April showers bring May flowers ... here’s a collection of photos of the beautiful spring flowers already blooming in this area of France.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Thursday, May 2, 2019
May Day / Labour Day ...
Wednesday, May 1st, 2019
Today is a “Bank Holiday” in France, almost everything is closed ... with exception of cafés / restaurants in tourist areas.
We enjoyed our wander and a stop on the waterfront for an apero in the sunshine and some people watching.Trebes is on our list for a repeat visit, we were here many years ago (first time in 2005) and took a boat tour along the Canal thru the locks .
Today is a “Bank Holiday” in France, almost everything is closed ... with exception of cafés / restaurants in tourist areas.
We are staying in a tiny village and most definitely everything is closed.
Happy May 1st Day ... here’s my bouquet of lily of valley for all of you!
“In France, May 1st is a national holiday – it’s their ‘Labor Day’. One of the ways the French celebrate this holiday is by offering a small bouquet of lily of the valley (“muguet-du-bois”, in French) to loved ones and to friends, to symbolise ‘good luck’ and ‘love’. That is why May 1st, i.e., ‘May Day’ is also known as, “La Fête du Muguet”.
We weren’t too ambitious today and just went for a short drive to Trebes located on the Canal du Midi.
The Quai was busy with families, visitors enjoying the holiday.
We enjoyed our wander and a stop on the waterfront for an apero in the sunshine and some people watching.Trebes is on our list for a repeat visit, we were here many years ago (first time in 2005) and took a boat tour along the Canal thru the locks .
Here’s Monsieur Honey sporting his “Ernest Hemingway” look on our cruise (2005) along the Canal du Midi.
View of the Canal du Midi from the boat ...
The sun was shining brightly and the temperatures warmed up as the day went on ... which provided a perfect excuse for some relaxing on our terrace in the afternoon.
I was able to do some catch up on my photo editing and blogging.
Monsieur was top chef and created a delicious menu with the “Toulouse Sausage” we purchased from the local butcher for our supper ... and bonus it was warm enough to enjoy our dinner al fresco on the terrace.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Out and About in Lagrasse
Tuesday, April 30th, 2019
I should have paid more attention when we were looking at the area on Google Earth. I looked closely at the village of Montlaur but didn’t think to consider the surrounding area. The scenery is all so beautiful but I didn’t realize we would be travelling on twisty, winding roads up and down the gorges with switch backs. If you know me I’m not good with heights and the narrow roads with no guard rails! Yikes it was a heart thumping, sweaty palm ride ...
Too many pics for one post ... will be doing a separate one on the village of Montlaur.
We awoke to birds singing and church bells ringing under bright, blue skies. We had a good night’s sleep.
We were aware that tomorrow was a « bank « holiday here in France (banks/post office/ stores/ restaurants/cafés closed) ... restaurants only open in tourist towns, as such we needed to plan/ shop for provisions for Wednesday.
Just down the street from us is “la boucherie” ... we were told that the butcher has good quality meats.
We visited the shop, met the proprietor, Jean Louis and purchased some Toulouse sausage (Monsieur’s favourite).
Then we were off for a short road trip to Lagrasse which is classified one of the most beautiful villages in France.
We visited here five years ago when we spent a week in Olonzac in Sainte-Helene’s beautiful apartment.
We wandered the narrow lanes/ streets.
We picked up a fresh baguette at the local boulangerie and then soaked up some sunshine while enjoying an“al fresco” coffee at a café on the Main Street.
We will be visiting Lagrasse again during our stay with a more extensive tour.
The abbey
It was scenic drive out of the village, of course the “French Lady” GPS never takes us the same way back home.
It was scenic drive out of the village, of course the “French Lady” GPS never takes us the same way back home.
I should have paid more attention when we were looking at the area on Google Earth. I looked closely at the village of Montlaur but didn’t think to consider the surrounding area. The scenery is all so beautiful but I didn’t realize we would be travelling on twisty, winding roads up and down the gorges with switch backs. If you know me I’m not good with heights and the narrow roads with no guard rails! Yikes it was a heart thumping, sweaty palm ride ...
You want me to go where? Did you read the sign, Monsieur?
Translation: “narrow and winding road caution”
I will be definitely checking out the maps for a different route in the future.
Later in the day we went for a walk around the village of Montlaur, then checked out the tiny weekly Tuesday market in the square and a shop at the local mini supermarket “Vival”.
Too many pics for one post ... will be doing a separate one on the village of Montlaur.
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