Turned 45 on Tuesday, a milestone to remember

I turned 45 on Tuesday, bit of a milestone, what a way to spend it, great day. Started off driving Sophie to the bus stop, which I totally enjoy. She said I was not able to open my presents until I saw her at lunch time.

Jane and Connor headed off to do some admin in town, and I was able to go for a nice long walk in the country side. It’s looking so green and lush. Seeing a lot of eagles flying around. Seeing a few snakes too. Most of them are harmless, apart from the “viper”, the name kind of suites for a venomous snake, hey. Saw one of those a few weeks ago, just lying in the middle of the road, they’re only about a foot long. We’ve seen heaps of deer, Jane nearly drove into one of them on the way into Payrac one day. Have seen heaps of rabbits, and a few squirrels too. 

Jane and the kids picked me up near noon and we headed off for lunch at a worker’s restaurant, one that I’ve wanted to go to for a few weeks. They usually serve just local workers, and it’s more the traditional type meals. Thirteen euros for a simple, very yummy, three course meal, well the soup we were a bit unsure of, but the rest of it was really tasty. We ordered the nine euros kids meal for Sophie, and that was, believe it or not, confit de canard, duck in other words, a bit different from the ole chicken nuggets and chips! It was a memorable lunch, just perfect.

 

Here is Soph and I tucking into the delicious deserts, tre bonne (very good)

Then we had our good friends, Beth from up in the hamlet, and Tony and Deni, who are basically our next door neighbours, around for a few drink and nibbles. That was really nice. I told them about the blog, so they’ll probably read this - thanks for sharing my birthday with me guys!

 

A highlight was definitely the cake that Denis made for me, as shown below, very chuffed, thanks Deni!     

 

Yesterday, being Wednesday, the day Sophie does not have school, we headed down to Cahors, the capital of The Lot, to go to an antique book market and for some shopping. Before that we visited and had a picnic lunch at probably one of the most famous bridges in France, the medieval Valentre Bridge. It spans across The Lot River into Cahors, as shown below.

 

 

Construction of the bridge started in the 12^th century. The fortifications of the bridge have worked pretty well over the ages, with the English during the Hundred Year War and Henry of Navarre trying but not succeeding to cross it.   Here is a photo of me at the top of some stairs on the bridge, Sophie and Connor were very keen to follow me up there, I don't think so,...... note how worn the stone steps are.

 

The temperature hit 28 degrees today, loving it. We’ve decided our French language progression needs a move along so we rang up a tutor advertised at the Payrac baker. Our first proper lesson is today and we have homework still to do! Our new tutor, Allison, recently broke her ankle so we are visiting her in this classic big old renovated building in Montfaucon, about 15km away, where she is staying and receiving treatment. She was saying when we first met her that beforehand the building used to be a seminary for priests and before that it was fortified stronghold for the English during the Hundred Year War – love the history in the place!
   

Good news! Sophie has progressed to full days at kindy, well she will phase into them. She has been going just from nine to midday, but today she will have lunch there, probably three courses :), then she will finish at 4.30pm, a couple of days a week to start off with. She seems to really enjoy it. 

A beintot, et bonne santé (bye for now and good health)

Jane, Soph, Connor and me.