The South of France

The stunning view from Rob and Patti's farmhouse on 100 acres among vineyards in the Lot River valley

Gordon and I have often fantasized about living in “the South of France.” Last month we landed there. Visiting.

Rob, Gordon and Patti check out brussel sprouts at a local market -- which Patti makes into an elegant dish for dinner

And fantastic it was. Here’s what I wrote while there (and meant to post to the blog, but I got so delightedly lethargic, it never happened):

Patti and I enjoy conversation and coffee at a restaurant where most others are eating Beef Bourgignon

Our friends the Beebes – Rob and Patti – have lived here for a number of years from September through May. They and their dog, Wombat, have made quite an impression on the locals. They’re living on a 100-acre working farm – complete with cows, chickens, vineyards, fruit trees. They’re studying French; Rob is already quite proficient.

Wombat mugs (sort of) in front of a dog fountain in Cahors, the nearest 'big town' to where the Beebes live

It seems about as far from Paris as you can get. The Lot River valley. A river that squiggles through oak forests and vineyards. The wine is dark and earthy.

Wombat never tires of playing ball -- and we never tire of taking walks

It’s a great place to decompress from recent busyness. The landscape is conducive to quiet meditations. Daffodils, peach trees and forsythia are in bloom.

The weather, however, is not much different from that in Seattle. So it makes the dream of living in the South of France a bit less compelling. Still…

Being here conjures up memories of romantic times in Southern France when I was in my 20’s – making onion soup and munching hard-crusted soft-eggy bread, at a time when it seemed anything was possible. Being joined by my first partner, and exploring the mysteries of ecstatic talks punctuated by soul kissing. Taking walks among cows and getting lost. Being amazed that people shut their shutters each night, sealing their houses from light. (This still happens!)

Gordon and Catie upon their reunion in Limoges. She took us out for coffee -- and wouldn't let us pay ("You were invited!" .. very European)

Then we took a two-hour train ride to Limoges, where our friend Catie (Gordon’s high school prom date when she was an exchange student in Colby, Kansas) and her partner Jacques live in ancient houses across the street (route de la Coulees Vertes) from each other. It makes such a difference when you visit friends while traveling!

Catie lives in an ancient Auberge (restaurant) built in 1742...

... and Jacques lives in this fabulous house across the street, which was a ruin when we visited them in 2001!

We continued our decompression with them in Montrol Senard, a town so small (pop. 230) it doesn’t appear on any maps I’ve seen. Both Catie and Jacques cooked for us, and we took walks and jogs and soaked in wonderful scenery.

Jacques presented Gordon with a French knife (oops... don't tell Homeland Security!)

Jacques topped off a luscious salmon dinner with bananas flambee -- which touched my heart and stomach

The South of France continues to be a wonderful fantasy – and reality!

The view from Catie's kitchen is charming -- I dream of summer barbeques in the back yard (which we experienced on our first visit in 2001)