captains birthday

 ...
started in the Pont, of course, where we bumped into Barbara and Katherine. Nice. Then lunch at the auberge demi-sel, Quillan -

 with Clare and John Rushton, 

and very good too. Great company of course but the nosh was brill as well. Recommended.

Tea time occurred....

because Louise baked a vegan chocolate cake - yummy and very beautiful!

Pete and Clare have just returned from  a long absence so wonderful to see them; Dougie and Regina have been hors d'combat for a while, so ditto - plus Cen and Norbert, often spotted and always welcome -   altogether a fab birthday for the old boy.

I'm off outta here to see my family in the UK, back in a fortnight. Be good :)