The Long Awaited Rain

Finally, the threatened rain reached our part of France and it just threw it down. As a result, the village car boot sale had to be cancelled. The meal that had been organised was transfered to the village hall so Mary had another glimpse of life in our neck of the woods. The Mayor did a turn during coffe by singing in French, Catalan, Spanish, German, English and Russian which of course was received by rapturouse applause. Then it was on to the dance floor for some rock 'n' roll which Mary gallantly had a go at with Armand. I think the wine helped!
I've just realised that today is one of those days 10.10.10 Not sure if it has any significance but it's kind of pleasing.

Super Soirée!

Took a trip to the market this morning and had our usual apéritif before returning home to prepare for this evening's soirée which was by way of a thank you to some of those who were so supportive when Christian was ill.About 20 people came and Michel and Jacques provided the live music; I can honestly that a good time was had by all.

A View of the East

Today's forecast was for unsettled weather but we still took the risk to eat out on the terrace of the restaurant at lunch time. Not sure what the excuse was for not eating at home .... probably to give Mary a change of scene. In the evening there was Geneviève's vernissage enlivened by a storyteller of asiatic tales.As the night was still young, Kathy, Juste and Joséphine came back to ours for drinks, tapas and chat.

Opted Out

There was a definite lack of wild life to be seen on the walk this morning but what there was could be classified as an endangered species! Of course, I didn't duck out of the committee meeting this morning but yet again I didn't stay for the language exchange. That would be too mean when there is a visitor in the house. We had planned to go into Perpignan to do the shops but abandoned the idea in favour of enjoying an apéritif in the sun at the bar with the die hards of the exchange. As it happened Michel came by and invited us to take tea at his place which came accompanied with & couple of songs on his guitar.

Tourist Trail

Mary was up and out with us this morning for a walk before we set off for a day out. Decided to try the "Jou Vell" which we'd been told was quite good and very popular The setting was very pretty and we all appreciated sitting out on the terrace. The meal was buffet style and good value for money but pretty ordinary. on the way home, we called in to see Joséphine .... the idea of a cuppa was rejected in favour of an apéritif which became a pot luck supper. Mary was well appreciative of the spontaneity and great hospitality that came our way.

In the thick of it

Not much chance for Mary to rest up as Jean-Jacques who's on his own at the moment came for lunch and in the evening we were invited to Martine's 64th birthady soirée. A good mix of French, Catalan and Brits mingled on the terrace, ate tapas, sipped wine and then champagne with the cake. Needless to say, we all slept well.

Quick Turn Around

Well, the bed didn't have time to get cold before the next occupant arrived. Luckily Thérèse was here to help get the room ready while we nipped off to Girona to collect Mary.

2nd Time Lucky

Jen managed to finally get away from Girona and fortunately without a hitch; We lazed around and I didn't take the sheets off (as I did last time) just in case.. in the evening wewent to an excellent choral concert in the church, pity that Jen had gone as she would have loved it, 'her being a singer and all that'. There was of course an apéritif afterwards; I seem to write that quite ofter, don't I?

Pasta Pronto!

Market again this morning and as she wasn't feeling too good, Jen took it easy this afternoon. Luckily she felt up to going around to eat with Jean, David, Judith and Trevor but didn't overdo it. A very tasty lasagne was on the menu and it was warm enough to sit outside.

AGM

Imagine arriving in the village hall to set up for the Association's Agm only to find that the room had been already set up for a baptism on the Sunday. we weren't best pleased but after a lot of huffing and puffing we got ourselves sorted out. Jen had a quiet night in while 64 of us went to the local auberge but the verdict was not favourable. Too much salad on the plate etc, etc. We'll need to think again for next year.