Firewood

Hopefully this should see me through the next few cold months before spring arrives. I managed to fit  a whole ‘stère’ (1 cubic metre) into the back of the car and the front passenger space. It was rather a slow trip back …..

Birthday treat

While it’s not mine or Nic’s birthday for a while just yet, they are close together. And Paul treated us to a gorgeous early birthday present – lunch at Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier. It’s one we’ve been to before a couple of times (lucky us ….) and it didn’t fail to impress this time. Divine…… thanks Paul!

Heatwave

Weather in most of Australia is horrific at the moment. I’ve been talking to friends in Perth recently, during the heatwave there. And although W.A. seems to be through the worst of it, the rest of Australia is in dire staits, with even worse to come.

New Year 2013

In recent years I’ve not worried too much about seeing in a new year – and am often in bed before midnight! But this year decided to go along with some friends to Chateau Le Vergel-Authenac, only a couple of kilometres from here, towards Ginestas. 

To be honest I didn’t know it existed – it’s in the middle of vineyards and mostly hidden by trees. Apparently a few years ago, a couple bought it from a French family that had done nothing with it for a long long time, and have turned it into a gite complex and reception venue. And from what we saw of it, it looks magnificent. The reception hall we were in was huge and renovated beautifully. 

The food wasn’t anything to write home about, but the entertainment was excellent – similar to what the Maire in the village puts on here for us once a year. Cabaret/Can-Can style. A good time was had by all, and I managed to be in bed by 3am! And suffered the next day for it, but once a year I can manage.

Colourful Montpellier

Montpellier is such a pretty city and the Christmas decorations are still all up. This visit, there seemed to be just so many colourful displays in the shops in the old quarter. Always fun to get lost in those small back streets, and this time was no exception.

Christmas 2012

It’s been a busy and very enjoyable last couple of weeks. Paul and Amanda arrived on 23rd December and we had a beaut family Christmas at my place (with the capon which was delicious….) and with Nic and the three kids. Also tested out the Noilly Prat I’d bought a few weeks earlier, with one of the suggested cocktails – a “Marseillanaise” – half white and half red. Delicious. Needless to say, there has been much eating and drinking and getting out and about in the incredibly fine weather we’ve been having here. Day after day of clear blue skies and mild temperatures. Hopefully to continue……

Pasta making

A few nights ago, a pasta-making night with Nic and the kids using their new pasta machine. And it was certainly deemed a success - meat ravioli with sage butter, and a spinach lasagna. It did take rather a long time, even with many hands on deck, but it was certainly worth the wait.