Early yesterday morning, 7am, and I’m heading to the market in Castres.
We have six coming for lunch, then three others for dinner. On the menu: blackened salmon for lunch and slow cooked lamb shoulder with courgettes for dinner.
It’s going to be a busy day!
As I approach a roundabout on the outskirts of town a large white coach crosses in front of me and for a moment I wonder what day it is. School buses don’t run on Saturdays.
Then I remember.
The coach is full–but these are rugby fans, not school children–at the start of a seven hour journey to Paris.
Last night at le Stade de France in the capital, Castres Olympique replayed last year’s Rugby cup Finale against Toulon.
It was a surprise that Castres CO were in the Finale again–having had a less than spectacular year.
Toulon, however, were in their pomp–having won the Coupe D’Europe the week before and with the legendary Jonny Wilkinson playing his last game before retirement. They were clear favorites.
But they were favorites last year too–and Castres had triumphed against the odds in a nail- biter. So the mood in Castres yesterday morning was excited. On ne sait jamais! [You never know!]
I sent my photographer along to record the feverish atmosphere.
But it wasn’t to be. This time Goliath was not to be denied!
Toulon won 18 points to 10.
As Jonny left the field for the last time, “God Save the Queen” played out through the loudspeakers–an extravagant tribute!
Castres players watching a Wilkinson kick for goal–and their hopes fade.
The big white coach rolled back through the night to Castres, its tired and disappointed CO supporters reflecting on what might have been.
From chatting with local rugby fans, I doubt anyone on board would begrudge Jonny his final triumph. They are a fair-minded lot and they’d be happy just to have been there to see “the Great Boot” laid to rest!
The great Jonny Wilkinson’s toothy grin as he holds up the trophy
Robin Ellis 
Keep these tales coming! I really enjoy reading about the local life where you live. Fascinating!
‘ From chatting with local rugby fans, I doubt anyone on board would begrudge Jonny his final triumph. They are a fair-minded lot and they’d be happy just to have been there to see “the Great Boot” laid to rest! ‘
That quote sums up rugby fans the world over, it’s just a pity the same can’t be
said of wendyball ( soccer ) fans.
It was a fantastic end to a magnificent career, It’s a shame I was unable to watch it live. Eh bien, jamais l’esprit Castres, il ya toujours l’année prochaine.
Apologies if that translation’s wrong, blame Google, my schoolboy French is long out of practice.
PS. I’ve been a great fan of your blog for over a year now and always look forward to trying your recipes, although sometimes they have a Spanish twist as we live in the Canary Islands. My Wife often asks me, what’s on the Captains menu this week then? That’s usually followed by, mmm, that was delicious. We’re both looking forward to seeing you in the remake of Poldark too.
Kind regards
Alf S
Thanks Alf for those kinds words–please give my regards to your wife!
I passed on your regards Robin, her knees are still wobbling :¬)
Great commentary, Robin. It was if I was there in person! Merci Boucoup
Great to see Wilkinson still in his prime as he retires
Robin, I love your recipes, but I actually really really love soaking up all that I can about your life in France and the locals!!!!
Everyone on my mother’s side of the family suffered from diabetes; if only they had had the will and knowledge to follow your type of menus.
But please keep more coming about your life in France and experiences. I miss the cats too!
Cats come into it soon–and thanks for your kind words.
Dear Robin, I was 13 when I first saw “Poldark” on Italian television, in 1979: I used to watch it with my parents and sisters every Friday night and along the years we very often wondered why they didn’t telecasted “Poldark” again. There was an episode ending with Captain McNeil forcing Demelza to open the trapdoor on which he had been sitting for hours sure that Ross is hiding beneath and then he discovers that there is nobody there: this was one of our “highlights” and we used to remember it nostalgically (we had shouted “nooo!” in unison when the empty trapdoor was driven away by the Cornish cliffs dashed by the raging sea.) Then I bought the DVD, it was such a pleasure to hear the all of you playing with your own voices and discover that “Poldark” and all his characters hadn’t get old at all, they were still as fresh and charming as we remembered. Then I bumped into your blog, a couple of years ago. I had never written a comment, though visiting each day, but today I want to write you how much I appreciate you and the way you write, and your sensitivity and brightness. As a matter fof fact, in a certain sense you’ve been a constant presence in my life and I just want to say thank you for that.
Giovanna
PS My mother is now 83, she was indignant when I told her BBC was going to remake “Poldark”.
Hi Giovanna–thank you for your kind words. I am touched. Please give my regards to your mother and reassure her that the new version is being done with great care and love. Complimenti per la sua Inglesi !(?)
Great photos and commentary! We feel as though we were there in France.
I agree with Giovanna word by word… We are almost the same age and if my mother were still alive I think she would have been indignant too. Poldark is one of the best memory of my family and of my adolescence. We used to watch it every week, curious to know what would happen to our heroes! Watching your photos as Captain Poldark, after so many years, gave me a great emotion, I was happy and melanchonic at the same time: happy for all the beautiful moments I had in front of you on those summer evenings, but melanchonic for the memory of my parents who are not anymore with me and for the young girl I was. Some part of her is still living inside me, in some hidden corner, and induced me to look for some piece of news about you in the web one year ago. Finding out that you have become a cook, a writer and, most of all, that you are a sensitive and cultivated gentleman, that loves Mediterranean cuisine and way of life has been a really great surprise! If anyone had ever told me, thirty-six years ago, that one day I could have chatted with you in any way, I would have never believed it!
You are right about the way the world has become a smaller place, Marina!
Robin, can I say that I have made those super pepper cargo boats SIX times so far!! They are SOOOOOOOO good and they look so pretty. Thank you. I found out that I’m not diabetic but I have been losing weight since adopting the Mediterranean Diet – and eating your recipes. So thank you. Don’t forget to check out my website on cats: http://www.thedailymews.com (Please!)
Good news I’m happy to hear. And yes I will check out your site.