Updated: Jun 3, 2022
We went back for the last day of the Brocante Salon Sale, hoping that the piece I'd found and wanted on Friday was still there. It was! I have no idea how I will get it home, but in my home it will be. It is a Louis XVI style tapestry frame. The tapestry is now gone, the frame is stripped down to bare wood. It is a lovely find, indeed. I purchased a few more gifts, more linens, a chandelier and a bracelet. Chelsea had taken a liking to old silverware on Saturday, but some of the sets were $800 just for the spoons, so when I saw a pretter silver plated fancy fork and spoon set for $10 euros, I swiped it up for her.
I bought from several of the dealers, but a lot from one couple in particular. I had purchased a few things from them on Saturday, and they had the frame I wanted. They were kind and friendly and so very helpful. Her husband, who spoke a little English, wasn't around when I arrived on Monday. His wife spoke no English at all, so she took my hand and lead me to the opposite end of the hall to a lady who could translate for us. Kurt and Chelsea had dropped me off for the day to go do their own thing, so I had packed a backpack full of supplies, prepared to sit on a hillside and paint the lovely view from Domme. I asked, through the interpreter, if I could leave my backpack under table while I shopped. Of course, she agreed. From then on, when she'd see me purchase something from another vendor, she would walk over, take it from me and put it under the table in her booth. So sweet. Lots of "Mercis".
After going through each booth with a fine-toothed comb, I was back at their booth to complete my shopping. I was down to my last $100 bill that I had taken with me that day. Her husband was back then and would quote me on each item that I was interested in which added up to more than double what I had left to spend. I even opened my purse and showed him that it was all the money I had. He asked me which pieces I wanted to purchase , to which I replied, "Hmm, I don't know. I want them all." To my great surprise, he thought for a second, smiled and said, "D'accord" which means "ok". I asked, "Really?". He said, "Really, Madame." Oh, how I love these wonderfully kind French people.
I left my purchases there, strapped on my backpack and hiked up the hill to Domme. I spent the rest of the morning browsing through the little shops and with the coins I had left, I was able to buy a coca and a croissant for lunch. I didn't care. Who could be anything but at peace, sitting in the perfect weather, gentle breeze blowing, having my snack and watching the vacationing families speaking their lovely language while going about their days. It was so crowded there that I decided not to try to paint. I just sat there counting my ever mounting blessings and thanking God for this once in a lifetime, if you're lucky, experience. Thank you, God. Thank you!
Back at home, the three of us laid out on blankets in the back yard, listening to quiet music and soaking up the sun. The air really is different in France, even without the smell of flowers, the air smells sweet and clean. Then we made a quick trip to the grocery to pick up some needed items for dinner. It just so happens that the grocery is next to a McDonalds. Kurt said that it sounded good, and Chelsea had really been wanting to try the McBaguette. We sat there, like the Americans that we are, eating our fast food and fiddling with our IPhones. (They had weefee) We even had ice cream for dessert, which I tried to pay for by swiping my driver's license. More laughs at Mom's expense. We had planned to watch Coco Before Chanel, but hadn't realized there were no English subtitles, so we watched Sherlock Holmes again, instead, before turning in for the night.
The next morning, Kurt and Chelsea went off on another adventure, leaving me a day at home to sit outside and paint or write.
No clothes dryer in France, just sweet-smelling country air. This was one of the many lessons in how the French live differently than we are accustomed to. As with most of those differences, we enjoyed and appreciated a different way of life.
Although, sometimes we've been confused, like the day we followed the signs to a brickabrack in Le Bugue. Lots of signs, lots of people, but the brickabrack...not much. As far as we could tell, there were just some small carnival-type rides. Hmmm.
Two children on bicycles asked us for directons to a fete in Finsac. I was able to direct them "a gauche." A little later, we were driving and came up behind them pushing their bikes up the steep hill to Finsac. We all smiled and waved. A sweet little moment.
We drove past the fete in Finsac. Again, not much. A few of the houses had small wooden rides set up in their front yards. Hmmm.
St. Cyprien
In the afternoon, we took Chelsea to the lovely church in St. Cyprien. Such a special place.
Then home for a leisurely afternoon.
Suki, your roses are in full bloom!
Just gorgeous.
Watering Monique's Jardin
These pictures of me watering my new friend's garden are the cherry on top of my trip. I had found a place to fit in and just for a little while, I became one of them.
We visited Chateau Fenelon, which was also in the movie, Ever After. In the scene, Prince Henri is playing tennis with the Marquis De Limogue.
Unlike Castle Puymartin, there was no French speaking guide. We were given a pamphlet, written in English, which told about each room. Chelsea designated herself our tour guide for the day and as we toured each room, she read aloud, in her very silly professional manner, the information we had been given.
We were alone in the castle and so we took our time enjoying the castle and surrounding grounds.
We had pasta for dinner and watched Ever After again, this time with Chelsea.
