End of an Era

My Dad died today of a massive heart attack that he would have known nothing about. I'm so pleased that we saw him so recently and were able to find him in better shape than he had been and the 4 of us were even able to go out for a meal . For Dad, with his improved health, he was enjoying life more; it was the height of the asparagus season, he'd been out in the hills for a picnic with Joan and he was in his own home. He would have been 83 years old on 17th June and now he's away to a Nic- free world. (Nic as in Sarkozy, the subject of many a text between the two of us!).

Southward Bound!

Up and out of Paris early in the morning and had a no problems trip back home largely due to the lack of traffic this being a bank holiday. Once again a rubbish service station meal but I suppose it meant that we didn't loose too much time. Good to be home.

Happily Ever After!

The day dawned bright and sunny so we had a trip to the market and sandwich lunch before strolling along the side of the canal with the others to the Mairie. The ceremony was conducted by a friend of Frank and Stéphanie's so there were some nice personal touches. No one knew any reason why they shouldn't be married and the deed was done. Back to the garden for chat and a snack to keep us going until the meal in the evening. With the hotel only a couple of hundred metres up the road we were able to rest and watch some tennis on the telly.

84 of us sat down to a good meal with an eastern mediterranean slant. Left the resto at 2am to dance the night away. Well the "younger ones" did; we headed for the comfort of our bed at 4.30am. Still as the only representatives of the older generation, we more than did our bit!

31st May

Another sunny day and back to the house for more food, more chat and more music that lasted until the evening. I took refuge in the Ibis about 4pm and only emerged to join Christian, Stéphane, Doro, Christelle and for a Chinese meal which in all honesty I didn't really want.

Normandy Landing

27th-29th May

Stéphane and Doro arrived and after lunch together chez Christophe and Valérie we drove them over to Valérie and Guillaume's. The following day it was our turn to do dinner and Friday we left for Paris, the Ibis, a curry and what's more the rain finally stopped.

26th May
Met Christophe and had lunch by the sea. The waves were lashing the breakwater - all very exciting. By the evening all was calm when we called in to see Léon and Christiane for an apéro before making our way to Sylvie and Christophe's for dinner.

25th May

The crossing was good, the bed chair surprisingly comfortable and thank goodness we didn't need to eat. Just made it into harbour at 8am before the rain came on and a storm threatened. Went to Etretat for lunch and a walk around. The restos are so much more expensive than in Fécamp. Wonder if it's because the Brits tend to flock here. Went back to Le Havre to have tea with Jeanine. Just as we left a howling gale blew up. The rain just lashed down, roads flooded and it was almost impossible to see through the windscreen. It felt as if the end of the world was nigh. Apparently it was very localised as chez Christophe there was rain but no where near as ferocious as that which we'd just experienced.

Northward Bound

24th May
A last visit to see Dad who was able to walk to the gate to see us off and then lunch with Mum and Barbara at the pub in Brailes. Weather warm for the run down to Portsmouth where we met up with Bob and Chris at the Gun Wharf Quay. a really great development with shops, bars and restaurants overlooking the sea and the Isle of Wight ferries coming in. Certainly no sign of the much-talked about economic crisis here with the bar terraces and restaurants full. Still I suppose it was a bank holiday weekend. Had a nice meal at the "Brasserie Blanc". Of course, Raymond wasn't there although you would have thought so by the prices!

19th-23rd May
A few days taken at a fairly leisurely pace which included some shopping, visits to the family, trips to both Stratford and Evesham garden centres and dinner at Gail and Roger's. Spent some time with Dad who was looking so much better than last time. He was able to walk a bit and even managed to treat us to lunch at the "Black Horse" in Shipston. Poor old Jill missed out on the lunch and the two bunches of asparagus - how blessed it is to be the prodigal daughter!

18th May

Took the 5pm ferry and had a smooth crossing and an unappetising meal arriving at Jill's about midnight.

17th May

Drove over to Christophe and Valérie's in time for lunch. as they were just back from Guadeloupe it was on an Antilles theme complete with Planter punch!

16th May
Jojo and I went into Bayeux to look for something for the wedding and glad to say that we were successful. In the afternoon we went for a walk to Arramanche to the landing beach where in a couple of weeks' time the D Day commomoration will take place. A good Antilles meal in the evening rounded off the day.

15th May
A busy day. First to Vire where we had a walk around the market in the cold and wet and then to have lunch with Christian's Godmother and her husband. They were in good form. Next came the official part of the visit. Called in to see the Mayor of the town that we're twinned with. We received a very warm welcome and he received a tray of cherries. Apparently they hope to come and visit in October. By the time that we reached Jojo and François's the weather had warmed up and the Planter Punch was ready.

14th May
The early rises are paying off as we were able to get out and away for 9am. Set the GPS, the cruise control and let Abba blast out as we headed for northward. By the time we reached Toulouse the rain had set in, the temperature had dropped and we picniced in the car. Found a good b&b on a farm near Avranches and ate modern food in "Le Tripot" a restaurant in the town.

A Day for Us

Well nearly ... a few things to do for the Association and the web site before we went off to Spain to buy booze, some paint which is much, much cheaper than in France and to have lunch. We ate well overlooking the river and then had a short stroll to look at the ducks and geese. Ah the simple things in life .... This evening Christian has a meeting at the Mairie and then we're invited to Joëlle and Michel's to eat and catch up with cousin Daniel.

Finally!

Those of you who have visited will be pleasantly surprised when you see how the middle cave has finally been done up. I'm just delighted that at last it's presentable, the bric à brac of life is relatively tidy and there's lots less dust. The downside has been that a mamonth clean up after all the work has had to be done in the pub. It's 2/3 complete so all will be spick and span for our first summer visitors. In between times life has ticked over with nothing extrordinary happening.

Flower Power

I just love this time of year. The weather is warm enough to have a glass of wine on the terrace, the swallows are zooming around and the poppies are in full bloom. They're my favourite flower; now, I wonder what that means?
No sooner said than Google can come up with the answer....
The flower symbolism associated with poppies is beauty, magic, consolation, fertility and eternal life. The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. The Greeks used poppies in the shrines of Demeter, goddess of fertility, and Diana, goddess of the hunt. Poppies denote sleep, rest and repose. In modern times, poppies have been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I.
In Chinese Art poppies
represent the loyalty and faith between lovers. Acording to Chinese legend, a beautiful and courageous woman, Lady Yee, was married to Hsiang Yu, a warrior with Herculean strength. When Hsiang led his troops into battle, Lady Yee chose to follow him and stood by his side in every battle.
During a long and arduous war, Hsiang's army was surrounded and defeat is imminent. Lady Yee tried to boost his spirits by dancing with his sword. The petals of the poppy flower reflect her spirit as she dances in the wind with the sword. When this attempt failed, Lady Yee committed suicide. A cluster of poppies sprang in full bloom from her gravesite.
Take your pick !

Cherry Red

Earlier in the week a basket of cherries was sent, as tradition demands, to our esteemed President. We plebs were able to buy them at 4€/kilo in the market. Seems there is an abundance this year, that is if it doesn't rain.

Parades and Serenades

8th of May and another public holiday when parades take place all over France. Today commemorates the end of the 2WW in Europe so it was up to our sister village where the Flame of Liberty shone bright . The gentleman on the left is 88 years old and heavily decorated including the Legion of Honour. He's a real charmer as are many of the "anciens combattants" I've met at these occasions. Speeches, a minute's silence, the Marsaillaise and the Partisans'Song which would bring a lump to anyone's throat, elevenses at the auberge then it was back down again for more of the same. Another apéritif and lunch chez Claude's in the mountains which is where the serenade part comes in. Now at last, the blog is bang smack up to date but for how long that's the question ....

The Usual Stuff

Association committee meeting, the Mairie, the delivery of the isothermic curtains for the Nest, all riveting stuff. feeling pleased that I'm getting on top of my "to do" list and managed to please people with the revamped "home page" of the Associations web site.
7th MayThe language exchange moved outside in view of the better weather and Anne's idea of us taking tapas to the bar afterwards was a good one. Tea chez Jany in the afternoon as I had to return our medieval costumes and then Dominique and Marylise came for an apéritif that lasted until after 11pm.

1st Monday

Another of life's little rituals as we headed up into the mountains for Christian's surgery. Once gain there were only the two of us for dinner and once again I went for the duck.

Slothful Sunday

Tore ourselves away from our respective computers to have a glass of wine at the bar. Joined Kathy and friends of hers on the terrace and just enjoyed the sun. I can't tell you how good it is not to be organising something.

1st Barbeque

Of course it was market day today so Saturday was off to it's usull start. Quite a lot more people in the market with lots of English voices discernable. In the afternoon started to catch up with the backlog of reports for the village web site so my desk is starting to look clearer and the list more managable. i suppose when that's all taken care of I'll need to tackle the ironing.
In the afternoon we had asurprise invitation from Michel to see "Twighlight" with he and Joëlle. Much publicised here, it wouldn't normally have been a film I would have wanted to go and see but I was actually pleased I did and it was in English. Finished off with bbq sausage and red wine.

May Day

A public holiday and we headed off with Jean and Françoise for a day out. Stopped off in Figueres for a coffee where there was a specialist food street market. Lots of chacuterie, honey, cakes etc. much better than the food fair we went to last month. However, our goal was La Bisbal where there's a huge street market. The trip was something of a hommage to our mutual friend José and continued down to Llafranc for lunch by the sea. Just look at how blue it is.

Being Sociable

27th April

An apéritif dinatoire with Barbara, Lone, Alain, Michel and Joëlle chez nous.

28th April

A meeting at the Mairie for English speakers which went well. People left feeling that the Maire is an ok guy and that the council is approachable. and there wasn't even an apéritif in sight! In the evening I had a garden meeting which really didn't take us anywhere in particular but I showed willing. Pity I don't have the same enthusiasm for the garden itself any more. Still as we were invited to Lone's for a farewell drink, I was able to make my escape and enjoy the rest of the evening in a more relaxed atmosphere.

29th April

A long overdue catch up with Anne and Henry. Over into Spain to visit a wine cave to do a bit of a stock up and then on for lunch followed by tea at the waterfall. All new territory for them and much appreciated. Traffic coming back over the border was heavy so I guess we're heading into the tourist season.

30th April

Well, what do you know? According to a recent survey the French spend more time in bed and at the table than anyone else. Not sure if it was a Europewide or worldwide survey... just thought that you'd like to know. As it's the May day holiday tomorrow the latest vernissage was held this evening rather than on a Friday and the artist showing is Marie Andrée, a friend of ours. There were plenty of people there, the paintings were multi-faceted and Jean and his guitar provided the musical entertainment. After the apéritif which was in no way "dinatoire", Kathy came back with us to raid the fridge.

Les Deportés

The ceremony season is well underway with today's commemoration of those people who were deported under fascism. The weather was wet and cold but there were a number of us who turned out. don't supposrt that Christian and i would have been there if he wasn't at the Mairie but there you are, that's life. A 9 o'clock start up in the mountains and the back down to hear the speeches again in the village and of course an apéritif. six of us (Maggie, Francis, Monique and Alain) then went off to the local auberge for lunch followed by coffe and liquers back at our place. The rain didn't let up all day so it was good to have something other to do than watch the telly.

Sant Jordi

22nd April
Sant Jordi is getting ever closer and Joëlle, Joséphine and I went around to Jany's to make sweetie bags, a garland and paper roses while all the time wondering if the weather would hold. There were plenty of doom and gloom merchants who were talking of storms and the wine merchant cancelled her stall. Came home for a seat on the terrace and a wee pick me up.
23 April
Today is Sant Jordi or St George's day to the English. Funny that Catalunya and England have the same patron saint. Once again our street was decorated with Catalan flags and individual offerings. Pity that nowhere else makes an effort. Christian was really gallant today as he offered a rose, as is traditional, to all the women (8 of us) who were having a drink at the bar.
24th April
A wee break from knots in the stomach about the weekend - it's hard when so much rests on your shoulders and you're out of practice. Our new dvd recorder arrived in the afternoon which, by the way, fits perfectly in the unit that Christian sweated over recently.
25th April
The day dawns with plenty of things to do by way of organising and setting up the square. Christian was a real trooper which gives lie to his moans about me being too involved with the community (which needless to say aint very visible when it comes to humping tressles and hanging decorations). The afternoon had a buzz about it and the medieval décor, the troubadours, the dragon etc really made it something different. It passed off well with only a couple of drops of rain. Ended the day by being treated to a meal at the bar by the Maire and his wife.

Les Bonnes Tables

You know what they say (who ever they are) about the way to hell .... but here we are several weeks later trying to catch up.

15th April

A visit from Jojo and François who are on holiday in the area. For Jojo an opportunity to, practise her English and for Fraçois and Christian an opportunity to talk "Total".

16th April

There's no such thing as a free apéritif! This evening Jany, Jean, Maurice, Rosie and Joëlle came by to be plied with drink and discuss their contribution to la fête de Sant Jordi. All's fair and all that!

17th April

A surprise invitation for dinner at Bernard and Françoise's, the Belgian couple that we met recently who have a holiday home on the outskirts of the village. We were joined by their neighbours Francis and Simone and had an excellent evening which kicked off with champagne and worked its way through some very good wine. It was plain to see that we were among the connisseurs!

18th April

A really busy day that started with the unveiling of a commemoration stone to 4 prominent Spanish republicans who passed into France in 1939. Situated in the middle of nowhere there was a choice of a good half an hour's walk from the road or a lift in a dodge military vehicle. No prizes for guessing who took which option. It was a dignified ceremony in the presence of a survivor of the war and several children and young people. The organisers even managed to have music (flute and keyboard) and cava served in real glasses! Walking back down to the village I didn't feel guilty about the substantial lunch with a dozen others that awaited us. Afterwards there was a quick visit to an exibition (food and culture are always a good mix) and then on to the local Mairie for a twinning ceremony. It's just great to be part of these happenings which helps to make up for all the hours that Christian passes doing his civic duty! We weren't able to stay on for the concert as the local sardane group were cooking up 360 eggs to make Easter omelettes for those who had donated the week before. Is it any wonder that Marie -Louise looks as if there's no end to the the cooking! It was a good evening with a number of Brits and two Irish who were also present. I can tell you that one of the best ways to be accepted here is to learn to dance the sardane so that's perhaps why, the expats in the village are not subjected to the same animosity as elsewhere in France. That and the fact that they're pretty decent not in your face type folk!

19th April

Up early to see the Maratrail (42kms worth) pass through Maureillas which was a designated watering hole. I was a bit reluctant to put this photo as the table looks really meagre but Christian looks good so what the heck! We should have gone up to Rowena's for lunch but coming over the rough forest road yesterday we got a puncture. Later in the afternoon we went to the concert given by our friend Jean and others and then to Juste and Joséphine's for apéritifs which stretched out to celebrate her birthday.

20th April

The bad news is that the tyre cost us 450€ and that was with a discount! Originally they said that it couldn't be done for 4 days but when Christian said he wouldn't buy Toyota again and suddenly they were able to fit him in.

Mr Bricolage

The rain was teeming down so it was the ideal opportiunity to put together the new telly unit . This piece of furniture cost us 300€ and even though we had to put it together ourselves! What a pain. It should have taken 1.5h but needless to say that was an optimistic estimate. Christian ended up with a blister on his hand but at least all the pieces were there, it fitted together and is stable. Jean, you'd better tell John that he has some competition!
In the late afternoon we ventured forth to watch the local Sardane group going through the streets singing in Catalan and collecting ingredients for a Pascale omlette. An old tradition called 'Els Goigs dels Ouls' when days of yore, people would lower their offerings down in a basket. A bit like carol singing but at Easter. It was wet and miserable but the group took no heed and should be congratulated on keeping this old tradition alive.
Sunday the group were to dance the sardane out side the church at the end of mass but this was abandoned due to "inclement" weather. They sang inside and received a basket of saucisson which was blessed. Roll on Saturday night when we the omlette will be cooked and shared with all those who contributed.
As well as all this, there was an equestrian "Endurance" competition. held in the village. The longest that anyone did was 65km. Rain, cold, mud, not a lot of people. It was wet last year too so maybe they should think about shifting the date. Went for an apéro at the bar with Kathy and Jean and then decided to go to the Auberge to eat where we found André who insisted on treating us, and Patrice, his "chauffeur".
Easter Monday we didn't do anything exciting until Maggie asked us round to help her with a letter after which she opened a bottle of champagne by way of thanks. Mmm!
Surprise, surprise! It's Tuesday and the sun is shining