Every day is a good day! We’ve had a busy week and enjoyed every moment! A week ago today, last Sunday, 27 August, we went to two vide grenier’s - one in Lectoure and one in Pouy-Roquelaure. I bought a creamer and sugar pot with a tray for 1 euro. We had lunch in Pouy-Roquelaure, with our friends, Lesley and Andy. Lesley made a delicious Thai meal. They gave us a tour of their home - completely rebuilt and charming, with 1563 inscribed over an interior doorway. They bought the house across their walkway, and have renovated much of it, building out a nice workshop and office for Andy and two beautiful art studios for Lesley.
We had our weekly French lesson with Thanh on Monday morning. We hosted our Notaire and her husband on Monday evening for aperitifs. Corentine was helpful throughout our purchase process and we wanted to celebrate our purchase with her and Francois-Xavier. We had a nice evening, learning they are a musical family from classical to rock and roll, and Francois-Xavier has a collection of 14 Vespas that Papa is anxious to see.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Architecte de Bâtiment de Patrimoine de France, along with two people from the Mairie, came to our house. After showing them around, I had several questions about our house, and village building rules. In the evening, we went to a classical concert at Eglise Esprit, with soprano, trumpet and organ. It was excellent!
On Wednesday evening, we went to Ferme de Cazaux’s last dinner of the summer. Thanh and her husband Jerome went with us and our friend, Judy, met us there. We had a good time and the dinner was delicious, served under the trees in the courtyard between their home and barn.
We had lunch at Bouillon du Midi on Thursday and stopped at the grocery for a few things, where we ran into friends, Rachel and Sid. We chatted away, catching up on their latest trip. I met Judy at the spa at 2. We soaked for three hours and went to Hotel des Doctrinaires for lemonade after.
Bacqua Chapentre arrived on Friday morning, coming over our railing on top of the rampart wall. Their ladder for the work to be done was so tall, it was the only way to get it in place. They were efficient and happy, working as quickly as possible on the exterior third floor stones. They finished by 11:30, and Papa and I went to Lectoure’s marche. We picked up lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and Thai food for lunch, from a food truck.
This morning, we woke up to a small hot air balloon festival, with balloons taking off from the rugby field. There were 15 and we watched until they passed over Lectoure. Later in the morning, we went to an Antique Sale at Terraube Chateau. The Chateau has been in the same family since the 1200’s. They host an Antique Sale and Horse Competition the first weekend of September every year. The antique sale was nicely presented and we saw several people we know. Our friend Judy met us there and came back to Lectoure for lunch at Auberge du Bouvier. This afternoon, I finished my week long cleaning of the stairs on the outside wall of the ramparts. It was a bigger job than I expected and I did it because I wanted to. I’m glad it’s done! The hot air balloons went up again this evening! We watched from our 4th floor balcony, seeing friends and neighbors watching from their windows and gardens, with all balloons landing before the sun set. A wonderful week!
