You'd never know that it's Winter

December 2023: Good News, Good Deeds and plenty of Good Cheer

 

The last calendar image brings you a bonus. Not one but two trips to Egypt. 

 

 

In January 1987 I spotted a bargain long weekend in Cairo in the travel agent's window so MaryKate and I seized the opportunity to have some exoticism in the sunshine and off we went. A visit to the Museum, the Citadel, Giza pyramids and the Sphinx on horseback, the Sakkara stepped pyramid, Khan al - Kalili souk and of course we also checked out some bars and restaurants, trying Ful medames for the first time.

 

 

By way of a pat on the back for starting up the Ra's Gharib plant on time against expectations in 1989, Total offered the team an all expenses paid cruise on the Nile. For us it also included 3 nights in the Cairo Meridien, my flights from Glasgowto Cairo. Merci Total for such a treat. Outstanding sights, great experience, faultless organisation that brought a touch of luxury and a far cry from work and everyday life.

 

1.12.23:

 

First the good news; a routine MRI came back clear of any nasties and I did Wordle in 1 for the first time! According to reddit that's a 1: 150,000 chance. I also won a prize of electronic kitchen scales, a silicone loaf pan, a bottle of avocaat and of sour cherry liquer, chocolate lined wafer dessert cups and some recipes, in the Téléthon raffle. Coals and Newcastle spring to mind but have to admit, winning was nice.

 

Good deeds were centred primarily around the annual Téléthon fundraiser. For pleasure there was a 2.5km walk around the village starting and ending at the Mairie for which there was an entry fee of 3€ or more if you wished. Lovely to see families and adults of all ages and stages participating in a non competitive event and there was coffee and mini croissants at the end. Less pleasurable was helping out serving tea and cakes on the Saturday afternoon. Along with drawing the raffle, the main event was to be a cascade of dominoes which had taken ages to set up by a young man from the next village who is a national champion. Sods law and all that, didn't someone bump into the finished structure and send them flying in all directions five minutes before the "pièce de résistance". The young man kept his cool and we all clapped extra long and hard to make up for the disappointment.

Closer to home, I fed Nicole's cat of 17 years over the Christmas period; she sleeps most of the day. Kept my fingers croseed that nothing untoward would happen; what would I have done with the 

body!!

And so to the cheer which was plentiful. Morning coffees and afternoon teas here, there and every where but the only place there was a log fire to add to the cheer, was here in the village. JJ cried off coming to the "meet the artist" coffee and sweet things afternoon at Michel & Sandrine's to showcase the work of Jean Hellemans. It was very colourful but not a fit for me. Felt awkward at first as there were so few of us and I was way out of my comfort zone but luckly, I managed to join in the conversation before too long. It made up for me missing this month's vernissage in the village.

 

Meals chez Jacques, Anna & Gérard and Jean & Françoise. I did dinner here for Jacques and an apéritif dinatoire for Jean's birthday.

 

There were restaurants, too (when aren't there?) . . . Le V.I.P. in Perpignan with Nicole, Les Trabucayres in the Commune by way of a thank you for hosting the Germans, Les Abeilles with JJ, Daniel and Maud, Cal la Francisqueta in Llers with Nicole, Patrick and Martine and La Source with Pat in Céret. 

Came across this fabulous house in Perpignan as Nicole and I were walking back to get our bus. How I'd love to visit and have a tisane with Monsieur Poirot!

 Christmas, of course, brought its own cheer. A "Secret Santa" evening in the café and the Christmas market with a choir after which there was a samba band that heralded fireworks at the recreation ground. 

 

As usual, there was the pensioners' Christmas box, decorations in the village and I made a last minute Christmas cake on 22nd which was delish; I should know, I ate a good part of it! No more Delia for me. This was every bit as good and it cooked in 1h30! 

 

Martine came round to mine on Christmas Eve for fizz, foie gras, smoked salmon and other canapés; not a peanut or olive to be seen! 

Linde came for an apéritif on Christmas morning before I went over to Ann and Terry's for lunch of Beef Wellington etc, etc.

Boxing Day which doesn't exist here and is a work day, I spent on my own, the highlight of which was lunch in the sun on the terrace and a piece of Christmas cake at tea time.

 

idn't fancy the New Year's Eve bash in the village hall so I was happy to accept Gérard & Anna's invitation to join them. I was on apéros . . . 

• Nigella's Poinsettia Cocktail which looked very festive with the sprig of rosemary garnish

• Beetroot and Goat's Cheese Cream Verrines

• Smoked Salmon Toasts

• Delia's Cheese and Sesame & Poppy Seed Twists

It was an international table where French, English, Catalan and Spanish were spoken between the six of us (+ Nicole, Alvaro and Mercedes), lots of laughs, plenty to drink and more than enough to eat (foie gras, duck, chestnuts, sautéed ceps and potatoes, cheese and fruit salad). In bed for 3h45.

December's Notes of Nature:

And there was the most spectacular sunset. One evening I missed the bus back to the village. But as they say ... every cloud has a silver lining or in this case, a red and golden one. I witnessed a fabulous sunset while I was waiting for the next bus. 

 

 

 Awesome!

 

Weather:

1st Dec: 12° ; 31st 16°. Reached 22° with a damping of rain. storage heater went on on 3rd. Never so late

Christmas 2022

 25.12.22:

 

 May it be a peaceful and joyful time where ever you are! Love, Rx

Entertained Jacques and Lisa C and their Colombian visitors to lunchtime aperitifs. Beatrice, Nelson and Sarah. 

Yes, Nelson and yes, he was named after Horatio! Apparently, the upper classes there, give their children English names! Nice people; Beatrice is a stay at home Mum, Nelson is Professor of Forensic Medicine and Sarah is at school.

Wandered over to Ann and Terry’s for 14h30. Terry still not ready Ann counting to 10. Still, when he finally appeared, we ate drank and were merry! Had hardly had time to digest the venison with loads of veg and roasties, when supper of cold turkey appeared! Couldn’t even walk it off as Ann insisted on driving me home.

Weather: 18°, sunny

 

26.12.22:

Delivery advice said 6am – 8pm so I rose at 6 o’clock even though I knew in my heart, they wouldn’t arrive at that time. And neither they did. 4.20pm the stove top fan and electricity usage plug arrived. Yes, I finally made up my mind but the fan is for a wood burner rather than pellet burner and the instructions for the plug are in French that I can’t understand. However, had success with cooking my turkey joint in Mme Ninja.

Weather: 16°, sunny

27.12.22:

Walk with Françoise around Port Vendres; blue sky, crystal clear sea even some irises filled the eyes with pleasure . A picnic overlooking the sea did likewise for the stomach. Legs, however, knew that I hadn't been on the treadmill for a while. Apéro chez Jean and Françoise. Went on the bus; came back with J & F rather than have a lift with Jacques on his motorbike!

Weather: 17°, sunny

28.12.22:

The proposed trip down Barcelona way to see Lisa at speed rollerblading practice needed a rethink half way there. 

The session had been cancelled at the last moment. Decided to stop off in Girona for a bit of late afternoon sightseeing and a hot chocolate.

Made a short detour on the way back to find something to eat at the Café Concordia in Agullana, a multi-generational facility where there was a warm welcome and cheap and cheerful food. We won't mention the calories though! Oh yes, and the parcel that should have come tomorrow, arrived today! 

Weather: 13° and cloudy here, 18° and sunny in Girona. 

 

R.A.S (rien à signaler) during the last few days of the year. Roll on 2023!

 

A Low Key but fairly busy run up to the Festive Season

December 2022

I'm finally getting around to filling in the gap for this month on Chitchat on 4th May 2023. It will be an abridged version without any of the trivia of day to day life and only the rare anecdotes. Take it as read that there were rendez-vous at the café, meals with friends at theirs, at mine and at restaurants. There was also weekly  English conversation with Lisa. Sorry, can't resist this anecdote . . . I finally managed to bring Lisa, who is Japanese and Daniel who is American/Japanese together. What are the chances of two such people living in a small village at the tail end of France? It was a real pleasure to see them talking ninety to the dozen. 

The most importnat event on the village calendar in December is the annual Téléthon fund raiser for research into rare genetic diseases. By not involving myself this year in the Association's 2nd hand gift and accessories stall, I couldn't say "no" to helping with the "British" tearoom. My stint making tea came towards the end of the afternoon so the only thing I could do was to stay and help clear up; amazing how folk just melt away.

No chance to lie long the next day to rest my weary bones as Jean & Françoise were offering Linde & I a run down to Port Vendres to see the replica of the Nao Victoria, the Spanish galleon that in 1519 was the first to sail around the world. Interesting. Coffee in the sun with Jean & Françoise's daughter, Lucille and family and a wine tasting in the wine vaults next door.

A day out in Perpignan with Nicole, taking the early (well, 9am) bus. Stopped for a coffee at Café Catalogne, had lunch at Le Devil, menu up by 3€ and not as good, tea later in a very pleasant tearoom that was as good as the last time that we went. Not very Christmassy looking, is it?

Sorry, I feel another anecdote coming on again but it does show how molehills become mountains when you're on you're own. 😟 The electricity went off in the living area of the house and despite looking at the fuse box, I couldn’t see anything that had tripped. Faffed around for ages and finally went to bed but was so anxious about an electrical fault fire breaking out that I went back down and slept on the settee! JJ, who’d obviously been to spec savers found that indeed the switch had tripped, so with the push of a button all was restored. What a dummy, am I? I should have climbed onto a stool for a closer look. You live and learn.

By mid month the village was acknowledging that the festive season was on it's way. The Christmas market was well attended both by visitors and stallholders, the Seniors' Christmas box was being distributed, decorations were going up and Kevin organised music and a "Secret Santa" at the bar. Funny to think that the first Xmas market in the village was organised by Flo (who has long since left) and myself in 2007.

On a smaller scale, a bunch of us neighbours met up for a festive apéro on the square.

Thank goodness Françoise winkled me out for a walk up from the village. Canigou was as majestic as ever.

The last few days were busier. An apéro chez moi for Nicole and Mathilde, an very long lunch chez Jacques, carols at Chris and Jo's with a predominately Anglophone crowd and a pot luck apéro. .Sadly the mulled wine ran out; just what you don't want on a chilly evening outdoors. At least I went, which means I can body swerve the event for the next few years. 

The shortest night came a day early chez moi! Mark, Rachel and their friend Debbie came for dinner which was an hilarious affair. By the time we got to liquers, I was passed serving so as they were all on something different, each had their own bottle to hand. Finally made it to bed at 4h10 after putting the well dented bottles back in the cupboard. Yawn, yawn! 😴

Last but not least, Linde's daughter Eve, her husband Geoff, their two sons and some friends over from the States gave a short concert outside the bar. Flute, ukelele, keyboard, guitar and very funny songs written by Geoff with nary a word about Christmas.

The only thing left to do was scatter a few cards (fewer every year) and decs (no tree) around , pour a glass of wine (large) and watch Mary Berry with her hand up a turkey's bum! (Not much help when you're eating venison!)

Weather: A few cold days when temperatures went down to8° but it was dry and sunny, rising to 20° on 23rd. Fabulous sunsets along the way. 

December brings a Seasonal Chill and then Unseasonal Warmth

 1st - 7th December: Don't put it down; put it away!

Came across this advice in one of the many magazines that I read and have adopted as my mantra of the moment. You know what? It works! 

A lot of fun activities leaving little time for anything else apart for a good walk with Jacques. First off:

• A folk night at the bar though I didn't stay for too long. Then came:

•  An apéro chez moi before Jacques, JJ and Martine went to the restaurant for at long last, their first service after several weeks of voluntary closure. What a treat for us but poor Maud was having to do a brave job hopping around the restaurant on one leg.  A night cap at Jacques rounded off the evening. 
• A trip to Figueres with Nicole S. Went on the trans border bus and headed straight to the market where we looked for warm socks to deal with the cold weather that's hit us. Had lunch at "Kornig" which was pretty mediocre. Shame, the best restaurants are outside the town.
• Back over the border again the next day; this time with Jacques who went for an estimate on some body work (for his car!). Prices are less than half that they would be in France. Went from La Jonquera to Figueres for a walk around and a hot chocolate. 

 After yesterday's experience we went for a drive through the countryside visiting one or two small villages on the way in hope of finding a restaurant open. Finally ended up in Llers where I knew of a one that was short on chic but full of character. Ca la Franisquetta did a no choice 4 course meal with lemonade, water, wine and coffee for 10€!!! Needless to say it was full with a lively crowd; some were on their work lunch break, others were celebrating a birthday amid lots of hilarity. It's quite an experience anf of course, Dali visited back in the day.

• Sunday coffee at the bar with Martine and JJ turned into a apéro of a rosé which was accompanied by a little dish of olives; now there's a surprise! We then stayed on for a bite to eat as a menu has been reinstated; now there's another surprise! Yet another surprise was that the starter of serrano, manchego and pa tomate was much more generous than of late. Food is still nothing special though but no one promised a perfect world and with the other café doing food, they seem to be trying to up their game
• Lunch of steak and chips at Jacques'. Didn't put up much of a fight when he proposed a bottle of cava to accompany his culinary efforts.

• Ventured forth to the first of the neighbourhood Christmas "open doors". Well, that was the idea but 3 of the 4 groups of neighbours who've signed up are opting for a pavement get together. Still it's the first time for this new initiative. Sad to say, there was no one other than the usual participants of our fête des voisins. Have given up hope that other streets will follow our example.

It wasn't all hedonistic pleasure. I did do a good deed though; helped serve tea at the Téléthon tearoom. Well, that's until Françoise arrived when I hung up my pinny and had a cuppa myself while we sat through the raffle draw which had 66 lots! As well as my own ticket, I had those of three other people and none of us were lucky. What was I saying about a perfect world? However, the village raised 12,500€ thus topping the list of villages/towns in the Département.

Weather: 10°-14°, sun, cloud cold and a bit of rain

8th - 15th December:

Drank a lot of tea at Jacques, at the café with Françoise and up at Nicole S's. Ate at Jacques' twice. One meal organised with his friends from up the valley; and an impromptu meal after the jolly, little village Christmas market. It was followed by a brass band concert in the village hall and that by Bastille day's postponed firework display.

Shame that the photo doesn't do it justice. I also took a turn at entertaining friends. Jacques for tea, JJ, Jacques and Martine for a curry lunch.

 I also took Ann & Terry to the restaurant for lunch by way of a thank you for Ann acting as chauffeur when I had my eye problem a couple of months ago.

This week there were two pavement "open doors". 

The first get together took place at the end of the road and my goodness it was cold. We were the same group as last time minus Jacques plus a new resident from another street who was passing with his son who've just moved here from New Caledonia. Four days later it was there neighbours from near the church who offered us their hospitality. wine, pastis, vegan food and even some silly games. The presence of two children added another dimension which didn't go amiss. Next week it's my turn with the help of my neighbours Jean- Claude and Marcelle.

Weather: 11° - 17°, cold wind, a days heavy rain and several of sunshine and blue sky

16th - 23rd December: 

Yesterday's curry did service for several days. What joy, no cooking to do

apart for some nibbles for the apéritif that I hosted for Ann and Lynn, neither bar being open on a Wednesday. Frankly it was more comfortable and the food tastier so no hardship. There was more work and preparation to do a couple of days later as it was my turn to host an "open doors" and this time that's what happened. Worked perfectly as we were able to invite in passers-by and could eat and drink sheltered from the cold. Even better, the mulled cider which no one had ever had before, went down well as did, the wine and cava. As luck would have it, a young woman and her two daughters had moved into a house at the end of the street that morning. And that's what's behind the idea.

On the spoiling myself side there was also a coffee with Nicole P at the café and then with Hortense at mine.

It was not all food and drink though. Made some time for the treadmill, the oldies gym on a Monday plus a good walk with Françoise and Théràse which went some way to try and combat the calories.

In preparation for Christmas, I made my festive calls to people in UK and went to the hairdresser's with the voucher from the Mairie that I'd opted for instead of a food "hamper" (it's actually a box). Thought it was better to keep the money in the village.

Sadly, my only other activity of note was the funeral of a 55 year old woman who'd been on the Council with Christian. Sent shock waves through the village. But as ever sadness gives way and we move on to other things that help us forget the fragility of our lives.  

Weather: 11° - 14° mostly sunny 

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

As usual houses in the street was decorated with tinsel, greenery and fairy lights (nothing brash) and our well worn homemade snowmen and Father Christmases.

Christmas Eve: No big meal lasting until midnight this year as the French do, as I was invited to spend the evening with Maggie and her family ~ an all British affair.

Our Hosts

There were 8 of us for canapés (a big thank you to Mr Picard), a superbly rich chocolate log made by Rachel from a Nigella recipe, wine and pink champagne. 

 

I had a really nice time and came home feeling thoroughly spoilt.

Weather; 15°, cloudy, fine drizzle in the evening

Christmas Day:

Merry Christmas to One and All

No porridge this morning. Yoghurt and stewed apple seemed more reasonable. Linde, Jean and Françoise came for an apéro. Each had their own drink (Françoise - gin, Jean - red wine, Linde who discovered Black Grouse, me - cava of course).

 Saw my guests off and put my coat on to walk over to Ann and Terry's. Mr Picard once again had a place at the table. . It was a real Christmas cracker - something of everything  - good food and wine, laughter, music, sport and political shenanigans but above all, nice people to share it all with! "Excess is not enough" is a favourite expression of mine but this time it was more than enough!!!

Weather: 17°, sunshine and cloud

Boxing Day:

Coffee with Françoise at the café then spent the rest of the day quietly watching Christmas specials on tv, thrying out a "Poinsettia" cocktail and munching without restraint on any goodies that my eye alighted on.

Weather: 18°, sun and blue sky 

27th - 30th December:

An early morning phone call from Maggie brought the news that she, her daughter, husband and one of the women at the Christmas Eve get together had tested positive for covid. Of course, I then set to and phoned my Christmas morning guests, my Christmas lunch hosts and cancelled the lunch date I'd organised with Martine. Phoned my nurse (here they are self employed and when needed you choose who you want) who advised me that I should self isolate until Thursday when she would come and give me a test. She duly did and it was negative, so New Years Eve could go ahead. 

Weather: 19° - 21° warm and sunny; not like December at all