Another Valley

Funny how different two valleys can look and feel. For once we had lunch out with Ann and Henry where they now live rather than head over the border as usual. An apéritif chez eux to start off with and then a good (for a price of 12.50€)lunch. We were the only people in which gave us chance to catch up with a couple of months or more of news. This small restaurant in the heart of a village is up for sale.... anyone tempted?
In the evening I attended a meeting chez Maggie, the English woman councillor. The aim was to set up an association (club/vol org) which would try and bring the different nationalities together in the village. The name we came up with is "........ sans frontiers". Let's go for broke, I say!
One piece of good news, the THT is to be buried so no pylons to disfigure the landscape. Remains to be seen if the electricity companies or the State (ie,us) will pick up the tab.

A bit of this, a bit of that

Monday came in with a drop in temperature and the threat of rain. Cancelled the trip to the allotment and did odds and sods around the house. Had an apéritif with Jean- Jacques and Michelle and then we were invited over to Michel and Joëlle's for another apéritif with their visitors. True to form the discussion continued and we were invited to eat with them. Joëlle always does enough food to feed the 5,000 in the eventuality of extra mouths to feed. Our Scottish friends would say that we "could get a piece at anyone's door!" Just ask if you need a translation.
Today there was a bit of "Blabla" (a report + photo in the local paper about St Jordi and a grant voted by the council), scooping out channels to water the allotment, a seat in the sun with our new Colombian friend Yaneth and her adorable 2 year old Lisa, a council meeting for Christian and a couple of bottles of wine this evening with Lone, a Danish friend .

Mairie Day

Another early start for a Sunday; this time Christian had official duties to commemorate all those who were deported from France during the 2nd world war. There was a wreath laying ceremony in both villages and both were followed by "un vin d'honneur". As it was fine in the afternoon we spent a little time on the allotment before getting changed to go to a concert as official guests!The programme consisted of pieces composed by Haydn, Mozart and Schubert and played by a string quartet in the church. Afterwards there was......? right first time, un apéritif during which the musicians played something quite different, "Pennies from Heaven". As it was on the way home, Michel, Joëlle, Michelle, Jean-Jacques, Christian and I stopped off at the auberge for something to eat. Thus ended a day well filled.

Another Saturday

Combined the market with meeting up with André and his wife, Françoise for an apéritif. André and Christian hadn't seen each other since they worked together about 30 years ago in Scotland. They've been living here for 2 years but we obviously don't hang out in the same places or with the same people!

Girly Day

A trip to Figueres with Rowena and Pauline which started with a coffee in the park, lunch in the centre and finished with tea in the park. Did a lot of chatting and a bit of shopping in between. I was back too late to go with Christian to an official apéritif in the other bit of the commune but no doubt there will be others.

Books, Roses, Dragons and Phew!

At last a moment to draw breathe. Sant Jordi and the Mairie have been keeping us occupied. Much to my relief everything went well yesterday even though I had to go and search for Jean-Louis (who was suffering from the night before) to open up and at the end to give a wee thank you speech in French. The day started with cleaning the terrace photographic evidence in twice; the butcher offered the old folk an apéritif and Armand gave the women a rose as is traditional. Christian said that there was already a space on the bench with my name on it for next year when I get my pension. The sun shone, there were plenty of people who came along bought books and enjoyed the afternoon. Rounded the day off with 13 of us going into Catalunya Sud/Spain for something to eat in a lorry drivers' restaurant. A plate full of grilled fish for 8€. Eat your heart out, Rick Stein!

April Showers

For three days now there's been sun in the morning and heavy rain in the afternoon. The creatures of habit that we are meant there was a trip to the market on Saturday morning; there was a meeting at the townhall for Christian in the afternoon and in the evening Philippe treated us to a meal at the auberge. Sunday was a duty day - taking photos at the endurance horse competition (over either 20/40/60/90kms)for Blabla and showing face for the Mairie. Two young women, one of whom rides for the British team, managed the 90kms. Although apparently it was a hard course, there's talk of repeating it next year. In June there's a half day trek and it looks as if I might be roped in to help on the bar. It's that or make sure that the horses walk when they are supposed to, trot when they are supposed to and gallop when they are supposed to. The occasional trek with IT (intermediate treatment)groups doesn't, I feel qualify me for the later.I do have some experience of bars though!
Already versed in the arts of s--t shovelling, today, we moved on to muck spreading ready for the arrival of a man with a rotovator (hopefully) this week. Everday opens up new horizons!

Not much doing

More rain on and off; another flag; more people at the door with books for the booksale/exchange. The idea was that this would be an opportunity to get rid of our excess books. I have a horrible feeling that we'll be left with more than we started with! Highlight of the day was tea with Philippe's Mum!

Fly the Flag

Pity I was never a Blue Peter fan. What with making posters and now sewing catalan flags I could do with finding a local W.I. for a handicrafts crash course. Someone once did say to me that they could see me as a vicar's wife living in a village and doing good deeds. This St Jordi lark is making that image a little too close for comfort, not that anyone would imagine Christian in the role of vicar though! The morning started with a bit of a jolt when I saw the news report on the Scottish news about an ex colleague having fought to have a certain anti-cancer drug but who had lost the battle with the illness. Only 53. The day ended with an apéritif chez Joëlle and Michel which turned into supper. Another day gone during which incidently we had rain. Haven't yet had the heart to go and see if the posters have survived.

A Change of Scene

Wednesday is market day in Banyoles. Held in the old part of the town on a huge arcaded square it was pleasant to find a café in the sun and watch the shoppers go by. We didn't eat facing the lake nor did we just have a salad! We ended up in restaurant that we'd never been to before by following the signs to"Mas Casadevall" which turned out to be part of a training facility for people with autism. This small restaurant is housed in a old, pretty stone farmhouse and served up a great menu with wine for 9€. By the time evening and our visitors came I wasn't very hungry but I did my best.