The demi-century is upon many of my compadres and therefore, a big excuse to party and let it all hang out before it all drops off. Last weekend it was Sue’s Big One in Nantes so, I got my party frock out and crossed La Manche ready for some Gallic action. They came from all quarters to celebrate: the Algarve, the Holloway Road and Watchet so it was a bit of a squeeze, plus the bathroom was a building site so we made do with strip washes in the garage. Oh how we laughed (and cried) and reminisced about the good old days (it was a bit like Peter’s Friends but without the bad hair and chunky knit sweaters). Of course, once the French posse joined the party, the talk turned to existentialism and cheese but we just laughed again and had another Ricard. Sue had laid on some fine entertainment; we had a Belle and Sebastian type combo, a one-man band called Pierre-Claude with a pocket ukele, two ten year old hip hoppers, high on Le Tizer and, this being France, a bit of nasal wailing courtesy of Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf. The next day I rose from my lilo and after a great big fry-up, threw myself into the pan-European ping pong championship, obstacle race and penalty shoot-out. The lethal combination of hang-overs and hysteria meant, of course, that the grown-ups weren’t operating on full cylinders although there were a few surprises, eg Nigel, despite wearing a cardigan and having slim fingers, can bend it like Beckham while Eddie is quite handy on a Space Hopper. Sadly, amid all the screams and shouts of ‘zut alors’, the kids made steak tartare of all of us. Happy days.
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Did you dream about the space hopper or did I miss something while round the back of the garage with kevin?
Brilliant Anna, I laughed my socks off at the “The Algarve, The Holloway Road and Watchet”, “existentialism and cheese” “the strip washes in the garage” “Belle and Sebastien type combo” – I shall tell Jean-Charles. “I rose from my lilo” and “Nigel’s slim fingers” – that’s because he’s an ARCHITECT and doesn’t get his hands dirty…
…one thing you sadly missed though was the level of attention all guests received if taking ‘pension compléte’ at the hôtel de Provence…Not only were there lilo’s but damp encrusted sleeping bags, ironing board hire and hair straighteners (c/o Theophile, Paris) and Heeley instruction to glide you around the grounds at top speed…now that’s what I call service!
I thought I saw you bouncing on that ‘Space Hopper’ thing but maybe it was a hologram. I miss Kevin and his roll-neck…
Oh yes, the Heeleys. Before my next visit I will have perfected my Heeley technique along with my hoola hooping. I have joined an evening class for KerKnockers too!
Anna who the hell’s Kev? Oh I just realised! Sorry, yes le Kevin français! I stlll can’t get used to calling a young, sexy, french, teenager, Kevin!
Well Ed, what sort of sport were you getting up to with Kev then behind the garage?
Just general chit chat about exestent whatever and george clooney x
Just thought I’d let you know that I had an apero last night with the gorgeous Kev, and his Mum and Dad of course! His brother’s a bit spotty but perhaps in a few years…..