XMAS LUNCH

We had the Millard's staying for Xmas,

and with local friends, there was 9 of us

for our normal Xmas lunch at the Auberge in the village.

As ever we were the noisiest table.

Plenty of good food and wine was consumed.

No washing up as well.

All for the very reasonable price

of around 50 euros a head.

FOOD FOOD FOOD

All this time on our hands, so it's good to get

stuck in to some decent home cooking.

We had friends round for a curry evening.

I made Kurzi Lamb.

A whole leg marinated for 3 days in

yoghurt and spices.

Then I started to prepare for Xmas.

Nice to have some finger food in to go with drinks.

Above is Pumpkin and Parmesan fritters,

delicious with chilli sauce.

Marie's turn next.

Xmas themed cupcakes.

CHILLY

Slightly later than normal, the frosts have arrived.

Heating is on.

The cost of the oil for the winter was a bit of

a shocker. Over 30% up on last year.

Luckily we have loads of wood, so after

a good dog walk, it's always good to

come back to a roaring fire.

NOVEMBER 11th

100th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

As usual we did our bit up the village, 

and laid a wreath. 

A good turnout by villagers on a reasonably warm day.

The Mayor read out a proclamation from

the President.

We sang the French national anthem.

Then back to the village hall for a few glasses

of vino.

TRAFALGAR LUNCH

Saturday 20th October, 66 members and guests got 

together for our Trafalgar lunch with the 

Royal Navy Association.

As usual a tot of rum for all, followed by a 

4 course lunch and wine.

Afterwards there was a short play, written by yours truly, about HMS Victory's return to Chatham after the battle.

TRAFALGAR LUNCH

SCOTS WEDDING

Really honoured to have been invited to Bomber &

Carole's wedding in Inverkip.

Truly a memorable day.

No1 in all the weddings we have ever been too.

Then wedding day 2 went up to Gourock,

for another heavy session.

A great 3 days on the west coast.

LE GUILDO

At the port of Le Guildo sites the fine restaurant

Gilles de Bretagne.

The four of us went down Friday for another

excellent lunch.

The seafood is as fresh as you can get, the wine

decently priced, and the views magnificent.

DINING OUT AND GUESTS

Kaz and her Mum Joan have been out for a week.

Meals out and general late summer chilling in

what is still decent weather.

As with all visitors, there is always a visit 

to the village restaurant, where of course

the food is as excellent as ever.

A DAY IN DINAN

Had old navy mate Barry over for a week.

Seemed a good idea to go to the big market

in Dinan for the morning.

The smells from all the cooking stalls

was quite amazing.

You can get all sorts here. 

Then a bit of a wonder through the streets...

...and of course a bit of wine before

heading home.

A BUMPER VEG YEAR.

Plenty of stuff still growing in the garden.

Red onions galore, and still about 8 huge

pumpkins to come.

Tomatoes have been huge, so winter soups

have already been frozen down.

BACK IN THE KITCHEN!

The request was from La Passerelle

restaurant in Plancoet, would  go down 

and show them how to make a decent

batter, so they could put fish and chips

on their menu.

So I duly showed the resident chef my secret recipe.

Boom! 150 portions they did in the first week.

Glad to be of service.

MOULES FRITTES

 The biggest night of the village year.

Over 500 turned up for the moules frittes.

Plenty of wine and beer, and a really

excellent outdoor disco to dance the night

away till 3am.

As usual, the music was a bit cheesy, 

but nobody seems to mind.

SUMMER BBQ

,

30 attended our annual bash.

A good mixture of French and English.

We did the ever popular Pulled Pork, 

along with loads of salads.

Then far too many desserts were made.

for all to scoff. 

SCORCHING SUMMER

It's been such a long hot summer, we just had to

get this put up.

Had 6 weeks of temperatures in the 80's now.

Of course, 2 days after putting it up, the heavens opened and

it cooled down.

SQUATTERS

We've had the swallows nest this summer,

now it's the turn of the house martins.

4 in the nest which is now bulging as

they are ready to fly. 

WORLD CUP WINNERS

As England messed up, we were of course

supporting France.

Delighted for everyone as they deservedly 

won the world cup.

VILLAGE HAM ROAST

The first big village event of the summer

is the ham roast up at the lake.

Around 200 turned up for a cold meat starter, the ham,

followed by ice cream. 

Bruno and Marylene sat with us.

Talk of an England v France final.

That went down the pan didn't it?

CURRY DAY

Saturday 30th June was our annual curry event for the

Royal Naval Association.

A record 39 attended on a very warm

summer's day. 

A 3 course lunch, with the ladies

helping out by making some

splendid desserts.

Around 560 euros was raised, which is

a branch record.

LONGEST DAY

A mixture of French and English took a picnic/BBQ

up to Lancieux beach on the 21st June.

A chance to watch the sun go down on the 

longest day of the year.