We completed the renovation of our bathroom project over this week. Thank goodness! Along the way, we had a full week of activities. Last Sunday evening, we went to a violin concert in Blaziert. The concert was performed by a talented young Danish woman, who won the top prize in a Carnegie Hall competition, among other prizes. She was visiting her aunt in Blaziert and played the concert as a favor. It was delightful. We saw several new friends in Blaziert and stayed after the concert to chat over sangria in the village halle.
On Monday, we had our weekly French lesson with Thanh. It feels as though we are making progress, but it is slow! Thanh is patient with us. In the evening, we walked down Rue Nationale during Lectoure’s Les Nuits du Lundi, a summer fete on Monday nights. There were lots of food vendors lining the street, with rows of tables, along with various other vendors and family games. The street was teeming with families and young people, with music piped through the village. It was festive and fun.
On Tuesday morning, we went to the Marche in Fleurance, picking up fresh fruits and vegetables. Wednesday was the first of a two day Fete Nationale in France. We worked on the bathroom project much of the day. We were invited to a neighbor’s house, Gerard and Alice’s, for aperitifs in the evening. We sat on their terrace and enjoyed the cool evening air, while eating and talking for three hours. The food was delicious and we ate too much! At 11 that evening, we celebrated Claire and Whitney’s 39th birthday with a family Zoom call. It was the best part of our day! We love our family!
Thursday was Bastille Day, the 2nd day of Fete Nationale. In the morning, we went to a vide grenier in La Romieu. We didn’t buy anything but we had a great time looking! We came home and walked to Lectoure’s Fete Nationale Ceremony at the Monument au Morts. A band played, the mayor spoke, and wreaths were laid, at the foot of the Monument to Lectoure’s soldiers lost in WWI, 1914-1918. We worked on the bathroom project again - almost done! In the evening, we went across the street to Dominique and Romain’s house for a tour of their photography exhibition, to be open during L’Ete Photographie de Lectoure. Their friend, Freddie, came for a few days from Paris, to help them prepare the exhibition and he gave us an explanation of each chosen photographer and their work, from all over the world. It was fascinating. We had aperitifs on their patio afterward, then came to our 4ème balcony at 11 to watch fireworks. We could see Fleurance’s fireworks in the distance, but the real star of the show was the red moon rising, just as we opened the balcony door. It was stunning!
I went early to Lectoure’s Friday market. We were expecting an Amazon delivery and I like to be home when they arrive. I spent time on the bathroom project, caulking and touch up painting. Closer closer to the finish! Papa started a new project - a new mantel for our library. The old mantel was removed but we found the marble top in the attic. In the afternoon, after our Amazon delivery, we put together the bed for the bedroom attached to the bathroom project, and rearranged our 1er etage guest room. The house continues to evolve.
Today, Saturday, we left home by 8:15, and drove to Agen, to return several items we didn’t use in the bathroom project, and picked up other things we needed. We took a detour to Nerac for their Saturday market. It is a large and interesting market in the historic center of Nerac, with it’s Castle on the Petit Baise River. We bought veggies and fruits.
We’ve had a treat almost every morning this week, with hot air balloons take off from the rugby field down the hill from our house. Some mornings, the balloons have flown right over our house. They’ve been fun to watch. We’re having fun in Lectoure!
