When Jennifer, Max and Beryl came to stay.

My old friend and mother of my beautiful daughter-in-law, Sasa, Jennifer came along with her brother Max and his wife Beryl on the 9th August.
They had driven down from Caen and stayed a night in Laval and a night in Angouleme on the way here.
The, not too weary, travellers arrived about 6pm just in time for an aperitif or two. It was a beautiful evening and so we ate and a chatted outside until it was time for bed.
Next day dawned hot and sunny so everyone was happy to enjoy the sun and relax in the garden. Determined that they should see a bit of local "culture" I managed to drag them out in the afternoon. We went to Eugenie les Bains and had a walk around the gardens there before sitting in the shade and relaxing with a beer. The purpose of this outing was to see a course landaise so we went and got a good position in the arena about 1/2 an hour before it started. It was exceedingly hot with no shade so we were all soon rather overheated. A couple of chaps were watering the sand in the arena and at one point they hosed us down! I have to say that it was very welcome and our clothes soon dried out. I think everyone enjoyed the course but we only stayed for the first half which lasted an hour. It was so hot and the cement seating was very hard that we all felt that an hour was enough.
After an overnight thunderstorm the next day was damp and cool. In the morning we went into town and did some shopping at Leclerc and then had a coffee in the town centre. By the afternoon the sun was out so it was back to relaxing in the garden and gaining energy for the night to come. It was the last night of the local fete in Maurrin, our next village, so we were going to eat there. We arrived about 8.30pm and there were already crowds of people there. Large open sided marquees had been erected and long tables were ready for the meal. We managed to find some places and waited for the food. What a meal, 6 courses, all well prepared and efficiently served. We had "tourrin" which is tomato soup with vermicelli, tomato salad, "Daube de taureau" (beef stew) which had been cooked slowly and was beautifully flavoured with herbs, steak and chips, cheese and green salad and finally coffee or chocolate liegois. All this was rounded off with coffee and Armagnac. Then the disco started and we "girls" were soon strutting our stuff!!! Not as young as we used to be but we can still strut a bit!! Even Max and Nigel took to the floor, Nigel rather briefly but at least he made an effort. We made it back home by about 1pm and were soon slumbering away.
On Tuesday morning I had a big treat when Max cooked a big breakfast for us! Surprised that we could eat it after last nights feed but we did do justice to the excellent cuisine. What a treat!We girls then decided to go into Aire sur l'Adour to visit the market. We had no sooner got parked and got half way to the market when the heavens opened. I had an umbrella so the passers by were treated to the sight of the 3 of us, arms around each other, huddling under the umbrella. Don't worry I said, it's only a shower but I'm afraid to say that I was wrong. Beryl made a dash for it, back to the car, to get another brolly and we then walked into the town. After buying postcards and having a coffee the "shower" was continuing so we gave up and came back home.
After lunch the sky brightened a bit and relaxing in the garden continued.
Wednesday was their last day and after a late and lazy morning we went to the hotel du Commerce at Estang where the set lunch was as good as ever. Back home for a last laze in the garden before they packed ready for their departure in the morning.
So next morning they were on there way again. I have to say that I give them full marks for their efficiency at clearing up after the meals we had here. It was almost as if I waved a magic wand and everything disappeared miraculously into the dishwasher and anything that wouldn't fit in was washed and dried in the twinkling of an eye. Thanks folks for being such good guests and looking forward to your next visit.

The hot, hell that was Bayonne!

We had to go to Bayonne on Thursday as Nigel had an appointment,at 3pm, to meet the anaethetist and surgeon prior to going in for his biopsy at the end of the month.
We left here at 11.30 so that we could have lunch on the way. The roads were quiet, the sun was shining, the scenery was stunning and by 12.15 we were looking for somewhere to have lunch. Now I am sure we have all been in the same situation - how many suitable looking places do we see just when we have got past them and there is no easy way to turn around! Sods law! Time goes on, there seems to be a dearth of eating places and finally one says what the hell, stop looking for just the right place, anywhere will do. So, we stopped at the next one, it looked OK, menu seemed to be OK, let's go for it. The reception was fine, we were shown to a nice table, it didn't look too crowded. The menu came very quickly and the waitress went too quickly, before I had had chance to say we wanted the menu du jour. When I managed to catch her eye and ask what the plat du jour was she said that it was lasagne but that there was only one left. So, we had to go back to the menu. After deciding on a salad we were, finally, able to order our meal. By this time a couple of guys who came in after us had almost finished their menu du jour, 3 courses, and we were still without even a carafe of water, something that is usually brought to the table automatically. I asked for water, it never came. We watched another couple who had arrived after us start tucking in to their meal and we decided that the time had come to make a quick exit. Fortunately there was a pizza establishment over the road that also did salads so we went in there, it was empty, the service was quick and the salad was good. Not quite what we had envisaged, a lazy lunch on the terrace of some nice local establishment, but heigh ho, by this time we were past caring!!
So, on to Bayonne. We have been to Bayonne before but not in the height of the holiday season. It is quite a large town and we didn't really know where we were going as the print out I had taken from the web seemed to bear no resemblance to where we were. Not helped either that the fete of Bayonne had started the night before and many streets as well as the town centre were closed to traffic. The streets that weren't closed to traffic were crammed with parked cars and the streets were full of "festyres" (festival goers) dressed in white top and trousers, red neckerchiefs and red cummerbunds. They all looked very happy and excited despite the heat and the crowds, in marked contrast to Nigel and myself who were desperately trying to find the clinic Lafourcade and not far from the divorce court! Suddenly I saw a sign saying clinic La..... so I quickly turned down the side street and into the clinic car park. Phew, what a relief, but of course there was nowhere to park. A chap appeared to unlock the oxygen/gas compound so I asked him if there was anywhere that I could park. Although there was a sign, forbidding parking by the compound, he said that we could park there. Normally I would have been a bit apprehensive as there was also a sign saying that any vehicle parked there would be towed away but we threw caution to the wind and did as he said. We went into the reception area at the clinic with 10 minutes to spare only to be told that we were at the wrong place. We were at the clinic La...... not the clinic Lafourcade!. The receptionist was most helpful and told us that it would be easier to walk there, that it would take us about 10 minutes. So now, instead of being early we were going to be late! Off we went, through the searing heat and the festive crowds, to find the right clinic. Hot and sweating we got there to be told that the 3pm appointment wasn't until 5.30pm. No, no I said, we were told to be here at 3 to see the anaethetist as well. Ah, yes she said and took us off to the anaethetists' waiting room. Half an hour later, slightly less hot and sweaty we saw the anaethetist who was very pleasant and efficient. Back to the first waiting room where we were told that we may have to wait a "petit moment" to see the surgeon. I love that saying, "petit moment", such a nice way of saying that it may be quite a while!! By this time I was beginning to get worried about the car so I left Nigel in the waiting room whilst I went to, hopefully, rescue the car and move it to the car park at the correct clinic. About half way there I realised that I was feeling rather overheated and faint and by some great chance I saw that I was right by a shop where I could buy a bottle of water. Half a litre of water later I felt restored enough to get back to the car which I am pleased to say hadn't been towed away. As I opened the car door it felt as though I had opened the door to a furnace! The temperature on the dashboard showed 38C, no wonder I had felt somewhat hot. I managed to drive back to the other clinic with the air con on at full blast and by some miracle managed to get into the last parking space in the clinic car park. Nigel was still waiting for a "petit moment" so all was well. When we finally got in to see the surgeon it was well worth the wait!! Very dishy!! Apart from which he filled us both full of confidence and explained everything very clearly. His English was very good and he was very keen to answer any questions Nigel might have, and there were plenty! We finally left the clinic at 5.45 and were able to get out of Bayonne with no problems. I felt no envy at seeing all the festival goers I just wanted to get out and get back home!!

A visit from Titch

Titch arrived at Pau airport on the 23rd July to spend a week with us. It was my first visit to the airport and I was very impressed with it, a beautiful, new, modern building on the edge of town. It was quite late when we got back here, almost midnight, so after showing Titch to her room and a quick chat it was off to bed.
We had a very busy and enjoyable week and managed to fit in a lot.
The first afternoon I took her on a tour of the Tursan, visiting Geaune, Miramont, Pimbo and then on to Eugenie for a coffee and a look around the gardens.
On Friday we went over to Lily's for coffee and then brought Lily back here, picked up Nigel and the 5 of us went down to Grenade for lunch. We had lunch at the Pain et Adour hotel/restaurant, sitting on the terrace by the river. A beautiful setting and beautiful food, what more can I say, we were all very impressed!
Saturday was to be a relaxing day but Titch was kind enough to start cutting the lawn for us, something that Nigel hasn't been fit enough to do since he came out of hospital. It was very hot and after doing most of the grass we were able to stop her and drag her indoors to cool off. In the evening Titch and I went to the night market in St Sever. Lots of interesting stalls to look at, a nice bar to sit outside, enjoy a drink and watch the world go by. The evening ended with us sitting on the curb eating ham and cheese crepes.
Sunday morning we went over to Hontanx to a very poor vide grenier (car boot sale), it had rained heavily during the night so there were few stalls there. By the afternoon the grass had dried out and Titch heroically finished cutting the grass. What a star!!
Monday morning we went into Mont de Marsan and had a look round the town. It was looking rather less pretty than normal as they were clearing up after the big fete and many of the shops were shut. We did a quick shop at Leclerc as my hard working guest wanted to cook dinner for us in the evening. Another gold star for her!!
Nigel and I went to see his consultant in the afternoon, all nicely refreshed after her holiday. She has made an appointment for him to go to Bayonne on Thursday to see the aneathetist and surgeon as it has been decided that they need to do a lung biopsy to try and find out what exactly is his problem.
My dreams of sitting on the patio with a glass of chilled rose were slightly shattered as Titch needed to know where everything was in the kitchen whilst she was preparing our meal! Not complaining, honestly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The meal was well worth it and I will let her cook again (and cut the grass again) should she ever dare set foot in the house another time.
Tuesday we went over to Estang and had a menu du jour in the garden of the hotel du Commerce, a very pleasant lunchtime.
At 5pm Titch and I did a guided tour of the chateau de Ravignan not far from here. Another chateau that is lived in and one where the owner himself does the tour. At the end of the visit we were taken to see the "chai" where the armagnac that is made there is stored and given a tasting of the armagnac too.
Wednesday was Titchs' last day and in the morning we went up to the market at Villeneuve. As her flight wasn't until 10.30 pm we thought that it would be a good idea to have a look around Pau and its gardens in the afternoon and early evening. Nigel, wisely as it turned out!, decided to stay here. Not that there was anything wrong with Pau and its gardens but it was extremely hot, about 35C and not quite the ideal day for walking round a town. However we managed, with a couple of pit stops, to see the gardens and the town centre as well as having a meal, near the chateau, before it was time to leave for the airport.
Despite all the outings and sightseeing I think that one of the biggest delights of Titchs' holiday was the sight of 2 woodpeckers on the lawn at the back of the house early one morning.
A busy week, lots of food, quite a lot of drinks (especially the rose at Estang!!) and lots of fun.

Fete in Castandet

Our village fete turned out to be a bit of a non event for us as this was on the weekend that Nigel was admitted to hospital. However I did go to the course landaise which was held on the Sunday evening. I enjoyed it much more than a bigger one as the arena was a temporary one which had been erected on the car park of the village hall. This meant that the seating area was much nearer and so one had a much better view. There were several attempts by the cows to gore the "coursairs" which made it much more exciting but happily they were all able to pick themselves up, dust themselves down and carry on.

Sjef and Leonoors visit.

Sjef and Leonoor, friends from Ariege arrived at lunchtime on the day that Nigel came out of hospital. He was very pleased to be home as he had been looking forward to their visit. The next day was Leonoor's birthday and we booked to have dinner in Geaune that evening. We left here just after lunch to catch the 3pm tour of the chateau de Mascaraas down near Garlin. Nigel and I had been before and were very impressed with the place. It is privately owned and it is the owner who does the guided tour. He seemed quite dour at first but he did brighten up as the afternoon went on. It can't be easy doing 2 tours a day round his property. The chateau is on the borders of Armagnac and Bearn and was constructed in the 17th century.
The tour lasted a couple of hours and Nigel and Leonoor were pretty shattered so we then went into Garlin and had a beer on the terrace of a bar. After that we drove on through Miramont and Lauret, to Pimbo. Pimbo is a beautiful little Bastide, the oldest in Les Landes, situated at the south eastern edge of Les Landes with views across the plain to the mountains.
Finally it was time to drive on to Geaune and have an aperitif in the bar before going in to eat. We all enjoyed the meal and had far too much to eat!
Next day our friends left us to go back to Ariege. A good visit with lots of fun and laughter as you can see from the photograph!

More medical matters

Nigel had the scan a month after he had finished a course of steroids but had to wait until the end of July to see his consultant as she was on holiday. Unfortunately he started with another infection at the beginning of July and had to go into hospital again. Once again it was at a weekend so I rang up the duty doctor and after giving her a brief low down on his troubles she advised us to go to casualty as the hospital had all his notes. After 3 hours in casualty where they gave him a good going over and did an x-ray they decided to admit him. The Monday was the 4th of July and a public holiday so he didn't see his hospital consultant until the Tuesday and he then prescribed a new antibiotic for him and he was allowed home on the Thursday. He was not so ill this time and was pretty bored in the hospital so was glad to be able to get home.