A Bit of Culture

Desite the warm weather a group of 15 members from the Association ventured out to look at 12th century frescoes in two local churches and some nearby Roman ruins and we were fortunate enough to have one of our number to act as a guide. How glad we were not to be caught up in the traffic crossing the frontier that we could see down below us. So much for the folk who say that we do nothing but eat and drink! Of course we did need some sustanance at the end of the morning so we picniced in a shady spot before the short drive home.

A Moment's Calm

All dressed up and raring to go! In less than an hour from now, this sleepy little market town will be full of revellers getting gradually more unsteady on their feet with very glass of sangria/wine/beer/whatever. Time to head for home, methinks.

Yet another Vernissage

I don't have to tell you how our day started; suffice it to say that an early rise was involved. As it was somewhat overcast and a little cooler I finally got around to attacking the ironing after our breakfast on the terrace. Come on there, there's no need to yawn with all the excitement ... this really was quite an event. I had the busy morning and Christian had the busy afternoon with the inauguration of a new local bypass, a visit to the Gp (only to renew his prescription, so no need to worry) and then to help Gaby with his comuter. Hopefully that will make up for the punch I spilt over him last week!
This evening's vernissage was a very sparse affair as there were so many other things going on round and about. The verdict in private was that a 10 year old could have done better. From there we and Michel went on to Michelle and Jean-Jacques'for dinner. Came home at a reasonable hour and we don't even have to get up to walk tomorrow.

Early Birds

Still managing to keep up the early starts but with views like this and an ever changing landscape, it's all worthwhile. There was no committee meeting this morning but the language exchange and tapas lunch went on as usual. Those of you who have seen our market would have been surprised today by the number of stalls - there were at least 7. I'm convinced that the economic situation is pushing people to try their luck. Not that I think that this village market will make anyone rich.
This evening there was the first disco and "Fête de la Bière" of the summer. Moules Frites were on offer at 6€/head. Apparently there were 200kg of mussels prepared but they ran out before everyone was served. Thankfully we'd eaten at home so were spared the 2 hour+ queue that someone people had. Al Chemist, a local group whose stock in trade is satyrical pop played to the hordes before the disco but we left after about an hour in favour of a coffee in the bar which was not surprisingly very quiet.

Wired for Sound

Great excitement; the new ipods arrived Monday and Christian plugged himself in to music for his morning walk.I had to make do with a portable cd player, which kept jumping when I walked too fast, as my language cds wouldn't record for some reason. However, Christian has managed to get them both tuning into the internet so we can now consult our emails from the comfort of the settee during the commercial break and goodness knows what else they can do.Christian doesn't actually sleep attached to this great wee toy but it looks as if might become as much a part of him as his specs are!
i tell a lie; he did remove them when we went around to Gérard and Ana's for an apéro and to talk about their forthcoming visit to Scotland.

Out for a duck!

This evening we were invited to Patrick's (husband of El Presidente)60th. Lots of champagne then a meal of duck - foie gras and then confit of duck leg served by the side of the swimming pool. There were 25 of us all together with a sprinkling of Association members and one or two uninvited beasties that bit me on the back.

Routine Habits

It was a bit hard getting out of bed at 7am to start our 5 day week of walks but what the heck, we need to make the most of our time. Our coffee at the end gazing out onto the lake, trees, ducks and mountains is a really nice moment.
This evening Christian had his regular surgery and we ate in the restaurant afterwards but nowadays we pass on the chacuterie in favour of salad. Not too much hardship.

Rain at Last!

Apart from going to the market, yesterday was a bit of an non-event which I suppose is no bad thing from time to time.
This morning the skies opened and it rained heavily. What a good job that Jean-Louis has a new roller blind covering some of his terrace. It wasn't too long, however before the sun came out and dried up all the rain (poor old Insee Winsee Spider)which was just as well as it meant that we could eat al fresco with Kevin (Christian's cousin's son of 24) and his girlfriend Cindy who are camping down on the coast. As they decided to stay over for the night, we finished in the bar - only drinking coffee before you think the worst.

Another Vernissage

It's getting hotter and hotter and I was awfully pleased that the paella lunch for the workers of the commune at the campsite was for councillors and not their partners. There was another vernissage this evening in the small chapel in the village and I managed to spill some strawberry punch over Gaby. Oh dear! I felt too embarrased to refill my glass which was a shame as it was seriously good, as was the buffet.

Doors

A lovely sunny day and we again had our committee meeting outside; that was after a walk around the lake even earlier than usual. The language exchange followed on but the lunch time tapas went awry as none of us had prepared anything. In the late afternoon, our Danish friend had the opening of her photo exhibition which depicted some village doors. Her speech was in English and ably translated by Michel. Lone pointed out the importance of the door in symbolising the openness or otherwise of the people who live behind them.There was an apéro to follow and the promise of a donation to the Association of any profits made.