Chicken, Cider, Galette, Lotto & Laughter

Saturday night   (samedi)  I enjoyed the most perfectly roasted chicken.  A bit was even shared with Skippy. (of course)

Sunday was a different kind of treat.  Ann and Brian Bird had invited me to join them for their
quarter annual village, or neighborhood gathering.  It is traditional to enjoy local Breton Cider, the special galette or cake with the porcelain Lady inside.  I did really enjoy that.  All those who found a Lady in their slice of cake were then to wear a paper crown.  There were 2 types of cider.  One was heavy and sour while the other was light and crisp.  I took the light, crisp one.   Very tasty.   The cake, flavored with frangipani was delicious.   After our treats we played a Lotto game much like Bingo.
After the games, coffee was served.  By 5 it was time to go.  Although the Birds had picked me up in their car it was really right around the corner from my house, so I walked home.  Originally, the event was to have taken place down by the river.  I don't really know why the venue was changed. 



                                                                      Ann & Brian

Not long after I arrived home, the Bertherat's stopped by and we had coffee, tea and Mango juice for the boys! They helped me figure out a lot of things I had been wondering about.  One of which was, "where to take the garbage"!!   (down the street in the big bin)  

After that I got a great email from Emma, which I will never forget! 

And just awhile ago a nice Facetime came in from Amanda and the gang in Newburgh!! 

So, I'm off to bed feeling warm and content and "tucked in" for the night. 

Bonsoir! till we meet again.......

A Market Day

Note to all my followers:  The very week I arrived here in Josselin, my little grand-nephew Christian, only 3, was diagnosed with leukemia.  He is Mike's and Louise's younger boy. They live in Walden, NY.  He is currently in Westchester Med. Ctr. receiving his first treatments.  Amanda has made a website for him.  Please visit it at:  www.supportforchristian.com  to send your hugs and support to little Christian. We thank you with all our hearts. KH

~~Market Day~~ on Samedi  (Saturday)

  This morning, Skippy and I went out early (7am) for our morning walk.  It was cold and dark and not a soul around.  The snow was melted and only that grey slush remained.  It was so quiet.  I can't remember if it is dark in New York at 7am in January.  Seems like it is light out by then.  It was kind of haunting hearing the gritty sound of my footsteps on the wet pavement.  Right out of a noir French film. 

Soon we heard men arriving in vans to set up for Market Day.   Laughing and talking in French, of course.  Well I took Skippy home and had myself another cup of coffee.

Went over to the market about 10.  Left Skippy home as it's too difficult to shop with him trying to hog attention from everyone.  Here's a photo of him, either tuckered out or pouting.  He always knows when I'm going out and gets moody.

 Of course the tables and crates were piled with beautiful produce.  

Is it from Spain?   The cheeses are local.  Also, the meats.  And the bread, "pain".   I bought some bread, but not a baguette.  I find I can't eat them up before they get hard.  

 There was a long que for the oysters and seaweed.   I wasn't in it.    

But I did buy myself a beautiful roasted chicken.  Poule.  It smelled divine and I just had to have it.  No picture as I was fumbling with money and a few French words.  Like: "sil vous play" and "Merci Beaucoup".  and 10euros.  pricey!!  There was a truck nearby with "poissonaire" painted on it, so I took that to mean that poison control was on the job.  Ha!! I looked it up later and it means Fish Truck or cart!!  silly me. 

There was quite an array of sweaters, coats and jackets, but I don't really have need for any.  But on any market day I could be tempted.  I was disappointed to not see the jewelry vendor, but the messy weather keeps people home.   The turnout was much more sparce this week.  And the number of vendors was smaller too.  

Above is a picture of my shopping bag.  It has the ubiquitous symbol of Bretagne.  It is an ancient Celtic symbol. Bretagne (Brittany) was settled by Celtic people from Britain and Wales, etc. escaping the invaders from the continent.  They managed to cross the channel and arrive on the coasts of Brittany.  Some even made it as far south as the north coast of Spain.   It's a really interesting history.  There is a careful nurturing of the distinct Breton culture here, including the teaching of the Breton language in the schools, where once it had been shunned.  

At the corner store I bought some nice Josselin post cards and stamps.  Some of you may receive one.  You know who you are.  While there, I had a nice chat with Francoise, the lady who waited on me.  She speaks English!!  

I finally trundled home to the sound of the noon bells.    
Just got a phone call from Ann and Brian wanting to know if I wanted a lift to the Super U.  I said no, but we're on for tomorrow for the celebration of cake and cider around a fire down on the lock.  The lock of the river that runs through town.  I will report on it later.  Should be fun.  
Until we meet again, auRevoir!!!    


  

Big Event in Josselin!

BIG EVENT in Josselin!!!!

Yes, it happened.  SNOW!!!!  Everyone here is delighted.  There is no school.  We ran into numerous
kids all ages running around and playing in the snow.  All 2 inches of it!!   
In one photo you'll see people near the front of the Basalique.....they were having a snowball fight....so we didn't go up there.  Skippy was excited even though I had "promised" him there would be no snow here. (well, we were told it was rare)

It is super cold and difficult to handle the leash and the camera at the same time.  Gloves don't work. So my hands were frozen!  

In one picture, you can see the snow dusted castle spires beyond the gate.  Adjacent is the little chapel around the corner from my house. (no pic of chapel)  And another shot of just a pretty house in the snow.  Also, Skippy checking out the "bin".  There is a shot of my street.  My door is just before the parked car, just beyond the satellite dish.  I was trying to capture the snowplow.  Looks like a John Deere backhoe with shovel.  Last but not least, is another shot of Skippy, for good measure.   

Oh, alright, here's the little chapel.  It's attached to the gate wall in front of the castle.  I haven't been inside, yet. 

Seems I always have Skippy with me.   And I don't linger there because I don't want him desecrating holy ground. 

Have lots to do today, so this is brief.  Wanted to do a little update on the big event. 

Just a few days ago, Amy, Dan and I were walking around here in a mild drizzle.  Well, NY and NJ got 4 or 5 inches the other day.   Comparatively speaking, a sort of blizzard. 
Am cozied up here with my knit throw and fresh cuppa.  AuRevoir!!    Hope you enjoy the pix.

Market day, Window Curtain, Skippy, Me, Basilique Notre Dame du Roncier

Finally a Moment to Update!!

Finally I am sitting down to write!!   Amy, Dan and Skippy & I finally made our teary farewells on Monday night and took flight about 10pm from JFK, NY, Jan.7th.  

Whew, the routine for flying pets is time consuming and awkward at the airport, but it actually went smoothly and Skippy complied with his pre-boarding "activity".   He wore his Thundershirt.! I was amazed they allowed him to keep it on.  So much of what I had been reading online about strict regulations toward pet traveling turned out to be untrue for us.  Although they did look at his "passport" and Vet papers.  We then made our way through the packed security gate, being at the back because of our time seeing Skippy off.   We boarded right away (albeit, slowly on that same line) and took off right around our schedule.  We all agreed.  The seats were awful.  Tiny, no leg room, not even any fans above to cool us off.  And it was sweltering!  I was never so grateful for anything as I was for that small battery operated fan Amanda gave me in my Christmas stocking!!  I suppose I looked silly but it was wonderful to hold that in front of my face.   As I sat in the back of the plane by myself, I will always needle Amy and Dan about upgrading to first class on the sly!!  HA!(no, they didn't)     Also, at one point I was able to hear Skippy barking!!

We arrived (about 5am) but of course it was actually about 11am French time.   Going out was a cinch.  A passport check and that was it!!  Off to collect luggage and Skippy.  We found him in good shape.  No hideous clean ups needed!  whew!!   A bit of a wait for our car and we were sooo impatient to get started on our 4&1/2 hour drive to Josselin.   Amy found us some coffee so then everything was ok.   We stuffed all into the (very nice AND automatic) car and took off and Dan managed the labyrinth out of the airport just fine.  CDG airport was not all that impressive.  Not even any "people movers"! 

 I can't report much about the car trip as I slept through the whole thing!!  I am told my snoring was very entertaining!!  I'll bet!!  In the day and a half Amy and Dan were here in Josselin, I heard my snoring story numerous times!!  I will never live that down!  Anyway, they tell me it was beautiful countryside. Flat, but quite green for winter.  

5pm-ish Tuesday, Jan 8th:
Driving into Josselin in the drizzling rain was a little confusing, but AWESOME.  Winding little streets, narrow lanes and alleys meandering through ancient buildings and quaint shops!  Just as one would have it. And smack dab in the midst of it all, the gorgeous Castle on the river!!   We found #8 Beaumanoir, but that turned out to be what we thought was the other end of town or #8 on an adjacent side street.    I called Lucia and she said she would step outside so we could see her, we turned the corner and there she was!!!
 Eureka....!
It was so much fun meeting Lucia and trying to communicate.  She is so much better with English than any of us with French. (zilch).  She brought us across the street to the house with blue shutters and unlocked the door and presented me with the key.

 I can hardly even remember the sequence of events after that.  The house is just as it appeared in the photos online.   Cozy, charming and oh so convenient.   All the luggage sat in the sitting room for awhile as we explored.  We discovered teeny tiny, rustic stairs going up to 2 double bedrooms and a bath and then continuing on up another flight to 3 more rooms.  All furnished.  Cozy.  Old, old Josselin.  
Kudos to Dan and Amy for maneuvering those big bags up those steps!

 My room overlooks the street and is white plaster with rustic beams overhead and double windows flanking the bed.   The guest room for Amy and Dan was small and overlooked the skylight above the teeny enclosed "garden porch" off the kitchen.    The bathroom has a long, narrow, boxed-in tub with shower and window with a view of one of the castle towers! 
Lucia guided us out to the Super U....a store like Walmart or Target......and I stocked up on dog food and water and a few other things.  Thank goodness for Lucia! 
We were too tired to go out to dinner, so we stayed in and snacked on all our goodies that Lucia had supplied.  A huge bowl of fruit, baguette, chocolates and wine.   And a beautiful floral centerpiece! 
Amy wisely brought coffee and we managed to brew our much needed "ambrosia of the gods". 
We went off to bed reasonable early and I was up early, posting emails home at 3am.  HA!  I was sooo tired but not sleepy.  Just too excited.  
Next morning......I finally got up about 8 and took Skippy out again.   It was densely overcast and raining.   Just like in an old French movie.   (this is how my mind works)

About 11 we finally ventured out in the misty rain to walk through town exploring.   It's pretty hilly in places and therefore good exercise for me.   Lots of cute shops, artisan studios and bistros.  Even a cinema!!  Many are closed now for their post holiday vacation.   Also, many renovation and restoration projects are underway, in preparation for the major tourist season to come.  We found a superb restaurant for our lunch.   "Le Prieure' de Clisson,  cuisine Raffinee du terroir.   Don't ask me. I don't know.   But our food was delicious.  Amy had a polenta cake with a brie-like cheese.  Dan and I had a pork pate like assemblage.  With salad.  Then we had gratine potato casserole with sliced steak on the side.   Very, very good.  Bien.  Tres Bien.  look it up:  www.le-prieure-de-clisson.fr    (named after a knight of the 13th century, and a crusader, Oliver I de Clisson.)  

After lunch we went back to the house to give Skippy an outing and then went back out to look for friends of Brigitte's (my landlady).  Brigitte had emailed that an English couple who ran a B&B were very interesting and great conversationalists.  So we went looking for them.   Ann and Brian Bird turned out to be just as Brigitte had said, and more so.  They were so gracious to receive us with great hospitality and good humor, since we just popped in on them unannounced.  And what stories they have!!!  We could easily have stayed all afternoon listening to stories of their travels and experiences.  And funny!!!   They were kind enough to invite me to go with them on Friday to the next town 8 minutes away.  Ploermel, where there is a good store, Leclerc, where I can buy a "dumb" phone.  My phone doesn't work here. Their B&B is   Mason de L'Oiseau     www.thebirdhouse.eu a beautiful restored old house.  Brian and Ann have done all the work themselves over the past 15 years.  Beautiful woodwork including all the doors!  
Wednesday night, Lucia, her husband Luic and their little boys 2 and 5 came over.  We had a great time, Dan playing with the boys and entertaining them with wrestling and juggling.  Lots of squealing and giggling.   We all "talked" through Amy's phone translator.  Little Matias was enthralled with Skippy.   You know Skippy.  He soaks up all attention.   Lucia is from Madagascar and that is where they met.  Luic was working there.  He is originally from the Versailles area outside Paris.  Lucia is the youngest of 11 children!!  She is very lovely and so kind and helpful to me.  She handled the problem with the printer delivery.  (it finally came today after being sent back to Vannes on Monday in error).  Also, yesterday, Lucia and Matias went with me to the bank to help me explain that I wanted to open a checking account.   But they just gave me an appointment to come back next week to open the account.  I will have to bring ALL my documents regarding finances.  

Ann Bird has invited me to join her on Wednesdays for a French language class.  I am really excited about this and feel very lucky to have found this generous new friend.   Many thanks to Brigitte!   Brigitte, if you are reading this, know that you are much liked and highly esteemed. 

Today was Friday, and I did indeed go with Ann and Brian to Leclerc to buy my new phone.  The store was great and offered tremendous variety.  The town of Ploermel is a bit larger than Josselin and more commercial, and retail there.  I am going to be tagging along with the Bird's on some of their jaunts to Ploermel.   We stopped first at their friend's house there.  Her name is Pauline and she is English but she is very fluent in French and has been in France for years now.  She is an accomplished potter and painter and very feisty and funny.   I really enjoyed meeting her.  She filled me in on the bus and train schedules and rates and gave me brochures with schedules!!  We really enjoyed her coffee and homemade cookies and it was great fun listening to Brian and Pauline sparring.  hehe   
Tomorrow is the weekly Market Day.  Just a block from my door.  I am so excited.  It is my plan to buy my veggies for the week.  Mushrooms, squash, brussel sprouts, onions, parsnips and whatever else looks good.etc.  Just enough for a week and the Market is every Saturday.  (samedi)

Well, it is definitely bedtime.  I will be up early walking with Skippy before time for Market at 9. 
So I must bid you Bonsoir, AuRevoir and sweet dreams, till we meet again!!!!
"a bientot!!"

Photo above, taken this morning, Friday, Jan 11th, 2013   ( while walking on my way to the Birds' house.)
Castle, mist rising off the river Oust
(more pictures coming)