Swallows in the Sky; Cherries, Strawberries and Aspargus in the Market

May 2025: A Whole Host of Public Holidays 

1.5.25:

"Up the Workers Day!" on which it's traditional to give a sprig of lily-of-the-valley. Nowadays, it's more likely to be a virtual one. There was no trip to the market as the 1st is a holiday all through Europe; well that is except for UK where pragmatism makes it the nearest Monday. 

Still spent the day with Michel though. Coffee in Céret, an apéro at the village bar, a trip down to Banyuls for a walk and cuppa and finally an apéro dinatoire chez JJ.

2.5.25: 

Michel has friends Nicole & Daniel here for the weekend and I was included in all that was going on. Coffee at the market followed by an impromptu apéro at mine. I was on apéros again in the evening this time at Michel's; what's more I managed to come up with something different. Didn't stay for moules/frites; not my thing. 

Sunday Nicole and Daniel had the pleasure of meeting more of Michel's friends; coffee and croissants at the café in the morning and then in the evening when Michel broke his "only six around the table rule" to seven to accommodate Jacques. A waterproof and wellies came into their own for the walk over. 

In between I had a long standing date to meet up with Ann & Terry and Viv and Pepe at the restaurant. The latter used to have a holiday home in the village but sold up just before covid. The meal was excellent as usual.

5.5.25: 4 Musketeers

Coffee with Mark and his Dad (my late friend Maggie's son and husband), supermarket run with Nick and tea with Michel. He's on the go all the time either entertaining or being entertained to full on meals and it's beginning to show.

A great music night at the café with a real variety of music ending with Las Cuerdas (cords in Spanish), real favourites of mine.  

6.5.25:

An interesting session at the "oldies" group where there was a presentation about the work of "handi-chiens", an association that trains and provides  dogs for assisted living and emotional support in the judicial system. Needless to say, Uffi a beautiful black lab, stole the show.

9.5.25:

 We've had some rain these last few days which has renewed the cap of snow on Canigou. Instead of doing our patriotic duty on V.E.Day yesterday by attending the usual wreath laying ceremony, a group of us dodged the showers in Figueres.

10.5.25:

Heavy rain all day, meant that Pierre's vernissage was very poorly attended. Shame as his pastels are technically well executed and very pleasing on the eye. As he's a neighbour and part of our social circle when he comes from Belgium, I braved the weather in solidarity. Much to my surprise, I didn't even have a glass of wine as compensation!   

10.5.25:

Went to the market with Michel and met up with Patrick for coffee; next an apéro with Michèle & Henri plus the Maire's parents, met a Jimi Hendrix fan on the bus home and went back again in the evening with JJ for an apéritif dinatoire chez Jean & Françoise who had  family staying. 

11.5.25 A Real Sunday Lunch

Roast pork, all the trimmings, a tasty cheese board and strawberry tiramisu with lashings of cream chez Joyce & Keith, from Yorkshire, who are really friends of Nicole's. During the course of the afternoon there was an almighty storm with large hailstones which meant that we stayed on longer until it was safe to drive. 

13.5.25:

Still having rain which provided inspiration for the oldies' group's attempts at Haiku which should include a nature or seasonal theme. Was more pleasing than I would have thought. 

15.5.25:

The usual Thursday in Figueres routine; coffee at the Centric bar where the waitress is keen to get Michel and I together, fruit and veg market shopping, apéro at the market bar with the staff turning a blind eye to our "picnic".

16.5.25: Yes, it's that time again

JJ came to help with my tax return or should I say returns; there are 3 forms to fill in. We went back and forth until we couldn't face any more and gave up!

 

18.5.25: 

 A relatively quiet couple of days but all changed today. 9 of us for the "Kaffeeklatsch" at the bar and then 14 of us on Jacques' rooftop terrace where there was a bbq to mark his and Pierre's birthdays this last week. There was an abundance of hats to protect from the sun, freshly picked cherries, loads of grilled meat to eat and plenty of wine and cava to drink. "All good pals and jolly good company!!" as they say.

19.5.25:

2nd attempt at the tax on Monday went ok after some advice from the helpline; well, that is until the very last part when a pop up window said there was a "anomaly". As we couldn't get any farther, we called it a day.

 

20.5.25:

 

 

Oldies chair yoga.

 

 

21.5.25:

 

3rd attempt at the tax return and as before, the way was tortuous; going round in circles, endless false starts and another call to the helpline. Apparently we'd been given the wrong advice the last time and newly equipped with the right information, we managed to get it done. At last!

Didn't have any lunch, just coffee and cheesecake at Michel's. Couldn't stay too long as there was an apéritif dinatoire to prepare for six of us this evening. 

Managed to be ready dead on the dot of 19h; Pierre arrived five minutes later. Much to my delight he brought me a framed, signed hand painted version of the poster. as usual, I'd done too much but the upside is there'll be a cooking free day tomorrow.

 

22.5.25:

 

Michel and I were joined on our trip to Figueres by JJ and Dali. The apéro was more elaborate than usual as it included a couple of sacher torte. still no word of sanction. Stopped off at Dali's on the way back and weren't able to leave until we'd had a drink and agreed to take away two tupperware boxes each of food. Made it to Nicole's on time for the knitting group which had more chat than knitting going on.

Already April!

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.

 

30.4.25: All is not lost!

 

Took the bus to Perpignan with Nicole which started with coffee on the rooftop café of the city's only department store. Lunch and some shopping, while enjoying walking around and admiring some street art in the sunshine; 

 

a welcome change from the empty shops that figure here as much as they do in so many other towns.

The day and thus the month finished upbeat with an apéro chez Michel. 

 

April's Notes of Nature:

 Chez Moi

 

 Round & About

Weather:

Daytime temperature:  24°H, 16°L

Nighttime temperature: 15°H, 7°L

Changeable but with little rain