Had a long weekend visiting with Bonita and Thibaud in Cannes.

Thursday evening
Left on Thursday evening via the train. Yes, I said the TRAIN. I had these grand visions of romantic train adventures, eating in the dining cart, sleeping in my nice first class cabin. OK, I guess I missed that part of the train journey because they didn’t even have a dining cart and the hallways smelled a bit of urine. I did, however, manage to take a bottle of wine with me that seemed to be the international train language equivalence of HELLO. Met some interesting people on the first leg of the journey and managed to sleep with two South Korean exchange student girls dangling above my head in the couchette.

Friday
Was picked up bright and early by Thib and Bon for a nice little breakfast and strong coffee. Then onward to take a quick run through of the perfume factory and off to meet Bonita for a day relaxing on the beach. We had a great time laughing and making up silly lists of things that can not be repeated for the general public. The evening was concluded with a BBQ of unidentifiable meats at Cliff’s house and begging for cigarettes from a bitter boy who ran into the sprinklers to retrieve one for me. He was none to pleased with my request, although he did comply and my nicotine stress was relieved.

Charburnt Goodness

Saturday
Everyone was preparing for the garden party in the evening, so Bonita and I made a wonderfully creative lunch that included pasta, maple syrup, bacon, green beans and whatever else we could find. The rest of the day was spent decorating one table, carrying plates and locking myself in the study for a quickie nap. As the evening rolled around, we dressed and headed to the terrace for the champagne reception. Everyone was in great spirits and the champers did flow. Dinner was a fab buffet of Lebanese food - of which I doubt I ate more than a pita.

Created new international dinner table sign for “I need more wine/champagne” which was two taps on either arm. This should be used carefully since we deemed that three taps means that “I’m OK” or could also be “I am desperate for a drink”. Had a fun time creating fruity beverages with a boy that should be the Jaime Oliver of bartending. Danced a bit to the DJ, talked a lot of shite, etc… The usual hoopla of fiestas…

Stepho, Bracelethead and Tibodabo

Sunday
Slept almost all day long. Got up and ate some more Lebanese leftovers and then played chess with the kids. Lost a game, won a game. Laughed a lot more at great sayings such as “We must sacrifice one of our men in order to win” or “This is the beginning of the end”. Ended up watching part of Gosford Park and then passing out quite early.

Monday
Bon and I headed into town to shop at the shit stores. Bought some cute butterflies and roses for hair decorations. Found some coffee cups and other knicknacks to fill the house up with a bunch of crap (but all at really good prices). Then went down to Cannes Beach for a bottle of white wine and chitter chatter. Afterwards, headed to Cooley (the local Cannes Beach hangout) for a cocktail with the Perrins. And finally to a restaurant for a great dinner featuring Cliff burning and cutting holes in his t-shirt and rustic potatoes. Jumped on the train in the knick of time with a chilled bottle of vin de blanc and began my 12 hour journey back to Barcelona. Ended up on the train with a familiar person (friend of friends) and had a good laugh throughout the hallways of the train.

Tuesday morning
Back into Barcelona. Completely beat and exhausted. Forgot that I promised Alex dinner for his birthday so now must go home and cook for the poor boy, Jaime, Greg, Jesus, Mike and myself. KILL ME!