Francis comes home from Ireland today. Spend some of the morning helping with a few of the chores but Adam seems anxious that we just relax. We take a shopping list and head off to St , while Adam has to go and get Francis from the airport as the car battery of the car that Francis leaves at the airport is flat. Apparently the radio was left on.
Wonderfully twisty route to St Affrique which is probably their nearer sizeable town. Tom Tom tried to lead us up a vertical tiny street which we declined and went around a slightly longer route to the Intermarche supermarket.
I love French supermarkets. Not huge on international variety, they more than make up for this with their huge range of quality local produce. The cheese counter alone could keep you occupied all afternoon. However we were on a mission with cat litter, bulbs and smoked fish to buy, plus many other things. I really enjoyed the hunt and soon they were packed loosely in the car as the French are not big on le sac plastique.
Headed home to attempt to put things away and soon Francis bounded in full of stories of Ireland and uplifiting us with his infectious energy and enthusiasm. We decided to go swimming again so headed of again with Kimber, their loyal German Shepherd, who nearly joined us in the water at one point but no matter how much we tried couldn't be convinced to join us fully.
Back, showered and changed and off to Fireworks at a local village called St Azzaire.
As we got there it seemed already in full swing. Tressle tables with white tablecloths were almost fully occupied by locals of all ages sitting on plastic patio chairs in anticipation of the food.
Francis led us in to meet the organisers. The wife did the Aveyron kiss which seemed to be three cheek kisses, alternating cheeks. Found a table outside on a table full of Brits and introduced ourselves and we started on the food and more importantly the wine. Stuffed tomatoes with Roquefort to start, which were good. Then chicken with morels and potatoes (I missed my greens here) and finally a kind of apple turnover. Wine flowed generously and after all this, a measure or two of eau de vie, a lethal grappa like spirit.
By the time the fireworks started I was extremely shaky in my feet. The fireworks were really impressive for an event if this size and everyone cheered afterwards.
After the fireworks the dancing started and it was great to see people of all ages having a great time together. We left them still dancing at about 2:30 and swerved our way home on the windy roads back to Rivecave.