A blogger's convention

So I'm sitting in the car waiting for Jan, in Sommieres, when I was idly looking into the estate agent window in front of me. Estate agents in this part of France have always fascinated me. Basically it's a very competitive business, their charges are high and you are personally escorted to each property without being given any property details, and having given a signed mandate to buy from the agent who took you there. Anyway, I'm looking at this window and my eyes fall on their opening hours. They are open Monday to Friday with a two hour lunch break each day, and the bit that shook me, even after all this time in France, was that they shut all day Saturday. Saturday is market day in Sommieres and the place heaves with people, both locals and tourists. I wonder how long it will take for me to get used to this attitude to business?

I've never met another blogger before and the reason we were in Sommieres was that we were on our way to meet Jacqui and her family, some two hours away. If two bloggers can have a convention then a convention it was. I've always had a soft spot for Jacqui's blog and Jan loves to read it. We obviously have our own experience of French life but without school going children (OK LeeLee, I know that it's a lycee) and Jacqui's tales of their experiences as the only English family in their village, are always well written and interesting. We had been invited to lunch (how come you always talk about food? - Ed) and boy, did they push the boat out. A beautiful lobster bisque, followed by whole chickens (2) baked in their own bread case. Absolutely delicious and a first for me. This was obviously a family favourite because the girls couldn't wait to get stuck in, but demurely held back. Good effort girls. Either I'd written about it before or Jacqui's psychic but apart from a chocolate cheese cake, we were also offered my all time favourite, tarte au citron. It was a fabulous, fun filled, gossipy lunch, enhanced by Richard's excellent wine.

I nearly fell off my chair when I recognised the time. Lunch had extended to 5.10 pm and with a two hour drive home we knew the dogs would be busting. Thanks guys for a memorable time. You are very kind.