Todays Mail

Bon jour, what a fantastic day it has been temperatures in the high 20's. So out early this morning with the dogs. I must say it is particularly pleasant and relaxing at the moment to lie on the lounger and snooze while listening to some soul music.

This morning we received a couple of community notices through the post. Now I'm not too bad on translating some of the French, but it took me a while with this one. It was 'Le chemin des mȗres' that got me. After reading the rest and translating some words I finally got it.  The village of Roumegoux, where we live, is getting together with the town of Realmont, which is about 10 mins from here, to go on a hiking trail to pick blackberries. So I think 'Le chemin des mȗres' is a hike to pick blackberries. Apparently we have been cordially invited to participate in the event, which will leave at 9am sunday 1st Oct. Before the event, we will be offered coffee in the village.

After the walk which should finish about 2h 30, it say 'we will share the pot of friendship' to close the morning. I think it was probably a small cartoon drawing at the bottom of the page, of a man with a rucksack on his back, standing at a tree that also helped with the translation. Anyway maybe somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.

Also this weekend the fête de Roumegoux is on. Fête in French meaning party, or festival. Now I have been before, and it is something like a car boot sale. Some fêtes are really good, if you like that sort of thing, but because Roumegoux village is very small their fête isn't that good. In the evening there is a meal, I have a photo in 'memories of France', and it usually consists of a small starter such a salad, then you are served Aligot, which is a speciality from the Aveyron department. It is a cheese and potato dish and a country speciality highly appreciated by the local gastronomy. It's served with Toulouse sausage or roast pork. This fondu- like dish is very popular in Auvergne's restaurants.

 When we went to the fête a few years ago, we watched it being made, and there was an enormous pot and a man stood for ages stirring this Aligot with a wooden spoon. It is much lighter than a puree, and apparently the secret is in the local cheese, which is melted and then stirred into the potato along with butter, creme fraiche, and garlic. I must say it takes getting used to texture , but the French people absolutely love it. We had it served with Toulouse sausage. After that you are offered a sweet, which is usually a small fruit tart. Of course there is wine on the table as well.

So it has been a good day all round, I must say the weather at the moment is fantastic, and it is to continue for another 10 days. So jusqu'à la prochaine fois.

Quote for today:

'Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing'