Repas du troisieme age or old folks lunch!

We were invited to join in the 3rd age lunch this year, given by the commune and served in the village hall. The invitation said aperitifs at 12 noon and sit down at 12.30. From previous experience we know that nothing starts on time here but did think that by getting there at 12.30 we might not have to stand around for too long. When we arrived there were a lot of people there so we reckoned that we had timed it just right. Jean-Marc our neighbour was helping out with the bar so after saying hello to him we let him pour us an aperitif. Looking around the hall I did feel quite young! The venerable age of many of the people there seems to confirm the statement that people in SW France have a long life span. Several people came up and said hello to us, we still haven't got the hang or the confidence to do what we should do which is to go round the whole room and shake hands with everyone. Roland and Jeanne, our neighbours who used to produce Armagnac, arrived after we did and seemed to take forever going around and greeting everyone

By 1pm people were beginning to get seated and I asked Jeanne if we could sit with their little group as we didn't really know anyone else. She introduced us to a couple who live in the village and are from the Lille area.  Jeanne was the last to sit on our table and asked if we could move up one place as she didn''t want to be sitting next to Roland, her husband!! So I was next to Jeanne, then Nigel, then Roland and then the Lille couple. Nigel and Roland managed to have some conversation despite Nigel's basic knowledge of French and Roland's deafness. There were 3 very elderly ladies, well into their 80's, sitting opposite us and we learned that they had all been at school together until the age of 12. What a different life they have led, only at school until the age of 12 and never moving from the village. I suspect they have had very hard lives compared to mine.

Jeanne is my age and she told me that she was married at the age of 19 and that Roland is 11 years older than she is. I reckon that she too has had a hard life. Until their son Thierry took over the farm they grew vines and produced Armagnac as well as rearing capons. Jeanne still sells Armagnac at the weekly market in Grenade. When Thierry took over the farm he pulled out the vines and started producing beef cattle. Thierry is now about 40 and has never married so Jeanne and Roland aren't really retired as they need to help him out . I felt quite sad, talking to her, as I felt that she was not happy with her lot. Unlike many of the women in the village of her age she is vivacious and always dresses well. When I say that she dresses well I mean that she always looks up to date whereas many of the older ladies wear shapeless frocks and cardigans!

There was a trio of musicians, all three in their sixties, two accordionists and a guitarist and they were playing and singing until we were all seated and served with our first course. They had their meal and continued playing when coffee was served and until everyone left. Towards the end of the afternoon the mayor, Roland and another man from the village joined in with them as well.

The meal, as ever at village occasions, was substantial and there was a choice of red, rose and unusually white wine as well. We had soup followed by calves sweetbreads, duck (of course!!) salad and cheese, followed by a pear and chocolate dessert. We had never eaten calves sweetbreads before and Nigel was reluctant to try them but was persuaded to have a small portion. We were told that they were expensive and very good. I ate most of mine but can't say that I was over impressed with them and would certainly not select them from a menu if there was a choice.

After the pudding and before coffee was served I moved my chair down to the bottom of the table and had a chat with the couple from Lille (whose names I can't remember!)who were very pleasant and friendly. I got the feeling that they felt as much "foreigners" as we did being from the far North!! The mayor came round giving us all a drop of Armagnac to finish off the meal and we then said our goodbyes until the next time.