Ping Pong

We assembled James's early birthday pressie of an outdoor table tennis table this morning in 25 degree heat. I had to keep disappearing to the house, for some shade and to cool down with some lemondade! The gift wasn't due to arrive until next week, for his 65th birthday on 2nd June, but like most things in France, they do as they please!
We have had 2 games already and I have been thrashed on both occasions....I'll just have to get some extra practice in when James is back in the UK next week.
We have also drained our pool during the week and next Tuesday, provided it stays dry, Louis and James are going to empty it of all the gunge at the bottom. Once this is done, we can then start pressure washing it and preparing it for painting. There are 2 frogs that have obviously been living in the pool (as well as 3 fish, which are now dead) and they are inside a tyre at the bottom. I have asked Louis if he can catch them and then, if successful, have asked him to build a pond for them in the garden to re-home them there. We have called them Freddy and Freda - no idea what sex they are, just like these 2 names as we had 2 love-birds called this years ago.
Our flowers and vegetables in the garden are coming along nicely too - as well as daily lettuce, radish, strawberries & asparagus, Louis has now planted tomatoes, peppers, beetroot and courgettes, so that on top of the potatoes, shallots, carrots, parsley, when ready, will be brilliant.
The cherry trees are still full of ripe cherries and Louis took a huge bag home to his wife last night. I made cherry clafoutis which turned out really well and it was delicious with some vanilla ice cream. Tonight I will make some crepes and poach some cherries in red wine and sugar, whip up some cream and put some of the syrup from the cherries with it, et voila, a yummy simple dessert for after our chicken curry!
Life is very good here in France, we are both enjoying it so much, the lifestyle is so relaxing and having healthy salads each day for lunch because of the hot weather beats a Tesco meal deal any day of the week!
We will update on the progress of the house and pool renovation soon and more importantly, the re-homing if possible of the 2 wee frogs.