Falling into Autumn

 October 2023: A month of golden sunshine and an extra hour in bed as the clocks go back.

Oh yes, another destination to bring back vivid memories; this time of a month long visit to Mexico in an even earlier life. 1982 with John to be precise. Chichen Itza in particular brings back a memory of talking to a blue-rinsed American woman whilst taking a breather from going around the site. I marvelled at the scale and grandeur of the architecture to which her reply was, "yeah, but whata they done since!"

3,000 miles by bus and despite upset stomachs, mosquito bites, dreadful toilets whilst travelling, it was an unforgetable experience. We met Jay and Mary from the States with whom we we had much in common. It was a holiday frienship which lasted several years; they came to Scotland a couple of times and I went to Austin for a whole other experience; but that's another story

The main event this month was the visit of the Lagendorf Mandoline Orchestra; my friends Ines and Dirk were coming and would be staying on for a week longer to have some holiday. Dirk's cousin and her husband Manfred were coming, too in their camping car and were booked on the site in the village. Even though I was feeling a lack of energy, as well as the usual social activities, there were preparations to be made so that hopefully, all would go smoothly when they arrive in the middle of the month..

 Before that though, there were a couple of dinners at JJ's, a Nepalese curry chez Judith and Trevor a soirée chez Jim and Mags and Erika and Doug's farewell as they're back off to the UK. Sadly there was also a funeral. That of Isobel, who'd been on the Council with Christian; she was only 41 and had a young son.

On the culture front, this month's vernissage appealed as I like naif art. I particularly liked the one with the little yellow train. The artist was self taught and cleverly incorporated small lights into a couple of his works, like the one top left which was inspired by fireflies. Not sure if I told you already, but their first appearance in the Département was here. 

Also managed to fit in a trip to Figueres market with Nicole though sadly, not much time to get on the treadmill. Priorities, eh?

Dirk and his cousins arrived the day before the orchestra. Manfred unfortunately has a mobility problem following an operation on his back so this had to be factored into any of our activities. 

 The first week was fully organised with visits out, just one of which I went on (La Vajol) 

and official concerts to give, just one of which I attended (Reynes). The orchestra also gave an "unofficial" concert at the soirée in the village hall. The Germans provided homemade desserts loaded with cream and we were on savouries. Dirk's gâteau made with nutella was particularly sought after.  In actual fact he did two so we came home with some left overs which could not be resisted. Glad I hadn't seen the list of ingredients as it nearly gave me a heart attack when I did!

There was also a lunch of fideuà al fresco and at the other end of the culinary scale, a trip to the Pablo for a brasserie meal.

After a week of warm sunshine, we waved off the orchestra in the rain for the long haul back to Germany in one go. It had been a very successful visit on cultural, social and personal level. Now with no schedule to respect, life though still busy, became a bit easier.

There were days out in various combinations; Manfred didn't always go though as you can see, he was tempted by ice cream in Figueres, I didn't always join them and sometimes Anke felt that she shouldn't leave Manfred alone too much.

Wish I could lay claim to the paella but I can't. Dirk was it's creator. Well, he is a chef. The meal with Jacques and Suzette which I did wasn't quite as splendid; apart that is, from the left over gâteau which I can't lay clain to either. Manfred & Anke invited us for a BBQ; sausages à gogo and a lot of beer. Oh yes, there was also dinner at Jacques' and our autumn neighbourhood get together which provided an experience of local life. Yes, indeed, there was a lot of eating and drinking and not a lot of exercise.

Just one other thing: as Anke's dog (oh yes, I forgot that there was also Timmy, the Jack Russell that had to be taken everywhere) knocked over a plant outside the bakers. Much to Marie's surprise, a replacement was soon handed over. A good deal, methinks. As you can see from the photo, it was a much healthier looking specimen.

Over the two weeks I was able to do a few things of my own; mammo (all clear), blood tests to try and understand why my hair is coming out. They showed a vitamin D deficiency (even with all our sunshine) and a consequent GP consultaion. Injections were prescribed to help the hair sitution and as well as a non urgent thyroid ultrasound which is just, as well as there's a 6 week wait. Also had a walk with Françoise, coffee with Les Anglaises and 

 JJ's  birthday celebration. And some celebration it was, too! After we finally left the restaurant, the long stayers continued back at his house.

So, all holidays come to an end and this one was no exception. No time to draw breath though. 

That afternoon I accompanied Jacques to a concert given by Cécile in Sandrine's garden up in the mountains. No charge; just bring a bottle/cake for the interval. Sitting in the warm sunshine was a good way to wind down before meeting Izzy, Richard and their girls at the bar for a drink.

Next day, Jacques took Nicole and I to the market in La Jonquera where we came across this colonoy of Coypu in the river.

Ugh! Apparently, they're stewed in the States but I don't know about you, it's not something I'd go for. A stiff, very large G &T at the Marfil Bar brought some much needed comfort! Well, that's my excuse . . .

Weather: Day time temperatures between 23° and 30° , chillier evenings and just a smattering of soon - over rain. 

October's Notes of Nature

Au revoir August

 23rd - 31st August 2021:

It's now almost dark at 20h30 and mornings are cooler; a sure sign that Autumn is not too far away. Still, the days continue to be warm and sunny so no complaints. This week, like so many others, has involved all the usual everyday activities and a number of social get-togethers around a table. No complaints there either!

• An apéro dinatoire chez Jean and Françoise with JJ, Linde and her daughter.

• Lunch at the other bar with Nicole S then back there in the evening for an apéritif with 2 of the usual 3 English women. Tried to do a bit of consciousness raising about "Incels" which made a change from endless covid conversations. The platter wasn't that exciting either and to top it all only bottles of wine were available rather than the option of a carafe. Not on, methinks. It's hardly a gastro pub.
  

• 
  Coffee with Jim and Mags who've just arrived back after an absence of nearly two years and with Françoise here and in Céret.

• Apéro with JJ, Jean and Françoise sitting out by the fountain; on the way home Camille, a neighbour, called me over to the picnic bench in the square where she was having a glass of rosé with some friends and invited me to join them. Couldn't refuse

• 
  Another offer I couldn't refuse was dinner with 3 generations of friends here on holiday from Leicestershire. Even though I have scant regard for what they serve up at the bar, catching up with them more than made up for my misgivings. 7 adults and 5 kids made for a jolly evening feulled by a few glasses of rosé.

• 
  There was even an evening at mine for JJ and Jacques who's in the village for a few days. For once it was supper rather than an apéritif dinatoire and having made ample, there were left overs and even some cava that saw me through a couple of days.

• 
  The next day an impromtu dinner invitation came from Jacques's at 18h. Jim and Mags came for the works and David and Laura came for coffee. However, we were still on the apéros when they arrived so David, joined us for a small portion of the meal; Laura saved herself for dessert and cava.

Haven't been on the treadmill but as yet there is no sign of all those meals on the scales. Not a bad way to end the month.

Weather: 29° - 31°, dry and sunny 

Enjoying the Last of June

Social life started to pick up with the light nights and extra freedom. There were even events in the village: 

• The annual Fête de la Musique surprisingly (the new Maire is not one to put his head above the parapet) took place on 21st despite being cancelled in most other places. The evening was warm and there were three spots in the centre of the village where a variety of  musicians and singers  played. Much better than the concert style evening that we've had before ... the result of covid requiring smaller gatherings. Saw lots of people I'd not seen for ages. The biggest surprise of all was finding Juste and Josephine there. Despite having been quite close (hols together etc) they'd started to distance from us over village politics before Christian died and then not so long after they moved to Spain (a long term project) without saying a word. They were back to finalise selling their house. Spent the rest of the time that they were there with them. It was as though nothing in-between had happened. Was even invited to go and stay with them. Funny old world. Ended the evening with Jacques on the terrace of the restaurant where we had a couple of glasses of champagne which ended up being on the house! 
•  An open air jazz concert
• The Feu de St Jean didn't happen, however. Firework display will happen in July at the Festa Major. Nicole and Anna as usual decorated the street and I hung out my Catalan flags. The cats are nothing to with St Jean but are an amusing feature of the neighbourhood.
  

Get togethers with friends happened, of course: 

• Apéritis at Michel's
• Apérits and grazing platter with the 3 English women that I meet from time to time at the other bar. The food was a good deal but the covid conversation was wearisome. No risk taking was the order of the day so was surprised that they lived dangerously coming out and mixing, albeit at a distance, with unknown people! 

 

A BBQ at Rémi and Lynne's on the patio overlooking a large well tended grass area and garden. A lot of work that I was glad not to have to do. After a leisurely apéro and lunch we played a couple of rounds of a Finnish skittles game and a never ending darts match round the clock.

 

• Lunch under the shade of the cherry tree at Jean and Françoise's. It's oft said that there's no such thing as a free lunch and so it proved to be. Jean asked me to translate a hour's talk given by an astrophysicist he knows and who, indeed, I've met, too. Gulp! Not having yet got the hang of an online translator, it took a long time. I'm no scientist that's for sure.
  
• Lunch at Jacques.
• Dinner with JJ at the restaurant by way of a thank you for helping me with my tax return. 

• There were even a couple of apéritifs chez moi. 

 One of the days, Françoise and I set off after a coffee at the bar to further explore the Retreat grounds. Out for 2 hours during which time we found the "Belvedère des Poètes". Luckily there was some shade from time to time as it was hot. Treated myself to a shandy while I read the papers when we got back. Have'n't managed any treadmill though so exercise has been sadly lacking.

 

 The papers continue to be a regular activity as does a cuppa at the café while I read them. Even went to the market in Céret a couple of Saturdays for a change of scene.

Chores are not such a regular activity so I surprised myself by tackling the weeds and moss on the cobbles down by the well. Took three mornings and a back ache to get it done but it looks so much better.

Not a month goes by without something not working out. The repairman who said he was coming to sort my washing machine didn't make it after I stayed in and then after the weekend he phoned not to say sorry but that he had just realised that the suppliers had sent the wrong piece!

On a more serious note, I noticed that my left eye had pale filaments in a kind of half moon shape moving around on one side and there were some occasional white streaks. Worried it could be a detached retina I rang my opthalmologist's; of course being Saturday, it was closed. The recorded message said to go to the Emergency Department of Medipole Clinic in Perpignan. Ann came up trumps with transport. Got as far as the triage nurse, who came after the fire officer doing a covid check outside the front door and the admin check in. The nurse sent me off to the hospital on the other side of the city as they didn't have an ophthalmologist on call. Went through the process at the hospital but this time got to see a specialist. Nothing like Casualty on the telly. All very civilised. The retina was fine, it was some gel that had come away which apparently can happen with age. Normally it goes away. Arrived home around 15h45 having left about 10h30. Kept off small screens for several hours and watched "The Last Vermeer" on the big one instead.

You might be surprised to know that we villagers are also aware that there is a world outside. Won't rant on about how things are going in UK but can happily report that the Rassemblement National party (the new face of the Front National) did not do well in the Regional and Departemental elections here. 

So that's that a positive note to end this post on. Will be back (with a bit of luck and a good dose of discipline) sometime mid July to let you know that all's well before tackling the end of month round up. 

Weather:  Lowest temperature was 26° and that was only for one day. Otherwise, the thermometer showed 28° - 32°. Mostly clear blue skies and only one thunderstorm.

Thank Goodness for the Treadmill

22.4.19 - 25.4.19
The weather this week has been up and down. Warm and sunny as well as a chilly wind with light showers. On the (non) social front I've beeen on the treadmill, spent time on the computer and watching tv. Thanks to Maureen, I also watched the film "Can you ever forgive me?" The title comes from a Dorothy Parker quote and is called "a real life caper" by the Guardian reviewer.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/feb/03/can-you-ever-forgive-me-review-melissa-mccarthy-richard-e-grant-lee-israel
Of course there was time devoted to the association; a morning at the Language Exchange (25th) andSome of us will be in medieval costume, soliciting donations for the books to go toward the Pipe Band visit, handing out roses and running a small bar along with cakes and savouries to eat.
an afternoon (23rd) sorting books for Sunday's fête de Sant Jordi (St George's Day) when it's traditional to give books and roses.
I did have some real social interaction, too. Tea at Jacques, coffee at the bar with Ann and Lynn and went twice to the restaurant for lunch. On Wednesday (24th) with Kelvin and Irene, here on holiday from the UK and then on Thursday (25th) with Nicole. 
Thursday was a bit of a challenge. Even though lunch left me feeling sleepy, I managed to prepare a main course for the next day's dinner. Then I tidied up and got ready for les anglaises and an at - home apérobio. We'd decided on trying a couscous from the new take away on the Main Street.

All agreed that it was a good alternative to the bar where latterly we’ve left feeling ripped off. And an apéro first on the patio before going in to eat  was just the thing.

Weather:

16-25°, changeable

A Lot of Work, a Fair bit of Play and Not Enough Rest

8.4.19 - 14.4.19:

A slower start two days in a row! Even so, today (8th) I made it to the treadmill. Despite a well attended bagpipe meeting this evening, I failed to persuade someone to take the minutes. I despair. Went back to Jacques with Nicole, Jim and Mags and found ourselves having a drink (no surprise there) and sharing a meal of roast pork and potatoes which was a plus.

There was more to do on the bagpipes during the week; a meeting with Jacques and Nicole which extended from tea to apéritif time (10th)  and another with Penny who's going to coordinate one of the evening meals (12th) as well as work on the computer.

The association was ever present too. Work on the website plus other admin stuff. The language exchange, and a visit to see how the new embroidery workshop is going (11th). 

Also did a mammoth blog catch up which some of you have even read (or skimmed!) your way through.

It wasn't all slog though. Tea chez moi with Nicole  who needed a sounding board about life changes she's thinking of making, a drink at the bar with Lone who wanted some local restaurant advice and to give me the pin you can see in this month's album. Of course, Sunday morning an number of us met for coffee at the bar.

There was an apérobio (12th) at the bar starting off on the terrace then later inside when it was time to eat. Dani being away, Ann had recruited Mags in her place. Wish I hadn't followed the group and had the baked camembert. It was far too much and not worth the calories and cholesterol that no doubt will have scurried around my body. Called in to the restaurant on my way home to book a table for Nicole and myself the next day. Henri and Chantal were just finishing their meal and invited me to join them for a coffee. Henri is a retired lawyer and kindly offered to help me out with my nationality application if I ever get around to doing it.
Saturday (13th) I went to the market coming back in time to meet  Nicole for the lunch we should have had yesterday had a childminding emergency not intervened. Ate out on the terrace and it was excellent. So delicately prepared, as you can see from the photos in the album.
Although there was no treadmill this morning, there wasn't any lazy time to be had. Sunday evening (14th) it was my turn to cook. Even though I'd done some prepping the day before there was some cleaning and the main course and dessert this evening's meal.
Still, being Sunady, I spent a couple of hours with various folk at the bar first for a tea and then a glass of wine.
Worked after lunch right up until my dinner guests arrived - Lynne, Rémi, Jacques, Mags and Jim. To cap it all, I managed to spill a pint of the poaching liquid that was to make the sauce for the fish pie. ****! And was I tired and frazzled! Talk about down to the wire.If not a riotous night, it was a pleasant one and Lynne brought a box of classy chocolates which will keep me going for days even though I won't be stinting myself.
In bed for 1am wondering why it had taken me so long to get everything done! 
Other than that, the treadmill helped ease my conscience, I missed the 3 hour film "The Wild Pear Tree" shown at the cinéclub and there was even one night when I was in bed and sleeping by 11pm.
Weather:
17° - 22° sun, cloud, a fair bit of wind and some rain