Last but not least!!!!!!!
Sunday the 12th October saw the arrival of my old hunting mates, Dave, Sheila and Jan at Bordeaux airport. I was so excited that they were finally arriving in France after 11 years.
The flight was on time and we shrieked and hugged as they came into the arrival area. They couldn't believe that they had finally made it and neither could I. We got back here about 5.30 and after I had shown them their accommodation and they had met the dogs we sat outside and had an aperitif. Lots of chatting, laughter and a meal before bedtime.
Monday dawned damp and grey and after a leisurely start to the day we decided to go to Pau for the afternoon. En route to Pau we had lunch at the hotel du Parc in Garlin. I had never been before but it had been highly recommended to me and it turned out to be excellent value and good food. On to Pau and the sun came out and by the time we had parked the car it was pretty hot for the time of year. We went and visited the chateau and had a guided tour and then walked on the boulevard des Pyrenees and had a drink at a pavement cafe. Sadly the mountains were not in view today. Walked through the town centre where we went into Galeries Lafayette so that Sheila could buy a comb and Jan and I tried out different expensive perfumes!
Back home where we all sat out and nibbled bread, cheese and pate washed down with wine by Jan and I and whiskey for Dave and Sheila until it was time for bed.
Tuesday moning we visited the market in Aire sur l'Adour and then went on to Eugenie les Bains for lunch followed by a walk around the gardens. We came back via Grenade sur l'Adour for a small shop in Leclerc.
Another pleasant evening sitting and nibbling around the table outside, so lucky that the weather is mild and we were able to do that. The tree frogs were croaking away most of the evening.
Wednesday we had planned to drive over to Cambo to see Nigel. We got there about 11.30 and had a quick look around the town before going to pick him up. My idea was to go to the sea at St Jean de Luz but due to lack of route planning (OK it was my fault!) we ended up going in the wrong direction. By the time we had realised this we were in St Jean de Pied de Port which, after a quick look at the map, was too far to turn round and go back. Anyway it was a happy mistake as it is a beautiful, old town with an amazing old citadel and is on the pilgrims route for St Jean de Compostella. We had a very good lunch in the citadel and then walked along the wall of the citadel before walking back to the car through the beautiful old streets of the town. It was soon time to take Nigel back to Cambo and for the rest of us to continue on back here.
Another evening sitting outside and chatting but we were all early to bed as we have an early start in the morning .
The train to take them back to Bordeaux from Mont de Marsan is at 8am so I was up at 6.30, a great shock to the system, much to the amusement of my guests. I had said that we needn't leave until 20 to 8 but the general opinion was that we should leave earlier. Just as well as I hadn't realised that most people and schools start at 8am. I have never seen so much traffic in town, it's not often that I am up and about so early in the day!
So back home again it seemed very quiet after a wonderful 4 days. So much laughter and chatting. So much reminiscing, so much fun. Thank you, my friends, for finally coming to visit and thank you for being such wonderful guests.
Heres to the next time!!
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