Italy in St Maxime

Today was Mark's last day in his home before he rents it out for the summer. He is moving a few miles away to a family home in Sanary sur Mere but will be travelling back several times each week to give lessons and make sure his renters are happy! Obviously this meant leaving his wife, Michelle, to do the last of the packing so we met up in the Wafoo for coffee.
Whist we were drinking lots of old Classic Italian cars passed with their flags flowing and their horns blowing! It was Italian week in St Maxime! This means, of course, lots of tents on the promenade selling cheeses, meats and other Italian products. There was also a display of old Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Mazeratti and Fiat cars. The strange thing was they came, juding from their number plates, from anywhere but Italy. There were french. Dutch and German cars but no Italian!!

I bought some Porchetta, which I first tried in Italy but have never found of the same quality since. Let's hope that the piece I have bought lives up to my expectations!

Mr. L. 4/6/2011

Var in Spring

The season in The Gulf of St Tropez has finally started after a long winter. The vines are beginning to sprout and the wild flowers and especially the poppies are in bloom.
We have just had a rush for Easter but this has now quietened down.
The restaurants are now all open after a long winter holiday and we are beginning to have our first visitors at home and the grandchildren have used the pool.
We have had several car clubs visiting. I have seen lots of classic Mercedes and Alfa Romeos and next week we will be hosting the Harley Davidson yearly event in the area.
Last weekend was the Bravade when all the local villages have processions with the population in medieval costumes with brass bands and the many of the men firing muskets into the air, which is not so funny when they are really drunk!!


Mr.L. 09/05/2011

La Reserve, St Maxime

La Reserve is a restaurant, long established, on the promenade of St Maxime. We have been told about it often but have never visited. We finally went last Saturday night and hade a thoroughly good meal. We started with Foies Gras that we shared, though I must admit my wife took very little and me a lot. Served with fig and aspic it was delicious with the warm toast. My friend David and I both had the fondue of steak which comes with a pot of boiling oil on a burner so that one can dip the dices of steak in and cook to the way one prefers, Delicious! This came with vegetables and chips!

Cannot quite remember what the ladies had as I was far to engrossed in the novelty of cooking my own steak!!! I know they loved their meal so it must have been good.

The atmosphere was very Brasserie and was full despite horrid weather. This must say something as the other restaurants around were far from full.

Mr L 15/3/2011

Mimosa Festival

Here in France the Mimosa season is about to begin. This is a time when many villages have a Mimosa Festival with processions, bands and much joviality. Not really sure why this happens but guess it is the first sign of Spring.
Our local town, St Maxime, have their festival ('Corso Fleurie' ) on Feb. 6th and floats go through the town with much noise from the bands! Our dog hates the noise!
The big festival, of the region, is in Bormes Les Mimosas. Not sure why it should be there but guess it is its name!!! This is a lovely quiant village to the West of us on the road to Toulon.They have their celebrations 29/30th Feb.
Well off to UK for a week after a 4 month absence. Great chance to see my family!

Mr.L. 12/2/2011