Monday

Our Home in the Vendee -- The Petite Gite

Monday morning we had been careful to get reservations on the train departing at 11 am, but instead we awakened very early (for Susan, at 3 am! Tom slept in until 5), and had plenty of time to repack and prepare the apartment for our absence. We were able to leave a few things behind, since we will return to the apartment for a last week in Paris, which allowed us to consolidate our 6 bags into four, much easier for managing to and into the train. Tom went out to find a taxi (no small feat, as it turned out), and we arrived at the train station over an hour early. But better early than late.

The trip to Nantes was quite quick, about two hours. We hopped off, and after some confusion (it being lunchtime and all – nothing moves until 2 pm) found our navette to the car rental. Once we had our car, we proceeded to get somewhat lost, since we had decided to buy new maps and had forgotten to get one before embarking in the car. But we found our way, and arrived at the Gite around 5. Jeanne and Bertrand were there, along with their daughter Pauline (with news of her recent trip to New York and Los Angeles), and their friend Solange. Solange is a quadriplegic, and was quite interesting to talk to. She speaks very good English, and has traveled extensively in the United States, and the world, so she had a lot to say about various places she has visited. Her two young aides were also very helpful in the kitchen and in clearing up after meals. We joined them for a delicious dinner of Moroccan chicken (lemon and green olives), potatoes and (in this household) the inevitable, delicious and intriguing cheese course. The evening wound down just after midnight.