Journal Sat 23rd August 2025

Morning folks. I am done, broken, exhausted.

We had our French friends round for a BBQ last night. This is the first time in 7 years we’ve done this, partly because we live in a semi isolated spot so not a great deal of passing chat. These lovely people have always been so welcoming to us at village events and always made the time to make us feel included, even if we didn’t know what was going on. Suzanne I think was the first person we ever spoke to when we moved here, and her Aunt “Tante Helene”, used to live in our house.

Yesterday I was in the final throws of “a big clean”, before my lovely FIL comes to look after the animals while we’re away, so there was that first of all. I desperately needed to cut the grass, so as soon as things were dry enough outside, I did that, plus some strimming that was long overdue and bugging me. Then I made some more bbq rub, 1/4 cup smoked paprika, 1/4 cup ground pepper, 1/4 cup salt (although I use half this amount – it’s too much), 1 tbsp garlic powder, and I throw in some oregano because I’m extra. If you cover chicken in a layer of sweet mustard and use that as a glue to stick on this magical dust then you won’t be disappointed. I made Jack Daniels beans, which are as delicious as they sound, a batch of homemade coleslaw, a batch of potato salad topped with crispy bacon and chives. Then cleaned the kitchen again. By this point it was 5pm and they were due at 6.30. Shower needed, and whatever isn’t done now, will remain not done.

Hubs was on BBQ meat duty and on the menu was smoked duck, chicken with the rub I’ve just mentioned and herby sausages. Suzanne brought a huge platter of crudités and a sort of cross between a tarte poireaux (a leek quiche), but the base was more like a focaccia bread. Was delicious. Catherine & Didier brought dessert which was a pineapple upside down cake with a lot of cream. Also delicious, but we almost forgot to eat it, it was 11pm at this point and the evening had flown. I have a sore throat his morning from all the chatter, I’m out of practise it seems.

I gave Suzanne a tour of the house before everyone went home, she said it had changed a lot but she liked what we had done with it. She was particularly thrilled with the pencil signatures of the painter that signed the walls back in 1968 when the house must have last been decorated. When we removed the wallpaper we uncovered these and decided not to paint over them because they are part of the history of the house.

Craig ended up giving a little impromptu guitar concert, everyone that wanted to had a coffee and a little digestif, and then we said our goodbyes.

While I was decompressing a bit, just scrolling my phone in bed, there was an almighty noise in the bedroom. Hornets do seem to announce their presence by emitting a noise like they’re riding a motorbike while brandishing a chainsaw, and Jesus H Christ, this one was biblical. I reckon it was maybe 7cm long, and that my friends is nightmare fuel. Tis the season for them (and other crawlies by which I am more deeply traumatised), so I keep a can of Carrefour’s finest death spray close at hand at all times. It was divebombing my bedside lamp, oh no you don’t evil creature. It got blasted with the spray, typically right on the edge of my glass of water so I guess I’m not drinking that now then. The peace of mind that the death spray affords, is I know if I’ve sprayed it, it will perish, even if I don’t know where it’s gone. The trouble with hornets is that they will thrash around for a good few minutes before they expire, and sometimes they’ll continue to fly, this one did. I hate killing anything, but these things are massive and downright dangerous to the dogs and cats, and maybe me too, who knows. I, touch wood, have never had so much as a wasp or bee sting, I don’t know how I’d react to something the size of which would easily support Brian Blessed in Flash Gordon, and he’d still have room for a pillion passenger. IYKYK. I’ve popped a trap full of cider with a dash of washing up liquid in the tree near the fallen quinces which they seem to be nuts for. Cutting the grass yesterday was just a massive aaaagggggghhhhhh, and eyes half shut, every time I had to drive under that tree. 1* would not recommend.

It is one of our favourite summer events this weekend, Les Medievales, at Saint Leonard de Noblat, a town about 25 minutes away. They transform the town centre with its timber framed buildings, the floors are strewn with straw and there are tented stalls with axe throwing, and blacksmiths, sometimes a sword fighting demonstration. There is usually a parade with street performers, jugglers, stilt walkers and the like, everyone in Medieval costume. There was a birds of prey show one year and lots of hand crafted goods to look at. It’s always fun. I’ve had 5 hours sleep though. Ah well.

“Create a warm and inviting featured image for a blog post titled “An Evening of Good Food and Unexpected Guests.” The main subject should be a cozy backyard BBQ scene at dusk, filled with friends enjoying delicious food and drinks. Showcase a beautifully set table with BBQ dishes like smoked duck, chicken, and vibrant salads, surrounded by laughter and conversation. The lighting should be soft and golden, capturing the magic of an evening gathering. Use high resolution for a highly detailed image with sharp focus, highlighting the intricate textures of the food and the warmth of the setting”.

Subscribe my angels. Love you.

TTFN,

V x