We had some close friends arrive from Australia a few days ago and we have been busy showing them some of the magical places around here.

There was no New Year’s Eve Party planned in the village bar this year, so we decided we should do something else special on New Year’s Day.

I phoned a fancy Michelin Star restaurant (Riberach) in Belésta to book us in for a degustation lunch. We had enjoyed an amazing meal in that restaurant two years ago and wanted our friends to enjoy the experience as well.

I found out that there would be no further lunches at the restaurant until 29 March 2019 (as it was the end of the season), and that the last meal being served at the restaurant would be brunch on New Year’s Day. So we decided to go.

It was quite a drive over some windy and small roads. We took the slightly longer route on the right of this map on the way home.

We stopped in the small village of Ansignan where there is an amazing Roman aqueduct. We didn’t walk all the way down to it this time, but we did enjoy the view.

Our next stop was in another small village, Caramany, where we met a very elderly woman returning to her home after buying a fresh baguette from a mobile grocer / baker. I told her we were Australians and she asked if we lived in Sydney. I said near Sydney, which was a stretch, but the poor thing teared up. We don’t know why, but perhaps she has family who live there.

The brunch started at 11.00am and we were there ready to enjoy what was on offer.

There was a 10 course meal with coffee and wines included. And it was our friends’ shout.

We couldn’t completely understand the menu but with the help of Google Translate, our friends’ daughter, who was online in Australia researching the terms, and the waiters, we gained a pretty good understanding.

It was an amazing and filling experience but I cannot say I enjoyed everything on offer.

These were the hot courses.

TOP ROW – Pumpkin soup with mussels and a mousse topped with caviar powder; wild partridge terrine; cabbage leaf stuffed with crab; octopus black pudding and pork with black garlic and black pudding.

Yes – too much black pudding for me. I could not eat the octopus sausage. But Mick helped me out.

These were some of the desserts and cheeses. I did not take photos of all the croissants and cakes on offer as part of the first course. The desserts and sweet treats were the best part of the brunch (from my point anyway).

And of course, it was way too much to eat.

When we got back home, we headed out for a walk to the castle ruins behind our house so we did not feel too guilty.

But a pretty special way to start the year.

Now for the New Year’s resolutions…………