The Ebony Nectar (African Lager).

It's been so long that I'd genuinely forgotten how good it tasted.

Normally in the early evenings we settle down by the pool, under the shade of a swaying palm tree (OK, maybe not swaying), and consume our first (and possibly second and third) glass of wine of the day.

But recently it's really been far too hot for wine, so we've switched to cold beer instead. Yesterday by chance I discovered a can of 'Draught' Guinness languishing at the back of the fridge; it was just begging to be consumed.

Oh how delicious it was! And, frankly, I really would have thought it was a pukka 'Draught' Guinness.

Throw in a small bowl of spicy Bombay mix, or even a bag of good quality Pork scratchings, and it doesn't get much better. 

I must remember to add 'INDUSTRIAL PACK OF DRAUGHT GUINNESS' to my shopping list.

Best Mates.

The first time these boys met was in Bayreuth Germany in 2009. Now here they are again in Barcelona Spain in 2013, and still the best of friends.

Cousins Ollie and Finn just hit-it-off as if they'd never been apart.

What a wonderful international relationship this is turning-out to be.

p.s. I forgot to mention; Ollie lives in London UK, and Finn in Queensland Oz.

Gizzards anyone?

I live in an area of France that's renowned for its gastronomy, but certain of our local gastronomical delights can send-out danger signals to the unadventurous.

Duck Gizzards are not on everyone's everyday shopping list, but they are delicious if prepared correctly. Here in Aquitaine they are treated just like 'Confit de Canard'; slightly salted overnight, then slowly simmered in duck fat. The finished product is put into jars, covered with the molten fat, and kept in a cool place until required. Duck hearts can be preserved in exactly the same way. I'm lazy so I buy mine in tins (above).

The classic use for these 'Gésiers de Canard' is our regional 'Salade de Gésiers', a simple salad with sliced-n-fried Gésiers served with walnuts and occasionally hard-boiled-eggs.

This is the one I prepared for my Sunday lunch yesterday. Everything from the garden, except for the Gésiers themselves.

I need not tell you; it was delicious (they taste like very tender pieces of duck breast)!

Spot the Koala.

OK, we're well into the 'Silly Season'.

Every time I pass this building it makes me smile and think of my old NZ/Aussie mate Jock, who lived just up the road from it.

Bon Voyage.

Lady Magnon, Kimbo, Harvey J, and Ollie, have all just popped down to Barcelona; about a 5 hrs drive.

My daughter, Tenpin (with two boys and husband), is coming over from Queensland Oz. She's flying direct to Barcelona where they will all meet-up at some fancy hotel for a few days, before returning next week.

Meanwhile Cro (just call me Cinderella) remains in France, twiddles his fingers, cares for the animals, and engages in a crash, 5 day, Atkins diet.

I love Summer; it's carefree and daft. Some people just HAVE to visit The Eiffel Tower, or Trafalgar Square, or even Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. Not so with Cro, I'm very happy being by myself for a while and bunging a few big steaks on the BBQ.

Severe Tree-tment.

"If you can't behave yourselves, you'll have to be tied to a tree!"

Come off it Cro, we all know that they're the most well behaved children in the world. So why are they tied to this tree?

Well, they wanted to imitate Houdini, and see if they could escape.

They couldn't.... their Papa tied them up much too well (tee hee)!

Reptile Schmeptile.

Imagine; you're sitting by the pool, minding your own business, making sure your grandsons don't drown, when along comes a baby lizard and walks all over your back.

Nah, couldn't 'appen mate!