The countdown widget on my home page surprised me yesterday when it noted I have only 90 days left BF. Before France.It was only the day before that I was whining about not being in Paris for spring.
Instead we will be at Chez Bateau for the start of autumn. That fires my imagination: Will the woods and fields smell like a heady mix of grape and woodsmoke? What bird calls will we hear in the morning? Will the owl know we are back and mark it with his own distinctive evensong?
We will wait to find out.
We will see the changes, no doubt, as our train trundles out of Austerlitz through the green Loire and down into the heart of France, stopping at the names we've come to love for the meaning they now hold: Chateau Rouge, Vierzon, Limoges, Brive. Finally, the little gare at Cahors with the amiable Gaston there to meet us.
Then the winding road up to Chez Bateau with its hairpin twists and turns and finally the small village on the hill with the tiny church and the iron cross and vineyards everywhere you look.
Yes, it will be good and welcoming and our own for two weeks. It will be worth the wait and much fun to anticipate.
16 comments:
So nice to have your trip to look forward to. And 90 days will fly by!
You will be there before you know it. I think that same owl will be there again this time too ;)
Dear Mimi,
Once again the geography freak that I am is puzzled by this mini-mystery about the exact location of your autumn French vacation. Obviously, it must be somewhere in the delightful Valley of the Lot. I have some friends who have a small porcelain factory in Puy l'Eveque called Virebent. But I suppose that "Chez Bateau" is probably the name of a house or an inn where you can rent rather than a "Lieu-dit" or hamlet.
In any case, good luck with your preparation to what I am sure will be a great, and tasty, trip just in time for "cepes".
I am a bit "jaloux" because this year there will be no trip to France for us...
Best,
Alain
Mimi, those 90 days will fly bye and you'll be packing and trying to get ready wondering where all the time went. Enjoy!!
Ah, yes, Lydia and FIona, the countdown is on.
Yes, Alain, Chez Bateau is a play on words for a home in the Lot Valley. We stayed there once before, and loved it. We had planned on a week in Provence, too, but could not get the place we wanted at the right time, and it was a long train ride from Toulouse. Next time: Provence.
Judy, I know from experience how quickly time flies when you are on the home stretch.
Well worth waiting those 90 days!
Smart folk know anticipation is very much part of a trip.
Christine and Tanna, I will try to make the most of it.
Mimi, those 90 days will pass quickly, you have a lot to look forward to, it all sounds so lovely.
I just got back from the south of France last week and was so happy to be home again. But now I read your post, "The Road to Chez Bateau" and I'm all ready to pack my bags!
Eileen (passions to pastry)
www.livingtastefully.com
I will be over soon to learn about your trip, Eileen!
90 Days! It seems to me that autumn in Paris could be rediculously romantic and wonderful. I'll be looking forward to many more posts in anticipation of the great event.
Erika, i think it could be wonderful! I will try to post from Paris, if not from La France Profonde.
Our new house is quite close to Cahors... near Eymet/Marmande.
Which begs the question: parts of the house date to the middle ages so it's quite obviously not new... So how does one say it... hehehe!
Your trip sounds wonderful, and you should be there for the vendange... Maybe we can meet for lunch if your schedule is not already full booked...
Your picture and words conjure your dreams beautifully. Great post.
I looked that up on Google Maps, Katie, not far at all. We'll have a Mini Cooper, so that will be good on gas. L'essence, I mean.
Thank you, Ted. Your photos have really inspired me.
Post a Comment