08.04 Day 204 . . . Yellow !

So we were up and about before 8am and grabbed some quick breakfast. Tre and I have cut back on bread and pasta and crisps and all other not so healthy options with a view to shedding some pounds before Summer, the ability to hide excess baggage under clothes then gone.
We were out of the door before 9am and into Rox, then on our way to Niort. The weather again is glorious and the views on the drive stunning. Can’t believe a little over 6 months ago we were in our little place in Haywards Heath surrounding by houses, shops, companies and volumes of traffic. Sometimes we can drive for ages without seeing another car!
It took us about 40 minutes to Niort where we parked in our now normal parking area near to the river, literally just next to the market area.
We walked up to the market and it was heaving as expected. Easter holiday had brought out the masses combined with the lovely sunny and warm weather - unlike a couple of weeks ago.
We grabbed a huge cauliflower for under €2 and then garlic, white asparagus, onions, fresh mint and then headed to the meat counter. We chose a shoulder of lamb which the butcher then without bother, volunteered to take it off the bone and string it into a joint for us - looks great, will update tomorrow. We also saw or a neighbouring stall huge artichokes which we decided against as neither of us was sure how to cook from scratch. More research required first.
I then grabbed a couple of things off the Spanish stall, not sure what they were called but one with chicken filling the other beef filling - with a free chilli dip. Will try these later.
Beaten to the first table and chairs in the sunshine at the cafe we quickly found another and then sat people watching for half an hour.
Post coffee and red faces from the sun we went for a shop wander and also to find a bank. The nearest bank (with a long queue) happened to be right opposite my favourite vinyl record shop, so Tre volunteered to queue while I went vinyl hunting.
Money collected and no vinyl purchased (nearly did - a Black Keys box set) we returned to Rox and headed out of the town centre.
Now Tre and I have had an ongoing argument about her need for some trainers. She has some - packed in a bag in the UK and she maintains she can wait til we get all our stuff over - I maintain not a good idea. So off to Decathlon we went!!
Once inside we waddled the aisles, me not wanting the pressure the issue by walking straight to the trainer aisle. However Tre had other ideas and we spent a good hour or so choosing summer clothing, skirts and dresses, shorts for me and finally - yes we got there . . . trainers for Tre!!
On finally leaving Decathlon we realised we hadn’t bought eggs at the market and so headed for SuperU.
Well the eggs Tre had in mind when she mentioned it come from hens, the eggs I had in mind come from a chocolate factory.
So at SuperU we bought both - the not eating unhealthy has a clause about Easter I assured Tre.
We took our normal now back roads tout home to take in the yellow rapeseed field or Rutabaga as my app calls it.
It was so fab we did a second pass along one particular road and Tre grabbed a video.
We got home about 5pm and our planned meal for the evening was shelved due to lack of time - so we decided on a second night of lasagne.
I checked in Chelsea dreadful season with another loss, this time to Wolves . . . Lampard isn’t an instant fix. Also a little reminder research on how to use my wind metre for the drone, now I’ve put a new battery in it.
The chicken and beef Mexican things were lovely and the chilli sauce - well it was really sweet to start with almost fruity and then turned bloody hot. Need to tap the lady on the stall up for the recipe for this.
We had dinner about 7pm and then settled in for rubbish telly and another film - which we got half way through and binned it.
So probably in bed about 1030pm and I nodded straight off.
Sun, Mexican food, vinyl shopping, and country fresh air is all too much for this old timer.Read more