Fasthotel Angouleme

9:15AM

Most of my writing has been done on my laptop, making it easier to send out in emails and/or copy and paste onto my this blog (my first). I've also recorded shot vids on the laptop and "voice memos' on the iphone. So many choices!

i've awakened late and haven't even gotten out of bed yet. Sounds like someone went into the bathroom, so I ...

... been coming back from the l’etang/the swimming hole, otherwise known as Brossac Lake. I haven’t gone in the last few days, but will treat myself to a swim tomorrow or the next day.

John, an English English teacher (!) and Dave, are grilling chicken breasts marinated in lemon, onions, oil, salt and pepper and I’m going to try to make some Thai rice for dinner and maybe use the leftover peas to make soup ...

8:42 PM

It was hot today and will be hotter still tomorrow: probably about 90 F. I spent the day doing a variety of jobs, from updating my blog to sweeping floors and helping with the laundry. Dinner, grilled hamburger patties and sausage with fixings (no cheese, alas!) is almost ready.

We have another new guest/volunteer, Charlotte (Charlie) from Britain. There's a Russian applicant, Julia, who’s been having trouble securing her visa and ...

... for lunch. Even though I tried on several hats I was able to 'be good."

We had some cokes and cafe au lait (thanks, Dave!) and walked around for a couple of hours enjoying the sights and sounds; there was some live music that sounded like it came from Peru! After lunch back at La G (Mmmm that chicken was great!), I tried out the hammock for the first time and quite enjoyed it.

... of her work. She's asked me to do some more! Oh noooo, what have I gotten myself into... Really it's rather an honor.

Dinner is running a bit late; Julie's cassoulet is still stubbornly partially frozen. I've stirred it and cranked up the gas oven. Maybe another 10 mins?

Louise, Holly and I entered the "guess these famous authors" contest and we ...

... thank goodness!). My pommes de terre a la LiLi were rather tasty, merci. Made with leftover, two day old mashed potatoes, some grated mystery cheese, milk, a bit of sauteed onions, ham, and garlic, a little olive oil and a lot of trepidation, with a topping of herbs de provence and more grated frommage.

I also helped with the clearing and cleaning, answered the phone, replied to La G program emails and cleaned & ...

... Yanna and Ed to a concert held in a church carved out of a cave by Benedictine monks in Aubeterre (about 12 miles away). I even wore that sexy halter dress my sister Micki gave me and put on make up! That delicate ******et crème sweater with the faux pearls that I bought in Spain almost 10 years ago really came in handy over my shoulders in the cool interior of the church and I even had a chance to use one of my scarves (bright yellow ...

... had been left from the night before. It wasn't too bad a job but not the best with a hangover! I am pleased to say that I still managed to complete all 5 phrases without error or I'd have been given a glass of Pastis to drink! It was bad enough trying to get a glass of white wine down my throat, not sure about this hair of the dog thing!

Spent the rest of today sleeping and getting some sensibility back by a culture injection of Andrea Boccelli (grazie a ...

... in Amboise (where we spent last night) and also toured through Chenonceaux which is a stunning chateau on Le Cher river. Right across the river actually. The other chateaus we saw were from a distance or were not open at this time. The Loire valley is really quite beautiful. Rolling farmland that PG kept getting us lost in. She really does come in handy when you want to go on the road less travelled. We spent an amazing two days battling ...

... mes vols autant que je le veux.. donc si je decide de rester plus longtemps dans un pays je peux... et si je ne peux pas attendre mon vol pour arriver a la prochaine destination et bien je peux l'avancer aussi!... bref je suis libre comme le vent et peux decider de mon parcours comme je le veux!! Donc voila le trajet prevu jusque la... et on verra a la fin du voyage si j'ai bien parcouru cette route la ou pas!! *PREMIER ARRET: AMERIQUE LATINE (16 Jan ...