UK Visit

30th April - 13th  May 2019:
Follow the link for the photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/zsVMz89aY9U7w9sJ7

30.4.19:

Tied up loose ends right up until it was time to leave for the airport with Nicole P. Flight passed quickly and Mary was there to meet me. Would you believe an hour's parking just over from the terminal building costs £48!

It was about 9pm when we arrived home so a glass of cava was most welcome. Well, that was when we managed to get the cork out if the bottle. Ate a light but plentiful supper and headed to bed in the guest room of Mary's new apartment complex designed for older people. Spacious and all any guest would need especially as Mary had added several homely touches to compensate for the official notices (7of them).

Weather:

Perpignan 24°, sunny; Birmingham 15°, cloudy (on arrival)

1.5.19: May Day

No maypoles or May Queens, no public holiday in UK; no lily of the valley or workers' demonstrations; no newspapers in France.

We made a leisurely start and eventually got ourselves over to "Pesto". Met up with Annie and Graham for lunch. We reminisced about their time in France over tasty food and a glass of wine. 
http://pestorestaurants.co.uk/find-a-restaurant/pesto-sutton-coldfield-2/
From there we went back to theirs for a cuppa and more chat. Rounded off the afternoon with a trip to the lovely Sutton Park  where we checked out the newly opened Bracegridge restaurant. A pretty swish place with a large terrace overlooking the lake. https://thebracebridge.com/

Had a hot drink and came home for a cava but still couldn't open the bottle. Luckily, as last night, Mary had another one in reserve. Just see how our supper looks almost too pretty to eat. Despite a not very energetic day, with a relatively early start in view we made it to bed at a reasonable time.

Weather:

16°, overcast

2.5.19:

Made sure that the guest room was clean before handing back the keys. Don't know how we did it but we were out for 10am to go to M and S to exchange the bottle of cava that we couldn't get the cork out of, which they did without problem.

Did the scenic tour around Mere Green, a seriously upmarket (now) part of B'ham. Trendy bars, brasseries, restaurants and independent shops. Apparently even the hospice charity shop has a large selection of evening and cruise wear!

Arrived in good time to take Mum for lunch to the "Red Lion", the village local. Really nice landlord and the food wasn't too bad, either

A quiet afternoon then it was back to Jill's for the evening.

Weather:

15°. Sunny soon clouding over, a heavy downpour then drizzle.

3.5.19:

Leisurely start before collecting Si from Alison's to take him to the station. Stopped in Moreton long enough for a coffee and as Mum was away shopping, we had another at the community café.  A bite to eat and then tackled Mum's fridge. Suffice it to say a lot was binned.  Tomorrow the pantry and that's a daunting prospect, I can tell you. Feeling pretty weary, Jill and I abandoned the idea of braving the rain to go for a drink and instead stayed home  and watched tv

Weather:

14°, same as yesterday

5.5.19: On Safari/Pride of Lions

Popped round to the church, which is just next door, to say "hello" to Mum. Of course she was muddled up and thought we were going back with her.

Instead I had a date with Andy and Mary who, by chance, were up from Dorset for a week’s holiday. Was great to catch up in person rather than by email.

We had lunch at "The Red Lion" in Long Compton. That's the second Red Lion in four days! How many before to make it a pride? The place had loads of character, low ceilings, stone floors, nooks and crannies.

Back to Jill's for a cuppa and like a home from home, spent the evening in front of the box.

Weather:

12°, cloudy

4.5.19:

Leisurely start to the day followed by a walk around the town.

Took Mum to the community café to fortify ourselves for a clean up of her pantry. Threw out at least 8 jars of out of date tartar sauce! There was more besides but you don't need the gory details. 3 hours later we called it a day with still one more shelf and the freezer left to tackle.

Well, it was Saturday night so rather than watch tv, we hit the town! A Pinot Noir in "the George" and a Pinot Noir in "Thirst Impressions", a new micro pub. But there again, there's only so much Pinot that a girl can safely drink, so we headed home and ........ watched tv.

Weather:

12°, Sun, menacing cloud, chilly wind

6.5.19:

Who'd have thought that it would have been such a cold Bank Holiday. We were spared rain though which was a boon as Jean and John came down for a catch up.

Had a walk around Moreton then went off in search of lunch at the Batsford Arboretum. It was too cold to sit out on the patio so the dining room was pretty busy. Abandoned the idea of a walk given it was cold and went back to Moreton for tea and cake.

Arrived back at Jill's just in time to welcome Jen down from Yorkshire; so tonight there were three pairs of eyes fixed on some nondescript tv instead of two.

Weather:

12°, cloudy

7.5.19:

Went to the village café only to find that it was closed. In true community spirit, the manageress of the attached shop offered to make Jen and I a drink which we had sitting out on the terrace.

Took Mum out for lunch to the garden centre, had a walk around and then tea and cake.

More tea back at Mum's and then home to Jill's for another night in with telly, cava and for a change walnut whips.

Weather:

13°, sun and cloud with the odd spot of rain

8.5.18:

Met up with Irene and Margaret who came down from near Melton Mowbray.

Started off in the "Three Ewes" for coffee and then wandered over to "El Café" for a tapas lunch.

https://www.elcafe.co.uk/ We were served a great selection which was very tasty. Had a good laugh and had even more when we ended up back at Jill's for a cuppa.

Only had room for a very light supper whilst watching tv. My body is missing the treadmill and despite the lack of exercise, I'm nevertheless feeling tired from the overindulgence. Oh, for a stronger will.

Weather:

15°, rain

9.5.19:

Went to the village café with Jen. Route planning to the Dales for her and catching up with emails for me.

Up at Mum's she was in the starting blocks to go to do her grocery shopping. An added bonus was Rosie's lunch time stopover just before Mum had to leave. She and I had a quick catch up over tea and sandwiches.

Mum arrived home to find me stuck into dealing with the last shelf in the pantry. Of note this time were the ten out of date boxes of sweeteners.

This evening Mel and Boo took us to the Marina bistro for some serious tapas.  https://www.marinacafebistrostratford.co.uk/default.html

Afterward we carried on along the river to Tiddington to the Baraset House which will be on the agenda next time I'm over. Had a last drink, well I'd did. The others had hot chocolate! Well, next stop was home and bed. https://www.barasetbarn.co.uk/

Weather:

14°, rain

10.5.19:

Up in time to catch a bus to Stratford just after 9am but ****** I found that the timetable at the bus stop had not been updated by the Council; there were 30 minutes to wait during which time I grumbled about the lack of customer care and thanked my lucky stars that at least it wasn't raining.

Met Bernadette as arranged and the first item on the agenda was a coffee at "Coffee 1" where we started on our catch up.

Some shopping and a leisurely lunch at the theatre overlooking the river followed.

No prizes for guessing how Jill and I spent the evening.

Weather:

15°, sun, cloud, few spots of rain

 

11.5.19:

Toddled down into the town for a coffee at "The George" where met and chatted to a young family. Went over to Mum's and continued to attack her cupboards.

Then it was back home and up to Alison's where Mel and Paul were already ensconced for an evening en famille.

Weather:

17°, sun, cloud    

12.4.19. Best laid plans

Up and out to see Mum as she emerged from church. Then waited and waited and waited for Karen to arrive for lunch. Eventually found out that she was blocked in her house by a cycle race so it was a late sandwich lunch and a promise that we'd meet up in Autumn when I'm back again. It hadn't been a completely wasted morning as the weather was sunny and the bench in the garden beckoned.

Took a walk down town with Jill for a cuppa at the George and bumped into Mervyn with whom I was at school and haven't seen since.

This evening called around to Kim and Simon's for a drink which we enjoyed sitting in their back garden.

Supper, tv, bed

Weather:

19°, sun and light cloud.

13.5.19:

Last day in the ancestral stamping ground so I spent the best part of the time with Mum. We did a couple of crosswords, went for a walk and watched some tv. Took the bus back to Jill's for an evening of packing, eating up bits and pieces and finishing a stray bottle of cava in the fridge.

Weather:

19°, sun and light cloud

Busy Weekend

9.10.16: Quick Change Over

Up bright and early to set up for the "Forum des Associations" which talks place at the same time as a carboot sale and small food fair. There was music, a farrier, pony rides, human towers and a percussion band. If you think that the tower on the photo looks impressive, you should see the exceptional ones that reach the giddy heights of 9 and 10 levels. Once again we were lucky weatherwise with warm sunshine. We did quite a good trade recruiting new members so I felt justified in having an apéritif offered by the Mairie for stall holders. Nicole P and I ate a rapid lunch of sausage and chips before finishing our shift. With Bernadette arriving from the airport in the afternoon, I needed to do a bit of last minute organisation (ie. wash the floor and get the kettle on!).
After said cuppa, we decided to go for a walk around the village but didn't get farther than the carboot sale where the late stayers were in the process of packing up. Straight off we bumped into Jean and Françoise and then Juste and Joséphine who we  persuaded to come with us for a drink at the bar. Jean was absolutely delighted to at last have one of my cross channel friends who could speak French. He was well impressed by her fluency and delighted in being able to have a discussion with her.
Neither Bernadette nor I was very hungry so when we finally went home it was a "fridge" supper and a bit of catch up tv.
Weather:
21°, sun and some wind

8.10.16: October Garden party

Had to abandon May and Suzanne to whizz for the 9h30 bus as I'd realised that I'd left my camera at Eamon and Liz's. At least I was able to show face at the sale of brioche (for an association for people with disabilities) which was right next to the bus stop. Oh, how those brownie points are stacking up. Better than plenary indulgences. (If you've not been brought up RC, you won't get the reference). What's more there was some urgency as they were due to be leaving about 10am and buses to and from the village are few and far between. It was quite a walk from the bus stop to their place but I made it and back again to get the 10h10 bus back to the village. What a good job that I hadn't accepted Suzanne's offer of a lift, as when I got back, I found an empty house and a note on the table saying that they'd had to go as their flight was earlier than they'd thought!
Caught my breath, went and had a coffee  and got ready to walk over to Martine's 70th birthday in her garden. It was lovely. Sun, champagne, endless canapés, lots of folk to talk to and a jazz group. All very pleasant after so much rushing around, as was the walk home and the well deserved night in .
Weather:
21° Cloud, sunny spells, light wind later

A Lotta Scots

7.10.16: Happy Wanders and Fine Hosts

Suzanne, who has boundless energy, was desperate for a hike this morning and May who had real sniffles gallantly agreed to join us on or uphill forest walk. She made it to where there was a good view of the village and called it a day while we strode on for an 1h30. So glad that yesterday's was cancelled, she'd have hated it. Have to say that it was invigorating and I enjoyed it. Sun was shining, the birds were singing and the air was clear.  Suzanne is obviouly feeling at home among the heather on this photo and at least she and May got to wear their boots that they carted with them.
Recuperated a recurerated May and had a well deserved coffee at the bar before getting the bus into Céret where we were having lunch with Eamon and Liz who Suzanne is good friends with.
A raucous time was had by all and off course we were well fed by Liz and well watered by Eamon, inspite of which I managed to get them to the bus on time.
Once we'd drawn breath, Suzanne who's a keen gardener wanted to see the garden that I no longer work so I took advantage of two more pairs of hands to take down some sacks of garden greenery for the compost bins. Don't I know just how to give my visitors a good time?
They did get a reward though by way of a couple of glasses of wine at the bar where we fell in with Lone and a friend. A light supper and early to bed finished the day.
Weather:
22°, sun and light cloud

6.10.16: Dodging the Rain

May and Suzanne went off to explore the coast while I went as promised with Ann to a hospital appointment. The storms didn't appear as predicted but they did have a downpour. We, in Perpignan had no rain so were able to window shop and lunch without getting wet. Lunch was in a really nice restaurant with the accent heavily on beef. There were lighter options though and we both enjoyed the menu du jour along with a glass of wine.
http://www.restaurant-le-divil-66.com/ The dining room has lots of character set as it is in weaving/spinning shop dating back to the Middle Ages.
Jean-Jacques stopped by in the evening to help me set up monthly payments for my rates bill as Christian and I had previously but apparently it wasn't possible for this first year. Gulp, whole lot needs paying in one go; and me a poor widder woman!!! Before you reach for your hankies, i hasten to add that I won't be starving as a result.
The least I could do was invite JJ to join us for dinner; so passed another agreeable evening.
Weather:
20°, sun cloud with late afternoon rain

5.10.16: Best Laid Plans
Treadmill again and food preparation for my Scottish visitors. This is the 3rd day that I haven't been out in the village for a coffee and no one's sent out a search party. May and Suzanne arrived from the airport in Carcassonne with time to have a cuppa before this evening's vernissage. They mixed and mingled with the village's finest, including the Maire and some of their compatriots who have holiday homes here. Sorry, forgot to take my camera so no photo.
Françoise came along as we'd planned she'd take Suzanne and May on a hike but sadly the forecast wasn't good tomorrow so it's off. She came back to mine and called up Jean to join us and we drank and had tapas (sounds better and more substantial than nibbles, doesn't it?). Luckily, the refreshments at the expo were relatively substantial too for these kind of affairs. Jean was his usual lively self and the lack of French and English didn't get in the way of us having a load of laughs. When they finally went, it was too late for the cooked meal I'd prepared and offered earlier to all, so we made do with bread and cheese. Hardly the welcome I'd planned.
Weather:
25° sun, cloud later

4.10.16: That's More Like It!

Treadmill then Spanish! You may well gulp! Though from there on in, it was all pleasure. Met Eamon and Liz who are over on holiday, at the Pablo for an apéro and then moved on to Al Catala for lunch in the garden. Went back to the place that they were renting that had views over the mountains supposedly for coffee; it turned out to be champagne (the real stuff, I might add) but who was I to argue! Eamon looks as if he could have come out of a Marcel Pagnol book with that hat.
Even managed to get myself to the bus on time to get back to the village.
What a surprise I had. I bumped into Joséphine who I haven't seen for over a year. Did a bit of catching up and we both expressed intentions of making contact again. Remains to be seen.
Finished the day with a trip to the guitar evening at the bar. Was a bit chilly sitting outside but it did look pretty with all the little lights on the tables.
Weather:
23°, blue skies

3.10.16: Nowt Much Doin'

Took bus to the supermarket to get stuff in for Suzanne and May who are arriving for a couple of days. Pottered in the afternoon before having a cup of tea in Céret with Nicole. None of which is of any interest but if I don't record it, I'll think I've lost a day such is the state of my mental processing at the moment! Though I suppose this tree trunk covered in knitted squares is quite fun.
Weather:
22°, sun and some cloud

2.10.16: Wetting the Baby's Head
Happy news this morning, Jean and Françoise have a granddaughter; their first after 3 boys. Had coffee with the usual Sunday morning suspects and Jean-Jacques joined those of us who stayed for an apéritif. Pushed the boat out with a bottle of cava. Appropraiate really as Gilles who was at the next table to us while we were having lunch treated me to an "affogado" , an Italian dessert of ice cream and hot coffee" which means "drowned". http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/affogato-the-ultimate-simple-dessert/ Mmm, simple but tickles all the taste buds.Back home, I did a bit of this and a bit of that crossing things off my list as I went.
Weather:
23°sun, clouding over to give a light rain shower at the end of the afternoon.

1.10.16: Al Fresco

Went off to the market with Jacques, this morning's chauffeur. Had coffee with Françoise and an impromptu BBQ lunch with Henri and Michèle. A quiet evening but a restless night. Didn't get to sleep until after 3am
Weather:
25°, sun

A Grand Day Out

Not able to raise enough people for a bus, Martine, of the other association that I'm in,  organised car sharing  for a trip to Pezanas to the gardens of St Adrien. Made from a disused quarry and the fruition of the owner's boyhood dream, in 2013, they were voted the favourite gardens of the French for a tv programme.
http://www.jardindesaintadrien.com/ 
Can't describe how enthusiastic I was  so, it's better that I let the photos speak for me...... and the icing on the cake ... the weather gods were with us. https://picasaweb.google.com/114284735716067114333/6283371623840489009#  
The visit ended with a glass of wine or fruit juice served by the family. 
Lunch for the 12 of us was in a purpose built restaurant on a commercial estate so there was no charm but the food was fine (bull stew). http://www.restaurant-essentiel-pezenas.fr/
The day ended with a couple of hours to look around Pezanas a town with narrow streets befind medieval walls and well populated by Molière memorabilia, Brits and arts and craft shops.
Weather:
22°, sunny

Food, Friends and a Funeral

31.3.16:

Language exchange, glass of wine and soup at the bar where we were joined by Nicole P. Worked on the association site during the afternoon and then walked over to Ann and Terry's with Jean-Jacques for dinner going via the garden. It was looking better than we'd expected and we'll soon be able to cut some iris which over the years have proliferated creating an unbroken boundry on one side.
David and Laura were also invited and while people tried to speak French at the start, they soon lapsed back into English. Luckily, Jean-Jacques was able to follow, more or less. The main course was coq-au-vin and here's Jean-Jacques serving the dessert; a red berry soup topped with Vouvray sparkling wine which produced a foam. Not quite sure why he got the glory for what is apparently Terry's party-piece. It was not only stunning but delicious too.
Weather:
16° Cloudy start, sun, drizzle in the evening

30.3.16:

Had a long lie-in finishing off  "Chessmen", the last of Peter May's Lewis Trilogy https://www.goodreads.com/series/77173-lewis-trilogy A good read with well developped characters.
Lunch was late therefore.
The funeral of a neighbour in the afternoon was a sad affair. It was a civil ceremony (as was Christian's) but consisted only of the undertaker reading out the family's thanks to people for being there. Nothing really personal (unlike Christian's). While in the cemetary, of course, I thought I should go up to where we scattered Christian but quite honestly, it didn't make me feel any closer to him as I already do where ever I am. You'll notice that the cork has been stripped off the trees in the photo making them look quite impressive.
Weather:
18° warm and sunny

29.03.16:
Another little walk after coffee and another stint in front of the computer; this time trying to get to grips with getting a new health card. Was I glad to have Jean-Jacques come over for an apéro to break me out of a very ordinary sort of day.
Weather:
16°, sun