There was a mediaeval market in a neighbouring town today and CC's new friend cum French teacher, Catherine, offered to take us along this afternoon.

However, the Bear got wind of it and made life rather difficult in his own inimitable way. He didn't want me to go out with CC so he made a fuss about wanting to go too. He would take me himself. This made sure that CC wouldn't come with us but, as it happened, she had a lot to do and it gave her a good excuse to stay at home.

Consequently, we rang our friend to say the Bear and I would meet her there about 6 o'clock.

The weather was still warm when we arrived and the market was in full swing. The stall holders were all in costume and entertainment was provided by a middle aged man doing acrobatics and balancing on two chairs. He also played the bagpipes and recorder - but not all at the same time.

The Bear objected to the noise and complained because I wouldn't buy any strawberries (which were past their best) or a chicken (because I didn't want to carry one around in the humid weather).

Then Catherine turned up with her younger daughter and we started chatting. At first, Bear was polite and charming, but he soon got fed up and said he was going to sit down. In fairness, his legs were playing him up. Catherine, Annaelle and I walked round the market and she seemed to know an awful lot of people. She was on her fifth lot of kisses, greetings and introductions when a disgruntled Bear appeared at my shoulder.

"I've had enough. It was very rude of you to walk off like that. I want to go home."

I apologised to Catherine, we said our goodbyes and then I asked Bear why he had been so impolite.

No reasonable answer was forthcoming but it was plain he didn't want to walk round with her because he suddenly began to take an interest in the products on display.

First he bought some little trinket boxes from a craft stall to give to his daughters, grandaughters and ex-wife when we go to England. Despite my suggestions, he chose five identical ones.

Then he gravitated towards the cider stall where a large notice proclaimed that their cider had been drunk since 1529. They were also selling beer made with ash leaves and endives (as well as hops and yeast) so we bought some out of curiosity.

I asked him if he wanted a chicken - now that we were leaving - and we went back to the stall.

"The one I had my eye on has gone. It's all your fault. You should let me buy things when I see them." 

The quiches displayed nearby drew his attention. They were certainly unusual as the fillings were topinambours (Jerusalem artichokes) or orties (nettles). We bought a large topinambour and a small nettle one.

The chap also sold wine infused with herbs and spices according to old recipes. We were offered tastings and were tempted to buy a white wine flavoured with honey and sage and a red wine with cinnamon, ginger and cardomom plus rose petals.

By this time we had bumped into Catherine and Annaelle three times and it was a bit embarrassing. I was relieved when we made our way to the car and drove home.