.... and as Joey Adams, the American comedian said,
"May your troubles last only as long as your New Year resolutions!"

Here are a few photos of the time between Christmas and New Year to flick through https://photos.app.goo.gl/76qzpfxSV6bHmSEQA

and a link giving an explanation about the "Pessebre" which I visited on 29th. https://www.elpessebre.cat/eng/frameeng.htm

Seeing in the New Year

31.12.18

Did this, that, made mulled wine for tomorrow's apéritif and smoked salmon canapés for dinner this evening.
There were 8 of us around my neighbours Gérard and Anna's table until 2.30am. Good food, fine wine, plenty of champagne, lots of merriment. Welcome 2019!
Weather:
20, sun

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Here are a few photos to prove that I'm still around. Merry Christmas where ever you are and whatever you're doing! Rx

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BPEUnr4uh2HyFUPg8

Unhappy Internaute, Happy Diners

26.11.18 - 30.11.18

Well, time to say "hello" again and bring you up to date until the end of November.
Of course there's been the usual things going on with Association admin, the language exchange, even a committee meeting (26th). Well in fact there were two committee meetings this week, the other was for the Twinning association (28th).
Trips to the café are now for a hot chocolate rather than  tea or coffee as not only is it cold outside but inside too. Apparently, if Nico is cooking and has the hood working, they can't light the fire as the smoke comes back down the chimney!
Anne who I haven't seen for ages called by on the off chance on 27th and stayed for tea. Sadly she's losing her memory which at only 2 years older than me is pretty scary. Putting that thought firmly in the box marked "not needed on the journey"! JJ came for a catch up the same day but this time it was a bottle of cava and a few nibbles that helped the conversation flow.
Good deeds included 3.5 tiring hours of cutting up melons and another couple of hours cutting up oranges for the Téléthon jam. Over 500 pots were made.
Tellywise, the gorgeous Jaimie Fraser (Outlander) kept me entertained. Not met a woman yet who doesn't share my 5* opinion of him.
Back in the present day and feet once more on the ground, I finally planted up the pansies I bought 3 weeks ago, was without internet for 4 days (fibre optique cable accidentally sliced through), had a power cut for an hour due to a power station failure that affected almost the whole of the Pyrénées Orientales.

There was some fun too. Jo organised a birthday cake at the bar for Kevin's birthday and then a karaoke evening in Le Boulou for 30 of us (30th). Not one nod in the direction of Bonnie Scotland's national day but having gone against my better judgement, it was more fun than I'd anticipated . Probably because it was a good mix of nationalities.
The new owner of the "Happy Diner"hasn't yet quite got to grips with managing group bookings. He phoned Jo to say that he was 4 plates short; she thought he meant servings but he actually meant plates to serve on. The DJ, a youngish bloke missing his front teeth doubled as the washer up. He abandonded the turntable to return to the kitchen to wash the starter plates so that the main course could be served.  When pay up time came, the owner gave up trying to sort out individual bills and charged us all 20€ each which with all the wine we got through, was a good deal. At least for us!
https://www.tripadvisor.fr/ShowUserReviews-g612419-d12921109-r532939693-Happy_Diner-Le_Boulou_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html
Weather: 
Temperatures between 11° - 17°, sun and clear skies.

Autumn is here

5.11.18 - 25.11.18

Yes, I'm still here! Earlier this year it was too hot to sit in front of the computer and bring you up to date. Now that it's turned chilly, when I'm home, I just want to stay snug by the fire when I'm not out and about making paper flowers for next March's carnival, organising things for the association's participation in the Téléthon and the Pipe Band's visit next year, drinking coffee, going to the Ciné Club (Ladybird, 3 Billboards outside Ebbing), or sitting around some table or other with friends (chez JJ, chez Jean and Françoise, chez James and Beverley, chez moi). There's also a bit of cleaning, shopping, treadmill, even a bit of cooking going on too. Oh, and also time spent trying to get my papers together for a forthcoming interview for my "Carte de Séjour". Many thanks to all those ****** Brexiteers for the uncertanties that have come our way and the drop in the value of the pound and all that means for those of us on a fixed income.
Still, all the more reason to make the most of life. Carpe diem! There's snow on Canigou, the leaves are rich in autumnal colour and a good pot of soup warms body and soul!
Last night I went to a show down in Port Vendres that included music from 3 Spanish guitarists, flamenco, a violinist and stunning aerial acrobatics to take you far from the mundane.
Follow this link for a few photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7Gt3qNR91mc1a66H6
Weather:
Temperatures as low as 7° (6th) and as high as 22°(12th). More rain and cloud than usual, interspersed with blue skies and sun.

It's an ill wind

You'll be surprised to know that I'm not having my regular Sunday morning coffee at the bar having been struck down by a cold and sore throat. You won't be surprised to know though, that I'm feeling sorry for myself. Still, after a long lie-in, I'm in front of the computer starting to catch up with Chitchat and not before time either.

Family Visit N° 2

3.11.18:
Frank, Stéphanie and the girls left early this morning which left time for some exercise on the treadmill and a trip to the market with Maggie. The sun was shining and there was pristine snow on Canigou set against a backdrop of a cloudless blue sky. fabulous.
Met Nicole this evening for a glass of wine and a catch up without her normally ever-present son.
Weather:
16°, sun

2.11.18:

Coffee with Nicole and her son and were later joined by Frank and Stéphanie after which we went over to the restaurant for a meal "en famille". The food is so much better than at the bar and at lunch time is even better value. It's a bit late to be thinking that I should eat there more. Sabrina finally confirmed that they have sold and will be closing before too long. The new owners plan to continue in the same style when they open next Spring, so all is not lost
The family made the most of their last day here with a trip to the sea to see a friend and to Spain to buy petrol, which is cheaper there. Meantime, I prepared this evening's apéritif dinatoire with Jean and Françoise.

1.11.18:

Today, people traditionally visit deceased love ones, often to wash the plastc flowers or to replace last year's chrysanthamums. Didn't join the family but went to the café instead. Christian would have approved; he was there with me!
JJ  and Jacques came for dinner so there was good conversation, a few drinks and a tasty meal of Pork and Chorizo, my go-to dish.
Weather:
18 deg, sun

31.10.18:
No lunch to prepare today as the family went of to Perpignan despite a forecast of rain. A really nice thing happened this morning at the baker's. Dominique, who was on the German trip, wanted to buy me a coffee but when we realised that neither of the bars were open, the baker offered to make us one. Of course, in return we treated ourselves to a pain au chocolat.
Unlike Rowena, who appeared for a cuppa this afternoon, literally soaked through to the skin, the family managed to stay dry. With the wet weather, there were no kids at the door trick or treating so the girls fell heir to a huge bag of sweeties. It's an ill wind .......

30.10.18

Joined the family for a day out in Figueres; coffee, fruit and veg market, a bit of shopping and lunch on the Ramblas. Unlike the others who had tapas, I went for a "fideua" cooked with squid ink and ended up with black lips and tongue for most of the afternoon! 
Weather:
16°, sun, wind

29.10.18:
Committee meeting, a hot chocolate in the cold bar. Must be the drop in temperature but I felt tired. Couldn't sit through to the end of "The Bookshop" but I'd already seen it so an early night was more tempting.
Weather:
10°, cloud.

28.10.18:
In between preparing for Frank, Stéphanie and the girls' arrival, I managed my usual coffee at the bar. Some things are sacred, are they not?
Weather:
10°, rain, cloud

Family Visit N°1

24.10.18:

All too soon it was time for my visitors to take to the road again to visit other family members in Limoux and Toulouse. Still, it was great to see them and I really appreciate the effort  that make to come.
Wasn't alone for too long though as Nicole came around to let off steam. Didn't bother with coffee, something stronger was needed. We went straight for a couple of glasses of cava making lunch somewhat later than usual.
Weather:
23° sun and cloud

23.10.18:

Joined the family for a day out in Roses over the border. A pleasant walk along the prom to have a coffee overlooking the sea, then continued to the marina where we had a beer. Turned around and walked back again in search of lunch. Many places were closed and we finally settled on the "Restaurant Panaoramic" which was well situated. The food though was the usual tourist stuff.
https://www.tripadvisor.fr/ShowUserReviews-g262060-d7722687-r599501167-Restaurant_panoramic-Roses_Costa_Brava_Province_of_Girona_Catalonia.html
Tanguy was the only one brave enough to get in the water; Christophe and Valérie had a short siesta and I read in the shade.
Stopped off at the shopping mall on the way back where once again I found a comfy place to read while the others parted with their cash.
Weather:
25°, sun

22.10.18:
The kids went off and I pottered around and tried out a Jaimie recipe that I'd never done before. Changed the tapenade for pesto but still felt it needed a bit more of a "kick".
https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fish-recipes/one-pan-fabulous-fish/
Weather:
22°, sun

21.10.18:

Coninued preparations for the the arrival of my Norman family. Did find time, however, to have a coffee at the bar. Once their bags were unloaded and we'd had a cuppa and catch up, Christophe and Valérie were itching to stretch their legs. We ended up doing a 7km walk up into the hills outside the village. Gorgeous views though by the time we made it back, the clocks having changesd last night, it was already dark. Stopped off at the bar for an apéro then it was back home to prise the boys away from their tablets.
Weather:
26°, sunny

Sister Time

6.10.18 - 16.10.18

What a bonus! After nearly a week staying with my lovely little sister, she came to stay with me. Meals with friends, coffeee at the bar, jaunts to the sea and for the last few days, a lazy time with our feet up drinking cava and over dosing on "Black List" box set. https://photos.app.goo.gl/tPDNF38g4ANsShSK7

Surprise!

20.9.18 - 6.10.18
Been away and since coming back I've been busy and haven't had time to catch up with "Chitchat". Where have you heard that line before? Anyway, I have found a moment to put the resulting photos into a web album. If you're interested, just click on the link. https://photos.app.goo.gl/EcoSadpe6juMVkbn7