Preparations

One photo will have to do duty for two busy days. We finally found a slot for our annual independence day party. So we invited people (probably about 30) and did a very big shop plus some early preparations yesterday. Luckily we managed to get virtually everything in Carrefour. We did some prep in the afternoon, including the roast tomatoes for S's signature roast tomato and labneh salad.

Today I seemed to be constantly running to catch up with myself. Admittedly I got up later than usual. I got to the pool late, and had a quick 20 minute swim, realising while doing this that I'd forgotten I needed to make lemon curd for the cheesecake (could have done this yesterday). So back home I quickly did that and then hastily made some pastry for later and got the washing out on the line before we joined Ingrid at the community lunch outside. Rougail (sausage in a spicy tomato sauce), cooked by Brigitte, went down very well, as did the excellent, refreshing starter of a watermelon, feta, and olive salad (I will try this at home). We chatted with a nice couple and their son who are staying in a gite in the village.

After lunch, we resisted the temptation to hang out idly chatting and went home -- S to make a huge vat of gazpacho while I got on with slicing and slowly cooking 2 kg of onions, while simultaneously making cheesecake. By the time the onions were done and the cheesecakes were in the oven, the starter was as ready as it would ever be, so it was on to making 3 kg of bread dough. Massive tidying up then ensued. We called a halt at 7 pm to sit down with a light snack and a glass of wine. 

There's still a bit more to do tomorrow, but as long as the bread works out (fingers crossed), we are winning.