What a night, such a night, a night out a couple of days before a big party at my daughter’s, to celebrate her returning to see friends and family, as she now lives with hers in China.
A small café bar by the border of Belgium and France called “A Mou Morel”, at 15 Rue de Wervicq ‘Comines’. On the Flemish side of the border, but most people also spoke French. A bar in the owner’s house, with the warmth of a place that is used by locals, as if it is their front room, rather than the owners’, with card players and friends chatting away. On entering this small bar all glanced up and looked at us as if we came from the planet Zog ! Hardly ever did tourists arrive at this bijou place but when they did, they always returned again if they were anywhere in the area. A very warm welcome to all of us as we came in for an aperitif before moving a few doors down to eat at a more than excellent restaurant.
Slowly like an old meandering river, the red wine flowed out of the bottle swirled slowly around, into this very large glass and the owner said, “Free for you, if you finish it” !
“I’m British”, I said, in my very best French and thought I saw her face blanch ! The locals all stopped their card playing and chatting, to watch this group make a fool of ourselves. My daughter and her friend joined in the fun and shared a large glass of white ! Half way through drinking this good red wine, I began to wonder if I would make the restaurant and the bar began to feel as if it was my front room with lots of friends of mine enjoying themselves. Considering this was very close to little Francesca’s party, I thought of it as training for the big one. We did get to the restaurant and food was sumptuous and I only drank a little but even so, I think I was well oiled and the way home was thanks to my son in law, Bernard. By the way I did finish the large glass of red and I think the landlady will check the nationality of the tourist next time – Just in case they turn out to be Brits.
Tony Annis 8th Feb.2011