Visiteurs!!!

Bon Jour mon Visiteurs!! coming to Josselin to spend time with me!! 

Very end of July!! Amanda and Rob came to town! Their flight was delayed but only by a couple of hours.  They flew to Paris and changed to a turbo-prop.  That flight came into Rennes about 1:30 on Monday July 29...they picked up their rental car and drove to Josselin with their GPS device arriving just after 4.  That first moment of greeting them was so great.  Butterflies in my tum.    They spent an entire week with me which was so great and meant we didn't have to rush around.  We were able to see so much and still have some relaxing days just hanging out attending to chores and poking around town.  

Tuesday morning, we drove out to Sue's for coffee.  It's about 5 miles out into the countryside and confusing.  We did get turned around but finally made it.  YAY GPS!!! A great little visit to her charming self renovated house and also her charming renovated doggie, Gus.  He was a shelter find like Skippy and is adorable. 

In advance we had booked ourselves up to Normandy for a night and Skippy into a kennel.  (a great Kennel in Brittany...Woodhaven in Porcaro...if you need a kennel in this area THIS is the ONE) Lots of driving for Rob, but I think he enjoyed it.  I was the mother in law in the back seat.  A true test for Rob (or me?). Rob is a good guy, a real sport! 

Rob and Amanda climbed the 100+ steps of the Basilica tower to see the view of Jossein all around.  We "dined" at the local bistros here in town.  They checked out the Chateau (Castle) grounds.  Later in the week we browsed the shops and enjoyed the Breton Singing and dancing on the town square on Friday Evening  Saturday of course, was the market day and we bought the ubiquitous baguette and the rotisserie poulet and the pomme du terre from the food truck.  The flat peaches were delish.  Josselin was a real crowd scene on Saturday and it's always fun the have a brew at the bistro and engage in some people watching.  Was glad to introduce A&R to some of my new friends here in Josselin.  Barbara, and her son, visiting from Japan! Also Luc,
the bistro proprietiere and Frank, from Ireland by way of China,
We even walked down to Saint Croix and to "The Bird House" or "La Maison des Oiseaux" and had a cool drink with Ann and Brian Bird. Also a house restored all the way from a derelict shed to a modern home. (also a B&B).
Actually Ann gave me wonderful elderberry flavored sparkling wine which she makes herself.

But before Saturday....on Wednesday in fact, we drove up to Normandy.  I am leaving Normandy for the next blog entry after this one.  It deserves its own separate entry. It really is stunning.

After the Normandy entry, you will catch up with A&R's visit and the rest of our travels on a subsequent entry!!  Bientôt!!  PS here are a few random pics!!

gargoyle at the Basilica

Voila !!

Voila!  I am finally here.  Back to my blog with so much to say.

Bastille Day!! Was the hottest day of the summer. Was in the high 80's.

 Over in Saint Croix (the little village other side of the canal) was a huge Vide Grenier! (Clear out the attic street sale)  There was a fund raiser for the Cat rescue Charity.  I volunteered to serve coffee, tea, juice and baked goods for a couple of hours.  All I really did was help out Sue and Ann a little.  We were under a canopy, out of the sun, but still hot as ____!  The most fun is people watching, greeting and surveying all the stuff people put out to sell.  I found some sweet "miniatures", very old French in style. 
I hope they raised a good amount for the cats! 

Late in the evening, Lucile and I went down the ramp to review the fireworks over the canal.  It really was spectacular and of course very similar to my own Independence Day fireworks.  There was beautiful music, choirs of "angels" singing, chanting a solemn, emotional anthem. So beautiful.
The crowd was quite silent during this part and only erupted a little after the finale.  Immediately following, the crowd very quietly dispersed....walking away holding hands.  I could relate only by taking to heart my own patriotic emotion and loyalty for my dear USA.  

 "stuff" for sale     (BTW, Moules and Frites are Mussels and Fries......most popular dish around!)

and Ann and Brian on Vide Grenier Day, Bastille Day, 14 Juillet 2013

Above:  Me with Hat and below....French "miniature"

And view of one block of Vide Grenier sale day                    and Fireworks!!!

Apologies!!

I'm so sorry the video didn't load properly.  Not sure why.  My apologies!!  Will try again later!!
KH

Mid-Summer Days Dreamin'

First off, I want to correct an earlier post.   Now that it is mid summer, sneakers are seen everywhere.  Also, flip-flops, sandals and all normal summer footwear.  Back in the winter I noted that no one here wears sneakers. (or tennis shoes)  But, of course, that was a winter observation. 
Tourists wear every sort of outfit you can think of.  There are lots of cyclists wearing fancy helmets, cycling outfits and backpacks. (BTW, the "Tour de France" was in the vicinity the other day!!)
 In general, a lot of back packs are in use around here.  Huge ones for real trekkers and small ones for a hands-free jaunt around town.  Not just for tourists. 
Ladies are wearing capris and jewelry.  The smart set are sporting wedge espadrilles.  A light sweater or jacket for the morning chill and evening breezes.  Straw hats are in.  Local ladies do like to wear long skirts and maxi-dresses.  All very popular.  (shorts, not so much)

Now, onto other stuff. 
It's true, the English Bookstore is going to close.  This is going to be a huge loss for Josselin.  The British contingent here is very large and having print material is a real plus.  There will still be sources is some other towns not too far, but still a car is needed for that. 

Speaking of CAR....Voiture!!! I am so excited!!!  I have finally found a car to rent.  I took a huge leap and made the commitment.  For 3 months!!  It will be a Citroën C3 automatique!!  This will change everything for me.  All those little side trips I have been wanting to make are now within reach.

The time will begin just after Amanda and Rob return home from their visit. A visit which I am soooo looking forward to.  They will be here in 2 weeks and 3 days!!

Tomorrow and Sunday are big-doin's in Josselin!!!   It's Bastille Weekend!!  A great market day tomorrow,  Then tomorrow evening is grand Champagne opening of a 5 Artiste Exposition in Saint Croix village. (just across the canal)
At dark are the fireworks on the canal!!!  Sunday I will be volunteering at the Vide Grenier (used goods, like a neighborhood yard sale, translating literally as "clear out the attic") in Saint Croix serving coffees and teas under a canopy.  This is a fund raiser for Ann and Brian Birds' charity, which rescues cats. 

The weather this week has been magnificent.  Or, rather, magnifique!!  Cool nights, high 50's low 60's.  By mid-afternoon (apres-midi)  hovering around 79-81, with breezes and dropping to low 70's by 8pm.  To me, this is ideal. We did have 2 days of 86, but with nice breezes.  I really hope it stays this way through September. 

Lucia, Loic and the boys are away all this month.  I think they went to Versailles, which is where Loic is from.  The village there. 

On Tuesday last, there was a beautiful concert at the Basilique here. Notre Dame de Roncier.
It was children ranging in age from about 10 to 16 or 17.  A chorus and instrumentalists.  They were dressed in Renaissance costume and they all sounded like angels.  First we had a number of fugues played on the enormous pipe organ. Very grand.  Then the children performed beautifully. I am hoping to post some video here if the file is not too big! 
Also, a few other pictures from around town.  There are always little surprising sites to see here. 

So, until we meet again, Au revoir mon amis!!! 

At the Concert..................

The oldest house in Town, 1537

On the Square, after a wedding

Independence Day, The 4th of July!!!

Naturally, there are no celebrations here in France for our July 4th.   I hold in my heart my own celebration of love for my country.  And that is powerful.  When I hear the Star Spangled Banner, I still get goose bumps and when I hear The Battle Hymn of the Republic, my eyes still fill up.

In addition, I will wear red.  And white.  not sure about the blue.

I may even walk down the hill to have a drink with my British friends!! 

Cheers!! 

The World Out There....

 Little shop down the block/hot chocolate/tea, etc.



As I write this a military coup is under way in Egypt.  There are tens of thousands of people in the streets of Cairo. Maybe a million. It's astounding to me that I can even see that sight here on my laptop.  They seem orderly, and united though I think it is unreasonable and irresponsible for tiny children to be present.  Riding on shoulders.  Such a dense crowd can turn dangerous in an instant.  But, still it is stunning to watch.  These people are protesting the government they voted into power such a short time ago.  They were in the streets then, too.  I don't know what will happen but the contrast between there and here in Josselin makes it all surreal. 

Here, it is tranquil and the doves are cooing.  It is 7pm and the day is winding down.  There are some tourists meandering around town and enjoying the prospect of some fine dining.  Walking with Skippy, we bumped into a large American family.  They weren't very talkative but the kids wanted to pet Skippy.  He has a way with people. 

Today was a little odd.  Brisk, chill wind this morning and deeply overcast.  Like April.  As the day wore on it warmed up but never lost that chill wind.  The sun finally burnt through around 3, which is typical for here.

I rode the bus to Ploërmel today.  10 km away.  Did some shopping, had an appointment and rode the bus back. 

I'm still working on a car rental.  You can't believe how hard it is to find an automatic at reasonable cost.  I'm trying to "work a deal".  

I'm going to look through my photos to see if I have any to post here.  I didn't take any today.
So until we meet again, au revoir!! bon journee



A couple who rides the mini-bus to Super U with me live in this house.  She told me it was built in 1537.  It is very tiny.  I'm sorry I don't seem to have a full shot.  Later.  

Shots From the Oldest House

Delphiniums in Hellean

Buying rôte poulet on market day

Deb & Rich's boy, "Klute".....probably spelled it wrong...

Deb & Anne-Laure    Anne-Laure is a student staying with Deb & Rich to "immerse" herself in speaking English.  She came from a town outside of Paris.  Deb & Rich take in students for this type of immersion study.

Chateau grounds

Le Premier de Juillet!

Here it is the first of July and in a few days it will be a full 7 months that I have been here!

The months, weeks and days have just flown by.  The next 5 months are going to go even faster, I know as I will be having my guests coming and going! 

But Right Now, I really want to concentrate on being in the moment.  The weather is fantastic.  Custom made for me.  I hope it stays this way all summer!  Upper 60's lower 70's...no humidity, blue skies, ahh, so "crisp". 

Yesterday I went out cycling again.  Much better than before.  The only bad part is pushing the bike back up the hills to get home.  That's very hard for me.  Part way back up I found a little "hidey hole" path where I stopped to rest. Further up the hill I had the nerve to ask 2 very fit looking teenage girls to take my bike back up for me.  I offered them money but they refused.  They were very sweet and that really saved me!!  I huff and puff like the engine that could.  But sometimes I can't.  Though I'm not really allowed that word. 

The bike ride itself was great.  Leisurely cruising along the canal towpath.  It goes for miles, though I didn't.  I don't really know for sure how far I went. I did have to stop now and then.
No biggie.  Sat on a bench.  Sketched.  Drank Water.  Watched people go by.  Other bikers, strollers.  Families.  Old people.  Saw a boat entering the lock. Saw a bunch of shirtless boys hanging out on a dock. They were dipping their feet in and one had a towel, but I can't imagine them going into that water. I am told there are coypu.  "Coypu".  yep. 

After taking Skippy out, I took myself over to the café and saw Frank there.  He's going to check around and put out feelers to locate an automatic car for me to rent.  I hope we are successful on that.  That is something I failed to research and have discovered here.  It is nearly impossible to find an automatic at the car rentals around here.  There may be a couple of them at airports, and then they are exorbitantly expensive.  No one here drives automatic.  If I had known, I would have learned back home before coming.  I know it's something I could learn, but I don't want to be a newbie on these country roads and get it wrong.  At least it's on the same side of the road that I'm used to!! 

Last night, dinner was a rôti poulet avec pomme de terre du marche et tranchés tomate avec fromage.  tres bien. 

Today, nothing much, walking around with Skippy, a jaunt to the bank, a stop in at the café and back home to write this!!  Then later, back to café for dinner.  Chevré Salade, maybe. 

So, I'm off to enjoy the rest of July 1st!  I hope you enjoys yours too!  Until we meet again,
Au Revoir!!