Circles within Circles!

The time finally came to say our goodbyes to our dear friend who was an excellent guide and ambassador for her city and the surrounding area.

On our final evening after another full day of the sights and sounds in New Orleans, we joined Laury at her home for some delicitable nibbles, a good bottle of wine and an evening of tintalating conversation.

                            

                        

We met some interesting people both real and not so real.

The butcher, the baker but not the candlestick maker ... the city is adorned with masterful bronze sculptures.

                             

And a new circle of friends, circles within circles which leads to the story of how we met Laury!

Of course, there is a "French Connection"!

         

In 2012 shortly (within a month or so) after our return from our first ever long stay of three months in Gourdon, France which was a truly amazing experience (magnifique!); we were already starting to plan our next adventure.

While searching the rental websites, we found a cute stone cottage named "Beaucaillou" in the small village of Dégagnac located only 12 kilometres from the town of Gourdon.

Late July 2012 we sent an enquiry to the owner regarding the property's availability for an extended stay of three months in 2013.

The pictures, description and details on the website showcased a lovely property and it was located in the Lot Valley, one our favourite areas in France.

As we did not know much about the owner and property, etc. ... we "googled" the cottage and village name "Beaucaillou Dégagnac".

Our search results found a blog post that referenced "Beaucaillou" translation "Beautiful Pebble".

The post was titled "A "Beautiful Pebble" in Dégagnac" in a blog named "Soar-Dream-France".

Reading this post we got our first glimpse of the owner "Clare"  through a photo along with some history of her and the writer's friendship.

The writer being none other than "Laury".

Msr. Honey enjoyed reading the blog about Laury's French life and her other happenings. 

He followed it regularly and it became part of his morning ritual along with reading the daily newspaper.

Fast forward, we did rent Beaucaillou for the three months of April, May and June 2013 and actually met the owner ... and via email she introduced us to our "Belgian Connection" friends ...Madame M. and Msr. Guy ... another circle within a circle.                 

During our return trip in 2014, Clare invited us all for dinner at Beaucaillou.  

Over the course of the evening, Msr. Honey asked Clare "How is your friend who writes the blog?"

Clare responded "She's coming to visit next week."

The stars collided and the rest is history ... we finally met "Laury" in person at an alfresco dinner hosted by the Belgian Connection.

I have to tell you Msr. Honey expected to see Laury dressed in her "overalls"* but that was not the case that evening ... But she did not disappoint him when we arrived at her place on our first day in New Orleans. (*Only those that know Laury will understand this).

A big "Merci beaucoup!" Laury for sharing your time, friends, knowledge and the wonderful places in your "town" of New Orleans!

It is a small world after all!

"T" is for Tuesday...

It's funny how your mind works. 

Last week I was bringing a couple of the grandchildren home for a sleepover and to keep them amused during the car ride we played some games.

First it was " I Spy" and then we tried the "Alphabet Game", you know where you say "A" is for apple and so on, this turned out to be the boys' favourite game.

So today that's how my title was arrived at ... 

"T" is for "Tuesday".

    A unisex hairdresser's shop in Duravel, France

Today started with Monsieur Honey visiting the local Barber Shop in our town... "Pour un coupe de cheveux bien nécessaire"... "for a much needed haircut".

He and I left at the same time, he travelling by horsepower from the car and I used my shanks' pony to walk downtown.

After our errands were done we ventured further south for a drive and lunch...ending up in Port Burwell.

We sat outside in the patio area at the Lighthouse Restaurant surrounded by Canadian flags and the oh so French geraniums reminiscing about our "French Rendezvous".

I asked Monsieur Honey... what the highlights of our French trip were for him.. so now here I am trying to remember what he said... the list is in no particular order.

The friendships ... catching up with old friends and cultivating new relationships.

Gardening at "Beaucaillou".

"Spannering" in Cazals

Oh yes "The Kiss" from Jenny!

The many Brocantes / Vide-Greniers and treasures we found...

                      

   

And some we didn't acquire...

All the different foods, wonderful meals and restaurants...and of course the wine both French and Italian.

The "yellow fleshed chickens" and the potatoes that taste like butter... and why can't we grow them here?

The pleasure of guiding our English friends "J & A" on their first visit to Southwest France.

The village resident with the birds who one day introduced himself to Monsieur Honey and shook his hand... not typical of the French.

The Italian themed soirée at Le Diabolo Fraise in Nabirat where we were treated to a feast prepared by Cathy and Fred, had fun with our "Belgian Connection" friends and made new friends with I & J.

The Rogues Concert in the vineyards at Le Caillau. 

An evening of great food, friendship and festivities with live music in the most perfect setting.

The getaway at "Chateau D'Ygrande" with our French Connection friends, B & C.

Fortuitously stumbling upon the Hotel in Bidart...that had it's own tropical oasis and provided the perfect base for our week's adventure along the Basque Coast.

...and as we continued to reminisce we realized the list was way too long.

My highlights closely mirrored Monsieur Honey's.

My new friendship with Madame M and our talks and walks was a wonderful part of this adventure for me.

Madame  M and I both think that Monsieur Honey and Monsieur Guy enjoyed their time doing "guy" things while we walked .... eg. concrete work and tiling of the terrace and of course sharing a cold one after a hard day's work.

After lunch we drove east along the Lakeshore ... 

    The Lighthouse...which houses the Tourist Office in Port Burwell.

    The Submarine Ojibwa...

    Everything you need for outdoor activities...

   The windmills along the lake...

Sailboats and soybeans... Can you see the boat? 

I know it's just a speck...this is why I need a camera with a better zoom feature.

   The Waterfowl Reserve... Long Point Conservation Authority

Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday...

The Water Well in Dégagnac

"When the well is dry, we know the worth of water" ... quote by Benjamin Franklin

Where's Pat and Monsieur Honey?

Today we are starting to pack up and getting ready for our departure from our "Home Away from Home" for the past twelve weeks. 

We are heading off Thursday on our last week of adventure in France before we leave on a jet plane back to Canada the first week of July.

This morning the sun is shining beautifully and I would much rather be outside lounging than cleaning and packing... maybe this afternoon I can call it quits for the day and finish a bit more tomorrow.

Early April we arrived at Toulouse Airport and after approximately a two hour drive we found "Beaucaillou" in the hamlet of Dégagnac, not far from the larger town of Gourdon.

                        

The cottage is a converted 17th Century barn and this year the owner has added a pétanque court (boules) in the lower garden.

The main floor has an open plan fully equipped kitchen and a comfortable living room, each area with it's own French doors opening onto the terrace.

Upstairs you will find the Master bedroom and an ensuite powder room and a second large bedroom with views over the back garden, plus on this level is the full bathroom and a small laundry facility on the landing.

You will find the beds most comfortable with bed linens and towels provided.

The terrace is perfect for alfresco dining or lounging in the sun when the weather permits.

There is a wood burning stove to keep the chill off on the cooler days and nights with wood supplied.

Although the village is quiet, there is enough activity in the area to keep you busy.

There is a post office, a fantastic spice shop, an epicierie/ shop for all your needs with a depot de pain (where you can pick up your fresh baguettes, croissants, pain au raisin or pain au chocolat)  and there is the local Auberge restaurant.

There are many areas to walk and discover the local surroundings and the cottage is centrally situated to visit many sites in the Lot and Dordogne region of France.

There are many villages nearby with Farmer's Markets which provide an excuse for a great outing to visit new villages/ towns and the opportunity to purchase fresh local produce, breads, cheeses, pastries, meats, fresh seafood and wines to bring back to the cottage and cook a delicious feast for your lunch or supper.

If cooking is not on your agenda, there are also the rotisserie chicken vendors or "Mr. Paella" for an easy take away meal. 

The village also has a plan d'eau (lake) where you can fish, picnic and enjoy the sunshine and if want to be more active there is also a tennis court here.

The country side is magnificent with beautiful views and surprises around every corner.

                             

         

For full details and more photos of "Beaucaillou" ...  

Check out  www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p956890 

At time of writing there are three or four weeks still available for August 2013.

We have had a totally satisfactory experience renting this cottage in Dégagnac.

www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p956890www.homeaway.com