I was in Marcillat this evening ...

... for a meeting about tourism. I arrived promptly at 19:30 to find out that the meeting actually started at 17:30. At that time I was in the swimming baths at Neris.

But nevertheless I was well-entertained by the woman who runs the tourist board and towards the end of our discussion I realised why it was that I had been invited. It seems that the Allier's equivalent of SMADC also run some kind of programme on local radio - in this case Radio Tartasse - and they are interested in an English-language programme. Of course, before I say anything I need to speak to Liz about it but I did suggest that they talk to Christian at SMADC and see about syndicating what we do for them.

After the meeting I went for a drink with Marianne at the local hotel and in there drinking were Geoffrey and Francois from the Anglo-French group. We had a good chat about things while we were there.

On the way back to Caliburn, just as the sun was setting I couldn't resist taking a pic of the village square. It was just at the right time too - not too light and not too dark either - and it's come out pretty well. It does help, having a good tripod.

It's been probably the hottest day of the year today - 35.8°. The highest temperature since 7th September. I spent the morning working on the computer, watching the local farmer repair the fence at the back here and then bring his cattle along. This afternoon was shopping and nothing exciting, and then into the pool at Neris.

But I'll tell you what - I'm noticing more and more tattoos on more and more people over here and I can't do with tattoos at all. There was one woman in the pool, clearly in her early 50s and with a figure that most women half her age would die for - and she knew how to show it off to the best advantage too - and covered with tattoos. I just don't know how people can do it and I don't know what pleasure there is in it either.

There was another woman in there too - and as she went swimming past me on her back I thought of saying to her "for God's sake don't breathe in!".

So here I am in my room tonight - it's 00:20 and I'm shirtless and it's still 27° in here, even with all of the windows open. In fact it reached 28.7° degrees in here. Heaven knows what it's going to be like in August.