Thursday 23. 07. 09 Last Sunday we finally decided to go to Roquefort to see how the cheese is made. It is just over an hour north of here on the Larzac plateau in the Aveyron. Totally different landscape, no vines, large fields with hedges and trees. Also cooler climate. I noticed poppies and broom still in bloom both of which disappeared from here nearly 2 months ago. We all three went on the free tour of the Société Papillion caves and then Daisy and Carole did the tour which was 3 euros whilst Julia and I had a glass of wine. Very interesting process of ageing the cheese and one wonders how it was discovered. Had lunch on the plateau and then came back down and had a swim before dinner. This week Daisy is back riding at Les Trois Fontaines and seems to be quite happy. We had George and Laurene over for lunch yesterday and then went into Pezenas last night. This morning I took Julia and Carole to Montpellier where they flew to London for the weekend – I have to pick them up Sunday morning. Meanwhile Daisy is having lunch with her French pen friend Clémence tomorrow and we may go to a vernissage at the Espace des Pénitents on Saturday evening.
Month: July 2009
Bastille Day 2 – les voleurs
Wednesday 15. 07. 09 Went just north of St Guilhelm le Dessert for a swim in the Hérault, parked the car, had a swim and then discovered that the car had been broken into!!! Quelle Horreur!! All our bags which had been locked in the trunk had been stolen. We went to the Gendarmerie in Clermont and made a declaration of everything we had lost – money credit cards, driving licences etc. I drove the car up to George and Laurene’s as I didn’t want to leave it downtown with the window missing, we had dinner and then went to the fireworks in Clermont to try and forget all about it. This morning I drove the car into the local Renault dealers, went to the local Municipal Police to get a form to replace the Carte Grises and then on to the bank to get a new bank card and some money. The car will hopefully be ready tomorrow, the new cartes grises cost 38 euros each and hopefully I can pick up my new bank card. Have filled in many forms and am reminded of France’s appetite for bureaucracy. Luckily we are going over for a swim at Giséle’s this afternoon and are dining chez George and Laurene this evening.
Bastille Day
Tuesday 14. 07. 09 I came back a couple of weeks ago now with Daisy and Carole and we have been quite busy. The first weekend we went to a party at Giséle and Jonathan’s to celebrate their recent marriage and then on the Sunday we went over to Claire’s where Daisy met her French pen friend Clémence for the first time. Since then we have been to the beach a few times and also to the lake. Last Saturday we went to Pezenas to the market and saw part of the medieval pageant. We also went to Lodeve for their parade as well. Last night was the candlelit parade around Clermont and this morning it is the traditional games up at the church. This evening we have a band and a fireworks display.
Toronto
01. 07. 09 Wednesday Canada Day Had a great time in TO visiting family and friends. Also managed to take in some movies. Empties was a very good Czech movie, Angels and Demons was awful and Easy Virtue wasn’t too bad. I also finally managed to get rid of the storage unit which is a great relief. Thanks to Carole, Julia and Jason I didn’t have to get rid of all my treasures and thanks to the Sally Ann for taking the rest. The journey back here was long. The plane left TO four hours late which meant we missed our connection in Paris and spent most of the day at CDG trying to doze in uncomfortable chairs! However we finally made it to Montpellier and picked up our brand new Kangoo. Today we did the market and then Daisy and I drove around lac du Salagou and went for a swim. Tomorrow the beach!!!