This Week's News

20.7.18: Showing willing

Had a late coffee at the bar on my own and enjoyed every minute of listening to the fountain and the mummer of conversation in the background.
Had lunch at "La Galerie" with Ann, Lynn and her visitor Anne. The restaurant  has had good reviews and we weren't disappointed and the two young proprietors were charming.  https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g196603-d14076345-Reviews-Restaurant_La_Galerie-Ceret_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html
Spent the afternoon trying not to think about having to wear my demon costume (long robe, long sleeves, red wig, wings) and having my face painted for the first evening of the  village's "festa major". Given that the carnival was cancelled back in February due to bad weather, it was decided to bring out the float at this time. Being so hot, I'm sure that I will have lost the kilos I put on this lunchtime but not those that the sausage chips we ate afterwards will have piled on. The things I find myself involved in to support village events.
Weather:
32°, hot and sunny

19.8.18: Standing room only

Language exchange this morning and a cuppa at the bar afterwards. God, how often have I written this over the years. The exchange started six months after the blog, 10 years ago though at that time it took place at the café.
Ate lunch rapidly at home before an Association committee meeting and at the end of the afternoon had tea with Michel. This time there was no cava and no baking but it was good to catch up even if he was on the clock.
This evening there was an Irish night at the bar with music provided by 10 local singers and musicians. There wasn't a seat to be had and for all concered, the evening was a big success.
Weather:
34°, sunny

18.7.18: Doing the rounds
Took my usual Wednesday morning coffee at Joëlle's on the main road where I was joined by one of the village nurses who was on a rare day off. Here community nurses are all self employed so many of them put in very long hours.

A women only afternoon tea chez Mags organised to meet her friend Gillie. As is the fashion these days it started with a glass of fizz though rather than the ubiquitous glass of prosecco that's on every menu in UK, we stayed loyal to Catalunya and drank cava. My kind of afternoon; chat, cava, Earl Grey and lots of home baking!
In the evening there was an imromptu apéritif at the bar with Nicole and Florian. Luckily I didn't listen to the voice in my head that was saying "no need to water, the rain is coming", because of course, it didn't.
Weather:
32°, sun, cloud later

17.7.18: Eureka!

Obviously had an uneventful day as I can't remember anything about it! Am I on the slippery slope or was it such a boring day that I couldn't even be bothered to make a note?
Mystery solved; maybe you can hear my sigh of relief. Have just had a look at my photos and it's all come back to me! Can recommend this as a memory prop.
Went and had a coffee this morning and heard that Lolo and his new group were going to play at apéro time. I felt that in the name of solidarity, I should go back this evening to encourage them and enjoy a glass of wine. In actual fact this imprompu "concert" actually their first rehearsal! Have to say, knowing absolutely nothing about the subject, it was quite interesting watching them put it all together and by the end, they did run through several pieces without stopping and starting.
Weather:
Hot and sunny once more.

16.7.18: Them bones, them bones, them old bones!

Nono and Evelyn came to the bus stop this morning to say "farewell" before they headed off to the mountains and I took off  to have my annual "once over" by the osteopath.
Walking around killing time before my appointment, I came across this interesting street name. It tells me that the town has been socialist for a long time. 10/10 for originality.
The osteopath did a good job; he realigned my back and I now walk straighter. Question is, for how long.
Had a cuppa while waiting for the bus back in a non-descript café, thanking my lucky stars with every sip that ours is a much more pleasant place to hang out.
Did some blog catch up in the afternoon and afterwards found myself sucked in to watching some of the arrival of "Les Bleus" at the Elyesées Palace. Was actually heartening to see all the players and our normally buttoned up President having fun. Pogba was a real elevation. Talk about holding his audience in the palm of his hand. Wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't go into politics after football has finished with him.
Weather:
26° Early morning thunder storms, low cloud, rain, sun by the end of the day