Uncle Joe's and Auntie Eve's

Hi

After 3 nights at Deborah's we drove up to Uncle Joe's. He lives in Brerec, about 65 miles from Deborah's. It's inland and very different to Penestin. They rent a property there. It's a 4 bed place so this time we all had a bedroom of our own although Jacob was up in the night and Coco the dog came and said hello to me at 6.30am! Jacob and Abi loved the garden and the dog and would have happily stayed the week. We only stayed a night as I wanted to get back. While at Uncle Joe's he took us on a tour of the local area. We stopped at the canal and had a walk along the banks. We were lucky to see a boat coming through. I've put in a photo of us by the lock. It was a series of 11 locks so we watched the boat go through a few. Jacob and Abi hadn't seen them before so they found it all very interesting. I've also incuded a photo of Jacob in the garden and Abi digging potatoes with Uncle Joe. The garden is beautiful. Auntie Eve has done a brilliant job. They are very happy in France, it is very rural but does suit them. We had a great meal there and then drove back here in one go - a 10 hour trip. Jacob and Abi were very good. I'd had enough especially after Allen said could I pick something up for tea on the way home! He went out and got Chinese when we got back. So our extended holiday was a success and I'd like to visit all of the places again.

We also have a new second car. Allen chose a VW Scirocco. It is growing on me, especially when I was driving yesterday and had to come off very quickly from the motorway. If I'd been in the Superb I would have rolled the car but this small nippy thing managed without the children even noticing. My friend was following me and I apparently made her children scream by watching us though! Allen will be driving it more as it's small in the back. I took it shopping and the weekly shop does fit in so it's OK.

Babysitter booked tonight so off into Sittard and we've also got a family's lunch tomorrow. Then it's Take That on Monday in Dusseldorf. We're using Take That as our 14th Wedding Anniversary celebration so hoping it's a good night.

Rachael.

Penestin

Hi

After a week in Turenne I dropped Allen at Limoges train station and he made his way back to Sittard. I'd had to go to the train station locally and buy him a ticket, I managed all in French and he eventually got home so it worked! We did speak quite a bit of French over the week, a lot easier than Dutch I have to say. So, after saying good bye to Allen we drove up to Penestin in Brittany. We stayed at Deborah's house. She's a fellow wife and teacher who's in Brunssum at present. I first met her when we were posted to DC. They bought a 4 bed cottage in a seaside location ten yuears ago and are gradually doing it up. She has 2 daughts but only one was there who's 12. She had her cousin out too and Abi was very happy to be hanging out with a 12 and 13 year old. It was great as you could walk into the town but also get to the sea very easily. Jacob and Abi loved the beach and water. They went in both days we were on the beach and had great fun. They collected fish, starfish and rocks in the rock pools using their nets and a bucket. We did a few walks too so there's a photo of us on the cliff top and one from the beach collecting. We had a lovely meal out in the town and Deborah cooked for us twice too. It was very relaxing even though I had to share with Abi! I hope we can visit again and take Allen with us next time.

Rachael.

More Turenne

Hi

Around Turenne were many beautiful villages and towns. We went to one called Collonges-la-Rouge = a red town. This was very touristy but very different to the other places we visited. Anne bought a beautiful painting, I wanted one too but Allen was Mr Moaner so we didn't get one. There were loads of jewellery shops and I was tempted by some nice pieces. I've put in a photo of the girls by one of the red brick buildings. It was on a hill so lots of leg strengthening walking was done!

Another town we went to was Uzerche, a Medieval town on a river. We had a great lunch in a local restaurant. It was packed, no English spoken but the food was excellent. They did the set lunch menu to include wine. I ended up drinking quite a bit of red wine, something I don't normally do but it was very light and very right with lunch!

The last photo is of my 2 in the pool. They probably spent most afternoons in there as it was warmer in the afternoons. We loved the area and will look to go again but to a different town. We were lucky that there were places to eat in Turenne so we could just walk down the very steep hill. My thighs and bum should have had a good workout but this was probably counteracted by the amount of duck and wine I had while in France!

Rachael.

Turenne

Hi

I am doing 4 posts about our recent holiday to France as we stayed at 3 different locations so loads of info and photos. I had booked a week at a house in the pretty Medieval village of Turenne. It's an hour and 20 mins to the East of Bordeaux, about a 10 hour drive from here. We stopped this side of Paris for the night to break the journey and had an easy run down. I took a photo as we came into the village of Turenne, it's amazing. The place we were staying at was right next to the tower of the castle at the top of the village. There is also a photo of the house taken from the castle showing the pool and the beautiful view we had from the property. It was an old farm house that has been restored by the owners, it's been in the family since the 1800's. Our friends, Anne and Pete, plus their 2 girls arrived later that evening. I'd done a BBQ, the weather was perfect and the wine chilled. We explored the area but also relaxed at the house as there was our own pool which Jacob and Abi had great fun in. We also went to caves near by that you took a train down to get into. It was then an hour and a half of a guided tour that was well worth it - see photo. Another favourite day was at the local lake, I've included a variety of photos from there. I will do another post as there are too many photos to include in this one

Rachael.

Brownies and Ju-JitSu

Hi

A late post! Abi bridged to Brownies at the end of the school term. She's done a year in Daisy's - Rainbow equivalent UK wise and now graduates to Brownies. I am going to keep running Daisy's as I have another Mum willing to run Brownies so it works well. I've included a photo of Abi getting her new uniform with her new leader - Linda. The other is of her enjoying the end of term Daisy party.

Jacob got his next set of tabs for Ju-JitSu, he is now an orange tab holder. He did really well as he was not feeling great, he'd had the previous day off but was determined to get the next level. He's well suited to Ju-JitSu with his sturdy build, have to say he's won most of his fights.

Rachael.