{"id":2015,"date":"2026-02-25T10:48:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T10:48:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scottysblog.com\/home\/?p=2015"},"modified":"2026-02-25T10:49:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T10:49:22","slug":"une-semaine-en-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scottysblog.com\/home\/une-semaine-en-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Une Semaine en France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Just back from a week in France, mainly to go and visit H\u2019s brother Tim and our sis-in-law Mel at their (not so, now) new house in Peuman, near Champagne Mouton. About 1.5 hours drive inland from Bordeaux or quite a long 7 hour drive from the Tunnel for us, as we took Mads along too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spent two nights en route south in a very wet Saumur, where the Loire had massively burst its banks, swamping entire riverside campsites, cafes etc. Quite odd seeing the tops of trees poking out of the very fast running river 100 meters from the bank\u2026 H managed to get in a wine tasting – and of course purchase – so Mads\u2019 dog bed is now a few inches higher perched on 18 bottles of Loire specials\u2026 We also went to Troglodyte caves, which came in marginally more exciting as an option above the other local thrill of a Tank Museum\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A couple more hours of driving south and we made it to Tim and Mel\u2019s place, unpacking in the drizzle but then enjoying a bit of dry and some sun, long enough for me to get a nice pic of the house. We were invited for coffee at their elderly English neighbours’ house, who were very sweet. And then hit the Fri eve \u2018apero\u2019 locale, where a dozen or so English-speakers gather each week. Mostly actual English with two Californians, an Aussie and a Scot. Quite nice as a one-off thing but I can see how Mel is a little weary of boozy nights with just Brits..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Had a little wander round the nearby towns which are pretty but (for me) rather too quiet – one restaurant, a cake cafe and a little gift store in this one. We were v lucky however to have chosen this random Feb weekend to come over as it coincided with \u2018Le Repas du Chasse\u2019, an actual mega lunch put on by the local hunt in the village hall. About 80-100 punters all poured in ready to fill their meaty boots…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Started at 12 with cognac and Schweppes Agrume, an oddly nice mix. The first course hit the trestle tables about 1.45pm so the mix of 3\/4 local Frenchies and 1\/4 English were already well oiled as we sat in our separate groups, all with our own plates, bowls, cutlery and cups at the ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Over the course of another 4 hours out came 8 (I think!) courses – veg soup with crusty bread, a cheesy and meat vol au vent, a slice of meaty terrine, a deer stew, a hideously raw lump of deer that was completely inedible but did come with dauphinois spud, then cheese, bread and a vinegary salad and finally a plastic cup of tiramisu. With a small takeaway cup of pear ice cream in the middle, into which the huntsmen poured a hefty slug of neat vodka! Now that\u2019s some palate cleanser\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cue a hefty daytime headache for me and all of us in bed by 9pm! An interesting experience as I was wondering what the French thought of the ex pats, so was very pleasantly surprised at the end when a classic old farmer type monsieur thanked us for coming, exchanged words around which locals he and Mel\/Tim knew in common and said it was wonderful how \u2018the English have saved the villages\u2019 by moving in, spending money and breathing life back into knackered old houses. He spoke in quite a local dialect, so I think that was the message anyway\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maddie and we met big boy Bodhi, T&M\u2019s Bernese Labradoodle cross, already a whopping hairy six stone of puppy excitement at just 7 months. Having stolen a cake for Mel\u2019s book club off the counter a week or so ago, we were briefed not to leave anything unattended, from food, the shoes, to glasses as he\u2019s also had two tv controls of late..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He loved chasing Maddie round their large garden and with his paws up on my shoulder is almost as tall as I am. Their three massive Maine Coon cats are slightly less enamoured so there was a bit of \u2018sod off\u2019 hissing, but overall it worked well. Good to see Tim & Mel in their French environment after 15 months – it\u2019s def quite a change from Gravesend!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully next time we can go in good weather as H\u2019s limit on days in Europe is mostly used by Spain\/the boat in Spring and Summer. I\u2019d like a dip & a petite biere in their pool\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spent our last two nights in Le Touquet, where it\u2019s always lovely to walk the endless beaches and eat seafood till the prawns come home at Le Perard. And of course took the usual photo of us outside Le Cafe des Sports where we first snogged… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maddie much happier to be out of the car and bowling up and down the sand, sweeeeet x<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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