The last time we were here was 2018, but on one of our other visits here, Peter and Janet, Johanna and Sean, showed up and we stayed here for a week or so. What everyone remembers from that visit were that church bells that rang every hour. Yes, through the night.
The village is a 90 minute train ride from Montpellier where we are half way through two weeks of French classes. It was something we've been wanting to do for a couple of years, and we finally jumped in. After one week, even after one day, we knew it was the right choice. A lot of fun, and we might even be getting better in French.
We spent a couple of days in Paris before coming south in order to acclimatize. We stayed on the left bank, steps away from Notre Dame. I had been reading A Moveable Feast by Hemingway and underlining the names of the streets he mentioned. So on our first day, we found Gertrude Stein's house and his bar, too fancy for us but we had a cafe across the street and retraced his steps back to the Seine and the famous bookstore. Sunday morning we went to church at Notre Dame, quite beautiful inside, like there had never been a fire. We then hopped on the TGV for Montpellier.
Everywhere we've gone, everyone we meet, they all want to talk about the political situation in the US. A lot of head shaking, and that's not even us. They just can't believe their partner is cutting the ties that made both regions so prosperous and safe for so many years.
The weather is warmer here but not by much. Mary grabbed her winter coat as we headed out the door in Pittsfield, and she wears it every day. I spent an hour chopping wood for Lawraine as she had run out just like I have back home.
We've found a pool, went on a hike, did a walking tour around the town and hit the Monoprix every day. I missed class one day as I came down with a bad cold. All better now and luckily Mary did not get sick. Did someone say the French make good wine? Yes, we have done one formal wine tasting and a few informal ones.
What's up back home? We saw Erin had a birthday, and it sure looked like a happy one. David's got one in a few days and then it's Simon's turn. Timmy's back in Pittsfield taking care of the kitty and watching the house. Merci.
We've enjoyed seeing photos of Simon trying a violin, Thomas and John and Luisa doing yoga. We're expecting smooth, continued recoveries for Marilyn and Lur.
Two more days, besides David's birthday, is the first day of spring. We made it. Flowers and gardens and winter cleanup await us. Something to look forward to.
Until then, prenez vos soins et adieu
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