Tootling

A busy day today. We started by heading to Peyriac de Mer for the annual art festival, in which over 40 artists exhibit in private houses throughout the village. It didn't happen last year, for obvious reasons. Even if not all the art is to our taste, it's a pleasure to wander round other people's houses :) And we did love some of the sculptures.

I'd taken the precaution of booking a table at the popular restaurant in the square for lunch. Even so, the maitre d' gave us free glasses of wine when we arrived, because he didn't yet have a free table. I've never eaten there and didn't have high expectations, but lunch was really excellent. Special mention for S's starter of braised aubergines with a medley of summer vegetables and a turmeric flavoured dressing, and my delicious main of salt cod with a slightly curry-flavoured stew of red and yellow peppers. The square was absolutely buzzing with happy people -- it was like being on holiday.

We went round a few more artists after lunch, but it was very hot by now and our eyes were tired of looking. So we went home for an hour, before setting out again for Montlaur, where the Fanfare du Minervois were playing in the park. So long since we've had the pleasure of a banda in the open air! There was a free apero funded by the Mairie, food trucks, and a bar, but we'd had quite enough to eat and drink and S has an early start in the morning, so we shared a beer and left when the band stopped playing. A few more in extras.

At home I baked the sourdough focaccia I've been working on for two days. It was a disaster. Well, it was edible, but nothing like focaccia, so I won't be blipping it!