Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 August 2024

Leaving our Bordeaux neighbourhood this morning we discovered a delightful coffee shop in a part of the area we hadn’t noticed before. All designer shops, Michelin restaurants and in all, quite an upmarket part of the neighbourhood. It just goes to show, that you need to spend time in a place to really appreciate what it has to offer. We decided that we really like Bordeaux, this being our fourth or so visit.

We headed off to Lalinde and, just outside, the hamlet of Auriac, to visit Cyrille, the host of the home exchange we stayed for 14 days, five years ago (almost to the day). It was like we were there only yesterday. Apart from not looking much older (bastard!) and the grass being a bit longer, the cottage, pool and gardens were much the same. After a cooling swim (Lady P) in the pool, Cyrille’s new partner Danielle, appeared and we had Champagne while Cyrille prepared dips and saussion for an appetizer and then confit duck with potatoes, followed by ice cream. It was a great night of discussion and catch up.

After a simple breakfast, we said our goodbyes and drove into the market in Lalinde. This is very familiar territory and many of the stalls were still operating and the shops the same as last time. It was a glorious 30+ day and we wandered the market, had a beer and Spritz before picking up some supplies and heading back to the car for the trip back to LPR.

On the way we stopped at Issigiac, a medieval village, for lunch and a wine, as you do. Then back home to say hi and bye as Emma Lou and Johnny, with son Casper, headed off to a Chateau for a summer Opera and pique nique for the evening, while we minded Truffle the dog. As good guardians, we checked that they were home before mid night.


Comments

  1. Graeme10 August 2024 at 22:20

    I see that you haven't found a tasting room yet that lets you into their cellar with a full size glass and about 300 wines to taste, all for the princely sum of 15 Euros... Cheers, the Major (PS is the term "pique nique" a little pretentious? Just saying.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10 August 2024 at 23:03

      As you know French nobility invented the picnic in the 1700s. Naturally the spelt it in French and as you would say," Flashy, where are we?"

      Delete

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