Next Step... The French Open?

Well, not much to report as of late... Billou the Brittany came back for another visit. Poor guy got caught up in a storm and ended up staying until it passed with me :) It's become quite the comfort having him around and I can tell I am DEFINITELY his favourite! It's been storming (mostly in the evenings and at night) and raining off and on all week, which has made outdoor excursions around Thoumassou and the surrounding area more difficult

New developments include visiting the Saturday market in Belves (SO BUSY, oh my) and partaking in the random smorgasbord/food festival in Cadouin on Sunday (tons of food booths set up with all sorts of different things... We were sucked in by mussels and fries. DELICIOUS! Strawberries, raspberries, and whipped creme in a waffle cone for dessert, yum!). The boys started daily swimming and golf lessons this past Monday. Ewan and Theodore have swimming together in Belves at 9:30-10:30, Theodore has golf from 11:00-12:00 at the Lolivarie Golf Club, then Ewan has golf from 4:00-5:00... Needless to say, Monday through Friday has become a VERY busy time with all these lessons. Morgana, Theodore, and myself spent one afternoon at the Belves pool. It's a newer outdoor pool, built almost to resemble a beach... All edges of the pool very gradually steepen, with only a small area that would be considered a "deep end." It seems to be a great recreational pool and we had fun (there's also a really cool slide), but I have a hard time imagining the boys taking lessons here as it just seems as though it would be difficult maneuvering while doing laps, etc. in such an "organically" shaped pool... I guess the boys are still beginners though, so maybe that isn't a problem.

In attempt to aid in withstanding from potential oncoming "cabin fever" or going stir crazy, I've begun going with Theodore in the mornings to the golf course to smack some balls on the driving range and blow off some steam. I was a TAD bit nervous at first because both past experiences would suggest that, well, I'm a horrendous golfer... I'm talking brutal (I'm sure my Dad/the general population can both agree with that). Aside from hitting balls into the field at my old house, I have never had much experience with the sport. Last summer (or was that two summers ago??) while at our cottage, my Dad and I thought it would be a good (yeah, right...) idea to go to a nearby golf course and play a round. Let's just say we played as it drizzled rain and both left with our abdomens aching from laughing (particularly at my skills) so hard and often. I can't say that I played even a BIT well, but it was fun nonetheless. So, as the proposition came to me to go and hit some balls as Theodore was at his lesson, I figured it'd be a good chance to get out of the house and get some fresh air. I thought back to the last time that I picked up a golf club and thought it would be a good idea to do some "research" (hahahahaha), this idea brought me to youtube, where I pathetically entered "how to swing a golf club" or something absolutely ridiculous into the search box. I watched a couple of videos and made some mental notes, in addition to thinking in the back of my head, "Dear god, what in the world was I doing before??" and "Please don't make an absolute fool out of yourself," and after a while I figured I was as prepared as I could be and set off to Lolivarie...

Once I got situated at the driving range with my (first) bucket of balls, I mentally replayed what I had seen in the videos and attempted to implement it. Let's just say the first 5 balls or so didn't look like they were hit by Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie (although I was making contact), but once I slowed down and REALLY, TRULY started thinking about how I was gripping my club and the actual biomechanics (thank you Human Kinetics) behind how I was swinging, I started killing the ball (mind you, I was slicing HARD... Aka right towards the parking lot/road. But it was still going 100+ metres). Then as I continued through bucket numbers 1 & 2, then into my third, I had finally straightened things out and was hitting much more consistent and about 150 metres on average (although I was pretty close to 200m more than once! Hooray!). All-in-all, I had a great first day on the range and made a ton of progress... AND I managed to kick my previous memories of butchering any sort of club + ball contact right in the ass. Today was day numero dos on the range and again I continued to improve. Next on deck is to take a lesson and get some real instruction, specifically for me. I'm really enjoying my new interest and it seems like I've discovered a great new way to have some alone time and blow off some built up steam... There's nothing like pounding the crap out of a ball after listening to kicks scream, cry, and fight all day, my oh my! (Mom, Dad... Now I ask why neither of YOU ever golf? Haha, joking... Sort of :P ) Plus, it feels GOOD to take up something new and improve (I forgot how much I love new things! It's as if it were a tangible object, all shiny and new!). Who knows, maybe I'll come back and become Wheatley and Leamington's next big female golfer... Watch out Margot, I'm coming for you ;)

Today's newest addition to Thoumassou includes some portable soccer nets, which will be fantastic! It'll be nice to get out there with the kids, although the open space is severely slanted and will require some intense ball handling skills!

I haven't really busted out my camera much since being here, it's unfortunate... But I haven't actually had much down time for it thus far. Not to worry, there's still plenty of opportunities around the corner for photos and I look forward to it! Andrew, the kids, and myself went for a cruise to check out the nearby castles (from the car, they were all FAR too busy at the time): Chateau de Castelnaud-la-Chappelle, Chateau Beynac, Chateau des Milandes, and Chateau Fourrat (or something similar). Castelnaud and Beynac are the biggest and most popular... Beynac is especially intriguing since it is built directly into the face of the mountain/rock. Chateau Beynac and Milandes are both privately owned, although Beynac is open to the public and Milandes is not (Nathalie's mother, Claudine, was actually invited there once), and Andrew thinks Castelnaud is owned by the government. As long as private castle owners allow a portion of it to be open for public viewing they will receive funding from the French government for upkeep, etc. so many of France's castles, although privately owned, are still partially open to the public for that reason. I'm sure we'll go for tours at some point and I'll get some great pictures then... Until that time, I snagged some from online so you can all get the jist of how incredible (and enormous) these castles are!

---> Sorry, you'll have to click to enlarge since the images are being fussy, grr!!

Chateau des Milandes

Chateau Beynac

Chateau de Castelnaud-la-Chappelle

That's about all for now folks... I better go since I think a very large moth/

bird just flew into my room and I better shoo it out before it decides to crawl on me while I sleep (wouldn't be the first time -- NOT a pleasant wake-up

call).

Talk soon, bonsoir :)

P.S. I discovered there are TONS of tiny lizards here... And not only that,

there are wild hogs (Allan shot one from his and Claudine's bedroom window... True story). I'm picturing those vicious things you see on National

Geographic. We shall see if that image proves true, stay tuned...

BON APPETIT!

Don't expect to see the same Megan when I get back to Canadaland... I'll probably be about 300lbs at this rate. Simple breakfast this morning (easy to see why); homemade sausage, fries, pate (with black truffles... more expensive than gold!), among other things I cannot remember, for lunch, with amazing handpicked strawberries and yogurt for "dessert;" and for dinner we ate some delicious duck, MORE homemade pate and bread, sauteed wild mushrooms, and salad, then homemade peach pie for dessert. On deck for tomorrow's dinner: omelettes with truffles and god knows what else.

P.S. I am also pleased to say that I was able to stomach not one, but two glasses of red wine... It was tough, but I pushed through with a nice face on... Bleh. Hopefully these are steps of progress towards enjoying wine.

P.P.S. I met the neighbour's dog, Billou... And by neighbour, I mean they live on the other side of the mountain and are cousins of the Courtels. Anyways, he was a beautiful orange and white Brittany Spaniel (I thought of you Grandpa!) and was both a farm and hunting dog (he's one of the dog's Allan uses). He was so cute, I just fell in love with him, as did Morgana. He wandered over as we were painting outside and just came and laid down with us, calm as could be. We're going over to his "farm" tomorrow, since that's where Claudine gets her eggs. We bring leftover bread for the chickens and get eggs in return... Pretty good deal if you ask me! He also has a "brother" at his home... We'll see if he's as sweet and cute as he is!

Signing off with a VERY full tummy...

Bonsoir, xo

THOUMASSOU HAUT, OH MY!

Well, we said goodbye to Paris this afternoon after a rain-filled Bastille Day; however, the rain stopped long enough for some AMAZING fireworks! Undoubtedly the best that I have ever seen, and such a long show! Simply incredible against the backdrop of the Eiffel ♥

So, we packed our bags this morning and somehow managed to fit them all, along with us six passengers, inside of the van (props go to Andrew for his ingenuity... It was an utter engineering FEAT) and headed south west for Thoumassou Haut, which I have come to realize is basically the name of the farm itself is not actually a village... Oops. After six hours of driving and three very, VERY tired and cranky children, we finally arrived at our destination. I must say, this is by far the most beautiful place that I have ever been (pictures to come soon).

There are three separate stone houses that make up the living quarters, all built of stone: one was the original farm house, the other the guest house, and the third was the barn, but has now been renovated into bedrooms and a loft area. The gardens are magnificent (Mama, you'd fall over!), with a huge yard and the entire property surrounded by wooded areas. Thoumassou Haut (not to be confused with Thoumassou Bas: a nearby farm) is situated near the Dordogne River (the closest town that I can remember is St. Cyprien and we also passed Castelnaud where Richard the Lionheart once lived!) at the top of a mountain, if you will, or rather a very, VERY large and steep hill, with winding roads all the way up... I was thinking of going for a jog in the morning, but after seeing that the house is at the very top of what may as well be Mt. Kilimanjaro, I think I'll be passing.

As we arrived, we were quickly greeted by Nathalie's mother, Claudine (ALSO KNOWN AS THE CREATOR OF DIMOUITOU, as seen below...

... Funniest coincidence ever! Probably one of the highlights of my day) and her husband, Allan (who doesn't speak any english, might I add... He's too cute though!), with some yummy champagne in hand. We sat out on the patio in the midst of their garden, ate homemade pate, sausage, some sort of yummy carrot/vinagrette/garlic salad, and cherry pie... DELICIOUS (this is why I love France so much, hahaha). After a long time of both catching up and getting to know each other better (I had met both Claudine and Allan once before in Ottawa) we rolled our many suitcases to our appropriate rooms and called it a night. I got situated in the "guest house," which is actually now owned by Nathalie and Andrew. It's basically a separate living space, with a kitchen/living/dining area, bedroom, and bathroom. It's absolutely charming and a perfect place for me to call home for the next five weeks.

That's all for now folks, bon nuit et bisou!

C'est La Vie ♥

Salut again! Now that I am officially reconnected to the world, I'm bombarding you all with my recent escapades in Paris... I won't bore you all with another novel (at the moment), but I have PLENTY of photos to share! Enjoy:)

Theodore on the balcony... Sneak shot

(He hates having his picture taken!)

Monument at the Champ de Mars

Probably my favourite shot I've taken thus far, and it was completely spontaneous! (Those are the best ones☺)

Those baby blues could kill

View of the Ecole Militaire from the balcony

Beautiful view at dusk, lights finally turned on!

Pictures from Day Three:

I spent a lot of Monday wondering around the city... My sense of direction proved to be quite accurate (surprisingly enough), since not once did I find myself lost AND I don't even own a map of Paris (probably wouldn't hurt though!). I didn't hit any really touristy spots, aside from the Eiffel, but I got some great shots and hopefully sometime soon I'll make it around up close to places like the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden, Notre-Dame, and Place de L'Etoile/Arc de Triomphe, etc., but for now, here's some of the streets of Paris and some up-close and personal shots of the Eiffel...

View up from the centre

Random Cleopatra statue-street performer (who kept moving...)

La Seine - The river that runs through Paris

(There are 37 bridges that span across the Seine in Paris)

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette by Georges Seurat is set along the Seine!

Another street performer in gold

These are some pictures of my favourite block that I've come across thus far... The buildings and views were amazing!

Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (Paris Museum of Modern Art)

View down the Seine towards the Invalides Bridge

Hope you all enjoy the photographs! Tomorrow is Bastille Day (the French national holiday), so I'm sure lots and lots more photos will be taken... Bonsoir from Paris mes amies, beaucoup d'amour!

BONJOUR PARIS:)

... Well, I would have updated again sooner, but lack of internet connection severely delayed all things that I wasn't able (or didn't have the patience) to access on my blackberry! So, I now say BONJOUR to my fellow Canadians from "La Ville-Lumiere" ("The City of Light"), better known as PARIS:)

Our journey began Friday at 2:30pm (EDT, that is) where we boarded a small 50-seater at the Ottawa Airport en route to Washington, D.C. where we would then change planes. We had a little trouble taking off, as a series of thunderstorms were heading our way, deeming the airspace unsuitable for flying. So, after about a 30 minute delay, we were finally up into the air. I started the flight sitting beside Ewan, with Morgana and Theodore seated behind us and Nathalie to my left. All the kids have flown many, many times, so everything went very well! At some point during the flight we were given a snack; a package of "Maized and Confused Corn Chips," which I (and probably I alone) found to be quite amusing! After about two hours of smooth sailing (flying, rather) we landed in Washington, D.C. We made our way off the plane and left for gate C4 where we would then board another plane to complete the leg to Paris (and unfortunately, Obama didn't happen to cross paths with us at any point in time. Darn!).

The five of us then boarded a giant Boeing 777 and took our seats; however, not before passing a man seated in first class who I swore was Flava Flav (hahaha). This leg I happened to sit beside Theodore, with Ewan (who happened to have the flu to boot), Nathalie, and Morgana seated in front of us. The plane took off smoothly and we found ourselves airborne once again. With television screens implanted in the back of each seat, the kids were all enthralled! Sometime after watching Toy Story 2, we were served with dinner; a choice of either chicken and rice or a pasta dish, each served with a salad, bun, and a brownie for dessert. I went the pasta route (chicken on an airplane seems rather sketchy, no? Nonetheless, it looked rather unappetizing) and it proved to be satisfying enough. At around 8pm (going by EDT again) with our tummy's full, we (along with most of the other passengers) all thought it'd be a good idea to try to catch some sleep (especially since I got ZERO sleep Thursday night because I obviously waited to pack, etc.), as we would be landing between 12:30am-1:00am; however, it would be 6:30am-7:00am in Paris! With my neck pillow, eye cover (?), and blanket (it was nice and cool on the plane, thank goodness!) I managed to fall asleep for bits and pieces time, waking up every once and a while to see Theodore still awake, saying, "I can't sleep! I can't sleep!" which seemed more like, "I just want to watch tv." I probably got around two hours of sleep (not much, but better than nothing!) and awoke to "breakfast," which included yogurt, orange juice, and some sort of apple pastry. By this point, Theodore had fallen asleep and didn't wake until we landed. It was blue skies at 6:40am (CEST) in Paris as we landed at the Charles de Gaulle Airport:) We gathered our things and made sure no little people were left behind and made our way off the plane and towards customs. I went with Nathalie and the kids to the European line, but French customs officers prove to be MUCH different than those at the Detroit, Michigan border which I am accustomed to. The man working in the booth beside the one attending to us said, "Great job on this fake passport!" (laughing) among other things related, and gave the passport back to the citizen, saying, "Welcome to Paris!" Had this happened in Detroit, an entire SWAT team would probably have this man under custody and would begin interrogating him, stat! After proceeding through customs, we got our baggage from the claim area and made our way to the taxi stand out front.

We ended up getting into some strange Mercedes van (??) and made our way to the apartment we would be staying at! On the way down the highway, generalizations about European cars were deemed true: practically every car is a hatchback (I think I've seen two non-hatchbacks in Paris thus far), most taxis are Mercedes-Benz or Saabs, there are PLENTY of manufacturers whom I have never heard of, and everyone drives as though the world is coming to an end. The drivers are complete savages here; I've learned THEY WILL RUN YOU OVER with no hesitation at all. Thankfully, we ended up with a nice and seemingly sane taxi driver. Within the short time period en route to the apartment, we managed to see the Stade de France (national stadium of France, held the 1998 FIFA World Cup), Eiffel Tower, drive down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees (also known in France as "La plus belle avenue du monde", or "The most beautiful avenue in the world" and by the Arc de Triomphe, the Musee d'Orsay, and see both the Basililque du Sacre-Coeur (the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris; located at the summit the butte Montmartre, which is the also area where Moulin Rouge! and Amelie take place, the highest point in the city) and Notre-Dame in the distance. Soon enough we arrived at our destination: an apartment located in the district near Ecole Militaire (Military School) and right beside the Derby Eiffel Hotel. After many trips up and down in the elevator made for 3 people (I need to take a picture, it's the tiniest elevator I've ever seen, so cute! Just not always the most convenient, haha), we finally got into our final destination in Paris. The apartment is owned by Nathalie's cousin, Martine, and is absolutely beautiful! It has several sets of incredible French doors leading onto the balcony which has a simply astonishing view, directly towards the Eiffel Tower.

Gorgeous ♥

Balcony & View of the Eiffel Tower

Ecole Militaire (also as seen from the apartment)

After settling in some and "degunkifying" ourselves, we took our hungry tummies out onto the streets of the city to find some delicious Parisian grub. After encountering many, many closed shops (Nathalie said that many of stores begin closing in July and by August most of them have shut their doors for the season) we finally got to a cute little bakery/chocolate/goodies shop. I got a delicious chicken sandwich on a baguette (with cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, among other yummy condiments) and Nathalie picked up some sugar crepes, some sort of delicious pastry with chocolate, and a bunch of small little pastry puffs with sugar bits... YUM!

Nom nom nom nom!

Believe it or not, but these are indeed real... MHMM!

So, we grabbed our bags of goodies and made our way to the Champs de Mars (ironically named after the Roman god of war, Mars), which is a large public greenspace in Paris, stretching from the Eiffel Tower to Ecole Militaire.

There are several smaller parks and playgrounds within the Champs de Mars and we sat down on a bench in front of a track for pedal carts to eat our lunch. Needless to say, it was quite amusing watching the group of kids staring one another down with mean glares and pedaling their hearts out as they raced around the track countless times for bragging rights. Often enough you'd see a child who isn't really into the actual "pedaling" aspect and just gets sidetracked by watching the other kids and ends up smashing his cart into the dividers... It was some great free entertainment, that's for sure! The food was absolutely delicious, I was completely stuffed and satisfied by the end. Afterwards, Morgana and I made our way over to a section of the park which had a sand area with swings and a merry-go-round. As soon as we got there, Morgana was completely amused by a lady bug which had landed on her arm and it was the cutest thing to watch.

After playing in the sand for some time, she got to go on the merry-go-round. In typical Morgana fashion, she chose the big red fire truck. After a few times around, you could see that she began losing interest (haha)... I don't think spinning around in a circle with corny music was quite mentally stimulating enough for a four year-old as intelligent as Morgana; however, she looked enthralled for the first 45 seconds of so!

Morgana was in great spirits all day... But the boys, Ewan and Theodore, seemed to be feeling the effects of jet-lag. Poor fellas!

Theodore & Ewan (left to right)

Ewan (aka child model)

Eventually, we made it back to the apartment... I then got shipped off to a swanky hotel, Hotel Scribe, that Andrew (the father) had previously booked for him courtesy of his work (lucky me!).

Beautiful, just like anything in Paris

The bed was absolutely heavenly; I don't think there could have been any better cure for jet-lag. I hit the hay around 11:30pm and got a great rest to prepare myself for the next day's festivities!

Au revoir & bisou, bisou!