Moving Money to France

After transferring money from our UK bank to our French bank account a couple of times and paying charges at both ends I did a little research and found some money brokerage companies, some of those I contacted were very slow to respond.

However two did respond quickly and answered all my questions. I have undertaken transactions with both of them and all went smoothly, the rate was good and no charges were made at either end, so much better than what my UK bank could achieve.

Currency UK



AFEX - Associated Foreign Exchange

Joyeux Anniversaire Eve

After an afternoon of fun at the park with the children, and having to drag my sister off the climbing frame we returned home to spend an evening with Graham and Eve, it was Eve’s birthday and unbeknown to her she thought we did not know.

Graham had organised a cake and we had bought her a present and Nicole had kindly created some very nice Joyeux Anniversaire posters to put on the walls and hung some balloons.

We managed to reduce her to tears as she was very touched at what we had done, including the home made banners, and Graham’s birthday cake.

We had a very nice evening with lots of BBQ food and enough wine to empty a cave!

It’s Market day again

Friday and market day again, we took my sister and her family to the market to savour the sights and smells. It was particularly hot and it was bustling with people, there were also some very amusing buskers playing all sorts of strange things.

In the afternoon we took a ride to Laroque and visited our local supermarket and DIY store, wanted to make sure our guests saw all the best sights!

A visit from relatives, I can think of no better excuse than a meal at our favourite restaurant Auberge de la Filature. The ambiance was just as good as before and I can honestly say I think the food was even better.

The children are a little more conservative with their food choices and Sam said he liked the sound of the pate that Mark had previously tried. Sadly it was not on the menu, so in my very best French asked if it was available, unfortunately it was not but when the owner found out it was just for the children he rustled up a small portion for them, but also included a little bit of every starter on the menu. I thought he went that extra mile and now know we don’t only go there for the food.

A number of us had the duck with a splendid fruit sauce and others had the pork.

The desserts are fabulous and one of Dens particular favourites is a sorbet available with or without alcohol, you can guess which one he chose and to his delight my sister is not a big dessert fan so offered hers to him as well. Grinning and Cheshire cat spring to mind.

My little sister is coming

Well this is a day I have finally been looking forward to. My sister, her husband and their two children are arriving today for 4 days. Sadly there is not enough room in the car for me to go to the airport with Den to collect them, so I am left at home doing the last minute housework chores. The wait seems like an eternity, only to receive a phone call from Den to say the plane had been delayed by an hour and he won’t be back for a while.

The wait finally over they all arrive excited and tired. (Hankies at the ready) A quick tour of the place, and a few giggles as my sister spots the photographs in the frames on the bedside table in the guest bedroom, for a laugh I thought I would put photos of them all in the photo frames. Forgetting I also had fridge magnet photo frames with them inside she was a little freaked out. I told Den I am going to do it every time we have guests for a laugh; he also thinks I am crazy. I am enjoying it just to see the realisation creep over their faces as they spot themselves. Fun over, we all settle down for much needed refreshments.

What a lovely surprise

I opened the shutters this morning to find a lovely hand tied bunch of Lily of the valley on my table outside. I can only assume they had been left by our lovely landlady and took them inside to put into water. It was especially nice as it was my Mums favourite flower and it did bring a tear to my eyes.

Today we are going to Pezenas with Graham and Eve at it is a bank holiday and we thought it would be a nice day out. I had seen pictures of it and it was on my wish list of villages to visit. When Graham and Eve arrived she was also clutching a sprig of Lily of The Valley for me as it is given as a good luck wish on May Day in France. This time I did have to reach for my hanky as I explained to them the reason why it meant so much to me.

Pezenas was just as pretty as the photos I had seen of it and we spent a lovely day exploring the village and stopping for a pleasant lunch in the centre.

We also visited Moureze which is a village where Eve’s grandmother had been bought up and it held some fond family memories.

That evening we began our French conversational lessons with a friend of Graham’s who has kindly offered to help us with our speech in return for Dennis has created her a website for the Gites she has to rent. www.gitesinthelanguedoc.com

Time to get the hanky out again

Time for another trip to the airport and the usual revealing of the hanky, sadly the end of another happy week with the family, kisses and hugs all round and they are on their way home again.

Ganges Market

Friday saw us taking our usual trip to the market to savour the sights and smells. I have to get my weekly fix of smells, cheese, spices, fruit, and freshly roasting chickens.

Le Vigan

This afternoon we took a ride to Le Vigan, where Den spotted a watch he liked in a jewellers. I was not keen as it had a bright orange face.

had promised to buy him one for his birthday that was in March, but as yet he has not found one he liked.

Here we go again-Auberge de la filature

After our earlier discovery of this wonderful restaurant we decided to take Mark and Kay there to taste the delights. Mark and Kay are very much like us and do enjoy well prepared food. As Graham’s girlfriend Eve could not make it to the restaurant when we celebrated our friend’s birthday they came along with us.

The food I must say was equally as good as the first time and we all left feeling fully satisfied and quite content.

Mark is still reliving the Pate he had for his entrée.

Mark and Kay finally make it

After our earlier exploits of Trains, Planes and Automobiles Mark and Kay finally make it for their return journey. I know it was a complete disappointment that they had not made it earlier but they are now here for longer and the weather is so much warmer.