Sunday, April 25, 2004
Souvenir des Deportes
Caroline went out to a soiree last night in the local village. We have been to several since coming to France and they generally follow the tried and trusted formula. About 200 people are invited to the local village hall to start at 8pm. Nobody arrives until about 9pm, then it's a 5/6 course meal with fizz, white wine, red wine and finished by coffee. There is usually a live band (often with an accordian player) and possibly a 'disco' at the end. Finish time is about 2am.
At first glance it seems like a long evening, but the pace is lesiurely and the wine flows steadily, along with the conversation. Quite often there is dancing and mingling between courses. They are all very relaxed and extremely enjoyable. If you ever get invited and havn't been before I would recommend going.
Anyway, last night Caroline got some useful advice, 'Do not take off your clothes in April'! The reason being if it is warm enough in April to strip off then the sun is too strong. Advice I could of used yesterday. Gardening in just shorts was a big mistake. This morning my back is red and quite tender ! I think I'll keep my shirt on until May :-)
Added "NewGite" to stories. Let us see how it unfold over the coming months.
Farmers out early this morning planting maize. They were also working the fields late last night under headlights. Looks like this is the weekend for planting now the soil has warmed up a bit.
These spurts of activity happen often. A few weeks ago there was suddenly more tractors than cars racing around with muck and slurry spraying and covering the fields. They seem to go mad for a few days working 12 hour shifts then nothing obviously visible to the untrained eye. I guess when the time is right you take advantage.
Schumacher in total control. Michael Schumacher wins the San Marino Grand Prix for his fourth victory in a row. [BBC Sport | Motorsport | UK Edition]
Quel Suprise.
Nice steady day, bit of work in the garden and out this afternoon with the children to Betineuc lake. It's a small lake with a man made beach that is only a couple of minutes away. Ideal for a quick trip out after a late lunch to help the kids sleep.
| 8:02:05 PM
