I was so excited to have our first full day, I only slept 3 hours that night...oops.
Yesterday we ventured out to a small town, not sure of the name. We were originally were looking for a grocery store, never got there. We parked on the side of the street, got out and found a bakery. We decided to walk around and bought some flowers for Karrie (Abby and Antoine), Ethan's cousin.
We set the GPS, hoping it would work this time, and headed out to a small town called Les Essarts. Ethan about had a nervous breakdown at the toll booth, I about died of exhaustion, but we made it to the gas station where cousin Karrie met us. She led us down small roads through the village then we hit the dirt roads and winded our way down to the mansion. Yes, MANSION.
We had no idea that we'd be staying in a mansion built in the 1800's. Apparently soldiers stayed here during WW2, they've got the bullet holes to prove it. There is a forest of apple trees behind the 'meat house'. (This is where they would skin and prepare the meat of the animals they would eat, back in the day!) In the mansion, there are about 9 bedrooms, no insulation, a winter garden, bare floors, hidden closets, no ac, broken windows, 5 cats, one Dalmatian (Daisy, she's the cutest thing ever!), etc. It's awesome, I could go on and on and on. We're in heaven here, that's why we'll be staying a more few days.
Today we went to Rouen (sounds like raw, in the nose) "little Paris" and had lunch, shopped, saw the place where Joan of Arc was burned, prayed at a Cathedral, almost bought some French boots.
We came back to the Mansion, Karrie and Antoine's 2 friends came over and we had a three course meal. Delicious wine, delicious fish, delicious cakes, mmmmm! Over the four hour dinner we drank four bottles of wine and had three different types of fish, how indulgent!
Now it is 5 am and I have no idea how I am still awake. Ethan is teaching our hosts how to play poker (shock).
until later, ALF
9 comments:
Sounds like you're having a great time. Keep us posted.
sounds most lovely.
i posted a belly pic on myspace finally!
Sounds f-ing awesome!! I know you guys are havin fun. The place your staying reminds me of my summer home. Remember "Home Alone"? Bring me back somethin' French!!!
Here's a view of the back of the "mansion", showing the winter garden (bottom right, glassed walls and ceiling) and the backyard leading to the meat house. Click me! Here's a street in Rouen. And another.
(apologies if I messed up the html)
On Day 1 we gave Bruty a login so that he could read the blog because he missed you guys, then the next we know he is sulking in the corner, now that we have seen your picture with you and Daisy we know why. We have since revoked his computer access (for his own good).
loving the blog...and the pictures (nanny's too!). keep it coming.
Phyllis
I am horribly jealous...about the mansion and the churches, cheese and wine but mostly about the scarf you're wearing - love it, where did you get it?
I'm sure you'll yank this post but....the picture where you two are kissing at the fountain, what's that bulge in Ethan's pants? Leave it to me to notice that. Hope you have fun!!!
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