(#6) On the road in France
What to say, what to write about, where do I start?
I suppose in an over arching perspective I must say that all of the French cities we experienced were in a massive upheaval, specifically work on the tram systems. I suppose this was infrastructure support to bolster the economy. Now when we have road work back home, we experience a few blocks of disruption, the exception being the sky train construction, but we can still get from point A to point B without diversions through streets that two donkeys would have problems negotiating while passing in opposite directions. As well the distance felt like it was at least 10 Km. The other point is the type of reception you receive when entering a new spot, restaurant or brasserie what ever. Do we have the plague, are we royalty, did I not shower? As many people who were more than helpful, as I hope to think we would be back home, the number of times we felt like something being scraped of the hoof of an ungulate, which I doubt ever happens, going one cow pie to another, was indeterminable. Enough of the frustrating moments and they were just moments yet rush to the forefront when you are asked where were you, what happened etc etc.
On the brighter side of life, how about the Madame in Lyon who went to such extremes to make our stay the best she could. Such a bring us a bottle of wine and then changing it after opening it because it was red and we wanted white. Unfortunately the white was not the best, even at the price paid, but it was cold. The next day at we decided not to sightsee but get a pedicure. Let's just say if there was a branch available I would be able to sink my toe nails in and Hurricane Katrina would not have budged me. No luck, either closed or booked solid until next week. So then we got provisions in for a picnic, not that easy to do in France in late August, since it seemed everyplace we stopped was closed for holidays and went back to the motel/hotel sat in the courtyard and we provided with an ice bucket and glasses for the wine we bought elsewhere. In this exchange Pave' thought she was asking for ice and was offered a wide array of ice cream, oh how accents can be confusing. That night we listed out 4 different restaurants to try and were met with "On Vacation" signs. Pulling into a parking lot totally frustrated and hangry what do we spy upon but the all encompassing Chinese restaurant. It was a buffet but then we deciphered the menu and got a fondue for the same price. An ok send off for our road trip through the French countryside.
Museum in Lyon, never went in because we were trying to find a pedicure
The next stop was somewhere in the 'high Loire' valley where we had 'petit dejeuner' served to our accommodation which overlooked rolling hills and to the right ancient ruins up the hill from us. When we inquired about a place for dinner explaning we were not interested in the restaurant very close because we had lunch there, she called around until she found a place open, made a 'rendezvous' and gave us instructions to find the spot about 20 km away. Now that's hospitality. The following day we had the type of day we look forward to when we travel. Heading out for a spot about an hour away looking for a church with beautiful frescoes, then on the way back came across LaFayette's birthplace and then it was his home after helping George Washington rout the British from Trump Land. Did you know the majority of the leaders of the American Revolution were Masons? Odd since the Masons began in Britain. That evening we came across an open hotel restaurant while going through another list of closed locations and decided to strike while the iron is hot. It was a set menu which we worked our way through while the room went silent and the staff left us wondering if we were actually understood as no English was spoken. However at the end of the meal, phrase like "no Cheese or 'wine white came out from the staff without hesitation. About then we found out the reason for the set menu was because of concert happening in the church across the road. Dessert was served as the choir was tuning up, if you can call voices emanating from somewhere in the hotel sounding like sack of cats in a dryer.
Ruins above our place in Allegre
View from our window in Allegre
Panorama view at the ruins in Allegre
Night time shot of were we had a 'rendezvous' for dinner
The frescos
LaFayett's home
LaFayette's marriage bedroom, circular in design, I guess so no one could hide in the corners?
Stopping now, having problems.
I suppose in an over arching perspective I must say that all of the French cities we experienced were in a massive upheaval, specifically work on the tram systems. I suppose this was infrastructure support to bolster the economy. Now when we have road work back home, we experience a few blocks of disruption, the exception being the sky train construction, but we can still get from point A to point B without diversions through streets that two donkeys would have problems negotiating while passing in opposite directions. As well the distance felt like it was at least 10 Km. The other point is the type of reception you receive when entering a new spot, restaurant or brasserie what ever. Do we have the plague, are we royalty, did I not shower? As many people who were more than helpful, as I hope to think we would be back home, the number of times we felt like something being scraped of the hoof of an ungulate, which I doubt ever happens, going one cow pie to another, was indeterminable. Enough of the frustrating moments and they were just moments yet rush to the forefront when you are asked where were you, what happened etc etc.
On the brighter side of life, how about the Madame in Lyon who went to such extremes to make our stay the best she could. Such a bring us a bottle of wine and then changing it after opening it because it was red and we wanted white. Unfortunately the white was not the best, even at the price paid, but it was cold. The next day at we decided not to sightsee but get a pedicure. Let's just say if there was a branch available I would be able to sink my toe nails in and Hurricane Katrina would not have budged me. No luck, either closed or booked solid until next week. So then we got provisions in for a picnic, not that easy to do in France in late August, since it seemed everyplace we stopped was closed for holidays and went back to the motel/hotel sat in the courtyard and we provided with an ice bucket and glasses for the wine we bought elsewhere. In this exchange Pave' thought she was asking for ice and was offered a wide array of ice cream, oh how accents can be confusing. That night we listed out 4 different restaurants to try and were met with "On Vacation" signs. Pulling into a parking lot totally frustrated and hangry what do we spy upon but the all encompassing Chinese restaurant. It was a buffet but then we deciphered the menu and got a fondue for the same price. An ok send off for our road trip through the French countryside.
The next stop was somewhere in the 'high Loire' valley where we had 'petit dejeuner' served to our accommodation which overlooked rolling hills and to the right ancient ruins up the hill from us. When we inquired about a place for dinner explaning we were not interested in the restaurant very close because we had lunch there, she called around until she found a place open, made a 'rendezvous' and gave us instructions to find the spot about 20 km away. Now that's hospitality. The following day we had the type of day we look forward to when we travel. Heading out for a spot about an hour away looking for a church with beautiful frescoes, then on the way back came across LaFayette's birthplace and then it was his home after helping George Washington rout the British from Trump Land. Did you know the majority of the leaders of the American Revolution were Masons? Odd since the Masons began in Britain. That evening we came across an open hotel restaurant while going through another list of closed locations and decided to strike while the iron is hot. It was a set menu which we worked our way through while the room went silent and the staff left us wondering if we were actually understood as no English was spoken. However at the end of the meal, phrase like "no Cheese or 'wine white came out from the staff without hesitation. About then we found out the reason for the set menu was because of concert happening in the church across the road. Dessert was served as the choir was tuning up, if you can call voices emanating from somewhere in the hotel sounding like sack of cats in a dryer.
View from our window in Allegre
Panorama view at the ruins in Allegre
Night time shot of were we had a 'rendezvous' for dinner
The frescos
LaFayett's home
Stopping now, having problems.
This is awesome. Way to go and we Harry and I love looking at the pictures and seeing where you are and what you are doing. Parkinsons walk on September 8th and we plan to go. Have a pledge for but not pledges from anyone yet. Have to work on it this week. Anyways, take care.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun you two are having! Love your colourful descriptions, Arne - thanks for persevering with the technology and share your adventures!
ReplyDeleteArne, I love reading your posts. Your humour describing your excursions and the hospitality of the French are very refreshing. I am glad you are enjoying your trip.
ReplyDeleteSorry Arne, the above comment was from me, Betty Hum at Parkinson Society BC.
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