Holidays arriving

The sun is high, the river is low - the May holiday is almost upon us and all bodes well.

Except that so many friends are absent - Gert and Elsbeth have gone back to Denmark as have Philp and Lorn; Max has gone off somewhere again, Sophia I think; The Scottish tribe are in Scotland; Ann and Kieran have gone to wherever they go; and so it goes.

Bah.

Saw a couple of goldfinches by the river, the redstarts are back in the garden.

Birdsong makes everything lovely again.

Le Bus Depaysant

 Ate with Claudinne and Jean outside the bus opposite Intermarche last night... a long overdue date as ever since it opened people have been singing its praises. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Being a bit cool here because Jean says I'm over-enthusiastic about everything.... hard for me, I don't have a cool vocabulary :)
My photos of Claudinne were bad - sadly - be assured, she is still beautiful

Nice view of Intermarche??

There was a steady stream of takeaway going on; number 07 84 45 61 04 - 

That which was lost is found

We had got so fond of this little beast! It had bags of character and was affectionate and prone to singing. So it was a sacrifice for me to make flyers, saying that if anyone had lost her to claim her by ringing me.
I was sitting with Kat in the Pont, both of us on the run from paperwork; Erika had kindly corrected my french on the posters. Hadn't even stuck up a single one when my phone rang... it was the police. Someone had come into the police station, asking if anyone had seen their cockatiel. So they rang me. And Kat and I walked round the corner to the police station and there was Melody and her mama, the rightful owners, who were very happy to have their baby back. Sniff.
Of course we are delighted. But, but, but...awwwwwwww

From station to chateau

 TyRex is in for another incarnation  - now as B/Don Quichotte - cute. Cleaned and upspruced. Full report in the fullness.

We were mightily treated to Jamsies cooking last night, blinnies, asparagus and prawn curry. The chateaus' son and heir joined us and was quite entertaining. Jamsie was of course sensational :) Cheers Darling xxxx

Found...

... one young cockatiel. She landed on Paulos head at the parking by Luc's this morning and is now homed at mine with the other parrots. Shes eating and drinking and snoozing, seems fine - though clearly been hand-reared and is no doubt missing her owner.

Entertaining life

 Gave a dinner last night, first for an age - and a hoot it was too. Gert and Elsbeth, Gracie, Max, Fran and Clare shared their good humour and interesting conversation over my surprisingly successful meal. (Duck and foie gras pies - bought in - with new pots and veggie patties: coronation chicken with orange and beetroot salad; mega good cheese; strawberries with mint, pepper and Cointreau.) Wine was consumed in large amounts.
Our friends are amazing :)

Not sure what has caused this curious telegram-ese  script - anyone remember telegrams?- but can't be bothered to find out and correct.

Arts Centre Rue General Ferrie

 Its cracking on! Stuck my nose through the new PVA windows - ugh - and took these snaps.Looks pretty good (except for aforementioned PVA windows...of course replacing the traditional ones is expensive yeah yeah.) Soon we'll stop noticing that they are all over the village and believe they are charmingly original. Yeah.

Weather dull but agreeable. Life is good.