Dragged out of Retirement

Well, it's the start of the second Bank Holiday of May, and it's pouring with rain, cold (a measly 7 degrees!) and there's a robin in the bird-bath......... is it REALLY May ?    I went out food-shopping this morning in the wet but I'm not stepping out again today if I can help it !  The first Bank Holiday of the month the lovely Ricardo (aka bazanges) was here for the weekend and it really did feel like Spring.................. especially with having some lovely gelati at Amorino in Soho

We had a whole week of blue skies and sun in Sitges, the most consistently lovely weather we've ever had there, and I think late June could now be my preferred time to be there.... it had a fresh look to it, flowers, greenery, and not too many people.  Our favoured beach was quite a bit smaller this year, due, I believe, to some very heavy storms in March which took away a fair amount of sand...so we saw rocks which had previously been covered and felt closer to the water. There certainly won't be much room for all the bigger bears in September !

The lovely Ricardo (bazanges) always gets to the beach early to ensure we get "our" sun-loungers in the spot we like and gets to enjoy the peace and tranquillity for an hour or so before it starts getting busy. Apart from at the weekend the mornings were rather a relaxed affair, taking until lunchtime to get busy. 

Although it's rather lovely seeing the sights during the day, there is something magical about enjoying the view before it all starts (somebody must have been early to "book" their space at the front - the group of four arrived a good two hours later).

Our lovely friend Ricardo (bazanges) was due to visit us for a few days last week, but has instead had a couple of weeks stay in hospital.... so I thought I'd surprise him on Friday by turning up unannounced at afternoon visiting time. Direct trains from London to Gloucester (and back) are surprisingly few, so I booked tthe nearest either side of the hospital visiting hours which gave me just over an hour extra on arrival. Gloucester Cathedral is apparently well worth a visit so, as it's not too far from the station, I looked forward to having a look around and made sure I remembered my camera. Gloucester itself is "not much to write about" but the historical part around the catherdal has some lovely buildings, though blighted by the many parked cars and vehicles, so many that it just seemed pointless to take many photographs, and, I couldn't believe it, the catherdral was closed to visitors all afternoon.  Hoards of guys in army fatiques were assembling outside as well as many of them patronising most of the nearby food shops and cafes, and a number of high-ranking officials, medals everywhere,  together with ladies "of a certain age" smartly dressed in black or purple or a mixture of both. No explanation was given, I'm assuming it was some sort of memorial service perhaps.





So, as the historical docks were also nearby I decided to see if I would fare any better, but as it had clouded over and the area was deserted I didn't waste much time there, and in any case I needed to head for the hospital (which has the appearance of a barracks !)

Though on a "six degrees of seperation-type thingy" the large restored old crane I saw was manufactured in Rodley (now part of Leeds) an area I know well and have had some association with.  The old Crane Works still stand (in part) but of course haven't been in use for years and the area is all residential now.


and from a bit of research... an old letter-head image of the company......



Hopefully, the lovely Ricardo will be "back to normal" and home soon...... and visiting us soon after that.

Well, we are welcoming a couple of LJers (well, one writer!) to dinner this evening, hopefully all the trouble of the last few days has settled now in London and it is safe to venture out in the evening as normal..... it will be good to meet after reading the journal for some time now.

The chicken is marinating in a honey and mustard dressing in the fridge, and I'll be rolling out shortcrust pastry shortly ....... which all reminds me that when Ricardo (bazanges) and I were in France recently, he took on the mantle of "Domestic Goddess" for the week...... So much so that I jokingly said we should do a book on his cookery !

Afternoon tea taken in the garden of Rue du Puits Chambres d'Hotes in Boussac is just lovely...........

Two weeks ago today Ricardo (bazanges ) and I were in Aubusson, dodging the rain showers on the way there.  As it's historically famous for being a centre for the manufacture of tapestries and carpets I was expecting a rather larger place, but in reality found it to be a fairly small and quaint town, very pretty in parts.  The only disconcerting thing was that there is piped music in a couple of the main streets, French or classical music I may have understood, but Tom Jones, and the like, I have to draw the line at - who thought of that !! - just too weird......

So, Aubusson has existed since Roman times, but it was in the 14th century that it became famous for it's textiles, and in the 17th century the workshops were given "Royal Appointment" status, and examples can be seen in all the palaces, notable house and castles throughout  Europe.  The French Revolution, and then the "arrival" of wallpaper, caused a downturn in popularity, but tapestries made something of a comeback in the 1930's when artists such as Cocteau, Dufy, Dali and Picasso were invited to express themselves through the medium of wool.

Sadly, the population of the town has been dropping since the 1970's and is now less than it was in the 1820's...... along with what seems the rest of rural France it feels like 75% of Aubusson is for sale, or just falling down, with bargain properties available to anyone who has the money to spare.... not many in this current world-wide financial climate !  But part of the beauty of the town is in the delapidated buldings and unspoilt areas.

Way back in April, the lovely David and Ricardo (bazanges ) entertained us for the weekend, which included a visit to the RHS Spring show. The company was glorious (as ever) as was the weather !

The show was a most enjoyable start the the season of what feels like “full-on” gardening, and the sun ensured a large crowd at the show, and in the grounds of Cardiff Castle where it is held.
 

A reminder of Spring.......

   

   
 

   

David slaved away in the kitchen all weekend, providing us with lots of delicious food, including a delightful blackberry and apple crumble..... yum !

 

…. and we got to spend some time chillaxing, with the odd gin or three..............  and much to Franco's surprise/horror, a crisp(chips sandwich for me !!

 

and David's garden was looking wonderful......................
 

 


Well, I think that's enough photos for one day !! ...... so long as they post !!

 

   

   
A certain person (with an "innocent" grin) has a penchant for all things chocolate !!........ particularly ice-cream truffle bon-bons....... of course, there is another ice-cream-aholic too !

Location@ La Oca, Sitges........ Franco, Roy, Ricardo...... and me on my mobile phone camera !

A couple of weeks ago the lovely Ricardo aka bazanges  was staying with us and thought he might (re)launch himself on LJ, however, the "silence" so far has been deafening!! lol...

Looking for inspiration (and which button to press)............................................. and off we go!


Sadly, it seems the gin didn't work ! - That means it will have to be treble measures next time !!


I think he needs some LJ friends to spur him on !!