The first goodbye

I guess it had to start sooner rather than later.
P&M very kindly invited us for an excellent lunch yesterday and we then realised that because they are about to leave on an extended trip to the southern hemisphere we wouldn't see them again in the near future. That's so sad.
We have met some really nice people during our last eight years here (and one or two weirdos, but more about them later) and, even though we don't leave for another two months, this was the first of several heart wrenching 'goodbyes.' They are a lovely couple and we'll miss them, especially P's words of wisdom during our Saturday morning meetings at the bar in Sommieres market.


So now you know,  an American pop idol teenager is more influential than anyone else. Think about this before you post your new tweet.


Happy New Year.

Oysters

Oysters, in the market in Sommieres, are sooo cheap (four euros a dozen for the big ones). I've tried them in the past but I can't see the attraction.

'I stopped eating snot when I was two,' is my standard reply to anyone who offers me one.

Anyway, Jan was sitting next to a female friend, G, at the market on Saturday and G was eating oysters. They were whispering in an animated way when they both burst out laughing and couldn't stop.

I asked what was funny and Jan said, 'oh, just girly stuff.'

Being a nosey sod I asked her again later. It transpired that Jan, who has never eaten an oyster, because she just doesn't fancy them, had asked G if the rumour that oysters are an aphrodisiac is true.

Quick as flash, G glanced up at her husband, who was also eating oysters and said, 'God I hope not.'

Why do women find this sort of stuff so funny?

(We'll sit down for a chat some day soon - Ed)

Porkies

Carolina sent me this, with the very blatant message that men lie.

Caro, of course men lie, we're just crap at it and therefore need to practise more.

If, on the other hand, women lie less often how come they're so good at it? I rest my case.

(You should have taken up law? - Ed)

Gimme a break

What a week. Our neighbours, the Lloyds, have just celebrated a significant birthday here last week. We have been involved for 5 days with a 'party' on each of those days. Talk about having to pace yourself. We started on Thursday with dinner for 14 at our place, then over to Nimes on Friday evening for drinks and dinner at Le Ciel de Nimes with about 25 of their friends and family. Saturday night was a catered dinner at their place for 25 people and then today, Sunday, back to their house for an all day and evening barbecue for about 40. It's difficult to believe, but I actually lost weight during the week.

Grief, I need a rest and intend to do very little for the next week or so.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a very different and quite amazing day for us both.

Very different because neither of us has ever had lunch on Christmas Day at a non-family house. We were 'on our own ' this Christmas because it was our kids turn to be with their partners' families and we fully intended to spend it alone (I suppose we have to imagine violins playing in the background - Ed). However, out of the blue, we were invited for lunch with Bob and Lynne. I've mentioned before about how good a cook Lynne is, so I was really looking forward to the meal.

I had no idea of how good it was going to be. They must have spent weeks preparing this feast. A feast where only superlatives could do respect to the food. The quantity and quality were just amazing. Talk about setting the bar high.

We started with an amazing array of the tastiest appetisers. Off the top of my head I'd say there were about 10 different delicious, exquisite nibbles including one which really caught my eye, small spoonfuls of jellied Bloody Mary.

This was washed down with champagne cocktails thoughtfully provided by Bryan and Gill.

The meal itself must have taken weeks to plan and prepare, never mind the dry runs that Lynne admitted to. From the medley of salmon starters to the perfectly cooked Beef Wellington and the selection of puddings, the meal was a tour de force. Thanks guys.

Benson

For all you dog lovers, I recommend this touching tribute, written by Bob, in memory of Benson, a dog that I am proud to say I knew.

Nîmes night market

What an excellent night. In different groups, thirteen of us managed to meet up last night during the Nîmes Thursday night market. It was a lovely warm evening, the streets were buzzing and there was music of different sorts on different street corners. Bob and Lynne were in great form and it was good to see then again. Debbie and Kevin leave tomorrow so this was their farewell meal. Pizza Cerruti is where we traditionally head and last night was no exception. The guy who makes the pizzas had obviously changed but they were still good and the chili sauce, despite now being served in sachets, was better.

Whilst this was the last such event of the summer, Bryan summed up my feelings exactly by saying, 'I'd forgotten how much fun these evenings are. We don't make enough of Nîmes' facilities.'

The Feria de Vendages takes place in the middle of September so that's something to look forward to.

Show me yours and I'll show you mine

Ben, Paula, Ave (Paula's mum) and 3 months old Kate arrived last night for a long weekend.

So, it was off to Sommieres market this morning for a picnic lunch at Elie's bar. They (the Barcelona contingent) find it strange that you can eat your own food at someone's bar and I must admit that I found it strange at first. All Elie wants you to do is ensure that you drink his stuff with your food. That's the easy bit!

Elie is such a nice man, which reminds me that I still haven't paid him for the 90 litres of beer that he let me have nearly a year ago (August 2007) for my son's wedding. I keep offering to pay and he keeps saying that he'll phone me when he works it out. Great for me and not so great for him. Still, there's nothing more that I can do. I wonder if I can put today's drink 'on the tab'?

It was great to see how many people came up to Jan and commiserated with her about her heart problems. We didn't realise just how many people liked her. Bob W, of course, had to point out that he'd had two stents inserted last year. A sort of 'mine's bigger than yours' syndrome. When my time comes, I'm going for nothing less than three. That'll show him.

Friends

Chris W sent me this. Said he was thinking of me. Can't think why!

How to solve the problems of the world

So I got a message yesterday morning which simply said, 'Market?'

Despite the obvious lack of grammar, or intellect, to convey a full and meaningful message, I saw who it was from and, believe it or not, I understood and replied.

We headed off to Sommieres for the Saturday shop and then wandered towards Elie's bar to meet up with the usual suspects. Peter, who must have been gagging for a drink, was already at the table and thoughtfully, for once, had a full carafe of rosé waiting for us. The market was busy and the tables were full but we managed to squeeze in. A little later we were joined by Bryan, who always arrives late, hoping to miss out on paying for a round. Anyway, after the third carafe it was amazing how quickly we solved the problems of the world. We whizzed through them, hardly drawing breath, ticking them off one by one. It never fails to amaze me as to how difficult governments make things for themselves.

Talking of making things difficult for yourself, it was interesting watching Gordon Brown defending himself this morning on the Andrew Marr show. With the benefit of hindsight, Blair was right in delaying the handover of power to Brown. He realised that he was not the man for the job but I suppose he just gave in to the inevitable. Whilst he is undoubtedly bright and hard-working, Brown lacks something and just does not have the common touch. It's difficult to see a way out and I suspect that he is leading his party to an inevitable election defeat. If Gordon could just make his way to the market on Saturday mornings, and sink a couple with us, we'd show him how to do it.

Proud grandparents 1

That was interesting. A week ago we met a Dutch couple, who were thinking about moving to this area, so we invited them for aperitifs and to meet our Dutch neighbours Hans and Janni. I've never quite figured out the whole aperos thing. You invite guests for 'drinks' and 'nibbles' and inevitably the time extends over into the dinner period so you end up having to feed them something quite substantial or see them go home hungry. Dieting the Jan and Alex way! As Jan spent quite a few hours preparing the vast array of nibbles, why not just invite them for lunch, dinner or whatever?
Anyway, Hans mentioned that he had seen Max's 'child' recently. If you remember, back in November, I caught Max in flagrante delicto, cheating on Minnie with the village slapper and we have often thought about any offspring. Well, if it's true, we are now proud grandparents.

Nice people

The other day, at his usual (cocktail) hour, Alain, the village artist, popped round to ask a favour. Could I take a photo, for his archive, of a picture that he had just sold?
Last night was the visit to his studio (above), to sink a couple of bottles, and to take the pictures. Alain and Christianne aren't wealthy, but they are without doubt the most hospitable and generous of all the villagers, and we are proud and pleased to call them friends. Whilst it can be a bit daunting (because I know that I'll regret the drink later) I really enjoy visiting them. Throughout the visit you see a procession of nice people, some sober and some not. (You fall into the not category - Ed!) Tonight we met sober Jerome, who was missing his top four front teeth, and who was paying a friendly visit because he was popping into the village fruit and veg supplier nearby. A delightful and interesting man.
Conscious of the fact that Jan's eldest Ben is about to become a father for the first time and I suppose conscious of the fact that, against my better judgement, I bring him cheap cigarettes from La Jonquera whenever we go to Barcelona, he gave us a signed print of a recent painting as a present for the happy couple. Isn't that kind?

Mas de la Barben

Harold and Peter stopped off at Mas de la Barben yesterday afternoon to taste some wine, something that I've been meaning to do for ages, so last night's dinner turned into a bit of a wine tasting. The vineyard is situated half way between home and Nimes and looks very impressive from the roadway.

Harold found two very good and very reasonably priced wines. Now I'm definitely going to go.

The downside to the meal however was that I woke at 04.30 with my head buzzing and that horrible sensation when you can hear your carotid artery thumping away and it won't go away. Bum.

The last few days has seen a lot of laughs but this morning both families returned home and we were very sad to see them go.

Bang goes the diet

Eleven of us sat down at the local relais last night and tucked into their 12 euros menu. How do they do it? It will never get a mention in any guidebook but the meal was wholesome, tasty and freshly cooked.

Anyway, despite knowing well in advance that the clocks changed last night, this morning I forgot, and stumbled out of bed at 09.30 to go and fetch croissants and bread for our guests. If I thought that I had a problem, spare a thought for these two guys who have to adjust all 600 of their clocks. On the basis that they all have to be altered back again in six months time I don't think I'd bother.

Lunch today was just excellent. We all decamped to Le Fourneau de Clelia in nearby Aigremont and got stuck into their menu. Most of us chose scallops for starters and then fillet steak which was just like marshmallow to cut. Fantastic food, perfectly cooked and not at a silly price.

A full house

We have a full house this weekend. Peter and Carol arrived by train from London on Thursday. The total journey took about 7.5 hours, with a two hour break in Paris. From London town centre, to Nimes town centre, that's pretty impressive and certainly worth considering. Even more so if you changed trains at Lille and avoided the journey across Paris. The 360 miles journey from Paris, with one stop, takes exactly 3 hours which is also very impressive. As the double deck TGV thundered into the station at Nimes, only 3 minutes late, you really have to admire the timekeeping over such a long distance.

Harold and Elizabeth arrived Friday after a 4.5 hour car journey from near Bordeaux to meet up with P&C. Hence the full house. I think my diet just got blown out of the window!

We met Lynne (and a recovering Bryan) at the market in Sommieres this morning and Lynne noticed that I'd lost weight. Don't you just love people like that?

Happy Birthday Jan

It was Jan's birthday today (she looks good for 53 don't you think?), but after a nice dinner for Bob and Lynne and Chris and Delphine last night we both felt a little jaded. Dinner comprised of a starter of Morteau sausage on a bed of spicy lentils, stuffed pork tenderloin, Italian cheeses, raspberry jelly (made with a rosé wine and real raspberries) and panna cotta for desert. A mixed up and geographically challenged meal but tasty nevertheless. Thank you darling!

Pastry or bread

Jacqui, I humbly apologise. Despite your clear instructions, I failed to distinguish between bread and pastry. I've corrected the post (you know that truth and accuracy have never been very high on my agenda) and I just want a nice quiet day now.

A bitch called Dave

At around 19.00 last night I made a phone call and received both good news and bad news. The bad news was that we were expected to be at our hosts at exactly that moment (so we were already late) and the good news was that there was curry on the menu. Not just any old curry, this was a Languedoc curry (with apologies to M&S), the best curry you'll eat anywhere in France and right here on our doorstep. Unfortunately this isn't a restaurant, you'll find this delight at Carolina and Steve's place about 30 minutes away from here. I thought that Jan could cook good curry but this was much, much better. Subtly spiced lamb, chicken and pork curries with beautiful rice, accompanied by the best tarka dahl ever, justa lika mamma (listen here Pinocchio, your mother has never cooked a curry in her life - Ed) wouda lika to make. Thanks guys an excellent evening.

If there is only one common denominator amongst all the friends that we have met and eaten with over the last week, then it has to be that, not only are they very nice people, but they are also dog lovers. Last night was no exception. From left to right above, Aicha (aka Dave - don't ask), Yana and Rolf.

A perfect day

The girls were having a 'craft day' today, so Bryan and I decided to hang out together. Jan mentioned later that she seemed to spend ages getting her 60 euros sewing machine from Lidl to work. What do you want for 60 euros I unhelpfully asked? I think Bryan and I had more fun.

First we shot off to Nimes to haggle over car insurance and then off to the relais in Montmirat for their excellent 12 euros lunch. Their cheese flan is to die for and today it was on the menu. Mnnnnn.

With a bricolage in the afternoon to buy drainage channels and concrete, we were in seventh heaven. Superimposed over all this was a warm, sunny, calm day. Life just doesn't get much better. (It doesn't take much to keep you happy! - Ed)

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.