January's End

Follow the link for more photos

https://photos.app.goo.gl/n7Zkx8w6ibNgqTvKA 

31.1.19:

Went to Ikea in Montpellier with Lynn and Colin. Had lunch at "Le Koeur" in the centre just off the Place de la Comédie which has buildings with a incredible architecture.

Weather:

10°, cloudy

 
30.1.19:

Flower making 

29.1.19:

Another late night visiting "The West Wing" meant that I was a little reluctant to get out of bed this morning.
Worked through a not very onerous list of things to do on the computer, attended a council meeting and entertained JJ and Michel to supper. 
Couldn't resist the temptation to visit the West Wing again. My compulsive behaviour doesn't abate!

Weather:

10°, cloudy

28.1.19:

Bureau, coffee with Maggie, Nicole and later Jo.

Traded in some gold and silver that was lying around gathering dust and was pleased with the result.

An evening spent with Nicole, a bottle of cava and the canapés from Xmas Eve that we didn't get around to eating at the time.

Weather:

10. Cloudy, rain 

27.1.19:
So much for trying to get to bed earlier; "West Wing" has me hooked and excess is not enough. Bed at 4am so this morning I slept in a bit. Still made it for coffee though. Béatrice, Jacques and I stayed on for an apéro and then there was an impromptu lunch at Jacques. Website this afternoon and a lazy evening followed.
Weather:
14°, sun, strong wind later

26.1.19:

Went to the market with Jacques, had a quick coffee with Françoise and came home on the bus. Had a coffee at the bar in the company of Jo and Raymonde and then moved on to the other bar for an apéro with Nicole.

A Carnival meeting the afternoon during which I decided that I wasn't going to parade in costume. My God, how it went on; round and round in circles. My gut is telling me that this year needs to be a year of clearing out and hopefully freeing myself up both psychologically and literally.

Went over to Jean and Françoise's this evening for an apéro with Joan and Thérèse and an extremely nice couple Véronique and Jean-Pierre. This time the conversation was less about local politics and more about education.

Weather:

14°, sun. What bliss!

25.1.19:

The most exciting part of the day was the colours on Canigou when I drew back the curtains this morning.

Worked on the computer until past lunch time. Had a quick lunch and then dragged my feet towards flower making. 2 1/2 hours, tea and biscuits later I skipped home for more tea and more episodes if the West Wing. Yes, I'm new to it much later in the day than those of you who know about these things.

Anyone out there celebrating Burns Night?

Weather:

11°, blue sky 

24.1.19
Finally, work has started on the square to (more or less) pedestrianise it; apart from that his morning followed the usual Thursday pattern.
This afternoon though, I abandoned flower making to join Ann and Terry on a trip to the shopping mall in La Jonquera. Had hoped to find a waterproof coat and some warm footware but no joy. Settled for tea and cake instead.
This evening, "The Insult" was on offer at the ciné club followed by a tissane at Jacques' in the company of the neighbours. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_insult
Weather:
8°, sun and strong wind

23.1.19
Miserable day weather wise so apart from a quick walk up the road, I didn't venture forth.
Weather:
8°, rain

Blue Monday is by and only 4 Red Days Left

22.1.19:

Slept in a bit longer this morning after having gone through "just one more episode" last night.

Coffee and week's worth of catch up with Nicole at the ever-more-chilly bar. Why do we put up with it?

Sadly, the latest Michelin Guide doesn't feature any new restaurants in the Pyrénées Orientales.

Here's the link to the photos of my latest activities. https://photos.app.goo.gl/n7Zkx8w6ibNgqTvKA

Off now to follow my afternoon ritual of a pot of tea and something sweet. There's still some Christmas cake left. My mouth is watering just at the thought of it and to think there's enough to see the week out. So having spent more than a couple of hours on the computer and some time on the treadmill after a lay-off than more weeks than I'll admit to, I'll light the stove and make myself comfortable on the settee. A cosy evening with my feet up. What's not to like?

21.1.19:

Started the day with a cookery workshop led by Nany. We made "panellets" a potato and ground almond sweetmeat covered in pinenuts. Delicious!
And if your mouth is watering from seeing the photos of the "panaletts" we made at the cookery workshop, here's the recipe. https://www.shbarcelona.com/blog/en/catalan-recipes-panellets/

Spent a short time this evening at the bar listening to music otherwise did

some work on the computer, watched a lot of tv and took no exercise.

So much for today being "Blue Monday". It wasn't the most depressing day of the year at all and there are only 4 red days of very, very expensive electricity, which come with my particular contract, left to endure until 1st November when we start all over again

Weather:

10°, sun, blue sky and cloud

20.1.19:

The cloudy weather and threat of rain decided us to go to the Olive Oil festival in Espolla rather than the (dried) white bean festival in Santa Pau which is a good bit farther away.

Jean, Françoise, JJ and I started off with a coffee in the "Café Fraternal". Oil tasting followed. Bought the 3rd lot we tried and went off to watch the "castellars" (human towers). One went up to five tiers. https://www.castellersdebarcelona.cat/international/what-exactly-are-castells-or-human-towers/

Went to Llança for lunch via Vilajüiga, St Pere de Rodes and Porta de la Selva. "Bar Felip" was a modern, simple place on the Plaça Major with its Liberty Tree. The people were welcoming, the food was cheap and tasty; what's not to like? https://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant_Review-g1236052-d11823634-Reviews-Bar_Felip-Llanca_Province_of_Girona_Catalonia.html

Weather:

10°, overcast, sun breaking through on our return to France.

19.1.19:

It was Jacques turn this morning to have the pleasure of driving me to the market! His new Megane convertible is so much more stylish than his old, battered Skoda.

Today was one of those market days when I bumped into someone I knew ever 10 metres. Met Jean and Françoise for a coffee, as usual. How often this phrase turns up in my posts.

Apart from cleaning the Association's room ready for the cookery workshop on Monday, it was a lazy rest of the day.

Had a look at the night sky before going to bed and saw the moon encircled by what looked like a large ring of cloud. Having looked up the phenomena, I now know that it's called a Winter Moon or a Lunar Halo. sorry that the photo doesn't do it justice.

Weather:

13°, sun and blue sky

18.1.19:

Slept later than usual. Had the offer of a supermarket trip with Maggie so being in need of some bulky items, I put aside the idea of doing some work in the computer and jumped at the chance.

Flower making this afternoon with pancakes on offer at break time. There were only 9 of us but Françoise didn't stop once to draw breathe and the noise level from a couple of the others was head splitting.

Tapas at the other bar with les Anglaises then home for an episode of “Grantchester” while tucked up in bed.

Weather:

13°, sun

17.1.19:

Maggie is still off with bronchitis so I had to be up in time to open up for the language exchange and on pansy watering duty. A cuppa at the bar, some cooking and preparation for my evening visitors.

The neighbours came in to watch "Roma", a film that has had very positive reviews an,d is on Netflix even before it's been released on the big screen. Something to eat, something to drink, a bit of chat afterwards, 3 pots of homemade jam and 2 jars of homemade pâté for the cupboard.

Made in black and white, all agreed it was a sensitive film but we were at a loss to know where the title came from. Thanks to Wikipedia I now know it  refers to Colonia Roma, a neighborhood in the city.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/nov/29/roma-review-alfonso-cuaron

Weather:

12°, cloudy and overcast.

16.1.19:

Joined the morning commuters for the journey into Perpignan so that I could arrive early to join the queue in front of the Préfecture where I was to pick up my Carte de Séjour. The security guard who carried out airport-like checks of visitors with great good humour and the woman who dealt with me was charming. Restores your faith in the upholders of bureaucracy. Did a bit of food shopping before returning home and spent the rest of the day doing this and that in the house.

Weather:

13°, heavy cloud

15.1.19:

Went off this morning to Figueres with Pauline and Penny. As tradition dictates,  our first stop was for a coffee which we had sitting in the sun at the café La Pau. From there we went and filled our senses with the colour and buzz of the market. Shopping came next until we needed to refuel. With our usual restaurant closed for good we had to find somewhere new; opted for "Aroma Café" and had a tasty meal served by a friendly waitress. https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g315921-d8367907-Reviews-Aroma_Cafe-Figueres_Province_of_Girona_Catalonia.html
More shopping followed; bought a coat. A bargain at 40€.

Arrived home for 8pm, just in time to see the end of the Brexit vote and the tabling of a no confidence vote in Theresa May's Government.

Hey ho we're on the way to hell in a handcart!

Weather:

16°, sun, blue sky

14.1.19:

Made a start on preparing the texts for a forthcoming photo exhibition that I'm helping to organise.

Took a break to go for coffee with Nicole and were joined by Gabriella, a Doctor of Criminal Law at Barcelona University who has a gîte in the village.

Met with Michel about the expo, did more work in the texts then met Nany to check out the room where she will be doing a cookery workshop next week.

Couldn't be bothered to go to the folk night at the bar as I supposed that there'd be nothing new. Watched a new episode of Outlander and yes, Jaimie is as gorgeous as ever.

Weather:

16°, sun, blue sky, still windy

13.1.19:

Coffee at the bar. Nicole S has taken to coming again.

Made some phone calls, did some cleaning, some backing and prepared dinner for Jacques and Michel.

Weather:

16°, sun, blue sky, wind in the afternoon

12.1.19

Mkt with Michel. No Françoise as she wasn't on top form so, as they say, if the   mountain won't go ....... I bought a bunch of flowers and walked up to hers for a quick " hello".

The market was quiet with a lot of absentee stallholders and fewer folk than usual. Nothing for it but to head for the café where I joined the usual crowd plus Nany and André.

In the evening I went with Michel to a vernissage in Argelès “Lord Phistocrie” - Exposition de Christophe Prévost-Debaisieux. Interesting, amusing, and intriguing. Once home, I couldn't be bothered to drag myself out and over to the bar for a night of blue grass and country music.

Weather:

12°, sun, blue sky, less wind

11.1.19:

Coffee and a listening ear for Nicole this morning at the bar. A funeral for another Christian also from Normandy at the same crematorium where we said our goodbyes to my Christian.

This afternoon, a real treasure came at the time he said he would, to sort out my 20 year old washing machine. What a surprise that someone was ready to do it and what a saving on buying a new appliance.

This evening there was a twinning meeting and a vernissage after which I looked in at the bar next door where I was invited to join Roger and Don in a glass of red wine while being entertained by some of the Banda musicians.

Weather:

8°, blue sky sun and a few white clouds. Very cold wind.

10.1.19:

Early morning call from one of the Association members to day she couldn't come to the language exchange as her heart was racing and she couldn't raise her arm. Went around to sit with her until other help came. Ended up not to be a cardiac problem and I was able to get to the exchange where there was a good turn out. A cuppa at the bar as usual followed by a late lunch and a walk up to Nicole S's for tea.This evening "Shoplifters" was shown at the cinéclub, a Japanese film that won the "Palme d'Or" at Cannes this year. A real mixture of emotions. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/nov/21/shoplifters-review-hirokazu-kore-eda

Weather:

7°, sun and blue sky. Strong winds again

9.1.19:

Walked over to Jo's with Raymonde for coffee and cake. Unbeknown to us, it was to mark her birthday and that of 4 others. There must have been about 20 of us and more than enough cake for all!

From there it wasn't far from Maggie's and as she had a really bad chest cold off I went to commiserate with her. My effort was rewarded with a gin and tonic.

Made carnival flowers this afternoon, worked on the web site when I got back, downloaded and tidied the photos from the weekend and finished off with some tv catch up.

Weather:

11° but feeling a lot cold with the wind chill factor, sun, blue sky, strong winds.

8.1.19:

Coffee at bar with Nicole before Paul and Mireille arrived to learn about the Association. Ah yes, part of my responsibility is to put new members in the picture. All that took to almost lunch time. Just relaxed in the afternoon catching up with easy going tv.

This evening there was an unexpected invitation to eat with Jean and Françoise along with JJ.

Back in the village, I stopped off at the bar for the tail end of the soirée guitar. Just the die hards from either side of the mike were left but the music on offer was foot tappingly good!

Weather:

12°, sun, cloud and very strong wind

Have Pass, Will Travel

3.1.19 

Courage in hand (yes, that's right, the thought of travelling unknown paths alone has become a challenge for me) and clutching my recently acquired seniors' rail card, off I set from Perpignan for pastures new to Jean and John's in Charente Maritime. Of course, I managed to forget something but thank goodness the newsagent's at the station had a "we've thought of everything" section where I found earphones for my tablet. The second pair that I've bought under such circumstances. Money well spent! What a boon it is to have a tablet and downloaded boxes sets to keep yourself occupied. Though it wasn't all undisturbed screen watching. Two very large women, a child and their outsized dog got on several stations along the line and sat across the ailse from me, were up and down like yoyos. Still the dog was muzzled and surprisingly, other passangers didn't object to climbing over him when making their way to other parts of the train.
Changed at Narbonne for Bordeaux where we were nearly 30 minutes late arriving due to a breakdown on a level crossing. Fortunately I had time in hand  to go to the loo (60p in Narbonne and by Bordeaux the price had gone up to 80p!) and scurry around to find the right platform. Finally arrived to be met by mes amis who were waiting in the cold.
An apéro of a Pinot de Charentes, a local tipple, warmed me up before dinner then it was a bit of chat and bed. It had been a long day
Weather:
A lot colder than in Perpignan

4.1.19:

No hurry to get up and out. What joy!
Drive to Royan, on the coast, where incidentally we bought our first car in France all those years ago. It's a pleasant well heeled sort of place. Had lunch at the "Souris Verte" or "Green Mouse".  https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g207350-d4985906-Reviews-La_Souris_Verte-Royan_Charente_Maritime_Nouvelle_Aquitaine.html
Walked along the path above the sea and passed the old blochaus and Frankton moment to the "Cockleshell heroes" who paddled up the Gironde estuary during 2WW to sabotage German defences. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/8090441/Cockleshell-Heroes-the-truth-at-last.html
Went back to the "Souris Verte" (it's John's favourite) for a cup of tea then came home to supper marvelling at the gorgeously flame coloured sunset on our way back.
Weather:
5°, sunshine

5.1.19:

 Another leisurely start wondering why after a good sleep, the bags under my eyes haven't disappeared. That expensive cream I bought last time that I was in Perpignan is just not doing the business.
Anyway, enough of that ... off we went to the little market in Pons  where we stayed for a coffee once the veg and cheese had been bought. https://www.francethisway.com/places/pons.php
Lunch at home and then out to Jonsac; less prosperous looking but none the less had some upmarket shops, a chateau and plenty of eating places. After a good, somewhat muddy in places walk along the river and around the lake, we ended up in "Les Gormandises du Château", a nice salon de thé, where tea and cake were our reward.
http://www.livingmagazine.fr/sw-france-information/charente-maritime-to-do/entry/sw-france-information/charente-maritime-to-do.html/discover-poitou-charentes-jonzac.html
Another splendid sunset but this time it was the huge red sun rather than the sky that provided a fabulous spectacle.
This evening we went back into Pons for dinner at " Le Français". https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g674736-d3208110-Reviews-LE_FRANCAIS-Pons_Charente_Maritime_Nouvelle_Aquitaine.html Following which it was home and straight to bed.
Weather:
4°, sun, cloud later

6.1.19:
Pottered around the house, had a latish lunch and then went to Cognac. https://www.francethisway.com/places/cognac.php
Despite it's connotations of luxury and fine examples of 18th century architecture, the town has seen better days in places. Like elsewhere there were many vacant shops.
Too cold to walk around the park, we visited the Cognac museum where I delighted in the labels and old posters. My camera clicked away with gay abandon.
Being Sunday and very chilly to boot, the town was quiet and sadly, "Philomena's"Jean and John's favourite tea shop was closed. "The Renaissance" on François Premier Square was open and so it was a hot chocolate before heading home. https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g187205-d2545073-Reviews-Bar_Brasserie_La_Renaissance-Cognac_Charente_Nouvelle_Aquitaine.html
You will, of course, have noted, may even have been surprised, that not a drop of the town's famous tipple passed our lips!
Weather:
4, cloudy; 14, in Perpignan

7.1.19:

Up And out by 8.15am to get to Bordeaux station for my train south. All went without a hitch but my goodness the wind was really strong and bitterly cold in Narbonne. The journey from there back to Perpignan was very picturesque where it followed the coast, with water on both sides of the track
Arrived home for 17h. Dropped off my case, tieded myself up and went to Roger and Jenny's leaving apéritif. At 80 and 75 respectively they are off to New Zealand to live.
Lots of people, cava for those who knew it was there (!), nibbles and some dancing. After a long train journey, I strayed from habit and actually took to the floor.
Weather:
8, cloudy in Charente Maritime, sun, blue sky and strong wind in Perpignan.

Click on the link to see more photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/eha6p1x6WCKVxFibA

Initiative Citoyenne

1.1.19: Initiative Citoyenne!
Couldn't have a long lie; things to do and all that. Nany and I had to be ready with our New Year apéritif in the square. A new event on the village social calendar. Nany was worried that we wouldn't have enough to eat and drink; I was worried that there wouldn't be enough people to eat what we had. Neither of us needed to worry. All went well. A good turn out and everyone seemed pleased. Even Jean and Françoise came over.

The food that was left over went to the local homeless centre so, all in all apretty good start to the New Year all round.

Just a few photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/4QYu3NNyNC24NSsi8
Weather:
18, sun and blue sky