It’s election time !

The weather has turned cold and wet again. Spring has gone into hiding so the heating is on and we are back wearing our coats and scarves.

Last Sunday elections for local councillors were held all over France. This happens every six years, and if there is no clear winner (51%) for mayor then everyone votes again on Sunday 30^th March. It’s complicated. As we didn’t know about the election in time ( last December) we hadn’t registered so couldn’t vote. Don’t know enough about the issues to make an informed decision anyway. But next time !!

Candidates appeared at all the local markets for weeks before and we like the way they work.

A table loaded with lots of wine and nibbles, and perhaps an accordion player to entertain. Each time we saw this there were lots of supporters hanging about chatting and drinking – no big election speeches, no promises to be broken later.

Our mayor, M. Jacques Reix was re-elected.

Recently we went to a Côté Salon at Sainte Foy. This is a trade fair for  the local businesses – pools, central heating, floor coverings, double glazed windows, etc. The local car dealers also displayed a few cars and the vintage car club attracted the most attention.

This is for those who are interested in such things........

We also attended a concert in our local church in Port Sainte Foy on Sunday afternoon. This is a simple country church with white painted walls, a ribbed vaulted ceiling and the most beautifully coloured stained glass windows. About 100 people  sat on wooden pews or , as in our case, small wooden chairs with rush seats (not too comfortable). There were solo and ensemble performances by local musicians of everything from Bach and Mendelsohn to Gershwin and ‘swing’. Impressive performances and a lovely way to spend a wet Sunday afternoon, and literally a one minute walk home for coffee.

Our wonderful french teacher, Steffi, likes to organise ‘activities’ so that her french and English students can mix and practice with each other. Last month it was a dégustation of cheeses and wine which was held at our house ( hers is too small) . It was a  great success and we enjoyed having a group of french people in our home for the first time. This month it was playing boardgames, Cluedo , in french. Did you know that the french for  “wrench”  is “clé anglais”  (English key).  Is this a social comment on the English ??

We look forward to next month’s subject to be held at a local patisserie – desserts !!!

One of our french friends who we met through french class is Emmanuel. He lives and works here in Sainte Foy but head office is on Martinique (West Indies). This means he has to go there regularly - it's a tough life etc. He is there this week so he sent us a photo, just to rub it in.

C’est magnifique, n’est-ce pas ?

à bientôt  mes amis