fourty love, then game set and match

a magnificent cake from Liz and settings by Karen, aperos and apero's and nibbles by Jennifer
in Suzanne's flat

Odiles pad in Bonnefont

it started with a kiss..... and a tennis racket. I introduced them in Joe's bar, Marc then coached Suzanne and then Hugo for a month of tennis before going back to England, Hugo was more than a little smitten. By the time we had been back in England for about six weeks there was news across the seas of a little more than a friendship going on. When we were back at Christmas's that year they had fallen in love with each other, by Easter the following year the engagement was announced and a ring was proudly been shown about.

the hen night....girls in the pink

a basque three course meal, her is the main, veal and a beautiful mix of fresh peppers and spices

are you all paying attention because now i will begin

Annabelle,  Liz and Nathalie

thoughtful place settings  and flower arrangements by Karen and Laura

all gathered outside the Maires office in Castelnau

Bentley followed by Juggernaut!!

Suzanne looking gorgeous in her wedding dress

one of the bridesmaid

i do... or was it just "marvellous"

Emma, looking for more exciting things under the table

James (Hugo's nephew) and Marc holding the rackets

rice, paper and lavender followed

the happy couple making their way to Joe's bar

the Bentley

the family shot

admiring the beautiful views

a beautiful catch

the reception, a beautiful sunset and other young lovers

Georgia and Mia

James the DJ (who is now on a successful musical career of his own)

and finally a slice of the cake before a night of dancing!

today they have flown off, a week later for their honeymoon in Tunisia

fete fantastique

It all started with a hen party this week, and the big wedding of the year follows next week. Meanwhile...starting tomorrow, for three days, we have our own village fete and all the fun of the fair in our town square....

my babies, Milou, Darcy (yes it's official)Aramis and Porthos

So here is the agenda, roughly translated from the poster below. Petanque on Friday (this is the highly edited version) mussels and chips in the evening, and a very loud disco from eleven pm onwards.

Saturday morning volleyball contest, Marc was in a team one of two English teams.  A midnight market with a barbecue, i bought a dress for the wedding !!! a disco for the under twelves, followed by adult noise until three am?! Discos are held in our ex (never happened as a railway) railway station.

Sunday the finale for more loud music, well into the next morning, the final of the Petanque contest and fireworks around the lac. If i sound ungrateful i am not, it is wonderful to see the town come alive during august...just had a few sleepless nights already, what with the babies.

exciting graphics to announce the village festivities

their have been lots of prep for the petanque tournament on sunday

suits you sir!

face full of concentration from this handsome young competitor

maybe this particular match was not so on the ball?

early set up on thursday, ready to go live on friday

still unloading

incongruous with its regal background

would not be a fun fair without these guys

i am just testing the equipment

now were swinging

minnie is hoping to be swooped up tonight

here's the bumpers in full action!

oooh, there's something moving underfoot

Varta man with his wife and children...he saved my life when i ran over my lawnmower petrol cap and promptly found
me a knew one. He also fixes and sharpens most machinery for a reasonable price

here come the boys!!!.....

I am sorry that i am even later with this weeks entry, but as you can see i have my hands rather full.... or rather Marc has.

three weeks

three little handfuls, we were only going to take two, but could not leave the
last ginger handful on his own??!!

Darcy, at three weeks, avec mama's house

the boys when they first came home, five weeks too six weeks.... a bit young

Darcy looking pretty

Aramis with his mini space hopper

Darcy chasing an imaginary spider and learning all the right dance moves

top to bottom, Darcy, Aramis and Porthos
Darcy was an abstraction from D'Artignan, as he maybe a she??

....then came the girl, normally you come back from a broccante with more unnecessary things you need to find a place for, well perhaps we did...but she is worth it and absolutely gorgeous to boot (vide grenier bit like a boot fair). Meet Milou a four month old Berger de Pyrenees, or labrit more info on our lovely pup

Marc and I have always loved Tintin, in fact we saw the film recently and absolutely loved it.  Hergé author of Tintin never had a dog in his family until his last years, but in 1929 he was a regular at a cafe where the owner had a terrier—a major source of inspiration for Snowy. The French name Milou is a portmanteau of Marie-Louise, the nickname of Hergé's first girlfriend, Marie-Louise Van Cutsem. Their relationship dwindled because of her father's disapproval of Hergé's low social class, but Hergé remained fond of her and chose the name for Tintin's most trusted friend. I think she will be our trusted friend also.