25/03/2019 OAP Local Commune Luncheon

Maximum temperature today 12C, minimum 4C.  Dry. 21 km/h North-easterly, very cold winds with gusts up to 47 km/h.

The temperatures drop more again tomorrow with a possible frost.

Yesterday we had our annual free lunch the commune puts on for its pensioners.  Always a good meal, and a great atmosphere.  The sun was shining and it was a perfect day.

We started off with snacks and an aperitif outside enjoying the warmer weather.

We then made our way back into the hall where we sat down to eat our way slowly through the menu...

Our mayor greeting us all...

and a short chat.  Such a nice person, a pharmacist by trade.

I did not take a photo of the soup, not really interesting, but tasty and seconds if we wanted it.  This is the assiette fois gras, something I do not eat out of choice simply because I do not like how the birds are force-fed, but I have to say I enjoy it when it is there to be eaten.

There was as much red, rose or white wine as one wanted to drink

Following was the pear sorbet with liqueur of course, again no photo.  This was the main course of a large thick slice of very tender lamb leg with mashed potatoes, tomato and beans.

This was followed by 3 kinds of cheese and salad and this course I did forgot the photo!

Dessert was Dôme Mangue with fruit and chocolate which was quite delicious.  Nigel had coffee which I seldom drink, and this was then followed by a glass of champagne.

At the end of the meal, each lady was given a primula plant to take home,...

mine was a deep burgundy colour and it has lots of buds.

We arrived home just before sunset and what a sunset it was.

See also my Bird blog 

and My life In the Charente

11/11/2018 We shall not forget them

Maximum temperature today 15C, minimum 10C.  2mm of rain measured this morning and still raining; 15km/h south-easterly winds gusting up to 38 km/h. 

The wreath is laid at our local village war memorial.

A minute's silence, before all the names on the memorial are read out.

In the village hall, one of our local residents has his display of WW1 memorabilia.

as above...

As above...

As above.  The articles on the wall give a brief but excellent year by year summary of the Great War and I have put them on a separate page HERE for those of you who speak French and might like to read further.

The service was followed by a repas (meal) that was cooked by the local ladies...

Here is the Maire (mayor), who, apart from his official duties, takes part in all village social affairs, serving up a tray of duck legs which were part of the main course.

I am not very good at selfies, but here I am with a flame lily (for all the Rhodesians) a poppy (for Remembrance) and the cornflower (for the French).

The local church looking pretty good for its age. The first stone was laid in the year 1080.

I have updated my bird blog HERE.

23/01/2017 Out for a quick bit of shopping and a couple of bird shots.

Maximum temperature 8C, minimum -4C. 37km/h NE  wind. Dry but with a light frost.

The Mayor's office in Saint Adjutory...

They have put in brand new roads and pavements...

Looking the other way.

On the way to the shops a narrow two way road!

Brico - our hardware store...

anyone for a new watering can?...

or some plants.

Blue Tit at the window....

and the robin on the rosemary...

as above.

24/07/2014 Random shots in the garden. Nigel's cycle ride. The holiday continues with the Fiesa Sand Sculpture Festival 2014, Portugal

Maximum temperature 29C.  Dry.

Nigel's cycle ride.

Photos from our holiday, the Fiesa Sand Sculpture Festival in Portugal, the biggest sand sculpture festival in the world 28/06/14. See previous posts.