Our last days in France

August 16

Sunday is market day, so we head straight out the door and around the nearest corner into the open market…husband and I can’t resist a market.  And with Eric we buy ingredients for Sunday lunch (because it’s France and we eat lunch!). 

After another wonderful lunch complete with wine from our winery visit the day before, we again take a rest – it’s Sunday and everything is closed.

In the late afternoon, husband joins Alain in his cave-like workshop in the lower part of the building.  Alain has been building Adirondack chairs based on husband’s own hand-built versions on our deck.  There was an impressive hammer that was just a bit too tempting after almost 4 weeks of traveling together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving the others to their woodworking project, Eric and I went for a long walk along the river Isere and just as the sun was setting, I got some photos of the bridge in the waning light.

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August 17

We take off for the day to visit the area around the Rhone Valley.  Based on Eric and Alain’s recommendation we visit The Tour de Crest, the highest medieval keeps in France.  The hot climb up inside was worth it for these views.

 

Then we found Mirmande – a “plus beau village of France”.  (This list of villages in France is on my bucket list — complete listing HERE).

What is it about ancient stone villages?  Husband and I are just drawn to them. Here’s Mirmande and oui, c’est tres beau, n’est pas?

We got back to Romans in time to take Eric and Alain out to dinner as a small thank you for their hospitality.

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August 18

We depart Romans sur l’Isere and say goodbye for now to Eric and Alain.  They may come back to San Francisco some day, so we hope to see them again.  We head slowly back to Lyon, taking the backroads and enjoying the drive.  Sunflowers fields just gone past their bloom and ready for seed harvesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We visit the Abbey of St. Antoine near Valence and as we sat inside the cool Abbey, we were treated to a pipe organ practice which reverberated through our bones.

And, finally a late lunch at an outdoor cafe – it’s France – we eat lunch.

 

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From here on we were in transit, back to Geneva by train and then we flew home early the next morning.

We’re back home now, dealing with laundry, a bit of jet lag and emails.

But we’re left with that weary but happy feeling of having had a great adventure, but glad to be home the land of good showers, ice and your very own bed.

Thanks everyone for reading along.  Now it’s back to books!