Moving On

Today was the end of the official twinning visit and the bus left to return to the village at 6am. Unfortunately, the bus broke down after only 2 hours into the journey and it didn't arrive back chez nous until 1pm the next morning. We, on the other hand, had a leisurely start and a visit from Angelique for coffee. Then it was lunch at Alain and Andrée's before a quick visit to see Nadine and Jean who sadly was too ill to see us. A drive of 1.5 hours then followed taking us to Christophe and Valérie's and the next stage of out trip.
So, next year it will be our turn to pull all the stops out and show our Normandy pals a good time and there's a lot to live up to.

A Sporting Chance

An 8h30 start for Bayeux where we gave the tour of the Cathedral a miss, preferring to go and have a
coffee with Agnes instead. Had a stroll and met up with Loïc and Anneka for a drink before it was back to the village hall for a copious lunch. This I'm sure was sabotage as in the afternoon there were a series of games:

• boules
• badmington
• basketball
• equilibrium on a (gym) bar
• scrabble
• hoola hoop
• quiz on Normandy

There were 11 teams, 3 from here. Not everyone from our group took part though Christian and I courageously responded to the challenge albeit on different teams. There was even a cup for our participation.

At least having burnt a few calories in the afternoon, the evenings gala dinner was managable ...... more so than all the speeches and exchange of gifts.

Côte Fleurie

A visit to Cabourg leaves you in no doubt that the coast here abouts deserves its name. The group were well in awe of the abundance of flowers everywhere. The wind made it a bit chilly but a visit to "Père Magloire", the Calvados (apple brandy) producer with  a free tasting at the end of the visit soon warmed us up. Christian and I have passed by a number of times when we've been in Pont L'Évêque but never stopped, so this was a first for us and interesting it was too. Needless to say, the tasting

encouraged several of the group to splash out on a few bottles and we were no exception. Next came lunch out in the Normandy countryside and once again everyone was well pleased with what had been laid on. From here it was back in the bus and on to Honfleur where we were free to wander in the sunshine. Yet, another success for the organisers. For us, even though we've been many times before, it was lovely to enjoy it in the sunshine minus the headache of trying to park.
There as just enough time on our return to change and get ready for fireworks, a communal meal and dancing for 400+ people. As our contribution to the evening, some of our group did a demonstration of the Sardane .... no escape even up north!

About Turn

Spent a lazy few hours after lunch on our own as François and Jojo had to leave  for an appointment in Paris. Made sure that all was lockred up and secure and were half way to our twinned town when we realised that we'd left the shopping that friends had asked us to do in the fridge. No worries we'd left the key as asked in the neightbour's letterbox. The neighbour was in but her husband had gone off with the letterbox key and she didn't know when he'd be back. By this time we were starting to be running late so off we went again. The Gps wasn't aware that the entry road to the town was blocked off so we ended up nearly in Caen and had to turn around.
By the time we 'd made it to the village hall, the bus from the village had arrived and the apéritif was in full swing.
There was a quick meal at Agnes's with whom we were "billeted"where we were joined by Bruno & Christine, the owners of the charcuterie that we'd left in the fridge. Then a concert given by Axel Bauer (a bit of a passed-it cult guitarist/singer) to inaugurate the new hall. Stayed the course until 2am. you can find a taster here: http://www.axelbauer.com/

Friends Reunited

Next stop was lunch with Christian's Godmother who at nearly 92 is still living on her own, is never bored or complaining and has such a positive outlook on life. From there we went on to visit our friends François and Jojo for two nights. A walk around Arromanches (one of the Normandy Landings sites), shopping in Bayeux where I found a lovely Irish woollen jacket for Christian, a couple of sale bargains for me, good food and conversation just about sums it up.

Bags Packed!

Yesterday, in spite of having to do all that last minute stuff before going away, we went off to have our hair done and were in the salon for 3 hours. I came out with eyebrows 3 shades darker than I would like, so next time I'll do the timing.
Left this morning before 9am in bright sunshine. Picniced on the way up and here's Christian having a well earned beer. Stayed in the B & B that we'd used once before mainly because they produce a good muscadet. The meal was mediocre and to make things worse we shared the table with the most boring couple. Still, the rest of the trip spent with family, friends and participating in the village twinning visit promises to be both more interesting and more fun!

Happy Couple

Quite a slow start this morning but no matter. Spent the afternoon doing the last of the bits and pieces for the association. Christian is well pleased that I won't be forever bugging him to correct my written French. Managed to get it all done in time to get ready to go to a "Vin d'honneur" after a wedding. (Son of the Secretary General at the Mairie). There were really good canapés and lots of people to chat to. Jean-Afterwards Jacques invited us along with the Mayor and his wife for an imprompu omelette and oven chips at his place. Hearing voices as he passed, Michel came and joined us as did Sylvie a bit later on. We had thought to take a nightcap at the bar on our way home but we found the terrace empty apart from Jean-Louis and his partner who were tucking in to stuffed squid. I won't go into what the two squid looked like, suffice it to say, I was pleased that we'd eaten at Jean-Jacques'!

Shades of Mem saab Beeton

You may remember the famous "first catch your rabbit quote" but in this case, "it was first toast and grind up your garam masala mix". A curry dinner to prepare for the evening and the spice jar was empty. Spent the whole day cooking until I dropped but it was worth the effort. This was the third round with Manu, Sandrine, Valérie, Eric and Clare  This time Jean-Jacques came along. I also made a spag bol for the six children who came too. I was a bit anxious that the French, who on the whole are not curry eaters, would find the food too spicy. The lime pickle was a bit much for most of them but otherwise they managed very well with the  unknown flavours. Jaimie's Chicken Tikka Masala at  http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/chicken-tikka-masala and Prawn and Coconut Curry from the Good Food website http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5084/prawn-and-coconut-curry were on the menu along with spicy chickpeas, poppadoms and various acoomaniments. Breaking away from the curry theme, there was also a cheese course, at Christian's insistance and he was right as most of it disappeared!

Our guests took their leave at about midnight with Manu's parting shot being "we'll do dinner soon" so it looks like we're in for an Autumn rerun.

Rock On!

What a pleasure it was to hand over the rest of the files and other paraphanalia that I'd accumulated over my five years as General Secretary of the Association. Just one or two more bits and pièces to do before I leave the rest of the committee to it on the 1st September. Retirement, here I come!

Good Deed Day

Our friend Rowena, who lives about an hour and a quarter from here up towards the border has broken her heel and was therefore unable to drive her parents to the airport. So, in exchange for lunch and some fruit fresh of the trees, we did our bit to help out. It also meant that we could replenish our stock of cava on the way back. Here you can see Christian waiting patiently for his apéritif.