ANOTHER DARTS TROPHY

The all Brittany summer league finals day was held at La Cale in Pleurtuit.

32 teams from who finished in the top two of each league met to fight it out for the overall championship.

The draw was made and just our luck in our group of 4 were national champions Matignon and we were duly spanked 7-0 in our first match.

But then it go better, we won our last 3 group games to qualify for the knockout stage.

Had a comfortable win over Jugon in the last 16, then we had to play current Brittany cup holders Plousane in the quarter finals.

It looked dead and buried at 3-1 down, but we won the last 3 legs to nick it 4-3

Then in the semi final we led 3-2, only to choke at the last minute and go out 4-3.

Still, another trophy and a cash prize.

A good day was had by all.

MUM AND BOB COME TO STAY

Mum and Bob came out to stay for a fortnight.

We had quite a few meals out and the weather held up quite well, so a good time was had by all.

No more visitors booked for this year, but as usual, if anyone wants to come and stay at short notice you will be welcome.

FRENCH MUSIC

Nothing like watching live music.

We just had to go and see this triple bill in Jurgon.

Apparently the first band are quite "handy"

TALKING OF MUSHROOMS

We took the dogs out in the fields this morning, and thought that some kid had left a football in one of the open spaces nearby.

Getting up closer it was obviously not a ball, but a giant puffball mushroom.

Not one that had dropped out of Arthur's ear by the way.

Well, it was begging to be picked.

On taking it home we found it to be just under 2lbs in weight

9 inches long way and 6 inches sideways on.

We see a lot of mushrooms this time of year, and despite having an excellent book for identifying them, we have never bothered to take the chance in eating them.

The book said it was edible and this was confirmed by Nico, the head chef at the Auberge du Manoir in the village.

He even cut it in half, then sliced some and took it in to the kitchen.

A few minutes later he appeared with a plate of tasty sauted puffball mushroom in black pepper and a dash of port.

Delicious!

If you ever find one of these, grab it.

I am told mine would have been worth 30-40 euros at market.

Further reading is here.

http://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/puffball-mushrooms.html

IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO ARTHUR.

Poor old Arthur has not been himself this past week. He has had an ear infection that obviously he keeps scratching, sometimes making him yelp in pain.

We have tried washing it out with a non prescription, but it wasn't getting any better.

So this afternoon it was off to the vets in Plancoet.

The vet stuck the probe in the ear and immediately said it wasn't ticks.

So he took a swab.

And guess what was found in Arthur's ear?

That's right boys and girls.

MUSHROOMS!

Well, not exactly true, but where Arthur likes to dig holes and stick his head down them, he has got mushroom spores in his ear.

Mushrooms like warm, dark, moist areas, so Arthur's ear was an ideal growing ground.

Vets bill: 70 euros, making the contents of Arthur's ear more valuable pound for pound than bloody truffles!

AILEEN AND DEAN'S WEDDING

Whilst Al was enjoying the peace and quiet of the French countryside, Marie had returned home for her nieces wedding on Sunday 28th August, just outside Plymouth.

Seems that everyone behaved..not normal at most military weddings.

No one got naked. No one tried to pull the chief bridesmaid. No embarrassing grandparent broke wind whilst the vows were being made, and it seems that "Agadoo" was not played at the evening disco.

Wishing you both a long and happy future.

And whilst on honeymoon, watch out for those waiters in Turkey!!