My Private Paradise Part Two

Club Des Aines

Sometimes we meet to play games, boules, belotes or scrabble. Sometimes we have outings. Sometimes we have a communal meal.
The numbers vary from 100-300 but everyone is found a seat and we enjoy waitress/ waiter service. The meals are usually five courses, sometimes more and each course is accompanied by a drink. We begin with the customary greetings at the door. Having lived here six years I mostly know who to kiss once, twice, three or four times and with whom to just shake hands. As you can imagine this takes some time especially when some people stay to chat which I always hope they do because it’s one of the opportunities I get to practise my French.
We begin with a choice of aperitifs Ricard or whiskey or Kir with crispy nibbles. Next comes the starter which last time was a salmon steak and salad with a glass of white wine. The main course is steak or ham on the bone or coq vin or pintade (chicken) and chips and vegetables. This is served with red wine of course. Next comes the cheese and more red wine. The breadbasket is continually replenished and there is always butter in Brittany. The sweet is often apple tart and delicious as was the chilled Champagne which came with it. Coffee followed with the square of chocolate and last but not least a digestive. This is a local speciality made by one of our members. My table companion Clotilde gave me the recipe. You heat red wine and add sugar and plums and Eau de Vie and wait as long as you can before using it. It is an absolutely delicious way to rounded off a meal and is regarded as a digestive.
During the meal between courses a microphone is passed around the tables and anyone who feels the urge can sing or tell a joke. The Doyenne of the village Simone who is 99 sings songs which make people laugh ’til they cry. She is word perfect without a crib sheet. She also tells jokes. She lives alone. She is straight backed and has a lovely head of grey hair. If only we could all be so healthy at that age.
The meal begins at midday and ends after 5 o’clock. The tables are quickly cleared away while the band warms up and then the dancing begins. We do mostly ballroom dancing on these occasions but also line dancing and the occasional Breton Dance. I think it finishes at about 9 o’clock but I am usually too tired to stay to the end and I am probably the youngest there.
I hope to emulate Simone or at least live to a ripe old age like most of the villagers in this Brittany commune where I live in my private paradise.