Beautiful Thursday

Admitedly I'm still on a high by simply being here - but it WAS a beautiful Thursday!                                                                                                                                                     The sun was strong after an icy night and our little market blossomed. Someone was selling oysters so me and Kelly had them for lunch, which is when we realised that normally girls are presented with a mouth-ready mollusc and neither of us had ever opened them before.                                                                                                                                                You Tube to the rescue - experts within a few mins., and deliciousness a gogo :)                                                                                                                                                              Mind you, six each was enough. We were exhausted after that,

En route to visit Andree afterwards I found a council worker putting up another information panel, in the place Gen Lafite opposite the school. It seems that there will be another in the square and yet another by the stade.  What with the one on the bridge (see below) we will be 'bien informe', the worker said, deadpan.

Andree is not particularly well - the back persists in being nasty - but her spirit shines. Dosen't she deserve a miracle? Anyone know where you get them?

In the meantime , Mary C writes that she is  looking for someone who would like a bargain room at Ibis Centre ( budget ) Toulouse. Saturday 19th December  , 28€ For the room. -she's overbooked and a room is going begging. Central, cheap, what a great idea; give yourself a holiday in the big city. Will happily put you in touch.

Tea and Stollen

 Andree gave tea to me, Bob and John - not English tea but not bad :)

We went to Quillan for the evening and ate at Marie-Claudes (opposite the station) where she has taken in a pregnant cat and her subsequent five kittens. They live in the resturant, of course. The food there is so very good that there is no chance  of this putting off the health concious.

We were in Quillan to go the cine-club and see Scarlet Johansson in Under the Skin. Loved it massively. Its showing again tonight, if you are about it is highly recommended
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/16/scarlett-johansson-interview-middle-ground-under-the-skin-sodastream

Steves back:)

 Et voila! Ex-Esperazannes  Steve is here for a few days; together with Ryan and Alicia, Phil and Lily, Andree joined Bob and me for a stupendous meal. Shes only looking suspicious because shes tasting carefully; smoked salmon - the fish caught, cured and smoked by Phil in America- ; brie and herb pastry cake by Alicia;  tomato and coconut milk soup by Ryan;  pork and jeweled rice with pistachio by the team; we decided against the cheese course and finished with ginger and pear and squash crumble;  plus, hey ho, chocolates from a vast selection bought by Steve from Switzerland.  Everyone is staying till Thursday by which time I shall be as a barrage balloon.