Saturday 12th March

Well the big day has come at last.  65, and believe me there have been times I never thought I might make it this far; I have to confess that I haven’t always been the careful, considerate and conformist individual you now know….hahaha.   And technically I have been semi-retired for a few years, some might say longer.  I still have one customer which takes about three or four days a month and of course I work in the café sometimes.  And yet I seem busier than ever, I sometimes wonder how I ever found the time to go to work.

And at last it seems to have stopped raining, not exactly warm spring days yet but you can feel a touch of warmth in the air at last.  And it is the summer we really love out here, for two months we practically live outside as there are Marche Nocturnes and Soir Gourmandes almost every night of the week.  And music under the arches every Friday, and the special festivals, the Medieaval Weekend and the Oyster and Wine festival make it really special.

We are having a huge party tonight in the new house.  The trouble is that once you go past your small immediate circle of friends you have to invite practically everyone you know.  And we certainly know a lot of people; the English community here tends to all know each other and running the Café we have met so many more.  We have spent days getting everything ready and today (Saturday) will be spent preparing the food.  Rob Russell is playing live so a good time should be had for all.

And then life will carry on, much the same I imagine.  Though at last I will have an income, not as good as I had once hoped but still.  So looking forward to retirement but stopping working, no chance.