Wednesday, 23 April 2025

April 2025:

Well, if anyone can tell me where February and March have gone to, please let me know. Can't think of any convincing reason that despite all my good intentions in January, Chitchat has been neglected yet again. In the meantime, the clocks have changed, the swallows whirl around, the days are getting longer so we can surely say "Spring has sprung." 

1.4.25:

April Fool happens here, too with kids pinning paper fish to people's backs. In our street they are pinned to our doors. My April Fool had nothing to do with fish but time. Lingered in bed until I realised that the only clock I'd not changed was the one in my bedroom. Put a scoot on to be ready for JJ to drive Henri to Argelès for an appointment.

                         
Went on to Collioure for a lunch and a walk. 

2.4.25:

Went around to Michel's to meet and have lunch with Walter (Canadian) and his wife Prae (Thai) who are here on holiday. I was on apéros. Michel made the most delicious chocolate cake, a piece of which came home with me! Scrummy!

3.4.25:

A day out in Figueres started in the Divinio, wandered around the market, had a apéro at the café from where we usually send Walter a photo. Then it was on to 9Suprem for lunch. 

4.4.25:

My first vernissage for this year; even if I had space on the walls, there was nothing that tempted me. 

 

Didn't linger over the apéritif as there were 5 of us going off over the border for a cheap and cheerful bite to eat in the village social centre.

6.4.25: An Experience with a Giant Cheese!

 



                Soooo good!



          

           Nothing more to say.

 

 

 

 

Easter: A Bunny, some Chocolate but no Bonnets.

                                         Life happens, Chocolate helps! 

Happy Easter, All

 

So simple but I defy you not smile back as this bunny that could be seen on Bute (in Scotland for those of you who are unlucky enough not to have visited). Thanks, Liz, for sending it. Don't know about you bring I can't bring myself to say "thanks for sharing" which is up there with "thanks for reaching out"!

My Easter started on Thursday with a "wee" apéro chez moi for Jacques, Suzette et JJ. Friday there was coffee in the morning with Linde and an apéro at the bar with her and Françoise in the evening. Good Friday here is not a public holiday, however, in Perpignan, Arles sur Tech and Collioure, the centuries old tradition of the Sanch Procession takes place. Black robed "penitents" in pointy hats walk in silence. Too spooky with shades of the K.K.K. for me so I've never been. 

Saturday there was lunch over at Trevor's. Roast lamb, of course; lots of laughs of course and full glass to be sure. Much to my amazement , later on I managed to make a simnel cake (only the second time ever) to take to Michèle & Henri's. Shame one of the flowers is a bit askew. Traditionally made for either Mothering Sunday or Easter, with the 11 marzipan balls representing the apostles minus Judas, I don't think you see them often nowadays. Probably the majority of folk won't even know what it is.

Apparently, the Easter Sunday congregation was bigger than usual as the café was busier than usual. Didn't succumb to a glass of wine in order to enjoy the champagne the was sure to be on offer before lunch. Yes, my confidence was well founded! 

Easter Monday was low key. Walked over to Ann & Terry's for coffee and cake, enjoying views of Canigou on the way. Gave the communal Omelette Pascale  a miss in favour of taking it easy at home.

21.4.25:

 Jasmine chez  perfumes the air chez moi and walking around you cal also catch the scent of mock orange. La vie est belle, n'est-ce pas? 

23.4.25:

 Whether you're in England or Catalunya, "Happy St George's/Sant Jordi's Day. Not forgetting "Happy birthday, Will Shakespeare", which I now know from my friend Bernadette, is his 461st.  Here, a red rose is traditionally given to a loved one and since the 1920s a book is offered on 23rd April, World Book Day. Sadly, neither one nor the other has come my way. Neither did a knight in shining armour come galloping across the village square. Maybe he' ll arrive on Sunday morning when books and roses will be available on la Place de la République. 

24.4.25:

Michel and I went on our usual trip to Figueres where we followed our usual routine of coffee on the terrace of the "Centric", whizzed around the produce market and paused at the café/bar for a beer and a white wine (4€50 for both!). Simple pleasures made even nicer with blue sky and sunshine. The guy in the background of this selfie was nothing to do with us. 

25.4.25:

Fish n Chips at a vineyard run by a Brit and a Kiwi. 

26.4.24:

 Braved the rain to go for coffee with Henri & Michèle, their daughter and s-in law and let me tell you, it was well worth the effort. A beret wearing Basque all male voice choir sang inside  the crowded café and then outside taking shelter from the heavy rain under a parasol. Spine tingling, to say the least.
 
Spine didn't tingle this evening but hopefully palates were tickled by the apéritif dinatoire that I gave my guests. 
 
27.4.25:

After coffee in the village with JJ, we all came together again for lunch in Collioure. The sun was back so a walk by the sea was called for before returning and going straight to a concert in the village hall. Thankfully only just over an hour long as I was feeling sleepy; too much red wine or maybe it was the fancy banyuls sangria, methinks.
 
29.4.25:
Poor old Michel and his Thai visitors were in Barcelona yesterday and what a time they had trying to get back to their accommodation 40km out. Luckily they made an early decision not to hang around hoping for the best and managed to get a taxi. Others had a pretty miserable time with nowhere to sleep or stuck on a train in the middle of nowhere. Needless to say, even though the electricity has been restored, there's a lot of uncertainty. Michel didn't know whether Prae & Walter will be able to fly back to Bangkok
 
What has my life come to?
 

Last night a small knitting group that occupied its members hands with a glass of wine rather than needles and today this was my "one I made earlier" effort at an over 65s group! Amazing what you can do with a a dishcloth and a bit of dental floss but I didn't fancy the alternative of burning a design into a small piece of wood!!! Luckily there's a different focus each week. In the meantime, I'll try and up my street cred.

Friday, 31 January 2025

Fingers crossed that Chitchat will contine to see the light of day

 2025

As those of you who've dipped in and out of Chitchat over the years know, I'm often looking for a new, more interesting format and always saying that I'm going to keep things up to date . . . and so 2025 starts with no posts since July and another resolution to streamline Chitchat so that I can keep on top of things; starting from now (19th Jan)!
1.1.25:
 
After walking up from the village, 10 of us (including 2 Germans, an Austro/American and a Brit) saw the New Year in chez Linde until 3am.
 
Good to have some fresh air on the walk to Nicole's for lunch with an English and a Dutch couple.
2.1.25:
Entertained Dominique & Marilyse to tea and Christmas Cake

No words necessary
3.1.25:
A fire in the centre of the village left a woman and her child and two single women homeless. Needless to say, the Mairie found accommodation for them and people rallied round with donations of clothes, bedding etc.
 
My first mimosa of the season
4.1.25:
 
A goodly number of us trailed behind the young, knowledgable guide as he put the turn of the 20th century photos displayed in situ, into context. An apéritif followed and the crowd swelled! Sadly, a couple of days later, the main display was minus two photos.
Later: cooked dinner for 5 of us.
5.1.25:
Cavalcade at Figueres celebrating the arrival of the 3 Kings. Bright, colourful, busy and noisy.
6.1.25:
 
JJ, Jacques & Suzette for dinner
Epiphany, the day when the Spanish give gifts and the day  when the French eat a galette des Rois. Find the ceramic token in your slice and get the crown. This time it was JJ.
8.1.24:

The Mayor presented his New Year wishes; that's to say a round up of all the wonderful things the Mairie had done last year and all the wonderful things they'll be doing in the coming year. An apéritif followed with numerous galettes to tickle the taste buds. Mine remained untickled!
9.1.25:
The neighbours came for a long awaited curry evening chez moi. Anna brought dessert . . . a galette fait maison . . . a bit off piste but Geneviève enjoyed being crowned.
10.1.25:
AGM of the twinning association which I left before they could bring out the galettes; dinner at JJ's awaited me. There were 3 desserts and you'd be right if you thought they were galettes; yes, all 3!
Tonight's sunset
11.1.25

Took my kettle along to the newly established monthly "Repair Shop"  but there were no miracles . . . it was kaput! At least I can now dump it with a clear conscience.
 
 
12.1.25:
Impromptu lunch chez Jacques
 
Galettes; there were 2, chez Nicole later on
 
13.1.25:
 
First meeting of the knitting group. So far 4 members; plenty of talking but only me knitting. 
 
 
15.1.25:
Geneviève and Nicole came round for tea and to watch the Netflix film "Emily Perez". Left us with plenty to talk about afterwards.
 17.1.25
 
 Au café with Jean & Françoise
 18.1.25:
 
 
Dinner chez JJ who's starting to get into cooking.
Dessert was a belated Xmas pud (M&S) with a rum butterscotch sauce (me).
 
19.1.25:
Impromptu lunch chez Jacques after our regular Sunday Kaffeeklatsch. 
Who knew I had a smattering of German, eh?
  20.1.25:
 
An afternoon walk under cloudy skies, which happen here, too
 

A light apéro before the dinner I'd prepared for Jacques. Well, I have to show willing from time to time. Even made Cream of Jerusalem Soup to start and tried a new chilli recipe. Enough of both left over to see me through the next couple of days.
21.1.25:

 This afternoon's walk out of the village, which was like the Camps Élysées, reminded me why I prefer the treadmill downstairs. While meeting people and chatting is pleasant, it does interrupt the rhythm and therefore the cardiac benefits. Think I'll need to alternate; fresh air and nature + audio Spanish lesson + interruptions with interior + next episode of the current subtitled series I'm watching and a better workout.
22.1.25:
 
Out of bed early enough to see the sunrise on Canigou
 
25.1.25:
Lunch at Martine's is always something to look forward to.
First off, apéros on the terrace. Such a great cook (see the soufflé starter) and an attentive host.  She always includes my favourite "Époisses" on the cheese board when I'm invited, keeps the bottles coming and puts on a good spread. The prunes preserved in Armagnac with the coffee were the finishing touch. 
 

By which time the sun was setting and there was just enough light to set off on the much needed walk home.
27.1.25: 
 
Have taken myself back to Duolingo Spanish; progress is slow but there are moments when I go up through the promotion zone.
31.1.25:
A good lunch chez Michèle & Henri made an agreeable end to the month.
Nature Notes:
Mimosa and broom brought a welcome splash of colour and snow on Canigou reminded us that despite the sunshine, blue skies, no rain to speak of and a clear view of the full "wolf" moon, it was winter.