DAMN AND BLAST

There we were..all prepared. Serious training all week. White wine and lager mainly.

And then Pluzunet cancel the match till the 14th April.

Ah well..More practice, more white wine, more lager.

DARTS WIN

Whilst I was in St Nazaire, the darts team did the business.

A win at Pluzunet on Saturday afternoon will put us in to the Elite League.

Truly amazing as I thought we had an average season, but it seems everyone is beating eachother.

ST NAZAIRE. OPERATION CHARRIOT 70TH ANNIVERSARY

I have just come back from St Nazaire having been with the Royal Navy Association Brittany (Nord Branch).

An emotional couple of days for me as it is the first time I have been involved with this kind of remembrance.

I will write a full report with lots of photos at the weekend.

But briefly, We started at the war graves at Escoublac-La-Baule.

After a brief service at the war graves, I had the great honour of putting a cross at one of the unknown sailors graves.

No name.

Just known to God.

Heroes ..All of them.

LUNCH IN DINAN

We went to Dinan on Tuesday for a bit of lunch and to sort out the RNA luncheon for April.

A bit of early spring sunshine made it all the more pleasant.

Below is a picture of the port taken from the top of town.

DARTS VERY EXCITING

It's going to be a close finish for promotion to the Elite League. 3 games to go for us, a game in hand of 2nd place.

Next game is the postponed game at home to Bageur Morvan.

And I am missing it as I am down in St Nazaire.

It is that close that in theory we could still be relegated.

An amazing season.

FRENCH COOKERY LESSON

Having been a Navy Chef for 24 years, I thought it was about time I gave you not so skilled in the kitchen the benefit of my experience.

About a year ago we dined out and I was introduced to "Briased Pigs Cheeks", a very French dish which I have now adapted to my own taste,

Pig cheeks are so succulent when braised, that they just melt in the mouth.

They are rarely found in the UK now, but a roasted version is called "Bath Chaps" in the west country.

I have called this dish "Cheeks and Leeks"

6 cheeks does for 2 people.

You need 2 leeks, 2 carrots, 1 onion, mushrooms all roughly chopped, and some grated fresh ginger and a crushed garlic clove.

Firstly you gently pat your cheeks dry. (Stop sniggering at the back)

Then fry your cheeks in a knob of butter with a dash of olive oil until your cheeks are brown all over. ( I said stop sniggering)

Remove your cheeks from the heat and place in a casserole dish.

Keep the fat you have fried your cheeks in, and saute all the vegetables until they are soft.

Add a little flour to make a roux, then add 1 teaspoon of paprika

Pour in some chicken stock and a glass of white wine.

Pour the mixture over your cheeks (Last warning. There is nothing smutty about the word cheeks.!!)

Cook in the oven at 160F for two hours, or until your your cheeks feel soft and tender.

(Right you..Face the wall and don't disturb the class again!)

Above I have served my cheeks with a butternut squash and mustard mash, and some peas from the garden last year.

There is nothing quite like sharing your cheeks with a friend.

(Get out, go stand in the corridor and stop bloody sniggering!)

I like to make a big double helping, so I can spread my cheeks over a couple of days.

Bon appetit!

CLOSED DOORS DINNER

The village bar is closed for 10 days, so it was nice to get an invite from the patrons, Bruno & Marylene, for a meal, and of course plenty of drinks included.

John and Chrissy came along with the Russians Mikhail and Natasha, Robert from the darts team and Andy.

A cold buffet starter followed by mustard chicken, cheeseboard, and a good old Normandy Apple Pie.

The gentlemen retired to play pool until they could no longer hold a cue..

Another top evening in France

ROYAL NAVY ASSOCIATION AGM AND LUNCH

Today was the Brittany branch AGM at the Brit Hotel, Le Relais du Mont.

Not too far east of Mont St Michel.

Roughly 25 members attended and the meeting was followed by a pleasant 3 course lunch with wine.

Marie couldn't make it as she has "swine flu" or something similar.

Still, that saved a bit on the bar bill.

As usual, I am not in the photographs.

Next time I am giving the camera to someone else.

Special mention to Pip and Kay Piper who have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

They had a card from Her Majesty to mark the occasion.

Congratulations!

I don't think I could stick my missus for 60 years.

And now I have taken on the role of Social Secretary (West) and am looking forward to searching out good places for the association to meet, and enjoy a pleasant lunch.

Another fine day was had in France.

FOGGY MORNING

It's that time of year where all the mornings seem to be foggy, then the sun takes over around 11am and a very pleasant afternoon ensues.

I decided to have a trip out on the scooter this morning and stopped at Pluduno lake to take this picture.

Note to myself: We must have a couple of picnics here in summer.

A NEW IDEA FOR COME DINE WITH ME.

One more thing about my last posting.

Lovely drop of lunch.

First two courses sorted.

Then out comes a couple of nice fruit pies for dessert.

Not quite!

I cut in to the first pie and even had it on my plate before noticing it was Steak and Kidney.

Hell, I almost had the custard on it.

Don't drink and Dine!

PLASTERING AND PLASTERED

Went round to Bill and Sharon's on Wednesday to do a small plastering job on the ceiling.

Were met by the friendly duo of Cuddy and Elvis who are as soft as they come with drool included.

After finishing the work it was on to lunch, which of course included a small glass of wine or two

It was addictive stuff too as Andy had to resort to wearing this 28lbs 1948 diving helmet to stop drinking.

And all of a sudden it was nearly 7pm before we left.

If only all days at work were like this.

ANOTHER WINTER OVER

It certainly seems like winter is over today. Lovely and warm out, window boxes are in bloom and even the dogs have come out of hibernation and are sleeping in the sunny part of the courtyard.

Seeds are germinating in the propagator, the veg garden has been rotavated, so we are ready to go!

STILL WORKING

A days work in Matignon yesterday.

An elderly lady wanted her wall repaired, with cracks filling in and a refresh with a couple of coats of paint.

Here is the before.

And here is after.

All my own work.

Hopefully she will have the house painted in summer.

All work undertaken, just ask Bodgitt and Scarper for a quote.