2geonomads

Monday 12th October 2015

Breakfast comes in the form of the quiche bought the day before and then it’s ‘happy hour’ as G vents her spleen on the question of the Wifi or lack of it. G texts Evelyne and is advised that it will not be on until 2.00 pm. Not happy Evelyne!

This frustration now covers other items such as the limited supply and quality of the towels and bedding .in the villa and we are starting to feel that we are not getting value-for-money. The villa has so much going for it but with just slightly more attention to details such as these it could be top-notch.

Views overlooking Collioure from the house

Collioure Harbour

Take the now familiar walk down to the town but find the tourist office closed. Nevertheless, we have an interesting morning observing some French commandos going through some very intensive training in the water in front of the quay.

In spite of the overcast weather we decide to take the 4.5 kms walk from Collioure along the coast to the next town of Port Vendres, an attractive fishing and commercial port.

Many restaurants closed ( it’s Monday) but we do come across Chez Pujol on the waterfront. Very enjoyable seafood cassolette and local white wine.

Our afternoon is made all the more enjoyable when an English guy at the next table spills red wine all over his table and his sweater. We start chatting and this turns out to be Bruce Taylor, Vice-President of the Saracens Rugby Club in the UK. Bruce is a real character who in his younger days ( he is now in his 70’s ) played senior rugby for number of clubs including Saracens and Leicester and now divides his time between this area and the UK. He is hoping to visit Perth next year so we give him our details and invite him to come and see us in Busselton. Incidentally Bruce informs us that he has put 1000 pounds on France to win the RWC at 11 to 1.

Bruce speaks fluent French but speaks the language with the same accent as that other renowned linguist, former British Prime Minister Ted Heath. He is desperate to retire but his wife, whom he portrays as a real slave-driver keeps dragging him back to work for her.

Bruce kindly invites us to share a bottle of wine with him and we stay for over an hour after finishing our meal. In the meantime the fantastic restaurant staff have had his sweater cleaned for him!

Almost 5 pm by the time we leave but we have enjoyed the type of extended lunch that makes these holidays so special.

On the walk back to Collioure we meet up with a couple from Capel Vale in WA, Jonathan and Kay  who are returning from a walk up to the Fort St Elme on the hillside above Collioure.

Gail still enjoying her linguistic journey, greeting people she meets along the way with a cheery ” buona sera”!

Cheers The Obese Ferret