I am so excited to be partying with you in just a few weeks.
For many it’s a chance to finally see the other place I call home, and I can’t wait to host you there.
You can expect a weekend of music, great food and drink, some of the most beautiful rural landscape and, of course, the most excellent company.
AGENDA SO FAR, TIMINGS TO FOLLOW
Friday 2nd May - LOW KEY DINNER - For those of you arriving before, or on, the Friday, we will be hosting dinner at ours. Nothing fancy, just a nice way to say hello, acquaint yourself with the area and start festivities.
Saturday 3rd May - PARTY - Think wedding reception, with just the fun bits and maybe a game or two. We’ll start around 5pm with something fizzy! Then games; then sit down three course dinner; then dancing.
Sunday 4th May - PICNIC AND CAKE - All the leftovers plus more cheese as well as the option to lake-swim, forest-walk, pool-swim, field-frolic. Festivities will be rounded off with birthday cake at 4pm (or thereabouts).
WHERE
OUR HOUSE - A Balas, 2977 Chemin de Travers, Castlenau-Barbarens, Gers, 32450, France
It’ll be an ‘open-house’ for the weekend with tea and coffee available at all times.
Side note, if anyone fancies doing any manual labour over the weekend - ripping down dead trees, throwing them into a tractor, chopping logs - my Dad, Philip, has all the tools!
TRANSPORT
AIRPORT - Toulouse Blagnac
TRAIN - There is, what can only be described as, a ‘rural’ train service from Toulouse Matabiau to Auch or Aubiet. Miraculously, you can purchase tickets on Trainline if you so wish! Both Auch and Aubiet are about a 20 minute drive from our village, Castelnau-Barbarens.
GETTING AROUND
As you’ll see, our house is in the middle of nowhere so having a car at your disposal would be handy, especially if you want to explore the area. If you are nearby and would rather taxi, that is also an option. Here are some taxi numbers:
-Taxi Castelnausien - +33 562659758 - BASED IN THE SAME VILLAGE
-Caroline Taxi - +33 608476233 - BASED IN NEARBY VILLAGE
-Taxi Gersois - +33 607869525 - BASED IN AUCH
-Allo Taxi - 32 Auch - +33 608516964 - BASED IN AUCH
More options here
What to bring?
Glad rags Let’s get dressed up for Saturday but make sure you have shoes you can wear out and about. Dinner is likely to be outside, so bring layers just in case please.
Swimming costume and trainers A swimming pool and lake will be available to you - 10m walk to the lake through a forest, bring trainers!
Vinyl? You’re already making a huge effort in coming. If you would like to get me something (which you really don’t have to!) vinyl is what I would like. And if transporting to France is a pain, we can arrange back in UK (see below).
AFter the event…
Saturday 10th May - afternoon drinks in this Peckham pub for full weekend debrief, and to catch up with those who couldn’t make it.