How Quick it is to get back into the Swing of Things!

8.7.20 - 18.7.20: Catching Up

You'd think that with over 4 months just drifting along that I'd be raring to get into cleaning, sorting, organising and other worthwhile activities ...... ah, no! Frequent trips to the café for an internet connection were more of a priority; not that I managed to have an uninterrupted run at it as there was always someone to talk to. At least I managed to download the Guardian  and something to watch for later on. In my defence, I have been on the treadmill most days, so it's not all indolence.
There's been a lot of catching up going on during these last few days which I've found pass just as quickly here as they did in UK. Several sessions over coffee, mostly with Nicole but also once with Ann and Lynn and once with Carmen. As you can imagine there were times when food was involved too.
The village had 5 positive covid cases of which one person was hospitalised for a day. People are laid back about mask wearing and social distancing of 1m is fluid. The tables at the bar are reasonably spaced but people have a tendancy to come quite close to speak to you though the Brits are noticably more cautious than the French. So far, I've not kissed or hugged anyone.
Thursday, 9th:
It's our turn to receive our Normandy counterparts this year and the pressure is on to organise a visit at the beginning of October. I have my doubts it will happen but we're going ahead to show willing. After the meeting we ajourned for a drink and ended up staying for a bite to eat. Martine, Dominique and myself from the committee were joined by Antoine, the mayoral candidate that lost.
Friday, 10th:
Was invited to Rosie and Maurice's for an apéro and BBQ. Walked there and back and to my delight I found that the phone and internet were back on again. What will be my excuse now to go to the café. Come to think of it, I don't need one, do I?
Saturday, 11th:
During my absence a small local producers market has been established. There's a real buzz and the café and restaurant are doing a good trade. Whiled away the morning over some chilled rosé and then stayed on for a salad lunch with Martine and Carmen.
In the evening I joined Jacques and his friend Antony for dinner at the restaurant. Foie gras as a starter and steak to follow. No room for a pud.
Sunday, 12th:
Went with Jacques who was driving Anthony to the station in Figueres so that I could do a bit of shopping on the way back. Catalunya has had a rise in positive cases so masks are obligatory even in open spaces. The town of Lleida SW of Barcelona has returned to lockdown.
Monday, 13th:
Apart from a coffee with Nicole, I just pottered at home.
Tuesday, 14th:
The French national day was a low key affair with the fireworks cancelled and the apéritif after the

ceremony and parade was a sit down affair instead of the usual free for all. Fewer people were present and the Mayor's speech was lacklustre. He certainly lacks the flair, depth of reflection and vision of André. Official stuff over, I head over to the bar to meet Nicole and we were later joined by Martine, Antoine and Carmen. Rosé and a bowl of chips to share made for a pleasant end to the morning.
Wednesday, 15th:
JJ is back from a 3 week trip around France visiting friends and family and the pair of us were invited to Jean and Françoise's for an apéritif dinatoire along with Thérèse and her granddaughter. That meant that I spent time in the afternoon making a Peach and Sour Cream Ring Cake. It went down well thank goodness.
Thursday, 16th:

Had a coffee with Nicole, bought some farm cheese at the market and to my surprise and delight, the stall holder, who I know from years back but who has only just started coming to the Thursday
market gave me a generous piece of goat and sheeps' semi hard cheese. Oh, my god, is it delicious. I couldn't get over how kind she was.
Had lunch at the restaurant with 4 Brits (Ann, Terry, Angela, Paul) and Roland who is French. The two other tables on the terrace comprised of 14 Brits from the village. Couldn't believe it. It felt uncomfortable, for me anyway, especially as the table of 8 was loud mouthed. As the French would say it brought me out in a rash!!
Met Nicole this evening in the bar to listen to Joan (Catalan for John), a singer/composer from the village and sod's law wasn't the loudest mouth from lunch time there, along with 4 other blokes.
Friday, 17th:
Took the bus into Céret and met Jean and Françoise for a coffee before heading off to Henri and Michèle's for lunch en famille. Was great to catch up with them after so long and to find that they'd both come through the lockdown well. Both are 80. Michèle celebrated hers last year and it's on the cards that Henri and another pal will be celebrating theirs in September all being well.
Saturday, 18th:
Met folk at the bar while watching all the activity at the market and of course drank some chilled rosé. All very jolly with a mixture of Scots, French and me. Jacques, cooked dinner of pork chops and chips for the two of us. Not the best move on my part as I was due to have dinner with JJ at the restaurant in the evening. Couldn't be impolite and refuse, now could I?
Preceeded dinner with an apéritif at JJ's which was nice and relaxed. Dinner was on me by way of a thank you for his help from a distance with my tax. He certainly earnt it dealing with me and my anxieties. It was a pleasant and not too late an evening and there wasn't a Brit in sight!
Weather:
A bit of thunder last week and a couple of very light showers. Temperatures between 26° and 31°
Covid Update:
Figueres, just over the border has 45 cases and people there and in Barcelona are being asked to stay home. There are a handful here in the Departement; all seem to be following stays in Catalunya. Some speculaion that the border could be closed but nothing concrete.