Last evening, on 11 June, we hosted a soirée for friends in the Gers. The party was to start at 17:30. Guests began arriving at 16:30. We were set up with drinks on our garden terrace, tables and chairs on the terrace and tables and chairs and buffet table in our garden room. At 17:40, I received a call from a friend, driving about 45 minutes to get to Lectoure, and they were caught in a hail storm. I assured her the weather in Lectoure was cloudy but no rain. By 17:50, with guests streaming in, the rain started. Almost everyone had something to drink and the rain pounded harder and harder. By 18:15, people started eating as the rain continued, with some guests arriving completely soaked. The rain let up by 19:00 and we walked across the street to our friends’ Galerie de L’oiel, to see our Winchester Ranch Photographie Exposition. Papa and I had put together a two page “Our Winchester Story,” in English and French. There were 40 photos for people to see, and for most, it seemed quite fascinating. Papa and I answered lots of questions. We were very happy to see so many friends, and to share a bit of our American life from our years on the ranch. I didn’t count on getting 1.5” of rain during the party! Dealing with the rain also made the evening unforgettable, even if in a “wet” way!
