Day Off

For the first time there's no visit to Christian as I've decided as he's home for the weekends to only go on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Joined Michel for lunch at Juste and Joséphine's so having eaten well, I didn't have to prepare anything in the evening. Watched a BBC drama about Anne Lister, an 19th century lesbian diarist who wrote "I love and only love the fairer sex and thus beloved by them in turn, my heart revolts from any love but theirs." (Anne Lister, Journals, Oct 29, 1820) Way in advance of her time she single - mindedly sought her own economic independence and didn't care what 'polite society' thought of her. After that I spent more time than was good for me surfing the net in search of appetising, low fat meals - what on earth would Anne have thought ... as if I need to ask!.

Weekend Leave

Jean provided a lift down to Banyuls to bring Christian home for the weekend where we found the wee soul all packed and ready for the off. Once home, we went to the bar for a coffee where everyone was pleased to see Christian who in turn was pleased to be made such a fuss over. We spent the evening quietly after a healthy meal of salad which we ate out on the terrace in the last of the sunshine. In case you're wondering, Christian was able to climb the stairs to the nest and sleep in his 'own' bed which was just great.
Saturday brought a bit of normality with a trip to the market which was busier than ever with a fiesta going on. Marching bands making a lot of noise, people shuffling along shoulder to shoulder and not an inch of space at our usual watering hole. In the evening we were invited to Jacques' for a bbq and to watch the match which seemed all together preferable to going to the bar where Jean-Louis had a 190 reservations for another paella. There were 10 of us all together and Christian did really well in watching what he was eating and limiting himself to his permitted 2 glasses of wine. The match was a disaster for the local team so we didn't linger too long at the end and besides, not surprisingly, Christian was feeling tired.
Sunday which was Mother's Day here, we were invited to Jean and Françoise's for a meal that she'd made a lot of effort to keep low fat. Jean-Jacques who is currently without Michelle who is in Paris, joined us in the evening for a light mea, l once more al fresco. Before we knew it, it was time for Christian to jump in his car to drive back to Banyuls as I waved him goodbye with a lump in my throat. Yes, who'd have thought it ... ?

Learning the Lesson

Went to visit Christian this morning with Joséphine so that we could be present for a talk given by the dietitian. Nothing seriously new apart from the enormous amount of cholesterol in oysters. Stayed on for lunch in the staff canteen where it was obvious that the menu planners had not been to the same lecture as us. It's a similar story outside where you see staff puffing away on the fags. You'd think that all the heart problems that they see would encourage a more healthy lifestyle. I suppose it's a question of the cobbler's children being ill-shod.

Full Steam Ahead!

The work started in earnest on Tuesday with a visit to the dietitian, the physio, the doctor and the beginning of the excercise programme. Visiting is now at the end of the afternoon as Christian is far too busy before. David and Laura (Scots from Perthshire with a holiday home not far away here) drove me down and on our return we enjoyed a couple of glasses of rosé on the terrace of the bar.
Wednesday, visiting was even later as Christian went to a talk given by the cardiologist so there wasn't even the possibility of a cup of tea for Jean-Jacques and I. Here are the two of them with the Mediterranean as a backdrop. If you have to be "reeducated", there are worse spots to be, I say. Christian has dropped more weight and looks quite sporty in his new gear and is well pleased with being able to walk better than of late.

Enjoying the Sea Air

I thought that it was about time to have another photo of Christian so you can see how he's doing. He looks as if he's on holiday but still, all that will change tomorrow. He did well for visitors today - Anne and Terry with me and then surprise visits from Gaby and Chantal and then Marie-Kathrine. This morning he only did one circuit of the grounds instead of two as he was feeling tired but apart from that everyone is surprised by how good he looks. I'm doing well too. Finally made a start on the ironing and got through a fair amount and this evening Anne and Terry have invited me to share a Thai chicken dinner with them. I'll really have to get my act together if Christian comes home this weekend as it will have been three weeks since I've done any actual cooking! Anyone have any recipes for low- fat, low-sugar, low salt dishes? I've recipe books for one or the other but not all three at the same time!

Sea View

Where has the weekend gone? Market and lunch with Madeline on Saturday and an afternoon trip down the coast with Marie-Lourdes. While it's true that Christian's room is not directly overlooking the sea, he does have a view of a little creek. This photo is taken from the "panoramique restaurant" where we go for an afternoon cup of tea. It really is a super place to get back on your feet.
Today I had my 3rd consequtive lunch out as Jean and Marie-Lourdes invited me to try out the restaurant at the local campsite which has just changed hands. It was excellent with grilled king prawns and lots of other nice things on the 12€ menu. It was lovely sitting out in the shade of the pine trees and diners can even have use of the pool. This afternoon it was Viv and Pepe who volunteered to give me a lift down to see Christian and while we were there, José and Violette arrived too. It's been really warm (28°) these last couple of days so finally, the warmer clothes have made their way into the trunk to be replaced in the wardrobe bythe summer gear. It's a job that takes ages to do and I'll probably put a load of it back unworn in autumn. Such is life!

Change of scene

First stop on the way in to the hospital with Joséphine was "Decathlon", a major sports chain, to buy Christian some new gear. His transfer down to the re-education centre was done by ambulance car once is bag was packed we wished him "bon voyage" and headed for the lake for lunch al fresco. It was gloriously warm and sunny and a real tonic to be in the fresh air. Of course the trees are a lot greener now but the view is still the same.
Christian, meantime settled himself into a double room without a sea view however, his room mate is on weekend leave, a long one as it's Pentecost, and is on the list for something else. There were a couple of examinations done and he's been told to make the most of the rest. He seems quite content with his lot so far especially as he was allowed a glass of wine with his dinner. The hard work will start on Tuesday so let's hope that he doesn't get too used to the R & R and if works hard he could be allowed next weekend at home!

Wired Up

You can see how much weight Christian has lost and he looks so much better for it. No, he hasn't taken to carrying a handbag and it isn't one of those pouches that airlines put around children's necks when they are unaccompanied. It's a "doplaire". Don't know what it's called in English but it measures his blood pressure over 24 hours. After the Association committee meeting I took the bus and Martine brought me back. I've just got to grips with the transport system to Perpignan and now it's time to do the same to Banyuls.
On our return Martine and I stopped by at the bar for a wine tasting of primarily, rosé. It was a fine sunny evening and we both did a little shopping.

On the Table

Imagine my anxiety when I went to the hospital at 2.30pm with Geneviève and found that Christian wasn't in his room. When I spoke to hima t 8.30am he was waiting to go down to theatre for the stent implantation. He finally reappeared at 3.30pm having had to wait several hours for his turn. I was amazed that he could sit in his chair and having been fasting since midnight, of course, the lad was hungry. Instead of coming back with Geneviève I decided to stay with him and take the bus back at 6.30pm which meant that I was late getting to the neighbourhood meal in the little square in front of the church. First of all I had to finish off the Millionaire's shortbread that I'd made with what I thought was the French equivalent of condensed milk. It hadn't set solid and oozed out from under the chocolate topping when it was cut which made it more like a dessert than a slice. Never-the-less it went down a bomb as did the whisky fruit cake. Oh yes, the theme was food from different countries. Only stayed until about 9.30pm when I went home to catch up with Holby and surf the net. Must try to get to bed earlier.

Treatment Programme

Out of bed once again, Christian is brighter than yesterday. The cardiologist has decided to put in a stent and then send him for 3 weeks "réeducation" at Banyuls in a centre which overlooks the sea. He's a bit half-hearted about it probably because it will involve excercise! While it will be another stretch away from home and more difficult to get to, I think that it's a good idea. At least he'll be learning how to manage his life from here on in and hopefully establish some good habits. My day has been a bit more varied. I took the bus into Perpignan and had a quick look around a couple of shops. We really should make more effort to come in especially as there is no need to take the car. The sun was shining and people were enjoying sitting out. Had lunch in the hospital canteen of an orange, roll and a tea plate sized salad (no protein) for what I thought was an outrageous price of 7.10€. The Mayor and his wife called in and Marcelle and Jean-Claude picked me up as they had an appointment in town. This evening I was invited along with Barbara to Nick and Lizzie's for soup and a bbq which we ate outside followed by dessert and coffeee inside. Now I suppose I'd better start and look at transport possibilities ....