Les Filles du Palais en tournée and Jeux Sans Frontiers

So the first non-family visitors arrived in early July for a long weekend, and I think we all had a jolly nice time - and having three women in the house proved to be not as difficult as I thought it might have been...

Louise, Anna and Becca in Gaillac

Easy jet did their utmost to move the arrival from late Thursday night to early Friday morning, but the girls arrived before midnight and once we had made our introductions - only knowing Louise and meeting Becca and Anna for the first time - it was off to chez moi. The temperature even at 11.00pm was well into the mid to high 30's so once we got to the house, it was time for a late supper, some bubbly and a look around the house.

The girls seemed suitably impressed with the accommodation, and I realised I could probably have squeezed them into one room judging by the surprise that they each had one... know better next time...
There was some trepidation at investigating the Fritzel suite, but once down there and realising you couldn't be locked in - and if you were you had access to the Cave a Vin - they seemed happy enough!

After a good nights sleep and a French breakfast we decided that as it was a little overcast there wasn't going to be the Tan Topping activity available that morning - so the decision was taken to venture out in search of Wine.

Gaillac

A little aside here - Toulouse itself doesn't really produce wine - the nearest real wine production is towards Carcassone in the South, Bordeaux in the West and Gaillac to the North East. Gaillac is the nearest at about 50-60 mins drive.
So after the girls had re-showered and replaced tanning products for tanning products that allowed them to go out we made a start on driving to Gaillac.

Although I should probably apologise for the less than impressive iPod selection in the car, I have now (bit late I know) found a couple of good radio stations that play some good, 80's, 90's and 00's music.

How big?

We made it to Gaillac and after driving up and down the same road in a number of directions - I thought of it more as sight seeing rather than not knowing where we were going - and then struggling with the French road sign habit of pointing you in a direction and then at the next two junctions refusing to give you any clues!!! We made it to a wine producers outlet - again in a slight aside I have found some vineyards that you can visit and get a slightly better experience I think - anyway we had a sample of some red and white locally produced wines and after looking around at all that was on display - including the biggest wine glass you are ever likely to see - a case of RED wine was purchased and packed into the car, to be split up later.
We then made our way back into Gaillac and the "House of Wine" some more tasting and the girls very kindly bought me some wine as a thank you - we made our way around Gaillac to see what it had to offer... not a huge amount as it turns out, but we found a café for a café and wine for those not driving, and then continued to explore. Time being a driver we decided to head back towards home and visit the Hypermarche on the way to get some BBQ bits and pieces.

Action shot... but no names...

An uneventful trip back, and a BBQ in the rain! - Well half in the rain and then a few games on the Wii to wrap up the evening

A future Champion looks on...

Next day proved to be fantastically sunny so with only one shower and one application of Tanning product for sitting around in (as opposed to travelling in) it was decided a day by the pool would be the height of the activities. Although Louise had been harbouring a need to build an in pool obstacle course from the week before arriving! So armed with floating spaghettis, diving weights and inflatables a course that could challenge even Flipper was put together - I would say what it was but is far to complicated to remember!!

Is this how dolphin feels...

Suffice to say that after Becca, Myself and Louise had completed our laps (against the clock) Anna, having been a floating obstacle herself stepped up and wiped the floor with us! Obviously having studied our mistakes although pretending to read at the time...

"Your not taking pictures are you...!"

So Jeux Sans Frontiers Champion 2010 to Anna.


 There were then a number of "flotation assisted (or not)" races between the girls of which I have no idea who came out on top but have a suspicion it was Anna the eel - maybe with the use of hidden gadgets, who knows.

Les Filles du Palais

Saturday evening we went into Toulouse, and had a great meal in the Place du Capitole right in the centre of town, girls treat which was really nice.

Meal in Toulouse

It was a shame the weekend had to end on the Sunday, as I think there was a few more days of fun to be had, maybe next time, and a big thank you to the girls for making it all so enjoyable and easy, hopefully there will be a chance to repeat it at some point. Oh almost forgot! When we got the wine back from Gaillac it was WHITE!!! A huge disappointment all round but something to rectify next time, and the Cave is now well stocked after my Châteaux visits now.

Back to France & Home...?

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Back to France on Sunday and it is feeling like home, and where I should be, not that I don't enjoy catching up and going out back in Chesham!

Thanks to Erick for popping in and making sure all was well whilst I was away.

Got back to find that no raves or tea dances had been organised by the parents whilst I was away - however, there does seem to have been some unwanted habits being introduced to the cats.

Having them line up at 7.00 every evening for "grooming time" is a little tedious, but their coats are testament to the good it does them.

Have had a nice week off with the parents and relaxing for a couple of days, a day in Toulouse with coffees, lunches and lots of walking. Have been feeling a little under the weather with a sore throat and with a minor nose bleed was catagorised as a swine flu victim by my mum!!! However, it has done nothing worse than a sore throat so not going to be retiring to my bed for a week yet!!!

Last evening with a house full tonight and then back to normality(?) tomorrow night, no bookings, no threats of visits for the forseable future - so that means I get to do my own thing after 3 weeks of visitors - Hurrah - but I will miss them all, honest!!

Hottest day so far today 34dC in the shade - very, very hot in the sun! Had an hour in the pool with dad inveting games with a mini american football (remember that one A & S?), and a swimming ring, resisted the temptation to throw the ball when dad put his head through the hole though!!!

BBQ this evening and then a very hot evening, going to be trouble sleeping tonight me thinks.

All for now, may be able to upload some pics later.

End of the invasion and a fool in the sun

Well that is the visit - or invasion - over, Sister and family are back safe in the Swine Flu capital of the UK, Leicester.

We all had a great time and I think they all seemed to enjoy themselves. The cats are already missing the extra grooming that they lined up for each evening. Oh well something for the parents to continue this coming week.

Off to the UK tomorrrow for a week running some training in the London facility, hopefully time to get out and have some fun with friends

whilst I am there as well - not all work and no play.

Seem to be accomplished at making an arse of myself this year, and no sign of it letting up, you sometimes do things that on reflection you should just leave well alone and not knowing an answer is often better than finding out the truth.

Hey ho, working on the basis that you can only go so far in the wrong direction before you realise that you need to turn around and sort things out. Also that you cant always read things wrong and at some point you will make the right choice and decision and life might just start to come together - sounds like bollocks but what the heck.

Will it happen, who knows...

Love this picture of the sunflower field with Ginny and Lily.

Wrinkled as a prune? Reclining and fun

Invasion two has started and the pool is getting more than its fair share of use, even with the temperature significantly lower than in recent weeks.

This doesn't seem to bother Lily though, ans it is likely that she will return to England in a similar condition to a prune!

Been a great couple of days so far, and today the new sofas arrived - in six boxes... spent an hour with Dan putting them together - funnily the cricket was on at the same time, so that helped keep us busy.

The reclining parts are fantastic and they are going to come in all sorts of use.




A few pictures of the family - Lily and I enjoying some evening sun.























Lily looking out over the French countryside, the Gers in the background.

Lily enjoying the pool.

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Tree frog returns

Mum and Dad arrived via Easy Jet - apparently a very good flight, and very good service so thanks to Stellios and gang!

Spent the late afternoon picking cherries and looking around the garden and house - they both love it which is great, actually heard them talking about 'leaving some stuff here for the future' - will have to watch that they dont decide to move out permanent, that may just be a bit much...

Had some mail destined for #61, noticed it was from the UK so hand delivered it and met the english family living there, been in the house since September and in the area for five years, apparently there is also an American in one of the other houses, so will have to keep my eyes and ears open!

Another great day of 26c, although a short shower in the late afternoon didn't put too much of a dampner on things.

Whilst doing the pool chores managed to grab a tree frog that was sat on the pump house, took some pictures - best one here, also had a wonderful sunset again, still working on getting the best out the camera in these conditions, really think it needs a tripod, but will persevere.

Three!, yes three hours of French tomorrow morning - mainly due to me being a doofus and turning up at the end of the last lesson and not the beginning... oh well.

Keep an eye on these posts as I haven't spent this much time with the parents in years, who knows what might happen!!!!