The Day After

The summer solstice, 21 June, the longest day of the year here or anywhere else on planet earth.

Brings out the mystery of everything, including parties of 7 for a BBQ in the courtyard of an olde house in Lignieres. The day was sufficiently warm and sunney to keep us indoors while the late afternoon aged into a cooler version. Then after sufficient beer and wine to allow the gathered folk A&R, Mikey, P and his son Jim and ourselves to get hungry we went outside to sit in the shade, drink some more and layout the tomatoes, onions, salsas and Kelly's terrific mache salad (tiny leaves that each have to be cleaned) in preparation for my burger cooking. I prefer the 15 - 20 % fat version of steak hache (hamburger) that you can get just about anywhere here to the more lean (and less juicy/tasty) 6% stuff. I had preped a fire of small oak pieces and after it had grown hot enough put on all the burgers at once. 12 in all, 2 for each male and 1 for each female.

They cooked through in 5 minutes or less! Off to the buns we had purchased at Champion and handed out to the now salivating guests, myself included. They were excellent, beat McDonalds all to hell! They went, the salsa and chips went and somehow the salad did not, hmmmm, I thought they'd devour the salad too but somehow the salsa had been substituted in the minds and hearts, eh. More for us tomorrow if it lasts. Dessert was an apple pie ala mode with apple ice cream that no one commented on! Yes, the syrup from the apple peels and cores had been used to flavor the ice cream.

We sat and chatted the early evening away and about 10 Mike, P and Jim wandered off hail and hearty. A&R stayed to have a coffee and maybe even see the Solstice Fyre consume the giant stacks of faggots/flowers in the Champ du Foire. A&R took turns checking the crouds progress at the Champ and eventually at about 15 minutes to midnight we joined the frolicing KREW gathered at the now fully involved stack. Naked people chased naked people through the fyre as cats danced in the glare of flames (not really but makes good copy). A dance floor had been setup along with a block long bar which was fully involved itself! There is NO Drinking Problem in France...or at least here in Lignieres! Then bye-byes and kisses all around and A&R were off to home as were we. Into bed, reading for 5 minutes then lights out! The Solstice was a success.