Dave's mom is getting pampered with her first French hair cut. Granmuny really liked the cut and we took a lot of pictures so she can try to get the same cut back home. I told her she looks 10 years younger!
Out for a walk around Vannes, I couldn't resist the picture of the menu displayed on the bike, our kind of place.
As we were out for a sandwich for lunch, Heidi's mother-in-law, Janis, came walking by. Janis is here watching the four Shenck children while Heidi and Josh on our a week trip to the Czech Republic. She said she ran into two of the four people she knows in Vannes in one day. We enjoyed our lunch and walking around exploring new sites.
Yesterday my friend Ann-Elisabeth, took up to a castle in Sarzeau. The batteries went dead in my camera so sorry no pictures of the castle. The castle dated back to the 13th century. It was amazing to see and they have been restoring it for the last 40 years. Loved the thatched roof on
Granmuny, Dave's mom, arrives yesterday! We are so excited for her to be here and she speaks ENGLISH!!! We will be able to communicate without the help of the dictionary. Meghan had the day off yesterday so she and I went to Nante (with the help of the GPS) to pick her up at the airport. She was very tired but managed to stay awake until 9 p.m. which means she had been awake for 36 hours since she had left Lexington, Kentucky. The last time I did that was in college! After dropping Meghan off at swim practice we decided to have a leisurely lunch at one of the local cafes. Granmuny and I were the last two in the restaurant and had the entire place to ourselves. I asked if we needed to hurry and they said no problem. Of course, we still took time for dessert!
On Monday afternoon, Ann-Elizabeth and I took a walk along the gulf. It was such a beautiful sunny day and I felt so blessed to be able to be outside most of the day. I am having a wind blown hair day!
Her neighbor's dog, Aglae, an English Setter, decided to pose for the photographer! If you click on the picture you can see her more clearly. She loved running along the beach and swimming in the water. It was so warm, there were people out sun bathing.
The Monday morning biking group pose for a group photo on the gulf in Sene, a village close to Vannes. We rode for two hours along the gulf and countryside. We saw a young calf that was probably just born because the mother was not able to stand yet. I am loving seeing new places and learning a little more French from these women.
Tuesday morning we awoke to this lovely sun rise which was taken from our terrasse. What a way to start the day!
With a sunrise like this one, we knew it was going to be a fantastic day to explore the island of Belle-Ile-en-Mer. On Saturday, walking for about a half hour from our flat, we arrived at the boat launch area ready to board the boat for a two hour ride over to the island. Along the way we saw sail boats, kayaks, and fishing boats out on the water enjoying the sunny day.
Arriving in the village of Le Palias, we saw why so many of our friends told us this was a "must do" trip while in France.
On the island the buildings and houses were much more colorful than what we are used to seeing in the Brittany area. As you can see, the buildings are all connected to each other. No space is waisted here.
Stopping for a family photo; it is amazing we are all three smiling at the same time!
We took time to explore the fort built by famous Sebastien le Prestrede Vauban. Vauban was King Louis XIV 's military engineer that designed forts to insure France's northeast border lands would never be recaptured. We enjoyed seeing the views of the ocean from the top of the fort.
After finding out we couldn't bring our bikes on the boat we decided just to rent bikes once we arrived on the island. Dave and Meghan opted for the tandem and I rode a single bike. Dave said Meghan really put out some power on the back of the tandem. So, we have decided she has been slacking on us while riding the triple. Sorry Meghan but the truth is out!
More beautiful flowers still abound the yards. It amazes me that it is almost October and the flowers still look this colorful. I may be going into flower withdrawal soon.
Here I am having fun UP the hill. We were warned it would be hilly and it was! Of course the picture doesn't even make it look like it's a very big hill, but my legs told me it was.
This was are prize at the top of the hill or should I say bottom of the hill. The view was picture perfect! Linda, I don't recall seeing any views like this after we've pedaled for a couple of hours on the east side.
Dave and Meghan taking in the view and having a little dad/daughter time! Friends of ours told us a few years ago that when Meghan was 12 or 13 she would become a daddy's girl. Guess what, they were right!
Since we have very few photos of just Dave and I, Meghan agreed to be the photographer. Just having a great day together!
On our return trip home we saw many sailboats out sailing on the gulf and ocean. It was one of the best sailing days in months. We have seen alot of boats but not many actually sailing until Saturday because it has been a rather cool summer here.
A beach house on the gulf. Looks alot different that our beach houses in the states.
Meghan and her beautiful smile! She loved the boat ride and watching all the sail boats.
We have been blessed with sunshine all week! Today, Friday was an exceptionally beautiful day. Heidi and her mother-in-law, Janis, and I went to lunch at this wonderful creperie. We sat outside and enjoyed our leisurely 2 hour lunch. I told Heidi I felt guilty because Dave was working hard and Meghan was plowing through another day of listening to all French while I had a long lunch after getting my haircut this morning. She told me to get over it because she HAD a long time ago. Thanks Heidi for the advice! P.S. I did do some house cleaning in between all this play and spent two and half hours at the grocery store tonight getting ready for Granmuny's visit, Dave's mom.
After realizing I had told you about Heidi numerous times and I had not had a picture of her on the blog, you can now see Heidi with her infectious smile!
Oh how can you resist these desserts? I can't! They are soooooooooooo delicious. We each had different flavors of an ice cream dessert which was topped by this colorful fruit that escapes my memory.
The gardens inside the wall of the city are immaculately kept. I asked Heidi how the flowers are still this beautiful this late in the season and she informed me that they replace them constantly with new flowers as the old ones die off. You can go by these gardens on any day and they always look this impeccable. Maybe I can bring their staff back with me to help in my flower gardens.
On my way back from getting my hair cut I passed this building. I walk this way frequently and it amazes me how I can walk by a building this large and not notice it before now. It's because there is so much fantastic architecture that you just can't possibly take it all in at once so it comes to me building by building. Everyday is like being in a new city. I'm pretty sure it is a school but I'll be doing my research to find out. Let you know soon.
Yesterday after walking with Meghan to school, Anne-Elizabeth and I ran some errands and then headed to Arradon, a village on the gulf. We had to be back by noon because the girls had a half day of school today. Each Wednesday they rotate between a half day or no school at all.
While walking along the gulf we stopped for this photo taken by a man on his bike from Belgium. He and Anne-Elisabeth chatted in French for awhile as I listened wondering what they were saying. I am so blessed to have met a good friend who speaks both English and French. She is helping me each day to learn a little more French but now if I can just remember the phrases the next day!
Right on the gulf sits a beautiful monastary and this chapel. If you were standing at the front door looking out you would be viewing the gulf. A friend of mine calls the monastery a "Club Med" for the monks with such beautiful surroundings and views.
Yesterday Dave and I traveled to Rennes, the capital of Brittany. We are required by the government of France to have a medical physical upon entering the country to work. We were driving up and down the street looking for ANAEM where we were to go for the exam.We passed this building because we were looking for something looking more like a medical building we might see at home. This was a very small office and it was very low key. The female doctor was wearing jeans and Converse All Stars. The exam included reading a vision chart, chest X-ray, sugar level test, blood pressure test and answering a few questions. Curious about why the chest X-ray versus other X-rays, the doctor informed me that they are checking for TB so it is not spread into the country. As you know we have been here over 2 months so ........ There were no gowns to put on and the doctor does not leave the room while undressing. In fact after the blood pressure test she went back to the desk and starting asking more questions while I sat there in the chair and got dressed. No privacy here!
Dave and I were able to have a nice leisurely lunch at an outdoor cafe and walk around downtown which has many historical buildings. I am not sure what this style is called but it looked very old to me.
As we were walking along the canal to take this picture, Dave noticed this man sketching. He seemed to be enjoying just sitting and drawing the boat in the foreground.
This was a new one to both of us! The parking space is actually locked. We were not sure how you get one of these spaces but I'm sure they go for a premium. If you click on the picture to enlarge it you can see the lock.
At the market I had picked up some corn on the cob. Someone told me they were suprised I found it at the local market. Well now I know why they were surprised. It tasted like field corn which is what they grow here. I guess they figure a few tourists who don't know any better will buy it. You can only fool me once! I guess we'll just have to wait until next summer for real Indiana corn on the cob.
As I mentioned earlier we walk about everywhere we can. On our way to the Shenks Saturday night to drop off Meghan, I was taken by the ivy on this house. Heidi said some of the ivy turns this color in the fall but this ivy is always this color. The home owners did a great job of coordinating the paint colors with the ivy.
Dave and I thought for the longest time that this was a hotel. Well the name of the building is Hotel de Ville so wouldn't you think so too? After traveling to other towns and seeing the same name we figured out it wasn't a hotel but the city administration building. We are always amazed at what we don't know! This photo was taken on Saturday night walking home from our date.
Yesterday at church we celebrated the new school year and all the children returning to church. This summer there were only about 25 people each Sunday but yesterday there were close to 70. The church is very small so the whole church was filled. It was great to see that there are kids Meghan's age; she won't have to sit by mom and dad now in church.
Two of the young teens at church are enjoying the treats everyone brought to share. They are eating Nutella chocolate and brioche bread. Dave likes to eat it right out of the jar and Meghan makes her crepes with Nutella. I prefer the real chocolate!
As we left church and stopping at one of the few bakeries (boulangerie) open on Sunday, we saw one of the employees taking this materpiece to the customer's car. I asked if I could take a picture and she seemed to enjoy showing off this beautiful pastry/cake. Bapteme is the French word for baptism or christening. As you can see, the French really know how to do their pastries with style.
After a quick lunch at home we headed east of Vannes to a rail trail that goes for 50k on a paved surface which is great for biking, walking or roller blading. Thanks to our friend Claire from church for recommending this trail. Dave was patient in riding slow and giving Meghan some pointers on shifting. She really seems to enjoy riding her new bike. Hoping she will still ride with us on the triple. We rode about 30k seeing cows, farm lands, sheep and deer. The farm smells brought back wonderful memories of my grandparent's farm in St. Nicholas.
These cows decided to pose for the camera! Each region of France is known for it's type of cow. Does anyone know what kind of cows these are? I'm just curious.
A night out a local restaurant recommended by Heid and Josh. Wow, the food was fantastic! I'll start with the dessert first (same name in French). We both just chose something off the menu but had no idea what we had ordered. Can't go wrong here! I had a puff pastry with vanilla ice cream drizzled with lots of chocolate. Dave had an ice cream dessert with a pastry on the top and bottom served over a lemon and passion fruit sauce. As I have said before, they REALLY know how to make great desserts.
This was our entree but what we would call our appetizer. The name escapes me but it was a flakey pastry with mussels and chives, and I'm not sure what else. It was served with a wonderful cream sauce. We both loved it! Dave and I have been much more adventurous in our selecting than we would be at home. Many times we are not real sure what we are ordering but have not been disappointed yet.
Next comes the main course (plat). Sorry, I didn't leave any for you to try. I ordered some poisson (fish) and it was tres bien! Don't you just love all the colors they use in presenting their dishes? Dave ordered a less obviously French dish, beef with potatoes and a baked tomatoe garnished with seasonings. Needless to say there were no leftovers. Speaking of leftovers, on vacation we had pizza at a restaurant and asked to have a container to take home the leftovers and we got a no for an answer along with a peculiar look on the waiter's face. We soon learned you don't get "doggy bags" here. It may be because the servings tend to be much smaller and you can expect your meal to be two hours long because of the time between the courses, allowing plenty of time to finish your meal.
Now the real reason we were able to have a date night. Our new American friends from Batesville, the Shenks, invited Meghan over for an "American Night"! They enjoyed pepperoni pizza from Domino's, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, pop-corn, and American movies. Meghan was sooooo excited to be able to just hear and speak only English after an entire week of sitting in classes spoken in French (except English class).
