Corruption is almost complete, she is now reduced to eating Spam rolls so Marmite toast is next!

Lucky it is not December so Father Christmas will be safe while those two are on the loose.

Well Monday is just around the corner, it is best we send a warning to the St. Malo Gendarmes, that these two individuals are on their way to create havoc .

Oh heck, I just received a telephone call about our trip to the festivities yesterday afternoon. On our wanders we looked at a display from the Red Cross and I was persuaded to enter a little quiz/competition about Red Cross parcels sent to Jersey towards the end of the war - heck I wasn't born until 1947 and was twenty-five when I moved here.

Anyway, I won the prize - a flipping chocolate fountain! I am diabetic.

Well now Mada can have another belated birthday present, or you can give it to a random stranger and make their day.

Yes, what about the big wedding you are going to, Sue. They would love to have one I am sure. A great wedding gift and fun at the reception.

They have one in the hotel so it is probably already planned.

Right, this morning was a very early start, we left the house at about 7am and we have just arrived home and it is now gone 7pm - we are both absolutely knackered!

We arrived in St Malo at about 11.30am and I had taken my camera out of my bag and hung it around my neck in readiness. As we came out of the building Toni (Santana2002) walked up to us and said "Hello ladies", Mada looked totally shocked.

We went for a wander through the streets of St Malo, stopping by the Post Office for a photo call especially for Sara. Then we went up onto the ramparts and sat and talked, and talked, and talked and suddenly it was well gone 2pm and if we were to eat then we needed to make a move.

Toni treated us all to a delicious lunch (prawn starter for me!) then we headed back towards the harbour.

That is when there was something of a catastrophe, one of the tyres on Toni's car blew, absolutely shredded. Mada and I had to abandon her in order to check in at the harbour for our ferry. We can only hope that she was able to get help quickly from someone to change her wheel. Thank goodness it hadn't happened a little later when she was travelling at some speed, she could have had a nasty accident.

Toni gave Mada and I some wonderful gifts, an amazing handstitched bag each, they are both stunning. Then we also had traditional Breton biscuits and some Breton pottery cups, and on top of that some sweet little cards that she made for us both.

Toni is an absolute delight, and she also speaks French which was a help, it saved me having to raise my voice to the locals.

WooooooooooooooW!

I almost had a heart attack this morning. Guess who was waiting for us when we got off the ferry at St. Malo? Toni (Santana2002)! I couldn't believe my eyes and was sooo happy to meet her. Sue says that the look on my face was priceless, when Toni approached us out of the blue (for me ).

So now the big secret's been revealed. Gosh, I felt like fainting for half a minute. What a huge and most wonderful surprise! Toni is an absolute sweetie and I really wished we could take her back with us.

Later Mada told me that she thought that it was Sara who was going to be the surprise, presumably thought she was going to have to share the bed!

How wonderful that you two met up with Toni! I bet you had a wonderful time! I hope Toni got home safe and sound

I hope Toni got her car fixed OK.

I've just done the sums, and it seems to be forty-six years since my own visit to St Malo, but I remember it well as a great little town with plenty to see in and around it. I was particularly struck by the way that tourist guides seemed to practically boast about the way the town had got rich by piracy and slave-trading.

Glad you were able to enjoy a dégustation de fruits de mer as well. If you go back there, give my regards to Robert Surcouf (I assume his statue is still waving its threatening hand across the Channel at the "hereditary enemy."

Now I am really envious! Yes Tabby Tom St Malo remains unique, and the food is divine.
So glad you met Toni, girls. As you know I was bursting!

No way! What a great day for all of you!!
Hope you got your tyre fixed, Toni

Relax, everyone, I found not one, but two handsome guys to change my tyre for me (and I didn't even need to share them with Mada and Sue), and they got my burst one replaced for me (yes, it was that bad it couldn't be mended), and I was home just after 7pm myself.

We had a glorious afternoon, thanks to Mada who always brings the sunshine with her when she's on holidays. The promised rain only fell after my busted tyre was sorted out and I was on the road home.

St Malo was gorgeous as usual, and the company couldn't have been better. Mada and Sue are just such lovely ladies, and the chatterbox mode was definitely in full swing

Thanks girs, I really enjoyed my time-out

Now, who's next over to France???

I am coming in September....

Oh what a nice surprise to meet them Toni, that must have been murder to keep that so secretive! I love that you all could spend the day together that way, makes for great memories!

The secret was great fun , but Sue and Mada were even more so

Lady, just remember to drop me a line when you're on your way

Gosh, I have been remiss.

Tuesday it rained and also QVC had their normal craft programmes on during the afternoon so Mada forced me to purchase several items. The woman is so persuasive, like I need persuading.

Wednesday we got up late then mooched about the house before going to the War Tunnels, formerly known as the Underground Hospital. Ate cake. Then we hit a craft shop and Mada made me buy even more stuff.

Thursday we hit the pound shop, yep, more stuff jumped off the shelf into my bag. Then we went to Big Vern's for steak and mushroom pie for lunch. This was followed by a trip to the Eric Young Orchid Foundation where we took masses of photos.

Friday and Saturday we are begging on the streets of St Helier and avoiding all craft shops! Actually we are collecting for charity but begging sounds more in keeping with my style.

By the way, I forgot to mentioned that she is completely house-trained.

Well that will save you a lot of hard work then Sue.

When you say "jumped off the shelf into my bag"....you did PAY the nice checkout lady didn't you...

Nah. No chance. She has shares.

I did involve the woman at the checkout.

Well Mada, I expect you are all settled in back home and busy back at work, but we all need to see the holiday snaps , we are all waiting to hear about the fun and the adventures you both had.Don't forget to put some really nice ones of St Malo in the Holiday thread. I cant wait , as I love St Malo.
How was it all? She is not too bad to stay with , the old bat is she eh?