"Purple Patch"

  Earlier in the year we received an invitation to the wedding of Sharon and Anthony, the bridegroom being the son of our friend Irene. The invitation stated "wear something purple" so we did, along with all the guests. Actually, Sharon and Anthony got married a couple of weeks ago in the UK (legalities simpler) but they always wanted to have their real celebration here in France. Poor Anthony will have to remember two wedding anniversaries!! So they arranged  with the family to rent an enormous gite and they all came over for the celebration. It turned out to be an idylic venue although the temperature was sky high. It was a lovely  "Family Wedding" with a Dutch friend playing the organ and then we had a light lunch with champagne and "the speeches". This was followed by "quiet time" as temperatures by then were approaching 40 degrees. All guests reassembled again about 6pm for the barbecue. However not your ordinary barbie. Mike and Irene have been for many evenings to a local village and enjoyed the food cooked by the man they call the "duck man". So they arranged for him to come and cook duck breast topped with foie gras and potatoes liberally sauted with garlic. Can you smell it ?  It is our idea of heaven!! The evening continued with booze and disco for those up for it.

Irene belongs to a Patchwork and Quilting group here and the Dutch lady that runs it arranged for us all to write messages to the bride and groom and she will transfcer them to a quilt. What a wonderful  thought to be lying in bed and reading the good wishes of your family and friends on your wedding day.

I mentioned above that we adjourned for quiet time, well everyone else did but not John and I. We went home to finish  the "puds" which were the dessert after the BBQ. We had volunteered to provide them and it was a great pleasure. Firstly because the guests were very appreciative and secondly because I reflected that a year ago I could not even hold a spoon. We are certainly enjoying this purple patch.