The Lot
Written by: adekun on 16 June, 2007 12:14 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »
Under the shadow of unsettled weather, we began our week in the Lot. After a day in and around St Cirq Lapopie, we travelled to the adjoining department to visit the medieval village of Conques. The road meandered along the Lot River, brimming and murky from the recent downpours. Passing a weir further upstream, the sediments flowed along the furthest bank fed by a tributary.
Although a point of contention, I insisted that I wanted to visit Rocamadour when there was little cloud. Perhaps due to providence, the opportunity arose.
Later in the week we toured a Cahors AOC winery, followed by a candlelit dinner for four plus a baby. A tremendous storm passed over knocking out the power for a few hours. Having already closed the windows previously, I returned to fasten the shutters. It was like opening a pressure door on a flooded compartment. Aside from getting really soaked, the force of the wind was so intense it was a job to shut the windows. A couple of rainbows soon appeared.
Yesterday, we returned late to my parent’s cottage and another power cut.
Off Down The Lot
Written by: adekun on 9 June, 2007 12:14 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »
We are about to leave to go south to the Lot region. Yesterday remained cloudy, but it did warm up considerably. The cows wandered up the adjoining field to seek shelter under the trees.
Although there will be another short hiatus, I received an update from Miho this morning. The rainy season has reached the island of Kyushu, having travelled north from Okinawa. I imagine this to take another week or two to reach the plot. The main reason for the message was to mention that the garlic and the rest of the onions had harvested!
On Wine
Written by: adekun on 5 June, 2007 7:20 am - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
As a postponed birthday cum welcoming gift, my parents bought me a 2004 Fitou Seigneurie d’Arse. What a lovely sentiment. I’m no Master of Wine, but this burly brew made a fine wine to wash away the drabness of the bleak afternoon.
Today I opened a more quaffable Morgon, which has done little to break the clouds. Cheese always gets mentioned as the ideal accessory. Yet I lack the audacity to immerse myself in the national cheeses. A couple of slabs of Cheddar wouldn’t go amiss.
Busman’s Holiday
Written by: adekun on 2 June, 2007 12:25 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
In exchange for a few days work, my parents arranged a week’s stay at a Gîte in the nearby Vendée. Since the husband was recovering from a hernia operation, our hosts needed a little help preparing the grounds prior to the summer holiday rush.
It is boasted that the area enjoys the greatest number of sunshine hours along the Atlantic coast due to it’s own unique climate. Predictably, it rained most of the week. Along with another couple, my father and myself started the morning after we arrived. Grass cutting and painting a wall were off the menu. At least I did get to dig a footing. Most of the time was spent lifting a patio set upon a wash pit or something. Below is a more traditional lavage beside one of the walks we took - one of the many vegetables gardens directly behind.
On our final day, the weather had improved as we drove off to La Rochelle and onto Royan for a curry.
Du Pain Gros
Written by: adekun on 25 May, 2007 11:04 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
My mother usually buys this large loaf to cut up for toast, as the smaller ones tend to be too sweet. At €2 a piece it makes those back in Japan seem like an excessive treat. We are all off west for a week on what might turn out to be a busman’s holiday.
Nous Sommes Arrivés
Written by: adekun on 20 May, 2007 11:42 am - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
We have been in France a couple of days, following our week in England. The weather at the moment isn’t much of an improvement, but I am relieved to see it’s much the same back in Japan. Earlier today, I received an email from my sister-in-law with a few photos of the garden, which is already beginning to bear fruit (and veg).
Our long haul trip over was relaxed and was helped a great deal with a baby bassinet. When Kento wasn’t sleeping, he was waving at everybody queuing for the toilet – which was for most of the flight.
And We’re Off
Written by: adekun on 5 May, 2007 11:33 am - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
Tomorrow we begin our trip back to Europe - at least to a hotel near to the airport. I shall be without an internet connection for the first couple of weeks (and a garden for a couple of months). Hopefully be able to resume posting after that, so stay tuned.
Everybody here as been very generous in donating clothes, their own kiddies have outgrown. Here Kento is sitting astride his latest gift. I hope the new waste regulations bring about even more Reuse and Recycling.
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