We took a tour around in the car the other day and wandered the streets of a couple of villages.
We had lunch at an outdoor cafe. I was feeling under the weather ( too much vin rouge the previous evening, ahem ) and a big bowl of pasta was just what I needed.
Oh, did I mention my Mum and Jen are here. Probably not. So…..my Mum and Jen are here!
Charlotte Rose has gotten so blonde since we’ve been in France.
John picked a really great restaurant for our last meal in the Ardeche region. I am really going to miss all of this outdoor dining when we go home.
Starter of escargot and mushrooms in puff pastry. NOM NOM NOM.
La Bastide de Virac, France
Lunch on the verandah.
Roquebrune-sur-Argens, France
On Sunday afternoon we did some wine tasting at La Chateau Sainte Roseline. The dogs and the dress were part of an exhibition by an artist called William Sweetlove.
Les Arcs, France
Another week in France draws to a close. We spent this week in (another) old stone farmhouse. The second floor renovation is um, how shall we say, a little rickety. I fear for my life when I walk on the floorboards. I can actually see down into pthe corner of the kitchen from my bedroom. The rest of the house is lovely with exposed stone throughout the house.
Our next door neighbour is a vineyard.
St Saveur de Cruzieres, France
Experiencing new things with Charlotte. This time? A proper swim in the pool. Not just a dip of the toes. But a ‘whole body in the water’ swim.
After all that action, a nap was in order.
St Saveur de Cruzieres, France
This is Charlotte’s newest thing. ‘Standing’ with her legs straight.
Goudargues, France
Every day there is a farmers market in a different village. Even though they all mostly sell the same things, I don’t get tired of seeing them. Yesterday we drove to a local village about 10kms away. It was yet another medieval walled village. We parked our car outside the village and made our way in by foot along the twisting cobblestone streets.
We found the farmers market where John picked out some vegetables for our dinner.
Oh, I realized quickly that this trip has been made infinitely easier by the fact that John speaks French. Just like I do not speak a lick of French, there are a lot of French people that don’t speak a lick of English. So many people will approach Charlotte and start cooing to her in French and then turn to ask me questions - how old is she, what is her name, is she a boy or girl (she’s wearing pink! her stroller is pink!) - and I have to turn helplessly to John and have them repeat the questions to him.
After the farmers market we wanted to get some lunch but the village was so tiny there was only one restaurant with a minimal menu. So we headed back out of the village and drove to another one nearby.
Upon arriving, we quickly found a lunchspot. Later we wandered the streets taking in the beauty of the old buildings and the winding streets. I especially love the shutters on all the windows.
Churches, churches, churches - they are everywhere! I’ve lost count of how many candles I have lit inside French churches!
We are usually home by 2 or 3pm so that John can be ‘at his desk’ in time for New York business hours.
Unrelated: Charlotte is as cute as ever.
Ardeche region, France