The last day at Chez Nous

The final farewell has been made, a few tears and lots of 'grand bisous'. We snacked on the square and said goodbye to Ian, Norma and Alfie. Millie had a little early birthday party with her friends which was fun but a little overwhelming for her. We think she realises something is up. After another play on the square, a quick beer for Andy in Cafe du Pont and some last minute packing we went for dinner with Nicole, Lylou and Shany to LeTyrex for pizza. We are going to miss our new and wonderful friends very much. Everyone is asking when we are coming back.... who knows?

pain au chocolat on the square

Happy Birthday Millie

Lylou, Millie & Shany

Mmmmm... pizza

Nicole, Kelsie & Andy

Les petites

Too much wine?

Andy has a  pretty impressive collection of the various corks that have plugged the tops of the various fluids we have consumed. Too be honest there aren't as many as I thought there would be. Well done us!

Millie has to say goodbye to her own collection of rocks. A sad day indeed.

A visit from the McNicols

The lovely McNicols' made their way to Esperaza for a few days. We picnicked, hiked (well I didn't but Andy, Ian, Norma and Alfie hiked up to Rennes-le-Chateau-well done!), drank and enjoyed their company. Alfie was a wonder with Millie, making her laugh and chasing her around, bless him. Thanks for visiting.

8 a huit

Our four months wouldn't have been the same without the service and friendliness of Isabelle and Alain from the local 8 a huit supermarket. It's small but has more than enough to keep us happy. Andy has enjoyed their array of wine, Millie loves their little quacking duck by the door (see photo) and I rather like the chocolate mousse.

Bye bye bakery

A fond farewell to the best bakery in the world. We've tried bread, croissants and pain au chocolate all across France but these guys make the most delicious bread and pastries of all.  It is with sadness we say goodbye but not with empty tummies!

Fun with friends

The saddest thing of all, of course, is saying goodbye to new friends. Millie is doing it in fine style with hers. She spent yesterday afternoon swimming in the river with Lylou and Shany, picking berries and then afterwards enjoying a spin in the playground. Today she went swimming with her friend Guilhem in the warm baths at Rennes-les-bains. What a life!

collecting rocks in the river

Andy, Millie, Shany & Lylou turning blue!

picking berries

Yum yum Lylou

Millie & Nicole

Perfect babysitters

Taking in the river

The heat of Sunday (over 37 degrees) was tough to take so we headed to the river to cool off. It's much cooler down there anyway and the water was very fresh. Millie had a ball but we hauled her out when her lips starting turning blue.

Monday was much cooler so we fed the ducks and enjoyed the breeze that had been missing on the weekend.

The Market

Definitely one of the saddest things to say goodbye to is the market in the square every Sunday. It has been such a treat having so many lovely things on our doorstep. Of course we have our favourites so a big thank you to the two best local fruit and veges stalls, our fave cheese stall and Mr Saucisson a.k.a. Tim who makes the best sausages ever.

Chez Charly

It seems that it is almost time to say goodbye to Esperaza so in an attempt to show you and remember all of our favourite places we are embarrassing ourselves by asking everyone if we can take photos. The butcher seemed more than happy to oblige and even wanted a cuddle with Millie.

Chez Charly is by far Andy's favourite butcher. They have everything you can think of and more. I think Andy particularly likes choosing his steak then seeing it sliced off the enormous cuts of beef sitting on the bench. Each to their own! We'll all definitely miss the ham.

saucisson

steak anyone?

Mr Charly himself

ham

Spot the difference II

Arc du Triomphe, Paris.

There seems to be an extra person, some extra kilos (I blame the pain au chocolat) and extra clouds in the sky. Anything else????

2003

2011

Spot the difference

What difference does 8 years and a kid each make? Can you tell the difference? I think there is a definite improvement in hats. There is another photo from 1998 floating around somewhere.

2003

2011

Montpellier

Montpellier is such a likeable city. It's friendly, easy to get around and interesting. We strolled and played and rested after the crazy two weeks travelling with Mum and Dad.

Best kids menu pizza we've seen so far!

Paris, Paris, Paris

So much to see and so little time... but we had a go despite the rain, a tired toddler and sore feet all round. We attempted to crack out some of the top ten: Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Boat trip on the Seine, Hotel Invalides (Napoleon's tomb), Concorde and a few others. We enjoyed some lovely food  (I'll never forget my pork chop) and many glasses of wet stuff. Mum shopped til she dropped, or rather could fit nothing else in her suitcase (and Dad's). Our trip up the Eiffel Tower on our last afternoon was the icing on the cake for Mum and Dad. As always I left Paris thinking of what I would do next time I visit.

Sacre Coeur

Millie & Matthew

Arc du Triomph

Looking a little older than the last time you took this shot lads

Top of Eiffel Tower

All tuckered out

Andrew's birthday

In an attempt to improve on Andy's last four birthdays in Jigalong (with swine flu thrown into the mix last year) we went to Paris to celebrate. Dan, Natalie and Matthew surprised him with a visit to top it off. Despite the warmth and the difficulties travelling around Paris with toddlers he had a lovely day. First was a visit to the Il de la Cite and Notre Dame then onto lunch. This was the highlight of course as lunch was at Le Relais de l'Entrecote where you are not given a menu. The menu is simply steak and chips followed by steak and chips; right up Andy's alley! It did not disappoint as we all agreed that it was the best steak we've ever had - even Mum! A few beers followed in the afternoon then Grandma and Pa kindly babysat while Andy and I went out for dinner. Thanks again!!!!!

The Med: Menton, Monaco and Italy

Thanks to the hospitality of the Percivals we had a wonderful long weekend with them in the their lovely new house in Menton. It was just divine to spend time with gorgeous Luke and look around their town. We had a day in Monaco seeing the sights and enjoying the food. We tripped over the border to Ventamiglia in Italy on Sunday for a stroll and another very good lunch. How lucky those Percivals are to have such delights on their doorstep.

Dinner on the coast in Menton

Monaco

Cheers to Italie

Enjoying the view from the Percival's balcony