Phasing Out: On the Road Again

Dear Friends and Family, It is moving day. Around noon we will hopefully manage the traffic and find our route out of Lyon, headed sort of southwest for the town of Mende, where we will spend the night, on our way to visit a friend in just outside of Montpellier on Saturday. Friday was a nice day. There was a bit of drizzle in the morning as I took a walk along the river. However, by 10 am it had brightened up considerably, so we headed off to another museum. This time we were going to the Muesés des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs (The Museum of Fabrics and Decorative Arts). This obviously a venue for Polley, but went along with barely a wimper. I had been, of course, looking forward to the Museum of Rockets, Rifles and Grenade Launchers, but I acquiesced! A quick metro ride and a few minutes orienting ourselves when we come up out of the hole in the ground and we found the place. It was situated in a very attractive neighborhood with a lots of boutiques and bistros. A part of town we might look to stay in the next time we visit Lyon. The city has so much to offer, and we have barely scratched the surface. Upon entering the museum, we were told that the Decroative Arts museum closed between 12 and 1, while the Fabric Museum was open all day. So, we started in the decorative arts museum and it soon became clear why they closed for an hour: there were docents on every floor. In the fabric museum, everything was behind glass and you could explore unobserved. The decorative arts museum was interesting, although I must confess, that if have previously visited as many chateaux, and English country houses as we have over the years, you do feel a bit like you have seen it all. When you entered you were greeted by this wonderful French version of rick-shaw

I was also taken by this 17th/18th century sedan chair

I was also taken with this basic or fountain

In addition to furniture, there was a good deal of pottery, plates, and serving pieces. Also quite a collection of silver, including some very contemporary designs

It was, in fact, just after viewing this silver, that a docent informed me that there was no photography! So that sort of ended my sharing the tour with you. We did proceed on the Fabric Museum, but whether they allowed photography or no made little difference, as the lighting was so low, to protect the delicate fabrics, that it was out of the question. I am sorry that I am unable to share this museum with you. There was clothing, rugs, religious garments and other items made from material from all over the world. And the fact that some went back more than a 1000 years and were still with us was incredible. Well worth the trip. AS we came out of the museums, the sky had continued to brighten, so we stopped at one of the little bistros for a glass of wine. On our way home for lunch, we picked up one of the little Croque Monsieur sandwiches which I so love. We just micro-waved it and while not your typical Croque Monsieur (we had bought it from a kind of Middle Eastern bakery) as it was sweeter than what we have experienced previously. Still, we managed to choke it down! After a good nap (we have climbed many stairs in the last couple of day – including the ones in our fourth floor walk up: 76 to be exact), we read and then went to dinner at this little café about a block and a half away. We have gotten to be friendly Maria. Her French is very clear (which is funny, as she informed us last night that she is actually Italian and was born in Sicily) and she continues to help me with mine. We had a delicious dinner of chicken in a tarragon sauce with some of the most sinful noodles I have ever eaten. I have heard of butter noodles, but these were BUTTER noodles. Fantastique! We went the whole hog, with dessert as well. She offered us what was called “Assiette Gourmande.” It was three little disserts: a cup of a kind of butterscotch mousse, a berry and cream cup, and a piece of a dark chocolate and marshmellow cake. Maria gave us a little gift of lemoncello, and we finished off with coffee. As we left, she hugged us both, we exchanged e-mails as she is planning a trip to the West Coast of the US next year. She and her waiter, David, were delightful.

. Again, traveling is about the people and even in just four days, we were able to connect. That is what it is all about. Lastly, I have been promising you views of the “Mouse Hole.” 15 x 20: The bath