Breaking Out of the Village!

5.6.19 - 6.6.19:

En route to Normandy for the twinning visit accompanied by rain.
Lunch in Bordeaux and an overnight in Angers and visit to the château the next morning. The château housed the amazing tapestry of the Apocalypse, which at 100m long, is bigger than the one in Bayeux.
http://www.chateau-angers.fr/en/Explore/History-of-the-monument
You can find the photos here.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gu8X4ighim4ZzxTSA

Heading for Home

5.6.17: No Place Like Home

By the time that all the goodbyes were said and the kissing done, we were a bit after 7h30 when we set off for the return journey home. As it was a public holiday (Whit Monday), the roads were clear and with only motorway service stops  to stretch our legs and grab something to eat, the journey was trouble free. The time passed more easily than I'd thought it would, as my tablet was well charged and I could watch films to my heart's content. When I was fed up of watching, I read and may even have dozed off.
We arrived home around 8pm and here's the view as we got off the bus. It felt good to be home and it felt good to be alone after three group trips in a month.
Weather:
Cool and damp in Normandy, sunny at home

Sunday and a Day of Relative Rest

4.6.17: A More Leisurely Pace

Oh, what joy! No need to timetable our getting up. Today was a "free" day. I took of advantage of the time to go and visit François, who Christian had worked with and Josette, his wife who used to teach English Ryes, a village of 485 inhabitants about 20 minutes away. It was good to catch up with them as I hadn't seen them since Christian's 70th birthday party in Normandy which was over 3 years ago.
We had a leisurely lunch of scallops (Josette remembered that I really like them) and fish both coming straight from the quay in Courceulles.
André and Nany went to Bayeux to see the tapestry while Agnes visited family who by coincidence also live in Ryes.
In the evening, there was the "official" dinner which was a more elaborate affair with speeches, a demonstration of folk dancing and a disco.
Weather:
Warm and sunny

Full On Day N°2

3.6.17: Two Faces of Norman History

Yes, you've guessed it, another early start. This time a 7h30 departure to Domfront. and it was a chilly one at that. Cloud and wind; this is more like what we'd expected weatherwise!
Our first stop was at the church Notre Dame sur l'eau (Our Lady on the water) built between the 11th and 12th centuries which true to its name was next to a river. There are still the remains of the public wash place to be seen. On a pilgrim route, apparently Eleanor of Aquitane (Henry II's wife) and Richard the Lionheart passed through here and stayed in the adjoining abbey which has since disappeared.
Next came a guided tour of the ruined château built by Henry I of England in the 12th century to replace a wooden edifice that had been built in 1010. Given the site's dominance over the surrounding area, it's easy to see why it was such an important strategic stronghold during territorial and religious wars.
In the town itself, there are narrow paved streets with evocative Medieval names, alleys and half timbered buildings protected by still existing ramparts. The Town Hall and Court House are altogether more solid bourgeois buildings and ironically enough, the latter is situated on la Place de la Liberté!
The church of St Julien, in contrast is a 20th century neo-byzantine concrete building with interesting Art Deco mosaics.  http://www.francethisway.com/places/domfront.php
Lunch was taken at the "Auberge du Grand Gousier" which was not as grand as yesterday's restaurant but it did have more character and the food was just as good. http://www.restaurant-grandgousier.com/en/auberge-de-charme.html

Our afternoon was occupied with a visit to Bagnoles de l'Orne, a smart spa town where the mineral waters are believed to be therapeutic for rheumatism, gynaecological and vein problems. It's a town that came to the fore in the "Belle Epoch" (1871 - 1914) with the advent of the railway. A guide took (some) us on a tour of the town, through the park down to the spa, then up to admire the large houses typical of the era and the Art Deco church of St Jean the Baptist which continues the water theme incorporating it into the stained glass windows and the outside facade. http://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/bagnoles-de-l-orne-normandie-23714.htm
Once we'd rejoined the shoppers/café goers, we headed back to Bretteville, another communal meal and another late night.
Weather:
Chilly and cloudy in the morning, a bit brighter and warmer in the afternoon

A Full On Day

2.6.17: Bells, Bagpipes and Copper Pots

Heavens, it was an early start after a short night. Rendezvous at 7h45 and on the bus ready to leave at 8h. Some of our hosts were with us for the visit in the morning to Villedieu les Poêles where we first visited a bell foundry of international renown. Bells have been made here since the Middle Ages, though today's foundry only dates from the 19th century. About 100 bells of all sizes are made to order every year, including the new bell for Notre Dame de Paris in 2013. There were several bells in the courtyard and the sound when they were struck could make the hair on your arms stand on end. Oh, how I wish we could change the tinny one we have in the village for something with some resonance.
After that we chugged up the hill to a copper workshop, in existence since the 18th century, where we saw a film, admired but couldn't afford the pots, pans, bath and other items, all along being entertained and informed by the guide. Quite a character to say the least who held his audience in the palm of his hand. Then it was back down the hill again through this rather prosperous looking and well kept town. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villedieu-les-Po%C3%AAles
All this listening and walking makes a body hungry so the thought of lunch at the "Fruitier" restaurant was a welcome one. What's more, I can tell you that while the hotel didn't look out of the ordinary from the outside, the private room where we dined brought more that a few sharp intakes of breath. Stylish to say the least. http://www.le-fruitier.com/fr/groupes-loisirs
Journeying along the coast to Granville, a smart coastal resort where we spent the afternoon, we could make out Mont St Michel in the distance through the haze. http://www.francethisway.com/places/granville.php
Mme the General, ie, Françoise, and I wandered through the town, bought postcards, drank tea and remembered that Christian Dior was born here in 1905, rather than scamper around in the heat (yes, Normandy was warm and sunny), looking at historical monuments.
Once back in Bretteville, a surprise awaited us as we descended from the bus ..... a piper playing "Scotland the Brave" was there to greet us! Goes without saying, I just loved it.
There was just enough time for a much needed cuppa chez Agnes before going to one of the town's halls for dinner with our hosts.
Weather:
Warm and Sunny

Paris

15.3.17: Time to Go

Well, the time came to pack up ready to be picked up by Jacques, Pierre and Agnès for a  last bit of sightseeing. We headed off to Montmartre where we wandered around, went to look at the small patch of grapevines still growing there and had lunch at the "Au Clarion des Chasseurs". I'm glad that I hadn't read the Tripadvisor reviews before we went; it was a lot better than I would have thought and would have given it a miss. In fact it was simple but good for an honest price and the waiter was amusing and pleasant.
From here we went down to the Sorbonne, St Michel area and gazed on Notre Dame from the bridge over the Seine. Spotted a very tempting Art Nouveau restaurant, "Boullion de Racine" which will definitely be on my list of visits whenever I come back http://www.bouillonracine.com/fr/bienvenue/
Got to the station with plenty of time to spare so sat chatting over a cuppa until Pierre and Agnès had to head off. I bought a banana to have on the train and paid 1€ for it! Often you can get at least 500g for the same price in the supermarket!
Unsurprisingly, the train left on time for an uneventful journey. Jacques dozed and I watched the"Queen of Kitwe", the true story of a young Ugandan chess champion on my tablet. Another one to watch if you have the chance.
Jacques friend David was at the station to meet us when we arrived at 11.30pm. Once home, I had a quick look around and saw that the electrician hadn't been in to finish off and then it was off to bed for a good sleep.
Weather:
16°, overcast with a little sun a times

14.3.17:  Another day, Another Museum

Took the same metro route as I did yesterday albeit for a few stops more to the Monet Museum.
http://www.marmottan.fr/uk/
As an exhibition of Pissarro's work had newly opened, there was a bit of a queue of about 20 minutes to get in. The Monet stuff was a pleasure to look at, so tranquil and as most folkk were looking at the Pissarros, I could take my time. Sadly, I couldn't give his colleague so much attention; there were far too many people.
Came out of the expo and sat for a while in the park eating chocolate and writing postcards. Also in the 16th Arrondissement, the appartment buildings were the stuff of dreams and the restaurants a bit out of my price range. Came home and had a late sandwich lunch sitting out on the pavement up the road from the house. Once again finished the afternoon off on the patio.
Weather:
16°, sun and blue sky; 21°, cloudy in the south

13.3.17: Eastern Delight

Took the metro to the Museum of Asian art in the 16th Arrondissement as it was one of the few open on a Monday. http://www.guimet.fr/en/ Of course, there was far too much to take in but I did a quick trip around to get an idea of the place. I lingered longer over the temporary exhibition of kimonos and that of photos depicting the travels of Alexandra David-Néel in Tibet
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_David-N%C3%A9el
Had a quick pasta lunch and wandered around this upmarket area of Paris admiring the buildings and gasping at the price of the appartments in the Estate Agents' windows.
On the journey back, I was entertained by onboard buskers and a bit of theatre, forced to ignore the beggars and wonder at the proliferation of mobile devices, all the while taking care to pay attention to my bag.
Was home in time to catch the last of the sunshine on the patio with a pot of tea and "Bridge of Spies" on the tablet. A cold war thriller based on a true story, it starred the very talented Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall) which was well worth watching.
Weather:
16°, sun, a little cloud and light breeze; 19]in the south, rain


12.3.17: What a difference a day makes!

Sun yesterday and today it was a foggy and chilly start to the day. Christophe and Valérie put me on the train to Paris. I easily found a comfortable single seat then settled down to pass the 2 hour journey. Of course, it was too good to be true; I was in 1st class but luckily realised it before the conductor came along. No matter, the journey passed just as quickly in 2nd class if with less leg room.  Frank was at the station to meet me and lo and behold, the sun was shining.
It was warm enough to sit out for an apéritif but there were only two  rather than three sharing the cava they'd bought in for me. Had a pleasnt walk along the Canal St Martin not far from the house, with Stéphanie. The area is in the process of being gentrified with a renovated promenade, new appartments, offices  and soon-to-be bistros.
Had dinner at home and watched the film "Merci Patron" on the tv, a film about the outsourcing by the luxury goods group LVMH of  production to Polish workers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merci_patron!
Went to bed in Elsa's room under the eves and slept well
Weather:
16°/19°, foggy, sunny, rain at home

All Aboard

What luck, the weather was good, everyone was on time and the association's trip for 50 of us on the Canal du Midi went without a hitch. No disappointed customers ... phew!
We had the whole boat for ourselves and marvelled at the feat of engineering that took us up 21m through seven locks. The scenes, as we chugged slowly along were from a tourist guide but it was sad to see the plane trees, which are classified by Unesco as a world heritage site, suffering from a fungus that means that they will have to come down. The cost in monetry terms will be enormous.
Lunch overlooking a former lake that has been drained in favour of agriculture was served efficiently and enjoyed by one and all, even though the starter was a chicken liver salad. Next came a short walking tour around Beziers for the more energetic and people-watching from a café for those who were not. The bus came back via some small villages and ended up at a vinyard where the owner had assembled the skeleton of a whale that had been beached a few years ago. Quite a character who told more than his fair share of non-pc jokes.
By the time we arrived home, it was too late for Christian to go to his meeting so we had some wine on the terrace of the bar. There we met Jean-Jacques who came back with us for some supper. Had a lot of laughs especially about having penguins for neighbours even if they are "evoluted" ones.

December

18th Dec:
Christmas came early to chez nous - Christian home from Myanmar/Burma - champagne and presents. Well, there were too many to carry all the way to carry to France to open on the 25th.

Gleaned from Travel Notes

19th:
Dinner B & B with ann and Noel and then off o Otley to stay overnight with Jen.
21st:
Early start for the Dover Ferry. Lunch on board of smoked salmon and venison. It was a long drve to Christophe and Valérie's where we were joind for dinner of guinea fowl by Guillhaume and Valerie.
22nd:
apéro with Lydie and Bernard then lunch with the Malo family.
23rd:
Another early start. Difficult navigating around Paris, fog, rain, sun, police again but this time no speeding fine as we're non-resident! A never-again motorway meal. Arrived chez Josette and Jacky for 7pm to collect the key for our new home, Gisèle and Philippe unbeknown to us, having gone away for Christmas.
24th:
Not an auspicious start. Very cold inside and out. No cooker, couldn't light the fire. Shopping in Spain and early to bed to keep warm. Not feeling too good.

25th:
Lunch and a walk in Collioure. Quiet night. Champagne and incomprehensible (for me), innane tv.
26th:
Lunch in Céret, visit to José and Michelle (Philippe's sister and her man) then on to Amélie. Everything closed. Spartan meal at "home" but feeling a bit better.
27th:
José, who's going to do the renovations to the house, came to have a look around. Dinner of fish, chez José
28th:
Earlyish start. It's still very cold. Snow en route to Avignon.Lunch with Stéphane, Magali and her parents. overnight in Macon. Good hotel with good food but the restaurant was deadly.
29th:
Onto Paris. Good lunch in Courtenay in family restaurant. Freezing cold and kept ourselves busy walking around Pantin before Frank arrived home. dinner at the 'Poule au Pot'. Huge portions and an interesting and characterful place.
30th:
Shopping in Calais for proposed New Year party in the Cotswolds. One ferry was off so we had a long wait. Blizzards on the way up from Dover. stayed in B and B in the village with Colin and Sheila.

France Sept '96

Gleaned from Our Travel Notes

24th:
Shopping in Château Thierry. Crossing from Calais. Stayed over with Doreen before going on to Mum's and a trip to Benson's.

23rd:
Lunch in Sezanne after a late start. Then it was off to Martin-Charlot to buy champagne where we were made very welcome with coffee and then, of course, a tasting. Stocked up, had a siesta in a nearby wood and then onto Coparax to meet up with François.
We were made very welcome by Josette for dinner. (an English teacher). A really lively evening with planters' punch, rum, wine and champagne.
 22nd:
Crossed from Dover with Sea France and then a 3 hour drive to the "Cheval Blanc" (hotel of very fond memories) in Montmort. http://www.hotelrestaurantlechevalblanc.com/restaurant.php
Had an apéro in our room and then, as usual, an excellent meal

• Kir
• Foie Gras Salad
• Duo de salmon and monkfish
• Trou champenois
• Coq au vin for me, steak for Christian
• Passed on the cheese
• Sorbet champenois 

21st:
B and B with Mary in B'ham
19-20.9.96
Bob and Chris stayed with us on their way up to Aberdeen but we had to leave them early to take care of themselves as we were due to head off to France.
 
 

France, here we come!

Just the two of us to celebrate the signing of the new house after a good lunch at Fouters - where else?

France, May '96

Gleaned from Our Travel Notes: A House Hunting Trip

9.5.96:

Made a late start from work to drive down to Jean's new house in Bourneville.

10th:

Afternoon crossing after a leisurely drive to Portsmouth where we also had lunch. Dinner with Valérie Christophe and new baby Léonie. It's cold.

11th:

Said a quick "bonjour" to Gilbert at his shoe shop. Dinner with Valérie, Christophe, Valérie, Guilhaume, Pierrette and Alain.

12th:

Left at 9h30 and made our way down to Montcuq where we arrived at 18h. Just say it out loud in a French accent and you'll/know why the French laugh about it. Overnight in the "Hôtel du Parc". http://www.hotel- restaurant-du-parc.fr

13th:

Our first visit was to a "dream" house with a gîte but sadly, it was too isolated. Had lunch in Beauville and looked at two other houses in the afternoon being driven from place to place by the estate agent.

Stayed overnight in Montreal du Gers at  "La Gare" with its restaurant/museum that even had railway sound effects in the dining room! We slept in what was the old toilet building!

14th:

Looked at more houses but there wasn't anything that leapt up and said "buy me!" Had lunch in the "Trou Gascogne" and met up with June and the girls in Blagnac where the company is putting them up in a hotel until they find something more permanent. Wouldn't you know it, Bill was back in Scotland. Overnight stay in the Campanile.

15th:

Moved onto St Antoine where we had an appointment with another estate agent. Overnight in Caylus.

16th:

Being Ascension Day, today is a public holiday. Lunched in Villefranche after which we telephoned a former colleague of Christian's on the off chance  but he wasn't there. Went to look around Cordes -sur-Ciel which is a lovely medieval hilltop town with cobbled streets and lots of tourists. Another night in Caylus.

17th:

Spent all day looking at houses though of course there was time for an obligatory break for lunch in St Antoine. Drew another blank and as it was too late to drive to Pilippe and Gisèle's, we overnighted in Monesties .

18th:

Made an earlyish start for the Pyrénees Orientales, arriving at Philippe's for lunch. Dinner with the family and a cousin, Michel (a doctor) and his partner. Funnily enough, he's decided to buy Valérie's house that we looked at last year. Seriously, thinking of buying Philippe and Gisèle's house.

19th:

Drove Philippe to the airport.

20th:

Pizza lunch in town followed by shopping in Spain.

21st:

Had photos developped speedily at the outrageous price of £15! Wine is cheap so I guess you win some and you lose some. Left after lunch to drive to Avignon, stopping for a cuppa with Aimée and the girls in Nîmes. Had a BBQ dinner at Stéphane's, once we'd done the shopping of course.

22nd:

Left at 9h30 and stopped for lunch in Tournus, a very pretty town. Dinner with Frank and Valérie (Laurence working late). Overnight in the Confornew. Very wet.

23rd:

Day spent lazing at Frank and Laurence's. Had paella lunch in a Moroccan restaurant across the road. We were invited to Vincent (colleague) and Maya's for an overnight in Reuill Malmaison  and it took us a long 2 hours to get there. GPS can't come soon enough! Also present were Jean-Marie (another colleague) and Odile.

24th:

The three blokes played golf in the morning and golf in the afternoon with lunch in between. The weather was warm so I contented myself with just sitting and reading. 

Did some last minute shopping for cheese and stayed overnight with Christophe and Valérie.

25th:

8h30 crossing, light lunch on board in an effort to counteract the extra pounds around the waist. Visits to Jill and John, Hilda and Dad. 

26th:

Saw Lena and Kate after church, then Chris and Rosemary. Left about 11am ith the car loaded with furniture and were home by 16h.
27th:
Today is a public holiday and Mary Kate came down to share the booty from our boot.

Tour de France '95

Gleaned from our Travel Notes

4.10.95:
Left after work to drive down to Mum's
5th: 
Visits to Hilda (step grandmother), Jill, Dad and then on to have a look around Moreton.
6th:
Lunch in the White Swan in Stratford. http://white-swan-stratford.co.uk/ Night crossing from Portsmouth.
7th:
Breakfast in Honfleur then lunch with Christian's godmother. (Rabbit) Back to Christophe's for dinner en famille. 
8th:
Met up with Didier, a long time colleague of Christian's for a walk followed by lunch at an Alsacien restaurant.
9th:
Lawyer and bank in the morning; lunch at Christophe's and on to Paris. Dinner of salmon en croute with Frank and Laurence.
10th:
Visit to La Defense. Very hot so just a salad lunch. dinner with Frank and Laurence. Fondue and champagne.
11th:
Lunch stop in Avallon for an indifferent coq au vin. Next stop, an overnight in Bollène in "Le Château de Rocher". Wooden floors, stand up bath, verdant setting and a good restaurant. http://www.lechateauderocher.com/ (They didn't have gîtes when we went all these years ago).

 12th:

Visited Vaison de la Romaine which as its name would indicate has lots of Roman remains. Had lunch in a quiet bistro in the medieval quarter. Arrived chez stéphane in ime to do the shopping for the evening meal which included more champagne.
 13th
Lunch stop chez Aimée but this time no Jean-Louis who was at work. From here, it was onto Philippe and Gisèle's. We're looking to buy a house so gazed in the windows of local estate agents and visited a house in the village that's up for sale. Huge and needing a lot and I do mean a lot of work.
14th:
Lunch in Argelès and we did a Scottish dinner.
15th:
A huge family lunch with both lamb and duck, homemade bread and champagne. Philippe took us for an apéro chez Valérie and then it was home for an early night.
16th:
Looked at some land next to Gaby and Chantal's but the thought of building was a bit daunting. apéro with Josette and Jacky.
17th:
Stayed an extra day to visit estate agents, went up to the "mas", the old farmhouse that Philippe is renovating and went foraging for mushrooms.
18th:
Drove through the Massif Central and stayed over in Massiac in a quiet Logis de France. Champagne again!
19th:

A misty morning to start today's journey ever northward. Stayed overnight (more champagne, of course) in the Moulin de Flagy (Chambre "Millet"). Lots of character in a picturesque village. http://www.aumoulin.fr/index.html

20th:
Had thought to visit Fontainbleu but it was closed! cut our losses and drove on to L'Oise where we met up with Christian's ex-wife's cousins and .... yes, more champagne.
21st:
Travelled through the countryside, stopping in Lyon-la-Fôret for lunch on the way to Christophe and Valérie's. http://www.grandcerf.fr/ 
Pascal, Sandrine and their wee one came for an apéro then it was dinner en famille with yet more champagne.
22nd:
Couscous lunch and strangely enough more champagne. Visit to the Malos' followed by a walk.
23rd:
Still sunny. Called in on Gilbert.
24th:
Arrived home