Belated Birthday

Sorry, this report is only 3 months overdue. My birthday fell on a Saturday last year. What better excuse for lunch at le Bistro d'Alex in Florensac? The restaurant is in a modern facility at the cave coopérative. Here the local winegrowers have ample room to display their wares, which of course you walk through to get to the bistro at the back. The ambiance is sort of workers' canteen meets Ikea, but the food is delish. Best of all, these savvy vignerons sell their wines without the usual restaurant mark-up. What you enjoy during the meal, you can buy on the way out, at very keen prices. Here I am with my best girls taking full advantage.

And here we are loading Alex's van. I wanted you to see the big vats.

Later on, Henny and I took a walk through the vines, carefully avoiding the volleys of hunters who were far too close to the village limits. That's me, about 2 minutes from Henny's house.

On the way back we passed through the centre of Alignan where the annual drive for children's charities was taking place. It was late afternoon and getting cold. A man with a microphone hosting a raffle was trying to enthuse a handful of bundled-up spectators. We felt bad that we'd come out without money, so went back to the house to get some. Upon our return, we were received with great joy, the man excitedly announcing, we've just gone international! It's no wonder. Henny and I will never be mistaken for natives as we're about twice as tall as anyone local, male or female. But the welcome we got made us feel right at home. Here's Henny with the raffle mascot in bustling downtown Alignan du Vent.