Birthday celebrations in Fouras

After Brigitte and Christian left, I had to put my head down to study seriously for a French test I had to do in Paris on JL's last day before a two week holiday. All about the studies etc in another post, but for now I can just say that both of us needed a holiday and were happy to leave very early on the Sunday morning. Direction Fouras, where most of his family are, those who do not live there come for holiday during August.
The Monday morning we were busy buying ingredients at the market in Fouras - it was Nina's birthday and we would celebrate it that evening together with her cousin Marie, the eldest grandchild, whose birthday was the following day.  Nina had two friends from Paris who joined her in Fouras, Damien and Caroll, who used to work with her.  Good for her (and for us) as they have provided extra hands in the preparation for this family fête (while we could watch).  I was thinking back to the first family apéritif I had in Fouras, how intimidating it was - even though they are very kind and friendly, it is still a bit overwhelming when exposed to such a group of strangers, many with French names you're not used to, and you try your best to remember who is who and who belongs to who.  Relieved that now I can just join in and know who is who and who belongs to who (even though the numbers peaked at 18 and another one arriving later after two have left), and happy to see all the familiar faces, as they feel like my family too.

Top: Marie & Damien working hard preparing for the fête

Bottom: while the more seniors are watching (and the rest of the youngsters are slaving away in the kitchen)



Half of the guests and half of the food...:

Time to open the gifts:

Maman Yvonne with the two birthday girls, proud of her grandchildren:



And once again, as it is the habit in France, the birthday cakes (in this case it was birthday tarts) are decorated with candles - normally with the figures of the age displayed, but in this case they had to improvise for the 2 birthdays: