Our local librarian is unlike any other I have known and she is always willing to have a party.
The English classes I teach comprise a number of ladies who can think up many excuses for a drink and the end of the (school) year is as good a reason as any.
We invited the Italian group as well and the local priest came along as he teaches yoga once a month in the parish hall.
This year Isabel provided ‘soupe au champagne’. I’d never heard of it but after a couple of glasses I felt rather tipsy and then she admitted she couldn’t remember the actual recipe but she had used the best part of a bottle of Cointreau, some fresh lemons, sugar and, of course, several bottles of champagne. No wonder we were all very animated.
The priest surprised us all with some rather risqué jokes such as “We priests have to make up for our celibacy by listening to ladies confessions” and “nuns live in celibacy but die ‘en sainte‘(holy)which is pronounced the same as enceinte (pregnant).
There was plenty to eat in the form of dainty morsels – mostly savoury – but then they produced little individual chocolate mousses and after that, mixed red fruits with custard.
The party took place in the yard behind the library. it was shady and there was a welcome breeze considering today’s temperatures.
We begin again in September. I hope there’ll be another party before Christmas!