Aix en Provence

Friday 4 April
A straightfoward day.  Got up, brushed the suede boots yet again, left the hotel, the weather was a bit overcast, the car is as clean as it could be after Chris's ministrations. We drove, stopped for breakfast: beautiful old city, authentic French café, miserable serveuse, strong coffee, large bill, drove on outrageously expensive motorway, got there.

We spent the afternoon and evening with Kate, Nico and Isis. Finally met our 'petite enfant aux quatre pattes'.  The weather perked up and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  They might not have done but who cares, quite frankly!  They found the whole paint-in-the-car episode hilarious, even if I didn't. Boots are now wearable, if not attractive. The weather was good enough to have the windows open all through the night!. The neighbours across the road are close enough to be labelled intimate!

I TOOK A SNEAKY PHOTO OF THE NEIGHBOURS
 

Chris had another email from Brussels, asking if he'd like to go to Washington after all.  Honestly, you couldn't make it up!!  Chris replied straight away saying that we are very happy with Senegal. So let's hope that the end of that.

Saturday 5 April
Hungover from last night so didn't do very much although the weather was good.  Kate was working. The dog is getting used to us.

Sunday 6 April
Big day! Meeting Nico's parents today.  Went to the food market in the morning.  Didn't bother going to the flea market as one of us already has fleas - not me, Chris, Nico or Kate - and I fell out big time with Isis after she got too used to us and actually licked my toothbrush.

Aix is certainly beautiful on a spring day but we had to get back to the apartment as Kate wanted to cook a mega meal for Nico's parents.  [nothing like a bit of self-imposed pressure - but who am I to criticise that?]

Not a great picture but a lovely meal

Anyway, they were lovely people, a super meal, and no - there was no big announcement.  It was just a meal and a walk in the sunshine with Isis and their giant German Shepherd Athos. [Athos took up half the sitting room even though he was asleep most of the day.]

A drink for Isis

I do like Aix at this time of year but so many people smoking outside, I can feel my chest start to tighten already!!