Going even farther North

18.7.16: Happy Birthday, Andy!

Slept well last night which was just as well as I had to be up and out to meet Anne and Blair for coffee at "Eusebi", Glasgow's latest place to be. We lingered long over our coffees and exchanged stories until the lunch time crowd started arriving and we felt that we could linger no more.  https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/13/eusebi-deli-glasgow-restaurant-review-marina-oloughlin
Anne and Blair dropped me off in the city centre and I went in and out of shops all afternoon, not even stopping for a bite to eat or a drink. Finally ended up having a sandwich on a bench in the sun at around 4pm. No, your eyes are not deceiving you, it was a lovely sunny day.
Andy was another year older today and neither looks or acts his age. You'll have to take my word for it as my lips are sealed as to the exact number oy years on the clock. Spent he evening over apéritifs and a good meal with plenty of laughs thrown in.
Weather:
22°, sun, beautiful full moon.

17.7.16: Kindness of Friends

Good news: glad to say that the cough syrup that Emma gave me worked as my cough has completely gone; bad news: I knew I shouldn't have had a cup of coffee at the restaurant as I didn't close my eyes until after 5am. No exageration. Counting sheep didn't work  nor did watching tv on my ipod. Consequently, it was a very lazy start. Maureen brought my hair under control and then drove me over to Eamon and Liz's for a late  lunch with Brian and Marlene. It's soooo nice being looked after. Suzanne, June and Willie, Anne and Blair the other ex social work folk that I'd hoped to see were unable to join us though I think that Liz thought that they might turn up as there was loads to eat and drink. We finally left the table at 8.30pm! Brian and Marlene ditched the car, I got the bus and poor old Liz and Eamon were left with all the dishes and glasses. Seems somewhat unfair as they hosted the meal for me but that's social sorkers for you, ever ready to do a good turn!!! Non social workers are  free to chortle and splutter if they wish!
Weather:
15°, cloud and rain showers

16.7.16: Demonstrating, Dining and Dodging the Rain

No Saturday morning lingering as there was an anti-Trident demo to attend on the steps of the concert hall in Glasgow centre. The steps have become an iconic site of protest but the Council want to demolish them as part of redevelopment plans hence an online petition to save them. I was moved to see a tricolour lain at the top with flowers arranged on it in memory of those who were killed in Nice. https://www.google.fr/webhp?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=MMkCVs6OBYbdUY-toIAB#q=anti+trident+demo+glasgow+2016
Had a look at some of the shops afterwards then a light lunch and a trip up to the  terrace of the Theatre Royal for a sodden roof top view over the city.
This evening we took a stroll down to the "Salisbury" for dinner with umbrellas drawn and at the ready. Good food, charming service and a bottle of Picpoul made for a good experience. Oh yes, and needless to say, the company of good friends.
Weather:
14° (!), cool and wet

15.7.16: Dreech Day, Hilarious Evening

What a difference a day makes. Today we awoke to steady rain and cooler temperatures. Went over to Andy and Maureen's daughter's for coffee and a fun time with their grandson who has an enquiring mind beyond his years.  Had lunch at home and a lazy afternoon before heading into the Westend for a bite to eat with Mags (a friend of Maureen and Andy's) and a show at the Óran Mór http://oran-mor.co.uk/  
It was a great show "Doris, Dolly and the Dressing Room Divas", As Glaswegians would say " it was pure, dead brilliant!!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUCqt8Rltmg
Our neighbours in the audience, a group of woman feulled by a few bottles of wine,  were pretty entertaining too. We had some hilarious chat which was so Glasgow. Next week they're off to a 70's outdoor weekend for which they've stumped up £33 each on top of their tickets of £130 for access to executive loos. A far cry from my Glastonbury experiences in the 80's. Details of  the sanitary arrangements (a questionable term) are too gruesome to mention!
Weather:
16°, chilly, wet and cloudy

14.7.16 The Auld Alliance

Normally, I'd be out in the village commemorating "Bastille Day" as the Brits call it or "la Fête Nationale" as it is known in France. Instead I was on a bus heading from Leeds to Glasgow. There were blue skies when we left the house to take the bus which arrived at the same place as I was leaving from. We  thus avoided the stress of rush hour traffic and the headache of finding somewhere to park close by. A wise move as it happened as there was an accident as we approached the city centre that the driver was able to get around by detouring through a housing estate. The coach was on time and I settled down (again with my ibook and a double seat to myself) for the journey that would take just over 8 hours. Some of you may be scratching your heads wondering why the bus rather than the train but quite honestly it was less hassle, no changes and there was someone to help with luggage. Jen had provided a substantional picnic and time passed amazingly quickly. There was only one stop of 45 minutes in a pretty run down part of Newcastle and while the waiting area was clean and modern, the only facilities were a few seats, a loo that cost 30p and a drinks distributer. I went for a walk around to stretch my legs and to fill time had a mocha coffee when I came back which was surprisingly good. Sun still shining but there was more cloud and feeling cooler.
Set off again, passing by the spectacular Angel of the North http://www.antonygormley.com/projects/item-view/id/211#p3 to arrive at my destination about 10 minutes late but in sunshine . Maureen was waiting and we took the bus back to the Southside  where there was a glass of wine (+) and a lovely meal to welcome me.
Weather:
20° max in Glasgow, sunshine and cloud
News:
A "terrorist" ploughed into revellers in Nice killing 84

Cold, cold, cold!

The rain was back so I didn't bother going to the market and settled instead for a coffee at the bar. As I was about to leave, Jean-Jacques arrived with his sister for lunch and I even managed to resist the invitation to join them. Didn't resist the invite to partake of a glass, if you're starting to worry!
Wasn't feeling that hungry so went down to the recreation ground where the Mairie was providing a refreshment station for cyclist coming through from Girona, via the Coll d'Ares, the mountains behind the village and down to Pallafugell. Oh, how they were suffering; wet and cold, quite a few gave up en route. I spent most of the afternoon there and handing out a drink when those hardy souls came in and shouting "coratge" (courage in Catalan) when they left.
In the evening I went with Nicole P to Jany's show entitled a "Duo de Femmes" and very amusing it was too. There was even a glass of wine offered at the end which Nicole and I supplemented with one in the bar..
Weather:
12°, damp, cold drizzle

Music, Women and Rebellion

18.3.16: In Reflective Mood

A welcome obligation-free day or so I thought. Apart from coffee at the bar spent the day catching up with stuff and thinking about the Irish Easter Rising (well, there's an Irish Grandma in the background) which was 100 years ago thie Easter.
Apparently there's a film called "The Rising" that's due out and Liam Neeson's son will play James Connolly as his father did in the film of the same name, a few year's ago. Definitely, not Disney but one to go and see! There are many haunting rebel songs and here's the one that was played on Wednesday evening though how many people understood the significance is another thing.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5hslg8qEt8
Well, that's until a phone call from Nicole S. inviting me over a cup of tea. So, back to the present day even if the Irish songs were still buzzing around in my head on the walk over!
Weather:
11° Damp, cloudy and chilly

17.3.16: Different Faces of Women

Language exchange where there was actually some discussion rather than chat. From trying to name the seven dwarfs we moved on to identifying ourseves with one of them. This led to quite a lot of unexpected sharing especially around "Bashful".  It led me on to thinking that it would make a good group game. Is the women's group ready for it?
Had a quick drink at the bar and then went over  to the restaurant with 7 others to give Sabrina a present for the new baby and of course to have lunch.
Felt really exhausted and cold so came home, filled a hotwater bottle and snuggled down on the settee under a tartan rug and slept for nearly 2 hours.
Feeling revived, I headed over to Christian's room for a show depicting women in song, poetry and prose, librally sprinkled with humour. An audience of about 30 including 6 men appreciated what was on offer from Jany and Bernadette. As usual, an apéritif and lots of chat followed.
The evening finished off with Jean and Françoise coming back for supper then it was straight to bed and to sleep.
Weather:
10°, heavy cloud and rain

16.3.16: Wearing the Green

Had a headless - chicken day and seemed unable to make any decisions. I did  manage though, to pick myself up for the St Patrick's night in the bar. There was music, of course, plenty of craic and green galore. I couldn't help remembering (as did one or two others) how Christian had enjoyed himself last year and cut a dash in his leprechaun hat. It came out again this year; this time on my head instead of the rather unflattering green wig that I capered about in 12 months ago. There was also a full house in the dining room where we enjoyed a good, tasty home made meal of Dublin Coddle http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/dublin-coddle-irish-sausage-bacon-onion-and-potato-hotpot/189497 and a wonderfully rich Bailey's cheesecake. Every year it gets better; I was really chuffed when Jean-Louis reminded me that it was me who had encouraged him to celebrate St Pat's. So, instigating that along with Women's Day and St Jordi, I reckon I can feel pleased with my contribution to village life. Sorry for bragging!
Weather:
11°, Cloud, rain and feeling chilly.

15.3.16:
Met Nicole P for a coffee in the bar and was joined by Jean-Jacques for an apéro. He then treated us to lunch. Spanish this afternoon and a quiet evening.
Weather:
13° sunshine, showers later.

14.3.16:
Met two newcomers to the area who wanted to learn more about the association over a coffee. Started to get to grips with changing my health card and as you'll have realised by now, anything to do with bureaucracy aint simple with endless papers to supply; I've a frustrating time ahead of me.
Weather:
15° cloudy, rain later

Clowning Around

Walked up to the market which needless to say was smaller than usual. Stopped for a coffee before wandering back for lunch. While the kids were upstairs playing and Frank, Stéphanie and Christian had a siesta, I made the most of the peace and quiet to watch Downton Abbey. From the sublime to the ridiculous we went into town to see the show that the kids had given us for Christmas. First of all we met up with Jacques for a drink before he goes off to cover the"Dakar" rally  which despite its name starts in Argentina and not Africa. We came away with the latest book that he and Yaneth have edited about Women's sport in 2013. There's no way to explain the "Family Sempianyki", they're a disfunctinal family, style Adams/Simpsons where anything goes.  You just need to Watch this clip http://www.francetvinfo.fr/cirque-clowns-russes-dans-la-famille-semianyki_457648.html 
We didn't think that we'd stay the course but to our surprise we did.we did. Not having eaten we tried to go to "Le Charentier" opposite but we were too late so we settled instead for a curry a few doors down from chez Frank. we were received with a smile and a warm welcome thus made our way to bed feeling happy with the world.

Chez Papa for Christmas

Will we ever forget an afternoon at the pantomine where there were remarks from the stage about visitors from France and teaching young and old afterwards how to play "Tell Harry". How we rolled about laughing .... the auld alliance is alive and well.

• Merci pour cet agréable séjour. nous avons pu aimer découvrir les fêtes de fin d'année en Écosse. Nous avons aussi été très heureux de rencontre des personnes très sympathiques. Merci pour tout, on reviendra ........! (Valérie)
• Merci beaucoup à tous les deux, ainsi qu'à vos amis pour ces merveilleuses soirées que nous avons passées. Je vous fais 10,000 gros bisous. (Guillaume ,une des pièces rapportées)