Our Chambre d’hôtel within a beautiful courtyard was just what we wanted as we were entertained by Lulu the poodle who performed a few steps for us on his back paws, as we searched deep for our few French words so we could chat a little with Collette.
Dinner at the ‘dancing dog’ with the farmer and his wife was fun and informative. Jean Baptiste spoke English so it was a chance to educate ourselves a little more on the local scene. In a photo I posted below you will see very neat rows of soil. These are for potatoes so they can be scooped up by the tractor – saves digging.
On our walks in most European countries we have seen lots of irrigation, but not here. The farmer told us it always rains, but there is plenty of sunshine as well – perfect weather, perfect soil and perfect crops.
So the dinner was had in their beautiful dining room in this unusual house with stairways leading everywhere. Through the kitchen and out a door to a small space, two steps up to a small landing, a Lulu leg to the right through a door, another dog leg to the right again and up curved stairs to a door through which was a bedroom then to the right into our ensuite with a view of the courtyard.
Back to dinner where we had white wine with cheese biscuits and red wine with pigs’ cheeks. Having avoided this French delicacy for years now, I was caught unaware because they looked like scrumptious portions of lamb and tasted that way. A gorgeous sauce, his potatoes, her special peas, all made the pigs’ cheeks a special treat.
After memory photos, a final dance with Lulu, it was off again with our ponchos at the ready. The sky was telling us to wear them, but the farmer said not to and farmers seem to know these things. A small shower brought them out, so I lost a little faith, but that was it, and all the poncho did was make us wet on the inside – faith restored.
Passed through a few quiet villages today so a change from the perfect farms for a while and a chance to look at their homes. Lots of prefabs, nearly always with lofts, no wasted roof space. Lots of development, new homes, but rarely a shop or cafe/bar to service them. Like most places, small shops aren’t economically viable as locals travel to ever burgeoning supermarkets.