Papa and I spent much of Tuesday in Auch, the Prefecture of the Gers (equivalent to the State Capital or County Seat). We walked down the Escalier Monumental, with its grand view over the river, and planted with over 400 grape vines. We visited Cathédrale Sainte-Marie, completed in 1680. It is one of the last Gothic cathedrals completed in France and considered one of the richest. We ate lunch at Le 9 Bistro, located in the Hotel de France, on Place de la Liberation, next to the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). Lunch was delicious! Le 9 Bistro is one of our favorite restaurants. We made a couple of shopping stops on our way back to Lectoure, and I found an alabaster vase to add to my collection. It was a good day!
Last evening, we had tickets to a marimba concert in Chateau de Flamarens, with Jean-Sebastien Borsarello, playing the marimba. He has been the marimba soloist of the Orchestra National du Capitole de Toulouse, since 2014. He played an eclectic selection of music, and after the concert, some in the audience gathered around the marimba while he explained how to hold the mallets.
The owners of Chateau de Flamarens invited everyone into a reception room of the chateau for refreshments, and the wife spent time with us, telling us of their family’s history of ownership and renovation. She took us into another room to show us photos of the chateau from 40 years ago, when it was a complete ruin. We had a very interesting evening! We walked out of the chateau to a full moon shining over the landscape. Magnifique!
I am 67 today! Who thinks of what their life will be when they are over 65, when they are under 30? Certainly, I didn’t! Today, I am the most grateful 67 year old on the planet! I am healthy, I love my family, and am blessed in so many ways.
I went for an early walk this morning, around the rempart walls of Lectoure, then went for a haircut on Rue Nationale. After the haircut, I picked up a loaf of fresh bread and a strawberry tart at the boulangerie, then stopped at the cheese shop for slices of ham and chunks of cheese. Our friend, Deirdre and her step-daughter Ana, joined us for a picnic style lunch. It was perfect! No stress and delicious, with good conversation.
Papa went to his gym in Fleurance after lunch, and I went up to the 4th floor to work out in my home gym. Just as I finished, Brian called, then Mary, and Audrey. I had emails from friends and family. Life is good! I am so grateful for this life! Every day is a good day!
On Friday evening, we went to a concert at Église Saint-Laurent de Fleurance, to hear the choral group, Gesauldo Six. They are an award-winning British vocal ensemble, committed to music education, and performing all over the world. Église Saint-Laurent was built in the 15th-16th centuries and the acoustics are exceptional. We enjoyed the concert, sitting with friends that happened to have arrived before us.
Every day of every week is interesting for us! We came home from Madrid late Friday night, 7 June. On Saturday, 8 June, I went to an art exhibition at the Manufacture Royale in Lectoure, just a stone’s throw from our home, and the artist on exhibit was someone we met last summer at the Roque Art Fête. I had an enjoyable conversation with her for close to an hour. Her work in this exhibition was primarily floral still life. I came home and prepared apéros for our friends Susan, living in Lectoure year round, and her daughter Anling, on vacation from her job in Michigan. We always enjoy them!
On Sunday, we met our friend Judy and her sister, Susan, visiting from the UK, and a current city councilwoman and former mayor of the city where she lives. We had lunch at Citrus in Condom - always delicious and special! We enjoyed our conversation, getting a bit of insight into how local politics in the UK works.
On Tuesday morning, we went to the Fleurance weekly market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. We met Anne, born and raised in Papau, New Guinea, with many years after university spent in Australia, before moving to Fleurance. We’ve not spent time with someone from New Guinea before, so it was interesting for us.
Yesterday, Wednesday, 12 June, we drove to Agen to shop. We had lunch at La Table de Michel Dussau, and then went to Chateau de Madaillan at 3 for a tour and apéros with our friend Aline, and her partner Jacques. Aline also has a home in Lectoure and for 20 years, before we arrived in Lectoure, she lived on our street. Chateau de Madaillan was built in the 13th century, and saw family life, as well as war. It was badly damaged during a siege in 1575, but survived. It was abandoned for some years then partially reconstructed. Jacques purchased the chateau in 1996 and has done a beautiful job of restoring it. Jacques gave us a tour, explaining the history surrounding the chateau. Our friends, Kay and Jay enjoyed the afternoon and evening with us, along with three other friends of Aline. It was unforgettable!
