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It is now 2 weeks since we arrived in Europe and the weather remains perfect; have no idea why we brought so many warm clothes! We have been able to eat outdoors at Brigitte's every day and enjoy her magnificent view over the Valley de la Loire. Nothing is more pleasant than walking in the nearby woods which we remember with affection from the first time in Autumn when we gathered a colourful assortment of mushrooms. This time we did not see any mushrooms or deer but the log house belonging to the chasseurs (hunters) had been burnt down - by rivals, Brigitte said and none of us felt sorry! We relaxed the next day, caught up on washing and visited the market where Ray bought his favourite cheese & saucisson and of course fresh bread for lunch. At 8pm, we were very happy to see the family arrive safely from Paris even though they were very late - lots of traffic both on leaving Paris and on passing through Lyon.
The next day we visited our favourite chateau - the one in Ray's photo at home: Chateau Grangent which is on a little island in the Gorges de la Loire. Before the dam was built it was on a promontory but now looks much more picturesque on its own island - which is owned privately! Towering above it is the Chateau d' Essalois now restored partially. We were all able to climb to the top and afterwards, Pepe & Luke played at sword fights under the ramparts. In the evening the neighbours came for aperitif - 2 couples with their daughters, both 11 and the children had fun swinging each other in the hammock and playing hide and seek in the garden. They seem to be able to communicate perfectly well with the aid of sign language; in fact, Scarlett has begun to speak her own version of French, using her hands and intonation and making unrecognisable sounds. She can sustain quite a long conversation like this!
Yesterday was market day again and we met up with Brigitte's daughter-in-law and grandson, Sven, for a coffee. They returned for a barbeque in the garden and the children had fun playing various games - again without any evident language barrier. Later we set off to the Forteresse Polignac where we were booked to see a medieval "spectacle" (show). We were expecting it would involve archery/catapult etc but, much to Luke's disappointment it did not. Instead, it was a group of singers who presented an entertainment from the middle ages in old French, very well done but needing some explanation to promote a real appreciation. Only the leader spoke and he appeared to use the same French dialect as Scarlett. Certainly, she seemed to understand it as well or better than the rest of us! However, it was fun climbing the ramparts and tower to look over the surrounding fields and valleys and the nearby city of Le Puy en Velay with its giant statues and churches perched atop the volcanic outcrops.
This morning the family has headed off to Grenoble to a medieval museum while we stayed on to help tidy up at Brigitte's before coming across to Jacqueline's house at Yssingeaux. There, we were surprised and delighted to find both Jacqueline and Francoise waiting for us. More adventures to come!
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Tony, Julie, Jack, Elise and James Hope you had a wonderful Birthday!!!