Sorry to hear that Stella but good that he’s improved.
Had a pretty crappy week really, dealing with family squabbling back in UK. Got back home yesterday for a few days respite, then driving back to England on the 3rd for the funeral and back home before the 12th.
I think congratulations should go to Jane’s husband too 
Missed this yesterday… in all the excitement of “BDay” …
These pigs made a bid for freedom, caused chaos, but finally saw sense, did a u-turn and went back where they belonged… 
Seems a wise decision… one for others to follow, perhaps…
Happy anniversary Jane. 
Sounds like you are having a horrible time Mark. I hope the funeral goes as well as these things can. Sending my thoughts and best wishes to you x
Sadly, many of us know that such “family squabbling” makes a sad/bad time so much worse… 
You’ll need more than a good, deep breath of French air… to sustain you for your next trip to UK… hope it all gets done and dusted reasonably calmly… 
Thank you Ann.
We had a lovely lunch and our French friends rang to see if we were watching the debate in the House?
Quite agree, I’ve often thought we need another SFN-Survive Families Network.
Absolutely… the UK cousins are still squabbling and it’s been more than 6 months…
Very levelling Stella to hear how you’re coping with real life while the rest of us fuss about Brexit. Puts it into perspective and hugs and respect to both of you.
Cheers Caroline… I’m not the only one with day-to-day worries/dramas… many on the forum do have similar happenings… but thanks for the kind words…
I’ve had a very forgettable week. The highlight probably being a smear test on Friday 
Sorry, oversharing again 
Friday was an odd day… for so many reasons… 
BDay +1 = chocolate cake (smells wonderful) just come out of the oven… already finished 1 glass of wine and happily anticipating another… hic…
Today I’m making Banana Cake and tomorrow I’m making Apple Crumble. Mum’s request for Mother’s Day. Both gluten free as Mum suffers from coeliac disease.
OH won’t eat bananas and prefers that I eat them out on the terrace, or wandering the village…
Apple crumble… yes… wonderful stuff… that is a family favourite. Gluten-free flour… is that readily available… I’ve no idea…
Yes gluten-free flour is available at just about every supermarket now. They all have a gluten-free section these days.
It was also available at my local Leclerc and Casino.
Have you ever managed to make anything with it successfully? We bought a load and ended up giving it away despite Mr. H being a bit of a star in the kitchen!
He’s making curry and naan breads tonight. Yum!
Yes I have. Most cakes and biscuits will work well as they are intended to be crumbly. My Banana Cake is lovely. It works fine in a crumble although it does have a slight powdery texture. I’ve got a great recipe for Yorkshire Puddings and they rise beautifully.
Bread is really difficult because gluten is such a key ingredient for successful bread. You normally need to add xantham gum as a substitute for the gluten but the resulting bread is never very successful and usually has a crumbly/cakey texture. I would buy gluten-free bread rather than try to make it. Some of them are surprisingly good and M&S in particular seems to have mastered it.
Very happy Saturday at garden-party celebrating first anniversary of IVF twin boys, about 30 guests on sunny terrace/lawn running egg-and-spoon races, pass-the-parcel, musical chairs, over-and-under-balloon marathons and similar folies anglaises.
Wonderful buffet and champagne, great conversations, in fact probably our nicest day out since we came to France. Berlina won a gold medallion with a tricolore ribbon, a miniature silver cup, and a rousing cheer for coming third in the egg-and-spoon race!
I told her she was going to win beforehand!
Weather beautiful, essential Anglo-Frenchness incontestable. Twin babies handed round so much they’ve had a month’s quota of tactile stimulation in five hours of partying, poor Mum will have to mop that up in days to come!