Autumn days, last leg....

Just arrived at Troyes today. What a wonderful ending to our holiday. It is a thriving town, with tons of eateries and the apartment in an old medieval building is lovely. Single beds, head to head as they are located in the small mezzanine above the living area, but hey, it is beautiful.
Luckily I wasn't planning on cooking this week, because the cooker is a child's size....

Travel up was lovely. The fields are like a patchwork quilt in all autumnal shades. Gorgeous.

The weather has been so kind to us, we just can't believe it. It was freezing for the first 4 days in St. Gengoux, but then temperature went up a good 10 degrees to mid 20s. Great weather for sightseeing and walking.

Champagne area very promising. Can't wait. Also forgot to say that food improved significanly in the Burgundy area. Have had lots of nice meals out and have also cooked the best beef bourgninon ever. Yum...

And, I have wifi here, hurray. Will be in touch.
AU revoir, going out to eat - maybe an Indian or a Lebanese.... Wonderful

cold up North

What a difference a few hundred kilometres and moving Northwards make. We have been in St. Gengoux for just over a week and, luckily, had a nice weekend, because the rest of the week was cold; raining and miserable. Just like England in November.

The cottage is cold but has a woodburner, which has been a god save.

It is a fantastic wine area and beautiful countryside too.

Not much to report. Moving on Saturday to Champagne. Can't wait for the tasting sessions and then... home.

Stopping now. French keyboard is hard work for bad typists and no internet at home.

Autumn/chilled out days

A few sedate days at home and out and about. Visited a couple of places that were ok, but not worth writing about - Salon de Provence, Bonnieux. Maybe we are getting a bit blaze about views and buildings as we have seen so many wonderful ones.

Visited a few villages nearby however that were really striking. The beauty of Provence is simply to drive around and come across wonderful little villages perched on hillsides and admire the views.

The drive around the Dentelles de Miramail is wonderful. Very peaceful. We read a lot about Provence being spoiled since Mayle's A year in Provence, but we don't think so. The French are so settled in their ways that I don't think anything will influence the way they do things.

Had booked a visit to a vineyard with tasting included, but unfortunately the rain put a stopper to that. It had rained hard for two nights in a row (but sunny and warm during the day) and they cancelled it. Was very disappointed as I fancy trying to harvest some grapes!! Instead went to Marseille for the day. What a good idea. Not edgy at all as I feared, but rather lively and thriving city. Great weekend break place. Great shops (not in shopping mood - too fat) and lovely atmosphere overall.

Ah, had the best meal yet in France: Unfortunately it was in a Lebanese restaurant. Yummy.....

Beautiful day again today, but temperature definitely down. Now around early 20's as opposed to mid 30's. Mornings quite nippy.

A week to go here and then Burgundy. Almost time to go home. But, where is Home???

mistral/storms/good days

well, haven't written for a few days because I think people get fed up of me saying what a great day I've had and all that. Also, because I like writing when I have found something that surprised me. This week we have found a few surprises: a lovely place called L'Isle sur la Sorgue which was very good for shops and restaurants and very French - what a surprise, since I am in France.... and from there went on to Fontaine de Vaucluse, which I really liked and will be going back to, probably for Sunday lunch as it has lots of nice eating places right by the riverside, very picturesque. Really liked the setting. Great mountains surrounding it and just a chilled out place.

We then had an almighty storm on Monday night that went on for six hours non stop of thunder and lightening as we have never heard before. Even the landlady that has lived here for 19 years said she screamed at one point as a really loud thunder seemed to have exploded right above our heads. Nobody slept much that night and the next day the mistral hit for the whole day. We just chilled out. As always, we were extremely lucky as in surrounding areas they had real deluges.

Today we saw evidence of the floods in the fields, with apple plantation and vineyards with still around 20cm of water around their roots. Shame.

We visited St. Remy where Van Gogh spent a year just before he died and where most of his very famous work was painted (I got a photo of myself in his room at the hospital he stayed at) and visited Le Baux nearby. Both really nice places that I recommend. The views from Le Baux were just stunning.

Sorry to be so boring, but France keeps delivering. Fabulous. I could get used to this life.

Falling in love with Provence

Here we are, day 5 of our new place and today we had a really good day. We went to Roussillon, which I thought would be a little village with nothing much and only known because of the wine. However, what a nice surprise. It is a large village, with lovely restaurants, shops with quality stuff and an amazing site of the world's biggest vein of ochre. As you'd expect most of the houses are painted in vermillion colour and the whole place is just amazing.

We then went on to Gordes, which is nearby and with amazing views as it is perched on the top of a hill.

Using Tom Tom, as always we avoid the motorways and as a result finished in part of the Nesque Gorge, which wasn't too bad as the roads were wider than previous ones we have been too and the mountains weren't that high. On the way back we travelled along the valley of the Veronde Gorge and this was really impressive.

To top up a lovely day, we stopped at our local Cave - Cave Terra Ventoux and bought lots of wine for a very good price. Oh, joy. Should last until we leave here.

Time seems to be flying, we are now on week 16 of our travels and only have another 6 weeks and a bit to go...

Deep Provence - Chateneuf de Pape

Here we are in our new location - Villes sur Auzon - near Mount Ventoux. Lovely new studio apartment. English owner lives next door and an Australian couple arrived same day as us and will also be staying for a month. Going for drinks at owner's house tonight.

Since we arrived the Mistral has been blowing. It is very sunny, but very windy indeed. Good thing I'm fat or I'd be blown away by now!! Still we visited Avignon yesterday and Villeneuve de Avignon. The first is impressive and better if you enter the city from the North to get the whole landscape of it. It is a walled city and it was very important as it was for a time the Papal city, the only other after Rome. The Chateaux des Papes is quite impressive, although much destroyed by both wars and less than careful use by the army in the 20th century. Still, worth a visit. Villeneuve is across the river and more of a village, but very pretty indeed. It also has an old Fort (ruins really) and an old convent. The river Rhone that runs between the two is very beautiful too.

Today we visited Chateneuf de Pape. For the wine lovers amongst you - eat your heart out.... Lovely little village, surrounded by vineyards and lots and lots of places to try the wines. Shame it was 10 in the morning and Alan drives. Still we tried and bought a bottle of Chateneuf for the hell of it... Good stuff.

Went on to Orange then and visited the old amphitheatre. Good atmosphere in the town and interesting history. Good start for this new leg of the trip and looking forward to whatever is in store. Will let you know.

hubby does Monaco circuit - almost

Second attempt at this posting. It is our last day in Roquebrune, so, quiet day tiding up as the weather was overcast this morning, just to turn into a boiling hot afternoon.

Went to Menton on the border with Italy yesterday, so we have covered the whole of the South coast. Took the coastal road on the way back so Alan could do the Monte Carlo circuit and to avoid the very high up motorway that we took on the way in and almost caused him to have a panic attack. Got lost in the underground tunnels in Monte Carlo and finished on the other side of the town, missing the circuit on the way. Shame.

Still had a brilliant trip back using the coastal road and going through the various resorts along the way including Nice, which was really good as we had forgotten how nice it actually is. Much nicer than Cannes that was too posh for us. The only thing that is not nice is how built up the coast is now around Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo. The hills are alive with horrible developments not at all in keep with the region. Still would like to do the coastal road again out of season to better appreciate the landscape.

Over to deep Provence tomorrow. 6th leg of the trip and 2 1/2 months to go.

yesterday St. Tropez, today Antibes, what else can I say?

Another day, another hot spot. We went to Antibes and Cannes today. Antibes quite different from what I expected. I thought it was a small, quiet village and it is quite a busy town. Cap D'Antibes however, is small and so very posh. In fact, you don't see much of it as it is all hidden behind massive gates and garden walls. Amazing mansions and very little beach really.

Antibes old town was very pretty and prices pretty good. The market was lovely and very colourful. The best I have seen so far. Beaches again very limited, but this is true of most of this coast, which is quite rocky.

Cannes was another world. The town is really big and busy. It reminded me a lot of Rio with the traffic,the people, etc. All very posh and quite pretentious too. It has a couple of long beaches but they were heaving. Posh shops galore too. We only stopped for a couple of hours, but won't be going back. I prefer St. Tropez and Antibes.

Weather still boiling. It will be a quiet day on the beach tomorrow. The heat takes a lot out of you when you are wondering round towns.

Ah, bought the most expensive figs ever in Antibes market. 4 figs for 5 euros 20.... Couldn't believe it. Cest la vie. Won't be doing that in a hurry again.

Vini, vidi, vinci ... St Tropez

Well, went to St. Tropez today expecting to find it the pits. From reading the Rough guide and some comments left in the apartment, I thought it would be awful.

What a nice surprise. It is still quaint, much smaller than I expected and quite friendly really. Prices were more expensive, but am sure that it would have cost a lot more if it was a similar setting in Italy for example. I remember well the cost of a couple of espressos in St. Mark's Square.

It is still very French, very South of France and even a bit frayed at the edges, which I didn't expect it to be.

Of course, there are very posh yachts, makes you drool, even though I am not that into boats, and a few posers. I expected more... Didn't find it intimidating at all. Maybe cheap tourism is making inroads in all the exclusive places in the world, or, the VIPs are just good at hiding during the day and avoiding the peasants like us.

Really enjoyed it and would recommend a visit.
Au revoir...

Phew, don't mention Gorges of Verdun

Phew, wow, gosh.... Just returned from a very beautiful but very stressful day out. We were warned about the heights at the Gorges of Verdun, but looked so beautiful on the pictures that Alan decided to be brave. Chose the supposed to be less hair raising road and after a couple of minutes Alan said he couldn't go on and we duly turned back and went on to see Moustiers Ste Marie, which is a really beautiful village with a very striking chapel right above it, on the top of the amazing cliffs over the village. See the photos in Facebook.

We were feeling very smug and carried on to Riez, the purpose of which was to see the lavender fields that cover the surrounding area. Was really looking forward to it and then, very disappointed as they cut the lavender in mid July and there was nothing left. You could see the rows on the ground and from photos I have seeing, it is just magical when they are in bloom.

Anyway, decided to carry and return a different way, avoiding the gorge and the scary roads (using the main road which on the map looked very straight indeed). Well, we just found ourselves on top of the Alps, with amazing views and even more amazing hairpin bends for miles and miles and miles. Husband couldn't even speak. I joke you not, it took us two hours to get back down and we were both exhausted by then. I'm no good with heights, but knowing that my driver was having kittens, did not make for a stress free trip. The photos (mostly through the windscreen) are pretty good though. Enjoy....

Ah, forgot to say that we went to Cassis on the coast just before Marseille and it was beautiful. Very, very crowded, but in typical French style, still very peaceful. No music blaring, no kids screaming and the boat trip round the "calanques" was just lovely. Photos also in Facebook.

Tomorrow definitely a relaxing day at the beach. Don't think Alan can cope with another road for a day or so. And, he wants tho do the Monte Carlo circuit...

panoramas, smells and internet

Well, here I am. Was so excited that would have Internet in the flat, only to find out that the system in France is really crap. I wonder how they survive. How they operate their businesses... THe system is totally erratic. It works every 5 minutes or so and this goes for the phone too. We can call for free from here and I was hoping to keep in touch with my mum and dad in Brasil, but system just goes off without any warning. Very odd.

Am reading loads of books on people that have moved to France and the experience seems to be the same, no matter what. The indications are that the French are not that inbto new technology. This might explain the poor connections. Worst than 3rd world countries.

We went to Grasse, the perfum capital??? Was very diasppointed. Reading on it indicated that you'd know you got there just by the sweet smells in the air. Well, I wouldn't call dog and horse poo, sweet smelling... Maybe it is like Venice, I absolute adore it and never experienced the smells that people talk about. Maybe I just got to Grasse at the wrong time. The old town is compact but run down, dirty, graffiti and all that, and the rest, is just a massive sprawl....
The old town was the set for the film Parfum, which was quite an odd, but good film. Actually I must see it again.

Anyway, I can now say that I have been there and it was worth going through it as it is on the way to Gourdon. Now, that is an amazing place and hurray, I have had a really good meal for a really reasonable price. Anywhere else in the world and you'd pay double for the views. Had a really great time.

The landscape here is really odd. Goes from very dry and barren to very lush, especially in the mountains. I am finding it very built up as well. The old and beautiful is still there, but the outskirts,like any big place is run down and dirty as you approach most of the big places - Cannes, etc.

We are having a rest today. The driving is beautiful but tasking on hubby, with all the twist and turns of the roads. We are hoping to brave part fo the way to the Gorge of Verdun, but everything we read about it, warns about vertigo driving. Not for the faint hearted, Alan or I , for that matter.

Relaxed day, home cooking. Fed up of restaurant food and, weather permitting, tomorrow I want to see the lavender fields, before the flowers are over.
Au revoir....

VIP or what?

Just joking, but am near St. Tropez - an hour to get there though. Arrived in Roquebrunne Sur Argens yesterday afternoon. Apartment is nice, although to sleep 4 would not be very comfortable. Only draw back is having to park quite a distance away and we are carrying a load of boxes, etc. But once you have got the stuff in, easy peasy.

We are resting today, because even with the stopover in Sete, a holiday resort near Beziers, still took us 4 hours to get here ( and it was 4 hours to get to Sete, using the B roads though, which are more scenic.

Landscape has changed again and now is mountainous and green, having crossed the Camargue that is flat and more barren.

I think we are going to like it here. Medieval village, but lots of turists, so lots of restaurants and a couple of shops too. Plenty of people moving around during the day. At long last, I might be able to people watch just sitting at a cafe. Drunk the local Rose wine yesterday, pretty good. Rose is growing on us, very popular in France for the Summer. Will post more from here as I have wifi - HURRAYYYYYYY.

on top of the world and public toilettes

Well, what can I say, I am almost moving on again - this Friday and have not written anything about the current place.
We moved down from Lot and Garonne on the 24th July, a day earlier so that we could break the journey up and see Carcassonne, a place I dreamed of since watching programs on France and reading the book Labyrinth. It certainly was worth stopping over although when I first got there, I was slightly disappointed. You build mental images of places and when they are not exactly as you imagined, it shocks you. However, as we visited the walled city mid afternoon, again in the evening and first thing in the morning, it grew on me. It is very turisty, but actually quite beautiful and I would return.
Anyway, from there was on and upwards, literally, to our next place in the Pyrenees. If you've seen the pictures in Facebook, you can see how beautiful it is. However, after 6 kilometres up the mountain ( which honestly, feels like 20), I felt I would never come down again until the day to move on. It is steep and narrow and by the time we get either up or down on our travels, my knuckles are white and my shoulders tight from fear....

But, we have got used to it and it is paradise on earth. The studio is small but perfectly formed and the views are amazing. If I was doing it again, I'd only do a week up there as everything else is down and I'd rather not have to do that road every time.

Since being there though, we have visited a couple of beach resorts, just returned from Argeles Sur Mare, which I really enjoyed today and we also visited Collioure, where Matisse lived for a time and I really like that one. There are photos in Facebook.
Yesterday we visited Roses/Rosas in Spain. Weird to cross the border and not to be checked at all. The place was not that interesting, just a large built resort, but the coastal road there was something. Hairpin bends again but very dramatic. Like it.
We move on Friday to the Cote D'Azur and I will have wi-fi - hurray. Will write more then.

As an aside, I just want to mention public toilettes in France - not all, mind you. They still have loads of those that simply have a hole on the floor. Very weird and quite unhygienic, don't like them at all. Prefer to cross my legs for a time....

Will be in touch. Au revoir

canoeing on the Dordogne

Just had a most fab day yesterday and felt really adventurous - for me anyway, since I am not very good with water.. We went canoeing down the Dordogne and it was amazing. Tons of people doing the same obviously. The pace is so gentle and the scenery just incredible, gives you another view point of the castles and the landscape in general. Our time in the Dordogne is coming to an end. We move on Friday to Carcassonne for one night and then the Pyrenees. We loved this area and would recommend it.

Food definitely improving, getting a bit tastier and with more options. This is the area for fois gras and duck in general, but good.

I haven't mentioned the market. Villereal has two a week and they are quite colourful. You can buy clothes, fresh food and even wine. A few of the local domaines set up stall and sell the ones by the bottle or boxes and you can taste them too!!!!

We visited the Chateau Montbazillac we also did some "degustation" and you could get quite drunk on it if you were that way inclined. Unfortunately I can't take it and Alan is driving, so just a small taste each. Happy days.

landscapes

Just thought I should put something in about the changing landscape as we move on from region to region in France. Whilst the Loire area was truly beautiful, it was mainly flat and covered in vineyards. As we moved along to Pointou Charente, the landscape became slightly hillier and more crop plantations start to appear with the vineyards almost disappearing from the map. Corn seems to be big here.

Now, in the Lot and Garonne, the landscape is becoming more and more mountainous with the first gorges and valleys starting to appear. There are a lot more vineyards again, particularly around the Bergerac area -well know for it- with a prevalence of sweet wines ( Montbazillac is very near us). There are lot more crops too - corn, walnuts and the sunflowers are just beginning to open. Absolute amazing to see hills covered in bright yellow. It does wake you up. Gorgeous. Haven't got photos yet.

The food is also improving and we can say we have had more good meals around here than in the last two places put together. Nothing memorable yet. Duck is big here as is fois gras - duck's liver pate for those of you than don't know. Haven't tried it yet as I am not in favour of the force feeding of the birds to enlarge their livers...

Anyway, we have another week here. Have seen loads of beautiful things and have loved the landscape too. It is our favourite so far. Am really relaxing now and getting into the holiday/retirement mode.

What can i say: England is out, Brasil is out and even Argentina ( am not crying over this one). All I can do is to support Germany now? they have played the best so far...
Weather still wonderful here and I am truly getting into this retiree life. Loving it really. Already thinking about the next and the next, and the next trip... Let's hope the money lasts. France is quite expensive and the more I travel the more I realize that England is a bargain for cost of living. Although, much cheaper the entrance fees here for castles and stuff...

I have now seen a few social housing projects and like England, they build them all the same - pretty bungalows with lots of land though (in the rural areas) and believe it or not, all painted in "magnolia". Whomever invented that coulour, must be a very rich person by now.

Food still improving or am getting used to it??? We potter around here and there and try to go out most days. I get bored if I don't. I have loads of pictures to post, but still can't get the hang of doing it in this blog. Can't wait until i get to Roquebrunne, where we will have broadband at the apartment. Will allow ustime to play. I might still cahnge my blog to the facebook one as it seems easier to use and I have lots more travel to do in future. I hope...

Must go. Miss my chums.

another day in paradise.....

Well, am really getting into the French way of living. Went to Castelnaud in the Dordogne Valley the day before and it was fab..... Food is improving slowly. Also went to Bergerac yesterday and what a nice surprise it was. lovely town. Even bought 2 dresses.... Was having withdrawal symptoms from lack of shopping, but quickly recovering.

Am running out of adjectives to describe France. It is great really, if you are into medieval villages, countryside, wild flowers, rivers. right up my street.

Ready for the Brazilian football tonight. Will watch at home. Had lunch at the Square today and pretty good it was too.

Will post more tomorrow.
Vive la Coup de Monde and vive le Bresil....

Moving on - third leg of the trip

Hello all. Back again. Never thought would miss internet so, so much.... Why, oh why, are the French not into it?
We have arrived at Villereal in the Lot and Garone area and the village is lovely. A really old medieval place with a large covered market in the centre of it. Still want to have lunch out on Sunday and everywhere was closed. Sunday is really a family day in rural France. C'est la vie.

I don't think I enthused about my short visit to La Rochelle. We felt we were on a holiday within a holiday. beautiful sunshine, by the sea. Ile de re is fabulous. Lots of people. Civilisdation at long last and we arrived on St. Jean's day, which is party night. We even followed a Brazilian band around town. Reminded me of Jacinta. We loved it there.

Not much of interest to tell, but we are having a great time and always surprised that everywhere we get to, there is loads to see. here is amazing, there is so much to visit that we are not sure if 4 weeks are enough.
We did a 4 1/2 hour walk around Civray too last week and blisters apart - I had to walk bare foot by the end of it, it was great... We got a bit lost too.

French coming along slowly. Managed to have my hair cut and book a waxing, so can't be bad.....

Au revoir, vive Brasil, vive La France and au revoir England.....

I am still here.....

Darlings....
I know from the e-mails that everybody has been worried about the lack of update. Unfortunately we have lost the connection at the mill and it does not look like we will get it back. Won't bother you with the details. I find it amazing that even within 1 1/2 hours from where we are, which is the distance to the nearest larger towns, there is no internet cafe, so, if you don't have it where you are, you've had it.

The weather has been atrocious, but must not complain,a s at least we have not had the floods that have afflicted the folk down South. We are actually going to be very near where it happened, but not until August... It was a national disaster here. The rivers every where we go are really high but coping. We have stayed in quite a bit because of the poor weather, but, have also visited everywhere of interest nearby. Unfortunately this region is about walks and outdoors, so, in general life has been quiet.

We went to Limoges on Saturday - lovely medieval town - and had a nice meal at long last. Needless to say however that the choice was: cow's cheeks (again), tripe, snails or beef bourgingnon.... Needless to say, we chose the beef, even though I can't spell it... The only thing I can say, is that I am living the french way as the place was heaving with French families.

I am sorry, but nothing of interest to tell. We are still having a good time and have decided that with the money we saved by not eating out (because the food does not appeal) and not being out (because of the weather), we are now enjoying a couple of nights at La Rochelle on the coast and have, albeit limited, access to internet. Battery is running low.

Weather is beautiful and tomorrow we will spend the day at Ile de Re.

Will update again, when I can.

random thoughts, update

Just a quick update so you don't thing I have gone AWOL.Had a great day out today at another chateau. Didn't think there was any in this area, but Alan found one called RocheFoucauld. Very interesting and a nice village too. Had the best meal out so far in the chateau restaurant. At long last. Some lovely prawns in champagne and saffron sauce. Yum, yum....

As to reaction of the French, locally, to football, you wouldn't know that there was a world cup on..... Haven't heard a whistle so far. Do they know it is on?

Found a great walk locally, just about an hour or so, if you don't want to do the 4 1/2 hours and it si lovely. You walk along the river and cross little islands. Really picturesque. Wish I could paint.

Nothing further of interest to report. Am getting into the pace of life of the village. there is definitely more life to it than Longue. Went out yesterday between matches to see what was going on in town and one of the 3 cafes/bar was open, there were about 4 English people sitting there, one of the pizzerias was open and there is a kebab van that sets up in the square at weekends... Neill would enjoy that.....
Oh, there were a few people walking around too...

daily thoughts, life and stuff

Just been out for the day to Poitiers, the nearest big town - 50 mins or so away. Nice old medieval quarter and I found a shopping centre.... HURRAY..... Shame I don't need anything and indeed can't buy anything. Where am I going to put it?? Alan v. happy as it means I don't spend.

Had an ok meal on a really nice bistro. We are almost convinced that French cooking is not much cop. We are coming to the conclusion that Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine are the best in the world. Sorry Claudia, but even Italy loses out sometimes.

The trip is fulfilling exactly what we needed and wanted. We want to find out where else in the world we could live if not Brasil or England. I am loving the experience, but so far, I would find rural France too provincial and restrictive. I need to see people about and food is big for me. I must love it too.

I realised that I have not said much about the places I have visited so far and somebody asked for impressions. We think that the Loire region is brilliant. Lots to see. We were blessed with wonderful weather which helped a lot and the people very, very friendly. Forgot to say that the roads are absolutely brilliant too. Alan is loving the driving.

We visited some wonderful chateaux and each and everyone really nice in completely different ways. Villandry has absolutely amazing gardens, Usse is picture perfect. No wonder, it apparently was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. Angers, was just so impressive. It was built as a fortress and that is what it looks like from the outside. Huge and not that attractive, until you go in. It still has the drawbridge and inside is like what a fortified town must have looked like then. Really amazing. The moat is just enormous and was never filled with water. It was used for grazing animals and growing crops. Loved it.
Then, there is Chenonceau, the only castle I have ever seen that actually strides a river. Really impressive.And Breze, which has another castle below it in the shape of tunnels, where you can still see the ovens, the wine storage, the places where the guards stood to shoot arrows at the enemies. I really thing that they are fantastic and we still didn't see them all.

We are now in Poitou Charent region and it does not have any major points of interest. The weather has been poor for the last 2 days, so not done much. But I think the only thing to really do round here is walks. There are quite a few and we will try and do some when the weather is better. If I knew how it was, I would have chosen somewhere nearer the coast. We will go to the coast though for a couple of days. We just need to spend less round here, which is not difficult really....

I thing this is enough. Regards and vive la France.....

internet- can't live without

Didn't realise how much I like, use internet until I could not get hold of it. Was getting frustrated that could not write on a more regular basis because could not find a wifi connection anywhere. Even when you find it, you realise that it is not the same as sitting at home in comfort, and having time to undo all the mistakes, etc.
Loving having it here. Can cope better too with not going out, if at least I can use the time to upload photos, etc. We are still struggling a bit with it, but getting there. I think that having to wait to connect in between postings, have made it more of a chore now.
Anyway, been to the market today, bigger than Longue, but not that much to write about.
Staying in, weather overcast and we want to save some money so we can spend a night by the seaside when the weather improves. La Rochelle/Ile de Re, is about 2 1/2 hours away, and we think it is worth spending a night there, so Alan can have a drink and enjoy it.
Will keep you posted.

Ah, lots of English people about, no Brazilians as yet... Met a couple that have been travelling around for the last 2 1/2 years and although will still carry on travelling, are setting up a base in France. Early retirement too and they say they do not miss work at all. Wife however, says she is tired of living out of suitcases, thus the need for a place to call home.

moving on

Well, here we are in Civray. Had a lovely, though hot (35 c),trip down, via the b roads. Tom Tom must go mad at us. We ask for a route and then ignore its messages. It does not like it.

The villages continue to astound me. There is no noise. All the windows in the houses are always closed, no music blearing through windows, no noise of children talking, laughing, even when you go past schools. I have a theory that everybody hides when they see us coming, to see what my reaction is going to be. I keep repeating myself. Must be getting old: but where is everybody??? Come on French nation, let me know where you disappear to.

Our converted mill is lovely. Accommodation definitely one up on the last one. It was pretty dark and dowdy. This is very spacious and has a lovely little, little island attached to it, which is the garden. Cherry and fig trees included. Lovely.

Went out today to visit one of the villages nearby- Montmorillon - the Hay on Wye of France. Being Monday however, everywhere was closed, bar two cafes and a restaurant. No shops open. Food is not impressing me in France, foodie that I am, mostly disappointed....

french language and food - beware....

well, I'm glad that a few funny things are happening so I can entertain family and friends....

Went for a meal at the local and almost only restaurant/bar in the village that is open all the time. To keep it cheap we always have " menu du jour", which doesn't offer much choice. Options were "tete de veau" or beef. I had had the beef already, so went for tete as I like veal.... As soon as I ordered, I remembered that "tete" is something to do with the head. Left the dictionary at home.
Then decided to stick with choice just to see what it was. Well, at least it wasn't brains,but cow's cheeks, yuk.... and boiled, to top it all. Even the owner when she took the plates away with most of the dinner still on it, said she didn't like it either....

Lesson for today: Make sure you take your dictionary all the time and if in doubt: ask.....

Weather is wonderful today after a couple of days of rain.Not too much. Getting ready to move to the next house on Saturday. Hope I will find wifi a bit quicker.

France is gorgeous, belive me. The chateaux are wonderful and the vineyards around the LOire are amazing, although too early int he year for grapes. Can't wait to follow their growth as we travel around. Have come across a few Brazilians too, but not spoken to any. We are everywhere...
Keep posted.

electricity and the tower of Babel

Had our first very funny "foreigner abroad experience". Our electricity in the cottage went beserk one evening, going on and off non stop, culminating with me panicking to death as the shutters were all down, including the only exit to the property and the electricity wouldn't stay on long enough for us to open them and the answering machine on the phone kept coming on and off and in French.... Funny if not a bit frigthening.

Eventually Alan managed to get it sorted for the time being. Next morning same thing happened. Armed with my dictionary and a few sentences written down, I marched to the lady that looks after the property, who lives across the yard. She doesn't speak English. I managed to explain and she came to see it and off she went to phone an electrician and the owner, neither of which were home. We went out for the day - brilliant day at Usse Chateau, which served as inspiration, apparently, for Sleeping Beauty. Beautiful.

On our return, she eventually tracked the electrician down and him, her, her husband came over. Electrician did our Dads' trick, i.e., bashed the panels a bit and declared it a "grand probleme". The only word common to all of us was "kaput".... Alan somehow thinks that if they don't understand English, they probably understand Portuguese, because he keeps talking to them in Portuguese, which causes even more raised eyebrows.

But, this is like one of Richard's sagas, so there is more. They went away to ring owner and electricity board as problem was outside electrician remit. Eventually they came back, explained that electricity board was useless, just across the road, but woulnd't come out because of paper work. We were pretty relaxed, but I think they felt so sorry for us, that they decided they would put an illegal connection between ours and their house and then the fun began with the electrician trying to tell me what I could, could not use and went something like this:
le frigo - oui,
la lumiere (lights) - oui,
la TV - oui.
La duche (shower) - non,
le micro ondes - non
le four ( cooker) - STOP....

Not joking, all this palaver took about 3 hours and they were really helpful. The best was that the owner contacted the electricity board and they came out within 20 minutes and took 5 seconds to get it all fixed...... oh, la, la....

day 13 .... the adventure goes on

Well, at long last I have found a place with Wifi and right in the village where we are staying. It has been a long time. Let's give a quick - not me, surely - summary of the impressions to date:
. Longue is extremely quiet and my impression is that it is not that different from any other small village in France. Unlike Portugal, Spain and Italy, there is no promenading in the evenings. For that matter, nor at any other time. We go out and it feels like we are the only people left in the world. Quite weird really. Nobody around... Example: our anniversary. Got all dressed up and stepped out into the village and all 3 restaurants closed.... Went home to a Carbonara and long faces - both of us.

. people really friendly and very polite. So much merci madam/monsieur, that I even forget to answer. Really lovely.

. My French - useless. I get all tongue tied and can't remember a word to say to anybody, even the basics. BUT have not spoken in English at all, so, somewhat surviving. Have even answered the phone in the cottage and was understood. That is something.

. Really enjoying it all and the weather up to yesterday really good. Turned a bit today - Like England I think. The countryside is wonderful and the rivers just fantastic. Lots and lots of chateaux and we have visited quite a few already.

. No wine tasting as poor Alan wouldn't be able to enjoy a glass too. Will do it still. However, found a lovely local wine Saumur blanc, not cheap but excellent. SO enjoying that...

. Will stop here or will get boring, but now that I found this place, will be posting more frequently. They don't open everyday, so, there will always be a lag between posts. Photos to be uploaded soon. Miss everybody but getting into the swing of things here.

. E-mails welcome please. Don't forget me and sent this link forward to others that might be interested on what we are up to.

France at last

Cant believe have been here for over a week and unable to enter on my blog. Lots to report but no time and no connection. Weather brilliant and places visited fab. Angers castle, Chinon and Chancenau great.
Have to go.

oxford here I am

wow. If this is what retirement is like. Bring it on.... Just been to Jamie Oliver's Jamie and had a fab meal. Great value too.
Sorry, almost forgot to say that Oxford is brilliant too. Different from what I expected. Modern side of the city is taking over, but old buildings, colleges, gorgeous... am loving it and would like to come back again. Plenty of eateries too. My kind of place.
Staying at Head of the River Inn, a bit on the decadent side, but very quaint indeed. Happy to be here.

Hello there,
here we go at long last. The first posting of many I hope as Alan and I set forward into the future. Anxious, excited, nervous. Strange not knowing what lies ahead. I suppose we never do, but the material things that anchor you in life have gone and I am not sure yet it what "HOME" will mean from now on. As Christopher described it - an adventure.
I am hoping as we start our travels that I will use this blog to update friends and family of our whereabouts and experiences and hope people will comment on any postings I publish.
Here is to the future.