A Lovely Day Out

Dear Friends and Family, Not busy and a bit busy, that is life here in Puy L’Eveque. This morning we are actually down to one week here before making our way back to Lyon and on to Paris. Thursday was a kind of quiet day. Ann was out all day and the weather was cool. We did manage a drive back out to Libos where there is a very nice Marché that featured quite a number of clothing vendors. Polley was still looking to increase her inventory of warm clothes as the weather continues to cool here and will, doubtless, be cooler in Paris. Dressing for such different climates (Greece, Crete) and over such a period of time (August-October) proved to be a challenge. Consequently, we packed rather light, concentrating on warm weather gear, feeling that we could pick up some warmer clothing along the way; that is now the focus. So we had a lovely morning in Libos. Polley found a very nice black, wool sweater for 4 euro. She, of course, later discovered that every bargain has its price, because when she wore it that evening, it itched like crazy! She also found another bargain top, although this one required 10 euro. She also got some socks and we bargained for 12 emory boards! Anyway, it was a very nice morning and you do find that you must use your French in the marketplaces and it is good practice. We stopped at a little bistro/brasserie for some wine and I took a photo of this this quirky little fountain, with the figures seemingly ducking to avoid the water.

On our way back home, at Ann’s recommendation, we stopped at this amazing chocolate shop. Very fancy concoctions, along with this chocolate sculpture.

I apparently had underestimated the erotic power of chocolate. We picked up a couple delicacies and retired for lunch and, of course, siesta That evening we retired to our little wine bar to watch the sun set on the River Lot.

Following the wine bar, we tried another Puy L’Eveque restraurant, Le Medievale. It is right on the main street (La Grande Rue). It was a very quiet evening inside. Only another man and Polley and I. The food was good, however. We had a nice salad and shared an entrée of a moroue (a kind of very tender cod) that was swimming in olive oil, along with a side of ratatouille. Very satisfying and not huge portions. We returned home to find the cats making the most of our home

Friday was a day for an outing with Ann. About 9:30 in the morning we headed for the Dordogne region which is just north of Ann. We stopped and had a coffee in a lovely little village and as we drove passed chateau after chateau

before heading to the former home (Chateau de Milandes) of famous chantreuse, Josephine Baker. While I knew the name of Ms. Baker, I didn’t know very much about her. She was born in St. Louis in 1906, but achieved her stardom in France, eventually being a headliner at the Folies de Bergère. She performed for more than 50 years, dying in virtual poverty in 1975, while doing a 50th anniversary tour. It is quite a place.

While the chateau is now privately owned, they have brought back as many souvenirs of the performer as possible. The place was filled with show posters, private correspondences, costumes and other personal belongings that traced to history of this famous performer. Unfortunately, no photographs were allowed, but as we walked through the private quarters, there were recordings of her as a singer and in private interviews. It is a fascinating showplace.

The chateau, as you might expect, sits on beautiful grounds

From which you can see the whole Dordogne valley

And there is a private chapel that is yet to be restored.

It also has a very good café. As the day was beautiful, Ann, Polley and I had a delicious lunch in the gardens

And, of course, no trip to such a place would be complete without browsing the gift shop. With the sun shining I managed to capture Ann and Polley coming out without having spent a euro!

It was a lovely morning and early afternoon.

But it was not the end of the day and I will continue more tomorrow.