TFF Fest.

and Rambo came too.

The France forum is a forum dedicated to expats who live in France and anyone with an interest in France which was started just over a year ago. It had been decided to have a gathering for members to meet "face to face" and get to know each other. It was to be held in the Dordogne, on the farm of Irene and Fabrice who we have known for some time, on the first weekend in August. We decided to camp and went up on the Thursday so that we could give irene and Fabrice a hand in getting ready for the weekend. We arrived about 5pm and after setting up the tent settled down to chat, on the terrace, over our evening meal. It was good to see Irene and Fabrice again and to meet the delicious Marco, an young Italian who was staying with them. The first night under canvas was OK but our bed left something to be desired from the comfort point of view and I was delighted, the next day, when Irene loaned us a mattress!
On Friday morning N set to work mowing grass and pruning back branches and brambles and I helped Irene with tidying up around the house and terrace.Fabrice got the keys for the village hall which we had hired for the weekend and we took some things down there in readiness for the weekend. There were 3 arrivals in the afternoon one who was  camping and a couple in their camper van. Later in the afternoon Irene and I went into her neighbouring village to go to the butcher and then met up with a friend of hers who invited us back to her place for a drink where we met up with another friend. A pleasant interlude.

Fabrice enjoying a pastis.

Meanwhile back at the farm the aperitif hour seemed to have started. One guest who was due about 7.30 was bringing lots of food so we decided to abandon any thoughts of cooking and wait for his arrival. Luckily he arrived, somewhat later than 7.30, and had made a large and tasty tartiflette which soon disappeared. That was followed by his home made far Breton (a yummy Breton type of cake with prunes).
What with the luxury of the borrowed mattress and the evenings food and wine intake a very comfortable night was spent in our tent.

Breakfast time.

Irene taking photo of me taking photo of her.

After breakfasting al fresco N went to see what odd jobs he could do and I took myself down to the village hall to prepare some dishes for the evening.Back to the farm to find several more people had arrived and their offerings were soon on the table and we got down to the serious business of eating and chatting. After lunch I sneaked off to the tent for a lie down so that I would be fresh as a daisy for the evening's celebrations! When I emerged from my siesta several more people had arrived and everyone was sitting around chatting and getting to know each other before dispersing and getting ready for the evening.
A very pleasant evening was had by one and all. Lots of eating, drinking, chatting and dancing.
Another al fresco breakfast on Sunday morning and several people left for home whilst the rest of us prepared for yet another day of eating, drinking and chatting. Lunch was organised and set out in the village hall and the afternoons rain and thunder didn't dampen any ones spirits. Everyone helped with the clearing up so the village hall was left as we had found it and then most people took their leave. There was just N and I left along with one more couple and of course Irene and Fabrice. No one had any energy left and none of us needed any more food so we retired to the tent well before 9pm.
We were away next morning leaving irene and Fabrice with some well deserved peace and quiet!
A good weekend which left us with many memories.