Saturday 11th June

We may all be on our last hurrah, here in Eymet anyway.  Another great evening at Le Pub Gambetta and the average age (discounting a couple of young children) must have been around Seventy.  Rob Russell, the singer was a mere stripling – not even retirement age.  He was joined for the second half by his slightly older brother John, and they really rocked.

Looking round I was almost, and certainly one of the, younger ones.  And it struck me that we, the baby-boomers were maybe having our last hurrah.  Mostly retired, we are simply having a great time.  And who knows when it might end. Hopefully not for a while yet, but just in case, let’s let it rip.  There is something really wonderful about walking into the pub (or actually outside under the ancient arches) and not only knowing almost everyone, but having your hand shaken by the men or being kissed by all the women.  And everyone seems so happy to see each other again, as we do most Friday nights.  We sing along and dance to the music of our youth, or in my case of my infancy – songs we know so well and have heard down the years.  We know from the first chords what is coming and most of us know every word.  This is our music, and it certainly was the best.  We have truly been the lucky generation, born into a relatively war-free world we have had incredible increases in our standard of living, easy employment, generous pensions and most important of all – rising house prices.  For which most of us have benefited, allowing us to buy second or larger houses out here in France.  And we may be old and wrinkly but we certainly are having a great time, even if this may well be our last hurrah.  The baby boomers are going out with a bang.