CAR BOOT SALE

Sunday there was a car boot sale in the next village of Ruca.

Al got up at 6am for the early start, and we stayed till 5-30pm.

Managed to flog 74 euros worth of crap!

FISHING TRIP

Friday Al & Andy went out in Mikhail's boat for 4 hours fishing.

Scorching late afternoon, but not much success.

Total catch..1 Gurnard for Al.

A RANT - YORKSHIRE PEOPLE

I cycled up to the supermarket at Matignon this morning. As usual there were British tourists topping up their groceries, but unfortunatly today I have to report an unusual amount of Yorkshire families infesting the aisles.

Firstly in the soft drinks aisle, Father, wife and 2 kids. Father wearing a Barnsley shirt. One of the kids pointing and saying "YUK!" to all the drinks that were in the slightest way different to her standard UK fare.

Then it got worse..In the soups and sauces aisle, there to my horror was Mr fat Leeds Shirt, with Mrs Lardy wife, and the two teen girls.

All I wanted was some stock cubes, but I was drawn to the conversation by Mr & Mrs Fat Leeds over what soups they would buy. "ooo, Kylie wont like that flavour, haven't they got cream of tomato?". This conversation went on for about 5 minutes.

Low and behold, I am at the fruit stall and another Yorshire accent is behind me.."There here Barb...Bananas are "reet" here.

I had to get out, only to be in the checkout queue behing Mr & Mrs Lardy Leeds. In their shopping baket was 4 packets of tomato soup powder, and English style loaf, tins of tuna, crisps, 4 cream cakes, and some cheddar from the deli counter.

Now I have never been keen on Yorkshire folk, right from my Navy days. Arogant, always think they are right, and worst of all they call Yorkshire ...GODS COUNTRY.

Yet they come over to Brittany, don't eat out to try the local delicacies. They search for Chicken and Chips and anything recognisable from home.

If Yorkshire is so bloody great you tight northern gits, go to bloody Scarborough for your holidays, and take your badly dragged up kids with you.

There you can munch fish 'n' chips all day and sup warm northern ale!

You won't be missed here!

THE GROWING SEASON

This years growing patch has been extended, thanks to having more time, and also thanks to having a rotorvator.

So far, and doing well are, Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, Cauliflowers, Sprouts, Green Beans, Haricot Beans, French Beans, Broad Beans (We like Beans!), Beetroot, Courgettes,Strawberries, Lettuces, Tomatoes, Raspberries.

Also a ton of plums are starting to show on the trees.

SMARTENING UP THE OLD PIG STY

The outbuildings needed smartening up, so they have had all the old paint scraped off, and done in white crepi (a paint with sand in, very Greek style)

Trouble is, Al got half way through it, and it's rained everyday since. You need 2 days guarenteed good weather to get this paint to set hard.

DOGS DOING WELL

Arthur is well settled in and getting on well with Bella. The play is boisterous most the day, and they have become firm friends.

Fighting over an "old scrubber"

VISITORS.

Marie's family came out for a week. Eric, Ann, and siter Liz (Why is sister in law called "Belle Soeur" in French?)

It rained and rained, then it was cloudy, and very little sunshine.

Ann with Bella and Arthur.

Bye then!..Anyone else noticed the sun started to come out?

Only joking!

OOOO..LOOK, WE ARE FAMOUS.

EUROPEAN DAY

Sunday was a celebration of europe day up at the lake. The local tourist board had a bright idea to invite all the non-French residence to a picnic, lured by a couple of free drinks, how could we resist.

There were Breton games, music and everyone bought a bit of their culture to the picnic.

We did scotch eggs, cheddar and took some homemade chutney.

Al, Andy and Mikhail enjoy a pastis.

The whole day knackered Arthur

TEAM COME HOME

The team ruturned home on Saturday for a party with bar owner Bruno.

We have had lots of congratulations from the locals.

Now for 3 months off before the new season, we think we can do even better next year.

COUPE DE FRANCE

After 7 months of the league season, and regional cup knockout games, this was what it was all about. The French Darts Championship in Laval

The magnificent Salle Polyvalente was the venue.

We travelled up on the Wednesday to be settled in before the Cup de France on Thursday morning. The final 64 teams in all of France in a knockout tournament.

St Potan being the smallest team (population wise) by a country mile!

My pre tournament photo infront of the big stage where all the semi finals and finals were to be played.

Well we didn't expect to win, but somehow we finished =17th. Unbelievable performance. Just outside the medals.

However, Friday was our big chance as the regional finals were being held. The 90 best teams in Brittany who had qualified via their league position.

16 groups of 5 teams with the top 4 qualifying for the knockout. We started our first game at 9-30am.

We went through in 3rd place in the group having won 2 and lost 2, and to be honest not playing particularly well...HOWEVER..

Action from the last 64. We beat Rennes

In the last 32 we beat the home team Laval

Then it went on until the semi final where we beaten by a great team from St Malo
.

We had our moment of glory getting the cup on the stage.

And for me who has only been playing electronic darts for a year..A very proud moment.
BEST MOMENTS..Scoring a 150 with 3 bullseyes (The 25 counts as 50 here), and a 127 finish in the last 16.

WORST MOMENT ..Missing a double 15 in the quarter final which nearly cost us!

Next year we are coming back to win it!

FRENCH DARTS CUP FINAL..THE CELEBRATION

Andy celebrates..played out of his skin..even tho' he was out of his mind for most the day!

Robere with the cup. Steady reliable and played some great darts.

John..Oldest member of the team and only soiled himself once. He has already forgotten we have been to Laval!

Al & Robere at the aftermatch celebration.

All too much for the old man!

Get in there! I'm not drunk..honest!

THIS IS IT..THE TIME HAS COME

The darts team leave for Laval this afternoon for the Coupe de France.

The last 64 teams left in the country will battle it out from 0930 on Thursday morning for the right to be crowned cup kings of all France.

Al, John, Andy, & Robert are representing St Potan, the smallest village ever to qualify for this stage of the tournament.

The final is due to be played around 6pm Thursday.

In all honesty we expect to get knocked out early on, but last nights practice went well, and we might spring a surprise or two.

Friday we are playing in the regional leagues play offs, with a chance of getting promoted into the regional "elite league"

Results and pictures will be up on Saturday afternoon.

COME ON ST POTAN !!

BLOG FANS..MEET ARTHUR

This is Arthur, a 3 year old husky/alsation crosss who is our new addition to the team.

Jo & Steve who live an hour away needed to rehome him as they are returning to the UK shortly.

As Steve is a musician and will be on the road for long spells, they were desperate to re-home him.

Bella has taken to him very quickly, and they are already enjoying playing in the garden.

Having just gone for our first walk with the two of them, it seems all will be well!

JUST 6 DAYS TO GO

Only 6 days till the French darts cup finals day.

64 teams remain in France, and we are one of them.

Travelling to Laval on Wednesday afternoon to get some serious training in before our first match at 9-30am on Thursday morning.

As we normally play darts with a few beers inside us first, we need to find a bar that opens at 5am !!!