CYCLING, EATING, LAUGHING AND MAKING MEMORIES

Monday with temperatures in the low 50's, it turned out to be another great Monday morning to ride. Luckily we have only had to cancel once due to bad weather in 7 months. My wonderful bicycling friends hosted a lunch for me since our time in France is soon coming to an end. Wow, the French know how to host a great lunch including appetizers, two salads, a pork dish, cheese and three desserts. Of course I had to enjoy all three! Needless to say, I was not hungry for dinner.

Catherine, our gracious host, used red as her theme color which is one of my favorites. It was interesting to learn the French refer to weak coffe as American coffee or sock coffee. Does our coffee taste like socks? Not sure since I am not a coffee drinker.
Several of these women has been cycling in the group for over 20 years. Hope I am still cycling in 20 years when I am 70 something!During the past seven months of cycling with the group I have taken many pictures of our group rides. One day I even lost the group because they did not know I stopped to take a photo. Luckily I was close to the end and knew my way back.

Most of Sunday afternoon and evening was spent compiling 70 plus pictures of memories into an album to give to my cycling group as a present at the luncheon. Thanks to Dave and Meghan for their help in this big endeavor!

As I presented the gift to my friends at the luncheon, I broke down in tears. I have a feeling this is just a start of the tears that will be shed as we get ready to leave.

One of our stops along the two hour ride included a visit to this 5th century chapel.

The countryside was just picture perfect reminding me of the hills of southern Indiana or Oldenburg.

Stopping for a rest after climbing serveral hills. It was one of the most challenging rides we have had all year. Glad we were able to burn off a few calories before consuming all three desserts!

Just some friendly conversations in French and English going on here.

You know it's impossible for me to ride and not stop to smell the roses. Spring really is arriving here, a little more each day. Our family will be able to see the arrival of two springs, one in France and one in the U.S. later this month.

A typical old Brittany stone home with the common blue shutter. Not sure, but I think this is a forsythia bush.

If you want to know what it is like to be together with 11 French speaking women, click on the video. Several American ex-pats have been part of the cycling group while in France and they refer to each one by whether they spoke French or not. I laughingly told them I already knew which category I would be labeled.

PSALM 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.