I can hardly stand it! We are staying in the renovated and professionally and charmingly decorated 300-year old farmhouse which old walking friends run as a Chambre d’hôte in the Loire departement of France.
Almost 25 years ago, we met these women when they invited us to visit, with our children, after they saw our entry in an Intervac catalogue. We made a house exchange with a family in Blois that year and while there, we did, indeed, come to St. Galmier to meet J et E. Our daughter posed for a picture in this very spot. . .
And we would have looked out of this very window
The following year, Paul and I returned without the children, and we walked a Grande Randonnée through the Auvergne with J et E, about 170 kilometres over a week, staying in tiny hotels each night, sore and weary, but always happy in the company and the vistas and the food and the culture.
We corresponded for a year or two after that, but then we lost touch. Then, on a whim a few months ago, I googled them. And now we’re back again, staying in this room
Eating around a grand table, speaking French with the other guests, and then going for walks through scenes like this . . .
And this
And this
Until we find pretty villages like this
Life is tough, bien sûr . . ,
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Are you sketching there? My first French experience was in the Auvergne at Montaigut-le-blanc near Issoire. I was single and met a widowed lady who was my travelling partner for many years. I was there in the summer of 1987 with Paul and Babette Deggan who were running art classes and French classes in their restored home in Montaigut. Mary and I walked those hills and visited tiny villages until I literally wore out my shoes and had to borrow a pair as there were no stores in our village. You look so young right now. The trip, in spite of it all, is doing you good. I, too
have seen those sights (sites) before. Our experiences are so similar, it's peculiar! I am enjoying your trip.
I havec done. A bit of sketching, trying not to be frustrated by my limitations. The plain air class is not till the beginning of the month. So glad you have also been able to experience the Auvergne. So glad we got back her. It's very special, isn't it?!
Ah, can I be jealous? Lovely.
I can feel the air! What a pleasure to reuite with old friends in this glorious setting.
Oh, it looks incroyable! Enjoy, enjoy.
It looks wonderful and how nice to meet up again with old friends.
Lilibet
Oh, man, that is awesome. I want to go to there.
What a lovely story – inside and out!
Thanks, all. Glad you enjoy the pics and sorry if I made you too envious . . . 😉 it is really wonderful here, sounds and smells and breezes adding to the visual I try to convey here. . So happy!
Beautiful, beautiful! You look happy and rested, and I am glad for you.
Gorgeous. I love the charming little towns!! I'm glad you're having such a wonderful time.
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I'm glad you are having a wonderful time Mater. That expression on your face in the first photo is totally adorable.