Where do I start??? .........

I just do not know where to start!! We have had the most fantastic weekend here in France. The weather was absolutely brilliant, we even needed suncream! Can you believe that in October!?? The first visitors arrived just after lunch on Friday and we started to party. Friday evening ended very late after hot chilli for those who could stand it and a milder version for those of us valuing our tummies slightly more!!!

Saturday morning started with the traditional french breakfast of pastries, croissants and pain au chocolat. The sun burnt through very quickly and the temperatures soon rose. The eager ones were out on the field early testing out the pitch in readiness for the real match on Sunday!! The bale tossing was won by Andrew, (must have been fixed), with Tony coming a close second. Peter gained an award for trying the hardest!!! We made some new friends, Tony and Amy, who joined us for the day. Tony is a professional photographer so we are hoping for some great photos from the day!!!!! After an afternoon playing more games on the field we enjoyed a paella, lovingly prepared with the help of our sous chef Maddog!!! He got the great job of preparing the onions, garlic and squid!!! Our neighbours, the Vautiers, aka Thierry the friendly farmer and his family joined us for dinner and madness. Fun was had playing night time frisbee and 4X4 excursions in the dark in the valley. We all survived!!!! We couldn't persuade the Vautiers to play cards but the rest of us played until the early hours. Keith and Sue did not cheat at all, but I think that several people were "Poo Heads"!! (You needed to be here!!)

After a full crepe breakfast on Sunday the eager ones were yet again out on the pitch in preparation ....... I spent the morning wondering whether I should have asked the French team whether they played slowpitch or fastpitch.

The boys prayers were finally answered at lunch when an all girls team arrived to play! You can imagine the excitement! One of the girls has been picked for the French National team!! Oh dear, were our guys in trouble!! The rest of the French team arrived slightly later with their coach, would this be the end of the excitement, it was looking serious!!!

A small van pulled in the drive last. The French teams coach told us that he had brought the local tv station with him. Oh no!! A dirty t-shirt, no make up and I didnt have my lenses in!!!! Panic Panic Panic!!! The presenter was a lovely young lady who could speak some English, excellent I thought, no translating. No such luck!! They wanted to do an interview with us and someone needed to translate as her English was not good enough! Well, Andrew and I managed a great interview!!! I think I spent more time answering questions than translating though. At the end of the interview she asked if there was anything else that we wanted to add. Andrew had a great answer; "NO!!" He is definitely a man of few words!!

The game was fun and exciting. Needless to say we won, but we still gave them the Chateau Larcombe trophy and the MPV3 award went to the new French National player!! The team joined us for after game drinks and left in high spirits. We have invited them back for next year already!!

Sunday ended with another meal outside, watching Field of Dreams in the cinema, a girls only card session, night time frisbee and much more that I am sure I have forgotten......

The food went very well for the weekend, although I am biased!! However, we are still missing a large block of cheddar!!!! (Its ok Sue, I wont tell the real story, I love you!!!)

Thanks again to everyone for the most fabulous weekend. We are missing you all already. The game of cards this evening is a very quiet affair!!! Same time next year with more people????????

Love you all, especially you Sue.