THE END OF THE LINE....

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012 - On the road bright and early this morning to get to Nohant, the home of George Sand, and spend the night there after a 4+ hour drive. Her home was delightful - for me - but I am familiar with her biography and the house plays such a big part in her life. We were given an English translation of the tour, which was totally in French and lasted over an hour. Unfortunately for Kevin, and me, much was lost in the translation. It was tiresome, and there are many improvements that could be made. I was forced (yeah, right...) to buy the book about the house which I read this afternoon and evening. I might have to write a letter...

We were staying in an auberge, a little hotel and very minimalist but perfect for what we needed that night. The owner recommended the restaurant down around the corner, which was the only game in town, and it was nice. We didn't expect much, but were pleasantly surprised. I had lamb chops and Pain Perdu (read 'French Toast") while Kevin had do-it-yourself steak tartare. Since he had always had it mixed for him, he wasn't all that impressed, and still says the best tartare he had was in Aix-en-Provence. We both enjoyed the pain perdu though.



FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 - Francoise had recommended that we go to Vaux le Vicomte, a chateau built outside of Paris by Louis XIV's minister of finance. A sad tale...although this man was wealthy in his own right and could afford to build this mansion, Louis was jealous and had him arrested. That makes a very long story short and to get more information, google Vaux le Vicomte chateau. It was stunning, with a good audio tour, which I highly recommend. There is much information about Fouquet's arrest and jail time. Kevin had to admit it was worth it. Now I can stop nagging, about this...a run for Paris and the last leg of our journey. I found out this morning that my 3G has run out, so I am not getting any more. It was a great deal for three months though - high 5s to SFR France.

We got to the hotel...here's where the story gets long...hotel Campanile at Roissey CDG airport. Stay away from it. We got there to find out the WiFi, which was the reason we booked the hotel, was out, and they didn't know when it would be back. So, I negotiated free underground parking, he gave us a king-sized bed. The room was a pod...no room for our big bags which were spending the weekend in the lockup. Then Kevin found there was no hot water. We let the front office know, who said it would be fixed. We then tore into Paris for a living social deal near Temple, called Bistrot du Temple. What a pleasant surprise! A quiet little restaurant off the main street, it had been open for two months. For entrees we had roasted escargot on endive mousse and chevre raviolis on a tomato purée. Main courses were a beautiful lamb saddle with ginger crust and venison stew. Desserts were a pineapple and mango tart with pina colada sorbet and a red plum cobbler. We were both very impressed with the whole meal - my lamb was the best on the trip - and we will do Trip Advisor for him when we get home. Back home on the train to the hotel. We were beat...guess what - no hot water. And still no WiFi.



SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012 - After returning the car with 9,000 km and a dent in the rear bumper, a big day out shopping and dinner at our favorite restaurant, l'Ebauchoire. But first, showers...Kevin sent the pit bull (me...) down to deal with them, after the plastic spoon had melted in my hot instant coffee. After about 1/2 hour we finally had hot water, so we were on the road to Marche au Puces to find a ceramic chicken. We also did a little last-minute shopping. It's amazing how many last minutes there are! Lunch was a baguette at our favorite food stall in the Marche and then walking ALL AROUND to make sure we didn't miss anything. Our feet were beat, so we headed to les Halles to catch a movie and kill some time before dinner.

We were sad that we would not be able to make lunch to our favorite restaurant but had dinner reservations for tonight - very fitting as our last supper in France. Kevin had a lovely salmon carpaccio on a guacamole base, topped with arugula, and I had a potato pancake with tomato relish. I had been having such good luck with lamb so kevin decided to have a go, while I ordered some veal thing which, when I asked what it was, the waitress avoided the answer. Turned out it was kidneys, which I IMMEDIATELY turned over to Kevin. He said they were a little bland. The lamb was nice, but not as good as the night before. But the best came last - the wonderful rice pudding with caramel on the bottom. They brought us a full terrine, all you can eat. Well, we managed to get through half. We decided that the restaurant is best at lunch, and will leave it at that, though we still love the place.

Did I mention we found a rooster, and have to figure out how to get it home.



SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012 - the saga at the hotel hasn't finished, but I won't bore you. Again, we have repacked, and culled a bunch of bottles, pamphlets, jars etc. We are good to go...home...it's been a wonderful trip but I look forward to not living out of a suitcase. Hope you all enjoyed my 25th Anniversary blog!

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Photos

Nohant
The home of George Sand the writer, and renaissance woman. It had been lived in by family until donated to the state in 1968 by her grand-daughter

George Sand's Grave
In the private cemetery in Nohant

Vaux le Vicomte
Small but nice. It was the chateau that Versailles was based on.

Chevre Raviolis
...on a tomato puree. I am going to really miss all the wonderful food...

Salmon carpaccio
Served on a bed of mashed avocado, topped with red currants and arugula. A lovely combination that should be easy to put together.

Rice pudding
All you could eat - we made it through a little over half. I would have loved a doggy-bag!

Our new rooster
Getting it home was pretty easy. He now has pride of place on our sideboard.

Dessert Buffet
The hightlight of staying at the Paris hotel, but we had to work hard for it

Our little Peugeot Partner
We were sad to turn it in, and are still trying to figure out how we got the dent.

Comments

[Home and Away]

What an amazing culinary excursion...
so how much weight did you each gain if I may be so bold to ask? On our recent 38 day vacation (including 18 day cruise) to the South Pacific, Sydney and NZ I old gained 4 pounds and have since lost it and a few more.

[powerquilter]

Weight gain?
Actually it wasn't too bad, about 1.5 or 2 kg. The big advantage was all the walking we did. I actually lost most of it when I got back, then went to the US for a month, the land of fun foods, and sat on my butt while eating triscuits and spray-on cheese, ne of my favorites. I am still suffering, and am back on a diet so I can go on another trip soon! Watch this space!!!