Miscellany

Today was a long-drive day. By the time we packed, checked out of our hotel, and wove our way through the rummage sale in the park in front of our hotel, then drove from Domme to Avignon, there wasn't much time for new pictures, so I've decided today's blog will be a collection of topics that didn't make the cut on the day I took the pictures.

First up is the "May Pole" tradition from the Perigord region that we just left.

Each village in the region erects such a pole, cut from deep in the forest, stripped of lower branches, decorated in the national colors, and placed in a position of promincnce to honor the village's elected officials. The ideas is that once the usually hard-fought elections are over, it's time to work together, and to show some respect for those who have dedicated themselves to public service. What a concept.

The next three pictures come from Blois, site of one of the castles we visited. The first is another reminder of historical perspective. This plaque was mounted almost 100 years ago and it celebrates the 500th anniversary of the visit by Joan of Arc to recruit for her army to save France from foreign oppression. Note that this was 63 years before "Columbus sailed the ocean blue".

 

When you visit the castle at Blois, you can buy a ticket to the magic show at The House of Magic, just across the street. We didn't want to hang around for that, but by dint of good timing, we caught a little teaser. On the left is the building as it normally looks. Below is what it looks like when the dragons inside wake up to stretch themselves!

 

I haven't written much about food yet; I don't want to sound like I'm bragging. One liberty I have allowed myself on this trip is more cheese. Here, for instance, is the cheese cart from our hotel in Domme. Unfortunately, I had already filled up on other delicacies and had to pass. Maybe next time.

We are spending two nights and about one and a half days in Avignon ("the" bridge is walking distance from our apartment). We'll spend most of that day driving again, through Marseilles, Aix-en-Provence, out to Nice, and back.