BRITTANY REAL ALE

There is very little Al misses from the UK, but a decent real ale is probably top of the small list.

So salvation came last night at the Cheval Blanc in Plancoet, when it was discovered landlord Michael had got a selection of 6 ales in.

All were excellent and made a real change from drinking wine.

Al refuses to drink lager point blank as it is for girls.

All are brewed at the micro brewery in Carnoet by an English couple who run a bar and gite business as well.

Al managed to try 5 out of the 6 beers. One was out of stock.

And at 3 euros a bottle, not too steep.

JARRETT FRITTES

The annual Jarrett Frittes night hosted by the village football team was on Saturday night.

Vegetable soup, smoked ham hock, cheeseboard, eclairs, and all you could drink for 12 euros.

All the usual suspects made it, and the party went on till 2am

Jarrett Frittes.

Not part of a calorie controlled diet, but delicious.

FIRST GARDEN DRINK OF 2011

25th of February and it was our earliest ever outside bottle for the year. It was certainly warm enough.

It beats last years record of 16th March.

19 degrees yesterday. Very nice.

THE FRENCH WATER COMPANY.

Thank you for saying you were coming to change our water meter on Monday, and not actually turning up till Wednesday lunchtime, whence we had to endure the scene of half his arse hanging out of his trousers whilst we ate our sandwiches.

Thanks a bloody lot.

DECORATING.

We was going to decorate the hall last winter, but never got round to it.

So we stripped back the wall to it's bare bones on Tuesday.

And by Wednesday afternoon it was looking a lot brighter.

The upstairs landing is the next project.

ANOTHER FINE BARMAN.

This is Noel, or Nono as he likes to be known. The jolly patron of the village bar in neighbouring Pluduno.

A sense of humour second to none, and an attitude that would shame Basil Fawlty.

He reads our blog sometimes, but doesn't understand a word of it.

So just for you Nono..

"Get off your fat lazy arse you big French poof and pour me a muscadet"

THE WEEK AHEAD

A good feel of spring has come our way.

The crocuses are out along with the daffodils, and we can actually leave the front door open so the dogs can come and go.

Today the water board are due to change the water meter, but as I sit and write this, there is no sign of them.

They are probably on strike!

Darts on Thursday sees us join the Coupe de France at Round 7.

If we win 2 rounds that will put us in the last 64 and another visit to Laval for the finals.

First we have to beat Pleurien, and then see where the next round takes us.

Saturday is one of the good village party nights.

The football team run the Jarrett Frittes nights.

A good old ham hock and chips, along with a starter and dessert, and all the wine and cider you can drink for 12 euros.