Comings and Goings

10.2.14:
More of the same with a constant stream of leafleters. I've been housebound hunched up over the computer only taking a break from the Scotland stuff to get the blog up to date, But what a treat when Christian came back from Nany's with a bunch of mimosa that's been wafting it's heady scent in my direction as I tap away. Now, this afternoon, Christian and Jean-Jacques have been on the campaign trail this afternoon and then there's a twinning meeting this evening. He should manage to get a bowl of soup in-between times to keep him going and instead of hunching, I shall slump in front of that other screen that isn't good for me.
Weather:
13° Blue skies, cloud later

9.2.14:
We had thought to have a quiet  day with just an omelette for lunch and some tv time but we all know

what happens to bestlaid plans. All the comings and goings  really started on Friday as we are the distribution point for André's first campaign leaflet. This morning we had Jose who stayed for coffee, then Martine who stayed for a long drawn out apéritif. In between times I spent the day and the early part of the evening hunched over the computer putting together a detailed itinerary our tour of Scotland and it's not yet finished.
Weather:
13° Blue Skies, cloud later

And Yet Again!

Today we were guests of Henri and Michelle at the meal organised by the twinning association where they live. Given that it's with a town in Germany, choucroute and beer were on the menu. The meal was copious and it was inevitable that a siesta would follow. There was hardly enough time to digest lunch than we were at André and Nany's for apéritifs. We did walk there and back which was the least that we could do as today has been a day pretty serious consumption.
Weather:
13° Blue Skies, very light drizzle at the end of the evening.

And Again!

Today's main event was the Association's tapas evening for which I made Delia's seriously delicious Austrian Coffee and Walnut Cake again. If you're interested in the recipe, scroll back to 19th January and you'll find the link there. Sadly by the time I arrived at the sweet things stage, it was all gone. This evening's theme was "noir et blanc" so this gave us the chance to wear the trilbies that we bought in Figueres the other week. While we went for more of a gangster look, Jean-Jacques and Michel were much more stylish. It was well attended and there was also a quiz which we didn't win. We didn't win the prize for the most original get-up either. Neither did JJ and Michel but we're nothing if not good losers!
Weather:
13° Overcast start, sun later
News:
Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in (well, outside really) Sochi. To think that when I went there, it was mid summer and and I was still able to fit into a bikini!

Out Again!

Having had the voucher that we'd won at the quiz in the restaurant hanging around for a couple of months, Robert, Martine and ourselves settled on today to finally use it. We went at lunch time for the menu and as usual ate well. That's our kind of prize. Christian had an election campaign meeting in the evening after which Jean-Jacques invited us along with Nany and André for pizza and a glass of wine.
Weather:
14°, blue skies with strong winds in the evening

Budget Food but Good Food

Finally, we managed to pin down a date to take Jean and Françoise for lunch to celebrate Jean's birthday which was back in December. I'd found "La Cucina del Syndicat" in Serinyà which had positive reviews on the net, so it seemed a good opportuntity to try it. What's more, for left-wing Jean, the name was sure to please. The village doesn't inspire as you arrive from the main road so it would be easy to just keep going. Glad to say that we were not disappointed. The restaurant is set on a small square with a beautiful 12th century church. Inside it was plain to see that it had started life as a workers' bar/restaurant/social centre but Judith (Catalan with S African husband) the adorable young owner had kept the spirit but updated the furnishing and decor within  the limits imposed by the height of the ceilings and it's square form. The food was delicious home cooking done by Mum. We came away well satisfied by the experience with a bill that in no way made a dent in the wallet!
With such good weather we stopped off in Besalú for a walk where we were lucky enough to find the Jewish Baths open. Had a hot chocolate in the square where we dived into the huge bags of broken biscuits that we'd bought from an artisan pastry shop for 2€. Lovely and crispy, made from wholemeal flour and sesame seeds, we were able to kid ourselves that they made a healthy balance with the chocolate.
Once home, Christian just had time to gather up his papers for the Council meeting leaving me to prepare a tapas platter for Michel and Jean-Jacques who were joining us afterwards. I regret not taking a photo as on the large wooden platter, it looked pretty good, even if I do say myself!
Weather:
14°, Blue skies.

5.2.14:
A late night last night led to a slow start this morning. All I did was do some B and B hunting for our trip later this year and make a "Tuscan Wild Boar Stew" with some meat that a hunter friend had given us. http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/tv-show/come-dine-with-me-recipes/series-11/tuscan-wild-boar-stew-recipe
Weather:
14° Blue skies, some high wispy cloud

All Saga's come to an End

2.2.14:
Our evening out brought a series of invitations, the first being an apéritif today chez Henri and Michelle. Henri then  insisted that we share their lunch. Arrived home late afternoon when Christian had a siesta (Henri had started his before we even had our coats on to leave!) and I delivered the association's latest newsletter. Home for tea and the gripping and surprising end of "The Bridge". I don't think that the Belgian offering next week will be able to live up to it. There's no one quite like Saga! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA_Q4I9Swlo 
Weather:
13° and blue skes. Just look at the photo taken from in front of Michelle and Henri's.

3.2.14:
Nothing particular today apart from Christian having his monthly surgery up in the mountains. Michel was held up in a meeting so he was alone until the upstair's neighbour came down and brought an apéritif.
Weather:
13°. Clear blue skies to start but clouding over later
News:

• Holland puts on hold assissted conception for lesbians and legalising surrogacy after demonstrations yesterday. He intends to concentrate on the economy. in his favour, he didn't backtrack on the drive to eradicate sexism in the classroom, another iniative that's throwing the conservative reactionary sections of society (we all know who) into a flat spin.
• Wild storms continue to batter the Brittany coast.

Addressing a Haggis!

1.2.14:
A little late as Alistair (the piper who played at my birtday a few years ago) was busy at a Burn's Supper in Barcelona on the 25th. Can you believe it? The supper took place in Lamanere, the most southerly village in France which has a population of 57! It's been held there for the last 10 years but we've never had the courage to drive up there at night but this time Brian and Dani took us with them. André, Nany, Michelle and Henri came in another car.
There were about 70 of us all told. There were speaches in French, English and Catalan, some poetry, dancing, whisky, a few songs and the haggis was an authentic "Mac Sween's" - the best there is.If you're interested in Burns follow this link http://www.robertburns.org/works/147.shtml  where you can read his "Address to the Haggis" and other delights.
Weather:
11°, 8° when we left, 2° when we arrived. Iwas cold, misty and there was some light snow in the rain from time to time but thankfully we got there and back without mishap, even passing through a Police check farther down the valley!

Horses for Courses

29.1.14:
The last couple of days have been mild, 13° with sunny spells. Today started the same though it was 3° at daybreak and there was heavy rain tonight. This evening we were invited to André and Nany's for a meal along with Henri and Michelle, essentially to book their flights to Scotland later this year.

30.1.14:
There was a good layer of snow much lower down on the mountains than yesterday when we awoke. For one reason or another, there was only Terrywho went to the bar after the language exchange though we were joined by Michel on his way home from the Mairie. As Christian was at a birthday do, Michel invited me for lunch at his place.
In the afternoon, Christian went off for a check up with the cardiologist while I entertained Nicole to tea.
Finally, there was a campaign meeting in the evening for Christian which gave me peace and quiet to do my Spanish homework. Had just about finished when Christian arrived home with Jean-Jacques for a bite to eat.
Weather:
6° in the morning, 12° in the afternoon, sun

31.1.14:
Thankfully, Christian had a better morning than I did getting fliers sorted for André's campaign team.

For my part, my Spanish session was difficult and I felt well out of my depth. Relative pronouns are not my strong point in French, so making the leap to Spanish was a real headache.
To cheer me up, Christian took me out for lunch in a restaurant on a cat theme. This is the view from the road beside it. After a trip to Lidl, which is right next door to the restaurant,  we  were quiet for the rst of the day. By the way, the price of the veg was eye-watering low.

Start of the Year of the Horse. Apparently we can expect a fast moving year where negotiation and middle ground stratégies won't be to the forefront. If you're sure of your projects get going on them, time won't wait for you. Not easy for us oxen! 
Weather:
11° Sun with cloud later

Not a Haggis in Sight

26.1.14:

Had a lazy start in preparation for the copious lunch organised by one of the old soldiers' associations that was in store for us and about 120 other folk in the village hall. Canapés in abundance, choucroute, cheese, dessert, wine, digéstif, coffee and as if that wasn't enough, two types of galette.
Left at about 5pm and stopped in at Jean-Jacques to try and remove a splinter that he has in his foot. No success though as it was too deeply embedded.
Finally arrived home at 19h30.unable to eat another thing so settled down to watch the French version of "Young Morse".
Weather:
17° Sunny with blue skies
News: France beat Denmark in the European handball finals and Hollande's ending of his relationsip with his partner who left yesterday for a fundraising visit to India still making the headlines.
More seriously, in Uk there are reports that safe passage enabling women and children  to leave the Syrian town of Homs has been negotiated in Geneva.
 
25.1.14:

Appropriately enough, it being Burn's Day, we met up with Madeline and Bill who was staying with her for the weekend, after the market for lunch.
Weather:
15° The threatened rain didn't arrive, cloud and sunny spells

Another One for the List

Spent the morning doing the usual Friday stuff (Mairie, Spanish) after which, we left the village for vistas new. a couple of people had told us about a restaurant in Cistella so we decided to check it out. Cistella is a small place with a 12th century church, bar, the restaurant and not much else. "Restaurant Bado" has a terrace looking onto the village square (not for today) and inside vaulted ceilings and stone wall. The food was to our liking too; imaginative and well presented.
We didn't hang around afterwards but came straight home delighting in a view of the snow-capped Pyrenees.
Then while Christian had his belated snooze, I found a "work around" to put photos on the blog. Result!!!!
Weather:
14° Blue Skies becoming cloudier later