Rear Window(s)

25th March 2012

Today, I looked out from the rear windows of the cottage and took several photos/postcards of the views.

Flash from the Past

After the required two hour lunch hour, we ventured to the Farm Store/ Garden Centre for some more clay pots for our new plant purchases, and a quick pickup at the smaller supermarket.

As we were coming out the Casino Supermarket; what should “Honey” spot in the parking lot, but none other than a “1958 Renault Dauphine” the very same model and year of car in which he learned to first drive in England at the young age of 17 in 1959.

His father, Herbert had been trying to teach young Graeme the lessons of the road and since he had learnt to drive pre- World War 2 he believed it was best to save the clutch and use the brakes on corners. This quickly resulted in a loud disagreement with Graeme who subscribed to the Sterling Moss system of downshifting and using engine braking. His father then realized that their relationship would become strained and suggested to his young son that he go to a “Driver Training School”.

Everything is Better in The Sun!

24th March 2012 – It’s market day again… You probably think that’s all we do is “eat, drink and be merry” but truly, life in France is so relaxed. I don’t know how to describe it, maybe it’s my European roots.

Saturdays in France are days to support the local farmers, producers and get fresh and sometimes unique products.

Today, we stayed in our town of Gourdon and it’s was humming at the Market this morning, more vendors, more shoppers, more politicians handing out pamphlets (elections are happening here soon), and local winemakers advertising the “2e Salon de Vins”; a wine fair of sorts which is happening next weekend in our town.

And of course, today the sun is shining brightly.

We did our shopping for fresh vegetables, potatoes, courgettes, aubergine, spinach, carrots, mushrooms, red peppers. 

I’m going to try my hand at making ratatouille this week…I’m using a recipe shared by my French friend.

Our Pasta man- “Les Pastas Marco” was back…so today, we purchased some smoked salmon & ricotta stuffed ravioli and honey will make some homemade Alfredo sauce to serve with it one night for our dinner.

We also bought more plants – ranunculus, I bought a white one a couple of weeks ago and it is doing so well that we couldn’t resist these today…absolutely intense colors; bright tangerine orange or is it  persimmon,  a deep lemon yellow and a mixed one of bright white and a deep rose or maybe it’s called vermillion.

We then headed to our favorite boulangerie for some fresh bread and stopped by a café “Le P’tite Bouchon” for a Grand Crème and some people watching…then home for lunch.