Tuesday 7th July
Before I closed my eyes last night I set the alarm for 6:30 am because I wanted to do yoga and this is about the only time it’s not too hot.
As it happened I woke before the alarm and bleary eyed I sat up and felt around for my iPad. I hadn’t as yet decided which of Adrienne’s video to follow.
It’s four days since the last yoga and I always feel a little more inflexible after a break. Today was no exception, because at the same time I’m getting older.
Rising so early meant that I’d finished all the jobs I needed to do by 8:30 and eaten breakfast. I could now sit down watch the highlights of the Mexico v England match that took place at 3 am CET.
I had already looked at the result and smiled when I saw the 3-2 score in England’s favour. Now I sat through the 12 minutes of highlights. Bellingham scored 2 goals before half-time then Mexico pulls one back. 10 minutes into the second half Quansah is sent off and England have to fight on with 10 men. However Gordon chases a ball into the penalty area and their keeper brings him down. Of course Kane scores from the spot, England back to a 2 goal advantage. Unfortunately Mexico awarded a penalty also score. The last few frantic minutes England stand firm and go through to the quarter-finals where they play Norway.
The plucky Norwegians had beaten Brazil 2-1 and England will face them in the quarter-finals
Maggi wanted a fan that she could leave on all night. I don’t know why she thinks that is a better option than the air conditioning in her bedroom.
As a result we stop off at LeClerc to buy the best fan they have. Naturally we buy other stuff while in the store, but we’re not that long. We then go on to Grand Frais to complete our food shopping for the next couple of days. It’s nice and cool in both shops so shopping becomes bearable.
Back to the house for lunch of Gazpacho and other cold bits followed by a siesta, while Maggi assembles her fan.
I have weighed over 170 lbs for at least 5 weeks. I have decided to give up bread for a week and see if that brings down my weight. I’m into my second day and not finding it too difficult. This morning I came in at exactly 170 lbs. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll drop into the 160’s for the first time for quite a while.
Tonight Maggi cooked mussels, which we bought earlier today, and haven’t eaten for a long time. Maggi had prepared a good sauce and the dish tasted very good.
After eating we sat down in front of the TV and watched two more episodes of ‘Our Friends In The North’. The BBC originally released the series in the 90’s. It has become a bit dated but is still compelling drama.
Late night viewing Spain v Portugal. Half-time score 0-0. Score after the second hydration break 0-0. Finally in the 80th minute the substitute Merino shows the Spaniards how to score. Spain win 1-0.
Wednesday 8th July
The heat seems to go on forever. The forecast gives us no hope that things will ease off. Maggi finds the heat particularly uncomfortable and difficult to have a good night’s sleep.This can make her slightly irritable and annoyed with life in general.
I drove Maggi over to see Madeleine and Tom at their house just outside Grasse. They live at the bottom of a very narrow and steep lane. Before arriving Maggi received a note to say “don’t drive down to our property there isn’t any room.”
I stopped at the top on the main road. Looking along at the available places to park there remained only one. i measured up the car alongside the space and decided that with a bit of luck I could just fit the car in. It only took a couple of swings and I managed to park. I was pleased with myself.
We arrived and saw Tom for the first time since his open-heart surgery. He had lost quite a bit of weight particularly around his face and neck. He talked principally about the past, except for his experiences in the hospital and recuperating home. Tom seemed to have lost some of his confidence although much of his arrogance remained.
Needless to say Madeleine did all the work necessary to entertain two people. Tom has never shown his anxiety to assist in domestic matters , like clearing the table, filling the washing machine etc.Now such thoughts have completely vanishe and he sat at the table while others did their bit.
Once we had passed on from the medical stories we had a pleasant afternoon. We climbed up the hill to return by car to La Colle.
Thursday 9th July
Another lazy day, but we determined to go out and do something. Towards the end of the day we drove down to Villeneuve-Loubet and along the N7 to the Parc de Vaugrenier which lies behind the coast, railway and N7 before you arrive in Antibes.
I parked the car in the shade and we tried to find a path that we keeps us underneath the cooler trees. I found the noise of the insects incredibly loud. You almost had to shout to make yourself heard while walking in some areas of the park. We also came across a hide for bird watchers down a small path which looked across a lake. Maggi and I didn’t stop because we worried that the water would attract nasty biting insects, and both of us have been bitten enough over the last week.
The tour of the park took approximately 45 minutes. We had initially decided to go for a drink after the walk, but instead we drove back to LeClerc and bought some crisps and other bits and bobs and returned home for our evening drink.
One big problem, we found all the roads blocked by the local constabulary. we tried several different routes to our house but each one had a copper preventing traffic entering.
The village had organised a half-marathon around the streets and we had to make a large detour to return home. When we eventually arrived home we heard this continuous drumming just outside. When we investigated we found a group of drummers playing to encourage the walkers/runners in their ascent of the hill.
Friday 10th July
We can’t keep having these lazy days otherwise we’ll go stir crazy. Today’s adventure involved a trip to Gamm Vert in Cagnes-sur-mer where Maggi bought a plant that she hopes will cope with the very dry weather down in La Colle. We then parked in Cagnes. The council have either sold off what used to be the car park very close to the town centre or they are building social housing. Anyway it means we have to walk a little further to park the car.
Where we emerged from the car park we found an air-condition covered market with plenty of interesting food stalls. We wandered on and stopped in a cafe and we each ordered a frappe. We both expected a cold coffee and milk drink. The waitress served us a smallish cold black coffee already sweetened. Next time we need to ask for something different, because in these hot conditions a cold milky coffee tastes great especially without sugar.
We returned home to lunch and a siesta before we sat down and watched the last episode of ‘Our Friends in the North’. Both of us loved the series which traces the changes of four friends from 1964 to 1995 and encompasses many of the social and political issues that occurred over the period. Great acting and a great script make this a lovely watch.
Saturday 11th July
Today we drove over to Jilly and David’s place in Tourettes-sur-Loup (Courmettes). We took a different route along the river Loup to Pont-sur-Loup and then back towards Tourettes. We then found the steep route up to the gate where Maggi pressed the intercom for admission. The steep winding gravel path up to the house has to be negotiated carefully as there is little room for manoeuvre and a fairly steep drop on one side.
We made it up safely. An overcast sky meant today we didn’t receive the benefit of their wonderful view over the Mediterranean. They greeted us in their normal welcoming fashion and a few minutes later Madeleine and Tom arrived. They said they had suffered from the heat. I thought they might have air conditioning but no, the french windows lay open and several fans blew the air around. After a while I forgot about the heat and just enjoyed the company and food.
David made a very nice Gin and tonic and we sat on the patio chatting. When we sat down for the meal we started with a very nice cold soup. Jilly then asked us to collect our food from the island. She had made potatoes, a tomato salad and a chicken and lettuce salad. I would have just taken the lettuce and the other dishes without comment, but Maggi couldn’t resist telling Jilly that I don’t eat chicken. Anyway all the rest tasted very good.
Next came a plate of pre-cut pieces of cheese from the local fromagerie in Tourette. I only had one of the different varieties presented and it had so much flavour without being overwhelming. We must go to the same fromagerie. Finally as if that wasn’t enough Jilly had made a strawberry ice-cream with fruit. I asjked for a second helping of the ice-cream.
We arrived at 1 pm and left just before 5 pm. To return home have a swim and a lie down before preparing for tonight’s game between England and Norway in the quarter-finals of the world cup.