Our week of camping with Xavier’s family ended with our 2-year old nephew’s special baptism in Paris at their church, Elise Réformée du Luxembourg. Many friends and family members were present as well as many people from their congregations. It was all very touching and unlike any baptism I’ve ever been to in the US, for a baby or an adult.
The church was not far from Le Jardin du Luxembourg, where we had a picnic lunch just prior to the ceremony.
Keira trying to flag down here cousin, Jacques, on his balance bike down the way.While her cousin took pictures with family, Keira looked after her little cousin’s bike… by riding it. 🙂The picnic was perfect in the shade. Just when we felt too warm, a light breeze came through to cool us off. C’était magnifique!In the sun it was H-O-T.
Since Marco’s stomach flu was not improving from day to day, we drove back to Angers the next morning after a delicious baguette breakfast with everyone. From there we said our g’byes and hit the road.
I’ve been spoiled by these baguette breakfasts with salted butter and honey, not to mention hot black coffee.
A lunch break at McDonald’s
Y’all… this is a wrap with BREADED GOAT CHEESE. Not chicken. Warm crunchy, breaded goat cheese. It was the only time in my life I thought a meal from McDonalds was heavenly, LOL.
And wedge french fries too, sparkling water as well.
And so began our 4th week in Avrillé & our last full week with Xavier.
The pictures below are in now particular order!
Marco found a remote control boat in the garage and managed to fix it! One this particular day, the temperatures were getting into the 90’s. It was awfully hot in the sun!
I’île Saint Aubin
We’re in love with this island: L’île Saint Aubin. We go there about 1x each week with the kids’ bikes and the 11-year-old French bulldog, Dolly. The whole experience is just lovely!
A “bac” is a small ferry. This tree behind Xavier, Le Platane de I’île Saint Aubin, is estimated to be 250 years old, folks!WOW!Marco and Keira far ahead of us on their bikes. There is a farm on the island which is one reason why the road is paved. We’ve seen some pretty huge tractors drive by.We could smell the cattle in the distance. 🙂IN LOVE w/ that sky. It reminds me of a tissue left in someone’s pocket after going through a cycle in the washing machine. Nonetheless, a site to see!Xavi, Claude and YvetteSelfie! Me, Yvette, Xavier and ClaudePicnic and cafe lounging area close to the “bac” (ferry).Happy girl !Hopping on the “bac” to head back to our car. I just love the view on the river Maine.Oh that view!
“A Table!” (eatin’ time)
Atta girl! She loves making a face (do you see it?) with her shredded carrots, bread and sliced cukes.Helping Papy Claude with everyone’s Nespresso order. Cute, cute cute!
Circa 2003 – we were just kids
We were so young. I think I was 23. Xavi 28? No shiny grey hairs for us.
French kids learn to open bottles of wine early right? Right?
Well, our kids now after 6 weeks in France, know very well how to open a bottle of wine, especially Marco being a bit stronger than Keira.
TA-DA!
A walk around downtown
Still so amazed by the wall art here!Raspberry Sorbet for Keira.Chocolate Sorbet for Marco
Bouchemaine, another great walk / riding trail
Bouchemaine is where the river Maine and the Loire meet and kiss.Between the nature and the history, I’m consumed w/ all the little details of the architecture here. Just leave me here. W/ a sketchbook & watercolors. And a croissant. Butter.
La vie est belle: Petting a sweet black kitty with one hand, Pain au Chocolate in the other.
Grilled sardines, Mussels & Fries
I’m not a fan of sardines unless I’m famished from a long day of skiing and in the company of French folks. This particular night the sardines were for Xavi and Claude. Oh sweet baby Jesus, these were incredible. I think I ate the weight of a dog in Mussels that night. I might not come home.Don’t judge the book by the cover on this pic. Those fries were mouthwatering, muffin-top augmenting bites of heaven.
