My own travel schedule has been more limited and self-imposed - the week just gone in the UK. Late night Saturday flight to Lyon ten days ago for the final game (of any personal interest) of the season. Lovely late spring sunshine on Sunday, and les cannoniers responded with some sunshine football of their own. Then, the UK spring bank holiday spent chez J&C, where le maitre chef continued his outdoor DIY campaign with some water-jetting of the driveway while ms beaucoup et moi hid indoors. Afterwards the sun came out in time for a late lunch in the garden accompanied by a drink, or two.
In an attempt to spread the load, I spent Monday evening chez the Margarita Man. Saumon for dinner and an introduction to his latest squeeze were on the agenda. Tuesday the sun had been replaced by rain and wind squalls, so I settled down to some work, with a break to rescue the garden furniture from the fish pond. I think the carp survived the shock of having their home rudely invaded by a heavy wooden table.
In the evening, I made another selfish move, back to J&C's, where les vrais Gooners watched the under-19s cap an all-conquering season by completing the thrashing of the scousers in the final of the FA Youth Cup. Second trophy in a week. The future is coming...
On Wednesday, another move inspired by a selfish desire to watch football. While la bienheureuse was jetting in to Stansted I caught the train down to deepest Berkshire where the DeB and I watched the Champions League final with differing degrees of satisfaction. La Tizz cooked a delicious dinner and ma bien-aimée arrived in time for a glass of wine.
Thursday, work for us both. La bienheureuse went off to Guildford for a meeting during a power cut, and I ensconced myself with laptop in a corner of the conservatory being distracted by hunting cats and suicidal blackbirds while Madame et les garçons came and went to various daytime rendezvous. Another lovely dinner in the evening, then we bade farewell to our gracious hosts and set off for Guildford again. While la salariée finished her meeting, I did a bit of sightseeing - cathedral, castle, then a blistering five mile stomp along the North Downs way.
An early end to work for the day meant la bienheureuse was able to meet me for an early afternoon drink in ye olde Ship Inn before we set off for Horsham, the final stop of an itinerant week. We eventually found our way to the singular bungalow of Mrs J, where we renewed acquaintances with the missing spice girl, back from NZ to look after her mother's hip. The wine and the girls' chat flowed late into the night.
Saturday, a walk in the park, tapas and a flying visit from the motor man for lunch, shopping for sunglasses and sandals in the afternoon, and a less satisfactory bit of tv football viewing. In the evening, the Doctors C arrived for a bbq on the patio. More wine, more chatter and another late night followed.
Sunday morning a parting of the ways was nearly derailed by a motoring mishap. A successful attempt to jump start a car which hadn't moved for 3 years was followed by a less successful attempt to turn off the alarm, which ended with the keys in the car, the engine still running and the doors locked. Several attempts to break in failed before le beau-père hit on the bright idea of using the right spare key.
Crisis over, we waved goodbye to our prodigal antipodean friend and set off for another rendezvous with the motor man and his lady. On the second attempt we found a nice country pub and enjoyed lunch and beer in the sunshine. Enjoyed it for slightly too long to make the trip and Gatwick experience comfortable, but eventually we made it past check-in and security in time for the flight home, which was of course delayed.
And so, home to a warm and sunny Lyon. La bienheureuse is currently on the Czech republic leg of her European tour while I managed to get book 3 prepared and sent off to the printers (DIY variety) yesterday. Looking forward to a rare weekend at home already...
