This month has been one long 'fete'!
It all started in La Chappelle Baton salle de fete with the 50th birthday celebrations of Ghislaine-- the sole remaining French person attending weekly ballroom dance classes. French friends and family had all been invited--as had all the regulars who turn up every Tuesday night.
It was the start of the heat wave--and, sadly for me, my first week at 'Slimmercise'. ( 'But I'm off to 2 parties this week' I said to Lynne after she'd weighed me & handed me my brand new diet!--'Stick with water, protein and salad'--was the reply!)
So, we danced, and we ate--it's hard on vegetarians in France! but there was tons of different meats-- and I said I was doing the driving, so I toasted the birthday girl with champagne, and then drank water for the rest of the evening! We left well after midnight-- and after such an abstemious do, can only think that it is the late night that made me feel delicate the next day!
Two days later we were back in LCB for Alan & Sue's non-wedding, but 20-years- anniversary party. This was a luncheon and tables had been laid under parasols and awnings along the side of their house for about 20 people. This is the 3rd year that they've thrown a party --last year was Sue's 60th birthday, and the year before was their 10th anniversary since buying a house in France. Sue excelled herself this year--we had an British menu this year:- nibbles and aperitifs , followed by Scotch salmon and prawns, roast beef and ham with Jersey Royals and salad. The cheese comprised blue Shropshire, Stilton, Cheshire and Cheddar--- and so lovely to taste all of these again!--- and then numerous puds!( from which I partook of a small fruit salad--but was led to believe that the banoffi pie was the best-favoured!)
It was unbearably hot--but the company was fun--and the quiz was every bit as difficult as last year! Eugenie and I have declared we're going to do some swatting before next year!
Amazingly I met Mark there--- who reads this blog from time to time-- and is responsible for the above photo! Thankyou Mark!
Alan & Sue took their annual French holiday the next day-- walking in the Tarn. I'vwe not seen them since they got back--but the temperatures were in the late 30's all week--I think they must have melted!
We had friend staying for 5 days. They'd come from a week in Berlin where they'd been very busy--and were happy to relax in the pool in the garden--have a barbecue in the evening, followed by a game of boules!
The following Sunday saw the annual picnic at La Chappelle Baton--of which the highlight is the boules match. You'd think, after all our practice that we'd be quite good--but the natives beat us hollow! Not so terrible as winners buy the celebratory drink of 'miget' after each round! This is an aquired taste ( well, I like it!) of bread, served in red wine & sweetened with sugar --served in a pudding bowl & eaten/drunk with a spoon !
Geoff and his partner came 13th--and won a bottle of red wine and a'LCB 30th Anniversary du comite de la salle de Fete' tee shirt--each! I came 15 th--same prizes, but a bottle of cider each! There were 18 couples taking part. The last 6 places were taken by BRITS! Better luck next year!
