Our main event of the week was an overnight trip to Bordeaux. We left here on Thursday morning and arrived just before two. The main bridge we normally used is closed for repairs, so we came by a different route which took us through Villebois and then into the city from the north, avoiding the autoroute. We made it to the parking garage without any incident and it took the same amount of time. We stayed at a new hotel this time called Hotel Gambetta, which is near our usual one, but cheaper.
The first order of business was to find outfits for the wedding. We wanted something a bit more dressy than shirt/trousers, but didn’t know what. We tried a few shops before finding the right one. We ended up getting waistcoats (vests) to wear over the shirts, so it appears we’re making an effort without really doing so. The salesperson was a young woman who basically picked out everything for us, and did a bit of upselling at the same time. In the end, we spent a bit more than expected, but we’re happy with the result. We just need to get the trousers hemmed, and Carol has offered to do it for us.
We then did a bit of shopping for rings, and visited a few shops. It ended up being more of an info gathering session and we didn’t end up buying anything. We’ve since found a few things we like on line, so may end up ordering something. So we were done with our chores and decided to relax and enjoy Bordeaux. It was around 27C and surprisingly not as crowded as I would have expected for the first week of August. We strolled down the rue de St Catherine and at the far end, stopped for a beer at the cafe where the waiters wear skirts. Next it was all the way back up the same street to the other end where enjoyed a glass and some charcuterie at the Bar a Vin.
We had another cocktail at a nearby bar, then went to one of the gay bars, the Trou Duck where we had another drink or two. It was getting late, so we went out for noodles at our usual place where we had more beer. Just down the street is the Buster Bar, where we know the English owners. We arrived unfashionably early so had a chance to talk with Preston (Graham wasn’t working that night). We told him about the wedding and he helped us craft a special cocktail, which of course meant trying a few before we found the one. We didn’t plan to stay late but luckily, they close at 2am during the week so it wasn’t too late of an evening.
It was warm that night so we slept with the window open, which meant being woken to the nearby tram and building works that started around 8. We checked out, had a little breakfast and then tried to leave town. We wanted to retrace our steps, but it’s never that simple in Bordeaux. In the end, Nathalie, the sadistic satnav saved us and we were on our way to Castillion for wine. We found the chateau and were greeted by the owners. The plan was to buy the 2015 vintage but it didn’t have labels so wasn’t legal to be sold. They would have driven it up to us, but instead, we opted for the 2011 which we know is good. We did get a chance to taste the 2015 and as a wedding gift, they gave us a 1/2 case. So that was another thing checked off the list.
It was curry night on Friday and we had planned to have just Manu & Mathilde. Philippe stopped by their place at the last minute and they asked if he could join. Turns out Francoise did have “the talk” with him when she was here and they’re getting a divorce. The house is hers only, and she wants to sell asap. Philippe has already found a place to buy in St Pardoux, but it could be complicated getting a mortgage since they’re still married. It appears she talked him into shape since he’s sworn off drinking alone (and left us his remaining vodka and pastis), and he didn’t really drink much all night. M & M were both well, and had recently been visiting her family near Bergerac. Both Will & I were tired from the night before so they all left around midnight. Curry night is a good one to host since it means only having to make rice and dessert. I made a peach cobbler that was so-so and Manu did onion bhajis.
We slept late but were still quite tired on Saturday. We had a lazy day around the house, and both did a bit of work to catch up. That evening, we were invited around Benoit & Virginie’s for his brother Benjamin’s 50th birthday dinner. There were around 30 people in all, and we knew quite a few of them from the week before. They did a méchoui, which is a spit-roasted lamb that took around 5 hours to cook. There were various salads, followed by cheese and dessert. This was made by Fred, the baker who made a tower of “pate chou” which are like little eclairs filled with coffee or chocolate cream. There was lots of booze including some light margaritas, wine and the vodka that we brought. After dinner, the music came out and there was plenty of dancing. We finally left around 3.
Yesterday was all about recovery, and today we worked. It’s time to make dinner so I’m outta here.