Tradition never Changes

April 2026

I spent such a long time on the last post that I wondered why on earth I was keeping this up especially as I'm running out of steam. Even though there's plenty going on, it's a pretty routine life I live, doing much of the same every month. So, being reluctant to abandon "Chitchat" completely, it's time to scale back; a few photos and the odd comment here and there should do it.

 1st: Poisson Avril/April Fool's Day

Stick a fish on the back of some unsuspecting person. Our street just stuck fish on our doors like we do every year. 

 

 

 

Goigs and Pascal Omelette

A Catalan tradition that's kept alive in the village. 470 eggs and other provisions were collected for the Easter omelette during the time that the group sang it's way around the village. Donors were invited to dine on Easter Monday.

23rd April Sant Jordi/George in Figueres, Patron Saint of Catalunya & England. 

Tradition specifies that you give a book or a rose and of course tell children the story of George and the Dragon.

Fête de  Sant Jordi in the Village

 

 

A Concert Followed 

It included Catalan songs from two Catalans and a Frenchman. Pilar, by the way, is the woman that I have an English/Spanish language exchange.

 

This Month's Exhibition 

Joseph Maureso's Exhibition in Bages. All a bit strange.  

A Day Trip to Barcelona  with Michel, Kob and their friends Emon & Thierry from Amiens 

A Successful "English" Breakfast with Four French People  

 

 One of the Month's Restaurant Meals with JJ, Michèle & Henri at the Jardin de Céret

 

One of the Month's Apéros with Patrick, Florence, Thierry, Emon, Michel & Éric at the Figueres Market Café 

 

One of the Month's "Chez des Amis" (Michel) ; JJ, Jacques aka The Three Musketeers 

The Old Cork Oak in the Guinness Book of Records

Driven by neighbour Nicole and guided by Michel we found the tree situated in the Commune of Reynes. It's 21m high with a circumference of  5m. 

Odds and Ends: 

Michel and Kob arrived from Thailand, Eve from Chicago was in the village complete with her flute, Françoise had a bad fall, I'm still doing an English session with Lisa, a Spanish/English exchange with Pilar and not getting enough exercise!  

Nature in April:

 

 Chez Moi

 

In the Village  

In Vallespir

In Figueres

 

A Post is Never Complete  without a Sunset

Weather:

Daytime Max: 30°, :Min: 11° 

Night Time Max: 18°, Min: 7° 

Showers  

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.