We picked up the Briggs at Nice airport on Monday (27th) afternoon. They always have plenty to say and are easy company, even though we haven’t seen them for at least 6 months. It seems like we were with them last week. We have shared many holidays together with never a crossed word that I can remember. It is great that you can feel so comfortable in an another couple’s presence.
We came back to the house and drank too much. Not that I was drunk, but I had consumed more alcohol than was necessary.
Tuesday we all went to Vence. Maggi and I visited the bank because we wanted to withdraw more cash to pay Richard our pool man. Biddy and Geoff so that they could have a wander around the old town.
I drove everybody to Gourdon.
Maggi had booked at Au Vieux Four. We all had an excellent meal. It was made even better value as Geoff and Biddy paid for it. I had a different menu from everyone else. I didn’t fancy sausages which were the main ingredient of everyone else’s main course. Instead I had a dish of slow cooked beef with polenta and vegetables, most notably spinach. It was excellent. This main meal had followed a locally sourced goats cheese salad. Finally I shared the same pudding as everyone which was a compote of apple, pear in red wine and frozen yogurt. All delicious.
You know that you will receive a good value meal when the restaurant is turning customers away because they are full. This happened several times while we were sitting there. A husband and wife team ran the whole show, with a little help from their daughter.
On Wednesday 29th we made a short trip to Juan Les Pins where we ate a picnic on the small promenade. We also took the opportunity to walk along the relatively short strip to the main town and back. The afternoon was spent lazying around the house. In the evening we walked down to the village and had a meal in L’atelier des Saveurs.
I really enjoyed my meal. I started with fish tartare with some lovely extra notes and a biscuit on the side. The main course consisted of veal with spinach and was the least interesting. Finally I had an apple, cream and biscuit dessert. Unfortunately there was a big gap between the main course and the pudding which unnecessarily spoilt the meal. When I spoke to Biddy and Geoff the next day they didn’t say they disliked the meal but they definitely didn’t enjoy it as much as I did.
I was pleased to find that I didn’t suffer from any stomach issues following the meal. Since I have stopped taking Lansaprazole. The drug is used to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. I was expecting to be effected by the odd attack of acid but so far I have only had the occasional twinge since I gave it up 3 weeks ago. I think this is the biggest test so far and my tummy came through with flying colours.
On Thursday 30th March we had a more down to earth meal at the St Eloi. Both Maggi and Geoff had the hamburger while Biddy had a salad nicoise and I had the Plat du Jour which consisted of endive wrapped in ham with a creamy sauce. We all finished with a pudding. In the early evening we drove to St Paul De Vence where Biddy and Geoff had a tour of the town while Maggi and I sat in the bar.
We had a snack in the evening and watched a nondescript film on Netflix.