On Sunday Mel, Graham and their children left LA Colle and headed for Bandol. The weather had broken overnight. Instead of 30º C or more the temperature has dropped to lower 20s and suddenly lots of rain. The ground desperately needs the water as do the reservoirs in the local area.
The Popplewells packed and left the house around 10:30. We then moved all our stuff from the flat to the main house and sorted out various bits and pieces, put washing into the machine and sorted ourselves our to a new relationship with our home.
Maggi didn’t want to cook and we didn’t have anything in the house for a proper meal. We decided to head for Antibes and eat a meal out for Sunday lunch. On the way I suggested we go to Auberge du Clos des Pins in Rocquefort des Pins. We had enjoyed a very good meal there with Madeleine and Tom back in May 2023. Despite not booking we sat down to eat even though the restaurant was relatively full. Maggi and I made identical choices. To begin we choose the mixed seafood platter to share.
We couldn’t finish the plate of prawns, calamari, squid etc on a bed of over dressed greens. It was all too much and too similar, despite the various dips. The dips themselves lacked any particular identity. I suspect they were purchased rather than made in house.
For our main course we had chosen the vegetarian option. What a mistake.
The vegetables were not prepared very well.The seeds from the peppers had not been removed. The courgettes had not been top and tailed. When the dish first arrived the food was cold. We sent it back. The only difference on the return was the temperature as they had put the dish under the microwave. When asked what we felt about the meal we told them. The very muted reaction was that that they took the cost of the two cups of coffee off the the bill. We won’t be returning.
Monday 28th August
Another rainy day. I could hear the rain beating down for hours as I lay in bed. After breakfast and a session of yoga (the first in several weeks) Maggi pointed out that the garage was partially flooded. I went over to investigate and found that the drainage in front of the garage had been blocked by falling leaves and debris. I cleared it.
We left for a session at IKEA. We didn’t get back to the house until 4. We ended up buying two single beds for our second bedroom, two lamps and the necessary bedding. It all took too long. As well as shopping for hours we also had lunch in the place. I had the traditional meatballs chips and peas. Cheap and cheerful.
The place heaved. You queued up to select your food and then with your trolley you walked around looking fro a table. Certainly not haut cuisine. But pretty good value.
We arrived back after also visiting Leclerc in La Colle.