Sunday Saunter

Dear Family and Friends ...

We have been back home in Canada just over two weeks now.

As you know, it has been a busy time trying to get things in order with the house, yard maintenance and getting back in to a routine plus catching up with all the family.

Much like France, I think "Summer" arrived in Southwestern Ontario without any warning...one day it was still spring like weather and the next the hot, hazy days of Summer were here. 

Here in our corner of Canada, since the day we arrived home the summer heat and humidity has been relentless making it difficult somedays to be outside with heat alert warnings and advisories being issued this past week.

So, needless to say I haven't been walking as much as I would like.

Finally, this morning, I have the window open.

The plants and trees are dancing in rhythm with the cool, gentle breezes and to the music of the birds' songs under the  blue and white skies!

Perfect for me to lace up my runners and get walking before it gets too hot again! 

Monsieur Honey says "You must find shady places to walk." 

So I hope to find some tree lined streets or maybe a shady park where I can walk without my shadow!

Have a great Sunday!

The Journey

Our journey to France has come to an end!      

                 

Our three month adventure / journey was an awesome experience as we lived and immersed ourselves in the small commune of Dégagnac and the surrounding area in the Lot Department in southwest France.

Dégagnac is north of Toulouse and South of Sarlat.

Monsieur Honey and I can't believe how quickly the time went. 

We explored many places some spontaneously and by chance when we would wonder...

"Where do you think that road goes?"

We did some "brocante"- ing, well maybe more than some and Monsieur Honey may say not enough; but it was great fun and created the opportunity to explore some new French towns, villages and areas that we had not previously visited and as an added bonus we found some treasures that will be our "souvenirs". 

Remember, Monsieur Honey purchased a guide book of sorts listing all the 2013 Brocante's, Vide-Greniers in the Midi-Pyrénées. This was well worth the 5.40 euros spent.

         

 

        

When I walk by the "Little Prince" hanging in the foyer; I'll remember our day spent at the Brocante in Puy L'Evêque running into some old acquaintances at the coffee shop, and Monsieur Honey and I 's lunch date in the courtyard at Le Caillau.

                           

A new starter ... Yummy!

We were busy most of the time.

We reunited with old friends and met some wonderful people who became very good friends.

We explored and enjoyed many adventures.

We ate many delicious and different foods at the cafés/restaurants, at our friends or in our own kitchen at Beaucaillou, and of course the wine tasting was part of the experience also.

We attended a couple of special evenings at our favourite restaurants.

An Italian themed Soirée at Le Diabolo Fraise, Nabirat... a fun night of delicious food, great tasting wine and wonderful company.

       Café Restaurant Le Diabolo - Fraise 

       Le Bourg, 24250 Nabirat

I still have to get Catherine's recipe for her Tarte Citron...so delicious!

 There was special musical evening with the Celtic Blues group, The Rogues in the courtyard at "Le Caillau"... We enjoyed an evening of live music, fine wines and delicious food.

    

Le Caillau, Vire sur Lot, 46700  www.lecaillau.com 

We were served tapas followed by a Thai Green Curry and strawberry tart for dessert...

 

Both restaurants are our favourites ... they both are very different from each other and each has their own unique charm/character. 

The food they serve is creative, locally sourced and always delicious.

We visited several Châteaux and even took advantage of a special package deal to stay in a grand old Chateau ...

Château Monbazillac ...

                                     Château des Milandes

                 

On the drive to the Chateau in the Auvergne, I saw mistletoe growing in the trees.

We did some spring gardening at Beaucaillou which kept us busy ...

Thank you Madame M. for the recent photo, it looks like the garden is enjoying your hot summer weather.     

  

    And we visited several colourful gardens and markets...

                               

Through my friendship with Madame M., I discovered a new interest / maybe it could even be called a new passion for walking.  

I realized that these "boots"were made for walking.

So maybe a walk on part of the Pilgramage route to Compostella will be in the cards for the future!

  

                             

Our last week in France we spent in Basque Country on the Atlantic Coast very near the Spanish Border.

When we returned our rental car we had recorded in excess of 5000 kilometers, but who knows how many kilometers I walked over the three months!

         And there was so much more...

 Thank you Monsieur Honey for being my travel partner... 

The Wisteria Man

Two years ago Monsieur Honey planted a hardy wisteria, with the plans of growing it up and across the balcony above the rear courtyard. 

Happily it survived it's first winter and upon our return from France this year, it had grown vigoursly and reached the top of the balcony. 

This past trip, Monsieur Honey took special note of how the "French" train their wisteria.

He has now pruned it hard, gave it a major haircut and installed a support system (rope).

     Before the haircut....

Do you think it will cling to the rope and fill in like the stunning specimans in the photos below...

Hopefully in two more years it will cover the balcony and eventually be covered in beautiful flowers and look like the spectacular ones that we saw this year...

                 

The question is "Will the flowers be purple or white?" 

Neither of us can remember which one we purchased and the tag has been lost or misplaced...so we have a surprise to look forward to..

And, maybe someday I'll be able to take a photo of "Monsieur Honey" amongst his wisteria on the balcony...