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Published: July 23rd 2013
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On Saturday we headed into Nimes to meet up with some friends who had graciously flown all the way to France from London to see us. I was so excited and it was so good to see some friends we hadn't seen since any of us children. Their boys were 7 and 9 and immediately all 3 boys were off playing and chatting about the complexities of starwars and Harry potter... so very cute 😊
We headed to the Arena to look at the amazing colosseum style structure that is still standing but it is in such good condition they are using it for the music festival. My inlaws saw Johnny Holliday there last week and Greenday played there wednesday night, so unfortunately we weren't allowed to go inside. We then headed to the main temple where again stages were being set up also for the fete les national (Bastille day) that would occur the next day. We enjoyed some coffees with our friends while the boys played around the ruins, then decided to head up the hill to the les jardins fountains were there were lowered water gardens and a tower with a great view of Nimes.
In
nimes we also went into the markets that had amazingly fresh food. It was great to buy fresh bread and have jambon cut up and we had fresh baguettes and fruit on the lawn overlooking the city. They had about 10 different styles of olives in one style but not just pickled or stuffed with something as we'd have in Oz, they were different types. Even the kids loved one of the green salty ones. One thing worth mentioning about Provence is the amazing flowers. There are fields full of lavender or sunflowers and the whole place smells lovely even ifdamn hot!
Back in Rochefort we were very lucky to be involved in two local events. On Friday night the village held a provencial dinner where at different locations around the village they had local food and wine, then everyone would walk to the next location for the next course. We initially had cold mussels in a white cream sauce with rose or blanc at the top of the hill near the church. We walked down to the main fountain for mains of duck kebabs and roast potatoes and Sauvignon. Then we had a cheese course and desserts, all
followed by guitarists and salsa dancing near the main hall. The kids had a fabulous time and it is amazing how they could play chasey or dance without speaking the same language as other kids.
On the Saturday night our inlaws held a street party. The road in front of their house was roped off and trestle tables were set up and everyone bought a dish. mmmmm some of the home made food was delish - no idea what they were but there were some small scones that seemed to be full of cheese and ham, some pizza looking dishes that were crossed with a pie of some sort that were full of anchovies or something fishie, and amazingly yummy cheesecake pie things 😊
Well that was it for our trip to Avignon of just over a week. It was really great for the kids to see the village and interact with the locals and i think better than if we went to Paris and dragged them around tourist sites. Each day we would wander around the village, up to the church or down to the patisserie, through the streets to the supermarket and we even found a
pub. I stalked the creperie but unfortunatly didnt manage to ever find it open!?! The kids can say about 5 words in french each and i can passibly order something in a shop, read signs and managed to talk to quite a few locals at each of the parties. The Little Man knows alot now about castles and the Pope, and has been running at 150% excitement the entire trip. Onwards to Thailand now for possibly the complete opposite of Rocheford-du-Guard. Adieux!
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littlewing
Cindy
Dancing in the streets
How wonderful - wine, sun, children laughing :) Enjoy