Ovariectomie

After such a late night last night, it was hard getting up this morning to pick up the pooches from the kennels. Minnie was due at the vet by 09.00 to go under the knife. Jan, who has been spayed herself, (I'm lost for words - Ed.) was not a happy bunny and shed the odd tear, knowing what Min would have to go through.

When we picked her up late afternoon, the little mite (if you can call a 40 kilo dog little, or a mite) was very groggy and you just couldn't help feeling sorry for her. Bless.

Joe Cocker in Carcassonne

Yesterday was a very, very long day. Jan and I, and Gill and her two children Katie and Tom, set off for Carcassonne (above) at 10.30. After a one hour stop over at Ikea to pick up a few decorative bits for the wedding and then a pique-nique lunch at a motorway service area near Narbonne (who says I don't know how treat a woman right?) we eventually got to Carcassonne around 14.00. The place was heaving. Full to overflowing with tourists (like you - Ed.) and not at all pleasant. Jan and I had been once before, a few years back, in the middle of winter, so pretty much had the place to ourselves. This was something altogether different and not something that I enjoyed. If it wasn't for the concert that evening I'd have left pronto. Anyway, it took Jan and Gill the best part of 15 minutes before they dived into a shop and muggins here stood outside for the best part of half an hour. When they had finished, and after a quick corrective interview, they had both learnt the error of their ways so it was back to the nearest bit of shady ground for a communal snooze until 18.00 when the urge for a drink took hold.

The concert didn't start until 21.30, so we had a quick dinner in Brasserie Le Donjon, 4 rue Porte D'Aude, Carcassonne, 0468 259572 which turned out to be very good. Jan commented that the onion soup was as good as hers, as was my tomato tart. I followed with an excellent faux filet and the others had cassoulet. Recommended.

***

The Theatre Jean Deschamps, just inside the city walls is a first class, modern amphitheatre with the ancient walls as a backdrop. The seats were laid out in such a way that everyone had a good view, which was just as well because with the seating being placement libre and, even though we turned up a full hour before the concert started, the place was already three quarters full when we got there.

Joe Cocker started, just like he did in Nîmes two years ago, quite slowly and 25 minutes in, lifted the tempo with a few old favourites. After an hour everyone was on their feet and we all rocked away (after three encores) until just after 23.15. Katie and Tom, who had recently seen the Arctic Monkeys in Nîmes, were very impressed. Whilst this was music from an altogether different era it was their first concert of this type and hopefully JC has a couple of new fans for the future. A good day!

Life's little pleasures

There are times when you feel negative about the French but mostly you are pleasantly surprised. We dropped the dogs off at the kennels in the village to find that Eric has built an extra big kennel so that both dogs can fit comfortably inside. Then Claude insists that we take a jar of home made apricot and blueberry jam. Wasn't that nice? As Jacqui said our quality of life is much better since we moved away from the frenzy of the south of England.

Joe Cocker

Despite it being a two and half hour drive, we're off to Carcassonne today to see Joe Cocker in concert. We saw him two years ago at the arene in Nîmes and it was an outstanding night. More about the trip tomorrow.

Who thinks of these questions?

I'm getting really fed up with some of the inane questions being asked by (BBC) news desks to their reporters in the field. This morning's stupid question, whilst covering the flooding in England, was, 'well Mr Reporter, the rain last night was much lighter than expected and didn't cause any further problems. Were the residents pleased?'
The perfect reply would have been, ' Well no, they were extremely disappointed, just when they were looking forward to even more devastation and an even longer time with a flooded home and no drinking water, the rain then goes and plays this cruel trick on them.' In fact the reporter ignored the ridiculous question completely and did his usual piece.

***

Jan got inspired the other day when Glyn cooked a paella outdoors, so we popped into Weldoms yesterday to buy a pan. Neither of us are big paella fans but Jan is keen to have a go. I can't wait.

Note the essential cooks tool of a glass in one hand. The finished article below.



Many thanks to Jacqui for showing me how to manipulate these photos.

Dress down day, everyday

The question of what to wear each day is simple. Is it the beige shorts or the red, the white t-shirt or the striped and flip flops or flop flips? After wearing a suit and tie for far too many years, shorts are now the order of the day, and I love it. Jan despairs a little and would like me to dress a little less slovenly but she is also very understanding and is getting used to the new look.

***

Sommieres was heaving this morning and Elie tried to cope with the bar on his own. A big mistake. We had to wait ages for our beers and there were far too many tables not drinking. I'd love to take over the waiting on tables (and even gently suggested it) because I reckon I could double his profits, even allowing for all the beer that I would drink. At the moment it's not a very pleasant experience.

***

Glyn and Gill very kindly invited us round for aperos this evening, then all seventeen of us headed off to Le Castelas, the relais in Montmirat. How do they do it? A tasty four course meal for 11 euros. Having said that, I'm beginning to suspect a liberal use of msg because my ears were thumping in the middle of the night. Mmnnn, might need to watch that.

Sounds fishy

It seems like we just can't stay away. A few weeks back, Bob and Lynne suggested that we take a trip to Chez Ju Ju with Bryan and Gill. Today was the appointed day so off we all went. Jan made the comment that it's quite a long way to drive just to eat fish. My view is that there is nowhere nearer that cooks fish, perfectly, in an outdoor wood burning oven. Or to be more precise, there is nowhere that we have yet found that cooks fish anywhere near as well as Ju Ju.

All alone again

I thought you might like to see the latest fashion from England.

***

Whilst Jan was out enjoying herself at her craft club, I got to correct all yesterday's mistakes by visiting Quissac and getting the medicine that helps keep me alive (I though Jan had hidden it? -Ed).

Tim, Sue and the family are all out at the coast and I can't find that essential ingredient, bread, for the sandwich that Jan very kindly said I could make myself.

It was nice to hear the happy sound of laughter coming from our neighbour's gardens but, despite my heavy heart, I ploughed on regardless.

Crispy Chicken

I've got to mention what Jan cooked last night. We call it crispy chicken and it has now become my all time favourite way of eating the poulet (apart from Kentucky - Ed.) The recipe (as if we want to know - Ed) is on page 222 of Jamie Oliver's book, Jamie's Dinners. Highly recommended.

***

After a somewhat fruitless trip into Quissac, I could mention why but Jan would be pissed with me, it was back to attend Katie's birthday lunch. Katie is our delightful neighbour's teenage daughter and because the family are always here in summer we get to celebrate her birthday with her. I have a particular soft spot for Katie and it has been a pleasure in seeing her grow from a tomboy into a beautiful young woman. Anyway, the birthday party consists of a huge lunch, where Glyn cooked a paella, outdoors, in his huge new pan, with lots of of wine to wash it all down. We stumbled home at seven, very happy bunnies. Now that's what I call a lunch!

Salmonella free

You can always tell when Jan's relatives are coming to stay, because she insists that we 'take all the bottles to the recycling centre'. Or, to put it more succinctly, 'get rid of the evidence'. I have to constantly warn Jan about the dangers of excessive drinking and, after two full carloads, she may now be getting the message. I tried to emphasis my point by shouting 'Jan' every time I smash a bottle in the bank. I don't want the neighbours to think it's me!

The other big clue is that appliances like the fridge, shelves and the oven get cleaned. No complaints there then. At least it will keep the salmonella (above) at bay for a while.

***

Tim, Sue and the girls arrived from Luton, ahead of time, in Nîmes this afternoon. On leaving the terminal, they couldn't quite believe the warmth and sun shine, but there you go. Having said that, it promises to get up to 35C by Friday so I bet they then start moaning about the heat. I know I will.

Water, water, everywhere

It was cloudy this morning which, for me, is always welcome as a relief from the incessant sun and heat. But I must admit that I felt just a tad ashamed when I thought of the 350,000 disadvantaged people in the UK who are suffering without any drinking water as a result of the current floods. Sorry guys!

Having said that they won't be reading this because their house is under water - whoops.

***

After much consideration and angst, we made the decision this morning to have Minnie spayed. We believe that they would have excellent puppies and I've been putting out feelers but have got nowhere. She is likely to have nine or ten pups and it's important to us that they go to good homes. We couldn't afford, nor would we want, to keep that many, so it looks like she will go under the knife.

***

This is a cautionary tale for all those who think that it's safe to smoke outside.

http://www.avolites.org.uk/movies/smoking.mpg

A small world

Before taking J&P to the airport we had to pop into Nîmes to pick up translations of some of their documents. This would then finalize the paperwork for the wedding. Did you know that you could get a Certificate of Non Impediment (to confirm that you are single) from the Registrars in England? This was one of the documents that had to be translated, but why it isn't issued in several languages, or more to the point, the languages of the countries that require it, beats me. Anyway, what was interesting was that the French lady translator lived near Harrogate, for 14 years, where James was born. How weird.

***

Having finally tired of family and parties, we did nothing but slump for the rest of the day, and I was particularly happy because I got to watch the German Grand Prix and an exciting final to the golf at the British Open. Bliss.

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.)

***

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.

***

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.

If you can't remember her name!

The above will probably upset a few of my feminist friends, but I thought that it was funny. An additional tip, - if you don't have any Post-it pads handy, you could always write her name on her back.

***

Part of the process of getting married in France is the requirement to have a blood test, so James, Pauline and I popped to the doctor this morning. Not realising exactly why, my understanding was that they would both need a test. Not so, said the stand-in doctor. Only the female, to check that she has antibodies against x, x and x. He said the names too fast for me to understand. He took the blood and said, get yourself immunised if anything tests positive. He stamped the certificate and that was it. Great, it saved me a planned trip to Sommieres.
Next stop was the flower shop, which really tested my patience. So whilst the choice, colour and size of flowers, postions, ribbons etc. was determined, I decide to kill myself outside.

***

A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas. Finally, a reward was offered for his capture, and an enterprising Texas ranger decided to track him down.

After a lengthy search, he traced the bandit to his favorite cantina, crept up behind him, put his trusty six-shooter to the bandit's head, and said, "You're under arrest! Tell me where you hid the loot or I'll blow your brains out."

But the bandit didn't speak English, and the ranger didn't speak Spanish.

Fortunately, a bilingual lawyer was in the saloon and translated the ranger's message. The terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was buried under the oak tree at the back of the cantina.

"What did he say?" asked the ranger.

The lawyer answered, "He said 'Up yours, gringo, I spit on your mother and your sister."