Day Seven: Errands and a Special Visit

Another rainy day:


So I decided to take the girls out on my own to run errands. Kenny got some time alone in the house to savor the silence and sweep. First we went to the best bakery in town for bread and pastries; Eliza chose two pink macaroons and Samantha two beignets (french doughnuts):



The best part, however, was the French man watching me from his office as I parallel parked our station wagon into a very tight space. He gave me the universal "well-done" sign. Proud American moment:














Next, it was off to the grocery store looking quite fancy in our slickers:

Eliza felt the need to shed her rain gear and strutt her stuff for the patrons:

When she failed to get noticed, she resorted to banging on the glass:

Later that day, two very special guests arrived: Philippe and Marilyn Francois. When I was 15, I lived with them and their two daughters just outside Lyon as part of an exchange program. You could not imagine a more lovely family and it is so wonderful to see them again! We sat outside for awhile to catch up, which for me was much harder than I thought. Speaking French bit by bit in a store is not difficult; conversation is another beast altogether. That's okay, I thought, I'll just use my hands a lot. Maybe that will distract them from my terrible grammar.

Eliza looks on in disgust:

As they relax by the pool, I suddenly realize that I just asked them if they wanted to swim naked in the cheese:


Before dinner, Phillipe and the girls play in the garden with Forte:


Setting out one of the unbelievable delicious bottles of wine they brought us. Marilyn is from Bordeaux and this is one of her cousin's red wine from 2003.


I survey the magnificence. Deformed omelette with green peppers and mushrooms, salad with cucumber and red pepper. French bread and cheese. Generic grocery store cookies and Hello Kitty Pops for dessert. Yes. This meal can rival any of those they've had in their town of Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France. I done myself proud:


Samantha reflects on the meal that could've been, the meal that should've been. Biting her lip helps stop the tears, the pain, from flowing:

Day Six: Perigueux and Sparkly Gardens

This morning we ventured a bit farther than we had before, about an hour away to a large town called Perigueux, which is the capital of the province we are staying in. Kenny took the girls for lunch while I did some shopping...Not sure I left him much of a choice since I jumped out of our moving car when I spotted Monoprix.

This is one of the utterly charming narrow streets in Perigueux:

Entering the 12th century church with the ladies in tow:


Holding our necessities: ice cream and clothes pour les petites (and some for me as well):



My lovely daughter shares her ice cream in France. Must figure out how to replicate this behavior back in the States:

After Perigueux, we came back to our gite, the girls swam while Kenny ran, and then we were off to gardens of Marqueyssac. An enormous garden high on a cliff, overlooking the Dordogne valley below, Marqueyssac stays open until midnight on Thursdays in the summer for candlelit walks, picnics and mini-concerts. We arrived around opening (7pm) so we could see as much as possible before the girls crashed:

A very nice English man offered to take our picture:


The gardens are extremely kid friendly. After walking on winding paths for awhile, we found a children's mini-labyrinth:


The girls made themselves quite at home:

This open area about halfway up was getting set-up for a concert:


The rockstars stopping on a rock for a rest. Besides a little complaining, the girls were amazing. There was a LOT of walking, mostly uphill:

So excited to see more hot air balloons:



As we were staring at the one in the distance, we heard gasps from the people around us and looked up to find this one literally right over our head:

Quickly joined by a few more:

Next we found a tree house:


And then a playground:

Finally, we reached the very top:


Kenny helping the girls with the telescope:

We made our way back down to the main terrace:

Complete with pianist:

And his friend, the peacock (on the right):


The girls were totally exhausted so we couldn't stay to see the full effect of candles everywhere, but it didn't matter. We had the most incredible time, and the sunset was gorgeous:

Another peacock: