Surprise weekend (1)

Three weeks in Bali means that I'm behind with An Englishman in La Tranche so let's play catch-up.

For my birthday Tine had organised a surprise weekend in Bordeaux with our good friends Guy & Isabelle. I had no idea up until the moment when G&I's car parked up in front of our house. Even once en route Guy was teasing (a little TOO much) about going to the Isle de Ré. By then I'd already got an inclination of our destination.

Anyway we had a wonderful time, our hotel on the other side of the Pont de Pierre (Stone Bridge) crossing the River Garonne, with a wonderful modern statue of a lion at our end. Bordeaux really is a beautiful city and we walked miles. Guy was very proud to show us his 'family' street and we enjoyed partaking in a couple of beers on the Place de la Victoire (otherwise known as Place d'Happy Hour).

Friday evening we attended the opening of a new wine shop/bar where G&I's son Sébastien was helping out, practising his studies in the world of wine.

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http://2gotobali.wordpress.com/ is up and running!!

Apologies

For those itching to learn about our adventures in Bali many apologies - I've had problems with Matt's iTouch getting connected in wifi places. We're having an AMAZING time, coping with the heat & chaotic traffic, loving the Balinese (a truly gentle fun-loving people) and eating & drinking wonderful things.

We're now in Padang Bai on the east coast. We arrived today at the villa that someone in La Tranche recommended. The house is incredibly positioned up 131 steps (in this heat!) with a view to die for. It's a bit more basic than the other places we've been in but it's got great character. We'll let you know more after a night battling mosquitoes and trying to sleep with the frog/toad chorus just beneath us!!

Been for a swim and snorkel on an idyllic beach this afternoon, complete with palm trees, warm water and colourful fish! Eating, drinking and sleeping very well - we literally ARE half a world away!!


I WILL try on http://2gotobali.wordpress.com/ as soon as possible.

Advertising the enemy

Psssssss, there's a brand new blog on http://2gotobali.wordpress.com/ (if I can get the hang of using Matt's iTouch). Yes our holiday of a lifetime begins on Thursday: suddenly 60 and getting my pension is sounding VERY good!

Birthday weekend (3)

As with most family parties out came the instruments and song-sheets, musical skills well oiled by a glass or three!

I'm not sure if those in Photo 1 are enjoying the youngsters' recorder recital or laughing at a sleeping Loulou - he had got up at 05:00 to drive up from Figeac (nothing to do with his wine intake, of course)!

Although we had a far sunnier day than expected, those sitting at one end of the table soon searched out their warm tops when the plum tree decided to put them into the shade. A now awake Loulou led the singing with masterly accompaniment from Phil and Jean. As the sun went down those left found their way indoors to warm up in front of the first fire of the season with further a sing-along around the piano.

What a fantastic weekend - a big thank you to everyone for making our birthdays really special, and an extra thank you to Monique and Guy for their photos which I have included with mine on http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/MattDaveS90thCelebrations

Birthday weekend (2)

What a full house we had on Sunday, with 30 friends and family around us to celebrate Matt's and my birthdays.

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Those in the know can do a bit of face-spotting but Photo 4 records a very special event: all the Moignet 1st cousins together, followed by cousins plus partners, then next generation cousins!

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We had a wonderful spread, sitting outside at the makeshift picnic and tressle tables, with plenty to eat and drink, even some Château Clegg

Birthday weekend (1)

Here we have evidence of our last dip in the sea (so far!) on 24th September. Phil arrived for Matt's and my birthday weekend, along with Matt's mates Stephen and Sally (not forgetting 'Er from Brittany back from a week's stay in the UK). You can't believe how good it felt not to have to do the airport runs!

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Anyway on their first day Phil & I called to see if anyone fancied the wavy beach, and sure enough we all went to La Terrière and experienced the surf as can be seen above. Matt also enjoyed flying his kite in ideal conditions, his first time on the beach all summer.

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The last two photos for your delight are Matt disappearing into the sunset, suited & booted for a wedding, on his bike! Finally we spent a fun time in the PMU playing Rapido - like the National Lottery but choosing 5 numbers from 1 to 20, plus a bonus ball. Our tables were somewhat racous with Matt's rules for playing each time!

End of season activities

Tidying up at La Paillote one morning we heard a very low helicopter going back and forth. It was spraying all the trees along the coast against processioning caterpillars which make their cocoon nests in the pine trees at this time of year. Some of you will remember last November when we had a trail of caterpillars at the front of our house: http://anenglishmaninlatranche.blogspot.com/2009/11/welcome-and-unwelcome-visitors.html Less threatening was Jean up on the roof of the restaurant, removing the long blinds and sorting out a few dislodged tiles.

We've managed quite a few dips in this late season with very few people around. The sun has been hot but the water temperature is beginning to dip now. They've been working hard on the building by L'Equipage bar and now only the central part remains. This section of the beach front will be much improved by this new development.

Finally, celebration time: Matt in disguise for the last night at La Paillote; and my dessert at Nico's, complete with sparkler to celebrate my 60th birthday. More celebrations to follow!!