Fun times being had in France: 2009

Saturday, 26 December 2009

Boxing Day 09

All together now...

Give us a clue Margaret!?

How many days of Christmas are there?

I've given up

Hostess Sylvia with Sarah and Samantha

Really John, I'm giving up the booze....!!!!

Tom the photographer

More garlic bread anyone??

Girls in purple!!

Thursday, 24 December 2009

Christmas Walk and Carols

Morning walk with the usual walkers (and me!)

Gathering for a singalong at Tabarly

All together girls

Mmmm not sure I know this one!!!!

Mick, "max" and John

Scary singing video - be warned!!

Friday, 18 December 2009

Lovely lunch at Chez Graham

Lots of lovely food, and the back of Nigels head!!

Yep, it's me in a photo, with James of course

everyone having a happy time

Enjoying the food and chat

smile, it's Christmas......

thank you to Helen, David and Ann for yet another lovely lunch party. Wishing everyone a very merry one, not too merry perhaps!! and a happy and healthy 2010.

Blogger K over and out x

Sunday, 20 September 2009

Martin on his bike again

(Warning - If cycling stories bore you, please delete now)

Dear Friends

Four days before I planned to cycle up the Col d'Aspin as a birthday treat to myself, I had a minor mishap in training. A cable, under strain, on my multi-gym became detached and I shot backwards, landing heavily on my coccyx. Wednesday 16 September we set off for the Pyrenees, me with a sore bottom and Linda with the massage oils. We checked in to our hotel at Cadeac, close to the river, in the Aure Valley and then drove up to the summit of the Col d'Aspin to see what tomorrow held in store for me. The scenery on the way up was stunning, the bracken and fern were turning a golden-brown colour on the mountainside and small waterfalls tumbled down, sometimes quite close to the road. The air temperature is cooling in the high Pyrenees now and I wondered, should I have bought winter riding gear.

Thursday morning at 9.25am I set off from the hotel in thick fog with Linda close behind in the car and after 3 km arrived at the turning for the Col d'Aspin. One km into the climb and I was in bright sunshine so handed my jacket to my trusty support team. I reached the summit (1,489m/4,885ft above sea-level) in 1 hour 17 mins. 01 secs, covering 16.3 km and climbing 2,300 feet. I had passed Linda many times, parked at the side of the road, taking photographs and checking on my fitness and drinking bottles. She was at the summit to greet me, we took some photographs, had a drink and discussed our next move. I felt in such good shape I decided to descend to the village of Sainte Marie de Campan and have a go at the Col du Tourmalet, the other side to that I had climbed in June. My support team advised against this, suggesting I should be happy with one mountain climb. The descent of 13.4 km took 21 mins 32 secs., reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph. I overtook two camper-vans and Linda only passed me in the last 4 or 5 kms. We had a coffee together in a bar at Sainte Marie and then I started the climb to the top of Le Col du Tourmalet. On three separate occasions, I caught other riders, rode with and then carried on. They were cycling marginally slower than me, but in their defence, they were probably in their late fifties! In turn, I was passed many times by young whiz-kids who appeared, by their speed, to be ridding on the flat. Linda was ever-present, encouraging, photographing and generally looking after me. I reached the summit of Le Col du Tourmalet (2,114m/6,936ft above sea-level) in 1 hour 51mins. 39 secs., covering 17.7 km and climbing 4,300 feet. It was 1.3 km shorter than the other side, but I bettered my June charity ride time by 7 mins. 21 secs. The total day's ride was 47.4 km in 3 hours 30 mins. 12 secs., climbing 6,600 feet. The last 4 km of the Toumalet was very hard going, lactic acid was building up in my thighs and, in hind-sight, Linda was probably right, one mountain at a time is sufficient now I am a little over 50 years of age! But I did it.

Friday morning we awoke to a light dusting of snow on the mountain tops and, surprisingly, no aches and pains. As a very big thank you, the support team was treated to a day's shopping and lunch in Northern Spain.

Sunday, 13 September 2009

Roger is ?? years old....a good lunch

Happy Birthday to Roger

eeeeeeeooooooooor

Happy eaters, and a lovely spread it was too

Max and Jac enjoying themselves

J&J having a fun time

Wednesday, 26 August 2009

Varenly Regatta Aug 09

Linda and Martin taking out the boat for a quick row before the races, Nick preparing the rescue boat...!

A good turn-out with Mrs A in a fetching swimmy, but this year she didn't fall in...

Crowds gathering

The winners were.....Bev and Martin, Well done to them

The best swimmer of the day!! Well done David

Alex, Maddie and Ben were all "little " rowers and winners too

Monday, 13 July 2009

Strawberry and Wine 09

On route to the party we came across lots of OLD cars

This one was my fav.

Mr & Mrs L...............................our hosts (nice hat Nick!)

Altogether now......Happy Birthday to John

and Happy Birthday to Peter....

A lovely hot day yet again at Mr & Mrs Lynes for their Strawberry and (plenty) Wine party.
Thank you once again for inviting us.

Thursday, 11 June 2009

Nigel had a BBQ for his birthday 10 June 2009

pink cliffs of Saint Antonin Noble-Val

Veiw from Chez Duncan

the birthday boy........love that pinny

Happy eaters

now.....what was I saying?

Thursday, 21 May 2009

Les journées découvertes

La Ferme des Daims et des Merens, le Domaine du Barry et le centre Equestre de La Gresigne vous propose des journées découvertes tout l'été les :

Samedi 20 juin	Vendredi 31 juillet
Vendredi 3 juillet	Vendredi14 août
Vendredi 17 juillet	Vendredi 21 août

Vous aurez la possibilité de rejoindre le domaine du Barry à cheval afin d'y visiter et déguster ses vins en compagnie du vigneron Alain Maroulle à Campagnac. Un repas vous est ensuite proposé a la ferme des daims où vous pourrez goûter les produits issues de l'exploitation dans une ambiance familiale et musicale.

*Horaire:*	Arrivée au centre équestre à 14h00
	Accueil au domaine à partir de 16h00.
	Repas à la ferme auberge à partir de 19h30.

*Tarif :*	Randonnée 40 euros
	Repas 15 euros hors boissons