the web site; meeting with Mimoun who's coming to do some pretty hard pruning chez moi; meeting with Chantal to explain the workings of the association.
Did some work on the web site before heading off to the bar for a blues/folk night with Kevin and Franc strumming their stuff.
On a domestic note, I plucked up courage to do a factory reset on the tv box and wouldn't you know it, it was working again! Who knows why things happen.
Weather:
18°, overnight rain, sun, thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Even Busier!

11.3.18: Vive les Femmes!

Up early to get set up in the square. As always the sun god was looking out for us. The square was buzzing with women relaxing, chatting and enjoying being waited upon. Hortense was there also to present her new book of poetry; she gave a percentage of the sales to the money raised by our raffle. Procceds go every year to a women's refuge in Perpignan.
There's always a book available for comments, quotes, reflexions, poems, drawings etc. Mine was a Michelle Obama quote that encourages women to think of their physical and mental health by putting themselves at the top of their "to do" list; Hortense added one of her poems but the majority of comments were about the men  doing the serving! Who says that the battle is won?

We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/michelle_obama_411952that women need to take care of their physival and mental health by putting themselves on top of their "to do list".

Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we're scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don't have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/michelle_obama_411952

Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we're scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don't have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/michelle_obama_41195I couldn't believe that most of  were about how good the men were doing the serving!!! The proceeds go every year to a women's refuge in Perpignan.

Ended the morning with brunch, a new venture at the restaurant with Terry, Ann, Nany and André. Copious but sadly Martine and I had to rush through it as we were off to the carnival in Céret.
Faces painted red, horns in place we danced twice around the town, throwing confetti and getting showered in our turn.
With all this walking throughout the day, my podometer went over 18,000 steps.
Came home to give Mum a ring as it was "Mother's Day" and then went to the other bar for an apéritif with the carnival group.
Weather:
22°, sun all day

10.3.17: A Surprise Gift

Not only did Jacques give me a lift to the market, he bought me a bunch of flowers as well. Was having coffee with Françoise and then along came Hortense. On meeting Jacques at the other bar, Hans offered to buy us a wine while he waited for his wife. Impolite to refuse, n'est-ce pas.
After a morning of leisure, had to work this afternoon, packing up Maggie's van ready for the Women's Day Salon de Thé. Nicole came back for a cuppa and not able to leave it any longer, I finally did battle once again with my wings. Nothing for it afterwards than to watch telly.
Weather:
18° sun, blue sky, cloud later

Life's a Bit More Lively

9.3.18: 2nd Quiz, 2 Win!

Had a long coffee with Lynn who with her French husband is new to the village and the association. Lots of things in common even husbands that worked for the same company though not in the same sector.
Got so involved in working on the computer that I arrived an hour late for a meeting about the forthcoming trip to Germany as guests of the mandolin orchestra that visited us last year.
Went straight from there to the quiz at the bar and was on the winning team. Roland was ace; he had every question on French Départments right. I did ok on the film round so wasn't there just for the ride and I also learnt a few things along the way. As I said before, thank goodness, the "trophy" stays put at the bar and you might be interested to know that there was another Yorkie on the team! Margaret and Ken take them everywhere.
Weather:
14°, sun and cloud

Fun is Thin on the Ground

8.3.18: Fighting a Real Battle
Language exchange and a cuppa afterwards. Having got the hang of things, at last there's some daylight getting the photos in place.
Being International Women's Day, there was a special showing of "I still hide to smoke", a film made by a Franco-Algerian woman, who,  having been sprayed with petrol in Paris because of it, has to hide for real. It is excellent and the film maker hopes to put it onto You Tube to overcome censorship in certain countries, once Arte, the producer, has shown it on their tv networks. Look out for it and watch it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DS5XbDxaJU
Weather:
15°, sun and cloud

7.3.18: Hellish Day

Another special memory of Christian; this time of the day we met. I do wish he were still here.
Finally managed to catch up with Nicole at the other bar as our usual was closed; there was so much to talk about that we followed our coffee with a glass of wine.
Battled with putting the wings  onto my carnival costume; oh, where was I when manual talent was handed out? Put my hopes on getting good advice at the afternoon's dress rehersal. Secretly hoped that someone would take pity on me and do it but all I got was buy some nappy pins and to secure them to the robe. Nearly burst a blood vessel when I had to pay 7€90 at the local chemist's for 7 of them!!
Came home and battled with putting two year's worth of photo albums on the web site via a new programme. Can't tell you how much I've been going around in circles. Feeling exhausted with it all and I'm not even sure how many people actually consult it.
Oh yes, and the tv box which brings in French freeview in not working and not being able to reset the date I decided that this was a battle that could wait.
Weather:
15°, blue sky and cloud

6.3.18: Mme Grumpy

I'm feeling cross with the Association committee as it feels as if we're flying by the seat of our pants. There is not enough attention to detail and things are falling through the net. Hence, a couple of days ago, I realised that no publicity had been done for our Women's Day tearoom in the square next Sunday. There is more annoying me but I won't go into the boring details. Suffice it to say, I've got the bit between the teeth and hope to see some changes made. Of course, I'm just as cross with myself for not having thought about it either but we'll gloss over that.
This morning after having the poster I'd designed at the last minute approved by the President and getting it photocopied, I tripped around the village delivering them to anyone with a shop window or a captive clientele. Arrived chez Jany just befor midday and was invited in for an apéritif which I accepted and subsequently for lunch which I declined. Well, there is that couscous in the fridge waiting for me.
More work on the computer this afternoon and lacking in enthusiasm, I gave the guitar night in the bar a miss.
Weather:
16°, blue sky, cloud, rain later

5.3.18: Plodding on
Started the day with a special thought for Christian and spent the rest of the time working on the web site.
Weather:
14°, blue sky, cloud, rain later

Where's the Excitment When You Need it?

4.3.18: Feeding the Masses

For the first time ever, I was the only one at the café on a Sunday morning. Sat it out for a bit, talking to who ever came in and then went off a bit earlier than planned to help set up the tables for a meal organised by the association. A couscous with all the trimmings for 90 of us was on the menu and as usual, Mimi did us proud. Bought a portion to take away so I don't have to cook tomorrow or even the day after. Once again, the President came when all was ready and left after eating. Still, I shouldn't throw stones as I didn't stay on for an afternoon of dancing; just wanted to put my feet up and drink endless cups of tea.
Weather:
15°, sun, cloud and rain at the end of the day.

3.3.18: Finally, a Bit of Social Life
Had a coffee at the bar while waiting for a lift to the market with Michel. As usual, I didn't do any shopping but had coffee with Michelle and Henri and then joined Bridget who was minus Hortense and thus on her own.
Continued working on the web site (I am getting there) until it was time to go for dinner at Nick and Kathy's. We were also joined by an Irish couple who'd not been able to travel back home due to the snow and bad weather. In contrast, just look what temperatures we've been experiencing.
Weather:
18°, blue sky

2.3.18: Another Dull Day
Went to Margaret's to check that her house was still holding tight as the repairs to the chimney are not yet done. Too many roofs taking priority. All was well. One bright spot was bumping into Thérèse who said that she was ready to come back and give me a hand in the house. Otherwise, I spent a lot of time on a futile hunt for some keys.
Weather:
16°, blue sky

1.3.18: A Dull Sort of Day
Thursday and yes, well remembered, it was the language exchange and a cuppa afterwards at the café.
The afternoon was no more exciting; just a trip with Maggie to buy pellets for my stove. Predictably, the evening was spent in front of the tv.
Weather:
12°, cloud, heavy rain later