Australia Day is an excuse for a party here….

Naturally, we took our flag with us to France

The weather is grey and depressing so we thought  “why not have a party for Australia Day ?” We invited about 20 of our nearest and dearest friends here, mostly English of course, and stocked up the wine cellar. They arrived around 4.00pm on Sunday (already Australia Day in Oz if you take into account the time difference) and showed great enthusiasm for the celebration. Some even kindly made lamingtons , coconut cake and anzac biscuits – all very popular. 

mini lamington's were a hit

and  we loved the anzac biscuits and coconut cake

It all lasted well into the night , but perhaps they were just reluctant to venture back outside ( below zero after dark).

around 'the bar'

We were only able to buy  three australian wines locally to share which were much commented on.  I told the story of the arrival of Le Comte de Laperouse at Botany Bay on 26^th January , too late to claim the land for France but just in time to join the First Fleet for a little R&R for a few days as they moved on to Port Jackson. Since we were almost french instead of english it seemed appropriate to celebrate with french wines.

the chilli prawns were considered unusual - but they all disappeared

We had mini pizzas, smoked salmon pinwheels, barbecued chilli prawns and lots more and , in truly australian tradition , the men tended to congregate around the booze supply.

Sorry there aren't more photos, but I was busy with the food and Graham was busy being a 'good host'. Typical australian party.

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for those who didn't see the new car on Facebook - it's a Ford Kuga

The weather forecast is for rain for the rest of the week, so on Tuesday we decided to take a drive in the new car before the bad weather arrives. We headed south east to Villeneuve-sur-Lot about 80 kms away because we haven’t been into the town before though we have often driven past.

one of the 'gates' to the old town

Despite the grey skies and the cold, we enjoyed a walk around the town centre. There are two main town squares where the weekly market is held. The church of St Catherine  takes up much of one square and is on the site of an earlier church that was in too poor a state to restore. It’s built of pink bricks just like the cathedral at Albi and the centre of Toulouse.

eglise St Catherine

pink bricks just like at Albi and Toulouse

built in the Romanesque-Byzantine style last century
to replace a much older church on the site

The other square, Place Lafayette, is surrounded by  colonnades in the traditional style and some beautiful old buildings. We enjoyed a simple lunch at a cozy café – rognons d’agneau for Graham and an omelette for me, all with excellent frites and a glass of rosé, then back out into the ‘crisp’ air.

they were packing up from the weekly market when we arrived at Place Lafayette

the christmas lights are still up

the january sales are still on 

There are a surprising number of good looking restaurants and cafes, and a grand theatre for public performances.

someone living ON the river

house for sale overhanging the river - not a bad position

there are three bridges crossing the river Lot

I’m sure this is a beautiful place in the spring and summer when the trees are in leaf and the sun shining and we shall return. 

Bon weekend mes amis