Orléans, Gidy, and Olivet

The last few days went by way too fast! 

I took the train from Vallon to Saulzais (Vallon is right next to Epineuil and Sailzais is just next to Orléans) I kind of love traveling by train. It is a few hours ride because there are a few stops along the way. So naturally I had to keep busy...

Well that's not exciting! Let's try a few selfies...

You see... Duck faces are NOT for everyone! Haha!

This was the only time the whole family got together in Orléans. We had a yummy dinner that was finished off with this amazing raspberry tart... Homemade and simply to die for!

This is me with my cousin Richard and my air Thérèse. 

This is my little cousin Coline modeling the dress and headband that Bailey picked out for her. I think she liked it!

Coline has grown up so much since we saw her last year! She has features line a porcelain doll. I didn't get to see her sister Manon because she was in England doing an exchange program. 

The next day (Saturday, July 12th) I enjoyed spending the day with my aunt and uncle. We attended my cousin Romuald's concert which was really cool and I got to sneak in a selfie with my uncle Bolec!

To know him is to love him. 

Sunday I enjoyed another day with my aunt and uncle. My aunt Thérèse and I talked about essential oils for a long time. They have kind of become all the rage here as of late and I have started using them. She however has been using them for over 30 years! It was a fascinating afternoon and she left me with a lot of information to read and think about. I wish I would have taken a picture of all her oils! Dang it! 

I did however get a picture of Margot!

Margot has been my friend (and Bailey's too) since the first time Bailey went to France in 1999! 

Cousin Romuald stopped by that day and I took this quick selfie with him. We made plans for the next day (Bastille Day, July 14th France's National Holiday).

The decision was made that we would go to a neighboring town, Olivet, and take a walk along the Loiret river them meet up for dinner later.

The following pictures are from the river walk. I hope you enjoy them!

This feller had the wacked out foot. We couldn't decide if it was a 3rd foot or if he was sunning it or what!

I called these the elephant trees. Aren't they cool? So smazing!

They were setting up for the fireworks display that night. The sign translates as "Danger of Death", I don't know why but I found it amusing.

Let's face it. Uncle Bolec has swag!

Which way is up?? 

These last few pictures were taken at my Cousin Romuald's apartment. I can certainly tell you I am an armature blogger because I have a lot of photo's I didn't think to take but now wish I had so that I could give an explanation. This apartment is one of the things I wish I would have taken better pictures of because the design is unique as my cousin created pieces himself... Furniture, art, lighting all designed by him. It is quite fascinating. You will have to trust me on this!

Our dinner was a very light casual affair. The tray in the front had the appetizers (breadsticks, olives, nuts, and something I can't think of the name of in English!), it was followed by a quiche and pizza and finished off with an assortment of cookies. It was lovely.

Not a great picture but on the left is my cousin Raphaêl and standing is Romuald.

Finally, here is Coline enjoying her pizza. Such a sweet girl!

All too soon the day was over and it was time to go home. 

Next post, my last night in France!

Au revoir Epineuil!

The last few days in Epineuil went by very quickly. Laundry, shopping, packing (oh crap!) and saying goodbyes.

Aunt Basia driving to Carfour (a grocery store).

She runs into people she knows all the time! It cracks me up! Notice the clothing. It rains that day... So they are all dressed for an Arizona winter!

This aisle is the yogurt aisle. Both sides. I always find it rather amazing and amusing.

A month after Bailey sent me a package of things I had forgot and my medication (see earlier post for that snafu) the package finally arrived!

I took some pictures around the house and yard because sometimes it's the little things that mean the most!

This is the front of the house, it is a very typical house in the region. The windows all have shutters and when you open a window you open up to the world. There are no screens on the windows. They have chosen to install electric shutters too so when the house is closed up it is sealed tight!

The back of the house. The little window is the bathroom. To the right of that is the kitchen window.

The back yard and to follow are pictures of the garden.

This is the room I stayed in. This picture was taken outside through the open window.

This is the stairway to the basement. 

The washing machine.

Soap and softener goes in on top. Notice how narrow it is, maybe 18". When you close the basket the machine tumbles vertically. Most washers here have a big tub that swishes laundry around horizontally.

This is the dryer. It also tumbles vertically.

After you dry the load there is a tray you remove and you have to empty the water it extracts from the clothes. I found it weird and I never felt like the clothes ever got really "dry" using this machine. They always seemed to need some air drying to finish the process.

This picture shows you the stairway from inside the basement. It is at quite a pitch and I never got to the point tat I felt confident enough to use the stairs with no hands!

This is the kitchen. Notice the size of the refrigerator! It is so small! They do have a smaller fridge and a freezer in the basement).

This view is from the back of the dining room. You can see the dining table, the living room in the front and the open door on the left is the front entry way.

This last picture is perhaps one of the reasons we now have Gus. This is Uhlan (pronounced ewe-lahn) one of the sweetest, kindest dogs I've ever met. He is a Golden Retreiver and his hair curls around his shoulders in such a way that it makes him look like a king. He is old now and his hips don't work very well. 

This was by far the hardest goodbye I had to say in Epineuil.

Au revoir Epineuil-le-Fleurial.