The Kiwis Come Calling

28.5.19:

Had a date with JJ and my tax forms at 8h30 this morning and thankfully got it done in time to get the bus to Pepignan. Met 3 people from the village on my walk down to Ken and Kathy's hotel and our first port of call was the Café Catalogne across the road. Did some zigzag sightseeing around the town and ended up at the Figuier for lunch. https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g187156-d1141216-Reviews-Le_Figuier-Perpignan_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html

Then visited the Hotel Pams, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_Pams

Hotel Xanxo, Les Halles https://www.facebook.com/hallesvauban/and the cathedral before picking up the baggage and heading for the bus.

K and K rested a little, I phoned Mum and read her the riot act. Had apéros on the terrace until the evening chill drove us in.

Weather:

21, sunny strong chilly winds

29.5.19:

We made a valident effort to be up and out to catch the bus into town. Started with breakfast at Violette's and lo and behold, who should we find nearby but Jean and Françoise. Of course they joined us. Wandered around for a while and then had an apéro at the Pablo until time to go for the bus.

Did some association admin this afternoon while, Ken and Kathy snoozed.  They wanted to walk so I joined them on their quest to do 10,000 steps. Walked up to the retreat and back via the fitness equipment, ending up at Can  Pepe.

Had a couple of rounds out on the terrace before it was back to the chilli that I'd already cooked. Sat around talking and video called Jill (n/a) and Rosie and Chris.

What a pleasure it will be; tomorrow is a public holiday and there's no need to be up for any particular time.

Weather:

24°, blue sky and sun

30.5.19:

No need to rush out this morning. It's a public holiday. We all went down to the recreation to look around the carboot sale. Nothing of interest.

Had a couple of glasses of wine at the bar sitting inside since with all the work going on, the terrace is out of action.

An afternoon of pottering and then a walk over to Maggie's where she gave us tea and regaled us with funny stories of her life.

Dinner at home and a relatively early night.

Weather:

26°, sun less wind

31.5.19:

Saw Ken and Kathy off to Barcelona this morning and finished off my packing for Bretteville. We're not going until next Wednesday as Robert and Michèle are taking it in their car due to limited space in JJ's and they are off sooner. Never have I packed ahead of time and even more amazing, I managed to get two weeks stuff into my cabin baggage! So much for having bought a new suitcase.

Jacky picked me up to go for round 2 of Michèle's birthday at the same place as before. This time it was the family do, so I felt very touched to be included.

Martine was my chauffeur for the return in order to get me to the last twinning briefing at which the wine and official presents were parceled out to those with space in their cars.

From there, I had an hour at home to start and tidy up the photos from lunchtime to give to Michèle tomorrow at the market. Next came the inauguration of a photo exhibition "Visca per le Llibertat" about the referendum and demonstrations in South Catalunya. http://visca-llibertat.cat/en/presentation/
The ones featuring neo nazis groups were particularly disturbing. This was followed by a documentary about the day of the vote. It was hard to believe that the photos weren't taken under a dictatorship in some South American country. Joan, sang several songs and of course, the evening finished with an apéritif.

Today was certainly one ofcontrasts.

Weather:

27°, sun and blue sky