Anzere, Switzerland

We are still in our little apartment in the Alps. This pic is from the mountain top behind our apartment, looking down on the Rhone Valley

We are having a wonderful time with good weather, good food, and good friends! Switzerland is expensive.... but I am learning how to shop well for food and goods with reasonable results! Australians would be shocked to know that a leg of lamb can cost $50!

Beautiful Alps in Switzerland

We are in Switzerland. We normally have our little apartment rented out in winter, and we use it in summer. But this weekend, there is a huge car rally and our apartment has some 'renters' in it!! So Peter and I are staying with Sally Mayor for the next 5 days. Her balcony and picture window looks across the Rhone valley at a huge glacier!!! Magnificent.

Guest on board

Sally Mayor, a friend from Switzerland (and a balloonist) has joined us on Zee Otter. Sally was born in the U.S., but has lived in Switzerland for 35 years, works with languages, and is fluent in French among many other languages. So she is helping me with pronounciation and meanings. Great fun.

We have moved down the canal to Mas d'Agenais, the most beautiful little town. Going to markets, visiting bastides (walled towns), eating and drinking well are the order of the day. Recently went to the 'Buzet Wine Sale'.... half bottles of wine (50 mls), red and white for €1.00 ($A1.33) that is perfect for our dinners.

And €12 lunches ($A16 that include a starter, a soup, a main, dessert and 1/4 bottle of wine.) Again... great meals, great wine. I have gained weight again. I hope I lose it before we return to Australia on Oct. 23rd!!

Off to Switzerland this coming Wednesday.

Lots of snails

We were very French last night. Went to a 'night market' where lots of food stall were set up. We bought a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread. Peter had a meal of 'saucisse and potatoes', and I had a bowl full of SNAILS!

Aquiring Culture

We are in the ville of Nérac. A small town, but seems to have so very much going for it, not to mention that King Henry lV was born here so a very small part of his castle is still in tact. Most of it was destroyed in the French Revolution.

Anyway, we have gone to two music concerts. The first was free, and was students, and I say that loosely because these people are VERY accomplished, doing solos on the piano and violin. The second was a harp concert, the harp being played by the most famous harpist in France, Mirrille Nordmann.

The first series of concerts is being run all week with different students each night. The violinist we saw, knocked our socks off!! She was 16 years old from Taiwan... started playing the piano at 3 years of age, the violin at 5. She is equally accomplished in both, but her violin solo left us flabbergasted. If she is a student, one wonders how a professional could be better! She is 'continuing her studies' in Paris.

Today, we will visit a display of Priest's Vestments in a small church called St. Nickolas, and we plan to go back to the student's performances tonight.

So we are getting our fair share of French culture.

I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since my last post!!

Where does the time go? It is really difficult to keep up my blog when we have been so busy doing 'things'.
1. Went to the U.S. to visit my 94 year old mother, who is quite remarkable for her age.
2. Saw many relatives who adore talking to Peter because of his accent!
3. Went to a Murder Mystery Dinner in a mansion. Fun, but I don't know if we would do it again.
4. Went to my 50th high school graduation reunion!!! When we walked into the room, Peter whispered in my ear... this room is full of old people!!
5. Visited a friend in St. Jo Michigan... wonderful town, wonderful times, and their was a fantastic Carousel and 'seniors' rode free! We laughed all night on the carousel rides!!

6. We are back on the barge, on the River Baïse.
7. We extended our French 'long stay' visa for another year.
8. All is well.