Chateau de L'Herm, Sheep and Creme' Brulee'

We awoke to another day of blue skies but cooler temperatures. Our day started with ham, tomato and cheese omelets, coffee and baguettes.

Chateau de L'Herm

Kurt and I had seen Chateau Herm during our first week, but we waited so we could take Kathy (Herm) there. Of course, it is closed for the month of June. Still, we got an up close enough view of the lovely castle in ruins. It had a stone bridge over its moat. We took pictures of Kathy in front of it to send to her husband, Joe.

Sheep!

We took a walk down a long path beside the castle and heard sheep, lots of sheep baaahing, and it made me stop in my tracks. It was one of the things I wanted to experience on my wish list for my trip to France. There were big sheep, baby sheep, furry sheep, and sheared sheep. There was even a black sheep. The others seem to like him and kept him in the center of them. There were fields full of sheep on both sides of the road. Mom doesn't understand why that makes me so happy. Come to think of it, neither do I, but it really did. During the entire trip, I've been keeping an eye out for them. Another blessing.

Benac Castle

Next, we took Kathy and Mom to see Benac Castle, which sits high on a hill, overlooking the Dordogne River.

Then dinner on the terrace of a restaurant sitting on the edge of the river. We had our very first creme brulee for dessert. I enjoyed cracking it, like Amelie.

On the drive home, Kurt noticed a large depot vente so once again, we made a pit stop. We all combed through the building and the outside, both overflowing with treasures. I had a small pile on the counter and was ready to pay when my mother asked if I had seen a couple of paintings on the floor. They were very dirty, but were just perfect, and the best part was they were only five euros each. Sold!

Flea Market, and Out and About around Baran

After a delicious French meal at McDonalds, we happened upon a flea market. I couldn't get the car stopped fast enough. We had just been discussing how in the world we were going to get all the stuff we have purchased back home, but we just couldn't resist. Mom just laughed at us. She knows there's nothing she can do to stop it anyway.

Our sweet mama bringing us coffee while we weefee

We made a quick coffee stop at home then headed back out on another excursion. We saw the Eglise Allas, another ancient church, then drove past poppy field after poppy field to Commarque Castle in ruins, walking through what we like to call the enchanted forest.

Our daily bread, in more ways than one.

Scenes around Baran

What a blessed Sunday, full of adventures.

Blessed Sunday

Another beautiful day started with rain as we shopped the street market in St. Cyprien. We were prepared with rain ponchos, so we didn't mind. This quaint market is quite different than the larger market in Sarlat. There were many more farmer's market type booths, selling homegrown produce. There were many flower booths selling cut flowers, no doubt from their own gardens.

Some of the colorful flowers were displayed in rusty metal cans. I have always appreciated that style. I love the juxtaposition of a fancy crystal chandelier raining down light onto a rustic barnwood table. Kathy said that the French really do know how to appreciate the little things, as do I.

At the market, we ran into our neighbor Margot, who is a former Dutch model. The people we have met in this area sure have led interesting lives. Her husband is a painting restorer who has work with Picassos. She was at the market visiting a friend who owns a shop that specializes in American collectibles, such as John Wayne memorabilia, The Simpsons, mid-century modern furniture from California and even bobbleheads. She had stopped by our house for a visit the day before, ringing our door bells. Yes, door bells. I had never thought about where the name had originated, but I loved hearing that string of rusty bells ring when she visited.

I love the simple rustic French country way of life. During her visit, Margot told us a little about their interesting lives, then described her husband's retirement as trading in working with Picassos for working in sheep "you know what".

After the market, we went to Redon Espic Church and had our own worship service there. There are no words to describe that experience so I won't try. Here are a couple of pictures and videos.

Outtakee! We had lots of those.