On Monday of this week we realised that it was exactly a year ago that we stepped onto French soil ready for the next chapter in life. So no better way to celebrate than have a gathering of new friends from our local area.
As we’re unable to view the Tour de France “live” this year (an unregistered motor home being the stumbling block!) we decided to bring Le Tour to us. So out came the flag collection and a few signs etc. to decorate the summer kitchen, add our bikes and “Parsley “ (the Peugeot) and all was set for an apero evening.
Apero is a term that has now become familiar, an early evening get together with drinks and nibbles. I suppose in the past we would have called it tapas. Anyhow food and drink were consumed and our “anniversary “was duly celebrated, along with a 3 year anniversary for Annette, Martin and Tricia 👍🍾
We have been out and about locally and even enjoyed a Menu du Jour sitting out enjoying our 3 courses with brother Dave, in the village of Verteuil-sur-Charente. Might get back this weekend for a fair at the Chateau.
No canard was not on the menu!!!!!
Although Summer seems to have taken a lunch break the last couple of weeks, we still try to get out on the bikes daily enjoying the sight of the changing crops and colours in the surrounding countryside.
At last they’ve arrived! The sunflowers are just beginning to bloom.
And the verges are still alive with wildflowers. This is along one of our favourite (if somewhat hilly) cycle tracks.
In the “potager” we have toms, zucchini and beetroot and Chris’ strawberries are ready to harvest. This is the remains of a strawberry croissant- not home made!
So, that is the latest from over here. As Covid restrictions are relaxed we’re looking forward to enjoying Bastille Day on July 14th, having been invited along to the commune free lunch by our local Marie where we will brush up some French phrases and hopefully get to know a few more neighbours.
hmmm will try and translate the invite, oh just saw the english on the bottom. Do all your new friends speak English? Great to see your celebration of first year in France. Any excuse I say. We are looking forward to having a house warming one day in the future. Its school holidays here so we have been spending time with the kids, great to keep you feeling young (or sometimes old) and definitely on the go. Did I say, “love the pool, and the pool boys” Rxx
Yes Robby, currently we’re just mixing with British new friends. I’m hoping we’ll get the chance to “chat” with our French neighbours (other than Bonjour over the fence) on the 14th. Look forward to seeing your house warming online in the future.
Lovely that you’ve had time with the kids.
Hi Sue and Chris. Good to catch up on your life. We are in our 5th lockdown so not much life here in Geelong. We were off to Cairns but Dan Andrews put a stop to that trip. We wanted to get away from Winter.
We did recently ( before lockdown ) get to Newlands Arm for 3 days.
It’s was nice to see our friends but don’t regret leaving there. Tom Irving works 7 days a week doing his Covid clean etc. He and Edith love it ..the work .
The woman who bought your house works for Tom !
Keep enjoying life
Love Maureen and Rob
Always good to hear from you Maureen, hope Rob is keeping well.
Tom and Edith must be making their fortune in these Covid times😂 glad he was able to give our buyer some work she seemed a nice person and is a very good artist!
Fingers crossed you can head North sooner rather than later.
Take care and love from us.