I took the picture on the right on Friday last, I was taking a walk with my Dear Friend and Jensen. The farmer had brought the cows, calves and the bull down the lane on Wednesday. It is always a pleasure to see the new life and their innate curiosity about the world. Papa bull is a huge lumbering creature that looks fondly at his offspring, as well as their mama's! He seems a gentle soul but - when push comes to shove - he is a bull!! There are other calves even younger than the one in the picture they are kept close to the boss's house on the farm. It wont be long before they will be put to pasture nearer us. I do so love to see them all.
The fruit trees have masses of blossom this year and there has, thankfully, been no sign of a frost. It looks as though we may escape that this year and have a plentiful harvest later on. The birds are busy creating their nests and on our walk Friday I saw where the nightingale was keeping himself hidden. He was teasing us with snatches of his repertoire. I have only seen pictures of them in books and to see him for the 1st time was a pleasure. Yes, they are dull little birds but their song makes up for his lack of physical beauty. The Golden Oriole has arrived and he is just beginning to make tentative calls from his niche by the river. Would love to see him though - patience will out.
My DF arrived late on Wednesday, not too late I hasten to add, she was able to find a flight into la Belle France and then train/coach to our neck of the woods. Poor girl was exhausted after 2 days of travelling. We started to catch up on all news on the Thursday, what a pleasure hearing how things were in her quarter, and lovely to be able to chat! (Men just do not do chat!!) Since her arrival the time has flown, we have done so much! and that is without going anywhere. We did try out our local restaurant Friday night. It is under new ownership. The previous owners, that we became great friends with, retired after 30+ years and moved away. The restaurant now is so very different. Newly decorated and a new menu. Benoit would cook traditional fare, 'ortie et anguille' was one of his specials - he did a fantastic confit de canard and his steak dishes were tender and tasty. The house wine they kept in the cellar was delicious and very drinkable.
The new menu is very 'nouvelle cuisine'. My dear man looked through the menu, looked through again then uttered the cry "They don't do steak and chips!". "Oh dear darling, you will have to choose something else." "Hmm" was the response. After we had eventually placed our order the waitress brought us an 'amuse guele' - a tasty salsa with guacamole served in little glasses - delicious!! Both he and I settled on a 'pinceau de crab' served on an oblong plate with dots of balsamic vinegar and a streak of something green, followed by 'souris d'agneau' with tagliatelle then 'fromage' and 'nougat ice cream' for dessert... Our DF had 'duo de salmon' again on a decorated plate, 'filet de cabilleaud' then 'creme brulee au fleur d'oranger' We chose a lovely crisp and fruity Muscadet and superb Saumur Champigny. Neither wines were too heavy for the food. In all a very attractive and delicious menu with super service. Will go there again - but not too soon. It is one I will definitely recommend - they are not open every evening just Friday and Saturday but they do a lunch menu.
DF took the opportunity to avail herself of my kitchen and cooked a lightly spiced chicken dish for us Saturday evening - it was yummy, will try it myself sometime - must get the recipe - Sunday we had our friends A&L round for Lunch. They brought their collie with them. Jensen and Collie are great mates and the pair of them just played, ate, drank loads of water, rested, and started all over again. They were just fine and there was plenty of room for them. The guys were having a drink at the 'bar' with French friends (all men - no ladies - a Sunday ritual) We girls chatted away as I prepared and cooked our last leg of mutton with roast veg, carrots and broccoli. I also made baked eggs with creamed leeks as a starter - so easy and delicious, and a raspberry brulee for dessert. It turns out that our friends had visited the restaurant Friday lunchtime and they thoroughly recommended the menu served - and at 10.50 euro a head very good value. Also in the course of our conversation heard some gossip about our mayor. No doubt we will hear if it is true or not in due course, but as they say - there's no smoke without fire. Lunch was a lazy affair lasting well into the afternoon. It was a super way to relax, just us grown-ups doing our thing. After A&L left us another couple, R&J, who we only see twice a year, turned up. They have a holiday home out here and come in spring and autumn. Again it was tea and coffee for all. We first met in 2001 and hit it off straight away and I think that because we only see them for a short time each year that it is keeping our friendship fresh. We spent a couple of hours catching up on each others news and will be seeing them again next week (for food - he is an ex-chef!). Am so looking forward to it.
It seems that my blog getting a bit foody... I wonder what a psychologist would make of that!!
I now have new hinges on my oven doors. J fitted them today without too much hassle. The first was the worst as is normal for any such exercise. Tomorrow it will be baking without, I hope, lopsided results. (more foody thoughts!)
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