We had a wonderful Easter’s eve with our old friend Albert and his new love, and our our new friend Rianne. Lots of serendipity going on, along with good conversation, music and wine flowing.

As Rob says:

If you talk about rejoucement, Al is one of my best friends, and I am seeing him there again, rejoicing. I’m very happy for both Albert and Riaane.

It was truly a special night with a wonderful blossoming couple, and we also shared one of our favourite poems.

…
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

© Pablo Neruda, Sonnet XVII (English), translated by Stephen Tapscott

The Chef de cuisine Robert, cooked up an amazing Coq au vin with me as his sous-chef. It was the first time we did a rather complicated recipe together, and we both made it out of the kitchen alive and well, and most importantly, laughing (stay tuned for the recipe). That’s a big step for us, because we are both rather individualistic cooks, and we really had fun doing it together. I hope our guests will agree to the good results.

Today we had a nice relaxed brunch with our friend Barbara joining us, and toasted in the day with mimosa’s, eggs and salmon by me the poissonnier (fish chef), and scrumptious cupcakes by the pâtissier Barbara.

Add a little sunshine, playing with puppies, and Albert modelling on the runway, and it was a splendid day.