Seafood has never really been my thing, it sounds slimy and so I've basically just avoided it. However, I have decided to try and branch out and to try some new things so where better to start than Cancale, with a bowl of mussels (moule au chorizo). We had a freak boiling hot day last week, were at the coast, and I was feeling brave. They were actually very nice, not quite what I was expecting. But here's to the beginning of my seafood trying life...woo hoo.
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| Moule au Chorizo et frites |
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| Cancale |
The decorating is now complete...well, our portion of it anyway. We completed another 2 rooms this week, wallpaper stripping both, and painting one. The small room is to become an en suite in the near future. The bedrooms in the gite (holiday house) have all had a freshen up during our stay. The house is currently a B&B although the Beverley's are hoping to sell it soon and move back to the UK. Hopefully our efforts will help them to get a swift sale! This is where we have been working/living the past 6 weeks - www.domainelesloges.com
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| Small room before |
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| Small room after |
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| Large room mid-stripping |
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| Me doing some painting |
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| Large room after we painted it |
We thought it would be rude if we didn't sample some Calvados (apple brandy) whilst in Normandy where they make it, so on our last day in Normandy we went in search of some. We found a small producer about 20 minutes away. It was a small farm, where we were met by the owner when we arrived. She showed us in to the tasting room and promptly whipped us up some Pear and Apple Cider, Pommeau and Calvados tasters. The ciders were nice, the Calvados was a little too strong for my liking. Anyhow, she then just stared at us, so we figured that was our que to make a purchase...luckily for us the cider's were €3 a bottle, so we got a couple of those. At least we can check that off our list now...!
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| Local apple and pear cider - our €3 purchases |
Jon cooked us another lovely 4 course dinner on our final night at La Plissonnais and we said our farewells. We have enjoyed our time in Normandy and are now looking forward to some new adventures down South.
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| The Beverleys - Christine, Jon, Peter and Henry (the dog) with Alex too |
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| Henry after a hard day |
On Saturday we got up early and set off South. It was an 8 hour drive, which we did via the Loire Valley, an area located along the Loire River in central France, scattered with vineyards and Chateaus. We stopped in Saumur for lunch and then continued. The Chateaus are all very impressive, this was our view during our picnic.
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| Saumur Chateau |
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| Migrating birds we saw on our road trip across the Loire Valley |
We arrived at our destination in Burgundy in the evening. We are here for a week, cat and house sitting for Glenis and Ron. The house is in a small village, close to a town called Cluny. It is very cute, and has a different landscape to that where we have been in Normandy. The fields of corn have been swapped for vineyards, and the splodgy cows have changed to white fluffy ones.
We had a lovely meal with Glenis and Ron, another 4 courser (the French traditionally have a cheese course between the main meal and dessert) and got acquainted with the cats, Pepper and Spice.
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| Our new home in Burgundy |
We have now been here a couple of days, and explored a couple of local towns, Cluny and Macon. Cluny is a nice little place, surrounded by lots of small villages, one of which is where we are staying for the week.
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| Autumn has arrived in Burgundy |
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| Cluny |
Macon is a larger town, where we also enjoyed a little walk around. We have a week here before we head South again to our next destination, La Chambre. Although quite cold, the weather here has been amazing so far. Lots more exploring to be done whilst we are here.
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| Macon |
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| Macon |
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