Lots of rhume

Have finally caught Jan's cold and wake with a very heavy chest and a hacking cough. Max will have to do without his training class today.

The new composter is available from the village hall so we nip down to get it. About 14 people turn up, not brilliant for a village of 400 people - but then the French are not renowned for their composting, and of course the mayor gives a short speech followed by the compost expert. A good giggle for the cynical English eye. We didn't understand a word that the mayor said but got the gist that it was about cost savings with rubbish collection - hey ho. The three (out of four) English families represented made up a diproportionate part of the audience, but then the English care much more about about their kitchen and garden waste, don't they?

Jan makes a very tasty farewell lunch (cheese and onion flan and spiced lentils - yum) and then off to the airport and a quick visit to FNAC to see what hotel guides they have for Italy. More about that later this month.