…and now we are back. Each day which unfolds before our feet will be a new day graced by all the fullness of life.
We are learning to grasp each day and embrace all it holds, gently but passionately.
Month / May 2016
Home land
This morning we said goodbye to our friends in Paris and drove to Dunkirk to catch the afternoon ferry to Dover. The roads were extremely wet, and the ferry crossing wild. Then, through the rain, we saw the white cliffs and were back on UK soil in no time.
We drove on to a small town in Berkshire where we met our latest family baby, just a few weeks old. It was incredibly precious to hold her and enjoy our first encounter.
Roland Garros
We spent our last day in Paris with our friends at the French Open tennis tournament watching some fascinating games. It was sad to see Jamie Murray and his doubles partner, Bruno Soares go out in the third round of the Grand Slam.
However, the real surprise of the day was when the Williams sisters lost to Kiki Bertens and Johanna Larsson 6-3, 6-3 in a thrilling match for the winning couple.
Lightning
Our hearts go out to the children and adults injured in yesterday’s thunderstorm in Paris.
All about food
The notable moments of the day seem to have revolved around food and drink.
We met a beautiful dog at breakfast, picnicked at lunchtime by the Seine, imbibed Champagne on a cruise along the river and just made it for crêpes and tarte au pommes as an electric storm with crashing rain hit.
Wonder what dinner will bring?
Paris
We arrived in Paris today to meet up with friends. After a meal together we sauntered across the Pont d’Iéna in close view of the Eiffel Tower.
It feels strange being in a huge city with so many people everywhere. Very different from the villages we have driven through in the Centre region where you have to look really hard to see anybody at all.
Deux tours
The 12th century tower of the castle of Châteaudun is a hugely majestic defensive building. We were suitably impressed.
Even better is the water tower in Le Gault du Perche which is pretending to be a medieval, cluniesque tower. Parfait!
Wild life
We have enjoyed the flora and fauna of the Centre region. Mostly familiar to us, we are recognising a transition is taking place. We are almost on our way home.
Châteaudun
Not too far from where we are staying the imposing castle of Chateaudun stands high over the Loir river. Its four centuries of architecture span Medieval, Gothic and Renaissance building. We particularly liked the long 16th century hall with its two huge fireplaces and ‘resting stag’.
The grounds include a wonderful garden of box tree squares which separate the plants according to their use as food, medicine, and dye and textiles.
Chartres
We remembered our friends in Holy Trinity, Haddington as we shared in the celebration of Trinity Sunday in Chartres Cathedral this morning. An hour ahead of BST, we began our services at the same time. Synchronicity!
This afternoon we explored the huge crypt. After a devastating fire in 1194 only the crypt, the west facade and the North and South towers of the cathedral survived. The building we see today is the early 13th century reconstruction.
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