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

Unsustained Good Intentions

Oh my goodness! I didn't realise that I was so far behind with "Chitchat". So much for my resolve to do better.
Sorry but I've been busy and I've been lazy and I'm again in a busy phase.
Hope to catch up before toooo long.
Still hot here, 28°!
I've seen that there have been a lot of page hits lately so, thanks for bearing with me.

Round Up

Today is a public holiday so rather than do anything strenuous, I met Nancy and Nicole at "Joëlle's" for coffee from where we ambled over to the bar for a glass of rosé. With nothing else on the agenda, here I am doing a quick I'm-still-alive-and-kicking post. My good intention to be more methodical at keeping up to date has sadly failed. One day ... I'll fill the gaps .... think I'll give myself to the end of the year.
Since the last post:

• Temperatures relentlessly almost hit 40° and the only solution was stay indoors behind closed shutters
• Had a birthday with flowers, presents and a couple of lunches out
• Had a day trip to Figueres and curry lunch with Nicole S 
• Attended several musical evenings at the bar, sometimes having dinner too.
• Enjoyed a visit from Valérie and the kids, spending time visiting the Palais des Rois de Majorque in Perpignan with its exhibition of Byrrh (local apéritif) posters, Les Prichard's exhibition, dinner at the bar, dinner chez Jean and Françoise, an apéritif dinatoire chez Jean-Jacques and an excellent dinner cooked by Valérie and Maureen

Here are a few photos to be going on with until I next find a moment to get back in front of the computer.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JiN8KaXW9VvQ37UW9

Thank goodness for the café and invitations from friends

28.7.18: Out for dessert:
Missed going to the market as I was waiting for a parcel to be deliverd some time between 8 in the moning and 8 at night. Damn thing didn't arrive! Luckily, having opted out of a full meal, I have a date to join Michel and Anita to eat dessert (cheesecake) at his place. More later.
Weather:
29° cloud then sun. Not a breath of air

27.7.18: Out for apéros

Coffee with Nicole and another lethargic afternoon. Mojitos chez Michel livened up the evening especially as a young couple, his airbnb guests, arrived and joined us.
Passing through the square on my way home, the bar was thronged with folk listening to the music. Despite being better than the last concert, I resited requests to stay, preferring to try and catch the lunar eclipse from my terrace. Sadly cloud obscured the view for much of the time but I did manage to snap the tail end of it.
Weather:
34°, hot and sunny, cloud later

 26.7.18: Routine Thursday
Language exchange followed as usual with a stopover at the bar.
Weather:
37°, hot and sunny

25.7.18: Out for apéros

Had a change of coffee venue this morning (Joëlle's) though not of company.
This evening though was the highlight of the week with apéros at Jim and Mags'. A good mix of French (including JJ), Scots and English with endless Pimms to drink and a variety of goodies to eat looking out on a fabulous bit of scenery.
Weather:
36°, hot and sunny

24.7.18: Out for coffee
Coffee with Nicole P, worked on the association website.
Weather:
31°, hot and sunny

23.7.18: Out for coffee and tea
Supermarket with Nick, coffee with Nicole P and walked to Nicole S's for tea.
Weather:
31°, hot and sunny

Cooler Weather

22.7.18: Still bearable

Sunday morning coffee was more animated than usual as there was a cobla (sardane orchestra) playing in the square after Mass. It was good to see it and the bar busy with dancers and spectators as well as the usual suspects.
What's more, the cooler weather has continued. You can see from the photo that there's no blistering sun to deal with. Such a relief!
Came home for lunch and here I am in real time sitting in front of the computer bringing the blog bang up to date. Talk about well in advance. I'll be back at a later point to finish off the day as I'll have this evening's music to report on. Don't let the suspense get to you!
Later:
Arrived late and left after about three songs; the music even to my untrained ear was  was rubbish. Martine turned up just as I was making my get-away so she came back to mine to drink cava on the terrace. Altogether a better way to spend the evening.
Weather:
28°, sun and cloud

21.7.18: Drop in temperature

No Saturday lie-in; there was a treadmill to pound and a rendez-vous with Michel at 10am to go to the market. As usual, he was late so it was after 10h30 by the time I met up with Jean and Françoise.
To give myself a bit more latitude, I decided to go home on the bus rather than with Michel. Even had time for a bit of photography; local businesses were responsible for this street decoration. Cheery, isn't it? I saw something similar in Gerona a couple of years ago; it featured parasols instead of kites and was every bit as effective.
With half an hour left to wait before the bus I decided to have a coffee in a bar on the way to the stop. By chance I met Thérèse and her partner Eric who invited me to join them. Not from the village, I only know them from my local where they stop by from time to time. As Thérèse was not prepared to offer me a coffee at 12.30 in the day, I succumbed to a white wine while we caught up on all our back news.
Spent a quiet time at home until it was time to go to the recreation ground for the fireworks' display which was good and much appreciated. Luckily, the earlier rain hadn't interfered with the continuing festivities of the Festa Major. (meal of "moules/frites", disco and fun fair)
Weather:
27°, sun, showers and cloud later.

This Week's News

20.7.18: Showing willing

Had a late coffee at the bar on my own and enjoyed every minute of listening to the fountain and the mummer of conversation in the background.
Had lunch at "La Galerie" with Ann, Lynn and her visitor Anne. The restaurant  has had good reviews and we weren't disappointed and the two young proprietors were charming.  https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g196603-d14076345-Reviews-Restaurant_La_Galerie-Ceret_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie.html
Spent the afternoon trying not to think about having to wear my demon costume (long robe, long sleeves, red wig, wings) and having my face painted for the first evening of the  village's "festa major". Given that the carnival was cancelled back in February due to bad weather, it was decided to bring out the float at this time. Being so hot, I'm sure that I will have lost the kilos I put on this lunchtime but not those that the sausage chips we ate afterwards will have piled on. The things I find myself involved in to support village events.
Weather:
32°, hot and sunny

19.8.18: Standing room only

Language exchange this morning and a cuppa at the bar afterwards. God, how often have I written this over the years. The exchange started six months after the blog, 10 years ago though at that time it took place at the café.
Ate lunch rapidly at home before an Association committee meeting and at the end of the afternoon had tea with Michel. This time there was no cava and no baking but it was good to catch up even if he was on the clock.
This evening there was an Irish night at the bar with music provided by 10 local singers and musicians. There wasn't a seat to be had and for all concered, the evening was a big success.
Weather:
34°, sunny

18.7.18: Doing the rounds
Took my usual Wednesday morning coffee at Joëlle's on the main road where I was joined by one of the village nurses who was on a rare day off. Here community nurses are all self employed so many of them put in very long hours.

A women only afternoon tea chez Mags organised to meet her friend Gillie. As is the fashion these days it started with a glass of fizz though rather than the ubiquitous glass of prosecco that's on every menu in UK, we stayed loyal to Catalunya and drank cava. My kind of afternoon; chat, cava, Earl Grey and lots of home baking!
In the evening there was an imromptu apéritif at the bar with Nicole and Florian. Luckily I didn't listen to the voice in my head that was saying "no need to water, the rain is coming", because of course, it didn't.
Weather:
32°, sun, cloud later

17.7.18: Eureka!

Obviously had an uneventful day as I can't remember anything about it! Am I on the slippery slope or was it such a boring day that I couldn't even be bothered to make a note?
Mystery solved; maybe you can hear my sigh of relief. Have just had a look at my photos and it's all come back to me! Can recommend this as a memory prop.
Went and had a coffee this morning and heard that Lolo and his new group were going to play at apéro time. I felt that in the name of solidarity, I should go back this evening to encourage them and enjoy a glass of wine. In actual fact this imprompu "concert" actually their first rehearsal! Have to say, knowing absolutely nothing about the subject, it was quite interesting watching them put it all together and by the end, they did run through several pieces without stopping and starting.
Weather:
Hot and sunny once more.

16.7.18: Them bones, them bones, them old bones!

Nono and Evelyn came to the bus stop this morning to say "farewell" before they headed off to the mountains and I took off  to have my annual "once over" by the osteopath.
Walking around killing time before my appointment, I came across this interesting street name. It tells me that the town has been socialist for a long time. 10/10 for originality.
The osteopath did a good job; he realigned my back and I now walk straighter. Question is, for how long.
Had a cuppa while waiting for the bus back in a non-descript café, thanking my lucky stars with every sip that ours is a much more pleasant place to hang out.
Did some blog catch up in the afternoon and afterwards found myself sucked in to watching some of the arrival of "Les Bleus" at the Elyesées Palace. Was actually heartening to see all the players and our normally buttoned up President having fun. Pogba was a real elevation. Talk about holding his audience in the palm of his hand. Wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't go into politics after football has finished with him.
Weather:
26° Early morning thunder storms, low cloud, rain, sun by the end of the day

Vive la France

15.7.18: Vive les Bleus!

Preparing lunch meant that my Sunday morning cuppa came later than usual and unusually, I didn' linger for long.
Had a lazy, lethargic afternoon; it was too hot to do otherwise.
Timed my trip to the bar, where we were booked in for the communal paella, to coincide with the end of the match. Needless to say the terrace of the bar was packed and everyone was in high spirits. You'll know of course that France won. Of course, there's all too much hype but the pleasing thing about this team is that they're not the "brats" (too polite to use the term that more adequately describes them) that the last team that included the like of Benzema was.
About 80 of us tucked into the paella which sadly was pretty mediocre. Mass catering at the bar is always a bad deal and if I hadn't been invited, I would have eaten at home. Sorry for being negative.
I did have a mini bottle of cava though to bring back a bit of sparkle and all the positive vibes around meant that no one, not even me, could small niggles spoil the evening.
Weather:
32°, very hot and sunny

14.7.18: Vive la Republique!

Glory, it was hot this morning for the "Bastille Day" ceremony. A procession to the war memorial, the Maire's speech in which he emphasised that there are still personal, national and international Bastilles to be felled, presentation of medals, sardane dancing and an "apéritif républican". It was too hot to linger without shade so Nicole, Nono, Evelyn and Iwandered to the bar for a coffee in the shade next to the cool of  the fountain.
Didn't have to prepare food as I was invite d to the cousin's for lunch and in the evening we ate the leftovers in the fridge after Nono had sorted out the light that I've been waiting for Sauveur to fix. My kind of day!
Weather:
32° very hot and sunny

Football, Food and Photos

13.7.18: Last association obligation for a while

Coffee in the morning with Nono, Evelyn and Nicole. My visitors come with their own accommodation, so they went back to theirs after lunch and I had a free afternoon until it was time to prepare a bite to eat for this evening.
Association duties called all too soon; there was the apéritif to set up before ardent exhibition goers turned up for the vernissage. It was quite well attended but as the photographer is a local person, that wasn't really surprising. There was little food left over which is always a relief though the President did skip off before it was time to clear up. Nothing surprising there either!
Weather:
32°, hot and sunny

12.7.18: Feeling smug
Early morning rendez-vous with Marguerite to buy provisions for tomorrow evening's vernissage, then the language exchange and a cuppa at the bar afterwards.
Moved furniture up and downstairs; not the wisest course of action but there you are, who else is going to do it?
Nono and Evelyn arrived for dinner after which we went to the bar to listen to the music and have a herbal tea. By the way, have you noticed how often non-alcoholic drinks crop up these days rather than "a glass of rosé"? Can only be good, eh?
Weather:
30°, cooler when the rain and thunder came in the afternoon

11.7.18: More good music, lovely setting, disappointing food
Coffee at Joëlle's on the main road, pottered and prepared food for Nono and Evelyn's (cousins of Christian) arrival tomorrow. The evening was spent with Martine, Laura and David overlooking the lake, listening to "swing" and eating a meal that wasn't worth the 30€ it cost. Sitting there brought back many memories of the time that Christian and I walked there every day.  Not that it was a pass time that he enjoyed!
Weather:
32°, overcast, rain showers overnight

10.7.18: Allez les Bleus!
Went to the bar late this morning for my cuppa and was sitting quietly enjoying the peace until the U3A group arrived; they well and truly outdid the the terrible two. They came with a photo of one of their group who had died the day before to put on the table with them. Beat a hasty retreat, preferring to go home to my trusty tablette, the volume of which is easily controlled.
And there I stayed until I wandered over to the bar to experience the atmosphere at the end of the French semi final against Belgum. They won and as Martine was there we lingered a bit longer for a cuppa.
Weather:
34° sunny

9.7.18: Good music, friends and tapas

Had a coffee at the other bar with Martine and Nicole this morning and went to the folk evening in my regular this evening. A pleasant way to spend a warm summer's evening.
Weather:
33°, sunny