Blogs from Burgundy, France, Europe - page 29

Holidays are here again and it’s France this time. We had booked a rather strange one – 1 week in a chalet in Annecy and the other week would be spent in Brittany visiting friends who ran a bed and breakfast just outside Dinan. Our half way stop along the way was going to be Beaune a beautiful Burgundian town with the famous Hotel Dieu and the multi coloured roofs of red, brown, yellow and green. Our journey was uneventful as the car swallowed up the French motorway miles. Just like the M6 when it was first opened. We arrived later in the afternoon and were staying in a Campanile just outside of the town. By the time we arrived the visitors had thinned out and we found a peaceful oasis of calm. How can you ... read more

So from Dec 24th till the day I flew back to Belfast, Jan 4th. I was to attempt to understand the french of everyday people. After chirstmas eve dinner and christmas day lunch, which lasted five hours, my head was realing from the amount I understood and didn't understand. We ate soo much food. But I was assured this was soely because it was the holiday's. I am sure its the same the world over. Each course lasted about an hour each. The conversation always winning over the begining of the next course. Meals started with oysters, something I tried the first night and vow never to eat again. The experince also freed me of ever eating fish. Oysters is accompnaied by slivers of salmon, for the non oyster eaters. Seonc course was pate followed by ... read more

Quick note from Burgundy. Have just spent 2 days in this beautiful countryside: Our hotel looks out on the vineyards as does just about everything. Today we drive to Roanne to experience our special dinner at TROISGROS restaurant. More later... ... read more

Before heading east I went to Taizé in France. Here I lived at the local monastry with many other young people. If you like to know more, have a look at www.taize.fr, their website. I chose to vivist Taizé for a week to calm down a bit after the busy time at the end of my studies. To get to Taizé I hitchhiked from Heidelberg. The most difficult part was the walk from Heidelbergs nearest bus stop "Heidelberg Bruchhäuser Hof" to the roadhouse. Afterwards all went really well. I had loots of fun, especially in France the people were very helpful. I got a ride from four oboe musicans in their glaring red bus... In Taizé I was welcomed warmly, and introduced to the daily live at the monastry. At the time I was visiting about ... read more

We had forgotten how delightful all the different types of Rose wines are in France, we have invested heavily in stocks of Rose, but it seems like most of our investments in wine over the years it isn’t paying off as they seem to lose their value very quickly, however we are doing wonders for the glass recycling industry.Considering the current name of the boat(lo Rose, we are still waiting for the new registration) it seems apt that we are enjoying them so much.( nothing more than 3 euros a bottle yet) We have had a 3 day fete in Briennon, not sure what it was all about but our sleepy little village had thousands of people , great live music from various types of bands, running races, cycling races, fishing competitions, a menage de jambon ... read more