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| Richard and Barb in Auray |
The month of May has already been a very busy, fun month for us! After having LaChelle recuperate for several days, Jilly and Rod were kind enough to let LaChelle stay in their gite while we went to Paris. Thanks also to Rob and Claire who also showed her some more of our area. She made a good recovery after her surgery in Germany.
We went to Nantes to pick up old friends from Denver, Barb and Richard. We had a wonderful time visiting Rochefort en Terre, Vannes old town, Auray and Carnac. We spent one night in Kerdruc and then we were off again to Paris to take Barb and Richard back to catch a plane to the US. We drove through Normandy and wanted to stop in Honfleur, but there were so many tourists that there was no parking! So, a quick drive around town and then off to Paris. Thanks to Richard and Barb for taking the RER into Paris from the outskirts so we didn't have to risk everyone's lives by car....and they spent the night there.
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| Richard and Barb in Rochefort en Terre |
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| Lavoir (laundry) in Vannes |
Next morning we met Anne at the train station in St. Germaine en Laye for a trip to Giverny (Anne's first visit there). Beautiful flowers and very crowded!
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| Anne at Giverny |
After a few snacks at Anne's studio in Boulogne Billancourt, we checked into our hotel in Issy-les-Moulineaux where we visited the Marmotton Monet Gallery which had a special exhibit of privately owned Impressionist paintings from all over the world - outstanding! (we bought our tickets online which saved us some time in line!). Then we had dinner at Anne's house with Anne's daughter, Sophie and her two grandchildren Klervy and Aurianne. We had a great time sharing lots of small things we had bought for them! The next day, we visited the pretty Albert Kahn garden.
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| Albert Kahn Garden |
After enjoying only the outskirts of Paris by car, we picked Jane up from the RER station near our hotel (thank you Jane) and we headed for Kerdruc. The entire time that LaChelle and Jane were in Kerdruc turned out to be the best weather we have had this Spring. We went to several beaches, shopped, and had a great time just relaxing and enjoying the wine and food of France! Jane and LaChelle were also able to go to our Conversation Group in Moelan sur mer and met some wonderful French and English friends.
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| Our house (center) from the boat ride |
We even got to finally take the Vendettes boat ride down the Aven River for the first time with our two visitors!
Then we were off to the Loire Valley to see some of the minor chateau which we had never seen. Still wonderful weather! After taking LaChelle to the train in Chateauroux, we spent the night and took Jane to her train in Bourges where we finally visited the cathedral there before heading to a town near Angers to spend the night. We did some detours to see some very pretty towns and some smaller chateau. Then the next day, we drove to Kerdruc...glad to be home! Tired!
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| Cheverny Chateau (beautiful sky) |
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| Valençay Chateau with our golf cart! |
Now we have no plans for another 3 weeks when we meet Calla in Copenhagen for 2 weeks of Scandinavian adventures!!!!!!!
Wow! I have to get a map of France to follow all that. What a month for you two. I was in Paris for a workshop - in La Defense, to be precise. What an interesting area! It's not like "Paris" at all. Creative architecture, and lots of interesting statues. One of a man with a first generation cell phone carrying a satchel with a coat draped over it, emerging from an arch, was my favorite one.
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