Ibis Cognac

... bay attached to their top or rear. This seems to speak to several facts about the Europeans: they do drive much smaller, more fuel efficient cars than most Americans do, but as a result, need to add on carrying devices to move their cargo with them. Also, it appeared than many Europeans incorporate exercise such as bike riding into their normal schedules (I was traveling midweek, not on a holiday or weekend, when I noted all of the car’s with bike racks ...

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 ...

... to let the dearth of positions stop me from looking and even perhaps creating employment.

Oh, I better stop for now and help finish the laying out of the table and food.


10:36 PM What a nice leisurely dinner. Everyone finished dessert (I had a bit of Chris’s apple crumble or "scramble") some time ago, but has been talking and having coffee and/or wine.

There was spectacular sunset (iPhone camera will have to suffice, but I ...

... On the walk home, we each took turns reading aloud and Louise pulled out a dictionary to help us with translating once back at La G.

I hung out with Dave, Tracy and their daughter Georgia, played with the dogs and even read Anthony Adverse in the hammock for a while. There were a few sprinkles but that just made an already lovely day more interesting.

31, juillet '09 --- 7:05 PM

Back at Brossac Lake: This time with Holly, Louise, and Jana. After lasting more than a week, I decided to retire my hair-do (awwwww!) and finally go for a real swim (ahhhhhh!!). It's practically deserted here at this time of the evening when everyone seems to be preparing for dinner.

The girls, who are all basically young enough to be my daughters, all have great shapes, especially Jana ...

... so much by the music as I was by how thankful I was and am to be right here, right now. And I was feeling sad for the many people who at the same moment were dealing with war, hunger, poverty --- the harsh side of life. I wished that more people could know the amazing beauty, the joy that I experienced during that concert in such an ancient and holy place. Sounds a bit precious, eh? Seriously, though, I am very aware of how blessed I am.

... Brossac t-shirt and helped the tug of war team twice! We lost both times but let me tell you there are big ladies in those other villages! We then left and headed for our local lake where we swam the length of it and had a sunbathe.

Lisa Stone arrived that day and so we sat out back getting to know her, I made chicken fajitas for dinner and we planned the leaving arrangements for the following day ...

... rooms and 2 or 3 bedrooms upstairs. There is work ongoing in the old part of the house to make it into gites also. The outer facade looks lovely but inside is a building site!

There is no real garden area, just grass and fields but Paul the propietor is hoping to have this landscaped and even install a swimming pool! Won't be happening during my visit here!

We ...

... lor din Franta (au un cui iesind din ele, cam pe unde e pamantarea, asa ca multe aparate nu se potrivesc, desi avem adaptoare europene, aviz calatorilor!), intra pana la coate intr-un sertar si incepe sa scoate din el tot felul de adpatoare sa ne alegem ceva pentru laptop, daca gasim. Are de toate felurile, inclusiv australiene, desigur si nord-american. Ne rostogolim valizele in camera si-o luam la picior prin oras. E noapte. Cum nu se poate ...