Where has the week gone?

 Well, we moved some furniture around - swapping the desk and the cupboard around. We think this will make it possible to make better use of the cupboard now it it more accessible.

We went out on the bicycles a couple of times. Sheila is in two minds about getting a new cycle so we need to lots more on the bikes to make it make sense. The trouble was that when it wasn't a bit too hot for cycling, it was a bit to windy.

Talking of it being too windy - we endeavoured to play golf twice on our local course. It was rather windy and therefore a bit disheartening. At the end of the first round we decided that our poor play was all down to the wind. We were both a bit tired at the end of the golf and decided the wind had made the whole thing difficult.
So on the second time out - with a stiff breeze still evident we thought having a buggy would make a difference - it didn't.

In between the two rounds of golf at La Pree we headed of to Ile d'Oleron with the idea of enjoying the island and perhaps playing the Nine hole course on the island, As ever our first stop was Le Chateau where we hoped to buy some of the pink "bordeaux" salt that has proved such a good element to cooking steaks - but the shop was closed for lunch! So on we went to the golf course to discover that there was a competition was happening and we wouldn't be able to get on to the course until well after 3pm. At least this opened up the chance to visit Boyardville where we enjoyed a salad lunch by the harbour.

We had heard somewhere that the replica of L'Hermione, the sailing ship that took Lafayette to America in 1780, that has been in progress for over ten year was nearing completion. So we thought we'd pop in to Rochefort on our way back to LaR. And caught a glimpse of it we did - but only just. Now out of the structure inside which the construction happened the site is now surrounded by 2m high panel fences to make sure you pay the €9 per person entry fee to get a good look. We felt we did not have time to made do with our glimpse. It is due to set sail for the USA in the not too distant future so we will keep an eye out for when that happens.

On Thursday - it rained - at lot - all morning. With clearing skies we headed  in La Rochelle in search of Tamarind for a recipe. We headed for a "Flavours of the World" shop we noticed on the last trip - quite close to the market. As wonderful as it was he did not have Tamarind but he directed us to an "Asian" shop about 100m away and there we had a choice of the fruit or the sauce. Asian is defined very widely to include China, Japan, Thailand and seemingly, Ireland (bottles of Guinness) . Suffice to say that between these two shops we reckon we can get pretty much any exotic ingredient we are ever likely to need. Although buying fresh coriander still presents bit of a problem. The day did clear up to a very pleasant afternoon but not quite good enough to warrant a bbq and outdoor dining so the Tamarind Chicken Kebabs got done on the griddle.

Friday (today) has started well with almost clear skies and welcome morning sun - if the wind has gone, perhaps a round of golf, or a bike ride and then the men's semi finals from Roland Garros.