They came, I went, More came!

The 1st of October and the start of the annual month long campaign throughout France called "October Rose", which aims to raise breast cancer awareness . Nothing much in the village except a couple of posters and a fund raising walk. Last year I was all for doing something much more visible such as putting rose coloured lights on the church tower (not possible for some jobsworth reason or another), asking the rugby team to wear rose coloured armbands and put up a "men are affected  too" display at the club (not possible as the team relocated to a bigger town up the valley) and an "open door" information event but it fell victim to my inactivity. Collioure did much better even if they did use the same pink umbrellas as last year . . new ideas on a postcard to the Mairie!                                                        

On the home front, the first couple of October days were spent getting organised for Maureen and Andy's visit with their friends Robin and Neus who live in Barcelona and whom I'd never met. Thank goodness Thérèse came good!

3rd - 10th October 2022:

Managed to do all I needed to including an oldies gym session and a trip to the supermarket before they all arrived in time for tea which was rapidly followed by apéritifs on the terrace. In fact, Neus and Robin, who by the way were good company, could only stay until Thursday. Of course they took in the latest exhibition at the Modern Art Museum. Then the next day there was another trip back to Céret for them to do a bit of shopping. I'd hurtled off to Peprignan earlier for my annual mammo and ultrasound (all well) and I made it back to meet them at the "Pied dans le Plat" for lunch. I hadn't eaten there since it had changed hands and I must say that it was a good rapport qualité/prix; better than it had been. Otherwise, they were happy to take it easy. Shame that Robin couldn't play at the bar as it was closed but we benefitted from a wee pre - dinner concert.

 

Though we did do a leisurely walk one afternoon.

Andy and Maureen stayed on for a few days more; the time passed pleasantly even though it included a bus trip to Perpignan for a clinic appointment. Nothing to worry about and lunch with Maureen on the Quai Vauban in the sunshine was a great way to unwind. In the evening, the three of us went to this month's vernissage. It was the turn of the Village painting group so the exhibition was well attended, the artwork was eclectic and the apéritif was well provisioned!

We were invited to JJ's for an apéritif, had another walk, met Françoise for coffee at the bar, went to hear Kevin play and on another evening we went to the restaurant for dinner which was well appreciated; by Andy and Maureen for the quality and creativity and by me as I was being treated! Merci, mes amis écossais.

Saturday, of course meant a trip to the market and Sunday Jean and Françoise took us down to Collioure where we wandered around the town. Our first port of call was to visit the grave of Antonio Machado, a Spanish poet who fled Franco, coming to the town where he died in 1939. The grave is firmly on the Spanish Civil War "pilgrimage" map as is evidenced by all the messages, flags, flowers and other objects left there.

Next, we had a trip on the tourist train . . . . . you're allowed to snigger but not tell anyone! Actually it took us high up among the vines, passed the Fort St Elme, down into Port Vendres returning along the coast. We had picturesque views all along the journey of just under an hour and just so that you know, we were accompanied by people a lot younger than us!

Rejoined Jean and Françoise, for lunch over looking the sea.

An after lunch walk was called for, so off we headed up through the Jardin Pams to the moorish styled Gloriette (sorry, can't find a date for it) and then onto the restored 14th century windmill.

From here it was all downhill to the sea; every time I see this view of the Château Royal (top right), I'm reminded of the Comrie Pipe Band marching along the path playing their way into the town. I can tell you, it was something really special. 

And so, back home, Andy and Maureen had to set to and pack up ready to leave on the morning bus to Perpignan for their train to Barcelona. After waving them off, I turned my attention to packing my own suitcase for my departure to UK tomorrow. Ever one to procrastinate, I pottered around and invited Jacques for a cuppa but needs must. I went to bed happy in the knowledge that all was set for the off, nothing was forgotten and that I was getting a lift to Perpignan with Jacques and JJ. rather than take the bus.

11th - 26th Oct: Catching up with Family and Friends

A no - problem flight with Ryanair to Birmingham and a warm welcome from Mary. The first night we spent at home; lots of chat, a bottle of cava and of course, a good spread on the table. Making the most of the autumnal sunshine, we went for a walk in Sutton Park the next morning. Hope that the large number of holly berries already on the bushes is not an omen of a harsh winter as country wisdom foretells.

The walk was a good way to work up an appetite for lunch at "The Plough and Harrow", a gastro pub in Aldridge, apparently frequented by local "names". Either there wasn't anyone to see or we didn't recognise them! 

Next day, I took the train (luckily missing the latest round of strikes) to Lichfield to meet up with Jen who had arrived the day before. 

After a coffee, we hit the tourist trail and started where else but the the monumental 3 spired cathedral built in 1195, which houses a medieval wall painting, the famous Herkenrode stained glass, the Lichfield Gospels (700AD) and Lichfield Angel. Inside we were surprised but pleased to find a touring exhibition featuring a scale model of the moon. Also a monumental work in its own right.

Steeped in history, Lichfield was the birthplace of Samuel Johnson, the writer of the first authoritative English dictionary and Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of Charles Darwin) among other intellectuals. 

The historic centre has 230 listed buildings and is relatively unspoilt. Had lunch at N°19, opposite the cathederal and had a walk around the town, stopping at "The George", a sister hotel of ours, to book dinner as we qualified for a discount. 

Our hotel (comfortable, helpful, pleasant staff) was a little farther out of the centre so off we went for a cuppa and a relax before heading out again for said dinner.

Next day, we drove a few miles out of  town to the "Heart of the Country" shopping village housed in 19th century farm buildings. The shops and eateries all had scarecrows outside them on temporary display.

There is also a walking trail weaving through the trees where you can see

 

 a couple of impressive looking snub nosed pigs

and indulge your inner child in the fairy wood.

After the shade of the woods, lingering over lunch at the courtyard café in the sunshine was most welcome. Had a wander around the shops before heading back to town to visit the part of the centre that we'd not yet seen; Jen had a cuppa while I had a look around the shops. After a short rest at the hotel, we went for pub food which proved to be not too bad. That's got to be a win!

After a good breakfast, Jen saw me off on the train back to Four Oaks where Mary was waiting to ferry me off to the airport. What good friends I have! In case you're wondering if I'd charted a private plane to take me down to Jill's, I'd better explain that Rosie, as luck would have it, was flying in from Australia where she'd been to meet her first grandchild so we were able to share the taxi she'd ordered down to Jill's.

Jill, too welcomed us with good food and a bottle of cava, over which we caught up with all the news. Chris arrived next day to collect Rosie and although we only had a short time together it was good to see everyone. The last time we were together was at the beginning of March 2020 and there's been a lot of water under the bridge since; who knows what's in front and when we'll next manage to have something other than a whatsapp video call.

Managed to see all except Oli and Tash who were away with the their kids for half term. Highlights were a guided tour of Mel's new appartment, a "Sœurs" night out at the tapas bar followed by a drink at "The George", dinner at "The Bell" (thanks, Jill), and a two for the price of one cocktail night back at "The George; and what a night that was. Surreal! Mel, Jill and I ended up in conversation with a self - styled previous bad boy transformed into a self styled wellness guru and his quieter pal who turned out to be a Reform Party Brexiteer. Well, there was some heated discussion between he and I which ended with him wanting to shake my hand for debating the subject. 

Just had to capture the moment that he knelt down to do so. Imagine the irony of it all and more cocktails followed!

Farthest I travelled was  to Stratford on the bus with Jill where we had a look around the shops and lunch at Marco's with the best value glass of wine that I had on the trip. 

 After a stay - in - all - day the day before, as it had just rained and rained, it was lovely to see the autumn leaves in all the glorious sunshine.  Met with Jean and John for a cup of tea and a 3 year catch up; we even sat out on the terrace at the back. There was another day out in Stratford, this time Mel came with us. Lunch and more shopping. 

I couldn't put off any longer fulfilling Camille's heartfelt wish for a solar powered "Dancing Queen"; not just one for her but one for her sister, too! Should add that they're French. Handing over money for this horribly made bit of kitch was a real challenge, I can tell you.

The rest of the time was spent calmly enough with

a couple of walks when the weather allowed, a very restrained amount of alcohol, tv, films, papers and getting spoilt by Jill.

Return flight went without a hitch and the family were there waiting for me at the airport having first checked in at home. Dinner at Jacques's on our arrival meant that none of us went to bed hungry.

27th - 31st Oct:

With little preparation for my visitors, it was a matter of going with the flow and not getting stressed. Lunch at 66 on the first day gave a breathing space to get organised enough to see us through the visit especially as the family had a coule of days out. Even managed to entertain. 

Jacques came for a raclette dinner (well the apparatus is his) and there were 11 of us for an apéritif dinatoire that followed an aperitif on the square organised by Jacques and Yaneth. It wasn't all eating and drinking though. Frank went out on his bike which had shared the back seat of the car with the girls and not to be out done,

there was an all female early morning walk. Otherwise, a trip to the market with the obligatory apéritif at "The France" and a couple of home cinema evenings filled the time.

So, the clocks changed over the last weekend but the weather continued to have unseasonally high temperatures and just look how the pepper plant has grown from a stray seed in the water I'd washed some veg in. 

 Ah, the small pleasures in life . . .