And the Socialising Continued!

19.7.20: Made a late arrival for Sunday morning coffee and turned down an invitation to join Philippe and Françoise for lunch. With a heavy day yesterday and dinner at Martine's on the cards tonight, it was the most reasonable course of (in) action. 

Walked over to Martine's with JJ for a very pleasant evening on her terrace with it's beautiful views. David and Laura were came to so not only did we have the pleasure of their company but also got to enjoy a berry fruit pavlova, Laura's speciality. Walking back went a little way to dealing with a few of the excess calories.

The next few days were quiet with just a couple of coffees with Nicole and a trip to the supermarket with Ann.

23.7.20: Joined the "rump" of the language exchange group for a chat and a cuppa. Dined out this evening at Jean-Jacques's where the chat was much more politically orientated. Well, it would be. He'd invited two of his colleagues who'd stood with Antoine in the municipal elections and their partners. One also works at the Mairie in Perpignan where she's having to get used to the new right wing++ Maire. JJ excelled himsalf with a veal and olive dish and I was on dessert.

Before the end of the month, there were invites for tea chez Monette with Nick and Lizzie on 24th. Monette (80) runs a painting club in the village and despite being ill is a larger than life character with a huge heart who has a soft spot for the English. We did actually start off with tea and biscuits (that I'd made as gift) but soon moved onto quiche, red wine and lemon mousse. Followed on 27th by coffee at Anne and Ian's in their garden served with every precaution as they're shielding . On the 28th it was tea at Nicole S's and didn't I deserve it after a walk up to her place under a sun that was beating down even at 4.30pm and the next day tea at Josettes's. Josette is an elderly woman (90) who looks on me as her "go to person" should she want to know something about village or association activities. She'd made a lovely, gooey chocolate cake, some of which came home with me. And of course there were meals to eat!

25.7.20: After the Saturday market in the village where the local "banda" was playing and an apéritif at the bar, six of us (David, Laura, Jacques, Nicole, Martine and moi) went to the restaurant for tapas and wine. Had just enough time to digest that before heading to Jeanie and Daniel's for a pool, cheese, wine and honey  party. Jeanie, an American had been to Italy recently where she discovered cheese being paired with honey, wanted to initiate us to it's delights. We were able to tell her that mel y mató is a popular Catalan dessert! Columbus "discovering" America springs to mind. Still, despite not going in the pool, it was a pleasant late afternoon sitting in the shade chatting and gently supping chilled rosé.

 28.7.20: Dinner chez Anna and Gérard on their roof terrace with some of the neighbours. It was a late night but so what. Don't think that we disturbed the neighbours.

 

31.7.20: The hottest day of the week and I took it into my head to give the "pub" a good clean. Dust and cobwebs are no more. It's once again a pleasant, cool space in which to take an apéritif. As you'll probably have realised, it was done with precisely that aim in mind. JJ, Jean and Françoise came for an apéritif, dinatoire before we went over to the bar to listen to music. JL is laying on music twice /week and is able to take advantage of putting tables on the square in order to cope with social distancing and were happy to park ourselves there. The baby swallows already sleeping were even farther away.

And so, the month has slipped by as quickly as ever, it's been very hot and sticky. Temperatures up to the 30°s and there have been interesting skies, too.....

How Quick it is to get back into the Swing of Things!

8.7.20 - 18.7.20: Catching Up

You'd think that with over 4 months just drifting along that I'd be raring to get into cleaning, sorting, organising and other worthwhile activities ...... ah, no! Frequent trips to the café for an internet connection were more of a priority; not that I managed to have an uninterrupted run at it as there was always someone to talk to. At least I managed to download the Guardian  and something to watch for later on. In my defence, I have been on the treadmill most days, so it's not all indolence.
There's been a lot of catching up going on during these last few days which I've found pass just as quickly here as they did in UK. Several sessions over coffee, mostly with Nicole but also once with Ann and Lynn and once with Carmen. As you can imagine there were times when food was involved too.
The village had 5 positive covid cases of which one person was hospitalised for a day. People are laid back about mask wearing and social distancing of 1m is fluid. The tables at the bar are reasonably spaced but people have a tendancy to come quite close to speak to you though the Brits are noticably more cautious than the French. So far, I've not kissed or hugged anyone.
Thursday, 9th:
It's our turn to receive our Normandy counterparts this year and the pressure is on to organise a visit at the beginning of October. I have my doubts it will happen but we're going ahead to show willing. After the meeting we ajourned for a drink and ended up staying for a bite to eat. Martine, Dominique and myself from the committee were joined by Antoine, the mayoral candidate that lost.
Friday, 10th:
Was invited to Rosie and Maurice's for an apéro and BBQ. Walked there and back and to my delight I found that the phone and internet were back on again. What will be my excuse now to go to the café. Come to think of it, I don't need one, do I?
Saturday, 11th:
During my absence a small local producers market has been established. There's a real buzz and the café and restaurant are doing a good trade. Whiled away the morning over some chilled rosé and then stayed on for a salad lunch with Martine and Carmen.
In the evening I joined Jacques and his friend Antony for dinner at the restaurant. Foie gras as a starter and steak to follow. No room for a pud.
Sunday, 12th:
Went with Jacques who was driving Anthony to the station in Figueres so that I could do a bit of shopping on the way back. Catalunya has had a rise in positive cases so masks are obligatory even in open spaces. The town of Lleida SW of Barcelona has returned to lockdown.
Monday, 13th:
Apart from a coffee with Nicole, I just pottered at home.
Tuesday, 14th:
The French national day was a low key affair with the fireworks cancelled and the apéritif after the

ceremony and parade was a sit down affair instead of the usual free for all. Fewer people were present and the Mayor's speech was lacklustre. He certainly lacks the flair, depth of reflection and vision of André. Official stuff over, I head over to the bar to meet Nicole and we were later joined by Martine, Antoine and Carmen. Rosé and a bowl of chips to share made for a pleasant end to the morning.
Wednesday, 15th:
JJ is back from a 3 week trip around France visiting friends and family and the pair of us were invited to Jean and Françoise's for an apéritif dinatoire along with Thérèse and her granddaughter. That meant that I spent time in the afternoon making a Peach and Sour Cream Ring Cake. It went down well thank goodness.
Thursday, 16th:

Had a coffee with Nicole, bought some farm cheese at the market and to my surprise and delight, the stall holder, who I know from years back but who has only just started coming to the Thursday
market gave me a generous piece of goat and sheeps' semi hard cheese. Oh, my god, is it delicious. I couldn't get over how kind she was.
Had lunch at the restaurant with 4 Brits (Ann, Terry, Angela, Paul) and Roland who is French. The two other tables on the terrace comprised of 14 Brits from the village. Couldn't believe it. It felt uncomfortable, for me anyway, especially as the table of 8 was loud mouthed. As the French would say it brought me out in a rash!!
Met Nicole this evening in the bar to listen to Joan (Catalan for John), a singer/composer from the village and sod's law wasn't the loudest mouth from lunch time there, along with 4 other blokes.
Friday, 17th:
Took the bus into Céret and met Jean and Françoise for a coffee before heading off to Henri and Michèle's for lunch en famille. Was great to catch up with them after so long and to find that they'd both come through the lockdown well. Both are 80. Michèle celebrated hers last year and it's on the cards that Henri and another pal will be celebrating theirs in September all being well.
Saturday, 18th:
Met folk at the bar while watching all the activity at the market and of course drank some chilled rosé. All very jolly with a mixture of Scots, French and me. Jacques, cooked dinner of pork chops and chips for the two of us. Not the best move on my part as I was due to have dinner with JJ at the restaurant in the evening. Couldn't be impolite and refuse, now could I?
Preceeded dinner with an apéritif at JJ's which was nice and relaxed. Dinner was on me by way of a thank you for his help from a distance with my tax. He certainly earnt it dealing with me and my anxieties. It was a pleasant and not too late an evening and there wasn't a Brit in sight!
Weather:
A bit of thunder last week and a couple of very light showers. Temperatures between 26° and 31°
Covid Update:
Figueres, just over the border has 45 cases and people there and in Barcelona are being asked to stay home. There are a handful here in the Departement; all seem to be following stays in Catalunya. Some speculaion that the border could be closed but nothing concrete.

Back Home

7.7.20: What a Welcome!
Took a taxi from Jill's to the airport and by the time we got there it was tipping down with rain. The carparks were empty, there were few people around and our flight had the lounge to itself. Only 5 flights went out.
The flight, about 2/3 full,  was fine; for once I booked a window seat so didn't have people passing by breathing down on me. Even though masks were to be worn through the flight, Ryanair served cold drinks and snacks! Landed ahead of time in warm sunshine. It was lovely to see Jean and Françoise there waiting for me.
Imagine my surprise when I rounded the corner of the square to find all the neighbours out, clapping. Jacques was playing bagpipe music from his telephone and there was a "welcome home" banner strung across the street. had to hold back a couple of tears, I can tell you.
I was then kidnapped for a soirée on Jacques roof top terrace though not before I'd taken off my gortex boots that I'd travelled to Scotland in back in Feburary. They caused a few laughs but wearing them was the best way to get them back. Jacques had even done duck breast which is my favourite meat; others had brought apéretif nibbles, salad, cheese, fruit salad and little cakes.
It was about midnight when I arrived home; the suitcase stayed downstairs where I'd dumped it, the phone and computer were plugged back in (neither of which was working!) and I just rolled into bed.
Weather:
Wet and windy in UK, warm with sunny blue skies on arrival

Sunshine and Showers

1:6.20 - 18.6.20
Only a couple of days into June and the weather changed. Rain, cooler followed by sunshine, cloud and showers. This meant that our walks were a bit hit and miss and the shorts were put away in favour of carrying a black plastic poncho reminiscent of a bin bag.
Had a creased brow and sleepless nights trying to get my tax sorted but with the support and patience of JJ, it finally went off on the 9th, 2 days before the deadline. Could then go back to a more carefree, relaxing time; photos to transfer, French to get to grips with and crosswords to build into the daily routine to shake up the little grey cells.
Luckily, having the Guardian to read online has been great. Covid, Government inefficiencies, Dominic Cummings's antics and "Black Lives Matter" demos have filled my mornings before getting up.
TV wise, we've been getting engrossed in the reruns of Foyle's War and a couple of European crime series.
One break from the routine came along on Sunday, 14th. The care home organised a cupcake sale.

Sold in batches of 4, we were first there to offer our support. Bought a couple of quids worth of raffle tickets and lo and behold, we won the huge gooey chocolate that was the prize. There was enough to divide between five households!

Weather continued with sunshine and cloud until yesterday when thunderstorms and heavy rain arrived. Luckily we timed our morning walk perfectly to get home before the heavens opened. More expected today so our walk could be compromised.

In commemoration of de Gaulle's call to the French to resist the Nazis, broadcast from London, Mr Macron is being received by Chas and Camilla  and then going on for talks with Boris today. A reciprocal lifting of the 14 day quarantine is on Manu's agenda. Brexit will be avoided by both! What an unlikely pair. Hey ho!

28.6.20

Another Sunday visit from Mel and Paul to eat goodies and have a drink in the garden.

1.7.20 - 6.7.20: Countdown

So, the last week in exile and life ticked over much as usual. Walking, reading, tv, another visit from Mel and Paul still in the garden; the shielding continues. Pubs and cafés were allowed to open on the 4th but we had no interest in rushing out to participate. A bottle of cava spread over a 4 day weekend suited me just fine.

A real change to our routine was a picnic lunch in the garden with, Mel, Alison and the girls who put on an impromptu show and brought me a card and gift that they'd made. Such are the delights of family that are missing from life, good as it is here.

Still, tomorrow I'm off to brave a Ryanair flight so as to get back home and pick up life à la française.

2 Bank Holidays, 2 Birthdays and a Funeral

8.5.20: For once, today is a public holiday in UK as it's the 75th anniversary of VE Day

celebrating the liberation of Europe (yes, sorry Brexiteers, 'of' not 'from'). All very low key even though there was some  bunting and flags out, tv nostalgia, the Queen giving a spirit of Dunkirk speech and folk sitting out in their gardens having tea or a drink in the sunshine. We contented ourselves with our regular walk. One highlight was that some of the local travellers were down by the river with 4 of their horses in the water and another one being shod on the roadside. Don't know what happened but just before getting home, there was a stabbing pain in my ankle which didn't last but left it twinging.

9.5.20: Only went about 150m when my foot twinged again so did an about turn and went home.

10.5.20: Managed a walk for an hour but only around the town as we didn't want to risk being out in the countryside. What a change: it was cold and very windy with a drop in temperature of 10 deg! Boris told us that we should be getting back to work if possible, staying alert and unlimited, non team, distance, exercise. Still lots of incoherence and mismanagement stories.

11.5.20:  Should have had an M and S delivery of some summer stuff but we missed it and spent 3 days believing the email that said "we'll endeavour to deliver next working day." Found out from the regular postie that you have to request the re-delivery on line, an extremely tiresome and time consuming exercise but hey ho, parcel should arrive in 2 days time. So much for paying £5 for next day delivery. 
Weather: What a change: it was cold and very windy with a drop in temperature of 10 deg between Saturday and Monday

12.5.20:

A lovely sunny spring day for us to say our final goodbye to Mum up at the undertaker's chapel of rest. Situated at 232m with views over 4 verdant counties. With Mum's parish priest presiding and 6 (Jill, her 4, and me) of us there, it was a relaxed, intimate affair with the Ave Maria (as stipulated!), garden flowers and a photo of Mum (plus a collage of Chris, Rosie and Sam who couldn't be there) on the coffin then roses placed on it to represent family and friends. I said a few words

 

Although we are only few in number to say "goodbye" to Mum, there are many more here with us in spirit.

Chris and Rosie in Wales, Sam and Beth in Australia, her grandchildren's partners, 7 grandchildren and her many friends and relations add their love and prayers to ours.Our thanks to Colin and his team for taking care of Mum and for making this lovely chapel of rest available for our farewells.

Mum will be at peace to know that Father David is here to guide her on her way to rest in God's everlasting light. Thank you, Father.

Rest in peace, Mum knowing that you were loved by us all.
 

In true Mum style, she rested in state in the chapel before going to the local crematorium first thing tomorrow. Came home and drank a toast to Mum in Baileys, her favourite tipple. 
Weather: 12°, sunny

18.5.20: Nothing of any note since the last post apart from a real improvement in the  weather but today we had a new occupation. it was time to take away Mum's goods and chattels from the care home. Didn't take too long especially as Mel and Paul came to take a couple of bits and pieces of furniture to be stored at Alison's. Jill and I dealt with the rest by quarantining it in her shed once sorted. 
Weather: 19°, Sunny

19.5.20: Temperatures rose to 25 degrees over the last few days but then dropped with Tramontane strength winds. Oh, and yes, the M and S delivery came, the day before it should have, had I not paid for rapid delivery. So, the shorts soon made an appearance in the outside world.

26.5.20: So, same ol', same ol' even though the 25th was a Spring Bank Holiday Monday. 
Weather: Temperature range from 20 - 27 deg, sunny and so it continued through the week.

27.5.20: Passed by Alison's to wish her a happy birthday. We allowed ourselves a glass of flavoured beer and a scone with cream and jam. 

 Weather: Still warm and sunny

29.5.20: Warm and sunny weather continues; just as well as Alison had organised to celebrate Dan's big birthday on the drive. We took our own gin and tonic, glasses, plates and cutlery. There were some pastries and of course cake.

31.5.20: It's been a bit of a struggle coping with the heat only having winter clothes, so decided to order some more shorts and sleeveless tee shirts for next day delivery and . . .  the order arrived when it was supposed to. Result!