Au Revoir, and the journey begins

After a great couple of days in Paris, today we pack, take Eurostar back to London and fly home. We have seen so much, eaten too much but most of all had a great time. 

Yesterday's highlight: lunch at Jules Verne Restaurant on the Eiffel Tower. The cost of which, may have absorbed the kids inheritance but it was worth every cent! 

Melon jelly with smoked duck canapé

Boned chicken and foie gras entree

Pork leg , served with Mash potato

Chocolate and fresh mint

Almangnac Baba (cake doused in brandy)

And when we left they gave a little bag of marshmallows and madeleines ! 

In the afternoon we walked to The Marais, visited our 'Lock' and got soaking wet getting back to the hotel!

With that, I bid you Au Revoir, thank you for following, and see you soon !

Cheers M xx

Pa'wee ... In autumn

The TGV silently took us from Bordeaux to Paris. Three hours of quiet, efficient comfort gazing at the French countryside as it flew past at 300km/h (captured on a speed detecting App on my phone)! 

In Paris we took a taxi to our hotel (those suitcases are killing us) - we had a lovely lunch in a cafe close to the hotel, then headed off with no particular plan. In no time we literally bumped into some friends from Sunbury - amazing, it makes the world seem like such a small place. 

We spent the afternoon wandering, then met our friends for wine, and afterwards went to my favourite creperie in St Germaine for spinach, goats cheese and honey crepe - they had changed the menu, but agreed happily to recreate my favourite.

We came back to the hotel, and collapsed into bed, still recovering from the weekend ! 

Cheers, M

South West France (Sunday)

After what seemed like very long night, because we were so tired we where in bed straight from dinner, and also because the monastery of course had no television. Wayne attempted to read but after being almost knocked unconscious by his iPad, he too conceded sleep. There was only one other guest at breakfast so the four of us shared a simple traditional French breakfast - which universally would be known as continental, with one big difference, the French manage the entire operation with one bowl, a teaspoon and a knife! Everything is drunk and eaten from the one bowl, not all at once - but dipping jam laden baguette into hot coffee, gives a whole new slant on dunking a milk arrowroot into your daily brew! Apparently it's so French that it's not really observed in the cities any longer, but in the country and private homes. 

After breakfast we went to the Sunday market in Saint Cyprien. We bought melons, berries, foie gras, cheese, bread, tomatoes, olives, wine and nougat. We had such fun, although to survive as a local, albeit for a short time, it is clear I need to speak some French. I do like to participate and not just spectate, particularly when it comes to talking !!

We travelled to Sarlat for lunch (worth a google), then to Perigeuex (also google worthy) we had ice cream, then made our way back to Bordeaux to relax and enjoy all the spoils of our market shopping !

Bordeaux and South West France (Saturday)

My last entry had us trying to catch our breath at Gare Montparnasse (train station called Montparnasse in Paris), we boarded the train to Bordeaux and at ridiculously high speeds were whisked south to Emily's Bordeaux. 

Christine was waiting on the platform as we climbed down from train, amid much kissing and hugging is was so lovely to see a familiar face. We could not have possibly guessed what she had in store for us for the weekend ahead.

On Saturday we made an early start and headed for la Brede, a small town near the village Emily had lived in during her time in France. In la Brede we visited the local bakery for a breakfast of coffee and pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant). 

Back in the car we headed East toward Gourdon. We made a couple of photo stops (incl. Bonaguil Castle), before we arrived in our much anticipated destination. Wow... It was everything we hoped for, a nice collection of interesting shops, all the essentials, charcuterie, butcher, library & newsagent, and on the outskirts of town a couple of major supermarkets. We had an 'interesting' but very yummy lunch, got some tourist info and then went to visit the 'house'. 

The house is located only 2km from the village, an easy walk. It is isolated from any neighbours by its extensive gardens and tree lined periphery. It is nicely, but practically furnished, and has undergone some renovations. But the main thing, it is perfect, exactly what I was hoping for and more and together with the village, absolutely ideal. 

After leaving the house we headed for our next adventure, an overnight stay in an 11th Century monastery (Christine's surprise). It was as you would imagine unbelievable to stay somewhere with such history. 

On the way we did a few detours to castle's for photos !

Now for the Abbeye (the Monastery) 

After settling in, we crossed the road - had a terrific dinner and fell into bed, what a day !