to this!

We are having the most amazing autumn here in south west France. September and October have been spectacular which might explain why I haven't posted for so long...na, I didn't think you buy it! Here are some photos from around our little farm with the wonderful autumn sunlight. This first one is of our pool with views across the Gers hillside.

There have been a lot of books written over the years as to why French woman don't get fat and the only truthful thing said in or about these tomes is that they made a lot of money. (Hmm, perhaps I should stop now and do the same?!) There is only one reason why French women are thin and that is because they don't eat a lot.

Our much loved cat Puss Puss, aka Moaning Monster, is clearly well brought up and knows that cats are absoutely not allowed on the table at all, ever. Her level of obedience is extraordinary...she does exactly as she pleases at all times. We just managed to save the sweetest little rabbit from her. The joys of having children, sigh.

I go over the Channel to England 3 or 4 times a year to visit my wonderful parents in Hove and my equally wonderful aunt and uncle in Littlehampton. I have eaten in many good restaurants and taken many good photos, but am as always very slack in telling you about it. So without further ado, here are a couple of photos of beach huts in Littlehampton.

We had the fortune of being in the small village (with a big positive attitude) of Laranjeiros on the Portuguese Spanish border on the 4th of March. This day marks the end of the Carnival time and a life-size doll is buried in a grave amidst all kinds of hilarious actions, including using a certain body part as a microphone...need I say more about which part??

Sitting pretty at one of our favourite spots in the Algarves, Ferraguda near Portimao, we bore witness to the spectacular arrival of the German Naval training ship, the Gorch Fock. This massive Tall Ship sailed right by our window, much to the excitement of all.

I looked up the word Footsie online and this is Urban Dictionary's answer http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Footsie
As in Playing footsie (under the table)
The act of flirting in which one secretly touches the feet or legs of another with one's own, as under a table. Have a great Valentine's Day - live dangerously and play footsie with someone...

We discovered this beautiful place after meeting the 2 beautiful people, Ute and Roland (who I called Ronald for the first week...sorry Roland!). We spent several evenings sitting with them playing cards, drinking and just having a blast. They have promised to visit us in France, so you will get to see more of them too.

Today's recipe: Creme Catalan
Catalan Custard with burnt sugar topping

Greetings from a sunny and warm place in Andalucia, Spain. We are once again underway in our camper van and are lapping up the sunshine in our European “down under”. It's been slightly more breezy (up to 60 knots of wind...that's 100km for you non-sailors) and rainy at times, but otherwise sunshine and blue skies. What more can you ask for? A recipe you say. Cheeky monkey.