Saturday, July 21, 2007

Two very pleasant evenings


J&P very kindly offered to buy dinner last night so we were lucky to get the last table at Le Fourneau de Clélia. Whilst mum cooks, Aubain runs the tables and, as the night wears on, the service can slow a little. We'd been there an hour, had our first course and the table that arrived just after us was being given the menus. My point being, get there early and be on time or prepare for an early morning finish. James chose the white, a Clos de Marie which I wasn't too keen on, given that it had a slight taste of petrol, so I chose my present favourite red, L'Enfer (Hell), from a cave cooperative near Corbiere (I think). "Mnnnn that's nice," said James, so I suspect that my son and heir is slowly getting used to the idea that his ol' man knows a little about wine (especially when it comes to drinking it - Ed.)

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There's an argument that I should call this the Sommieres Journals. Anyway, it's Saturday so it's off to the market to get the remaining goodies for tonights feast. J&P cry off claiming work pressures and a dodgy foot but us oldies soldiered on regardless.

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Dinner tonight was all about really nice people. (That was very tactful - Ed.) Carolina and Steve, with daughter Serena, we have known since we first moved to France 5 years ago and it has taken us all this time to invite them for dinner. Goodness knows why. Whilst I feel ashamed to admit this, I feel better in the knowledge that they have never invited us either. Probably something to do with not feeling comfortable with Jan. We'll never know. Tara and Jamie, on the other hand, we have known for a relatively short time and as they are about to move away, so for them this was a hello and goodbye party.
Jan pulled the stops out with a starter of hot and sour prawns and a recent favourite of mine, pan fried salmon on a bed of noodles and fennel with a lemon velouté sauce. Cheeses followed by home made peach ice cream with liqueur soaked fresh peaches on the side. Mnnnnnn, a good effort. (Is that it, a good effort? - Ed.)
The evening ended with Steve wrestling on the floor with our two very happy, but bemused, dogs. A good evening.

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