THE 4TH ANNUAL ANGLO/FRENCH BBQ

After a weeks delay, the 4th annual BBQ at Mansion Gard took place on Monday.

All the good and great of the village turned up and we had..

Hoisin Pork, Sausages, many salads, cheese, and a choice of desserts.

We are posh now because we have a gazebo...tho' shortly after this picture was taken, Bella whipped a soft cornetto down right under it!

So, off the top of my head..Me, Marie, John Roberts & Chrissie, Bruno & Marylene, Roger & Henrietta, New neighbours Charles and Crystelle, Josie, Alain & Menguez, John Beasley, Mikhail & Natasha, Andy, Olivier & Nadine, Lolo and his strange family from up the lane.

I think that is it?

A balmy evening that was 75 degrees at 9pm.

Bruno the village barman was well under control from his wife!

Everyone enjoyed the food cooked by the greatest chef that ever sailed an ocean.

Marie made an outstanding key lime pie.

And that was that for another year.

Thanks to everyone who came..A great night.

A BIT OF EXTRA WORK

A bit of extra work on the way to a normal day at the equestrian centre.

I'm now cleaning and opening up the swimming pool at the camp site in Ruca.

Hoover the pool, test the water for chlorine and PH levels, and that's it.

Money for old rope, and a free swim when I fancy it!

PIG ROAST CANCELLED

For the 2nd year running the Pig Roast to celebrate Bastille Day has been cancelled in the village.

This is due to the laziness of the village football team who have basically said they can't be arsed to do it.

So, that's a few fans lost for next season then!

I think the question is, do we attempt a hog roast at our place for a few people?

OUR FIRST EQUESTRIAN SHOW

Our work on the gymkhana equipment took it's first test at St Brieuc on 11/12/13th June.

Above is an actual picture from the show.

The lorry with all the equipment on, arrived back today.

All I can say is..France ain't going to win the Equestrian at the Olympics.

Most the fences and bars have bloody big hoof marks in them.

LEARN FRENCH WITH AL & MARIE. LESSON 23

More handy hints should you be spending your holiday in France this summer!

I know you will thank us for these tips!

ENGLISH: I have cheese in my toenails.

FRENCH: Je prends le fromage dans des mes ongles d'orteil

SAFESTIX

Bella and Arthur's Xmas present is still going strong.

If you have a dog, go to www.safestix.co.uk

and get one of these.

They are really the best dog toy ever.

BLOODY WEATHER

Because of expected bad weather, tomorrow's 4th annual Gardhouse Summer BBQ has been deferred for one week.

The decision was taken early to avoid food being bought and wasted.

I hope all the booze we bought lasts till then!

SUMMER DARTS

The new summer league started last night.

Owing to 2 players working, 1 player's wife having had a baby on Monday, we had to delve in to the pits of desperation for our 3rd player.

And that sadly had to be Marie.

However, with us 6-5 up and just one leg to play, she only throws a double 13 winner to give us the game 7-5.

RUGBY CLUB BBQ

Matignon Rugby Club had their annual BBQ at the lake on Sunday.

About 140 turned up for a 4 course meal and a well stocked bar.

The event started at midday and went on till about 7pm.

A couple of villagers drank so much that they thought Marie looked half decent.

And Al got his turn behind the bar instead of under it!

RUGBY CLUB BBQ ON SUNDAY

This Sunday at the lake, Matignon Rugby Club have their annual BBQ.

12 euros all in.

It's going to be mad!

NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED THIS WEEK

Well. What happened this week.

Al went to work, Marie carried on with the garden and best of all..

IT RAINED!!

We have had a whole week off from watering the garden.

Not a hell of a lot of rain, but enough to refill the well to a more normal level.

Bella got a new ball (well, one that we found) and has been guarding it like a bird with an egg ever since.

It was pouring with rain in this picture, but if a ball needs guarding, then nothing puts her off.

SHAFTED

We had friends coming out for the best possible week here.

The Tour de France nearby for 3 days and the annual "Hog Roast" on Sat 9th July, but sadly they are now not coming. That has cost us a possible 500 euros in missed B&B income as the local tourist office were looking for rooms that week, but we decided "friends" were more important.

Anyway, so not all is wasted, if anyone wants to come out at short notice and stay, you are more than welcome.

STILL WORKING HARD

Today, Thursday 2nd June brings a much needed day off as it is a public holiday here in France.

Yesterday Al completed filling the lorry with re-painted equestrian equipment in time for a big gymkhana this weekend in St Brieuc.

The next 2 weeks at woork will be spaint repairing hurdles at a more gentle pace.

Marie came down to St Germain on Sunday morning, and took these really exciting photos when the tide was out!

Exciting eh?

Go on, just one more picture!