À la recherche du temps perdu
No dear reader we are not about to embark on the memories evoked by madeleines. Simply that Adam’s immediately prior past and the focus on oysters reminded him of a long ago holiday, late one September in or about September 1980.
Honfleur - The Old Port
Mrs Smith and Adam had been touring, as one did in those long ago days, by car in France. We arrived relatively late one evening in Honfleur. Adam having read an article on how relatively unspoilt Honfleur was in those days had insisted that we press on to achieve the town as destination of the day.
We found an hotel not too far from the Old Port. Unfortunately cannot remember the name, but it was in the old part of town. Dumped the baggage and then as time was marching on we walked down to the harbour to find somewhere for dinner. From memory, it was
Honfleur - Old Port - a typical restaurant
fast approaching 9 p.m. so finding somewhere relatively quickly seemed like a good idea. We settled on one of several places along the quay. Probably not dis-similar to this place, though unlikely to be quite so elaborate. Again from memory it was local, and quite simple.
We found that due to the hour the menu was somewhat limited. However, the restaurent did have a plentitude of fresh oysters. So between us we consumed a large platter of oysters, memory says at least 2 dozen, maybe more. This washed down with 2 large bottles of the excellent Normandy cider was a sufficiency of food at ten end of a long day.
To follow, crepes with cups of hot chocolate accompanied by a glass of cognac each. Then to the hotel and to bed.
Even after all these years that simple, but blissful meal in the beautiful old town of Honfleur lingers in Adam’s mind.
Perhaps blissful oysters and pleasure is all it takes to rekindle a great memory.
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