COCKTAIL HEAVEN

Cocktail frenzy continues at the Gard Manoir.

After being inspired to make Cointreaupolitans, now we have the classic Pina Colada.

Another great recipe from the New York Bartenders Cocktail Guide.

A BIT OF AL FRESCO

A nice warm summers day, so time to re-create that cocktail we had in Paris a couple of weeks ago.

A Couintreaupolitan.

50ml Cointreau

20ml of Fresh Lemon Juice

60ml of Cranberry Juice.

Put into a shaker with Ice Cubes, shake for 15 seconds or so, and serve. 

Fantastic.

Then why not fresh gutted local Sardines.

A marinade of Olive oil, lemon vinegar (or white wine vinegar), chopped parsley and garlic, plus a chopped chilli.

Season with sea salt and ground black pepper, and cut a bayleaf roughly.

Marinate skin side down in the fridge for 4 hours, 24 hours is better , and serve with tossed salad and warm toasts.

Life is good in France

NAVY ASSOCIATION CURRY DAY

We have been busy the past 48 hours. Lots of food prep for the Curry Day on Saturday.

36 people attended with Marie making the Onion Bhaji's and myself doing the Chicken Tikka Massala.

The weather just about held up for the event, which after everyone had their fill of food and wine, I organised local duet "Encordia" to come and play for an hour which gave the whole event a real Garden Party feel.

BIG CURRY DAY APPROACHES

Preparation is well underway for Saturday's Royal Navy Association Curry Day.

40 people are coming with the finest Curry chef outside Birmingham/Bradford, providing the main course.

Hoping for a sunny day.

Have borrowed a 10 gallon pot off of Bruno and Marylene to cook in. 

DOGS AT PLAY

All still good on the dog front.

The 3 like playing together which is fun to watch.

Arthur couldn't be arsed in this photo as it was a bit warm!

PARIS - THE MOANING BIT

Complaint Number 1.

Got on the train from Rennes to Paris to find some guy in one of the seats we booked. Despite showing him the reservation two times, he just ignored me and refused to speak.

Short of wanting to punch the ignorant git, we had to spend most the journey standing up.

Complaint Number 2.

Get to the hotel room to find the fridge door lying on the floor and the toilet seat in a similar position.

Not very good for 150 euros a night.

Complaint Number 3.

You pay 60 euros each for a good seat to see the concert. 

The girl ushers us to our seats.

Mine is the one on the right of course. Lovely seats for 2800 people and I get the bloody pilots ejector seat that is welded on to the end row just to get one more person in.

I was not impressed.

Even less impressed when the girl who ushered us to the seats held out her hand for a tip.

She got a polite English expletive in reply.  

Complaint Number 4.

Tired out and wanting a sleep on the train back, our carriage was full of school kids coming back from a day trip to Paris.

Lots of noise, whilst the teacher dosed off in her seat not caring!

30 HOURS IN PARIS

One night in Paris to do the sights and see Josh Groban in concert.

We set off from Lamballe at 0710, travelling to Rennes and get the connection to Paris.

We were in Paris by 1025 and at the Eiffel Tower by 11am

Although overcast, the weather was reasonably warm.

Pictures were taken infront of the Palais de Chaillot..

.. as was this picture.

The Statue of the man with no trousers.

Arc de Triumph by midday, then a stroll down the Champs Elysees to find somewhere for lunch.

Booked into the hotel after lunch, then went for a stroll around Montmartre.

Pre concert meal was at the famous Chartier Restaurant pictured above.

No concert pictures as that is copyright. Anyway, shattered and asleep shortly after midnight, we awoke early and left the hotel before 9am.

That is the hotel with the broken fridge door, and toilet seat. 

We were told by friends to go to the Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart) church in Paris, for the best views of the city.

And they weren't wrong.

The Sacre Coeur above.

Then a walk down to the Louvre and the Pyramid infront.

All this was done by midday, so we had time to walk down the River Seine and take in the views.

All pretty spectacular, but watch yourself if you cross the road as the French cyclists ignore red traffic lights. 

Notre Dame at Midday to hear the bells.

Even Quasimodo made an appearance.

Time for a late lunch, frogs legs of course, before having a few beers and back home.

All in all a good trip.

But I have several moans which I will put in the next posting.  

PARIS TOMORROW

0715 train to Paris tomorrow for a 24 hour tour round and to see the Josh groban concert at the Grand Rex theatre in the evening.

A bit of fine (If expensive) dining as well.  

THE HAIRLESS BIKERS.

4 visitors this weekend. Des, 2x Gary's and Richard arrived Saturday morning all on very impressive motorcycles. They are doing a bit of a tour of Brittany, heading down to St Nazaire on Monday, then on to Angers.

Seemed ideal to have a BBQ and invite Alan, Jane, Bill, & Sharon.

Weather was windy and a bit cool, but good food, good wine, and good company. 

Good old Breton Sausages, Pork in Hoisin, and 15 spice chicken along with salads, bread and hot new potatoes in Greek Yoghurt (as supplied by Sharon) made for a decent feast, all washed down with wine and beer.

Most had finished by about 11 pm, but a fantastic afternoon and as usual much laughter.

A BATH FOR SHEP

3 weeks here and now time for that much needed bath. All pretty painless especially if we want to get soaked too.

WORKING HARD

Lots of work at the Celtic residence, but also a few other jobs are coming in.

The house in the top picture, we were due to do the window cleaning last Monday, but the construction work in the house is running late, so that has been put off for 3 weeks.

However, always plenty of work at the Celtic. Here is the view from just outside where we work this morning.