May 2021

May is a month well peppered with Public Holidays. 1st (May Day), 8th (end of 2WW in Europe), 16th (Ascension), 24th (Whitsun) and the 1st is the only day of the year when newspapers are not printed. Well, it is a day held sacred by trade unions and the workers of the world. Sadly for French workers, being a Saturday, there's no day off in lieu. Strange to think UK is ahead on this labour matter. 

It's also the only day of the year when anyone can sell lily of the valley in the streets. Not that we see any of that around here. I woke in the morning thinking that it would be the first time (last year doesn't count as I was in UK) that there was no one likely to give me any. Christian always did and then Jacques did but he's away.  It was a nice surprise then when Nicole did and Jacques, Valérie, and two Genevièves sent me virtual sprigs. The weather was wet so I spent the rest of the day when I came home from the market on my latest obsession.

I know that you'll be agog to know ..... I've decided to digitalise Christian's slides and my photo so that I can combine the best of both in Google Albums. Now isn't that rivetting news? Seems like a good storage solution. If anyone still enjoys flicking through actual albums, I'll have plenty going begging. It'll be a mammoth, brain numbing task but on the other hand I'll relive memories of friends, family and travel far and wide. Given that Google is replacing its free unlimited storage by a 15G quota on 1st June, there's an added incentive to get a move on.

Covid, like elsewhere in the world is a subject that dominates life. "Have you been vaccinated? Yes, 2nd one done." "Which one? Moderna". " Any ill effects? Just a large red patch." There are people who conform with mask wearing and others who dismiss the whole thing and don't want their liberty curtailed. Still, internal travel restrictions were lifted on the 3rd and on the 19th non essential shops and services  could open and even better, cafés and restaurants could open their socially distanced terraces.  Took advantage of this new freedom with a trip to Perpignan with Françoise to do a bit of "essential" shopping and who should we bump into but Jean-Jacques. We had a stand up takeaway coffee in the sun and even this small event was a treat! 

An even bigger treat was a trip over the border to Figueres to go to the produce market with Michel and Eric, an artist of international reknown who's been recently widowed. What a great day; it was like Christmas, birthday and summer holiday all in one! Started with coffee and croissants, provided by Eric, at Michel's before we all set off for Figueres. As we live within a 30km radius from there, we're allowed to cross the border without a PCR test. What joy to walk around the fresh produce market, have lunch in a 9 Supreme where the food was as good as ever and a cuppa on the Plaça Major. Hand sanitizer was everywhere and staff were vigilant about distancing. And to top it all, the sun was shining.

Have also eaten at the village bar twice. Once with JJ, Jean and Françoise and the other time with Thérèse (from an old village family) who well and truly pushed my arm up my back to join her and her two friends for lunch. Was kind of her but I can't say that I was on the same page as her friends. 

 

 A few invitations to friends' houses for lunch; chez Dali, chez Jean & Françoise, twice chez Jacques one time for a Mexican meal and chez Gérard and Anna for a rooftop dinner with the neighbours from where a vivid sunset was also on the menu along with the roast lamb.  Made dessert (Torte Royale) to take to Dali's. Didn't manage to do a new cake this time, so like most of my good intentions, this one didn't last very long. Lunch was a marathon. Lots of conversation, lots of laughs, lots of cava and red wine. JJ and I were joined in all this by a friend of Dali's who she hadn't seen for 15 years! It was 22h15 by the time we got home. Schhhh! Well, hung for a sheep, well 2 sheep actually, etc springs to mind. Went straight to bed!  Wasn't fed so often this month by Jacques as he was away for almost three weeks. 

 

 

 Also met Nicole for an apéro at the bar but I could only manage a cuppa. Yep, that's right; no alcohol, no food. There was a visit to Thérèse's with Françoise to look at (ie.admire) her garden and to Michel's one time to test a Baba Rum recipe that he was trying out and another time with JJ to help finish off a cream gâteau. There was a trip out of the village with Jean and Francoise as far as Argelès one Sunday morning for a coffee overlooking the marina followed by two outside exhibitions One on coral and the other on the Taïga.

 

 Just in case you're wondering, yes, I did offer some hospitality. Those above came for an apéritif dinatoire which wasn't as meagre as it might look on the photo. A very large snacking board and dessert followed those nibbles. Preparation took a whole lot longer than a 3 course meal but at least I didn't miss out on the conversation. Such a bore being in the kitchen while everyone else is having a lively time.There was also an impromptu apéritif after the market one Saturday. Michel  came for tea one afternoon  as he's trying to avoid the many calories that come with an apéritif or meal. Even so, he didn't say "no" to the biscuits on offer.

 

 Did less exercise than usual, only going on 3 walks; partly due to uncertain weather but mostly because I couldn't motivate myself to get out away from the computer. Did however, start "Gym for Seniors" which gives me 1 hour/week out in the fresh air. Nothing cardiac; more exercises to improve flexibility and suppleness. 

 

Well, that's the fun stuff, such as it was and as we all know, this is the real world. First off was doing my tax return which JJ and I got to grips earlier than usual as he was going to be away at the end of the month. Submitted in with 3 weeks to spare! A first and such a relief. Attended the Twinning Committee's AGM. Martine, the President, the Treasurer and myself resigned; the other two members didn't turn up. The committee that resigned en masse three years ago put themselves forward and were elected. well no one else was up for it. 

On the domestic front, Dominique came to paint two more lots of shutters; only 4 more windows and 2 patio doors to do. And, horror of horrors, I found that the rubber pipe going from the calor gas bottle in the cave to the pipe going up to the kitchen should have been changed in 2001!!!! Jean came to the rescue backed up by his son when he couldn't get it right at the first go. Oh yes, and I had a fibre optic connection installed which gives an amazing download speed. Internet connection though can still be a bit hit and miss at times.

 

Weather: 

Unstable is the only word for it with blue skies and daytime temperatures rising to 28° and descending to a chilly feeling 16°. At other times there has been rain, usually light but a couple of times heavy and accompanied by thunder

 

So, the  month ended as it began with me beavering away at the photos and a light rain shower. I'm still keeping odd hours, eating quick, what ever I can find kind of meals and having too much large and small screen time. But ... life is getting back to some kind of 'normality' and it will be interesting to see if I put the 5kg I've lost back on. What next? Summer is a-coming in and Martine and I are planning a few days away in the Basque country soon. And as I say regularly to myself, I am going to try and get to bed earlier. Well, maybe! We'll see.