hello.

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We're back in merry England

A good flight and easy through the formalities. It was very kind of Kingsley, Jean-Luc and Joel to see us off and a delight to see Christian and his wife at the airport.
We're now off to pick up Andy's Auntie and I'll tidy up the blog over the next few days.
Allez TOSSAS, Allez VROUM.

We are at the gate and the plane is here. No sign of Sebastian yet. Martin is at the front.

16 plat du jour s'il vous plait

We are checked in and enjoying a smashing lunch at the airport. More news and pictures after the break.

TOSSAS achieve VIP status

I an posting this from inside the 5 star Hotel de la Cite where we have had a private tour. Very nice, very tasteful, love all that.

DAY 4 - The housemates are in the bar

We're all looking remarkably frisky and distinctly French. It is amazing how quickly handshakes and espresso become the natural way to start the day.

A little kid - Caption Competition

I was introduced to a three day old kid at Gilles (Captain VROUM) and Fabienne's home last night. It is being hand reared after being abandoned by it's mother. 

It has been suggested that we should have a caption competition for this photo.  Can't think why but if you want to have a go post your entry as a comment.  If we get enough entries I think have suitable photos to do one a month for the rest of the year! 

A further clarification

I have been asked by the Press Complaints Commission to bring some balance when reporting the activities of a Mr Steve Jaggard so here goes.
He scored a goal, got a medal, was man of the match, missed a penalty. More importantly he is our spiritual leader and a diamond geezer. Cheers Steve.

Pizzas

We are being royally entertained yet again. This time in the bar with pizzas. How does Christian produce so many pizzas of such high quality in such a short period? Astonishing.

Meet the pilot

Following a customer service review Ryanair have introduced a 'meet the pilot' scheme where your captain drops in to meet you the night before your flight. Our pilot has just turned up in the bar. Nice idea but I think in this case ignorance is bliss.

Snow Patrol

We're all off the mountain in one piece although it was touch and go for a while when I tried to keep up with Black Run Brown. The whole group had fun and medal-winning, penalty-missing Steve is now known as Steve (MOTM).

Off to the slopes.

It's 12.48 and we have had a good breakfast. Apart from Andy and Darren we are all off skiing. Martin's first attempt so good luck to him and anyone who gets in his way.

Morning has bro ken!

What a glorious morning. It's a shame Steve (penalty miss) and Darren (gherkins) missed the start of it.

The BBQ is alight and the wine is flowing so it's party time again.

Where are we now?

It's after midnight so back in the bar of course.
Cheers and see in the morning.

More fabulous hospitality

Food, wine, songs. Marvellous cassoulet followed, or course by Sunshine Mountain, Arc de Triomphe and Whiskey in the Jar amongst others.

An over excited Rick in the distance.

Fred and Celine give it a go.

Andy managed to achieve this amazing feat.  

With the co-operation of the ladies of course. 

I didn't understand much but it was very funny!

If you want to see the impact cassoulet had on the US election 

follow this link 

Civic reception

Steve thanking our hosts with from L to R Kingsley, Didier (M. Le Mayor) and M. Durand

Didier presenting Martin with his Belveze badge

Steve with the medal.

Kingsley, Didier, M. Durand and Joel.

Wow. The mayor and the chief of the department said some very kind things and presented Steve (penalty miss) with a medal and Martin with a badge. Nibbles and drinks followed. Both teams received some very tasteful shirts with VROUM and AUDE motifs and wore them for the rest of the night. We feel like celebrities but don't get us out of here!

Wine tour

We have been honored with a tour of an experimental wine station where France is reclaiming leadership of the wine industry by
+++ By ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE THIS POST IS CENSORED +++
and that will stuff the new world producers.

Did I mention Steve missed a penalty? Jaggard that is.

Lunch

Oh my word!.
At least 7 wines with 3 courses and views to die for. We are going to pay for this in this life or the next. Nobody deserves to be this lucky.

Steve finds his favourite wine

My favourite

The meal in full flow

Presentations

We are tasting some gorgeous wine at the local wine research centre with a stunning view towards the Pyrenees. We have been given bottles by our defeated but magnanimous hosts and penalty Steve has been named MOTM.

Our welcome. 

Steve in full flow

View from the research station dining room.

Martin and Didier with Steve, the Man of The Match

A personal thanks from me to Regis and Martin. Many a blue wave of VROUMers crashed and were lost against the twin rocks at the heart of our defence.  Brilliant.