Vive la Tour!

Ready for the TDF!

What a scene it is among the sunflowers in Dordogne. So beautiful.  This area is blessed with copious amounts of sun, rain, grass, ducks, geese, tourists, castles and rivers.  It truly is a unique place on earth

We have spent almost 3 weeks in this area, and have tried to absorb a bit more of the French culture and lifestyle. This is a fairly affluent area, but the locals are very hardworking; as shop owners, farmers, rental property owners, service providers, etc.  One item every household owns and uses frequently in this area is a heavy duty, gas powered weed-eater.  They are very necessary as thing grow here like mad! And just a reminder, it is light until 10:30pm, so they can be going at any hour of the "day".  Many homes are sub-divided to provide rental income from the many English and French tourists, and consequently the homes are beautifully landscaped and well maintained.  And don't think it is just the people in town who rent out their homes.  We go on bike rides to very remote and quiet areas, and suddenly there will be a sign for a Gite, Chambres or a campground. 

The back of our rental house, which has 3 apartments. Our little car, too.

Another important part of French life in these parts is the potager. That is the "kitchen garden" that almost every home has.  They are awesome!  I just don't know how 2 people can eat all of the veggies that are produced every day.  The older couple across the street has 30 tomato plants, rows of zucchini, peppers, cukes, apples, pears, berries, greens... it is amazing.

The French are exquisitely polite.  Don't even dream of asking a question before a polite greeting first. I now just open every conversation, after the greeting, with apologies for my French, which always gets a smile, and usually apologies for their English. I have been talking more every week in French, and carrying on rudimentary conversations with our neighbors. We can discuss the weather, places we visited that day, where we live, etc.  My comprehension is still much worse than my ability to get my point across, but progress, albeit incremental, is being made.

Most people I have met from France are also fiercely proud of their country, area, heritage. Le patrimoine. My neighbor has lived in her home for 30 years, and believes this area is the most beautiful of all France. I wouldn't dare argue the point with her!

Our bike rides typically take us out into the countryside where farming is a very big part of the economy. So different than a US hay farm that could go on for miles. These are small scale operations. And there is always the constant reminder that this is the "Old World", with another old medieval town with a population of 25 just around the next bend.

Thanks for reading and I love hearing from you.  Today's blog post sponsored by cafe au lait and chocolate, as opposed to the usual sponsorship by Vins du Pays.....:))) (It is raining and we are packing up for tomorrow's departure)

Larry is going for a roll in the hay.

Hydrangeas and old stone walls... so pretty