Old Friends...

...sat on a park bench like bookends.  Well, not quite.  Gathered on the banks of the River Dordogne for an annual summer picnic, more like.  Gentle evening light, a soft breeze, the smell of Ross's burgers rising with the smoke from glowing coals, Francis's sausages sizzling on the grill.  And this little international group of English, Scottish, French and Danish gathered around drinking and chatting and catching up on everything that has happened in the last year - or, in this case, two years, since last year's picnic was cancelled at the last minute.  As darkness fell we all headed back to the Danish house in the mediaeval village of Carennac, and sat out on a wooden terrace overlooking the river, drinking coffee and whisky and eating fruit tart.  All in all, a splendid evening.