A little taste of France in Arbonne

In two hours Jennifer and Jean Marie will be taking me to SJPP where I will start to walk tomorrow. The last two days have been so very nice. J and JM's home is lovely, and comfortable, and built in the typical Basque style as required by the council of the area:

I slept soundly for two nights in a lovely room in a sort of attic with little windows which let in the fresh country air as well as the sounds of the birds and the occasional crow of the local rooster which I especially like. From my bedroom window I can see the garden shed, the neighour's house and the mountains I will climb tomorrow.

I have tried some lovely new and interesting dishes which have included duck fillet, local mushrooms and even had raw baby artichoke hearts with a little butter and a salt with chilles (La Force Basque, production de : un melanges de fleur de sel, persil plus garlic, plus piment d'espelette et baies roses).

It is time for me to go to SJPP now....with a little fear....in my tummy..........

Silence in Paris

What a beautiful day to arrive in Paris!

I smiled my way through the city to Montparnasse....loving the gorgeous buildings, with their lovely roofs, doors and balconies, and taking in every little French cafe I passed.

At Montparnasse train station I befriended Ghistain from Descartes who helped me to find my way on to the very fast French train (TGV) which would take me to Biarritz!

I am amazed! so far no one has stamped my passport, nor looked at my train ticket and I have been in Paris for several hours.

I have found France VERY quiet except for the announcements at the airport, train station and on the train. After such long flights, it is nice to be in silence :-) It makes it easy to notice things with my eyes and I am sure it has helped me to stay calm and arrive safely in lovely Arbonne, with ALL my gear (for those who know me well this is quite an achievement :-).

'Claripere'

(my new French name short for Clarisa Peregrina :-)