Quick Catch Up

Nothing extrodinary has happened so far this week socially. Christian's had three evening meetings at the Mairie in a row and I'm still going for dental treatment. Linde came round with a present of some Indonesian coffee having just come back from working there and stayed for an apéritif. Thursday I cut the language exchange to go with Christian to see Josette as it was her birthday (84). We made it back in time to meet up with the others for tapas in the bar. After three days of dull, (there was even rain on Monday) not very warm weather, it was warm enough to sit outside. In the evening we took Trevor and Maggie to the wine bar and munched our way through a selection of tapas.
On the wider front we found that our health insurance demand included a supplement for the swine flu vaccaine which was bought in great quantities and not used. Wonder what we'll need to pay for next year we've had chickens and pigs so far; maybe it's an antidote for politicians and pharmaceutical companies that should be next. ....and of course, there's the volcanic cloud that's descending all over Europe throwing aviation transport into chaos. we're told that the particles floating about in the air are not harmful .... as if!

Sunday Service

The sun was shining which was great for those sporty types who arrived in the village for a refreshment stop on a 40km ( don't quote me on that) walk. Not as daunting as it sounds as people drop in and out at different stages with only the super fit doing the lot. Christian was of course there to help . The forcast for tomorrow is not so good so we had an apéro at the bar before lunch to make the most of the sunshine. Here we found brioche on sale, an annual event to raise funds for children with disabilities and evidently sales are down - a sign of the times. (Apparently Marie-Antoinette said"let them eat brioche" and not"let them eat cake" as I learnt at school). The patron was in full voice inside so it's anyone's guess if he'll be open this evening.

Sport of Kings

Well, I don't suppose I need to tell you what we did this morning - in case you need a clue, it's Saturday. As well as the usual stuff, however we did go to a vernissage of an exhibition of pastels in the library. The artist Pierre lives in the village so there were a number of familiar faces to be seen. Had a quick coffee with Kathy and Gilles in the sunshine and then it was home for lunch and to prepare pica pica for this evening. We did watch the Grand National which is always very exciting. At one point there was a 17 year old up with the leaders who I hoped would do well but he faded in the final stages and came 5th. Still all credit to him for finishing and to his mount "Hello Bud" who is a Scottish Grand National winner. Ah, that takes me back to a few trips to Ayr races and if I remember rightly I did once back the Scottish Grand National winner. Obviously it wasn't much of a win as I kept on working for quite a while after that! Still, I digress...
The pica pica was fun and we were able to stay outside until after 9pm and the great thing about such an evening is that all the work is done beforehand andthere isn't a lot of washing up to do.

Chicken Run

The day started early with a trip to the printers to see about some posters after which we rendez-voused with 23 others from the Association for a day out. First a visit to a free-range egg producer. I would never have thought that there was so much to see and that I'd be bowled over by a load of poultry! They really were magnificent creatures with the most beautiful plumage. The cocks even had plumes on their feet. From there it was on for a wine tasting where the vigneron has won several medals over the years for his wine. His white from last year's harvest won a gold medal in Paris recently and was just sublime. Once we'd worked our way through white, red, rosé and a Riversaltes it was time for lunch with paella on the menu. After lunch most of us went for a walk to some Roman ruins while a couple of the others (who shall rest nameless) had a wee siesta. The sun was warm and the excercise just what we needed. Home to the dentist who has decided that I need a crown and as the sun was still shining an apéritif on the terrace of the bar. Feels as if summer is finally heading our way.
ps This morning's visit put me in mind of the film " Chicken Run" with all its different characters only none of this lot seemed in the least bit interested in escaping their 5* treatment.

Moving up a Notch

Weather has been cold and dull over the last few days so much so that I even lit a fire last night. Christian has been busy at the mairie and I've been less busy than usual. This evening we went to a lecture given by Isobel Stengers, a Belgian philosopher. All went well until I lost concentration ..... neither my French or intellectual powers were up to picking up the threads. The session of course closed with an apéritif and then 8 of us went with the speaker to a local restaurant where we had a really good meal and more down to earth chat.

Eggstravaganza!

This evening all those who contributed eggs and other goodies were invited to eat the Easter omelette ( or should I say 38 omelettes) cooked by the women of the sardane group. I took quite a few photos but sadly I'd left the memory card in the computer! Thank goodness there's neither a memory or cholesterol test in the near future.

Joyeuse Pâques!

The day started traditionally enough with a sardane after Mass and our street with it's Easter decorations of chickens and eggs. Lunch was an altogether different affair - couscous with Jean and Marie-Loudres at Gaby and Chantal's. There was enough couscous (a "Royal" with lamb, chicken end merguez -the spicy Moroccan sausage) to feed twice our number, not to mention the Thai prawn starter and three desserts! Needless to say there was no need to bother about supper in the evening just to hope that the scales don't groan too much under the weight of the extra kilos.

Les Goigs dels Ouls

Whilst at the market this morning we called in at the library where there was jazz to go along with a book signing. Saw one or two familiar faces there and those belonging to Jean and Françoise joined us for an apéritif later.
Late afternoon we became groupies, following the local sardane group who were singing their way around the village. An old Catalan tradition of singing for eggs and anything else useful for the Pascal Omelette. They kept going from 5pm until 8.30pm but we dropped out, we neither know the words or sing well enough, and went to the bar a couple of glasses of wine and a tapas of chips. In days gone by it was the young people of the village but now it's the young at heart trying to keep the tradition alive. Apparently they collected about 350 eggs as well as wine, saucisson and money to buy the dessert so Monday evening we can look forward to a good time .

Good Friday

Unlike in UK, today is not a Bank Holiday so with Michel and Kathy coming for dinner there was shopping to do and with Thérèse on holiday, a kitchen to clean. Jean called in to say hello during the afternoon and stayed for a cuppa . In the evening there was the vernissage of this month's exhibition mounted by a young painter from Girona. The formalities were conducted in both French and Catalan with the Mayor doing the translation.
For once there was no talk of the Mairie over dinner. Pork done in Ricard with enough rice to feed a family of 10 followed by Lemon Iced Ginger Cake and Greek yogurt. During the meal I broke a tooth which inevitably I can' keep my tongue away from. Michel who is a friend of the dentist will try and get him to see me tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Life's Little Routines

A Thursday much like any other Thursday - language exchange, tapas in the bar and a trip to the wine bar for more tapas in the evening. this time, however, we were joined by Danielle. It was April Fool's Day which if you've been a faithful follower of the blog, you'll know it's called "Poisson d' Avril" in France. this comes from the tradition of pinning a cut-out fish on the back of your target; don't think I've told you that before. As far as I know no jokes were played on us and as Christian kept reminding everyone, it's six years he retired.