Sunday 6th July 2014

Early start this morning to get to St Malo in time. Karl turned up at 5.30 to pick me up. We both seem to be early risers.

Karl whizzes along - pushes his old van to the limit. He talks constantly (wonder if he's a bit lonely in that huge house?). He also has his CD player turned right up (nice sounds - JJ Cale, Ry Cooder, MuddyWaters, etc). We still had time to stop off for a coffee on the way and got to the port at St Malo to watch the ferry come in.

Laura didn't look as if she had a wonderful journey; said she'd been sick a few times and hadn't been able to eat anything. Karl suggested stopping off in Dinan for something to eat before picking up his furniture. The old town centre is full of historical buildings and Laura seemed to really like it. 

She cheered up once we found a café and had baguettes and coffee. It only took ten minutes from Dinan to Karl's pick up place; a beautiful manoir where a bureau and chest of drawers was ready to be collected. Laura said the manoir was how she imagined Monsieur Henri's house to be (Amatore's Restaurant - chapter 23).

When we arrived back Laura wanted to take a look around, so the three of us went for a walk down the lane. Met Jean-Luc who was pottering around in his yard (wonder if he and his wife ever talk to each other). I introduced him to the others. Karl thinks the whole Gertrude saga is hilarious - says I should tell Jean-Luc the truth, but I'm not so sure; I don't think it would go down too well.

Once Karl had left, Laura and I sat out in the garden and discussed promotion for my books. She has lots of useful suggestions. 

Thursday 3rd July 2014

Went to the market at Hennebont this morning. Found some really fresh quality fruit and vegetables. 

I've planned out a Breton menu for the dinner party when Laura's over but, after reading her e-mail this morning (not liking shellfish), I'm going to have to change the starter... Have now decided to keep the moules mariniere and Laura can have crepes. For the main course I'm going to try the poulet au cidre Breton (better do a trial run) and I'll make a Breton far cake for the dessert. A lot of people are put off by prunes in cake, but I love it (really is delicious!).

Must remember to ask Laura to bring over some Marmite, baked beans and teabags when she comes.

Best get the dinner all sorted in advance. Everyone says I get stressed when I'm cooking (I don't believe it). Quite a few said they're coming; Rodrigo and Tatiana, Ines, Alexander and Simone, and now Karl said he'll come. Everyone's bringing some drink (cider and wine). I'm looking forward to it. 

Decided to video my trial run for the Breton cider chicken. Weird how the camera is okay taking videos and not with photos (see blog) 

Pieter came over to offer to help with my laptop this evening. He remembered me saying about the problems I've been having uploading my files to Kindle. He's a manager of an IT company in Rennes and even he couldn't see how it could be uploaded with OpenOffice. In the end, he installed Microsoft Office on my computer and now it works like a dream - Brilliant!

Just published Amatore's Restaurant on Amazon Kindle this evening. So relieved to get it up there at last.

Thursday 26th June 2014

When I got back from visiting visiting Karl yesterday I tried to put Amatore's Restaurant onto Kindle; got so frustrated that I had to take a break and go out for a beer. Managed to get to the village in the car, despite the clunking sound - seems to be getting louder.

The bar was packed out, of course I hadn't realised France were playing Ecuador. Put up with some good natured teasing from Pascal about Les Anglais and the state of the England team. Jean-Luc was there, drinking on his own, eyes glued to the television screen. I bought him a beer and went along with him when he mentioned l'oie. I'm going to have to tell him Gertrude has escaped, or maybe I'll have to buy a ready prepared goose for the dinner and pass it off as Gertrude.

I was thinking about Laura's visit quite a lot today. She's coming over on the boat from Portsmouth. Checked the distance from here to St Malo on the internet: 158 km which works out at about 98 miles. But not sure the car will make it that far. I could ask that guy, Michel, at the garage in Lorient to take a look, but I've got a feeling it's going to cost a bit.

Can't work out how to get my Amatore's Restaurant contents page from OpenOffice onto Kindle. I managed it with the Five Interludes - can't see what the problem is? (There's no way I can afford Microsoft Office). It's driving me crazy! 

Thursday 12th June 2014

Woke up around 5.30 this morning. My first thought was of two of my characters, Luisa and Mercè. I can't think why it was those two. I must have been dreaming about them. I'm so relieved to have finished the book but the characters stay with me.

Still trying to work out the best way to get my short stories onto Amazon Kindle. I'm not exactly a computer wizard and not having Microsoft Office makes things difficult. There must be some advice on the internet somewhere. I'll have to just keep looking.

Got so fed up with it all I went out for a walk around the lanes. Chatted to Jean-Luc who was still painting his fence. Why on earth did I ask him to dinner next week - he never says much, just stares at everyone. I'm not too sure what Jean-Luc was saying about the dinner, he doesn't speak any English and my French is not so good. Bruno, followed me half-way down the lane, tail wagging, as if he was desperate for a bit of company. Must remember to send Laura an e-mail to find out what she does and doesn't like to eat. 

My herbs are coming along well, cluttering up my hallway. The Basil especially is doing well. Must look up some Breton soup recipes where I could use them.