The Long, Hot Days of June are upon Us

 June 2022

Seems no time at all that it was the start of the year and we were feeling the cold. Midsummer's day and the longest day are on the calendar this month and we all know what that means ...  still for a while we were able to enjoy light and balmy nights al fresco.  There were: (have no fear, I won't catalogue everything).

                                      * A lot of meals at friends'. 

This one at JJ's was in honour of the Scottish contingent. JJ's getting more adept at entertaining as can been seen by the table he'd set and we were all impressed by Freida framed by our plates. Pity the packet of serviettes was the only one of its kind in the shop and that I wasn't quick enough off the mark to snaffle it. Freida is something of an icon among family and friends here. On the other hand, I suppose one can have too much of a good thing.

The down side to the evening was JJ's fall on his open wooden stairs as he gallopped up them with a replacement bottle of cava. Gashed his nose, arm and in between his thumb and forefinger. There was a lot of blood but the bottle was saved! 

                                  * Numerous visits to the café 

Sat and chatted by the cool of the fountain for coffees or apéros; sometimes both at the same sitting. 

                              * Restaurants to be enjoyed al fresco. 

Here, we ate well; 3 courses + wine, bread and water ( sounds a bit like Mass, doesn't it?) for 15€.

                                               

                                                *A bit of exercise

There were even a few sessions on the treadmill and some early morning walks, tinder dry underfoot. Gym for oldies continued until the recess at the end of the month.

                                                 

                                     * A number of village events 

This month's vernissage was original to say the least. The artist superimposed animal heads on well known portraits.

 As well as the "Feux de St Jean" on the 23rd marked by a torchlight procession and a bonfire over the embers of which kids leap, there was the national "Fête de la Musique" on the 21st.

As there weren't any fireworks this year, I didn't bother to go to the former and didn't stay for all of the latter. 

*A neighbourhood event

Organised as usual by Gérard, Anna and Nicole, a number of us congregated for a "Fête des Voisins" where the star of the evening was Georges who's well over 90 and as sharp as ever.

                                       * Some special events  

Terry and Ann's 50th wedding anniversay 

Invited to a celebratory lunch at the restaurant in the village, I gaily said that I would host apéros for the rest of the company beforehand. I'm sure you could have heard my gulp when they told me that there would be 22 of us. One of them was a woman from my Association committee days  with whom I locked horns. She left and our paths had only crossed once at a funeral when when we ignored each other. Of course I said that she'd be welcome if she wanted come. As the day was expected to be 38°, the terrace was out so I had to set about tackling cleaning the "pub" down in the cave. Cleaned the windows and tilework, washed a shelf full of glasses and brought down a load of cobwebs. Not a fun activity at the best of times, in this heat it was a real trial and to make matters worse, Thérèse couldn't come so there was upstairs to do as well, just in case. Not being known for my domestic diligence I feel that this well and truly qualifies as a "special event". Anyway back to the actual special event. All turned up, even Geneviève. A hug by way of a "bienvenue" broke the ice which was a relief and with so many folk, no one was any the wiser. Trevor, bless him, did a stalwart job tending bar.

Lunch at 66 was good; no surprise there. Went back to Ann and Terry's for a cuppa and some totally unnecessary (after the  delicious cheesecake pud) tiramisu. . . . the walk home and clearing up afterwards went some way toward easing my conscience.

Maggie's 80th birthday 

Celebrated a week later was really a special event. She's been facing terminal cancer but a stalwart Yorkshire women, she made it.There were 19 of us around the table to enjoy the spread.  Chris did three desserts with plenty of cream and the birthday cake from the local bakery had even more. Never one for sweet things Maggie stuck to whisky and dry ginger. And why not! A month later, she was no longer with us.

 Alain and Irène's surprise visit

While waiting outside of the hall for oldies' gym to start, who should drive by but Irene and Alain, cousins from Normandy, who were on their way to mine but had taken the wrong road. Talk about perfect timing. Of course I abandoned the gym and brought them home for coffee. With nothing much in the fridge, the only thing to do was to take them to the café for lunch even though it went against the grain. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised by both my generous starter (salad and chacouterie) and main (tender and tasty veal). Not that I shall eat there unless absolutely necessary.

                              * A couple of trips away from the village

A morning in Perpignan with Françoise 

Yeilded a long overdue replacement dish drainer for me, a fruitless search for pyjamas for Françoise and a coffee along the Quay Vauban but no lunch. Yep, the South of France idyll can be mundane to say the least though with a lot of my time spent in the village, a change of scene is not to be sneered at!

An overnight in Narbonne 

Finally, after a few false starts Rowena and I made it to Narbonne, stopping once en route for a coffee. Made our way towards "Narbo Via", the new museum of Roman antiquities. First of all though, we had lunch on the covered terrace at " Chez Seb" by the sports complex. Friendly staff and affordable food. With lots of road works going on, finding our way to a car park saw us driving up and down and navigating the numerous roundabouts several times! It was worth it. Designed by Norman Foster, the building was spacious, and the exhibits, explained in French, Spanish and English were well presented, especially the "wall" of carved stone blocks.

 Then came more circumnavigation: this time to find the Hotel du Midi for our overnight stay. No charm but functional and we were in walking distance of the historic centre. Headed out for an apéritif, settling on the "Rive Gauche" on the esplanade along the Canal de Robine. 

 Had an excellent dinner at the "Petit Comptoir", which had been recommended by the hotel. Staff went out of their way to be helpful though weren't effusive, and the food delicious. My parmesan tartelette was no mini quiche but a confection resembling the Sagrida Familia and the steak and aubergine chips were really good. 

Rowena's gluten allergy was catered for without a problem. Pricewise, it was only a fraction more than the village restaurant and the wine, a good bit cheaper. Sleep came quickly which really wasn't any surprise.

       

Made a leisurely start next day and not having booked breakfast, made for the first bakery in the town for a coffee and pain au chocolat. Wandered around the huge market, buying a few things along the way. Much extra activity as TF1, the tv station was there to announce the winner of the "Best Market in France" and the winner is .. Narbonne! Shades of Masterchef etc.

Had lunch at the "Quatre Fontaines", so named because of the 4 sided fountain in the square. Walked through the small but attractive Archbishop's Garden and through part of the old town back to the car for the journey home.

                                                                 So what else?

Needless to say, I found some time to watch tv and devour the new series "Sherwood" and "Borgan"; both were excellent.

The weather gave us some overcast days, some wind and a thunderstorm but overall, it was hot during the day and nights were warm too. Thank goodness, sleeping high up, I can leave windows open; during the day, it's a matter of living like a mole by closing the shutters to keep the heat out and drinking lots of water while fanning myself wildly.

 An unhappy note; the elections for the National Assembly resulted in the election of 4 députés from Marine Le Pen's party. Heaven help us if the trend continues. At least they can't control the sunsets . . .