Hints: One of us does not like confined spaces. One of us has just formally become old but is not yet coping. One of us thinks Edward Munch is amongst the greatest painters and we have just four grandsons and one grand daughter on this great planet.
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Messages from Hamburg
If you understand us just a little, you should be able to find the messages in the following Hamburg snaps.
Hints: One of us does not like confined spaces. One of us has just formally become old but is not yet coping. One of us thinks Edward Munch is amongst the greatest painters and we have just four grandsons and one grand daughter on this great planet.
Hints: One of us does not like confined spaces. One of us has just formally become old but is not yet coping. One of us thinks Edward Munch is amongst the greatest painters and we have just four grandsons and one grand daughter on this great planet.
Recently seen at Miniature World Hamburg
For those who suffer from attention deficiencies or who think that 'a picture saves a thousand words', the following are pics taken the miniature world. Note the study attitudes on some of the attendees.
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Lost in not so little Hamburg
Hamburg was a bit of a shock after the relative tranquility of sea travel. Our first shock was to discover that the train system is struggling to cope here. Our train from Kiel to Hamburg last Sunday terminated in the suburbs and along with most of northern Germany we finished the trip on the S Bahn. We were in the hotel by late afternoon.
Monday was orientation day as we hopped on and off buses and got a feel for the place. Very rough in places with more than a few evidently living it tough. Whilst the weather was ok, it has continued to be very mixed, much as we have experienced all summer. So we were not surprised to emerge onto a damp and cool Tuesday.
Tuesday, the real target was 'miniature world', or heaven for modelling buffs interested in trains. But the nominated 40 minutes commute turned into 2 and a half hours as the bus system ground to a halt, the rail system struggled along and we went the wrong way for a bit. Nevertheless we had a good 4 hours in ' miniature world' which is apparently the number 1 tourist attraction in Germany and in summer is open each day until 1 am. We enjoyed recreated Germany, Italy and Switzerland in particular as well as the fully functional international airport.
The bus for home eventually arrived Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning the city gridlock of the day before seemed to disappear. We were then on the Elbe river exploring different stops and ended up in a very fine waterfront restaurant which we then booked for R's big day Friday.
By Thursday we were getting the hang of the place as we explored galleries and the historical areas. And we finished the week in fine weather enjoying our exceptional lunch for now old Randall.
The interlude in Hamburg over, we now head for Bavaria and our 5 day walk there. This will be our final fling before tracking back towards home.
I have decided to post this blog without pics this time. But hang in there as I hope to catch up tomorrow. This morning is wet again, reminding me just how much mood is driven by weather. Bright and sunny as you skip along and cool and damp as as you drag yourself from outing to outing. For me, Hamburg reminds me somewhat of both Canberra and Melbourne. We are living in the Fyshwick of Hamburg surrounded by car yards and brothels. Our apartment hotel is excellent despite the surroundings. In the city we confront the massive harbour structures, docks and cranes as you do on the ferry to the centre of the world at Williamstown from Southbank.
'Tis Saturday so we are hoping traffic is moving okay but we will not be happy until we get to the humungeous station, the crowds moving to somewhere else or just hanging around looking for a 'sting' and we find the train out of here.
Finally a word on the ever dazzling world of communications. I remember that it was not that long ago that I used to try to find a phone box in Europe to use my Telecard and phone home. And we then sought out Internet cafes to get a short fix and catch up on news etc. Now we are using three computers and together with Multi channel TVs we have apps and channels covering almost any country on the planet. We use FaceTime and/or Skype all the time and use news apps from Oz, UK, US, Germany and France. So we know that a man was murdered in a Hamburg supermarket last evening almost as soon as it happens. Not to say anything about mad Donald's tweets.
Maybe it is time to give Elon a ring to book that trip to Mars.
Monday was orientation day as we hopped on and off buses and got a feel for the place. Very rough in places with more than a few evidently living it tough. Whilst the weather was ok, it has continued to be very mixed, much as we have experienced all summer. So we were not surprised to emerge onto a damp and cool Tuesday.
Tuesday, the real target was 'miniature world', or heaven for modelling buffs interested in trains. But the nominated 40 minutes commute turned into 2 and a half hours as the bus system ground to a halt, the rail system struggled along and we went the wrong way for a bit. Nevertheless we had a good 4 hours in ' miniature world' which is apparently the number 1 tourist attraction in Germany and in summer is open each day until 1 am. We enjoyed recreated Germany, Italy and Switzerland in particular as well as the fully functional international airport.
The bus for home eventually arrived Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning the city gridlock of the day before seemed to disappear. We were then on the Elbe river exploring different stops and ended up in a very fine waterfront restaurant which we then booked for R's big day Friday.
By Thursday we were getting the hang of the place as we explored galleries and the historical areas. And we finished the week in fine weather enjoying our exceptional lunch for now old Randall.
The interlude in Hamburg over, we now head for Bavaria and our 5 day walk there. This will be our final fling before tracking back towards home.
I have decided to post this blog without pics this time. But hang in there as I hope to catch up tomorrow. This morning is wet again, reminding me just how much mood is driven by weather. Bright and sunny as you skip along and cool and damp as as you drag yourself from outing to outing. For me, Hamburg reminds me somewhat of both Canberra and Melbourne. We are living in the Fyshwick of Hamburg surrounded by car yards and brothels. Our apartment hotel is excellent despite the surroundings. In the city we confront the massive harbour structures, docks and cranes as you do on the ferry to the centre of the world at Williamstown from Southbank.
'Tis Saturday so we are hoping traffic is moving okay but we will not be happy until we get to the humungeous station, the crowds moving to somewhere else or just hanging around looking for a 'sting' and we find the train out of here.
Finally a word on the ever dazzling world of communications. I remember that it was not that long ago that I used to try to find a phone box in Europe to use my Telecard and phone home. And we then sought out Internet cafes to get a short fix and catch up on news etc. Now we are using three computers and together with Multi channel TVs we have apps and channels covering almost any country on the planet. We use FaceTime and/or Skype all the time and use news apps from Oz, UK, US, Germany and France. So we know that a man was murdered in a Hamburg supermarket last evening almost as soon as it happens. Not to say anything about mad Donald's tweets.
Maybe it is time to give Elon a ring to book that trip to Mars.
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Le Tour de Denmark 2017
After singing in the rain during the first day warm up dash around Mon, we were ready for anything the Danes could throw our way on riding day 2.
Sometime on early Monday morning we were anchored in the small port of Koge on the large island of Zealand. The day was clear if cloudy as the peloton set off for the day. Distance was about 50 kms and we were across the line and heading for Copenhagen and our rest day by late afternoon. And yes the terrain was flat enough with about the right amount of undulation to keep us in touch with any breakaways. The hamlets were cute here and equestrian places were aplenty. We enjoyed the day immensely. We had earned this early rest day as we finished the day at Roskilde, and after a brief walk around this Viking town and a coffee, we took a train into Copenhagen. There, after spending a few minutes teaming up with several of our Swiss and German team mates we were mixing it with the locals and heading for the harbour and the boat. 'Atlantis' was very conveniently anchored in the harbour across from the opera house and next to the Royal palaces.
For the rest day we spent time looking over the Royal museum-learning quite a bit on how this family had remained in influence and power by renting or marrying off family members to Greece and Russia particularly. We then managed to squeeze in the Danish design museum, the Amber museum, a look inside the opera house, and a bite at what we might call grunge city, a place on the water edge full of locals enjoyimg the afternoon sun and multicultural snacks. We enjoyed the day.
And as this was a multitalented tour, we spent the next day heading for Stromso and enjoying a lunch on deck and some sailing. Those who felt that they had something left to prove climbed the rigging to the mast tops. We did not!
On riding day three we covered almost all of Stromso at about 60 kms and by now G1 had the bike tuned for peak performance as she raced over the roads and tracks snapping pics as she went. The weather was almost clear and by mid afternoon the boat was heading back south, under 'The Bridge' around 11pm (an eerie experience in almost foggy conditions) and we had made the island of Funen by around 5am.
Riding day 4 was also a good one and by now we were getting the picture of life on these islands. Quiet little hamlets of neat and tidy houses snuggled down into the environment. Plenty of potato farms and also fruit growing going on. Pretty little ports that are also fully functional places enabling the sea connections and transportation. And wind farms or stand alone generators all over, birds chirping! Farming and life going on as normal. No one staggering around the place complaining about bird losses or odd illnesses here. On this day we rode from the port town of Nyborg and finished in Svenborg, both healthy looking places.
For our final ride we were on the island of Aero and up for the traditional celebratory ride through the mobs lining the route. A final sprint into Soby port and we were done. Yellow jumpers all round.
By around 6pm we were dealing with stiff winds and strong seas heading back into Kiel. We were not happy campers that evening. We ate little if anything as we chased our plates around the table and steadied ourselves, hanging in there. But by midnight we were back into more sheltered waters and into the harbour a little later.
After a few final chats with new friends we packed the haversacks and tramped off into the morning drizzle heading for Hamburg, our next adventure awaiting.
Sometime on early Monday morning we were anchored in the small port of Koge on the large island of Zealand. The day was clear if cloudy as the peloton set off for the day. Distance was about 50 kms and we were across the line and heading for Copenhagen and our rest day by late afternoon. And yes the terrain was flat enough with about the right amount of undulation to keep us in touch with any breakaways. The hamlets were cute here and equestrian places were aplenty. We enjoyed the day immensely. We had earned this early rest day as we finished the day at Roskilde, and after a brief walk around this Viking town and a coffee, we took a train into Copenhagen. There, after spending a few minutes teaming up with several of our Swiss and German team mates we were mixing it with the locals and heading for the harbour and the boat. 'Atlantis' was very conveniently anchored in the harbour across from the opera house and next to the Royal palaces.
For the rest day we spent time looking over the Royal museum-learning quite a bit on how this family had remained in influence and power by renting or marrying off family members to Greece and Russia particularly. We then managed to squeeze in the Danish design museum, the Amber museum, a look inside the opera house, and a bite at what we might call grunge city, a place on the water edge full of locals enjoyimg the afternoon sun and multicultural snacks. We enjoyed the day.
And as this was a multitalented tour, we spent the next day heading for Stromso and enjoying a lunch on deck and some sailing. Those who felt that they had something left to prove climbed the rigging to the mast tops. We did not!
On riding day three we covered almost all of Stromso at about 60 kms and by now G1 had the bike tuned for peak performance as she raced over the roads and tracks snapping pics as she went. The weather was almost clear and by mid afternoon the boat was heading back south, under 'The Bridge' around 11pm (an eerie experience in almost foggy conditions) and we had made the island of Funen by around 5am.
Riding day 4 was also a good one and by now we were getting the picture of life on these islands. Quiet little hamlets of neat and tidy houses snuggled down into the environment. Plenty of potato farms and also fruit growing going on. Pretty little ports that are also fully functional places enabling the sea connections and transportation. And wind farms or stand alone generators all over, birds chirping! Farming and life going on as normal. No one staggering around the place complaining about bird losses or odd illnesses here. On this day we rode from the port town of Nyborg and finished in Svenborg, both healthy looking places.
For our final ride we were on the island of Aero and up for the traditional celebratory ride through the mobs lining the route. A final sprint into Soby port and we were done. Yellow jumpers all round.
By around 6pm we were dealing with stiff winds and strong seas heading back into Kiel. We were not happy campers that evening. We ate little if anything as we chased our plates around the table and steadied ourselves, hanging in there. But by midnight we were back into more sheltered waters and into the harbour a little later.
After a few final chats with new friends we packed the haversacks and tramped off into the morning drizzle heading for Hamburg, our next adventure awaiting.
Monday, 24 July 2017
Trains, Boats, Bikes, Sex and Power
So now that I have your attention it is time to update you on our recent movements.
We enjoyed our last day in Dijon wandering the city area and simply mixing it with other holiday people and enjoying a slow lunch in the sun. Dijon has a good feel about it with a refined and unhurried city centre.
On Thursday 13th, we surrended the hire car to do battle with the French and German train systems. The systems had proposed that we move from Dijon to Kiel with some quite tight train changeover times nominated. No worries on the basis of both of their reputations for train punctuality. Our first transit at Mulhouse was planned for just 8 minutes. As the TGV from Paris was running 15 minutes late from the get go we were just a tad on the alert but not alarmed scale. But in the end we gained some time along the way and we had about 4 minutes to change trains.
The second changeover at Baden Baden was also under stress at minus 30 minute late into Baden. But we had planned for about 40 minutes at Hamburg for the last train into Kiel so at least we were in the black at that point and all in all we should get to our Kiel hotel around 10 pm which was when they would be locking doors and heading to bed. German efficiency at zero as we staggered into Hamburg at minus 50 minutes so missing our first ever changeover. So we had to jump onto another ICE train with just 3 minutes to do it and also ring the hotel and make arrangements to get in. In the end we were a couple of tired travellers but at least we had made it. Dinner with the late nighters at Kiel station was out of this world.
The next day it was warm and sunny as we searched out the 'Atlantis' tall ship, enjoyed a good lunch with our new best friends, the hotel owners and then spent a couple of hours just watching a wounded ship trying not to topple over with a load slip.
It was about 7 pm when we boarded the boat and met our fellow boat and bikers. Mostly German, two Swiss couples, one Austrian, 3 Americans and G1and G2 from Oz. We were about 30 in total. We knew our accommodation would be somewhat on the small side so we were not disappointed with our digs. And the first day's sailing was simply stunning with a flat sea and just enough wind to get a few sails into action. We had some good exchanges of travels with those we could communicate with and some spent the day enjoying the sun and relaxing. We had our ship and bike briefings and were set to go ashore in Denmark from around 9:30 next morning.
Uh oh, why is it cloudy with more than hint of rain today as we clambered over the side and into the dingy for the run ashore?. And it got worse as the day went on. The terrain was ok but it just did not stop raining all day. By mid afternoon we were fortunate enough to find an open cafe with plenty of room where we could recover a little.
At the same time as we were riding, the boat was doing it tough (as were the few non bikers who remained on board today). With two metre waves the captain decided he had to relocate the boat to the other side of the island if we were to have any chance of getting back on board today. The price for that was for us to ride an addional 15 kms to put the day's total up to around 60kms. So that is what we did and by around 7pm or so we were back in the boudoir and 'enjoying' a hot shower and then dinner.
And what about sex and power you ask? We cover that next blog.
We enjoyed our last day in Dijon wandering the city area and simply mixing it with other holiday people and enjoying a slow lunch in the sun. Dijon has a good feel about it with a refined and unhurried city centre.
On Thursday 13th, we surrended the hire car to do battle with the French and German train systems. The systems had proposed that we move from Dijon to Kiel with some quite tight train changeover times nominated. No worries on the basis of both of their reputations for train punctuality. Our first transit at Mulhouse was planned for just 8 minutes. As the TGV from Paris was running 15 minutes late from the get go we were just a tad on the alert but not alarmed scale. But in the end we gained some time along the way and we had about 4 minutes to change trains.
The second changeover at Baden Baden was also under stress at minus 30 minute late into Baden. But we had planned for about 40 minutes at Hamburg for the last train into Kiel so at least we were in the black at that point and all in all we should get to our Kiel hotel around 10 pm which was when they would be locking doors and heading to bed. German efficiency at zero as we staggered into Hamburg at minus 50 minutes so missing our first ever changeover. So we had to jump onto another ICE train with just 3 minutes to do it and also ring the hotel and make arrangements to get in. In the end we were a couple of tired travellers but at least we had made it. Dinner with the late nighters at Kiel station was out of this world.
The next day it was warm and sunny as we searched out the 'Atlantis' tall ship, enjoyed a good lunch with our new best friends, the hotel owners and then spent a couple of hours just watching a wounded ship trying not to topple over with a load slip.
It was about 7 pm when we boarded the boat and met our fellow boat and bikers. Mostly German, two Swiss couples, one Austrian, 3 Americans and G1and G2 from Oz. We were about 30 in total. We knew our accommodation would be somewhat on the small side so we were not disappointed with our digs. And the first day's sailing was simply stunning with a flat sea and just enough wind to get a few sails into action. We had some good exchanges of travels with those we could communicate with and some spent the day enjoying the sun and relaxing. We had our ship and bike briefings and were set to go ashore in Denmark from around 9:30 next morning.
Uh oh, why is it cloudy with more than hint of rain today as we clambered over the side and into the dingy for the run ashore?. And it got worse as the day went on. The terrain was ok but it just did not stop raining all day. By mid afternoon we were fortunate enough to find an open cafe with plenty of room where we could recover a little.
At the same time as we were riding, the boat was doing it tough (as were the few non bikers who remained on board today). With two metre waves the captain decided he had to relocate the boat to the other side of the island if we were to have any chance of getting back on board today. The price for that was for us to ride an addional 15 kms to put the day's total up to around 60kms. So that is what we did and by around 7pm or so we were back in the boudoir and 'enjoying' a hot shower and then dinner.
And what about sex and power you ask? We cover that next blog.
Monday, 10 July 2017
G1 and G2 still behind the times
On Saturday after a final look at Martel doing business on market day, G1 and G2 finished breakfast and then took to the autoroutes in the direction of Lyons. We made good progress which enabled us to leave the system earlier than planned and take a more leisurely route. But at this time we were definitely off world pace and getting further behind.
We reached Nuits St Georges around 6pm only just over 24 hours after Le Tour had been through. Meanwhile we were hearing that the G19 with little Donald somewhere out at the back was already having street parties with a few of the local louts. We will not make Hamburg until this Thursday. So can G1 and G2 lift the pace and catch up?
Well hang onto this idea. Our observation after just two days in Dijon is that in most respects more lively Burgundy is not too far removed from the laid back Lot. France has slowed down and starting annual holidays. There are basically no retail operations over France two full days each week-Sunday and Monday-so we cannot see France ever being a consumer and services led economy. I guess there is always a chance that we will find other dopey countries like Oz willing to pay billions over the mark for Government products like submarines which help the French economically. But can Macron ever deliver on his noises to change French working culture and their extremely low worker productivity?
Meanwhile G1 and G2 are enjoying rediscovery of the power of Dijon. We also revisited wine intense Beaune but we are essentially past over priced Burgundy wines and happy enough to go with whatever summer rosé is on offer. We did notice a sharp increase in Australian accents in Beaune. We were also told that others had been in town a few weeks before consuming beaucoup de vins.
We also need to note that we managed to find a suitable place to quietly celebrate G1's latest birthday-the excellent brasserie in the former Palais des Ducs. These days one often finds that galleries and museums are quite good with terrific food and wine. We were very pleased with this one.
We were a little disappointed to find the Musée des Beaux Arts in Dijon is under major reworks but there is enough of interest here to get us to Thursday and the end of G1 and G2 time in France for 2017.
We reached Nuits St Georges around 6pm only just over 24 hours after Le Tour had been through. Meanwhile we were hearing that the G19 with little Donald somewhere out at the back was already having street parties with a few of the local louts. We will not make Hamburg until this Thursday. So can G1 and G2 lift the pace and catch up?
Well hang onto this idea. Our observation after just two days in Dijon is that in most respects more lively Burgundy is not too far removed from the laid back Lot. France has slowed down and starting annual holidays. There are basically no retail operations over France two full days each week-Sunday and Monday-so we cannot see France ever being a consumer and services led economy. I guess there is always a chance that we will find other dopey countries like Oz willing to pay billions over the mark for Government products like submarines which help the French economically. But can Macron ever deliver on his noises to change French working culture and their extremely low worker productivity?
Meanwhile G1 and G2 are enjoying rediscovery of the power of Dijon. We also revisited wine intense Beaune but we are essentially past over priced Burgundy wines and happy enough to go with whatever summer rosé is on offer. We did notice a sharp increase in Australian accents in Beaune. We were also told that others had been in town a few weeks before consuming beaucoup de vins.
We also need to note that we managed to find a suitable place to quietly celebrate G1's latest birthday-the excellent brasserie in the former Palais des Ducs. These days one often finds that galleries and museums are quite good with terrific food and wine. We were very pleased with this one.
We were a little disappointed to find the Musée des Beaux Arts in Dijon is under major reworks but there is enough of interest here to get us to Thursday and the end of G1 and G2 time in France for 2017.
Friday, 7 July 2017
I'm just a boy looking for a girl
We are now at the point of leaving our rental house in Carennac and moving to Dijon in Burgundy. We leave with mixed feelings as usual.
Nostalgia forever as Randall lined up Yvonne's evening DVDs. First 'Notting Hill' then 'Roman Holiday' followed by 1946 'Notorious' (Cary Grant/Ingrid Burgman). It gets better with 'Lost in Translation (twice). Then drum roll over to 'Casablanca'. As I write this my partner is watching 'Pretty Woman' for about the tenth time over the years. By now you might be asking 'Do you need to go to Europe to watch old DVDs?
But with a bit of a stretch it all fits in.
This part of France is all about nostalgia. We are still dealing with the Hundred Years' War and the wars of Religion. The Industrial Revolution has decimated the region and most people, apart from the British and Dutch, are old. One cannot possibly start to count the homes we have seen that must be empty most, if not all of the year. WWII has also left a mark or two with any number of local sensitives still to deal with still.
So we have spent this second week at the markets of Brive, Martel and Bretonneux. Brive was good as usual but the others were too small and too quiet to be interesting. We have chased down duck food and will leave happy with what we have had. We have walked in the forests and explored several areas despite the heat. We have happily launched into the Dordogne river at the local base de loisir. Very cool in every respect. As Yvonne's drawing confidence improves she has managed to fit in several sketching sessions in a few villages and blending into the scene splendidly.
We have revisited Cahors and driven over a fair bit of the Causses.
And all the time we cannot get over the feeling of being at the top of the world. The views are horizon to horizon and we never get sick of them. Especially at Loubressac which we have gone back to at least four times. My seat next to the Loubressac church has been there for hundreds of years and I would happily sit there with my picnic lunch of duck and a local rosé watching life in the valley until whenever.
When we disappear into the woods we enter another world.
And all the time we can feel the slowness of it all. People are friendly and unhurried. Drivers on the narrow roads the same. We love it all and are ready to settle in for more.
So Sarah do not fret too much it might work for us yet. I just have to figure out how to turn back time. I'm working on it as best I can.
Today the schools broke up and the roads are filling up. Apparently millions more French will holiday in France this year than in previous years. And we think they already have difficulties travelling outside France.
But time waits for no one and we will almost meet up with Le Tour tomorrow as it leaves Nuits St Georges for the Jura. The next challenge is to find a nice place for Yvonne's birthday lunch.
Nostalgia forever as Randall lined up Yvonne's evening DVDs. First 'Notting Hill' then 'Roman Holiday' followed by 1946 'Notorious' (Cary Grant/Ingrid Burgman). It gets better with 'Lost in Translation (twice). Then drum roll over to 'Casablanca'. As I write this my partner is watching 'Pretty Woman' for about the tenth time over the years. By now you might be asking 'Do you need to go to Europe to watch old DVDs?
But with a bit of a stretch it all fits in.
This part of France is all about nostalgia. We are still dealing with the Hundred Years' War and the wars of Religion. The Industrial Revolution has decimated the region and most people, apart from the British and Dutch, are old. One cannot possibly start to count the homes we have seen that must be empty most, if not all of the year. WWII has also left a mark or two with any number of local sensitives still to deal with still.
So we have spent this second week at the markets of Brive, Martel and Bretonneux. Brive was good as usual but the others were too small and too quiet to be interesting. We have chased down duck food and will leave happy with what we have had. We have walked in the forests and explored several areas despite the heat. We have happily launched into the Dordogne river at the local base de loisir. Very cool in every respect. As Yvonne's drawing confidence improves she has managed to fit in several sketching sessions in a few villages and blending into the scene splendidly.
We have revisited Cahors and driven over a fair bit of the Causses.
And all the time we cannot get over the feeling of being at the top of the world. The views are horizon to horizon and we never get sick of them. Especially at Loubressac which we have gone back to at least four times. My seat next to the Loubressac church has been there for hundreds of years and I would happily sit there with my picnic lunch of duck and a local rosé watching life in the valley until whenever.
When we disappear into the woods we enter another world.
And all the time we can feel the slowness of it all. People are friendly and unhurried. Drivers on the narrow roads the same. We love it all and are ready to settle in for more.
So Sarah do not fret too much it might work for us yet. I just have to figure out how to turn back time. I'm working on it as best I can.
Today the schools broke up and the roads are filling up. Apparently millions more French will holiday in France this year than in previous years. And we think they already have difficulties travelling outside France.
But time waits for no one and we will almost meet up with Le Tour tomorrow as it leaves Nuits St Georges for the Jura. The next challenge is to find a nice place for Yvonne's birthday lunch.
Saturday, 1 July 2017
Sleeping in sleepy Carennac
This was always part of the plan. Head off for travels. Participate actively. Then rest up a bit for the next phase. So now we have been ensconsed in our rental home in Carennac, Lot, an area we know quite well for a week. This is one of the many 'Plus Beaux Villages de France'.
The idea has worked exceptionally well and the turn of the weather from bloody hot to annoyingly repeated showers over the last 4 or 5 days has added to the plan of execution.
But this is how it is. These villages are still dead as a doornail. And we are looking forward to see if things change next week as the autoroutes begin to fill up with M Hulot 1953 era families escaping from the bigger cities to return to their village roots and/or other holiday places. Events seem to have a pattern of 'Vide grenier' (dispose accumulated junk or at least exchange junk with others) sometime over May/June when just about every weekend is a long weekend, festivals of music around summer solstice 21/22 June, finish school and off for holiday somewhere in France. And then these days there is 'Le Tour' and another chance to celebrate community. Villages like this one will have Government backed artists occupy some of the many almost always empty shops in the village centre to try and flog their wares to the throngs that visit.
Additionally some places have music based events and of course there is plenty of food and wine to move these events along. So we will see soon what, if anything, happens around here.
In the meantime, and at least at our age, we needed a few days to regain energy. When language, culture, custom, driving, navigation, shopping and events are in French it takes some additional effort to get through our days. We like it that way and it keeps the mind ticking along we believe. So we are sleeping more this week and then dealing with the other part of the day during remaining time available.
So we have returned to eat duck on the terrace at Loubressac. We have managed a good local walk in the hills in our area. We revisited the cool, wet but still interesting towns of Salers as well as Martel and St Cere. The markets are still providing us with plenty of fresh seasonal food and we are consuming too much good cheese.
On the other hand nothing much has changed over the almost 20 years we have been coming here. How can France become a 21st century country if they continue to shut up shop and go home for a long lunch before returning to work at 3 pm? Museums close every Tuesday. Boulangeries where they have several in a town share time so they have a day off. Post offices and many supermarkets close for lunch. And service continues to be very indifferent. Carennac and other villages are losing businesses and services. The remaining businesses find it difficult to lift their offerings to the next level.
As with the rest of the world, younger people with energy end up in cities and country people might look to have the good relaxing life but they are not competitive when it comes down to it.
It always comes back to the same points for us. This is a fantastic place to visit and to absorb slices of history whilst eating, drinking and sleeping our way around. But does anyone ever open up the shutters on the many homes just sitting there? Does anyone around here ever do a full days work?
Meanwhile the rain should be ending tomorrow and we might get some more sunny days next week.
The idea has worked exceptionally well and the turn of the weather from bloody hot to annoyingly repeated showers over the last 4 or 5 days has added to the plan of execution.
But this is how it is. These villages are still dead as a doornail. And we are looking forward to see if things change next week as the autoroutes begin to fill up with M Hulot 1953 era families escaping from the bigger cities to return to their village roots and/or other holiday places. Events seem to have a pattern of 'Vide grenier' (dispose accumulated junk or at least exchange junk with others) sometime over May/June when just about every weekend is a long weekend, festivals of music around summer solstice 21/22 June, finish school and off for holiday somewhere in France. And then these days there is 'Le Tour' and another chance to celebrate community. Villages like this one will have Government backed artists occupy some of the many almost always empty shops in the village centre to try and flog their wares to the throngs that visit.
Additionally some places have music based events and of course there is plenty of food and wine to move these events along. So we will see soon what, if anything, happens around here.
In the meantime, and at least at our age, we needed a few days to regain energy. When language, culture, custom, driving, navigation, shopping and events are in French it takes some additional effort to get through our days. We like it that way and it keeps the mind ticking along we believe. So we are sleeping more this week and then dealing with the other part of the day during remaining time available.
So we have returned to eat duck on the terrace at Loubressac. We have managed a good local walk in the hills in our area. We revisited the cool, wet but still interesting towns of Salers as well as Martel and St Cere. The markets are still providing us with plenty of fresh seasonal food and we are consuming too much good cheese.
On the other hand nothing much has changed over the almost 20 years we have been coming here. How can France become a 21st century country if they continue to shut up shop and go home for a long lunch before returning to work at 3 pm? Museums close every Tuesday. Boulangeries where they have several in a town share time so they have a day off. Post offices and many supermarkets close for lunch. And service continues to be very indifferent. Carennac and other villages are losing businesses and services. The remaining businesses find it difficult to lift their offerings to the next level.
As with the rest of the world, younger people with energy end up in cities and country people might look to have the good relaxing life but they are not competitive when it comes down to it.
It always comes back to the same points for us. This is a fantastic place to visit and to absorb slices of history whilst eating, drinking and sleeping our way around. But does anyone ever open up the shutters on the many homes just sitting there? Does anyone around here ever do a full days work?
Meanwhile the rain should be ending tomorrow and we might get some more sunny days next week.
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