New Year's letter, 2009

As we put away the decorations for another year, it seems impossible that a whole year has passed since our Christmas last year in France.

There have been a few new changes in the village-the swimming pool is open and is a great success, especially in the off-season when only the hardiest among us brave the Mediterranean. M & Mme Miguel are enjoying their retreat so the Epicier Midi Prix in the Grand-Rue is now closed. However, a village must have good food so Mme. Granier, who is well past retirement age, and her son have opened a small grocery store across from the church. Their “poulet rôti” is a treat for Sunday lunch.

David Gouzy is a young chef who has opened his home as a cooking school “Les Leçons du Piano”. At first we assumed that he was offering piano lessons but to our delight, discovered that he is an excellent chef. He also offers “table d’hotes”. When we were at the house in June, we had arranged for the electrician to do some minor repairs. We had also invited friends to dinner for the next evening. A la Peter Mayle, the electrician who “normallement” would come on Monday evening could now only come on Tuesday evening, at the same time as our 8 guests! David came to the rescue and in his lovely yard, prepared dinner for all of us, leaving the electrician to repair the kitchen sockets.

We think that this is the best lesson we are experiencing in France-learning to take things in stride. Judging from the notes our guests leave us, they too are enjoying the chance to practice their Gaullic shrug. Perhaps, the time has come for you too to experience your own “leçons en Français”.

Andy and Andrea Swan