NEW VISITORS AND A PARTY

Marie's friend  from her Gibraltar days, 20 years ago, came and stayed a couple of days, before heading up to the campsite at Quatre Vaux, near St Cast.

Spike, Rachel, and sons Harvey and Sam soaked up some decent sunshine before heading off.

We met up again on Saurday night as there was a party at Quatre Vaux beach. 

A selection of food choices, a cheap bar, disco, and fireworks made for a fine evening.

An estimated 700 turned up to enjoy the festivities.

TOUR DE FRANCE

In light of the recent British success in the Tour de France, I thought I would delve in to the history of this famous race.

Here is a very rare photo of the 1940 Tour de France.  

P.S. It's difficult to tell who is in the yellow jersey as the photo is in black and white!

LOST PROPERTY

Only one article of lost property was found after the party.

Graeme's sunglasses.

Arthur was most disappointed they were claimed.

They really suited him!

5th ANNUAL GARDHOUSE BBQ

The 5th annual garden BBQ was held at the Gard Manoir on Monday evening.

More preparation went into this one than ever before.

35 people attended, with a good mixture of French and English.

This years menu was:

Bourbon Soaked Pork Loin

Local Sausages

A mixture of Salads.

Followed by Fresh fruit Salad

Pavlova

Victoria Sponge Cake

Tarte au Citron

All washed down with a mountain of Muscadet, Cotes de Provence Rose, and Merlot  

Not to mention, Pimms, Pastis, and Whisky.

Another fine event with great ambience till 1am

And next year we are going to do it all again!

Book early for this late July event.

PET RESCUE

We were just about to go up the Russians for supper last night when we could hear this "meow" from over the road. This kitten was 20 feet up the tall tree over the road and very stuck.

Nothing we could really do at the time.

Woke up this morning and it was about 10 feet up and still in distress, so Marie got out some sardines, I got the ladder out and we hauled it out of the tree.

She is not feral and very friendly, but skinny as a rake.

A meal of sardines and some watered down milk has done the trick and she is very lively.

After eating she has taken up residence in Bella's basket and is sleeping off the adventure.

We have enquired locally, but nobody is missing a kitten.

Looks like we have inherited a new family member. 

DAY IN DINARD

We went to Dinard yesterday, mainly so I could go to the chiropractor to get my back sorted out.

But we stopped for a few hours along with Alison who is staying here for a week.

Apart from playing darts here, I haven't really looked round properly before.

Seems a damn fine place for a night out with all the bars and restaurants.

PIG ROAST

Sunday was the annual pig roast at the lake in the village.

I say annual, it has been missing the past two years.

12 euros for 4 courses and wine thrown in.

Quite a few of the local Brits turned up to help boost the coffers for the local football team.

One of the pigs was that big it had to be bought in by tractor..Or so this optical illusion seems. 

The make shift bar was as usual well populated.

And luckily the weather held for once, a sunny day was long overdue.

BASTILLE DAY

Good old 14th July.

French national holiday to celebrate the storming of the Bastille.

We went to St Lormel for the huge car boot sale, and then on to St Cast, where there was an antiques sale.

Bargain Hunt was nothing like this as we found a stall selling nautical memorabilia, like the searchlight off an old world war 2 destroyer.

There were diving helmets, ships compasses and much more.

If anyone is interested, the antiques sale is back in St Cast on 11/12 August.

MARIE GOES TO THE UK

Marie went back for a Gibraltar 86-88 reunion in Portsmouth.

Staying at the old Home Club.

Over 60 pictures were taken, but on a family blog, only this one is considered suitable for a family audience.

AT LAST, AN UPDATE

Have been really busy with guests recently,

Marie's sister came out for a week along with her niece and husband, then Paul came for a week.

Pictures will be up soon, as soon as Marie comes back from the UK with the camera.

Now joy of all joys I am on holiday, and what happens? A slipped disc, and it bloody hurts! 

Looks like I won't be cooking at the Village Pig Roast next Sunday!