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.

Oh dear, four months past...

Well I really am going to have to try and get back in the habit here! Have just set up the "Visitors blog" to collate shared weekends, photos and experiences out here - so will post to there for the people who have been over here.

So I guess I need to sit down now and do July - October, will try and do a post for each month - although not 100% how the memory will serve me to get it all in the right order.

So first up will be July... and the three B's...

Blighty, reunions and good times

Had a great week back in the UK - the training went well and I even got a rather "snazzy" Indonesian batik shirt as a present - pics to follow, maybe!

Good to catch up with so many friends who made the time back in the UK great fun, have to admit it was a little wierd being back and not being in my house, but at least I have (probably) got tenants in there now, so onwards and upwards in the landlord world. A huge thanks to "he who shall not be named" for all the work that he did to get things spic and span, and also to his little house elf helper!

Managed to get to the get out for the Pepper Show and catch up with everyone, sorry it wasnt longer or that I could have got there earlier and seen what the show was like. Also fitted in a 60th birthday and to be honest he doesnt look a day over 65...

Still enjoying the golf, even after playing a "proper" course, at Chartridge with hills and ponds and narrow fairways, a bit of a difference to the wide open plains of Wexham! Thanks Mr T and Mr H, hopefully we will do it again end of the month?

Friday had a great evening out for a Thai, beer and a catch up with Mr R, to say there was a lot of 'Casualty' talk would be doing the evening a disservice - however, it was fantastic and a great evening, and I hope that Mr R got home ok...

Saturday, busy, busy, busy, over to Little Chalfont to see Mr & Mrs S and their fantastic lovely new house, what a great AWNING!
Then shot over to Harrow - sorry for running out R&B! - to meet up with Aunt and Cousin for a Dim Sum luncheon, had a great couple of hours and at least it is breaking the 16 year meeting interval previously experienced between me and S!!!

Did a little shopping then and picked up Wii Sports Resort and Tiger Woods (got to improve the golf!!!) complete with 2x Wii motion plus - (already tried them out "brilliant"!)

Got back for Mr H's birthday bash, another fun evening and another international menu - Indian this time - great laughs and too much to eat but that is the way to celebrate!

Sadly had to leave Sunday before there was time to enjoy and english roast - manged Thai, Chinese, Indian but not an english roast!!! - must try harder next time.