Aubigney sur Nere

Lots of catching up to do...

On Tuesday, Jon, Hannah and I walked around the marais in the morning before Jon had to leave for the airport. After a teary goodbye, Hannah and I walked around the latin quarter and bought some caramels, macarons, and champagne to bring to my friend Emilie. We took an easy 1 hour train from Paris to Gien, where Hervé, Emilie’s husband, met us with Maxence (15) and Axel (7). We got a quick tour of their town, Aubergy sur Nere, on our way to their house then the kids had a blast playing together in the backyard. Julien (13) made us a delicious strawberry tarte for dessert and Hervé barbequed yummy meats. That night before bed the kids piled in one bed to watch a little of Ice Age 4 in English!

 Wednesday morning, Emilie went to work while Hervé the kids and I went into town by car to walk around a bit. It was very interesting to learn about the town’s connection to Scotland (joining the Scots in the war against England) and the bond that still exists between the two countries. So strange to see so many kilts in shop windows!  The architecture is really reminiscent of Alsace with the half-timbered houses. 

 

After lunch, Hannah, Axel, Julien and I made crêpes in preparation for today’s “gouter”, the 4 o’clock snack.  Then we played some games in the backyard and did a little swimming and jumping on the trampoline.  Just before 6pm we all loaded up into the car with Emilie to go to a goat farm and see the milking of the goats. Hannah had lots of fun petting the farm animals and even had one goat nibble on her shirt!  Back to the house for BBQ chicken and more games. 

On Monday we left Venelles for Paris and took the TVG which made the trip only 3 hours long!  A trip that would take 7 hours by car!  We got our first hotel of the trip and stayed in the 5th just behind the Shakespeare and Co book store. We loved the neighborhood and spent some time wandering around Blvd St Germain and BoulMich. Hannah loved showing Jon the playground in the luxembourg gardens.