My last day

My 2 weeks in France have just flown by.  It feels like a whirlwind of castles, churches, history, great food and wonderful company. 

For my last full day, we went to the Victor Hugo market in Toulouse.

It is a bustling hub of activity, with vendors showing off their fare, shoppers deciding what to buy for lunch and people sipping wine at local bars within the market.

Trish and I decided to try the

 'have a glass of wine at the market' thing!!

  Very civilized!

In the afternoon, we strolled though downtown Toulouse

 to take in the sites.

St Etienne Church

Having a goodbye cuddle with the neighbourhood kitty

We capped off the day with a hearty bowl of soup that I made from the leftover chicken from the other evening. There is nothing like comfort food to end off a fabulous holiday.

Thank you to Trish, Francois, Victoria and Andy 

for making me feel so welcome and loved!

The last few days

After spending a few days relaxing in the country, we all trooped back to Toulouse to see a couple of art exhibits.

The first one was 'living art' where a group of students from Trish's art class made costumes resembling animals that they had seen at a museum.  They paraded down the street, then stopped in the town square for a 'live movement' show.

We roasted chicken and broccoli for dinner...very healthy!

The following day, we headed to an old ammunition factory to see some fabulous graffiti and art by local students.

My niece Victoria's drawings

Victoria's drawings as well

Homemade pizza was a perfect end to the day

A day at the market coming up.

Najac

As I am closing in on the last few days in the south of France, a visit to the village where my Grandmother had a house was a must. 

Her house was at the foot of the Chateau in Najac, Aveyron. 

This is a family photo taken in 2016 in front of Granny's house

I can still picture her waving at us from the window with the brown shutters.

 The village is situated within the crest of 2 mountains, one top being the Chateau and the other, the main village and shopping area.  The view from the main square is breathtaking

   

We met up with friends for drinks in a quaint bar

The main square with its 13th century fountain

 We then headed to the local pizzeria for dinner

My fav....an egg on a veggie pizza

The village is full of Roman influences, 

such as this stone bridge built by hand 

Only one day left....we head back to Toulouse tomorrow.

My home for the next week

We arrived safely in Laguepie

 and started enjoying what country life  has to offer.

This is my home for the next week.

The lovely little cat was a city rescue, wandering the streets,
who my sister brought to live in the country...what a lucky little boy.

We enjoyed a simple lunch of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil... 

and an omelette

With fresh strawberries from the market...

 Trish made a fantastic tart.....yummo

Needing to work off lunch, I strolled up the road to revisit the house where we held Trish's surprise party 3 years ago.

It was a bitter sweet memory, as that was the last time I saw my Dad alive and smiling.

Miss you Dad

July 26, 2016

Fontevraud Abbey

On our last day in the Loire Valley, we thought a history lesson was in order, so we got up early and were the first visitors at 

The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud

The effigies of King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine,

Richard the Lionheart and Isabelle of Angouleme
were at the center of the Abbey

 Note that Henry has a sceptre in his hand and Eleanor has a book, as she wanted everyone to know how educated and scholarly she was.

You can see where the ravages of time 

have chipped away at the frescos 

The cloister was very elegant and serene

 If the walls could only talk.
The Abbey had been used over the years as a prison,
 where the life was very harsh.

Walking around the Abbey showed the fantastic architecture

Dinner was a home cooked chicken, veg & potato,
paired with a gift from Andy, a Pouilly-Fume!

The last step of the north/south journey ends tomorrow
....on our way to Laguepie