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The week that was 42/2024 🇬🇧🇫🇷
Posted in Diary
Tagged Carcassonne, COVID, Entre Temps, Fête du vin, Flu, Frank Putelat, Grippe, Le Parc, Vaccin, Vaccines
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Autumn Sundays 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪
Posted in Diary
Tagged Autumn, Lounging gear, Sofa, Sunday, The art of doing nothing
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Les copains d’abord 🇫🇷🇬🇧
Reunion de la bande 1968 dans la Creuse
October 2024
© J2S
Posted in Events, Friends
Tagged Blanquette de Veau, Creuse, Gueret, Jouillat, Limoges, Volvo Amazon
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Home sweet home (or maybe not?) 🇬🇧🇫🇷
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Just touched down from our Spanish escapade on Thursday late afternoon. Malaga to Toulouse – smooth as butter, and believe it or not, Volotea actually landed us ahead of schedule. Shocking, considering I’ve usually faced delays longer than a Netflix binge.
Riding high from our Andalusian adventures in a Peugeot 5008, we swapped it out for my trusty, powerhouse BMW waiting patiently in the long-term car park. Home sweet home or so I thought.
A brief pitstop at home to unpack and freshen up before dashing out for a dinner date with my brother and his spouse at our fave Vietnamese spot. My go-to? The extra spicy beef menu, accompanied by more than a few glasses of local red. Let’s just say, I slept like a baby back in my own bed that night.
Friday was a blur of doctor’s appointments and the never-ending quest for prescriptions. Fast forward to today, it’s all about errands, catching up on correspondence, blog entries, and you guessed it: more packing. Off we go again tomorrow, this time heading north to the Creuse department for our annual rendezvous with my old school pals.
Organising it was a logistical nightmare, and truth be told, it’s getting tougher each year. Not all 15 of us can make it this time around, and I suspect future gatherings will be even trickier. But hey, I’m not going to sweat it.
Here’s to a week of nostalgia and good company!
Cheers! 🍷
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Nous venons d’atterrir de notre escapade espagnole jeudi en fin d’après-midi. De Malaga à Toulouse, tout s’est passé comme sur des roulettes et, croyez-le ou non, Volotea nous a fait atterrir en avance sur l’horaire prévu. C’est choquant, quand on sait que j’ai toujours eu des retards plus longs qu’une séance de Netflix.
Riche de nos aventures andalouses dans une Peugeot 5008, nous l’avons échangée contre ma fidèle et puissante BMW qui attendait patiemment dans le parking de longue durée. Je me suis dit qu’on était bien chez soi.
Un bref arrêt à la maison pour déballer les affaires et se rafraîchir avant de sortir pour un dîner avec mon frère et son épouse dans notre restaurant vietnamien préféré. Mon choix ? Le menu bœuf extra épicé, accompagné de quelques verres de vin rouge local. Disons simplement que j’ai dormi comme un bébé dans mon propre lit cette nuit-là.
Le vendredi a été marqué par les rendez-vous chez le médecin et la quête incessante d’ordonnances. Aujourd’hui, il s’agit de faire des courses, de rattraper la correspondance, de rédiger des articles de blog et, vous l’avez deviné, de refaire les valises. Nous repartons demain, cette fois en direction du département de la Creuse pour notre rendez-vous annuel avec mes anciens camarades de classe.
L’organisation de ce rendez-vous a été un cauchemar logistique, et à vrai dire, c’est de plus en plus difficile chaque année. Nous n’avons pas pu venir tous les 15 cette fois-ci, et je soupçonne que les prochains rassemblements seront encore plus délicats. Mais bon, je ne vais pas m’en faire.
À une semaine de nostalgie et de bonne compagnie !
A la vôtre ! 🍷
The month that was – September 2024 🇬🇧
A whirlwind month
Visitors, beaches and Andalusian adventures
Well, where do I start? The month flew by even faster than usual, probably due to the fact that we had three lots of visitors. Yes, three! Our home turned into a bustling hub of activity and the aroma of delicious meals wafting from the kitchen. We entertained quite a bit, and when we weren’t hosting, we entertained ourselves by having lunches at the beach. There’s something magical about dining with the sound of waves crashing in the background, isn’t there?
Before the beach huts closed mid-month until next spring, we made the most of it. Picture this: toes in the sand, a gentle breeze, and a chilled drink in hand. Pure bliss! But the fun didn’t stop there. We were lucky enough to experience an excellent air show in town, “Des étoiles et des ailes.” The sky was filled with dazzling displays, leaving us all in awe.
The highlight of the month, however, was our grand tour of Andalusia with our UK friends, Chris and Julia. We flew to Spain and embarked on an adventure that took us through the heart of this beautiful region. From the charming streets of Ronda to the breathtaking Caminito del Rey, every moment was a feast for the senses. The Caminito del Rey, with its stunning views and thrilling walkways, was an unforgettable experience that left us both exhilarated and in awe of nature’s beauty.
And now, we find ourselves in Málaga, soaking up the sunshine and indulging in the local beach restaurants. With just a couple more days left here, we’re savouring every second. No wonder I didn’t see the month go by! Time flies when you’re having fun, and this month has been a whirlwind of joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. Here’s to more adventures and making the most of every moment!
🌞🍹✈️
A travelogue 🇬🇧
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Wandering through Andalusia
I must confess, my blog has been a bit of a ghost town lately. But I have a perfectly delightful excuse: I’ve been gallivanting around the sun-kissed paradise of Andalusia in southern Spain. Picture this: a blend of rich culture, delectable tapas, and a fair share of libations—beer, wine, and gin & tonics, to be precise.
🍻🍷🍸
As the designated driver, I’ve had the pleasure of navigating our trusty chariot, a spacious and oh-so-comfortable Peugeot 5008, which we picked up at Malaga airport. This beauty has made our road trip a breeze, and I must say, I’m quite smitten with it.
🚗💨
Instead of the usual hotel stays, we opted for apartments this time around. And what a choice that was! Most of them have been cozy and welcoming, adding a touch of home to our travels.
🏡
But alas, all good things must come to an end. Our Andalusian adventure is wrapping up in a few days. However, the wanderlust bug has bitten us hard, and we’ve already set our sights on Ireland for next year. Two years in Spain is a treat, but it’s time to explore new horizons.
🍀
Stay tuned for more tales from the road, and until then, keep wandering and wondering!
The summer that was (Or wasn’t) 🇬🇧 🇫🇷
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Today marks the first day of autumn, and looking outside, it certainly feels like it. The weather is mild, but the sky is a solid blanket of clouds—no blue in sight. It’s as if the sun decided to take an early vacation, leaving us with a rather gloomy start to the season.
Reflecting on the summer that just passed, it was… well, not quite what we expected. Here in the south of France, it was warm enough, but not the scorching heat we’re accustomed to. Summer decided to make a fashionably late entrance around mid-July, leaving us with a shorter season to soak up the sun.
Despite the persistent clouds, rain was a rare guest. The farmers, ever the pessimists (or realists, depending on your perspective), have been vocal about the lack of rain. Their crops are showing a downturn of at least 20%, a statistic that’s as depressing as the overcast sky.
But let’s not dwell on the negatives. There’s hope on the horizon for an Indian Summer. Personally, I’m not taking any chances. I’ve booked a flight to southern Spain for a couple of weeks. I’m not ready to surrender to coats, long trousers, or socks just yet.
So, let’s stay positive and welcome autumn with open arms. Here’s to hoping for some sunshine to break through the clouds. Fingers crossed!
🍂☀️
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L’été qui fut (ou ne fut pas)
Aujourd’hui, c’est le premier jour de l’automne, et en regardant dehors, on a l’impression que c’est le cas. Le temps est doux, mais le ciel est couvert de nuages – pas de bleu en vue. C’est comme si le soleil avait décidé de prendre des vacances anticipées, nous laissant avec un début de saison plutôt morose.
En réfléchissant à l’été qui vient de s’écouler, nous constatons qu’il n’a pas été tout à fait à la hauteur de nos espérances. Dans le sud de la France, il a fait assez chaud, mais pas la chaleur torride à laquelle nous sommes habitués. L’été a fait une entrée tardive vers la mi-juillet, nous laissant une saison plus courte pour profiter du soleil.
Malgré les nuages persistants, il a fait chaud, mais il a plu peu. Les agriculteurs, toujours pessimistes (ou réalistes, selon votre point de vue), se sont plaints du manque de pluie. Leurs récoltes accusent une baisse d’au moins 20 %, ce qui est aussi déprimant que le ciel couvert.
Mais ne nous attardons pas sur les aspects négatifs. L’espoir d’un été indien se profile à l’horizon. Personnellement, je ne prends pas de risque. J’ai réservé un vol pour le sud de l’Espagne pour quelques semaines. Je ne suis pas encore prêt à renoncer aux manteaux, aux pantalons longs et aux chaussettes.
Alors, restons positifs et accueillons l’automne à bras ouverts. Espérons qu’un rayon de soleil percera les nuages. Croisons les doigts !
🍂☀️
Group C cars 🇬🇧
A few weeks ago, I mentioned my intention to research and write about the Group C car category at the famous 24h of Le Mans race. I have managed to create and dedicate a page on the subject. Page which needs reviewing and completing for sure.
I do it my way 