The maximum temperature here today is 39⁰C, minimum 21⁰C. North-East winds of 14 km/h with gusts up to 27 km/h. Luckily we have a very cool house!!
Me 1943 U.K.
1953 "leaving the UK" to live in Rhodesia.
David, Mum, Diane, Dad.
Me 1973
Diane and Nigel 19/08/2023 at L'intemporal restaurant.
42nd wedding anniversary on Monday 28th
La Rochefoucauld Chateau in the background of the restaurant
Pont du château de la Rochefoucauld 17th century vaulted arch bridge.
La Rochefoucauld Chateau.
The castle's humble beginning dates back to year 980, from a wooden camp that was built by Foucauld on a rocky spur. The word 'rock', in fact, translates to 'Roche' in French. A square keep was then constructed by his son at the same site in 11th century.
Me 19/08/2023
Menu
Amuse bouche.
Not on the menu, but this was like a gazpacho cold soup and was delicious.
Le Crabe
I forgot to take a photo of Le Turbo!!!
La Boeuf.
I forgot a photo of La Burrata as well - an Italian soft cheese.
Notre glace Chocolate/Pralin, and a candle for me to blow out. I am glad it was only one and not 80!!
Nigel bought me the biggest bunch of flowers I have ever seen, this is half....
and this is the other half.
The same as above but from a different angle.
Nigel also bought me a charcoal sketch of Wild Dogs which is superb. Once framed that just may appear in another blog
Wow. Diane. What a super way to celebrate your birthday. A delicious elaborate meal and those flowers , a huge bouquet .. all fabulous xxx love from me xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Anne. It was of course a very special birthday, even if I still do not believe I am really 80!!! Nigel spoiled me rotten and we had a fabulous day, I hope all is well with you. take care, cheers Diane xox
DeleteStill beautiful inside and out. Your light shines through.
ReplyDeleteVery kind words Gaelyn, thank you so much. Hugs Diane
DeleteCongratulations - it all looks wonderful ... and you look excellent for 4 x 20 ... almost 20 again ... all that gardening. I'm so pleased for you both - he looks pretty good too!! The food looks and sounds yummy and in a wonderful setting ... gosh some French food would be good ... cheers and here's to a few more happy years ahead - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary for the very kid comment, gardening obviously is good for the soul! I hope all is well over there, Cheers 🥂🍾 Diane
DeleteGosh - what I didn't say ... was how much I loved the photos ... excellent to include those - just add to the post and your life - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI just thought a few extra shots would give a bit extra to the 80 years. 😊 Best wishes, Diane :
DeleteSo sorry, Diane - I had intended to send you a birthday greeting on Saturday, but events caught up with me. That celebration meal looks fabulous! However, I think you made a typo - surely it was your fourtieth birthday! Nigel certainly stepped upo to the mark in style.
ReplyDeleteMy very best wishes to you for a week's time - if you are going to eat out like that again, you'd better start fasting now!
Take good care, both of you - - - - Richard
Hi Richard and thanks you for those lovely words. I do not really believe it myself, but checking all the paperwork the date remains 19/08/1943 !! Nigel really went to a lot of trouble, heaven knows what I am going to do for his 80th in 2027.
DeleteDifferent restaurant for the 28th but it has a Michelin star!
Very best wishes to you and the family, keep well and keep walking. Cheers Diane
Happy Birthday, Diane! That meal looks exquisite!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Angie, comment much appreciated. Take care Diane
DeleteAll the very best, Diane. You look absolutely stunning at eighty, but I have to confess I loved the family picture when you were about to set off for Africa, where you were wearing a duffle coat. Seems like we all had one of those at one time or another, with the trademark pegs, but you don’t see them any more. You have weathered well! The Fates have been kind to you, and we are all the better for you having come into our lives. I just wish you lived a little closer. Mille bisous chère Diane.
ReplyDeleteMerci beaucoup David. I also like that photo of us leaving the UK in the cold, the arrival in warm weather is not nearly so good :-) I think I am so much better for all of you having come into my life. I have made so many friends since I started blogging 08/02/2010, and many I have met, everyone has been amazing.
DeleteBisous mon ami.
Belated best wishes Diane! Have a wonderful year ahead. Enjoy every minute!
ReplyDeleteI realise now that I really need to live every day to the best of my ability and I hope that I still have many days to do that in. Cheers Diane
DeleteHappy Birthday Diane! Thank you for all these delightful photos! That's a great way to celebrate! Such beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise I am still contemplating where all those years actually went to!! Keep well, Diane
DeleteAh yes, I am asking myself the same question :)
DeleteHappy birthday. A great way to celebrate an important day.
ReplyDeleteThe family pictures are very beautiful and you look young!!!
All the best.
Thanks so much Stefano, your comment is much appreciated. I hope all is well with you, Saluti, Diane
DeleteTrès bon anniversaire avec un peu de retard Diane. Ces plats devaient être très bons.
ReplyDeleteNigel aime les belle fleurs 😉😉😉.
Bisous au frais dans la maison....
Merci Nathalie. Nigel m'a également acheté un croquis au fusain de 2 lycaons africains chassant. Il est encadré et est très beau. Il fait très chaud dans le jardin ! Bisous Diane
DeleteI have to say that the picture from 1973 is wonderful. (Not that the others are not!). I hope the years are as kind to me as they have been to you! Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
ReplyDeleteThank you Stewart, comment appreciated. My life has been interesting to say the least of it.. Driving overland to Africa at 9 years old, living in 5 countries. Working with horses and vets, meeting amazing people, and then meeting Nigel at 38. Cheers Diane
DeleteHappy belated birthday! I love photos of ones past growing up. You are such a lovely lady. I'm glad you and your husband had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes Yvonne and the kind words, appreciated. Keep well Diane
DeleteHappy Anniversary Diane. I am disappointed that I wasn't invited to share that wonderful looking meal as i would have liked to taste the turbot, so good that everyone was too busy tucking in to take a photograph. I must say that you are a very glamorous couple living the good life as you do. Maybe there will be a photo of another glamorous couple living it up in Greece in a week or two?
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil, are you heading to Greece then? We do live fairly well Phil, but it is also a lot of hard work and at present we are almost self sufficient from the garden. August is a month of celebrations with my birthday and our anniversary. Keep well, Cheers Diane
DeleteSorry that I missed your birthday. It looks like you had a super time in that beautiful restaurant with a view of an ancient castle. You look as beautiful as ever and not at all like an eighty year old. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane for the kind comment, I was looking at a photo of my Mum on her 80th today and I must say she certainly did not look it. Hope you are both well after Bill's problems. Take care, t'other Diane
DeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY Diane! You are a stunning 80 year old. You and I have been Blogger friends for many years. Have a great year. Jo
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo, Sorry the reply has taken so long, just so much to do here with all the fruit trees and the veggie garden. Hope you are well, Diane
DeleteA belated Happy Birthday Diane! You look wonderful at age 80 so everything seems to be agreeing with you in France. I'm sorry I haven't visited your blog/s lately but for some reason I haven't been getting any notice. Oh dear, ever since I got my new computer it seems I've had all kinds of problems related to blogging. Heaven help me :-)
ReplyDeleteDo not worry I have not been blogging often as so much to do here and not enough hours in the day. To add to that I also have a new computer............. Keep calm and take care, Diane
DeleteCatch up with you soon Diane. Here in Skiathos after the floods only yesterday could I connect my laptop.
ReplyDeleteI hope the weather settles enough for you to enjoy. I am so busy here with all the fruit and trying to preserve that blogging just us not happening. Take care and I hope you manage to have a good holiday, cheers Diane
DeleteBonjour Diane.
ReplyDeletePas de problème en Charente j'espère ? La météo est vraiment incroyable ces jours-ci.
Il y a du travail dehors.
Gros bisous et à bientôt j'espère.
Je vais bien, juste très occupé avec tous les fruits et légumes du jardin. Bisous Diane
DeleteCongratulations! Very nice series of historical and celebratory images. I hit 88 on August 29.
ReplyDeleteWell done, and thanks, I hope I have a few more years to go yet :-) Cheers Diane
Delete