Back in the UK...........

We are flying back to the UK later today to spend a few days with my brother Keith in Leeds. There were three of us but sadly we lost David to colon cancer about this time last year. David and Keith lived together for many years, so this has been Keith's first year on his own, a difficult time for him.
It will also give Linz the chance to continue the search for "the holy grail" that is her outfit for Matt and Bethan's wedding. September 5th is not so far away now and I think she would like to have it sorted, along, of course with the shoes and the bag.
I will be able to drink real beer again with Keith and recharge the batteries for a very busy time in the garden when we return.

Soiree at Francette's

Yesterday evening saw another soiree at Francette's. This is Francette in the photo, she is a wonderful host and very kind. She invited about seventy of her regular customers and gave us a four course meal with as much wine as we could drink as a thank you for supporting her business. I can't think of anywhere else this would happen.

Of course as the evening progressed there was much silly dancing and as you can see Bob doesn't necessarily need a partner to dance with.
Francette's is so small there is not much room to strut your stuff and you often finish a dance with a different partner!

This was one of the courses, a delicious couscous with chicken, veal and sausage.

This is the assembled company, a great mix of French, Dutch and English enjoying each others company. Martin was in charge of the music again, you can see him at back, underneath the lamp on the end of the bar.

We were back at Francette's this morning, with slightly sore heads! We had first been to the market, which is now starting to pick up again with more and more stalls each week. The vin et fromage fete turned out to be a bit disappointing, although the weather was much better than last year. There seemed to be fewer producers this year and only one cheese maker. Mind you I had spoilt myself for the wine tasting by drinking far too much at Francette's last night.

Rain, rain go away............

The rain that has fallen all Easter weekend stopped briefly this morning to allow us to venture into Cazals for the traditional Easter Monday brocante fair. There seemed to be fewer stalls and punters than last year........this might have had something to do with the weather but more,I think, to do with the economic climate.

A fair few French were in evidence but not many English.......except for the "locals" Mind you, the dealers must not be aware of the economic situation........some of the prices asked were outrageous. We soon retreated to Francette's bar, our local, for a few beers and to debate the silly prices.

Next week is the vin and fromage fete............hope the weather is better by then.......there is much tasting to be done! ........still researching wine for Matt and Bethan's wedding!

April Showers.............

April showers are upon us this Easter weekend so it's back to the blog. After returning from London with un rhume and mal de gorge and then having friends visit, the blog has been neglected. John and Norma's visit was a 60th Birthday present for John and it was so nice to see them again. It is wonderful for us to see all of our friends so obviously relaxed when they are here and enjoying the peace and slow pace of life, we owe them so much. We try not to drag them around the countryside too much and instead enjoy each others company the way the French do..........drinking good wine, eating good food and catching up.
As you can see we did find time to get into the potager and plant the first pommes de terre. Although according to Monsieur Dauriac, our farmer neighbour, we are too early and the potatoes should not be planted until quinze Avril precisely! Whenever I ask him when I should be planting various veg he is never vague as to the time and always includes the day and not just the month. Local knowledge and experience is a great advantage.......I check the weather on the internet, I don't suppose Monsieur does but he is always right. I say to him it's forecast to rain tomorrow and after a significant pause he will say peut-etre or on verra but never no it's not and invariably it doesn't rain. Maybe one day I will be able to do that....I think not.