The HUNT BALL. ( French style!)

We got to bed at 3 am this morning!

After a week's visit from Joe-- our grandson, with his parents & his other Granny (she's Granny Rosbif, and I'm Granny Frog's-legs) we each pinched 20 Euros from the kitty and headed off for La Chappelle Baton salle de fete, where the local 'chasse' were holding their end of season dinner dance.
The 2009 'regime' -- which had already lost much of the impetus from the start of the year--completely ground to a halt last week. If we weren't eating at a local restaurant (on the terrace overlooking the lake at St Martin L'Ars, or at the Hotel du Commerce in Civray) we were indulging in buying up all the locally produced wines and cheeses and pates at Civray & Ruffec markets-- and then having picnics. So having completely lost the dietry plot, I thought we might as well finish the week with a typical French celebratory 6 course supper!

We've been going to dancing classes at la Chappelle Baton every Tuesday night for the last month. It's a great cheapo evening out--2 Euros each & take your own refreshment! Although Gill & Mike, who take the class, are English--and the class is held in a sort of English -Franglais, it is well supported by the local French --who love to dance, as well as numerous English, who can't , but want to join in at local festivities. ( That's us!)

So last night was our first chance to put our lessons to the test.

Geoff & I are happy freestyle dancers--occasionally complimenting each other on the floor. The minute we have to hold on to each other, the brain & the feet loose contact--and sadly, last night was no exception.
As elderly Frenchmen & their partners spin round & around, doing the Viennese waltz, or the pasa doble, we waited to hear a gentle waltz.
We could have attempted the tango--but find cornering difficult--and the floor was very crowded.
The 'madison' though was attempted-- the steps of this changes according to which village you live in. Gill had done lots of research and taught us the 'La Chappele Baton' madison--- only to find a much simpler ( Thank heavens!) version being danced last night ( at La Chappelle Baton!!) The madison tends to be danced only by girls--and men who join in have their own versions of the steps--which they happily dance, whilst the girls keep in unison. This can be confusing.
The meal was great.
Glasses of rose wine ( ie--pink, not made from roses--I've not got accents on my keyboard!) were handed out on arrival-- at about 8-8.30ish. We mingled and chatted for about an hour & then found seats at the table.
A glass of kir was then give as an 'aperatif '-- and baskets of bread for those who couldn't wait any longer!
A local pate with cornichons was followed by quiche-- interspersed with dancing.
The 'chasse' wives were responsible for serving--so it was quite slow as the were all keen dancers. Mostly with each other--- mainly as their husbands were manning the barbecues.
Eventually 'trous' came round. This was a small apple sorbet doused in brandy. In spite of the salle de fete heaving with over 200 party- goers, portions were generous. Seconds of the trou followed the first.
By that time we were all up & dancing.
The next course was 'steak and frites'-- very large, and amazingly they were rare rather than raw as seems to be the norm in a lot of French restaurants.
It was well after midnight when a bowl of lettuce and cheese was handed round. We'd consumed all the free wine and resorted to the 5 euros a bottle stuff by now. ( Water is always available--and very necessary--to the unlucky person who draws the short straw & is the driver!)
About 1.30am we saw the profiteroles-- one strawberry, coffee and chocolate each-- followed a bit later by seconds for all those who could manage it!
Meals in France usually finish with coffee and brandy-- but the dance floor was full and our table had been taken over by French Manchester United supporters ( heaven forbid!) who wanted to talk football with the Englishmen on our table ( 1 Man U, 2 Chelsea & 1 rugby fan !)--it's amazing how a few drinks and they all understand each other, regardless of whatever language is being spoken!
Anyhow, another hour passed-- people with children ( there were at least a dozen!) started to drift away ( although 2 babies were asleep in prams, 1 child slept on the table, and 2 more slept on mattresses in the corner of the room!). There wasn't a coffee cup in sight--so Geoff and I decided it was time for us to leave.
I've since learned that coffee and cognac appeared at 3 am--when at least 100 stalwarts were still boogeying. They've got some stamina these French!
My one regret is that I forgot to take the camera--so sorry, no pictures!