Out and about

After seeing so many blippers' comments about All of us Strangers (also highly recommended by film director neighbour Isabelle) I was determined to see it. Googling last night eventually established that the nearest option was Perpignan. Better still, it was in VO (i.e. subtitled, not dubbed), and the fact that there was a showing at 2 pm made it easy to choose public transport. So I decided to make a day of it.

I travelled by train, not trusting that the Spanish farmers had unblockaded everything. When the trains are on time, which they were for once, it's quick and convenient, and even if it seems expensive (25 euros return), by the time you take parking and tolls into account it's probably not much more expensive than driving. Plus the route through the saltwater lagoons is lovely on a sunny day. Lots of flamingos and other waterbirds but taking photos through a dirty train window is hopeless.

It was a couple of degrees warmer in Perpignan and, importantly, not windy. I walked up into town and easily got a table in the sunny and sheltered square outside Le Figuier. Pinch yourself, eating outside in February. I've been to this tapas restaurant before with Lesley and P, and found it excellent. Today I had a very good two-course meal, 17 euros for starter and main course. A really delicious crème Dubarry (cauliflower soup), followed by chicken and roasted root vegetables in a gently curry flavoured sauce with sloppy French mashed potatoes just the way I like them. With a glass of wine and coffee, it still only came to 24 euros.

It's only a short walk from here to the cinema (blip taken as I wandered over there). What a touching and disorienting film.  I'm still pondering over the meanings contained in it, but the cinematography and acting are wonderful, especially Andrew Scott, wandering lonely through a dreamlike world where it's hard to tell what's real and what isn't.  Plus it's quite unusual for a film to have only four characters.

Afterwards, a sunny stroll back to the station, and home by 6:30 to an anxious cat. Fire lit, cheese on toast for dinner.