Coffee Table Travel

Couldn't drag my heels this morning, had to open up the room for the calligraphy workshop atfer which the day drifted on until teatime when Geneviève and Philippe came around with a book that I'd ordered. Geneviève is an artist and has illustrated and published her travelogues. This one was dedicated to Asia and is a really nice addition to the coffee table. You can see her work on http://genevieve.rouanes.pagesperso-orange.fr/

Double Dose

Armistice Day, a public holiday which brings a national expectation to participate in any commemmoration . As our commune is made up of two villages, there were two ceremonies to attend. For a change the second one was up in the mountains so there was another expectation that we'd stay on and give some lunch custom to the local auberge which laid on the after-ceremony apéritif. It's always much better than the one we have in the village but I suppose it is for far fewer people. Have to say,it wasn't too difficult to do either our municipal or gastronomic duty.

Tiny Tantrum

Yesterday dedicated more time to the website but this time, it was new rather than repair work. Today we had our weekly trip to the market and had an apéritif with Jacques and some of his friends on the terrace of the bar. Are any of you UK readers jealous? In the afternoon, I went to Nicole's for tea and then we both walked down to this month's vernissage which unusually was on a Saturday and met up with Christian. He came back home somewhat out of sorts complaining that there was nothing of interest in the house to eat and insisted that he needs to eat 3 times a day but really it was because I wouldn't say "yes" to buying chips on the way back!

Out of Sight?

A Thursday with a little extra and a little less. After the usual association stuff in the morning and an apéritif in the bar,we ate in the village restaurant. Then Rowena called in for a cuppa in the afternoon but couldn't stay too long. We seem to have less and less contact and it doesn't feel like it used to between us.

Supa Soup

Nicole, Anna and Gérard, our neighbours are keeping the tradition of an autumnal neighbourhood get-together alive by organising a soup evening. The weather was with us as it was warm enough to eat outside. Young and old sampled several varieties of soup, even the restaurant sent over a pot. Our contribution was cake. Well, Marie-Antoinette did say "let them eat cake!"

Winter Entertainment

It's Mum's birthday today so, of course, the first thing to do was to phone. 83 and still living independently. She's doing better than Josette. Hope it's in the genes!
Cut short my Congo association meeting to go to the first "Soirée Guitares" at the bar. Christian was more consciencious, not leaving his meeting at the mairie until it was over. The evening was a great success with a log fire, several guitarists of different genres, an appreciative audience and a great ambiance. (Thanks to Jean-Michel for the photo)

Back to Work

Yesterday we spent a lazy day with lots of telly and a pheasant lunch which today we had to make up for. Christian with the Mairie during the day and his surgery this evening; me distributing association messages in the village and as Mike is away on two outlying estates. Not to mention, still trying to iron out website problems.

Going Live

Spent several hours in front of the computer instead of going to the market as even though the new website has gone online, ther are several glitches to sort out before anyone notices. It wasn't all work though, Jean and Françoise called in for an impromptu apéritif and they are always good for taking you away from navel gazing.

Carpe Diem

At long last we made it to see Josette in her care home. Not the most cheering experience and a future we childless folk prefer not to think about. Anyway, let's not get maudlin .... we took her out down the coast, walked in the sun, admired the boats and drank tea. Came home and celebrated Juste's birthday, so "sieze the day" while you can.

A Better Option

Today's a public holiday and traditionally, the day that people visit the graves of their loved ones. As we have no one lying at peace waiting to be visited, we went with James and Beverley for lunch at Mas Salelles.